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Full text of "Memoirs of the life of David Rittenhouse, LLD. F.R.S., late president of the American philosophical society, &c. interspersed with various notices of many distinguished men: with an appendix, containing sundry philosophical and other papers, most of which have not hitherto been published"

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»IEMOTR,S 

OF  THE  LIFE 
or 

DAVID  RITTENHOUSE,  LLD.  F.R.S. 

lATX  PBXflDDKllTOF  THE  AMKRICAW  pmLOSOTBICAL  80CISTT,  &e. 

ZVTER8PERSED  WITH 

VABIOUS  NOTICES  OF  MANY  DISTINGUISHED  MEX: 

WITH 

AN  APPENDIX, 

COKTAINING 

SUNDBT  PHILOSOPHICAL  AND  OTHER  PAPERS, 

MOST  OP  WHICH  HA\T:  NOT  HITHERTO  BEEN  PUfiUSUED. 

BY  WILUAM  BARTON,  M.  A. 

COUNSELLOR  AT  LAW; 

Mtjinbirr  uTrilr  Amaican  MitlcNopbical  Society,  the  Man.  IlifC.  Societjr,  uid  iho 
Royil  ficoBiNnUial  Society  uf  Vaiencia,  in  Sjiaia. 


rHlLABELTUIJl : 

PCBMSHED  BY  EDWARD  PARKER,  XO.  178,  MARKJiT-STRKE T- 

\V.  Brown,  IVmler,  CIjuixU-AJIry. 

1813. 


f  \  - ;. 

1         .if 


DISTRICT  QP  FBmiSTLYAlflA,  TO  WTT : 

BR  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  ninth  dtj  ofOeioher.  in  thft  tfairtj-eicfath  Tear  of  ihe 
independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  A.  D.  1815,  William  Barton  of  Uie  laid  district, 
hath  deporited  in  this  office  the  Title  of  a  book,  the  rig^t  whereoT  he  daimi  as  Author,  in  the 
words  following,  tomt: 

**  Memoirs  of  the  Life  of  Darid  Rittenhonae,  L  L  D.  P.  R.  8.  late  President  of  the  American  Phi- 
**  kMophical  Society,  See.  Imenpencd  irith  Tarioos  noliees  of  many  diidnKuiihrd  men :  with 
**  an  Appendix,  eontaaninf  sundry  phtknophical  and  other  ptpets,  most  of  which  hare  not 
**  hitherto  been  published.  By  William  Barton,  BL  A.  Couniellor  at  Law;  Member  of  the 
"  American  Philosophical  Society,  the  Mass.  Hist.  Society,  and  the  Royal  Economical  Society 
**ofValencia,  in  Spain." 

In  conformity  to  the  act  of  the  Coni(ress  of  the  Umted  States,  intituled,  "  An  act  for  the  en* 
eoungement  of  teaming,  by  securing  the  etmies  of  maps,  charts  and  books,  to  the  auihursand 
Moptfatots  of  Mich  eopMB  ouifaig  the  times  tbefeifc  BMnuooed.*^— And  also  to  the  act  entitled, 
**  An  act  supplementary  to  an  act,  entitled.  **  An  aet  for  the  encouragement  oi'  learning,  by  se- 
curing the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  book*,  to  the  authors  and  piopnetors  of  such  copies  during 
the  times  ihcKin  mentioned.^  and  extending  the  btucfits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  dettgiiing,  ei^ 
rianng,  and  cti:hiikg  histocioU  uA  other  ndau.** 
o-    -^  ^  CALDWELL, 

Clerk  of  the  District  of  Fenns>lnuua« 


PREFACE. 


Agreeably  to  the  plan  on  which  the  following  me- 
moirs have  been  conducted^  it  will  be  perceived,  that 
they  contain  a  great  variety  of  matter ;  of  which,  some 
particulars  have  a  remote,  others  merely  an  incidental 
connexion^  with  the  chief  object  of  the  work.  Then 
may  perhaps  be  some  readers,  to  whom  the  introduc- 
tion of  such  matters  as  the  Vniveraity  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  Medical  School  connected  with  it,  the  Penn- 
sylvania Hospital,  the  Philadelphia  Library ,  and  the 
like,  into  the  Life  of  Rittenhouse,  will,  on  a  cursory 
view,  seem  to  have  little  or  no  affinity  to  that  object. 
But  when  it  is  considered,  that  this  work  is  designed 
to  comprehend  Memoirs,  not  only  of  Rittenhouse  per- 
sonally, but  of  several  literary,  scientific,  and  other 
public  institutions,  as  well  as  of  many  eminent  men^ 
with  which  his  individual  history  and  the  annals  of 
his  time  were  in  various  ways  associated,  it  is  pre- 
sumed^ that  the  slight  sketches  which  have  been 
(hken  of  those  matters,  in  passing  along,  will  neither 
prove  foreign  to  the  nature  of  the  present  undertaking, 
nor  uninteresting  in  themselves.  As  a  citizen  of  Penn- 
sylvania ;  as  an  inestimable  public  and  private  cha- 
racter ;  a«  a  distinguished  son  of  science,  of  great 


IV  PREFACE. 

probity  and  extensive  nsefulness  in  society;  in  all 
these  points  of  view^  the  History  of  Dr.  Rittenhoase 
may  be  contemplated^  as  holding  a  relationship  with 
almost  every  object  connected  with  science  and  the 
arts^  in  his  day^  that  could  in  any  wise  contribute  to 
the  well  being  of  mankind  in  general;  and  his  native 
country  in  particular.  Conspicuous  and  eminently 
ni^ritorious  as  he  was^  yet  an  insulated  account  of  his 
t(^eDti|  his  virtues^  and  his  personal  services, — a  bare 
mecificatioii  of  such  qualities  and  merits  as  he  pos- 
•{s^ed^  ab§tr«Ated  from  a  due  consideration  of  the 
%it^»  of  society  and  circumstances  resulting  from  it,  ta- 
keii^ili  connexion  with  them,  during  the  same  period, — 
lyould  npt  be  equally  intelligible  and  instructive; 
an4i  wnsequently,  must  prove  less  useful.  For  these 
reasons,  the  Memorialist  has  pursued  that  course 
which  he  conceives  to  be  perfectly  congenial  with  the 
nte^n  design  of  his  work ;  as  best  calculated  to  pro- 
mote itfli  general  usefulness,  and  most  suitably  adapt- 
e4  tp  render  it  interesting,  even  to  those  who  read  for 
a^lusepent  solely. 

Id  the  adoption  of  this  plan,  the  writer  has  been 
chiefly  influenced  by  a  desire  to  illustrate  the  history^ 
genius  and  character  of  the  times,  wliich  hb  Memoirs  ^ 
embrace ;  together  with  the  progress  and  improve- 
ment of  literature,  science  and  the  arts,  within  the 
same  compass,  more  especially  in  this  country ;  and 
this  consideration  has  obviously  led  him  to  introduce, 
in  conjunctipn  with  those  objects,  as  well  as  with  the 


lafe  of  the  great  American  Fhilwopheri  variow 
tiees  of  nuuiy  persons  distinguished  for  Uieir  Meaftf 
and  merits  not  only  in  oar  own  time^  bnt  at  differei| 
periods  in  the  annals  of  science.  He  has  thought  it 
right  to  rescue  from  oblivion — ^to  commemorate  in  this 
way^  if  not  to  consecrate^  the  names  of  some  men  in 
thb  country^  more  especially^  who  deserve  to  be  rank^ 
ed  among  the  worthies  of  America.  All  this  the 
writer  has  done^  too^  in  conformity  to  the  mode  prooe* 
cuted  by  some  of  the  most  judicious  biographers  and 
Memorialists^  together  with  other  writers  of  the  same 
class :  It  is  believed  to  be  a  manner  of  treating  the 
interesting  subjects^  on  which  the  pens  of  such  an- 
thors  have  been  employed^  which^  while  it  renders 
their  works  more  pleasing^  greatly  increases  their  use- 
fulness.— ^If^  therefore^  some  of  the  matter  which  haa 
been  introduced  into  the  present  work  should^  at  first 
sight,  appear  irrelative,  and  even  unimportant^  the 
Memorialist  nevertheless  flatters  himself,  that,  on  re* 
ieetion,  nothing  will  be  deemed  really  so,  how  re- 
motely soever  it  may  seem,  on  a  transient  view  of  the 
eobject,  to  be  connected  with  the  principal  design  of 
fte  nkdertaking ;  provided  it  has  a  tendency  to  illos  • 
tate  the  great  objects  he  was  desirous  of  accomplish- 


*  Thebiopapher  of  Rittekhouse  entli-ely  coincides  with  the 
compilers  of  the  Encyclofiadia  Britannicaj  in  opimon,  respectins: 
the  utility  and  propriety  of  giving  an  account,  in  such  Memoirs 
ts  the  presenty'of /Ain^t  as  well  9&fieT9onBj  connected  in  various 
ways  with  the  main  object  of  the  work. 


Vi  PREFACE. 

The  diversity  of  the  materials  which  are^  by  these 
means^  blended  with  the  biographical  account  of  Dr. 
Bittenhouse,  in  the  Memoirs  now  presented  to  the 
world,  made  it  expedient,  in  the  opinion  of  the  writer, 
to  have  recourse  to  the  free  use  of  notes,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  illustration,  reference,  and  explanation.  In 
a  work  of  such  a  complexion — constituting  a  book 
composed  of  very  various  materials,  designed  to  elu- 
cidate and  inform,  as  well  as  to  please — it  became,  in 

In  the  preface  to  that  useful  dictionary  of  arts,  sciences  and 
miscellaneous  literature,  arc  the  following  observations:  the 
consideration  they  merit,  is  submitted  to  the  good  sense  of  the 
reader. 

"  While  one  part  of  our  readers,"  say  the  encyclopcdistSy 
"when  referring  to  the  d/o^ra/i/i/ca/ department  of  their  work, "  will 
regret  that  we  have  given  no  account  of  their  favourite  philoso- 
pher, hero,  or  statesman,  others  may  be  disposed  to  remark,  that 
we  have  dragged  from  obscurity  the  names  of  many  persons  who 
were  no  proper  objects  of  such  public  regard.  To  tliese  we  can 
©nly  reply,  that,  with  the  greatest  biographer  of  modem  times, 
we  have  long  thought  that  there  has  mrely  passed  a  life,  of  which 
a  faitliful  narrative  would  not  be  useful ;  and  that  in  the  lives  of 
the  most  obscure  persons,  of  whom  we  have  given  any  account, 
we  saw  something  either  connected  with  recent  discoveries  and 
public  aiTairs,  or  which  we  thought  capable  of  affording  a  lestioa 
to  great  multitudes  in  similar  circumstances."^"  Between  emi* 
nent  achievements  and  the  scenes  where  they  were  performed, 
there  is  a  natural  and  necessary  connexion.  The  character  of 
the  warrior  is  connected  with  the  fields  of  his  battles;  that  of 
the  legislator,  with  the  countries  which  he  civilized ;  and  that 
of  the  traveller  and  navigator,  with  the  regions  which  they  ex- 
plored. Even  when  we  read  of  the  fieraona  by  whom,  and  the 
occasions  on  which,  any  particular  branch  of  knowledge  has  been 
improved,  we  naturally  wish  to  know  something  of  the  filacer 
where  such  improvements  were  made." 


PREFACE.  Vii 

faet^  necessary  to  throw  a  large  portion  of  tbat  matter 
into  the  form  of  notes ;  in  order  to  avoids  by  numerona 
digressions  on  subjects  arising  out  of  the  prinary  ob« 
ject  of  the  work^  too  much  disjointing  of  the  text 
lliere  are  persons^  no  doubt^  by  whom  this  course 
will  be  disapproved.  The  able  and  learned  author  of 
the  Pursuits  of  Literature  has  been  accused  by  sonm 
critics — while  others^  who  have  no  pretensions  ta 
those  qualifications  which  entitle  a  man  to  exercise  the 
functions  of  a  critic^  have  even  affected  to  laugh  at 
him — for  the  multiplicity^  the  variety^  and  the  length 
of  the  noteS;  which  he  has  appended  to  that  poeuk 
But  its  being  a  satirical  poem,  is  the  circumstance  to 
which  may  be  fairly  attributed  the  censorious  cavils 
which  his  work  excited :  his  satire  was  felt ;  and  it 
roused  the  spleen  of  those  who  were  its  objects,  and 
their  partizans.  The  present  M'ork,  however,  is  far 
from  being  intended  to  satirise  any  one :  its  author 
has  no  such  object  in  view :  for,  although  he  has,  in 
some  instances,  expressed  his  disapprobation  of  cer« 
tain  principles,  theories^  and  even  measures,  which 
he  believes  to  be  not  only  repugnant  to  true  science^ 
but  destructive  of  both  private  and  social  happiness- 
he  has  refrained  as  far  as  possible  from  personal  cen- 
sure ; — ^he  would  much  rather  be  engaged  in  the  func- 
tions of  an  eulogist,  than  those  of  a  censor.  The 
Bttmerous  notes  the  Memorialist  has  employed — many 
of  them,  too,  pretty  long — will  not  therefore,  he  pre- 
games,  be  objected  to,  on  the  ground  of  personality  or 
supposed  ilUhumour.    He  has  introduced  them  into 


Viii  PBBFACE. 

bis  Memoirs^  because  be  believed  tiiem  to  be  not  only 
luieftd^  but  peculiarly  well  adapted  to  a  work  of  this 
nature^  4pid  suited  to  answer  the  general  scope  of  its 
design.  The  author  may  then  say^  in  the  words  of 
the  poetical  writer  just  mentioned — as  an  apology  for 
the  frequency  and  copiousness  of  the  notes  annexed 
to  these  Memoirs ; — ^^  I  have  made  no  allusions  which 
I  did  not  mean  to  explain.  But  I  had  something  fur- 
ther in  my  intention.  The  notes  are  not  always  ex- 
planatory ;  they  are  of  a  structure  rather  peculiar  to 
ttiemselves :  many  of  them  are  of  a  nature  between  an 
essay  and  an  explanatory  comment.  There  is  much 
in  a  little  compass^  suited  to  the  exigency  of  the  times. 
1  expatiated  on  the  casual  subject  which  presented 
itself ;  and  when  ancient  or  modern  writers  expressed 
the  thoughts  better  than  I  could  myself,  I  have  given 
the  original  languages.  No  man  has  a  greater  con- 
tempt for  the  parade  of  quotation  (as  such)  than  I  have. 
My  design  is  not  to  quote  words,  but  to  enforce  ri^t 
sentiments  in  the  manner  which  I  think  best  adapted 
to  the  purpose,  after  much  reflection.^' 

The  method  of  disposing  of  the  notes,  in  this  work, 
may  be  thought  by  some  to  impair  the  symmetry  of  the 
page :  but  so  trivial  a  defect  as  this  may  be,  in  the 
typographical  appearance  of  the  book,  will,  it  is  sup- 
posed, be  amply  compensated  by  the  convenience  tte 
reader  will  experience,  in  having  the  annotations, 
almost  always,  on  the  same  pages  with  their  respective 
n^ferences. 


III  iiie  arrangeAnt  of  the  Memoirsi^  the  author  has 
plaeM  the  incMents  aod  circumstances  relating  to  the 
Life  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse^  in  their  chronological  order^ 
as  nearly  as  could  be  conveniently  done. 

