438 Additional Notes. 



the zeal and success with which he shows the consistency be- 

 tween true philosophy and revelation, entitle him to the vene- 

 ration and gratitude of all good men. 



In representing both the knowledge and the admiration of 

 Hutchinson's voluminous writings, as having nearly dis- 

 appeared before the end of the century, it is possible that the 

 fact is stated rather too strongly. It is believed, however, 

 that very few gentlemen now living in Great-Britain, who 

 hold a respectable rank in the scientific world, either embrace 

 the opinions of Hutchinson, or study his works. 



It is not easy to account for the prejudices entertained by 

 Hutchinson and his followers against the philosophy of 

 Newton, as if it were hostile to revelation ; and, above all, for 

 the suspicion indulged by him, that SirlsA ac and Dr. Clarke 

 had formed a design, " by introducing certain speculations, 

 founded on their new mode of philosophising, to undermine 

 and overthrow the dieology of scripture, and to bring in the 

 heathen Jupiter, or the stoical Anima Mundi into the place of 

 the true God." It is believed that nothing was further from 

 the minds of those great men, than to represent matter as possess- 

 ing inherent activity. If any who profess to be their followers 

 be chargeable with falling into this error, none can be too 

 severe upon the atheistical tenet. In the Newtonian system 

 t\\G attraction^scnh^(\ to all matter is not ^.n independent prin^ 

 ciple or agents but simply 2ifact, referred for its first and con- 

 tinued existence to the immediate power of God. If either 

 class of pliilosophers be chargeable with going too far in at- 

 tempting to ascertain causes, and in ascribing agencies to ma- 

 terial objects, it appears to me to be the liutchinsonians. 



Boscovich. p. 19. 



Roger Joseph Boscovich: was born at Ragusa, May 1 1 , 

 1711, and died at Milan, February 13, 1787. His learning 

 and talents are universally acknowledged. And he is repre- 

 sented as " unstained in his morals, sincerely attached to the 

 Christian religion, and exact in the performance of all Chris - 

 tian duties, as became a Catholic priest." His publications ou 

 Mathematics, Optics, Astvonomij, Ihjdronamics, &c. ren- 

 der him one of the most distinguished men of the age. 



The friends of the Theory of Natural Philosophy laid be- 

 fore the public by this celebrated Italian, speak of it in the' 

 highest terms, and consider it as one of tlie noblest efforts of 



