XX PREFACE. 



papers; thus there are six drafts of the scheme for founding the 

 Royal Society, seven drafts of his remarks on the chronology 

 published under his name at Paris (which made him very angry), 

 many of the Observations on the Prophecies, several of the 

 scheme of mathematical learning proposed for Christ's Hospital, 

 &c. 



The four elaborately bound volumes, containing ' the Chro- 

 nology of Ancient Kingdoms Amended/ the Chronicle to the 

 Conquest of Persia by Alexander, Observations on the Prophe- 

 cies, and the treatise " De Mundi Systemate," are very remark- 

 able specimens of their author's care in writing out his works, 

 and of his beautiful handwriting ( vii. 2). They are all con- 

 tained in Horsley's collection. 



It is believed that in the present catalogue nothing has 

 been omitted, and that thus a very fair idea may be obtained of 

 what occupied Newton's time throughout his life. The papers 

 date from his earliest time, giving his accounts when first he 

 began college life as a sizar of Trinity College, and his mathe- 

 matical notes while still an undergraduate: and they continue 

 till his death. All the papers or books which have been re- 

 turned to Lord Portsmouth are marked with an asterisk * in 

 the catalogue. Of the more important letters, which have not 

 been retained by the University, copies have been taken by 

 the permission of Lord Portsmouth, and these are retained with 

 the portion of the MSS. presented by him to the University. 

 In addition to this a copy of Brewster's Life of Newton has 

 been placed with the collection, in which the letters there given 

 have been carefully collated with their originals ; so that prac- 

 tically the student of Newton's works has all the scientific 

 correspondence at his command. 



H. R. LUARD. 

 G. G. STOKES. 

 J. C. ADAMS. 

 G. D. LIVEING. 



CAMBRIDGE, 

 26 May 1888. 