An  Appendix, — containing  sundry  letters  and  other 
papers,  which  could  neither  be  incorporated  with  pro* 
priety  into  the  text,  nor  inserted  in  marginal  notes,-— 
is  placed  after  the  conclusion  of  the  Memoirs.  In  this 
part  of  the  work  the  reader  will  find,  among  other 
interesting  documents.  Dr.  Bittenhouse's  Oration  on 
the  subject  of  Astronomy,  pronounced  before  the 
American  Philosophical  Society,  in  the  year  1770* 
The  addition  of  this  treatise  to  the  Life  of  our  Philo- 
sopher, was  rendered  the  more  proper, — independeniii 
ly  of  the  intrinsic  merit  of  the  performance, — by  rea- 
son  of  the  pamphlet  having  had,  originally,  a  very 
limited  circulation,  and  its  being  now  out  of  print 
The  Notes,  added  to  this  little  tract,  as  well  as  to 
some  other  papers  in  the  Appendix,  by  the  Memo- 
rialist, are  designated  by  the  initials  of  his  name ;  in 
order  to  distinguish  the  annotations  from  either  the 
notes  originally  attached  to  them, — or  from  other  mat- 
ter, in  the  Text,  not  written  by  himself. 

• 

The  author  has  embellished  his  work  with  an  ele- 
gantly engraved  likeness  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  execut- 
ed by  an  able  artist,  from  a  portrait  painted  by  Mr. 


C.  W.  Peale,  in  tilie  year  177S^^  iriien  our  Pbiloso- 
pker  was  forty  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  w#re  a 
wigf — ami  was  so  represented  in  the  picture :  but 
afterwards^  when  he  resumed  the  wearing  of  his  own 
haii*^  (and  which  he  continued  to  do  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life^)  the  portrait  was  altered  accord- 
iiigly^  by  Mr.  Feale.  The  original  picture  (now  in 
the  possession  of  Mrs.  Sergeant^)  bore  a  strong  re- 
semblance  to  Dr.  Rittenhouse^  at  that  period  of  his 
life  in  which  it  was  taken  ;  and  the  engravings  pre- 
fixed to  these  Memoirs^  is  an  excellent  copy. 

To  a  portion  of  the  readers  of  this  work^  some  of 
the  matter  it  contains  may  be  thought  superfluous^ — 
because  already  familiar  to  them :  and^  to  men  of  ex- 
tensive learning  and  research^  much  of  the  informa- 
tion herein  collected  may  really  be  so.  But  to  persons 
of  less  erudition  and  science^  the  knowledge  thus  com- 

*  Mr.  C.  W.  Peale  painted  at  the  same  time  another  portrait 
of  him,  for  himself;  which  is  likewise  altered  from  the  original 
planting.  It  has  a  place  in  Mr.  Pealc's  Gallery  of  Portraits. 
There  is  a  third,  by  the  same  handy  in  the  possession  of  the 
American  Philosophical  Society. 

Another  good  picture  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  also  then  made, 
by  Mr.  James  Peale,  for  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton.  This  (which  re- 
presents him  with  a  wig)  is  qow  in  the  possession  of  John  Moore 
White,  Esq.  of  New-Jersey,  who  married  Mr.  Barton's  youngest 
daughter. 

A  pretty  good  mezzotinto,  in  a  Urge  sizey— done  from  Mr.  C. 
W*  Peale's  painting  of  our  Philoftopher^^-was  executed  by  Mr. 
£.  Savage,  in  the  winter  of  1796:  and  since  that  time,  some 
small  engravings  have  been  made  from  different  pictures  of  him  ; 
but  these  do  not  so  well  preserve  the  likeness. 


PREFACE.  Xi 

manleated^  il  may  be  presumed^  will  prove  m  wmt 
degree  osefnl ;  amkthe  writer  indalges  a  eonfident  be. 
Hef^  that  the  greatw  mimber  of  his  readers  will  derive 
both  insttactiott  and  gratification^  from  a  perusal  of 
the  Menoirs  now  offered  to  their  attention. 

The  farours  which  the  Memorialist  has  received^ 
in  tbe  commnnication  of  sundry  papers  and  some  ill- 
fomation  for  tMs  work,  demand  his  thankful  acknow* 
lodgments  to  the  contributors.  Among  these^ — be- 
sides those  gentlemen  occasionally  mentioned  in  the 
Memoirs, — the  writer  returns  his  thanks  to  hb  worthy 
relatives,  Mrs.  Sergeant,  Mrs.  Waters,  and  Dr.  Ben- 
jamin Smith  Barton ;  and  also  to  the  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop 
White,  Andrew  Ellicott,  Esq.  John  Yaughan,  Esq. 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Stanhope  Smith,  Charles  Smithy 
Esq.  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gathcart.  To  the  friendship 
and  politeness  of  these  very  respectable  characters^  he 
holds  himself  indebted,  on  this  occasion.^' 

It  has  been  the  earnest  desire  of  the  writer,  to  ad- 
here strictly  to  Truth,  in  every  part  of  his  narrative : 
he  has  not,  therefore,  introduced  into  his  work  any 
thing,  as  a  matter  of  Fact^  which  he  did  not  believe  to 

*  Some  interesting  information  was  likewise  communicated  by 
the  late  Professor  Rush.  The  death  of  that  gentleman  having 
occurred  since  the  completion  of  the  present  work^  the  author 
has  inserted  a  concise  biographical  notice  of  him,  in  the  Appen- 
dix, in  place  of  the  mention  originally  made  of  his  name  in  this 
preface. 


Xii  PREFACE. 

be  well  founded.  Wherever  he  hu  ventured  to  ex- 
press an  Opinion  of  his  own^  on  any  subject  of  import- 
ance^ it  must  be  left  to  the  judgment  and  candour  of 
others  to  determine^  what  weight  it  may  be  entitled 
to. — In  the  various  quotations  which  appear  in  his 
Memoirs,  the  writer  has  endeavoured  to  observe  the 
utmost  fidelity,  with  respect  to  the  originals ;  and  all 
his  translations  into  the  Euglish,  from  other  languages^ 
have  been  made  with  a  like  scrupulous  attention  to 
correctness. — Some  errors  and  inaccuracies  have  ne- 
vertheless, it  may  be  readily  supposed,  found  their 
way  into  the  following  work ;  though  the  writer  trusts 
they  are  neither  numerous  nor  very  important :  and,  as 
they  are  wholly  unintentional,  of  whatever  description 
they  may  be,  he  hopes  it  will  not  be  deemed  pre- 
pumptuous  in  him,  to  claim  for  them  the  indulgence 
of  a  candid,  liberal,  and  discerning  public. 

Lancaster,  in  Pennsylvania, 
April  11,  1813. 


INTRODUCTION. 


J.  HE  individuals  in  society^  ^vlio  present  to  tbe  view 
of  their  cotemporaries^  and  transmit  to  posterity^  Me- 
morials of  illustrious  men^ — more  especially  those  of 
their  own  country, — discharge  thereby  a  debt  of  gra- 
titude :  because  every  man  is,  directly  or  indirectly, 
interested  in  the  benefits  conferred  on  his  species,  by 
those  who  enlarge  the  sphere  of  human  knowledge,  or 
otherwise  promote  the  happiness  of  mankind. 

But  the  biographer  of  an  highly  meritorious  cliarac- 
ter  aims  at  more  than  the  mere  performance  of  that 
daty,  which  a  grateftal  sense  of  obligation  exacts  from 
him,  in  common  with  every  member  of  the  community, 
in  commemorating  the  beneficence  of  the  wise  and  the 
good :  he  endeavours  to  excite  in  great  and  liberal 
minds,  by  the  example  of  such,  an  ambition  to  emulate 
their  talents  and  their  virtues  ; — and  it  is  these',  that, 
by  their  union,  constitute  true  greatness  of  character* 

The  meed  of  applause  which  may  be  sometimes, 
and  too  often  is,  bestowed  on  meretricious  worth,  is 
ever  unsteady  and  fleeting.  The  pseudo-patriot  may 
happen  to  enjoy  a  transient  popularity  ;  false  philoso- 


XIV  INTRODUCTION. 

phy  may^  for  a  while^  delude,  if  not  eorrupt^  the 
minds  of  an  unthinking  multitude ;  and  specious  theo- 
ries in  every  department  of  science, — ^unsupported  by 
experience  and  untenable  on  principles  of  sound  rea- 
son,— ^may  give  to  their  projectors  a  short-lived  repu- 
tation :  But  the  celebrity  which  is  coveted  by  the  man 
of  a  noble  and  generous  spirit, — that  estimable  spe- 
cies of  fame,  which  alone  can  survive  such  ephemera 
of  error  as  are  often  engendered  by  the  vanity  of  the 
individual  and  nurtured  by  the  follies  or  vices  of  the 
many, — ^must  ever  rest  on  the  permanent  foundation  of 
truth,  knowledge  and  beneficence. 

Virtue  is  essentially  necessary  to  the  constitution  of 
a  truly  great  character.  For^  although  brilliant  talents 
are  sometimes  found  combined  with  vicious  propensi- 
ties,^^^ — ^the  impulse  given  to  men  of  this  description^ 
often  renders  their  great  abilities  baneful  to  society : 
fhey  can  seldom^  if  ever,  be  productive  of  real  public 
good.  Should  eminent  talents,  possessed  by  a  man 
destitute  of  virtue,  even  take  a  right  direction  in  their 
operation,  by  reason  of  some  extraordinary  circum- 

(1)  HencCi  in  conformity  to  this  sentimeot,  Mr.  Pope  sayS) 
-when  animadverting  on  the  insufficiency  of  talents,  alone,  for  ac- 
quiring an  honourable  fame  and  meriting  a  character  truly 
great,— 

^  If  parts  allure  thee»  think  how  Bacon  shin'd, 
The  wisest,  brightest,  meanest  of  mankind ; 
Or,  ravish'd  with  the  whistling  of  a  name. 
See  Cromwell  damn'd  to  everlasting  fame.'* 

[Ebsat  oxr  MaN'J 


IKTRODUCTIOK.  X¥ 

staBMy— todb  «i  event  ought  never  to  be  calculated 
on:  It  18  not  the  part  of  common  sense^ — much  less  of 
a  cautious  prudence^  acquired  by  a  knowledge  of  man- 
kind^— to  expect  praise- worthy  conduct  from  any  one, 
whose  predominating  passions  are  bad^  however  great 
may  be  his  capability  of  doing  good. 

While,  therefotey  the  mind  may  view,  with  a  sort  of 
admiration,  the  achievements  of  a  magnanimous  sol- 
dier; it  turns  with  indignation  from  the  atrocities  of  a 
military  tyrant :  and  at  the  same  time  that  it  may  be 
induced  to  contemplate  even  with  eomplaeency,  at 
the  first  view,  the  plausible,  yet  groundless  specula- 
tions of  ingenious  theorists,  in  matters  of  science,-** 
still  the  fallacy  of  their  systems,  when  developed  by 
experience,  strips  them  of  all  their  tinseled  glare  of 
merit.  Thus,  too,  the  applause  which  the  world  justly 
attaches  to  the  character  of  a  patriot-hero,  deserts  the 
unprincipled  rufiian-warrior,  however  valiant  and  suc- 
cessful he  may  prove  :  In  like  manner,  reason  and 
experience  expose  to  the  censure  of  the  good  and  the 
derision  of  the  wise,  the  deleterious  doctrines  of  meta- 
physical  statesmen  and  philosophers/^^    Such  esti- 

(2)  The  miserable  consequences  which  have  resulted  to  the 
civilized  world,  from  the  mode  of  reasoning  abstractly y  and  from 
the  mere  synthetical  plan  of  philosophising,  are  too  apparent  to 
need  much  comment  Even  some  geometricians  of  great  name 
have  been  seduced,  by  such  means,  into  monstrous  absurdities  in 
physics;  and  into  the  maintenance  of  doctrines,  alike  subversive 
of  religion  and  morals,  as  destructive  of  the  foundations  of  civil 
society.     Such  were  Descartes,  Leibnitz  and  Spinoza^  of  the  se- 


xti  imrRODucTioN. 

inable  qualities  as  they  may  possess^  in  either  charae- 
ter^  are  merged  in  the  mischievous  or  base  ones^  with 

venteenth  century :  and  such  have  been,  and  even  now  are^  too 
many  of  that  class  of  modem  philosophers,  as  well  in  this  coun- 
try as  on  the  continent  of  Europe, — whose  metaphysical  notions 
of  religion  and  govemmcnt,  (although  some  of  them  may,  per- 
haps, be  pretty  correct  on  the  subject  of  physics,  alone,)  have 
been  the  means  of  inundating  the  world  with  scepticism ;  and, 
after  overturning  regular,  orderly,  and  peaceable  states,  of  esta- 
blishing despoUsm  and  misery  on  the  ruins  of  rational  govern- 
ment, in  many  of  the  fairest  portions  of  the  old  world. 

Even  Voltaire,  who  had,  himself,  been  instrumental  in  cor- 
rupting the  mind  of  the  great  Frederick  of  Prussia,  and,  thus, 
of  furnishing  the  means  for  the  subsequent  overthrow  of  that 
once  powerful  monarchy;  even  this  infidel  could  not  help  ex- 
claiming, in  a  moment  of  sober  reflection,  ^  Who  could  have 
believed,  that  geometricians  have  been  wild  enough  to  imag^e, 
that,  in  the  exaltation  of  the  soul,  we  may  possess  the  gift  of  di- 
vination ;  yet  more  than  one  philosopher  took  it  into  their  heads, 
by  the  example  of  Descartes^  to  put  themselves  into  God's 
place,  and  create  a  world  with  a  word!  But  now,  all  the^e 
JihilosofiMcal  follies  are  reproved  by  the  wise;  and  even  their 
fimtastical  edifices,  overthrown  by  reason,  have  left  in  their 
ruins,  materials,  of  which  reason  has  made  some  usew— A 
like  extravag^ce  has  infected  the  moral  world :  there  have 
been  some  understandings  so  blind  as  to  undermine  the  very 
foundation  of  society,  at  the  time  they  thought  to  reform  it. 
They  have  been  mad  enough  to  maintain  that  the  distinc- 
tions of  meum  Isf  tuum  arc  criminal,  and  that  one  ought  not 
to  enjoy  the  fruits  of  one's  own  labour ;  that  not  only  all  man- 
kind are  upon  a  level,  but  that  they  have  perverted  the  order  of 
nature,  in  forming  societies ;  that  men  are  bom  to  be  separated 
from  each  other,  like  wild  beasts ;  and  that  amphibious  animals, 
with  bees  and  ants,  confound  the  eternal  laws,  by  living  in  com- 
mon !  These  impertinences,  worthy  of  an  hospital  of  madmen,'* 
continues  Mr.  de  Voltaire,  sarcastically,  "  have  been  for  some 
time  in  fashion,  just  as  it  is  customary  to  lead  apes  to  dance,  at 
fairs.'*    [Sec  The  Aoe  of  Louis  XV.  ch.  39.] 


IKtRODDCTIOlr*  XTU 

which  ifaejr  are  eraibined  :  thus,  in&my  6t  contempt 
eveotu&Uy  become  the  merited  porUon  of  crime  or  oi 
foUy^  as  either  one  or  the  other  may  prevail.  A 
Cmsax/^^  a  Cromwell  and  a  Robespierre^  with  other 

But  although  it  cannot  be  doubted,  that  the  society  of  Voltur6 
contributed  to  support,  if  not  to  generate,  the  deistical  princi^ 
pies  of  Frederick  II.  other  foreigners,  whom  he  had  patronized 
and  cherished  in  his  own  tapital,  and  with  whom  he  associated^ 
most  of  them  Frenchmen^  did  much  towards  debauching  hb 
mind^  in  regard  to  religion.  The  Prince  de  Ligne,  a  distin« 
guished  Austrian  fieldomarshal,  has  verified  this  remark.  In  a 
letter  written  to  the  king  of  Poland,  in  the  year  1785,  the  princ^ 
narrates  some  particulars  of  a  conversation  which  took  place  be^ 
tween  the  Prussian  monarch  and  himself,  in  the  year  1770 ;  and 
observes,  that  the  king  ejcpressed  his  libertine  sentiments  too 
freely,  even  making  a  boast  of  his  irreligion.  The  prince  de 
Ligne,  on  this  occasion,  charges  freethinkers  with  a  want  of  can« 
dour,  in  promulgating  opinions  fraught  with  infidelity,  while 
nuoiy  of  them  heartily  dread  the  consequences  of  what  they  af- 
fect to  renounce.  But  this,  he  remarks,  is  not  their  only  fault  t 
^  they  are  also  apt,*'  says  he,  ^  to  make  a  parade  of  free-think<» 
ing ;  which  betrays,  at  least,  a  want  of  taste.  It  was,  ^<  conti« 
nues  the  prince,  ^^  from  having  been  surrounded  by  men  of  ba4 
taste,  such  as  D'Argens,  Maupertuis,  La  Beaumelle,  La  Mettriey 
the  Abb6  de  Brades,  and  some  clumsy  infidels  of  his  academy*^ 
that  the  king  had  contracted  tbe  habit  of  abusing  religion,  and 
talking  of  dogmas,  Spinozism,  the  court  of  Rome,  Sec." 

