I’ll teach any one the whole course of mathematiques in 1/100 part the time that another will. Much banter got from the prefaces of the mathematicians. (M427) Newton says colour is in the subtil matter. Hence Malbranch proves nothing, or is mistaken, in asserting there is onely figure & motion. I can square the circle, &c.; they cannot. Wch goes on the best principles? ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ The Billys(268) use a finite visible line for an 1/m. (M428) Marsilius Ficinus—his appearing the moment he died solv’d by my idea of time(269). (M429) The philosophers lose their abstract or unperceived Matter. The mathematicians lose their insensible sensations. The profane [lose] their extended Deity. Pray wt do the rest of mankind lose? As for bodies, &c., we have them still(270). N. B. The future nat. philosoph. & mathem. get vastly by the bargain(271). (M430) There are men who say there are insensible extensions. There are others who say the wall is not white, the fire is not hot, &c. We Irishmen cannot attain to these truths. The mathematicians think there are insensible lines. About these they harangue: these cut in a point at all angles: these are divisible _ad infinitum_. We Irishmen can conceive no such lines. The mathematicians talk of wt they call a point. This, they say, is not altogether nothing, nor is it downright something. Now we Irishmen are apt to think something(272) & nothing are next neighbours. Engagements to P.(273) on account of ye Treatise that grew up under his eye; on account also of his approving my harangue. Glorious for P. to be the protector of usefull tho’ newly discover’d truths. How could I venture thoughts into the world before I knew they would be of use to the world? and how could I know that till I had try’d how they suited other men’s ideas? I publish not this so much for anything else as to know whether other men have the same ideas as we Irishmen. This is my end, & not to be inform’d as to my own particular. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ My speculations have the same effect as visiting foreign countries: in the end I return where I was before, but my heart at ease, and enjoying life with new satisfaction. Passing through all the sciences, though false for the most part, yet it gives us the better insight and greater knowledge of the truth. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ He that would bring another over to his opinion, must seem to harmonize with him at first, and humour him in his own way of talking(274). From my childhood I had an unaccountable turn of thought that way. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ It doth not argue a dwarf to have greater strength than a giant, because he can throw off the molehill which is upon him, while the other struggles beneath a mountain. ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