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R O L 
engagements and pursuits he without hesitation sacrificed 
his lucrative place, that he might be at liberty to prosecute 
his studies without restraint. 
In the year 1690, M. Rolle published “A Treatise on 
Algebra,” in which his profound skill and inventive genius 
in the science were advantageously displayed. This was 
followed, during the course of the following year, by a 
new work, entitled, “ A Demonstration of a Method for 
the Resolution of Equations of all degrees; to which 
succeed two other Methods: by the first of which the same 
Equations are resolved geometrically ; and by the second, 
several unresolved Questions of Diophantus are answered.” 
In the year 1699, he published a work, entitled, “ A Me¬ 
thod of resolving indeterminate Questions in Algebra;” and 
he was appointed second geometrical-pensionary of the 
Academy of Sciences. About this time he united with 
that party in the academy which opposed the new geometry, 
and carried on a controversy against the Marquis de 1’Hopi- 
tal on the subject of infinitesimals, till the society imposed 
silence on all the disputants. In the history of the academy 
for the year 1710, M. Rolle will be found to have taken a 
leading part in another dispute among some of the members, 
in which he openly attacked the geometry of Des Cartes, where 
that philosopher advances his theory concerning the con¬ 
struction of equations. He was of opinion that algebra 
was capable of very material improvements, and he an¬ 
nounced his design of drawing up entirely new elements of 
that science ; but he did not live to carry it into execution. 
In the year 1708, he had an apoplectic attack, from the 
effects of which he so far recovered as to be able to pursue 
his studies with his former vigour ; but a second attack of 
the same disorder, ten years afterwards, was succeeded by 
a paralytic affection, which totally disqualified him for any 
future exertions. He died in 1719, when he was in the 
68 th year of his age, having maintained through life a 
character estimable for piety, probity, regularity, and ami¬ 
able manners. Besides the works which are mentioned 
above, many curious papers were communicated by him 
to the Academy of Sciences, and may be seen in the vo¬ 
lumes of their “ Memoirs” from the year when he took his 
seat in that body till 1714. The following are some of the 
subjects of them: “ A Rule for the Approximation of irra¬ 
tional Cubes“ Remarks ubon Geometric Lines “ On 
the new System of Infinity “ On the inverse Method of 
Tangents“ Method of finding the Face of Geometric 
Lines of all Kinds ;” “ On Curves, both Geometrical and 
Mechanical, with their Radii of Curvature;” “ On the 
Construction of Equations;” “ On the Extermination of 
the unknown Quantities in the Geometrical Analysis 
“ Rules and Remarks for the Construction of Equations 
“ On the Application of Diophantine Rules to Geometry 
“ On a Paradox in Geometric Effectionsand “ On Geo¬ 
metric Constructions.” Eloge de M. Rolle par Fonte- 
nelle. Hutton's Math. Diet. 
ROLLE (Johann Heinrich), the youngest of three bro¬ 
thers, all eminent musicians, and sons of a father who, as 
music director at Magdeburgh, had rendered the name illus¬ 
trious. Henry, who succeeded his father as music-director 
in his native city, was born in 1718, and died in 1785. He 
was an excellent composer for the church, as well as author 
of pieces for the organ and harpsichord of great merit. His 
oratorio of “ Thirsa and her Sons,” is full of good taste, 
new passages, pleasing effects, and true pathos. 
ROLLE (Richard), a writer of the 14th century, of the 
order of Augustine. He was often called the hermit of 
Hampole, or, simply Richard Hampole. Of his life we 
know nothing; but have introduced him to our readers 
merely for the purpose of giving a specimen of the style of 
writing in his time. He translated the Psalms, wrote the 
“ Twelve Profits of Tribulation,” and a long poem, entitled 
“ The Pricke of Conscience.” From each of the latter we 
shall make an extract—premising that the author states he 
seeks “ no straunge ynglys bot lightest and communest.” 