Letters  and  Revlbxions  of  the  Peihce  ox  Liqh^ 

•(3)  However  Caesar  may  be  admired  as  an  accomplished  gen- 
tlemao  and  scholar^-— or  even  as  a  great  and  gallant  soldiefi— 4io 
eaght  ever  to  be  reprobated  as  an  usurper  and  a  tyrant.^— Df* 
Adam  Ferguson  remarks,  that  ^  Julius  Caesar  possessed  the  ta* 
lent  of  influencing,  of  gainihg,  and  employing  men  to  fais  pur'^ 
^ose,  beyond  any  other  person  that  is  known  in  the  history  of  the- 
world:  but  it  is  surely  not  for  the  good  of  mankind,"  continues 
this  able  writer,  ^that  he  should  be  admired  in  other  respects. 


XVlU  INTRODUCTIOX, 

icourges  of  mankiad^  of  like  character^  will  therefore 
be  viewed  as  objecU  of  execration  by  posterity,  wbile 
the  memories  of  an  Alfred,  a  Nassau,  and  a  Washing- 
ton-^a  Chatham,  a  Burke,  and  an  Ames, — will  be 
venerated,  to  the  latest  posterity. 

;  Much  of  the  glory  of  a  nation  results  from  the  re- 
nown of  illustrious  men,  among  its  citizens:  a  country 
which  has  produced  many  great  men,  may  justly  pride 
itself  on  the  fame  which  those  individuals  had  ac- 
quired. The  community  to  which  we  belong  is  en- 
titled to  such  services  as  we  can  render  to  it :  these 
the  patriot  will  cheerfully  bestow ;  and,  in  promot- 
ing the  honour  and  prosperity  of  liis  country,  a  large 
portion  of  the  lustre  which  the  exertion  of  his  talents 
shall  have  shed  upon  it,  are  again  reflected  on  him- 
self.^^^ 

To  admire  even  his  clemency,  is  to  mistake  for  it  policy  and  cun- 
ning." [Sec  Ferguson's  Hist,  of  the  Progress  and  Termination 
of  the  Roman  RefiubliCy  vol.  5.  ch.  36.] 

Indeed  our  admiration  of  the  great  military  talents  of  such  a 
man  as  Cxsar,  may  carry  us  too  far.  Mr.  Hume,  in  his  History 
of  England  (ch.  47.)  very  justly  observes — ^that  "  The  unhappy 
prepossession  which  men  commonly  entertain  in  favour  of  am- 
bition, courage,  enterprise,  and  other  warlike  virtues,  engages 
generous  natures,— who  always  love  fame, — into  such  pursuits 
as  destroy  their  own  peace,  and  that  of  the  rest  of  mankind.'' 

(4)  Mr.  Fontenelle  in  his  Eloge  on  Sir  Isaac  Newton  (pub- 
lished by  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sciences,  at  Paris,)  mentions 
particularly  the  great  honours  that  were  paid  him,  by  his  coun- 
trymen>  as  well  during  his  life  as  after  his  decease.  <^  The  Eng- 
lish/' says  he,  <<  are  not  apt  to  pay  the  less  regard  to  great  abiU- 


INTRODUCTION.  XIX 

The  enltivator  of  those  branches  of  nataral  science 
which  eonstitate  practical  and  experimental  philoso- 

tieSf  for  being  of  their  native  growth ;  but  instead  of  endeayour- 
ing  to  lessen  them  by  injurious  reflexioQS,  or  approving  the  envy 
which  attacks  them,  they  all  joinjtogether  in  striving  to  advo- 
cate them,"—"  They  are  sensible  that  a  great  genius  must  reflect 
honour  upon  the  state ;  and  whoever  is  able  to  procure  it  to  their 
country,  is  upon  that  account  infinitely  dear  to  them."-— <^  Taci* 
tus,"  says  he,  "  who  has  repix>ached  the  Romans  with  their  ex- 
treme indifference  towards  the  great  men  of  their  own  nation^ 
would  have  given  the  English  quite  a  different  character."— 
And,  after  describing  the  almost  princely  magnificence,  in  the 
manner  of  Newton's  interment  m  Westminster  Abbey,  Mr.  Fon- 
tenelle  remarks,  that  we  must  almost  go  back  to  the  ancient 
Greeks,  if  we  would  find  a  like  instance  of  so  great  a  veneration 
paid  to  learning. 

The  following  epitaph,  in  classical  Latin,  is  inscribed  on  the 
noble  monument  erected  to  the  memory  of  Newton,  in  the  Abbey 
Church  of  Westminster : 

H.  S.  £. 

Isaacus  Newton,  Eques  Auratus, 

Qui  vi  animi  prope  divini 

Planetarum  motus,  figuras, 

Cometarum  semitas,  Oceanique  xstus, 

Sua  mathesi  &cem  prseferente. 

Primus  demonstravit 

Radiorum  lucis  dissimilitudines, 

Colorumque  inde  nasccntium  proprietates 

Quas  nemo  antea  vel  suspicatus  erat,  prevestigavit, 

Naturx,  Antiquitatis,  S.  Scripturae, 

Sedulus,  sagax,  fidus  interpres, 

Dei  Opt.  Max.  majestatem  philosophic  asseruit, 

Evangelii  simplicitatem  moribus  expressit^ 

Sibi  gratulentur  mortales,  tale  tantumque  exstitissc, 

Humani  Generis  Decus. 
Natus  XXV.  Deccmb.  MDCXLII.  Obiit  XX.  Mart. 

MDCCXXVI. 


pby^— <-eqiiall  J  with  the  teaeher  of  religion  and  mo« 
rals^-— extends  the  benefieial  effects  of  bis  researches 
and  knowledge  beyond  the  bounds  of  his  particular 
eoontry.  Truth  is  every  where  the  same  ;  and  the 
promulgation  of  it  tends^  at  all  times  and  in  all  places^ 
to  elevate  to  its  proper^  station  the  dignity  of  man* 
The  rawe  extensively,  then,  true  science  can  be  dif- 
fused, the  greater  will  be  the  means — ^the  fairer  will 
be  the  rational  prospect,  of  enlarging  the  sphere  of 
human  happiness.  The  philosopher  may,  pre-eminent, 
ly,  be  considered  as  a  citizen  of  the  world ;  yet  with- 
out detracting  in  any  degree  from  that  spirit  of  patriot- 
ism, which  ever  stimulates  a  good  man  to  contribute 
fais  primary  and  most  important  services  to  his  own 
country.  There  are,  indeed,  some  species  of  aids^ 
which  are  ^cclusively  due  to  a  community,  by  all  its 
citizens ;  and,  consequently,  such  as  they  are  bound  to 
withhold  from  other  national  communities,  in  certain 
contingencies  and  under  peculiar  circumstances.  But 
a  knowledge  of  those  truths  which  lead  to  the  acqui* 
sition  of  wisdom  and  practice  of  virtue,  serves  to  me- 
liorate the  condition  of  mankind  generally,  at  all  times^ 
and  under  all  circumstances  ; — inasmuch  as  they 
greatly  assist  in  banishing  error,  with  its  frequent 
concomitant,  vice,  ntft  only  from  the  more  civilized 
portions  of  the  world,  but  also  by  their  inherent  influ- 
ence, from  among  nations  less  cultivated  and  refined. 

The  truths  promulgated  by  means  of  a  natural  and 
sublime  philosophy— <orrespondi|ig,  as  this  does^  with 


INTBOBUCTION*  3UU 

the  dignity  of  an  enlightened  6pirifr-*-mnst  ever  ema- 
sate  from  a  virtuous  heart  as  well  as  an  expanded  in- 
tellect. Henee^  the  real  philosopher^ — be  whose  prin« 
ciples  are  onpoUuted  by  the  sophisticated  tenets  of 
scMne  modem  pretenders  to  the  appellation,— -eaa 
scarcely  fail  to  be  a  good  man.  Such  was  the  imuMHr-: 
tal  Newton ;  such  were  a  Boyle,  a  Hale  and  a  Bar- 
row,— a  Boerhaave,  a  Stephen  Hales  and  a  Bradley; 
with  many  worthies  equally  illustrious, — whose  glo- 
ries will,  for  ever,  retain  their  primitive  splendour* 

£ven  the  most  celebrated  sages  of  antiquity,  ex- 
tremely imperfect  as  we  know  the  philosophy  of  the 
early  ages  to  have  been,  elucidated,  by  the  purity  of 
their  lives  and  the  morality  of  their  doctrines,  the  trath 
of  the  position, — that  the  cultivation  of  natural  wis- 
dom, unaided  as  it  then  was  by  the  lights  of  revela- 
tion, encreased  every  propensity  to  moral  virtue.  Such 
were  Socrates,  Plato  his  disciple,  and  Anaxagoras; 
who  flourished  between  four  and  five  centuries  before 
the  Christian  era. 


Ufe  of  Socrates,  who  is  styled  by  Cicero  the 
Father  of  Philosophers^  afforded  a  laudable  example 
of  moderation,  patience,  and  other  virtues ;  and  his 
doctrines  abound  with  wisdom.  Anaxagoras  and  Plato 
united  with  some  of  the  nobler  branches  of  natural 
science,  very  rational  conceptions  of  moral  truth. 
Both  of  them  had  much  higher  claims  to  the  title  of 
l^oiophers,  than  Aristotle^  who  iq[»peared  about  a 


XXn  IKTROD0CTIOK, 

eentory  afterwards.  This  philosopher,  however,*— 
for,  as  sneh,  he  continoed  for  many  ages  to  be  distin- 
gaished  in  the  schools, — ^was,  like  Socrates,  more  a 
metaphysician  than  an  observer  of  the  natural  world. 
His  morality  is  the  most  estimable  part  of  his  works ; 
thoagh  his  conceptions  of  moral  troths  were  much  less 
jitst  than  those  of  Anaxagoras  and  Plato :  ^  for  his 

(5)  Aristotle  is  supposed^  by  some,  to  have  imbibed  the  best 
and  most  rational  of  his  notions  from  his  master  Plato ;  to  whom^ 
notwithstanding)  he  seems  to  have  been  greatly  inferior  as  a  mo« 
ral  philosopher. 

His  opinions  respecting  gOTemment,  abomid  in  good  sense. 
As  a  general  outline  of  his  sentiments  on  this  subject,  it  may 
serve  to  mention,  that  he  distinguished  civil  government  into 
two  kinds;  one,  in  which  the  general  welfare  is  the  great  object; 
tlie  other,  in  which  this  is  not  at  all  considered.*  In  the  first  class, 
he  places  the  limited  monarchy— the  aristocratical  form  oC  go« 
^emmentr— and  the  republic,  properly  so  called.  In  the  second, 
he  comprehends  tyranny— oligarchy— and  democracy ;  consider- 
ing these  as  corruptions  of  the  three  first.  Limited  monarchy, 
he  alleges,  degenerates  into  despotism,  when  the  sovereign  as- 
sumes to  himself  the  exercise  of  the  entire  authority  of  the  state, 
refusing  to  submit  his  power  to  any  controul  ;t  the  aristocracy 
sinks  into  an  oligarchy,  when  the  supreme  power  is  no  longer 
possessed  by  a  reasonable  proportion  of  virtuous  meur— but  by  a 
small  number  of  rulers,  whose  wealth  alone  constitutes  their 
claim  to  authority ;  and  the  republican  government  is  debased 
into  a  democracy,  when  the  poorest  class  of  the  people  have  too 
gpreat  an  influence  in  the  public  deliberations.^ 

In  Physics,  Aristotle  scarcely  deserves  the  name  of  a  Philoso- 
pher.— As  to  his  metaphysical  opinions,  in  the  common  accepta- 
tion of  the  termf-*it  is  impossible  to  ascertain,  with  certainty, 
what  they  really  were.    It  was  not  until  eighteen  centuries  after 

•  Aristot.  dc  Bep^^lib.  3.  cap.  6. 
f  Id.  Rhet— lib.  l.ci^.  & 
4  Id.  de  Bep.— lib.  3.  cap.  7. 


•  •• 


INTRODUCTION.  XXU4 

physics  are  replete  with  notioiui  and   terms  alik* 
vague^  immeaaing  aad  obscare/^^    The  intimate  con* 

Ills  death,  that  his  philosophy— such  as  it  was  then  promulgate^i 
anew— beg^  to  be  generally  known  and  studied.  After  the  sack* 
ing  of  Constantinople  by  the  Turks,  in  the  year  1453,  some  fugi- 
ti?e  Greeks,  who  had  escaped  the  fury  of  the  Ottoman  ana% 
brought  from  that  city  into  the  west  of  Europe  many  of  the  writ« 
ings  of  the  Stagyritish  philosopher :  But,  although  some  of  his 
treatises  were  previously  known,  they  were  such  as  had  passed 
through  the  hands  of  the  Arabs,  in  translations  into  their  tongue; 
done  by  men  who,  it  may  be  &irly  presumed,  very  imperfectly 
understood  the  author's  language ;  consequently  not  capable^ 
even  if  they  were  disposed,  to  do  justice  to  the  sense  of  the  ori- 
ginaL  Subsequent  translations  of  those  writings,  from  the  Ara- 
bic, probably  occasioned,  in  the  same  way,  further  departures 
from  the  meaning  of  the  original  Greek.  Thus  var3ring,  as  maj 
be  supposed,  from  the  opinions  taught  by  Aristotle  himself^-* 
the  philosophy  of  the  schoolmen,  engrafted  upon  his  systemsy 
w^l^ither  entirely  that  of  the  Stagyrite,nor  altogether  different. 
HaMritings,  nevertheless,  gave  birth  to  vrhat  is  termed  the 
Scholastic  Philosophy,— ^^  that  motley  offspring  of  error  and  in- 
genuity," as  it  is  called  by  Mr.  Mallet.*  <<To  trace  at  length," 
says  this  writer,  <<  the  rise,  progress,  and  variations  of  thit  fiAUo* 
9ofihyy  would  be  an  undertaking  not  only  curious,  but  instruc- 
tive ;  as  it  would  unfold  to  us  all  the  mazes  in  which  the  fbrcOf 
the  subtlety,  the  extravagance  of  human  wit,  can  lose  themselves: 
till  not  only  profane  learning,  but  Divinity  itself,  was  at  last,  by 
the  refined  frenzy  of  those  who  taught  both,  subtilized  into  mere 
notion  and  air."t 

(6)  Baron  Bielfeld  (in  his  Elementa  of  ITmvertal  Erudition) 
observes,  that  the  fondness  for  Aristotle's  reveries  began  about 
the  twelfth  century.     It  was  then,  that  the  scholastic  philosophy 

*  In  his  Life  of  Lord  Chance/lor  Jia  con. 
flbid. 


