The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties, Volume 2Harper & brothers, 1847 |
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Page 10
... native of Clazomenæ , in Ionia , and the descendant of noble and wealthy ancestors , whose lands he inherited . But , determining to devote his life to philosophy , he did not hesitate , when only about twen- ty years of age , to bid ...
... native of Clazomenæ , in Ionia , and the descendant of noble and wealthy ancestors , whose lands he inherited . But , determining to devote his life to philosophy , he did not hesitate , when only about twen- ty years of age , to bid ...
Page 11
... native country . Their protector gave them a liberal education , and , at the proper age , they were all entered of the University of Oxford . Soon after this , however , two of them were attacked by small pox , and died . Nicephorus ...
... native country . Their protector gave them a liberal education , and , at the proper age , they were all entered of the University of Oxford . Soon after this , however , two of them were attacked by small pox , and died . Nicephorus ...
Page 12
... native country , and put himself at the head of a powerful party who desired to place him on the throne . But , with a want of ambition which many will despise , although its wisdom might perhaps be defended , he pre- ferred , on both ...
... native country , and put himself at the head of a powerful party who desired to place him on the throne . But , with a want of ambition which many will despise , although its wisdom might perhaps be defended , he pre- ferred , on both ...
Page 19
... native country . Nothing can exceed the warmth of the admira- tion , with which all the old historians speak of his genius and accomplishments , and of the effect which his example had in diffusing among his people that spirit of ...
... native country . Nothing can exceed the warmth of the admira- tion , with which all the old historians speak of his genius and accomplishments , and of the effect which his example had in diffusing among his people that spirit of ...
Page 27
... native of Russia , or had resided in that country . According to this authority , the incident took place in the flax - yard at Ishmaeloff , an old seat of the royal family , ne , near Moscow . The writer gives us also an account of a ...
... native of Russia , or had resided in that country . According to this authority , the incident took place in the flax - yard at Ishmaeloff , an old seat of the royal family , ne , near Moscow . The writer gives us also an account of a ...
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acquaintance acquired afterwards alkali ancient appeared applied Arkwright astronomical attempt attention became born Boyle burning-glasses called Carsten Niebuhr celebrated century character circumstances considerable contrivance cultivation death died discovery distinguished early Egypt eminent employed engine England English Europe experiments extraordinary father formed fortune Friesland gave genius Gregorian telescope History of Lancashire honor hundred improvement ingenuity instrument invention John Dollond King labors language Latin language latter learned literary lived London machine manner master means ment mentioned mind Napier native natural never Niebuhr object observations obtained occasion original painter persons philosopher piston poet possession principal probably produced pursuit of knowledge received Red Sea reflecting telescope remarkable residence River Thames Royal Royal Society Russia says Scotland Society soon steam telescope thing tion took travels Tycho Brahe vessel visited whole writer
Popular passages
Page 259 - The trunk of an elephant that can pick up a pin or rend an oak, is as nothing to it. It can engrave a seal, and crush masses of obdurate metal like wax, before it, — draw out, without breaking, a thread as fine as gossamer, and lift a ship of war like a bauble in the air. It can embroider muslin, and forge anchors, — cut steel into ribands, and impel loaded vessels against the fury of the winds and waves.
Page 73 - New Experiments Physico-mechanical, touching the spring of the air, and its effects ; (made for the most part in a new pneumatical engine) written .... by the honourable Robert Boyle, Esq* experiment xxxvi.
Page 239 - An admirable and most forcible way to drive up water by fire, not by drawing or sucking it upwards, for that must be as the philosopher calleth it, infra spheeram activitatis, which is but at such a distance. But this way hath no bounder, if the vessels be strong enough ; for I have taken a piece of a whole cannon, whereof the end was burst, and filled it three...
Page 282 - Now you will not assert, gentlemen, said I, that it is more difficult to construct a machine that shall weave than one which shall make all the variety of moves which are required in that complicated game.
Page 259 - By his admirable contrivance, it has become a thing stupendous alike for its force and its flexibility — for the prodigious power which it can exert, and the ease, and precision, and ductility, with which that power can be varied, distributed, and applied. The trunk of an elephant, that can pick up a pin or rend an oak, is as nothing to it.
Page 125 - I could be happy," he very movingly says, "on my going home, to find some corner where I could sit down in the middle of my studies, books, and casts after the antique, to paint this work and others, Where I might have models of nature when necessary, bread and soup, and a coat to cover me ! I should...
Page 403 - ... faithful Records, of all the works of Nature, or Art, which can come within their reach : that so the present Age, and posterity, may be able to put a mark on the Errors, which have been strengthened by long prescription : to restore the Truths, that have lain neglected : to push on those, which are already known, to more various uses : and to make the way more passable, to what remains unreveal'd.
Page 282 - ... be little difficulty in producing and repeating them. Full of these ideas, I immediately employed a carpenter and smith to carry them into effect. As soon as the machine was finished, I got a weaver to put in the warp, which was of such materials as sailcloth is usually made of.
Page 28 - There is a house full of people, and right nasty. The czar lies next your library, and dines in the parlour next your study. He dines at ten o'clock, and six at night, is very seldom at home a whole day, very often in the King's Yard, or by water, dressed in several dresses. The king is expected here this day ; the best parlour is pretty clean for him to be entertained in. The king pays for all he has.
Page 120 - I mention it only, as it shows the solicitude and extreme activity which he had about every thing that related to his art; that he wished to have his objects embodied as it were, and distinctly before him; that he neglected nothing which could keep his faculties in exercise, and derived hints from every sort of combination.