The seventh Profit of Tribulation is, that it “spreadith 
abred on opynyth thyne hert to receyve the grace of God. 
R O L 
For God, with many strokys of the hamrnyr spredith abrode 
a pece of gold or of silver, to make a vessel 1 for to putin 
wyne or precyouse liqwor.—And considre, as the more pre- 
ciouse metalle is more ductible and obeynge to the strokes 
of the goldsmith; so the more preciouse and meke herte is 
more paciente in tribulaetion. And allethogh the sharp 
stroke of tribulaetion turmenteth the, yet comfort the; for 
the goldsmyth, Alle-myghty God, holdeth the hamnjer of 
tribulacion in his hond; and knoweth ful well what thou 
maiste sutfir and mesurith hys smytynge alter thi frele 
nature.” . 
The following is a description of the poet’s heaven:— 
“ Ther is lyf wi'.hout ony deth. 
And ther is youthe without ony elde; 
And ther is alle manner soothe to wild: 
And ther is reste without ony travaille:— 
And ther is pees withoute ony strife 
And ther is alle mannere 1 iky wye of lyf:— 
And ther is bright somer ever to se. 
And ther is nevere wynter in that countree:— 
And ther is more worshipe and honour. 
Then evere hadde kynge other emperour. 
And there is grete melodee of aungeles songe 
And ther is preysing him amonge 
And ther is alle maner frendshipe that may be. 
And ther is evere perfect love and charite; 
And ther is wisdom without folye 
And ther is honeste without vilenye. 
All these a man may joyes of hevene call: 
Ae yette the most soveryne joye of all, 
Is the sight of Goddes bright face 
In whom resteth all manere grace." 
ROLLE, a town of Switzerland, canton of Vaud. It 
consists of one long street, has a castle, and stands at the 
foot of a range of eminences, covered with beautiful vine¬ 
yards. A number of the inhabitants are watchmakers. 
Population 2400; 18 miles north-north-east of Geneva. 
RO'LLER, s. [rouleau , Fr.] Any thing turning on its 
own axis, as a heavy stone to level walks.—When a mart 
tumbles ^ roller down a hill, the man is the violent enforcer 
of the first motion ; but when it is once tumbling, the pro¬ 
perty of the thing itself continues it. Hammond. — The 
long slender worms, that breed between the skin and flesh 
in the isle of Ormuz and in India, are generally twisted out 
upon sticks or rollers. Rap. 
Lady Charlotte, like a stroller, 
Sits mounted on the garden roller. Swift. 
Bandage ; fillet.—Fasten not your roller by tying a knot, 
lest you hurt your patient. Wise/nan. — Bandage being 
chiefly to maintain the due situation of a dressing, surgeons 
always turn a roller with that view. Sharp. 
Roller is also the name of the bird Coracias Gar- 
rula, and also a species of Ampilis. 
ROLLESBY, a parish of England, in Norfolk; 4| miles 
north-east of Acle. Population 385. 
ROLLESTON, a parish of England, in Nottingham¬ 
shire; 4 miles west-by-south of Newark. 
ROLLESTON, or Rolveston, a village of England, 
in Staffordshire, near Burton-upon-Trent. Population 475, 
ROLLI (Paolo), a Roman poet, born in 1687, the son 
of an architect. He was a disciple of the celebrated Gravina, 
who inspired him with the love of poetry and literature.' 
The earl of Burlington brought him to England, 
(which he commemorates in the dedication of his opera 
of “ Astarte” to his noble patron,) and attached him 
to the court as master of the Tuscan language to the 
princesses. 
Rolli did not spend an inactive life in England; for, be¬ 
sides being opera poet to the Royal Academy of Music till 
it was broke up, teaching his language to the royal family, 
and many of the first nobility, he published Italian odes,, 
songs, elegies, and endeca sillaba in the manner of Catullus,, 
which were much admired. Besides these he published 
epigrams, 