SxiV  iKtBODUCTION^ 

nexion  that  subsists  between  the  physical  and  moral 
fitness  of  things^  in  relation  to  their  respective  objects^ 
was  more  evidently  known  to  Anaxagoras  and  Flato^ 
than  to  either  Socrates  or  Aristotle  :  and  the  reason  i» 
obvious ; — both  of  the  former  cultivated  the  sublime 
/Kience  of  dstronomy* 

tras  formed.  Tlus  was  partly  borrowed  from  the  writings  of 
the  Arabs,  who  were  always  attached  to  tlie  theories  of  Aristotle : 
they  were  initiated  into  a  subtile,  ambiguous,  abstract  and  capri- 
cious mode  of  reasoning ;  by  which  they  never  hit  the  truth,  but 
constantly  went  on  the  one  side,  or  beyond  the  truth.  Toward  the 
end  of  the  fourteenth  century,  continues  the  learned  Baron,  this 
absurd  system  arrived  to  a  great  height.  It  became  a  mere  jar« 
gon,  a  confused  heap  of  unintelligible  ideas. 

The  celebrated  Mr.  Boyle,  the  great  successor  of  Lord  Veru- 
lam  (St  Albans)  in  experimental  philosophy,  is  said  Jte^have 
declared  against  the  Philosophy  of  Aiistotle,  as  having  inWfeorc 
of  words  than  things ;  promising  much  and  pe -ibrming  M^^ ; 
and  giving  the  Inventions  of  Men  for  indubitable  proofs,  instead 
of  building  upon  observation  and  experiment.  He  was  so  zeal- 
ous for,  and  so  Scrupulous  about,  this  true  method  of  learning  by 
experiment,  that,  though  the  Cartesian  philosophy  then  made  a 
great  noise  in  the  world,  yet  he  would  never  be  persuaded  to 
read  the  works  of  Descartes  ;  for  fear  he  should  be  amused,  and 
led  aWay,  by  plausible  accounts  of  things  founded  on  conjecture, 
and  merely  hypothetical.  (See  Art.  Boyle^  in  the  New  and 
General  Biography.)— -This  great  and  excellent  man  was  born 
the  same  year  in  which  Bacon,  Viscount  St.  Albans,  died. 

Epicurus,  the  disciple  of  Dcmocritus,  and  follower  of  the  Phi- 
losophy of  Aristotle,  was  engaged,  although  unsuccessftiUy 
enough,  in  the  labyrinth  of  Metaphysics,  as  well  as  in  Physics. 
He  adopted  the  system  of  Atoms,  which  Democritus  first  propa- 
gated; and  hence  appears  to  be  derived  Descartes's  equally  pre' 
pofsterous  doctrine  of  the  Plenum  and  of  Vortices. 


i 


IKTRODUCTION. 

To  this  caase^  then^  may  be  fairly  attributed  the 
halAealightened  notions  of  the  ]j)eity>^  and  of  a  fa- 
tore  state,  entertained  by  these  pagan  searchers  after 
truth.  To  the  same  cause  may  be  traced  the  senti- 
ment that  dictated  the  reply  made  by  Anaxagoras, — 
when,  in  consequence  of  his  incessant  contemplation 
of  the  stars,  he  was  asked,  ^Hfhe  had  no  concern  for 
his  country  9^^ — "  1  inceasantly  regard  my  country p^^ 
said  he,  pointing  to  Heaven. 

Plato's  attention  to  the  same  celestial  science  un- 
questionably enlarged  his  notions  of  the  Deity,  and 
enabled  him  to  think  the  more  justly  of  the  moral  at- 
tributes of  human  nature.  According  to  Plato — whose 
morality,  on  the  whole,  corresponds  with  the  system 
mpatained  by  Socrates,^^^ — the  human  soul  is  a  ray 
from  the  Divinity.  He  believed,  that  this  minute  por- 
tion  of  infinite  Wisdom,  Goodness  and  Power,  was 
omniscient,  while  united  with  the  Parent  stock  from 
which  it  emanated;  but,  when  combined  with  Che 
body,  that  it  contracted  ignorance  and  impurity  from 
that  union.     He  did  not,  like  his  master  Socrates, 

(7)  ^  Nulla  gens  tarn  fera,  quae  non  sciat  Deum  habendum 
esse,  quamyis  ignoret  qualem  habere  deceat." 

Cic.  de  Natur&  Deorum. 

(8)  While  Plato  followed  the  morals  of  Socrates,  he  cultivated 
the  metaphysical  opinions  of  Pythagoras.  He  is  said  to  have 
founded  his  physics  on  the  notions  of  Heraclitus :  it  may  be 
presumed,  nevertheless,  that  he  derived  that  branch  of  his  sys- 
tem from  a  better  source. 

D 


XXVI  INTRODUCTION. 

neglect  nataral  philosophy;  but  investigated  many 
principles  which  relate  to  that  branch  of  knowledge : — 
and^  according  to  this  philosopher^  all  things  consist- 
ed of  two  principles^ — God  and  matter. 

It  is  evident  tliat  Plato  believed  in  the  immortality 
of  the  soul  of  man ;  but  he  had^  at  the  same  time^  very 
inadequate  conceptions  of  the  mode  or  state  of  its  ex- 
istence^ when  separated  from  the  body.  It  seems  to 
have  been  reserved  for  the  Christian  dispensation^  to 
elucidate  this  great  arcanum^  hidden  from  the  most 
sagacious  of  the  heathen  philosophers.^^^  It  was  the 
difficulty  that  arose  on  this  subject^  the  incapability 
of  knowing  how  to  dispose  of  the  soul^  or  intellectual 
principle  in  the  constitution  of  our  species^  after  its 
disentanglement  from  the  body ;  a  difficulty  by  which 
all  the  philosophers^  antecedent  to  the  promulgation 
of  Christianity^  were  subjected  to  unsurmountable  per- 
plexities ; — it  was  this^  that  rendered  even  the  expan- 
sive genius  of  Anaxagoras  utterly  incompetent  to  con- 
ceive of  the  possibility  that  the  soul  should  exists  in- 

(9) «'  ReaaoTiy  tho*  taught  by  sense  to  range  on  high. 
To  trace  the  stars  and  measure  ail  the  sky ; 
Tho*  fancy,  memory,  foresight  fill  her  train, 
And  o'er  the  beast  he  lifts  the  pride  of  man ; 
Yet,  still  to  matter^  form  and  afiace  confin'd, 
Or  moral  truths  or  laws  that  rule  mankind, 
Could  ne'er,  unaided^  pierce  the  mental  gloom, 
Explore  new  scenes  beyond  the  dosing  tomby 
Reach  with  immortal  hope  the  blest  abode, 
Or  raise  one  thought  of  spirit  or  of  God." 

Vision  of  Columbusy  book  VIII. 


IKTRODUCTION.  XXYU 

dependent  of  some  union  with  matter.  He  therefore 
invented  the  doctrine  of  the  Jdetempsyehosis  f  in  order 
to  provide  some  receptacle  of  organised  matter  for  that 
imperishable  intellectual  principle  attached  to  our  na- 
ture here^  after  its  departure  from  the  human  frame : 
and  to  which  new  vehicle  of  the  vital  spirit  of  its  ori* 
ginal  but  abandoned  abode,  the  extinguished  corpo- 
real man,  its  union  with  it  should  impart  the  powers 
and  faculties  of  animal  life. 

Cultivating^  as  Plato  did,  the  mind-expanding  sci- 
ence of  Astronomy,  faintly  even  as  the  true  princi- 
ples of  this  branch  of  science  were  then  perceived,^^®^ 
this  philosopher  could  not  fail  to  derive,  from  the  vast- 
ness,  beauty  and  order,  manifested  in  the  appearances 
and  revolutions  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  a  conviction  of 
the  perpetual  existence  of  a  great  intelligent  First 
Cause.  It  was,  indeed,  as  the  Abbg  Bartheleray  justly 
remarks,  the  order  and  beauty  apparent  through  the 
whole  universe,  that  compelled  men  to  resort  to  a  First 
Cause :  ^"^  This,  he  observes,  the  early  philosophers  of 

(10)  "An  inordinate  desire  to  explain  and  generalise^  without 
fitcts  and  observations,  led  the  ancient  philosophers  to  the  most 
absurd  and  extravagant  notions ;  though^  in  a  few  cases,  they 
have  displayed  the  most  wonderful  ingenuity,  and  sagaciously 
anticipated  the  discoveries  of  modern  times." 

JWw  Edinb,  Encyclofi.  tit.  Astronomy. 

(11)  <Mf  the  petty  motions  of  us  mortals  afford  arguments  for 
the  being  of  a  God,  much  more  may  those  greater  motions  we 
see  in  the  world,  and  the  phenomena  attending  them:  I  mean, 
the  motions  of  the  plsunets  snd  heavenly  bodiss.    For  these  must 


XXViii  INTRODtTCTIOK. 

the  Ionian  school  (which  owed  its  origin  to  Thales) 
had  acknowledged.  But  Anaxagoras^'  was  the  first 
who  discriminated  that  First  Cause  from  matter ;  and 
not  only  this  distinguished  pupil  of  Thales/^^  but 
Anaximander^  who^  antecedently  to  him^  taught  philo- 
sophy at  Athens^  with  Archelaus  the  master  of  So- 
crates^ all  treated  in  their  writings  of  the  formation 
of  the  universe^  of  the  hature  of  things^  and  of  geome- 
try and  astronomy. 

According  to  Mr.   Gibbon^   the  philosophers  of 
Greece  deduced  their  morals  from  the  nature  of  man^ 

be  put  into  motion  either  by  one  common  mighty  Mover,  acting 
upon  them  immediately,  or  by  causes  and  laws  of  His  appoint- 
ment; or  by  their  respective  movers,  who,  for  reasons  to  which 
you  can  by  this  time  be  no  stranger,**  (referring  his  reader  to  pre- 
ceding arguments),  ^  must  depend  upon  some  Superior,  that  fur- 
nished them  with  the  power  of  doing  this.  And  granting  it  to 
be  done  either  of  these  ways,  we  can  be  at  no  great  distance  from 
a  demonstration  of  the  existence  of  a  Deity."— ^Wollaston's  Rel. 
qf  Mit.  delineated^  sect  y.  head  14th. 

(13)  A  disciple  of  Anaximenes,  and  preceptor  to  Socrates. 
He  died  428  years  B.  C.  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age. 

(13)  Thales,  of  Miletus  in  Ionia,  was  one  of  the  seven  sages 
of  Greece :  he  was  bom  about  six  hundred  and  forty  years  be- 
fore the  Christian  era.  After  travelling  into  other  countries,  he 
returned  to  his  own,  and  there  devoted  himself  exclusively  to 
the  study  of  nature.  Being  the  first  of  the  Greeks  who  made 
any  discoveries  in  jiatronomyy  he  is  said  to  have  astonished  his 
countrymen,  by  predicting  a  solar  eclipse ;  and  he  instructed 
them,  by  communicating  the  knowledge  of  geometry  and  astro- 
nomy, which  he  had  acquired  while  in  £g3rpt.  He  died  in  the 
ninety-sixth  year  of  his  agey— 544  years  B.  C. 


iMTltoDUCTioir.  xzbc 

imiher  than  from  that  of  God.    They  meditated^  how- 
evov  as  we  are  informed  by  this  very  ingenious  histo- 
tuBj  on  &e  Divine  Nature^  as  a  most  curious  and  im- 
portant speculation;  and^  in  the  profound  enquiry^ 
tbey  displayed  both  the  strength  and  the  weakness  of 
the  baman  understanding.    The  Stoies  and  the  Pla« 
tonists  endeavoured  to  reconcile  the  interests  of  rea- 
son with  their  notions  of  piety.     The  opinions  of  the 
Academicians  and  Epicureans^  the  two  other  of  tho 
four  most  celebrated  schools^  were  of  a  less  religious 
east :  But^  continues  Mr.  Gibbon^  whilst  the  modest 
science  of  the  former  induced  them  to  doubt^  the  posi- 
tive ignorance  of  the  latter  urged  them  to  deny^  the 
providence  of  a  Supreme  Ruler. 

Cicero^^^  denominated  the  God  of  Plato  the  Maker, 
and  the  God  of  Aristotle  the  Governor^  of  the  world/"^ 

(14)  Marcus  TuUius  Cicero— 4he  same  that  has  been  already 
mentioned.  He  was^  himself^  not  only  one  of  the  most  learned 
and  eloquent  men^  but  one  of  the  greatest  philosophers^  of  and- 
qmty.  This  iUustrious  Roman  (whose  death  occurred  forty- 
three  years  before  the  Christian  era)  firmly  believed  in  the  be** 
ing  of  a  God.  He  was  likewise  a  decided  advocate  for  the  doc- 
trine of  the  soul's  immortality ;  concerning  which^  some  fine 
reasoning  will  be  found  in  his  book  on  Old  Age ; — a  doctrinei 
lioweyery  by  no  means  confined  to  Cicero  alone,  but  one  main- 
tained by  many  of  the  most  eminent  among  the  heathen  philoso- 
phers, in  the  early  ages.  Plato  appears  to  have  been  the  first 
who  supported  that  opinion  upon  sound  and  permanent  argu- 
ments, deduced  from  truth  and  established  principles. 

(15)  Cicero  himself  says,  "If  any  one  doubt,  whether  there 
be  a  Godj  I  cannot  comprehend  why  the  same  person  may  not  as 


XXX  IVTlODUeVKON. 

It  is  sraiewhere  observed^  that  it  ii  bo  refleetioa  oa 
the  character  of  Plato^  to  have  been  unable^  by  tho 
efforts  of  his  own  reason^  to  acquire  any  notion  of  a 
proper  creation ;  since  we^  who  have  the  advantage  of 
his  writings,  nay  of  writings  infinitely  more  valnable 
than  his^  to  instruct  us,  find  it  extremely  diflcult^  if 
not  impossible,  to  conceive  how  any  thing  can  first  be- 
gin to  have  an  existence.  We  believe  the  fact,  on  the 
authority  of  Revelation. 

well  doubt,  whether  there  be  a  sun  or  not.''  [Z>f  Jiaturd  De<h 
rumj  2,  2.] 

It  is  observed  by  Dr.  Turnbull,  in  his  annotations  on  Heinec- 
cius's  System  of  Univeraal  Law,  that  Polybius  as  well  as  Cicero, 
and  indeed  almost  all  the  ancient  philosophers,  have  acknow- 
ledged, that  a  public  sense  of  Religion  is  necessary  to  the  well- 
being  and  support  of  civil  society :  and  such  a  sentiment  of  Re- 
ligion is  inseparable  from  a  reasonable  concepdon  of  the  being 
and  attributes  of  the  Deity.  ^  Society,'*  says  Dr  Turnbull  very 
truly,  <<  can  hardly  subsist  without  it :  or,  at  least,  it  is  the  most 
powerful  mean  for  restraining  from  vice ;  and  for  promoting  and 
upholding  those  virtues  by  which  society  subsists,  and  without 
which  every  thing  that  is  great  and  comely  in  society  must  soon 
perish  and  go  to  ruin." — ^*'  With  regard  to  private  persons,"  con- 
tmues  this  learned  writer,  <<  he  who  does  not  often  employ  his 
mind  in  reviewing  the  perfections  of  the  Deity,  and  in  consoling 
and  strengthening  his  mind  by  the  comfortable  and  mind-exalt- 
ing reflexions,  to  which  meditation  upon  the  universal  provi- 
dence of  an  all-perfect  mind,  naturally,  and  as  it  were,  necessa- 
rily lead,  deprives  himself  of  the  greatest  joy,  the  noblest  exer- 
cise and  entertainment,  the  human  mind  is  capable  of;  and  what- 
ever obligations  there  may  to  virtue,  he  cannot  be  so  firm, 
steady,  and  unshaken  in  his  adherence  to  it,  as  he,  who,  being 
persuaded  of  the  truth  just  mentioned,  is  daily  drawing  virtuous 
strength  and  comfort  from  it."  [Sec  the  Annotator's  remark  on 
ch.  v.  b.  i.  of  HeinecciU9.'] 


