| Description | Extensively corrected copy of a letter, likely rough draft in Collins' hand. Date of the original letter annotated at the end of the notes.
Expects to receive various books from France and Italy, including Fermat's Diophantus, which he will forward to Gregorie.
Because of bookseller's insolvency, [Isaac] Barrow cannot obtain additional copies of his [Lectures] to send to his friends. Cannot help Gregorie finding a copy of [Nicholas] Mercator's method for the circle, as he is not involved with the printing, and refused to loan Mercator money as he is known as a "bad Paymaster". Describes Mercator's method and expects the volume not to be too expensive. Discusses some additions to [Henry] Briggs' Arithmetica Logarithmica.
Has never met [Isaac] Newton, who is younger than Gregorie, but suggested to him to add a musical progression to his method, [Newton] developed one before Collins could send his own suggestions, but with no indication of his method. Newton indicated his first lecture [in Cambridge] will pick up from where Barrow left off and be dedicated to Optics. Newton himself is a "practical grinder of glasses, and has ground glasses ... but 6 inches long, that magnified the object 150 times" which he used to observe satellites of Jupiter. He hasn't requested anything yet from Newton, but the "Lecturer [in Cambridge] is obliged either to print or to put 9 or 10 lectures yearly in manuscript into the public Library, where copies of them may be transcribed." Mentions an exchange between [Michael] Dary and Newton on his analytical method which is universal and can apply to geometric and mechanical curves, in reference to [René] Descartes. Includes some applications of the method, including to quadratic curves with figures and heavily redacted comments on the method. Notes some "unwillingness" or "wariness" on Newton's part to share details on the method, and therefore cannot confirm to Gregorie that their respective methods are identicals. In fact indicates obvious differences between both methods.
Rejoices to hear that Gregorie will print his "lucubrations" and will provide as much help as possible, but there are no printers in London accustomed to mathematical works and who would have all the necessary characters. Only printer [William] Godbid would be suitable, but he is already busy with a series of mathematical treatises: [John] Wallis' Mechanics; his comments on [Jeremiah] Horrocks' Astronomical Remains; John Newton's Arithmetics and Algebra; [Gerard] Kinckhuysen's Introduction to Algebra, annotated by [Isaac] Newton at the request of [Isaac] Barrow. Notes that Kersies' Algebra and Diophantus won't be ready before the Spring. If Gregory can find a printer in Scotland, but no engraver, suggests he can fin an engraver in London and that would be the quickest solution rather than waiting for Godbid to be available. Had obtained 12 plates for Barrow's latest book for 10d but the price is likely to have increased as "the plague swept away all those that cut tolerably in Wood". Will try and "encourage the Stationers students". Perhaps publishing an account in the [Philosophical] Transactions would be a good way to provide Gregorie some priority over Mercator's expected publication.
Discusses some of the work on equations promised by Gregorie.
Reports on [Bernard] Frenicle's claims regarding [Francois] Dulaurens' method and his dispute with John Wallis on a problem of eclipse.
Memorandum note written in the middle of the last paragraph of the letter, to write to [Jean] Bertet on several headings.
Notes to write to [Jean] Bertet regarding a catalogue of books in private libraries in Padua, including a whole Diophantus in a private study. [Claude] Hardy wrote against [Christen Sorensen] Longomontanus. Notes on [Blaise] Pascal conic paper [now known as Pascal's theorem]. Note to write to [engraver Abraham] Bosse in relation to [Girard] Desargues conics. Lent Jonas Moore Nouvelle Pensées, Cycloid Pendulums. Galileo's work "burnt in the conflagration". About Problema Austraicum. About Galileo and loss to suscribers.
Memorandum written at the recto of the bundle wrapper for MS/81/12.
Annotated 'No. 19: p. 97' at the top right corner of the first page, referencing the mention of the letter in 'Commercium Epistolicum' 1722 edition, page 97, paragraph XIX. Paragraphs related to the difference between Newton and Gregorie's methods in folio 2-3 are underlined in red and quotation marks noted in the margins. Corresponding to the extracts reproduced in the printed edition. The comments on Newton's reluctance to share details of his methods are not underlined or included in the printed edition.
Various numbers added the back of the wrapper, n.10, 6. |