Thomas Hariot, the Mathematician, the Philosopher and the ScholarStevens, Henry
Philosophy
Thomas Hariot, the Mathematician, the Philosopher and the Scholar
Stevens, Henry
Harriot, Thomas, 1560-1621; Hercules Club
The whole question was inquired into. Professor Robertson’s original
report was brought out and sent to Dr David Brewster, who printed it in
his Edinburgh Philosophical Journal for 1822, volume vi, page 314, in
an article on the Hariot papers. In the meanwhile, in 1810, that
portion of the Hariot papers that did not go to Oxford was presented to
the British Museum by the Earl of Egremont. The division of the papers
(on what principle it is difficult to guess) was unquestionably Dr
Zach’s. The value is no doubt much depreciated by the separation. Under
all these circumstances no one can wonder at the Oxford decision, or
that the papers were deemed not worthy of publication. Yet under other
circumstances it is almost certain that the two collections when worked
together will yield valuable materials for the life of Hariot and the
history and progress of English science, discovery, and invention. To
Professor S. F. Rigaud is due the credit for the most part of working
out the crooked and entangled history of the Zachean fiasco, which has
apparently depreciated the real value of these papers. Professor
Rigaud’s papers may be seen in the Royal Institution Journal, 1831,
volume ii, pages 267-271, in the Proceedings of the Royal Society, iii,
125, and in the Appx to Bradley’s Works. Now to pick up a few dropped
stitches. Notices of Hariot by Camden, Aubrey, Hakewill, and others are
omitted from press of matter. Gabriel Harvey in 1593, in his’ Pierces
Supererogation,’ page 190, exclaims ‘and what profounde Mathematician
like Digges, Hariot, or Dee esteemeth not the pregnant Mechanician?’
MrJ.O.Halliwell’s Collection of Letters referred to on page 174, though
falling late under our eye, is most acceptable and thankfully used.
Several letters of Sir William Lower are printed from the originals in
the British Museum. And so is John Bulkley’s dedication to Hariot of
his work on the Quadrature of the Circle, dated Kal. Martii, 1591, the
original manuscript of which is in Sion College. There is also an
interesting letter from Hariot to the Earl dated Sion June 13, 1619,
respecting the doctrine of reflections as communicated to Warner and
Hues for the use of the Earl. But the most important letter is the
following on page 71 from Sir Thomas Aylesbury, one of Hariot’s
executors, to the Earl of Northumberland, respecting some remuneration
for the extra services of Warner in assisting him in passing Hariot’s
‘Artis Analyticæ Praxis’ through the press :
Rt. Ho. May it plese your löp. July 5, 1631.
I presumed heretofore to moue your löp on the behalf of Mr. W. for some
consideration to be had of his extraordinary expense in attending the
publication of Mr. H. book after the copy was finished. The same humble
request I am induced to renew by reson of his present wants occasioned
by that attendance.
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