UTTBODUCTIOK.  iciciti 

Great  wen^  undoubtedly,  the  improvements  in  as-* 
trooomy,  made  by  the  Greek  philosophers  of  early 
ages,  on  such  of  its  rudiments  as  were  handed  down 
to  them  from  those  nations  by  whom  it  was  first  culti- 
fated :  ^^^  Yet  it  can  scarcely  be  conceived,  that,  until 
(he  eelebrated  Euclid  of  Alexandria,^^^  and  his  follow- 

(16)  The  Greekfl  derived  their  knowledge  of  astronomy  from 
the  Egyptians  and  Chaldeans.  According  to  Plutarch,  tlie  scien- 
ces began  to  unfold  themselves  about  the  time  of  Hesiod,  the 
Greek  poet,  who  flourished  upwards  of  nine  centuries  before  the 
Christian  era;  but  their  progress  was  very  slow,  until  the  time 
of  Thales,  which  was  about  three  centuries  later.  And  although 
this  celebrated  philosopher  of  antiquity  rendered  himself  famous 
bf  foretelling  an  eclipse  of  the  sun,  he  only  predicted  the  year  in 
Hhich  it  was  to  happen.  Even  this,  it  is  remarked  by  Mr.  Vince 
(m  his  invaluable  work,  entitled,  jd  Comfilete  System  of  Mtro" 
nomy^)  he  was  probably  enabled  to  do  by  the  Chaldean  SaroSf  a 
period  of  223  lunations ;  after  which^  the  eclipses  return  again 
nearly  in  the  same  order.  Philolaus,  a  disciple  of  Pythagoras^ 
fi?ed  about  four  hundred  and  fifly  years  before  Christ,  and  is  said 
to  have  taught  the  true  solar  system, — placing  the  sun  in  the  cen- 
tre, with  the  earth  and  all  the  planets  revolving  about  it ;  a  system 
which,  it  is  believed,  Pythogaras  himself  had  conceived,  and  was 
inclined  to  adopt 

'  However,  Hipparchus,  who  lived  between  one  hundred  and 
tventy-five  and  one  hundred  and  sixty  years  before  the  Christian 
era,  and  whom  Mr.  Vince  styles  *'  the  Father  of  Astronomy,'* 
vas  the  first  person  that  cultivated  every  part  of  that  science. 
Ifis  discoveries,  together  with  those  of  Ptolemy,  are  preserved 
in  the  Mtym^n  Xorret^ti,  or  Great  Con«rrKcr<o»,— Ptolemy's  cele- 
brated work  on  Astronomy,  named  by  the  Arabs  the  Jlbnagat^ 
and  now  usually  so  called. 

(17)  This  great  philosopher  of  antiquity,  so  justly  entitled  to  ce- 
lebrity for  his  mathematical  works,  flourished  three  hundred  years 
before  the  Christian  era.  Care  should  be  taken  not  to  confound 
him  with  Euclid  of  Megara,  who  lived  a  century  earlier.     The 


X7LXI1  INTRODUCTION. 

ers^  bad  reduced  the  mathematics  of  Thales  and  others 
of  those  philosophers^  into  regular  systems  of  arithme* 
tical  and  geometrical  science^  the  true  principles  of 
astronomy  could  be  ascertained.  In  fact^  seventeen 
centuries  and  an  half  had  elapsed^  from  the  time  of 
that  great  geometrician^  before  Copernicus  appear- 
ed :  when  this  wonderful  genius^  availing  himself 
of  such  remnants  of  the  ancient  philosophy^  as  the 
intervening  irruptions  of  the  barbarous  nations  of  the 
north  upon  the  then  civilized  world  had  left  to  their 
posterity^  opened  to  the  view  of  mankind  the  real 
system  of  the  universe/"^ — So  vast  was  the  chasm^ 
during  which  the  nobler  branches  of  physics  remained 
uncultivated  and  neglected^   that^  from  the  age  off 

latter,  as  the  Abb6  Barthelemi  observes,  being  too  much  fami« 
liarized  with  the  writings  of  Parmenides  and  the  Elean  school, 
had  recourse  to  abstractions ;  "  a  method,"  says  the  Abb6,  "  often 
dangerous,  oftener  uninteUigible."  Just  after,  he  adds :  "  The 
subtleties  of  metaphysics  calling  to  their  sdd  the  quirks  of  logic, 
words  presently  took  place  of  things^  and  students  acquired  no- 
thing in  the  schools  but  a  spirit  of  acrimony  and  contradiction.'* 
Travels  of  the  younger  jinacharsisy  vol.  iii.  chap.  37. 

(18)  That  the  sun  is  at  rest,  and  that  the  planets  revolve  round 
him,  is  an  opinion  that  appears  to  have  been  received  of  old,  by 
Philolaus,  Aristarchus  of  Samos,  and  the  whole  sect  of  the  Py- 
thagoreans. It  is  probable,  as  Mr.  Rowning*  observes,  that  this 
notion  was  derived  from  them,  by  the  Greeks :  But  the  opinion 
that  the  sun  stood  still  in  the  centre,  while  the  whole  heavens 
moved  around  it,  was  the  prevailing  one,  until  Copernicus,  by 
the  establishment  of  his  system,  restored  the  ancient  astronomy 
of  the  Pythagorean  school. 

*  In  his  Comfendimu  Sj^temof  Katural  Philoiophj: 


INTRODUGTION^  XXXilji 

Baclid,  fonrteen  centimes  passed  away^  before  Roger 
Bieon,  an  English  Franciscan  friar,  began  his  snc 
cessfnl  enqoiries  into  experimental  philosophy. — ^This 
extraordinary  man  is  said  to  ha?e  been  almost  the  only 
sslronamer  of  his  age ;  and  he  himself  tells  us,  that 
there  were  not,  then,  more  tlian  three  or  four  persons 
in  the  world  who  had  made  any  considerable  profi- 
ciency in  the  mathematics  ! 

Bat  after  the  appearance  of  Gopemicus/^^'  succeed- 
ed by  the  ingenious  Tycho  Brahe^^  and  sagacious 
Kepler,^^  arose  the  learned  physiologist  Bacon,  Yis- 

(19)  Nicholas  Copemic  (usually  latimzed,  by  adding  the  ter- 
minating syllable,  us,)  that  celebrated  astronomer,  ^  whose  vast 
genius,  assisted  by  such  lights  as  the  remains  of  antiquity  afford- 
ed him,  explained  the  true  system  of  the  universe,  as  at  present 
understood,***  was  bom  at  Thorn  in  Royal  Prussia,  the  19th  of 
January,  1 442.  He  was  alike  distinguished  for  hb  piety  and  in- 
nocence, as  for  his  extraordinary  genius  and  discoveries.  He 
died  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

(20)  This  great  man  was  a  native  of  Knudsturp,  a  province  of 
Scania  in  Denmark,  and  bom  the  18th  of  December,  1546,  of  an 
illustrious  family.  He  was  the  first,  who,  by  the  accuracy  and 
number  of  lus  observations,  made  the  way  for  the  revival  of 
astronomy  among  the  modems ;  although,  ^  in  theory,"  as  Rit- 
tenhouse  has  expressed  it,  ^  he  mangled  the  beautiful  system  of 
Copemicus.'*t— Brah6  (for  this  is  the  &mily-name)  died  at  the 
age  of  fifty-five  years. 

(21)  John  Kepler,  a  native  of  Wiel  in  the  duchy  of  Wirtem- 
berg,  in  Germany,  became  as  celebrated  for  the  consequences 

•  mn.  Or  at.  t  ^''^' 


XXXiv  INTRODUCTION* 

count  of  St.  Albans^ — one  of  tbe  most  illustrioud  con- 
tributors to  the  yet  scanty  stock  of  experimental  philo- 
sophy.^^ And  soon  after^  in  the  same  age  and  nation^ 
was  manifesled  to  the  worlds  in  the  full  glory  of  meri- 
dian splendour,  that  great  luminary  of  natural  science, 
who  first  enlightened  mankind  by  diffusing  among 
them  the  rays  of  welLascertained  truths ;  clearly  ex- 
hibiting to  all,  those  fundamental  principles  of  the 
laws  of  nature,  by  which  the  grand,  the  stupendous 
system  of  the  material  universe  is  both  sustained  and 
governed : — 


<(  Nature  and  Nature's  Laws  lay  hid  in  night ; 
a  God  said,  Let  Newtom  ber— and  all  was  Light. 


99 


Finally,  it  was  reserved  for  our  own  age  and  country 
to  derive  dignity  and  fame,  from  having  given  birth  to 
an  illustrious  successor  and  disciple  of  that  immortal 

he  drew  from  the  observations  of  Tvcho,  as  the  latter  was  for 
the  vast  mass  of  astronomical  materials  he  had  prepared.  This 
eminent,  though  somewhat  ^^  whimsical"*  astronomer,  was  bom 
the  27th  of  December,  1571,  and  died  at  the  age  of  fifty-nine 
years. 

(22)  "  Before  his  (Bacon's)  time,  philosophy  was  fettered  by 
forms  and  syllogisms.  The  logics  of  Aristotle  held  the  human 
mind  in  bondage  for  nearly  two  thousand  years;  a  miserable 
jugglery,  which  was  fitted  to  render  all  truth  problematical,  and 
which  disseminated  a  thousand  errors,  but  never  brought  to  light 
one  useful  piece  of  knowledge.*' — Ld.  Woolhousie's  Memoirs  of 
the  Life  and  TVriting'9  of  Ld,  Karnes, 

*  Ritt.  Orat. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXXV 

^ecently-departed 


nan^   in  tbe  person  of  the   yet 

RiTTENHOUSE. 


The  objects  of  a  genuine  philosophy^  are  the  dis- 
covery and  promulgation  of  the  truths  which  emanate 
from  a  knowledge  of  the  laws  of  nature,  in  relatiun  to 
the  material  world,  and  the  inseparable  influence  of 
those  truths,  consequent  on  an  acquaintance  with  them, 
in  giving  a  right  direction  to  the  moral  faculty  of  man. 
The  intimate  connexion  subsisting  between  natural 
and  moral  science,  is  indubitable ;  and  it  is  equally 
certain,  that  the  accordant  order,  fitness  and  rectitude, 
which  unite  into  one  glorious  plan  of  wisdom,  good* 
ness  and  power,  all  portions  of  creation,  intellectual 
and  sensitive  as  well  as  material,  must  rest  on  the 
same  unerring  principles.  The  infinite  variety  and 
boundless  extent  of  nature's  works  constitute  a  sublime 
system ;  manifesting  a  correspondent  perfection  in  the 
design,  and  all-bountiful  dispensation  of  good  in  its 
parposes.^^  The  Almighty  First  Cause  has  founded 
this  system  on  immutable  principles ;  wherein  truths 
in  relation  to  the  moral  world,  may  be  considered  as 
its  basis, — as  fitness  is,  when  applied  to  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  natural  world.     These  are,  respectively, 

(23)  It  is  observed  by  an  eminent  philosopher  of  the  present 
day,  that  «  The  more  the  phenomena  of  the  universe  are  stu- 
diedy  the  more  distinctly  their  connexion  apjj>ears,  the  more  sim- 
ple their  causes,  the  more  magnificent  their  design,  and  the  more 
wonderful  the  wisdom  and  power  of  their  Author."  (See  Ele- 
ment$  of  Chymical  Philosofihy,  by  sir  Humphrey  Davy,  LLD. 
^tc.  R.  S.) 


i 


XXXVi  INTRODUCTION. 

the  correlatives  of  the  one  and  the  other :  and  the 
unity  of  design  apparent  in  the  whole  system^  plunly 
indicates  the  connexion  tliat  subsists^  in  the  nature  of 
things^  between  moral  virtue^  wliich  is  the  result  of  a 
right  perception  of  truths  and  the  fitness  and  order^ 
to  which  all  the  operations  of  the  material  universe 
conform.^^ — ^Towards  an  investigation  of  these  things^ 

(24)  On  looking  into  Maclaurin's  Account  of  Sir  Isaac  New- 
ton's Philosophical  Discoveries^  since  penning  the  aboyei  the 
writer  of  these  Memoirs  was  much  gratified  by  the  perusal  of  the 
following  passage,  in  the  last  chapter  of  that  valuable  work ; 
wherein  its  author  treats  <<  Of  the  Supreme  Author  and  Governor 
of  the  Universe,  the  True  and  Living  God."  The  writer  ia  in- 
duced to  add  it  in  a  note,  to  his  own  reflections  on  the  same  sub- 
ject, such  as  he  has  ventured  to  offer  them  in  the  text ;  presum- 
ing that  the  authority  of  so  eminent  a  philosopher  as  Mr.  Maclau- 
rin  will  give  weight  to  what  he  has  himself  advanced ;  so  far,  at 
least,  as  there  may  appear  to  be  some  coincidence  of  sentiment 
on  the  subject. 

^  The  plain  argument  for  the  existence  of  the  Deity,  obidous 
to  all  and  carrying  irresistable  conviction  with  it,  is  from  the 
evident  contrivance  and  fitness  of  things  for  one  another,  which 
we  meet  with  throughout  all  parts  of  the  universe.  There  is  no 
need  of  nice  and  subtle  reasonings  in  this  matter:  a  manifest  con- 
trivance immecUately  suggests  a  contriver.  It  strikes  us  lilC^  a 
sensation;  and  artful  reasonings  against  it  may  puzzle  us,  but  it 
is  without  shaking  our  belief.  No  person,  for  example,  that 
knows  the  principles  of  optics,  and  the  structure  of  the  eye,  can 
believe  that  it  was  formed  without  skill  in  that  science;  or  that 
the  ear  was  formed,  without  the  knowledge  of  sounds<"— <<  All 
our  accounts  of  nature  are  full  of  instances  of  this  kind.  The 
admirable  and  beautiful  order  of  things,  for  final  causes,  exalt 
our  idea  of  the  Contriver :  the  unity  of  design  shews  him  to  be 
One.  The  great  motions  in  the  system,  performed  with  the  same 
facility  as  the  least,  suggest  his  Almighty  Power ;  which  gave 
motion  to  the  earth  and  the  celestial  bodies,  with  equal  ease  as  to 


INTRODUCTION.  XXXVli 

tbe  researches  of  the  great  American  philosopher  were 
eag^ly  directed :  sach  were  the  objects  of  his  nii« 
"weiried  pursuit ;  and  sach  were  the  views  entertained 
by  him^  of  the  utility  and  importance  of  those  sublime 
Itniiches  of  knowledge^  which  he  cultivated  so  ardent- 
ly ind  successfully.^ 


the  mmutest  particles.  The  subtilty  of  the  motions  and  actions 
in  the  internal  parts  of  bodies^  shews  that  His  influence  pene- 
tntes  the  inmost  recesses  of  things,  and  that  He  is  equally  active 
ind  present  every  where.  The  simplicity  of  the  laws  that  pre- 
nil  in  the  world,  the  excellent  disposition  of  things,  in  order  to 
tteia  the  best  endsi  and  the  beauty  which  adorns  the  works  of 
nature,  fiir  superior  to  any  thing  in  art,  suggest  His  consummate 
Wisdom.  The  usefulness  of  the  whole  scheme,  so  well  contrived 
bt  the  intelligent  beings  that  enjoy  it,  with  the  internal  disposi- 
tion and  moral  structure  of  those  beings  themselves,  shew  Hia 
unbounded  goodness.  These  are  arguments  which  are  suffi** 
cientlj  open  to  the  views  and  capacities  of  the  unlearned,  while 
ttthe  same  time  they  acquire  new  strength  and  lustre  from  the 
discoveries  of  the  learned.  The  Deity's  acting  and  interposing 
in  the  universe,  shew  that  He  governs  it,  as  well  as  formed  it; 
and  the  depth  of  His  counsels,  even  in  conducting  the  material 
taiTene,  of  which  a  great  part  surpasses  our  knowledge,  keeps 
up  an  inward  veneration  and  awe  of  this  great  Being,  and  dis- 
poses us  to  receive  what  may  be  otherwise  revealed  to  us,  con- 
cemiog  Him.' 


f» 


(35)  Mr.  Cotes,  in  his  preface  to  the  second  edition  of  Sir 
Isaac  Newton's  Prmeifiiay  exposes  the  folly  of  those  depraved 
dreamers  in  philosophy,  <^  the  sordid  dregs  of  the  most  impure 
part  of  mankind,"  who  strive  to  maintain,  that  the  constitution 
of  the  world  is  not  derived  from  the  will  of  God,  but  from  a  cer- 
tarn  necessity  of  nature ;  that  all  tlungs  are  governed  hjfatcy  not 
by  Providence ;  and  that  matter,  by  neceanity  (^nature,  has  exist- 
ed always  and  every  where,  and  is  infinite  and  eternal.  He  then 
adds  >-><  We  may  noW|  therefore^  take  a  nearer  view  of  nature  in 


«r  Or  pnpfe  IiaTe,  ui  ereiy 
«Mlift&ii«j;M»  Toy  ntaonmll J Tmloed 
SmtMs.  It  is  both  uef ol  and 
ynyc  6»  ijiiMJiiinMiffmii  the  reaown  of  soch  as  hare 
^yraiirJ  ikaaawtves^  ia  aa  eaiinent  degree,  Beneiac- 
teK  of  MbutkhHt-  The  Life,  therefore,  of  so  distin- 
jgaUiMd  a  Ptulwopher  as  Rittenuouse,  must  be  ex- 
yM4^  W  inMeat  the  feelings,  as  well  as  the  curiosity^ 
^  ik9  fjMd  aad  the  wise,  not  only  of  our  own  eonntry 
but  of  fbreiga  nations. 

