LIFE OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON. 31 about the sun. These were sent to London, and communicated to the Royal Society about the end of 1683. At or near this pe riod, other philosophers, as Sir Christopher Wren, Dr. Halley, and Dr. Hooke, were engaged in investigating the same subject ; but with no definite or satisfactory results. Dr. Halley, having seen, it is presumed, our author's propositions, went in August, 1684, to Cambridge to consult with him upon the subject. Newton assured him that he had brought the demonstration to perfection. In November, Dr. Halley received a copy of the work ; and, in the following month^ announced . it to the Royal Society, with the author's promise to have it entered upon their Register. Newton, subsequently reminded by the Society of his promise, proceeded in the diligent preparation of the work, and. though suffering an interruption of six weeks, transmitted the manuscript of the first book to London before the end of April. The work was entitled PHILOSOPHI/E NATURALIS PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA, dedicated to the Royal Society, and presented thereto on the 28th of April, 1685-6. The highest encomiums were passed upon it ; and the council resolved, on the 19th of May, to print it at the expense of the Society, and under the di rection of Dr. Halley. The latter, a few days afterward, com municated these steps to Newton, who, in a reply, dated the 20th of June, holds the following language : — " The proof you sent me I like very well. I designed the whole to consist of three books ; the second was finished last summer, being short, and only wants transcribing, and drawing the cuts fairly. Some new propositions I have since thought on, which I can as well let alone. The third wants the theory of comets. In autumn last, I spent two months in calculation to no purpose for want of a good method, which made me afterward return to the first book, and enlarge it with diverse propositions, some* relating to comets, others to other things found ouf last winter. The third I now design to sup press. Philosophy is such an impertinently litigious lady, that a man had as good be engaged in l«iw-suits as have to do with her. I found it so formerly, and now I can no sooner come near her again, but she gives me warning. The first two books without the third will not so well bear the title of P/iilosophicc Naturalis 3