The Works of John Playfair ...: With a Memoir of the Author ...A. Constable & Company, 1822 |
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Page 79
... observations on shore , we knew that the object we were in search of was likely to be discovered . On landing at this point , we found that we actual- ly trode on the primeval rock , which forms alter- nately the base and the summit of ...
... observations on shore , we knew that the object we were in search of was likely to be discovered . On landing at this point , we found that we actual- ly trode on the primeval rock , which forms alter- nately the base and the summit of ...
Page 88
... observations authorize us to pro- ceed , and of being accurately circumscribed by the limits pointed out by the laws of philosophical in- duction . * • Though Boscovich's Theory was published long before Dr Hutton's , so early , indeed ...
... observations authorize us to pro- ceed , and of being accurately circumscribed by the limits pointed out by the laws of philosophical in- duction . * • Though Boscovich's Theory was published long before Dr Hutton's , so early , indeed ...
Page 104
... observations , and the ingenuity of his reason- ings , were truly admirable . It would , I am per- suaded , be ... observing the continuity of her proceedings , or more sagacious in tracing her foot- steps , even where they were most ...
... observations , and the ingenuity of his reason- ings , were truly admirable . It would , I am per- suaded , be ... observing the continuity of her proceedings , or more sagacious in tracing her foot- steps , even where they were most ...
Page 132
... observations , the difference of longi- tude between Portsmouth and Port Royal came out 5h . 2 ' 47 " , only four seconds less than it was known to be from other observations . The instructions of the Board farther required , that , as ...
... observations , the difference of longi- tude between Portsmouth and Port Royal came out 5h . 2 ' 47 " , only four seconds less than it was known to be from other observations . The instructions of the Board farther required , that , as ...
Page 149
... observations which best serve the purpose of determining the orbit of a planet , are those made at its oppositions to the sun , when an observer in the Earth and in the Sun would re- fer the planet to the same point in the starry hea ...
... observations which best serve the purpose of determining the orbit of a planet , are those made at its oppositions to the sun , when an observer in the Earth and in the Sun would re- fer the planet to the same point in the starry hea ...
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Popular passages
Page 81 - The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time ; and while we listened with, earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.
Page 335 - ... the three angles of a triangle are together equal to two right angles, although it is not known to all.
Page 309 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 125 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour — The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Page 325 - In one of these, where the dictates of Aristotle are still listened to as infallible decrees, and where the infancy of science is mistaken for its maturity, the mathematical sciences have never flourished ; and the scholar has no means of advancing beyond the mere elements of geometry.
Page 522 - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
Page 55 - It is unreasonable, indeed, to suppose that such marks should any where exist. The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction ; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 56 - The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted, in his works, any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system, at some determinate period; but we may safely conclude, that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by any of...
Page 301 - Between the laws by which the tides diminish from their maximum at the full and change, to their minimum at the first and third quarters, and by which they increase again from the minimum to the maximum, as deduced from the observations at Brest, and as determined by the theory of gravitation, there is an exact coincidence. 2. According to theory, the height of the tides...
Page 439 - ... most general rule that we are enabled to give admits of many exceptions. The violation of the order of events among the phenomena of the former class, the suspension of gravity, for example, the deviation of any of the stars from their places or their courses in the heavens, &c., — these are facts of which the improbability is so strong that no testimony can prevail against it.