With  respeet  to  the  usefulness  and  importanee  of 
tiMU  m^tic  science,  which  was  the  favourite  study 
UmI  priaeipal  object  of  the  pursuit  of  our  philosopher, 
dhuringa  life  of  ordinary  extent  but  of  very  extraordi- 
nary attainments  and  character,  something  may  with 
pcopriety  be  said,  with  a  view  to  an  illustration  of  the 
aubjeet.  And  among  other  evidence,  which,  it  is  pre- 
aiuned,  may  not  be  unaptly  adduced  on  the  occasion, 
tka  Memorialist  will  cite  in  the  first  place,  as  well  as 
occasionally  afterwards,  the  sentiments  of  a  distin- 
gaishe'd  foreign  astronomer,  whose  abilities  and  erudi- 
tion  rendered  him  eminently  qualified  to  decide,  in  a 
discussion  of  this  nature  :  He  shall  be  made  to  speak 

ber  glory,  and  contemplate  her  in  a  most  entertaining  manner: 
and  withal,  more  zealously  than  ever,  pay  our  worship  and  vene- 
flition  to  the  Creator  and  Lord  of  the  Universe  ;  which  is  ihefirin-^ 
4|to/  advantage  of  philoaofihy.  He  must  be  blind  who,  from  the 
Most  excellent  and  most  wise  structure  of  the  creatures,  doe;; 
Ml  presently  see  the  infinite  wisdom  and  goodness  of  their 
Creator:  and  he  must  be  mad,  who  will  not  own  those  attributes.'* 


INTSODUCTION.  XXXix 

fer  himself^  thoagh  not  in  his  own  tongue ;  the  great 
woA  from  which  the  quoted  extracts  are  made,  being 
written  in  French. 

Among  the  numerous  and  important  advantages, 
thmj  resulting  from  astronomy,  noticed  by  the  cele- 
brated Lalande  (in  the  preface  to  his  book,  entitled' 
Jbtronomie,)  he  remarks  that  it  is  well  known,  thai 
besides  the  tendency  of  this  science  to  dissipate  many 
▼olgar  errors   and    prejudices,^^^  cosmography  and 

(26)  ^  A  man  would  deceive  liimself,"  says  Lalande,  <<in  be- 
lieving he  could  be  a  philosopher,  without  the  study  of  the  natu- 
nd  sciences.  To  be  wise,  not  by  weakness,  but  by  principles, 
it  b  necessary  that,  to  be  able  to  reflect  and  think  with  vigour, 
wcbe  freed  from  those  prejudices  which  deceive  the  judgment, 
ttd  wliich  oppose  themselves  to  the  development  of  reason  and 
of  genius.  Pythogaras  would  not  have  any  disciples,  who  had 
not  studied  Mathematics:  over  his  door  was  to  be  read,  that  '<no 
one  was  to  enter,  unless  he  were  a  geometrician."— -Morals  would 
be  kss  sure,  and  jess  attractive  for  us,  if  they  were  to  be  founded 
OD  ignorance  or  on  error. 

*^  Ought  we,"  he  asks,  <<  to  consider  as  of  no  importance  the 
sdfintage  of  being  freed  from  the  misfortunes  of  ignorance  ?  Is 
it  possible  to  observe,  without  a  feeling  of  compassion  and  even 
of  shame,  the  stupidity  of  those,  who  formerly  believed,  that  by 
making  a  great  vociferation,  during  an  eclipse  of  the  Moon, 
diey  furnished  relief  to  the  sufferings  of  that  (imagined)  god- 
dess; or,  that  these  eclipses  were  produced  by  enchantment  ?" 

<^  Cum  frustra  resonant  sera  auxiliaria  Lunse." 

Met.  iv.  333. 

Reyas,  in  the  dedication  of  his  Commentaries  on  the  Plani- 
sphere to  the  Emperor  Charles  V.  mentions  a  curious  historical 
lact,  in  illustratioQ  of  the  effects  of  that  superstition,  derived 


u  nrraooucTiON. 

^jooffKpbj  ensot  go  on,  bat  by  iti  ueuia  :  that  th« 

diMOTeiy  of  the  satellites  of  Jupitw  hu  ^ren  ipreater 

from  ig;norance,  wluch  Kstronomy  has  banished  from  the  civilized 
-world.  It  is  thus  related  by  Lalande :— "  Christopher  Colum- 
bus, when  commanding  the  army  which  Ferdinand)  king  of 
Spunj  had  sent  to  Jamaica,  some  short  time  after  the  discoTBty 
of  that  island,  experienced  so  great  a  scarcity  of  provisions,  that 
no  liope  remained  of  saving  his  army,  which  he  expected  to  be 
aooQ  at  the  mercy  of  the  savages.  An  approaching  eclipse  of 
the  moon  furnished  this  able  man  with  the  means  of  extricating 
lumself  from  his  embarrassment :  he  let  the  chief  of  the  savages 
know,  that  if  they  should  not>  in  a  few  hours,  send  turn  all  he 
asked  for,  he  would  oppress  them  with  the  greatest  calamides; 
and  that  he  would  begin  by  depriving  the  moon  of  her  light  At 
first,  they  contemned  his  menaces ;  but,  when  they  saw  that  the 
moon  began,  in  reality,  to  disappear,  they  were  seized  with 
terror ;  they  carried  all  they  had  to  the  general,  and  came  them- 
selves to  implore  forgiveness." 

Comets  were  formerly,  even  in  civilized  nations,  another  great 
cause  of  consternation  among  the  people  ;  and  one,  also,  which  ft 
knowledge  of  astronomy  has  at  length  divested  of  its  terrors,  by  , 
removing  the  source  of  those  superstitious  errors,  a  grossly  mis- 
taken notion  of  the  nature  of  those  phxnomena.  "  We  are  sorry 
to  find,"  says  Lalande,  "  such  strange  prejudices,  not  only  in 
Homer  [Iliad  iv.  7s.]  but  even  in  the  most  beautiful  poem  of 
the  sixteenth  century;  whereby  means  are  furnished  of  perpetu- 
ating our  errors — 

«  Qual  con  Ic  chiome  sanguinose  orrendc 
Splender  Cometa  suol  per  I'aria  adusta, 
Che  i  reg^ii  muta  e  i  feri  morbi  adduce, 
E  ai  purpurei  tiranni  iniausta  luce." 

Tatao'a  Jerut.dd. 

Which  Jlr.  Hoole  has  thus  translated — 

"  As,  shaking  terrors  from  his  blazing  hair, 
A  sanguine  Comet  gleams  through  dusky  air. 


INTRODUCTIOK.  xU 

perfeetion  to  oar  geographical  aad  marine  charts,  than 
ibey  eoold  have  attained  by  ten  thousand  years  of  na- 
rration and  vojages;^'^  and,  that  when  their  theory 


To  rain  states,  and  dire  diseases  spread. 
And  baleful  light  on  purpled  tyrants  shed. 


t 


Further,  the  progress  of  genuine  astronomy  has  almost  wholly 
ifissipated,  in  our  day,  the  gross  delusions  of  astrology,  with  the 
miscluevous  portents  of  its  infatuated  judicial  interpreters;  fol- 
lies engendered  by  ignorance,  which  is,  ever,  the  prolific  parent 
of  prejudice,  of  superstition,  and  of  their  numerous  concomitant 
etils. 

(37)  Mr.  Rittenhouse  observes,  (in  his  Oration  delivered  be- 
ibre  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  in  1775,)  that  <<  Galileo 
not  only  discovered  these  moons  of  Jupiter,  but  suggested  their 
use  in  determining  the  longitude  of  places  on  the  earth ;  which 
has  since  been  so  happily  put  in  practice,  that  Fontenelle  does 
not  hesitate  to  affirm,  they  are  of  more  use  to  geography  and  na- 
vigation, than  our  own  moon."— -This  great  man,  one  of  the  first 
restorers  of  the  true  principles  of  physics,  was  condemned  by 9 
and  suffered  the  penalties  of  the  Inquisition,  in  1535,  for  defend- 
ing  the  system  of  Copernicus !  He  died  in  1542. 

A  letter  from  Andrew  Ellicott,  Esq.  to  Mr.  Robert  Patterson, 
dated  the  3d  of  April  1795,  and  published  in  the  fourth  volume 
of  the  American  Philosophical  Society's  Transactions,  contains 
sundry  observations  of  the  immersions  of  the  satellites  of  Jupiter, 
made  at  Wilmington  in  the  state  of  Delaware,  by  Messrs.  Ritten- 
house, J.  Page,  Lukens  and  Andrews,  respectively,  on  divers 
days  from  the  1st  to  the  23d  of  August  (both  included,)  in  the 
year  1784;  together  with  those  observed  at  the  Western  Obser- 
vatory, by  Messrs.  Ellicott,  Ewing,  Madison,  8cc.  on  divers  days 
from  the  17th  of  July  to  the  1 9th  of  August  (both  included,)  in 
the  same  year:  also,  of  the  emersions  of  those  satellites,  by  the 
same  Eastern  Observers,  from  the  29th  of  August  to  the  19th  of 
September  (both  included,)  and  by  the  same  Western  Observers, 
from  the  27th  of  August,  up  to  the  19th  of  September,  both  in- 
cluded ;  all  in  the  year  1 784.    These  observations  were  made, 

F 


IKTBODUCTIOK. 

flhall  become  still  better  kBow%  the  method  of  deter* 
mining  the  lon^tude  at  sea  will  be  more  exact  and 
more  easy. 

^^  It  is  to  astronomy^''  says  Mr.  Lalande,  ^^  that  we 
are  indebted  for  the  first  voyages  of  the  FhoBnicians^ 
and  the  earliest  progress  of  industry  and  commerce : 
it  is  likewise  to  it,  that  we  owe  the  discovery  of  the 
New  World.  If  there  remain  any  thing  to  desire  for 
the  perfection  and  scarcity  of  navigation,  it  is,  to  find 
the  longitude  at  sea.''    In  continuation,  he  says : — 

^^The  utility  of  navigation  for  the  welfare  of  a  state, 
serves  to  prove  that  of  astronomy.  But  it  seems  to  me, 
that  it  is  difficult  for  a  good  citizen  to  be  ignorant,  now, 
of  the  usefulness  of  navigation ;  above  all,  (says  La- 
lande,  feelingly,)  in  France.  The  success  of  the  £ng- 
ligh,  in  the  war  of  1761,  has  but  too  well  shewn,  that 
a  marine  alone  governs  the  fortune  of  empires,  their 
power,  their  commerce ;  that  peace  and  war  are  de- 
cided on  the  ocean ;  and  that,  in  fine,  as  Mr.  Miere 
has  expressed  it, — 

<(  Le  Trident  de  Neptune  est  le  Sceptre  du  Mond."* 

when  those  able  geometricians  and  astronomers  were  employed 
in  ascertaining  the  Western  Boundary  of  Pennsylvania,  by  deter- 
mining the  length  of  five  degrees  of  longitude,  West,  from  a 
given  point  on  the  river  Delaware. 

•  «  The  trident  of  Neptune  is  the  sceptre  of  the  world.*— This,  as  Lalande 
observes*  b  nearly  wfau  Themistocles  said  at  Athens,  Pompey  at  Boiiie, 
Gromwca  in  EoglMidy  and  Bicbeliett  aiid  Colbert  in  France. 


IKTRODtTCTIOK.  xM 

'^Ancient  chronology  deduces  from  a  knowledge 
ud  calculation  of  eclipses,  tbe  best  established  pe- 
riods in  time^  that  it  is  possible  to  obtain :  and  in  ages 
interior  to  regular  observations,  nothing  but  obscurity 
is  to  be  met  with.  We  should  not  have  in  the  history 
of  nations  any  uncertainty  in  dates,  if  there  had  al- 
ways been  astronomers.  We  may  perceive,  above 
tU,  the  connexions  of  astronomy  in  The  Art  of  veru 
fying  Bates.  It  is  by  an  eclipse  of  the  Moon,^^  that 
we  discover  the  error  of  date  that  exists  in  the  valgar 
era  with  respect  to  the  birth  of  Christ.  It  is  known 
fhat  Herod  was  king  of  Judea,  and  that  there  was  an 
eclipse  of  the  moon  immediately  before  the  death  of 
that  prince :  we  find  this  eclipse  was  in  the  night,  be- 
tween the  ISth  and  13th  of  March,  of  the  fourth  year 
before  the  vulgar  era ;  so  that  this  era  ought  to  be  re- 
moved three  years  back,  at  least 

'^  It  is  besides  from  astronomy,  that  we  borrow  the 
division  of  time  in  the  common  transactions  of  life, 
and  the  art  of  regulating  clocks  and  watches.    We 

(28)  Mr.  Derham,  speaking  of  the  utility  resulting  from  the 
obsenration  of  these  phenomena,  (in  his  Mtro'Theologyy)  says— 
'  As  to  the  eclipses,  whether  of  sun  or  moon,  they  have  their  ex- 
cellent uses.  The  astronomer  applies  them  to  considerable  ser- 
vices, in  his  way,  and  the  geographer  makes  them  no  less  use- 
ful in  his :  the  chronologer  is  enabled,  by  them,  to  amend  his 
accounts  of  time,  even  of  the  most  ancient  days ;  and  so  down 
through  all  i^s :  and  the  mariner,  too,  can  nuike  them  service- 
able to  his  purpose,  to  discover  his  longitude,  to  correct  his  ac- 
count at  sea,  and  thereby  make  lumself  more  secure  and  safe  in 
the  untrodden  paths  of  the  deep/*  w.  b. 


