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<f Whether the theory of Sir liaac Newton is fuf- 
“ cient to explain all the irregularities which 
“ are found in the motion of the moon ? 
This queftion is of the lad importance; and I mud 
own, that, till now, I always believed, that this 
theory did not agree with the motion of the apogee 
of the moon. Mr. Clairaut was of the fame opinion; 
but he has publicly retracted it, by declaring, that 
the motion of the apogee is not contrary to the New- 
tonian theory. Upon this occafion I have renew'd 
my inquiries on this affair ; and, after mod tedious 
calculations, I have at length found to my fatif- 
fadtion, that Mr. Clairaut was in the right, and that 
this theory is intirely fufficient to explain the motion 
of the apogee of the moon. As this inquiry is of the 
greated difficulty, and as thole, who hitherto pretended 
to have proved this nice agreement of the theory with 
the truth, have been much deceived, it is to Mr Clai- 
raut that we are obliged for this important dilcovery, 
which gives quite a new ludre to the theory of the 
great Newton : and it is but now, that we can exped ' 
good adronomical tables of the moon. 
XXXIX. 
