| RefNo | MS/81/16 |
| Previous numbers | MS 81.13 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Draft letter, from [John Collins] to [Francis] Vernon and [Richard Towneley] |
| Recipient | Towneley; Richard (1629-1707); mathematician and astronomer |
| Date | 26 December 1671 |
| Description | Heavily corrected and annotated copy of a letter to Vernon in Collins' hand, with endorsement "ditto to Mr Tounley" with additional list of volumes at the back of the letter. Likely draft letter.
Dated with the name of recipients on the back page, attributed to Collins on the basis of hand and context.
Discusses exchanges of books through Vernon's intermediary with Europe, including misunderstandings with [Jean] Bertet who seem to have sent a number of volumes too big for Collins to distribute. Comments on practical aspects of circulating mathematical books, price difference between the Low Countries, France and English books, problems with customs and transports. Discusses Newton's newly invented reflective telescope. [Note: this is one of the earliest accounts of the telescope]. Comments on forthcoming publications including Horrox's Astronomical treatises and Newton's translation of Kinckhuisen's [Algebra ofte] Stelkonst (1662) with additional algebraic notes. This passage is underlined in red, with quotation marks in the margins to highlight inclusion in the printed Commercium Epistolicum.
On the last verso, Collins notes 'ditto to Mr Tounley' adding a list of books, likely sent to [Richard Towneley].
Different hand notes at the top of first page ' No 23: p. 102' in reference to the inclusion of the passage referring to Newton's algebra in the printed 'Commercium Epistolicum' 1722 edition, page 102'. The passage referring to Newton's telescope was not included in the printed Commercium.
Numbered 8; 13 on the cover page. |
| Language | English |
| Extent | 4pp. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| RelatedMaterial | Full letter transcribed and edited by A. Rupert Hall; "John Collins on Newton's telescope". Notes Rec R Soc Lond 31 January 1995; 49 (1): 71–78. |
| DOI: 10.1098/rsnr.1995.0003 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA5652 | Vernon; Francis (c 1637 - 1677); traveller and diplomat | c 1637 - 1677 |
| NA2898 | Collins; John (1625 - 1683); mathematician and scientific administrator | 1625 - 1683 |