Sdiv  IKTRODCrCTIOir* 

may  wf,  that  the  order  and  the  mciItipUcity  of  onr 
affinirs;  of  our  duties^  oor  amusements ;  the  attachment 
to  exactness  and  precision ;  in  shorty  our  habits ;  all 
have  rendered  this  measure  of  time  almost  indispensa- 
ble, and  placed  it  among  the  number  of  the  desiderata 
of  human  life* 

^^  If,  for  want  of  clocks  and  watches,  we  should  be 
under  the  necessity  of  recurring  to  meridians  and  sun- 
dials, even  this  would  further  prove  the  advantages 
derived  from  astronomical  science ;  since  dialling  is 
only  an  application  of  spherical  trigonometry  and 
astronomy* 

^^Le  Sage  is  displeased  with  good  reason  with 
those,  whom  an  admiration  of  the  stars  has  carried  so 
far,  as  that  they  fancied  them  to  be  Deities :  ^^  bnt^ 

(39)  Lucius  Caelius  Lactantius  Firmianus,  a  Christian  writer 
in  the  beginning  of  the  fourth  century,  reasons  in  a  conclusive 
manner  against  the  heathen  mythology,  in  the  inference  he  draws 
from  the  argument)  used  by  the  heathens^  to  prove  the  heavenly 
bodies  to  be  divinities.  His  argument,  on  this  head,  will  be  found 
towards  the  conclusicm  of  Mr.  Derham*s  Mtro- Theology y  where 
it  is  translated  from  the  Latin  of  that  early  and  eloquent  advocate 
of  Christianity  (in  his  Divin,  In^tit,  1.  2.  c.  5.)  in  these  words  ^-« 

"That  argument  whereby  they"  (those  idolaters)  "  conclude 
the  heavenly  bodies  to  be  gods,  proveth  the  contrary :  for  if 
therefore  they  think  them  to  be  gods,  because  they  have  such 
certain  and  well-contrived  rational  courses,  they  err ;  for,  from 
hence  it  appears  that  they  are  not  gods ;  because  they  are  not 
able  to  wander  out  of  those  paths  that  are  prescribed  them. 
Whereas*  if  they  were  gods,  they  would  go  here  and  therci  and 
cYerjr  wherei  without  any  restraint,  like  as  animals  upon  the  earth 


orTBODucTioir.  xIt 

(«r  froBi  condemning  ihe  study  of  them^  he  recom- 
mends itf  for  the  glory  of  the  Creator.'^ 

do;  whosie  ivills  being  free,  they  uraoder  hither  and  thither^  as 
thej  list,  and  go  whithersoever  their  minds  cany  them." 

Those  vast  orbs  of  matter  in  the  universe,  which  constitute 
the  planets  of  our  system,  if  even  we  consider  this  alone,  and 
€ich  of  which  is  known  to  have  its  appropriate  motion,  must  of 
necessity  have  had  those  motions  communicated  to  them,  at  first, 
by  some  Being  of  infinite  power ;  the  perfect  order  and  regu- 
lirity  of  their  motions  render  it  equally  plain,  that  that  Being 
was  also  infinite  in  wisdom ;  and  the  uninterrupted  continuance 
of  the  same  regularity  of  motion,  in  their  respective  orbits,  de- 
monstrates in  like  manner,  that  He  who  originally  imparted  their 
nioti<ms*to  the  several  planets  is,  moreover,  infinite  in  duration. 

The  -uia  inertia  of  all  material  substances,  a  quality  inseparably 
interwoven  with  their  nature,  deprives  them  (considered  merely 
as  such)  of  the  power  of  spontaneous  motion ;  matter  is  inher- 
ently inert :  consequently,  those  great  globes  of  matter,  the  pla- 
nets (including  the  earth,)  necessarily  derive  their  motions  from 
%  supremely  powerful  First  Cause,  as  well  as  from  one  uifinitely 
iotelligent,  and  everlasting  in  his  Being.  Hence,  Lactantius 
wen  observes,  in  another  place,  that  <<  There  is,  indeed,  a  power 
in  the  stars,  of  performing  their  motions;  but  that  is  the  power 
of  God,  who  made  and  governs  all  things ;  not  of  the  stars  them- 
selves, that  are  moved.'* 

The  reasoning  of  Lactantius,  on  this  subject,  is  more  worthy 
of  a  pluloBOpher,  than  that  employed  by  Descartes,  in  supporting 
hU  chimerical  notion  of  vortices;  or  than  that  which  led  Kepler 
to  adopt  his  scheme,  equally  unsupported  by  any  rational  princi- 
ples, of  a  vectcMiai  power  produced  by  emanations  of  the  sun,  as 
primary  agents  of  morion  in  the  solar  system.  Because  these 
schemes  of  Descartes  and  Kepler  make  it  necessary  to  recur  to 
some  ulterior,  as  well  as  more  adequate  and  comprehensible 
cause  of  motion,  in  the  planets,  than  either  vordces  or  emana- 
tions from  the  sun :  whereas  Lactantius  resorted,  at  once,  to  an 
intelligent  First  Cause,  capable  of  producing  the  effect;  without 
coDJuring  up  inefficient  agents,  as  first  movers;  which  left  them 
sdll  under  the  necessity  of  going  back  to  a  CmsAToa  of  their 


X\vi  INTRODUCTIOK. 

Adverting  to  such  as  considered  ^^fire^  or  wind^  or 
the  swift  air^  or  the  circle  of  the  stars^  or  the  violent 
water^  or  the  lights  of  heaven^  to  be  gods  which  go- 
vern the  world/'^^^  he  applies  the  words  of  Solomon : 
— "  With  whose  beauty,  if  they,  being  delighted,  took 
them  to  be  gods ;  let  them  know  how  much  better  the 
Lord  of  them  is :  for  the  first  Author  of  beauty  has 
created  them — For,  by  the  greatness  and  beauty  of 
the  creatures,  proportionably  the  Maker  of  them  is 
seen.'^^^^> 

^^  David  found  also,  in  the  stars,''  continues  La* 
lande,  ^^  means  of  elevating  his  contemplation  of  the 
Deity :" — "The  heavens  declare  the  glory  of  God  f^^^ 
^'  I  will  view  thy  heavens,  the  works  of  thy  fingers, 
the  moon  and  the  stars  which  thou  hast  established :'' 
and  we  see  that  Mr.  Derham  has  called  by  the  name 
of  ^'  Jistro-  Theology  J  ^  a  work,  in  which  is  presented^ 
in  all  their  force,  the  singularity  and  grandeur  of  the 

respective  causes  (but  second  causes,  at  best,)  of  the  planetary 
motions ;  consequently,  the  First  Cause  ;  and,  also,  of  admitting 
the  existence  of  Intelligence,  as  an  essential  attribute  in  the  na- 
ture of  that  Being. 

An  edition  of  the  works  of  Lactantius  (who  was  a  native  of 
Fermo  in  Italy,)  was  printed  at  Leipsick,  in  1715. 

(30)  Wisdom  of  Solomon,  ch.  13,  v.  2. 
(SI)  Ibid.  ch.  IS.  V.  3  and  5. 
(32)  Psalm  19.  V.  1. 


INTRODUCTION.  xlvil 

diseirraries  that  have  been  made  in  astronomy ;  as 
iMBing  so  many  proofs  of  the  existenee  of  a  God.  (See 
what  Aristotle  thought  on  this  sabject^  in  the  eighth 
book  of  his  PkysicsJ^) 

Such  were  the  reflections  of  Mr.  Lalande^  on  a 
mbjeet  with  which  he  was  intimately  acquainted. 

The  opinions  of  eminent  and  enlightened  men  have 
deservedly  great  weight,  in  all  those  matters  on  which 
it  is  presumable,  from  the  nature  of  their  pursuits, 
ikmr  thoughts  have  been  most  employed.  Notwith- 
standing, therefore,  the  fulness  df  the  foregoing  ex- 
tracts, the  writer  believes  that  the  very  apt  and  judi- 
cioas  observations  contained  in  the  following  passage, 
in  support  of  similar  sentiments,  extractied  from  a  vo- 
hmiiions  work  of  a  distinguished  English  astronomer, 
if  the  present  day,  will  not  be  deemed  to  have  been 
improperly  brought  into  view,  on  this  occasion  : — 

^^The  obvious  argument  of  the  existence  of  a  Deity, 
who  formed  and  governs  the  universe,^'  (says  Mr. 
Yince,  the  author  referred  to,)  ''  is  founded  upon  the 
miiformlty  of  the  laws  which  take  place  in  the  pro- 
dnetaon  of  similar  effects ;  and  from  the  simplicity  of 
the  causes  which  produce  the  various  phenomena. 
The  most  common  views  of  nature,  however  imperfect 
and  of  small  extent,  suggest  the  idea  of  the  govern- 
ment  of  a  God,  and  every  further  discovery  tends  to 
confirm  that  persuasion.    The  ancient  philosophers, 


Xlviii  INTEODUCTIOX. 

who  scarce  knew  a  single  law  by  which  the  bodies  in 
the  system  are  governed^  still  saw  the  Deity  in  his 
works  :  how  visible  therefore  ought  He  to  be  to  as, 
who  are  acquainted  with  the  laws  by  which  the  whole 
is  directed.  The  same  law  takes  place  in  our  system, 
between  the  periodic  times  and  distances  of  every 
body  revolving  abont  the  same  centre.  Every  body 
describes  about  its  respective  centre  equal  areas  in 
equal  times.  Every  body  is  spherical.  Every  planet, 
as  far  as  our  observations  reach,  is  found  to  revolve 
about  an  axis;  and  the  axis  of  each  is  observed  to  con- 
tinue parallel  to  itself.  Now  as  the  circumstances 
which  might  have  attended  these  bodies  are  indefinite 
in  variety,  the  uniform  similarity  which  is  found  to 
exist  amongst  them,  is  an  irrefragable  argument  of  de- 
sign. To  produce  a  succession  of  day  and  night, 
either  the  sun  must  revolve  every  day  about  the  earth, 
or  the  earth  must  revolve  about  its  axis  :  the  latter  is 
the  most  simple  cause  ;  and,  accordingly,  we  find  that 
the  regular  return  of  day  and  night  is  so  produced. 
As  far  also  as  observations  have  enabled  us  to  disco- 
ver, the  return  of  day  and  night,  in  the  planets,  is  pro- 
dnced  by  the  operation  of  a  similar  cause.  It  is  also 
found,  that  the  axis  of  each  planet  is  inclined  to  the 
plane  of  its  orbit,  by  which  a  provision  is  made  for  a 
variety  of  seasons  ;  and  by  preserving  the  axis  always 
parallel  to  itself,  summer  and  winter  return  at  their 
stated  periods.  Where  there  are  such  incontestable 
marks  of  design,  there  must  be  a  designer  ;  and  the 
unity  of  design  through  the  whole  system,  proves  it  to 


INTRODUCTION.  XluC 

be  the  work  of  Oxe.  The  general  laws  of  nature 
•hew  the  existence  of  a  Divine  Intelligence^  in  a 
noch  stronger  point  of  view^  than  any  work  of  man 
ean  prove  him  to  have  acted  from  intention ;  inasmuch 
u  the  operations  of  the  former  are  uniform^  and  sub- 
ject to  no  variation ;  whereas  in  the  latter  case^  we  see 
esntinoal  alterations  of  plan^  and  deviations  from  es- 
tdilished  rules.  And  without  this  permanent  order  of 
tidngiB;,  experience  could  not  have  directed  man  in  re- 
ipeet  to  his  future  operations.  These  fixed  laws  of  na- 
ture^ so  necessary  for  us^  is  an  irresistible  argument 
that  the  world  is  the  work  of  a  wise  and  benevolent 
Being.  The  laws  of  nature  are  the  laws  of  Gk>D ; 
and  how  far  soever  we  may  be  able  to  trace  up  causes^ 
they  must  terminate  in  his  will.  We  see  nothing  in 
ttie  heavens  which  argues  imperfection  j  the  whole 
creation  is  stamped  with  the  marks  of  Divinitt.'^ — 
[See  Jl  Complete  System  of  Jslronomy ;  by  the  Bev. 
8.  Yince^  a.  m.  f.  r.  s.  &e.  printed  at  Cambridge^ 
in  1709— vol.  U.  p.  S90^  Sgi.] 

None  of  the  works  of  creation  present  to  the  con- 
templation of  man  objects  more  worthy  of  the  dignity 
of  his  nature,  than  those  which  engage  the  attention  of 
the  astronomer.  They  have  interested  men  of  the 
soblimest  genius,  in  all  ages  of  the  world :  and  the 
sdence  of  astronomy  is  spoken  of  vnth  admiration,  by 
the  most  celebrated  sages  of  antiquity. 


1  IKTBODUCTIOK. 

Although  no  astronomer  of  our  day,  how  enUauia' 
lie  soever  he  may  be  in  favour  of  his  Bcience,  will  be 
disposed  to  say  with  Anaxagoras^  that  the  purpose  for 
which  he  himself  or  any  other  man  was  bonif  waaf 
that  he'  might  contemplate  the  stars ;  yet  it  does  seem* 
as  if  the  objects  of  this  science  more  naturally  attract- 
ed the  attention  and  employed  the  research  of  elevated 
minds,  than  those  things,  within  the  narrow  limits  of 
this  world,  an  acquaintance  with  which  constitutes  the 
ordinary  mass  of  human  knowledge.  The  disposition 
of  man  to  direct  his  eyes  frequently  opwards,  and  tiie 
faculty  to  do  so,  arising  from  his  erect  Agure  and  tiie 
position  and  structure  of  the  organs  of  his  vision,  fur- 
nish no  feeble  argument  in  proving,  that  this  tempo- 
rary lord  of  his  fellow-beings  on  this  globe  has  nobler 
destinies,  infinitely  beyond  them  ;  being  enabled  and 
permitted  by  the  Author  of  his  being,  even  M'hile  in 
this  circumscribed  state  of  bis  existence,  to  survey 
those  myriads  of  worlds  which  occupy  the  immensity 
of  space ;  to  contemplate  their  nature,  and  the  laws 
that  govern  them  ;  thence,  to  discern,  with  the  eye  of 
reason,  the  Great  First  Cause  of  their  being  ;'^  and 
thus  having  acquired  a  juster  knowledge  of  his  own 

(33)  Id  Mr,  Smart's  Poetical  Euay  on  the  Immen»ity  of  the 
Sufirtmc  Being,  after  a  glowing  dcBcription  of  some  of  the  ad- 
mirable works  of  nature,  is  this  apt,  though  laconic  address  to 
the  Atheist: — 

«  Thou  ideot!  that  asserts,  there  is  no  God, 
Fiev>,  and  be  dumb  for  ever." 


IITTRODUCTION.  11 

nature^  to  grasp  at  an  endless  futarity  for  its  exist- 
enee. 

That  the  erect  coantenance  and  upward  aspect  of 

the  human  species  were  his  peculiar  endowments  by 

the  Deity,  for  these  purposes  among  others^  appears 

,  to  have  been  the  impression  on  the  mind  of  Ovid^ 

when  he  said  : — 


''  Finxit  in  efligiem  modcrantum  cuncta  deorum; 
Pnmaque  cum  spectent  anamalia  caetera  terrani) 
Os  homini  sublime  dedity  caelumque  tueri 
Jussit}  eterectos  ad  sideratollere  Yultus."(^> 

Met,  i.  88. 


(54)  The  poet  gives  a  whimsical  account  of  the  first  forma- 
tion of  man,  out  of  this  earth,  which  is  represented  as  being  then 
&ew;  and,  having  been  recently  separated  from  the  high  xther, 
b  therefore  supposed  as  yet  holding  some  affinity  with  heaven, 
and  retaining  its  seeds.  He  describes  the  son  of  Japetus  (Pro- 
netheus)  moulding  a  poition  of  parth,  mixed  with  river-water, 
into  the  similitude  of  those  heathen  deities,  who  were  said  to 
rule  over  all  tilings. 

A  poetic  translation  into  our  own  language,  of  the  lines  above 
quoted,  which  exhibit  ^^  the  godlike  image,"  thus  formed,  after 
its  being  animated  by  the  stolen  fire  of  Prometheus,  is  compre- 
hended in  the  UaUcUed  lines  of  the  following  passage,  extracted 
from  Mr.  Dryden's  versification  of  the  first  book  of  Ovid's  Meta- 
morphoses; in  which  the  English  poet  has  well  preserved  the 
beauty,  the  force,  and  the  sublimity  of  the  thought,  so  finely  ex- 
pressed in  the  original  :— 

^  A  creature  of  a  more  exalted  kind 

Was  wanting  yet,  and  then  was  Man  designed 


ii  nmtoDUCTioir. 

