| RefNo | MS/82/26 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Letter from [Abbé Antonio Schinella Conti] to [Brook Taylor] |
| Date | 1721 |
| Description | Unsigned, likely incomplete letter.
Madame de Montmort [widow of Pierre Remond de Montmort] will send Taylor's original letters to Conti when she comes back from [Montmort].
Sending regards from all in Luxembourg, including the Duke of Villeroy; Madame de Villette.
Has read only extracts of Taylor's letter to [Pierre] Varignon despite his insistance. Disputed again with Varignon the fact that a polygon is formed by a circle, showing him [Isaac] Newton's demonstration p. 27 of Principia but there is no clear mention of the fluxion of differences.
Sends a question on increasing or decreasing fluxions, includes equation and mentions further work to establish the curve.
Asks that the letter be forwarded to [John] Keill and to receive what he has published in the Holland which clarifies Newton's demonstration p. 239. [Introductiones ad veram physicam et veram astronomiam, 1725] as proof of Newton's precedence in the controversy against [Gottfried] Leibniz.
Considers [James Stirling] Sterlin's method to be taken from Newton. Stirling only applied and qualified the method but it is worth more than the volume by [Guillaume Francois] Marquis de l'Hopital, the Leipzig publications and Bernoulli's writings taken together. Although does not understand various passages in Stirling's work, while [Colin] MacLaurin's books are much clearer and well received in Paris. Would appreciate If Taylor could introduce him to Maclaurin. Asking about the whereabouts of Stirling, in Turin or London. Announces the upcoming publication of Newton's optics translated into French by [Abraham de] Moivre. Only [Remond de] Montmort was ever Moivre's equal.
Mocks Varignon for having supposed that there could be any peace between English and Swisss mathematicians..
Asks Taylor to publish his work for public use. Congratulates Taylor for his recent marriage.
[Clarification: Correspondent identified on the basis of handwriting and content; dated on the basis of Varignon's death and marriage of Brook Taylor, misdated by William Young at the top of the page] |
| Extent | 4 pages |
| Format | Manuscript |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA6093 | Taylor; Brook (1685 - 1731) | 1685 - 1731 |
| NA6718 | Conti; Antonio Schinella (1677 - 1749); mathematician | 1677 - 1749 |