Mr.  Pope  has  well  observed^  that — 

<<The  proper  study  of  mankind,  is  Man :" — 

But^  in  order  that  he  may  be  enabled  te  know  him- 
self^ it  is  indispensably  necessary  for  him  to  acqoire 
such  a  knowledge  of  other  created  beings  that  sur- 
round him^  as  the  limited  nature  of  his  faculties  will 
allow.  He  must  attentively  observe  the  operations  of 
nature  in  the  material  universe^  survey  with  a  reflect- 
ing mind  its  stupendous  fabric^  and  study  its  laws. 
Hence^  he  will  be  made  acquainted^  and  although  in 
a  partial^  yet  not  an  inconsiderable  degree^  with  the 
powers  and  extent  of  that  intellectual  principle  which 
he  finds  in  the  government  of  the  morale  as  well  as  the 
natural  world.  And  being  thus  enabled  to  know  his 
own  proper  standing  in  creation^  and  his  appropriate 
relation  to  all  its  parts^  he  will  by  these  means  be  qua. 

Conscious  of  thought,  of  more  capacious  breast. 

For  empire  formed,  and  fit  to  rule  the  rest : 

Whether  with  pardcles  of  heav'nly  fire 

The  God  of  nature  did  his  aou!  inspire ; 

Or  earth)  but  now  divided  from  the  sky. 

And  pliant  stiU,  retained  th*  setherial  energy : 

Which  wise  Frometheu9  tempered  into  paste, 

And,  mixt  with  living  streams,  ike  godlike  image  cast : 

Thusj  while  the  mute  creation  downward  bend 

TTiehr  aighty  and  to  their  earthly  mother  tcndy 

Man  looks  alofty  and  with  erected  eyes 

Beholds  his  own  hereditary  skies** 


ijnnomjcTims.  lui 

lifted  to  ascend  to  those  enquiries^  which  will  open  to 
his  mind  a  just  sense  of  the  attributes  of  the  Deity^  of 
whose  existence  he  will  feel  a  perfect  conviction.  In 
this  way^  will  man  obtain  a  due  knowledge  of  his  own 
^  beings  end  and  aim ;''  and  become  fully  sensible  of 
Us  entire  dependence  on  his  Creator :  while  he  will 
thereby  leam^  that  he  incessantly  owes  him  the  high- 
est  adoration  and  the  most  devoted  service.^^  In  this 

(35)  Man  will,  unquestionably)  by  taking  an  extensive  range 
in  the  eontemplatiim  of  nature,  proportionably  enlarge  his  intui- 
tive conceptions  of  the  attributes  of  her  Almighty  First  Cause; 
of  whose  transcendently  exalted  existence,  the  study  of  his  own 
being,  one  of  nature's  greatest  works,  will  have  taught  him  the 
reality:  and  a  due  knowledge  of  himself,  alone,  will  also  instruct 
bim  in  the  dependent  nature  of  his  condition,  and  the  duties  re- 
sulting from  that  state  of  dependence,  in  hb  humble  relation  to 
the  Supreme  being. 

Mr.  Smart,  in  the  poem  before  quoted,  has  prettily  expressed 
tins  idea,  in  the  foUowing  lines  :-^ 

<<  Vain  were  th'  attempt,  and  impious,  to  trace 
Thro'  all  his  works  th'  Artificer  Divme— » 
And  tho'  no  shining  sun,  nor  twinkling  star, 
Bedeck'd  the  crimson  curtmns  of  the  sky ; 
Tho'  neither  vegetable,  beast,  nor  bird, 
Were  extant  on  the  surfiEice  of  this  ball. 
Nor  lurking  gem  beneath ;  tho'  the  great  sea 
Slept  in  profiMmd  stagnation,  and  the  air 
Had  left  no  thunder  to  pronounce  its  Maker; 
Yet  Man  at  home,  within  kinuelfi  might  find 
The  Deity  immense ;  and,  in  that  frame 
So  fearfully,  so  wonderfuUy  made. 
See  and  adore  his  Providence  and  Pow*r." 


liV  INTRODUCTION. 

way  it  is^  that  the  philosopher^  more  especially  the 
astronomer^ — 

"  Looks,  through  Nature,  up  to  Nature's  God."(3«) 

Pope* 9  Ess,  on  Man. 

.  Besides  the  various  and  important  uses  of  astronomy^ 
here  pointed  out^  it  is  connected^  by  means  of  numer- 
ous ramifications^  ii'ith  other  departments  of  science^ 

(36)  The  same  sentiment  is  beautifully  expressed  by  Thom- 
fion^  in  the  following  apostrophe : 

<<  With  thee,  serene  Philosophy !  with  thee, 

And  thy  bright  garland,  let  me  crown  my  song ! 

Effusive  source  of  evidence,  and  truth  ! 

A  lustre  shedding  o'er  th'  ennobled  mind. 

Stronger  than  summer-noon ;  and  pure  as  that, 

Whose  mild  vibrations  soothe  the  parted  soul. 

New  to  the  dawning  of  celestial  day. 

Hence  through  her  nourish'd  pow'rs,  enlarged  by  tlice, 

She  springs  aloft,  with  elevated  pride, 

Above  the  tangling  mass  of  low  desires. 

That  bind  the  fluttering  crowd;  and  angel-wing'd, 

The  heights  of  science  and  of  virtue  gains. 

Where  all  is  calm  and  clear ;  with  nature  round, 

Or  in  the  starry  regions,  or  th'  abyss, 

To  reason's  or  to  fancy's  eye  display'd : 

The  First  up-tracing,  from  the  dreary  void. 

The  chain  of  causes  and  effects  to  Him, 

The  world  producing  essence,  who  alone 

Possesses  being ;  while  the  Last  receives 

The  whole  magnificence  of  heaven  and  earth. 

And  every  beauty,  delicate  or  bold, 

Obvious  or  more  remote,  with  livelier  sense, 

Diffusive  painted  on  the  rapid  mind." 

Summer,  1.  1729  and  scq. 


IXTRODUCTIOX*.  Iv 

directed  to  some  or  the  most  useful  pursuits  of  human 
life.  Lalande  has  even  shewn  us^  in  the  preface  to 
his  ^istronomie,  in  what  manner  this  science  has  a  re- 
lation to  the  administration  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical 
affairs^  to  medicine^  and  to  agriculture.  A  knowledge 
of  astronomy  is  obviously  connected^  by  means  of 
chronology^  with  history.  It  is  even  a  necessary  study^ 
in  order  to  become  acquainted  with  the  heathen  my- 
thology ;  and  many  beautiful  passages  in  the  works  of 
the  ancient  poets  can  neither  be  distinctly  understood 
nor  properly  relished^  without  a  knowledge  of  the 
stars  :  nay^  that  finely  poetical  one^  in  the  book  of  Job^ 
in  which  the  Deity  is  represented  as  manifesting  to 
that  patient  man  of  affliction  and  sprrow  the  extreme 
imbecility  of  his  nature^  is  unintelligible  without  some 
knowledge  of  astronomy  : — 

^  Canst  thou  bind  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades,  or  loose 
the  bands  of  Orion  ? — 

Canst  thou  bring  forth  Mazzaroth  in  his  season ;  or  canst  thou 
guide  Arcturus,  with  his  sons  ?** 

Some  of  the  greatest  poets  of  antiquity  were  in  a 
manner  fascinated^  by  the  grandeur  of  that  science^ 
(though  they  accompanied  it  with  mystical  notions^ 
which  furnishes  the  sublimest  objects  in  nature  to  the 
contemplation  of  the  astronomer. 

Ovid  tells  us^  he  wished  to  take  his  flight  among 
the  stars : 


M  INTBODUCTIOX. 


^Juvat  ire  per  alta 


Aftnt ;  javat)  terris  et  inerti  sede  relictis, 

Nttbe  Tehiy  Talidique  humeris  insistere  Atlantis/^^') 

Metamwiih.  lib.  xt. 

And  Horace  acquaints  us  with  the  objects  of  curi- 
osity and  research^  in  the  contemplation  of  which  he 
envied  his  friend  Iccius^  who  was  occupied  in  that 
way^  on  his  farm  : — 

'<  Qux  mare  compescant  causacy  quid  temperet  annum ; 

Stellas  aponte  aui,  jaasaene,  vagentur  et  erranti 

Quid  premat  obscurum  LunaSi  quid  proferat  orbem/*^> 

Lib.  i.  epist  12,  ad  ledum. 

(37)  It  delights  me  to  soar  among  the  lofty  stars ;  it  delights 
me  to  leave  the  earth  and  this  dull  habitation,  to  be  wafted  upon  a 
cloudi  and  to  stand  upon  the  shoulders  of  the  mighty  Atlas. 

Mr.  Dryden  has  thus  translated  the  original  into  English 
verse  :— 

*^  Pleas'd,  as  I  am,  to  walk  along  the  sphere 
Of  shining  stars,  and  travel  with  the  year ; 
To  leave  the  heavy  earth,  and  scale  the  height 
Of  Atlas,  who  supports  the  heavenly  weight." 

(38)  Dr.  Francis  thus  versifies  this  passage,  in  our  lan- 
guage:— 


<^  What  bounds  old  ocean's  tides ; 


What,  through  the  various  year,  the  seasons  guides : 
Whether  the  stars,  by  their  own  proper  force. 
Or  foreign  pow'r,  pursue  their  wand'ring  course : 
Why  shadows  darken  the  pale  Queen  of  Night ; 
Whence  she  renews  her  orb^  and  spreads  her  light  s 


iNTioDUCTiov*  Ini 

Virgil  seemed  willing  to  reaoaoce  every  other  study, 
in  order  that  he  might  devote  himself  to  the  wonders 
<if  astfouomy.  In  the  second  book  of  his  G^orgics^ 
he  says : 

^  Me  yeroprimum  dnlces  ante  omaia  Mass^ 
Quarum  sacra  fero,  ingenti  perculsus  amore^ 
Accipiant ;  caelique  vias  et  sidera  monstrenti 
Defectus  Soils  varius,  Lunaeque  labores ; 
Unde  tremor  terrls,  qu&  vi  maria  altatumescant 
Obicibus  ruptis,  rursusque  in  se  ipsa  residant ; 
Quid  tantum  oceano  properent  se  tingere  soiea 
Hybemi,  vol  quae  tardis  mora  noctibus  obstet— - 
Felix  qui  potuit  rerum  cognoscere  causas."(^> 

1.  475  and  seq. 

And,  in  addition  to  these  classieal  writers,  a  modern 
poet  (Mr.  Voltaire)  appears,  by  a  letter  written  in  the 
year  1738,  to  have  participated  in  the  regrets  express- 

(39)  Thus  rendered,  in  English  verse,  by  Mr.  Dryden:— 

tt  Ye  sacred  Muses,  with  whose  beauty  fir'd, 
My  soul  is  ravish'd,  and  my  brain  inspired ; 
Whose  priest  I  am,  whose  holy  fillets  wear, 
Would  you  your  poet's  first  petition  hear; 
Give  mc  the  way  of  wandering  stars  to  know : 
The  depths  of  heav'n  above,  and  earth  below. 
Teach  me  the  various  labours  of  the  moon. 
And  whence  proceed  th'  eclipses  of  the  sun. 
Why  flowing  tides  prevail  upon  the  main, 
And  in  what  dark  recess  they  sink  agsdn. 
What  shakes  the  solid  earth,  what  cause  delays 
The  sununer  nights,  and  shortens  winter  days — 
Happy  the  man,  who,  studying  nature's  laws. 
Through  knpwn  effects  can  trace  the  secret  cause." 


f 

I 


Iviii  UITRODUCTION. 

ed  by  Virgil ;  and  to  have  been  desirous  of  directing 
all  his  faculties  towards  the  sciences.  He  produced^ 
on  the  philosophy  of  Newton^  a  work  which  has  con- 
tributed to  the  expansion  of  genius ;  and^  in  liis  epistle 
to  the  Marchioness  du  Chatelet^  he  pays  that  great 
man  a  very  exalted  compliment^  in  these  poetic 
lines  : 

^^  Confidens  du  Tres  Haut,  substances  ctemelles, 
Qui  parez  de  vos  feux,  qui  couvrez  de  vos  aiies 
Le  tr6ne  od  voire  Maitre  est  assis  parmi  vous ; 
Parlez:  Du  grand  Newton  n'Wez-vous  point  jaloux  ?"C40) 

Astronomy  has  not  only  engaged  the  attention  of 
multitudes  of  illustrious  men^  of  every  age  and  nation^ 

(40)  The  lines  here  referred  to  were  written  about  eight  years 
after  Sir  Isaac  Newton's  death.  Voltaire  supposes  an  apotheosis 
of  Newton  to  have  taken  place,  among  the  planets  personified  by 
some  of  the  deities  of  the  heathen  mythology.  Thus  ascribing 
intelligence  to  the  stars,  he  considers  them,  by  a  poetical  fiction, 
as  being  in  the  confidence  of  the  Most  High-^the  true  God ;  and 
to  those  subordinate  deities,  or,  perhaps,  a  fancied  superior  or- 
der of  angelic  beings,  the  poet  makes  his  figurative  address ; 
which  may  be  thus  rendered  in  English  verse  :— • 

Ye  confidents  of  the  Most  High, 

Ye  everlasting  lights ! 
AVho  deck,  with  your  refulgent  fires. 

The  scene  of  godlike  rights  ! 
Whpse  wings  o'erspread  the  glorious  throne 

Whereon  your  Lord  is  plac'd. 
That  Lord,  by  whose  transcendent  pow*r 

Your  borrow'd  rays  are  grac'd;        ^ 
Speak  out,  bright  orbs  of  heaven's  expanse  I 

And  frankly  let  us  know : 
To  the  exalted  Newton's  namq, 

(uan  yoy  refuse  to  bow  i 


lyrROBUCTIOK.  lit 

bot  it  has  been  patronized  by  great  and  enlightened 
princes  and  states ;  cultivated  by  men  of  genius  and 
learning,  of  all  ranks  and  professions ;  and  celebrated 
by  historians  and  poets. 

This  charming^  as  well  as  sublime  and  invaluable 
science^  has  also  been  studied^  and  even  practically 
cultivated,  by  many  celebrated  women,  in  modem 
times.  There  are  indeed  circumstances  connected 
with  this  innocent  and  engaging  pursuit,  that  must 
render  it  very  interesting  to  the  fair  sex.  Some  ladies 
have  prosecuted  this  object  with  such  success^  as  to 
acquire  considerable  distinction  in  the  philosophical 
world.  While,  therefore,  the  meritorious  transactions 
of  men  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance  and  fre- 
quently recorded  in  the  annals  of  fame^  it  is  due  to 
JQstice  and  impartiality,  that  literary,  scientific,  and 
other  attainments  of  the  gentler  sex,  calculated  for  the 
benefit  of  civil  society,  should  be  alike  commemo- 
rated. Among  such  then^  as  examples^  may  be  named 
the  following : — 

Maria  Conitia  (Kunitz,)  daughter  of  a  physician 
in  Silesia,  published  Astronomical  Tables^  so  early  as 
the  year  1650. 

Maria-Clara,  the  daughter  of  Eimmart  and  wife  of 
of  Muller^  both  well-known  astronomers,  cultivated 
the  same  science. 


Jx  ttTTRODUCTIOW. 

Jane  Dumge  published^  in  the  year  1680,  OoBver- 
sations  (or  Dialogaes)  on  the  Copernican  System. 

Maria-Margaretta  Winckelman,  wife  of  Godfrey 
Kirch,  an  astronomer  of  some  distinction^^^^  who  died 
in  I7IO9  At  the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  worked  at  his 
Ephemerides,  and  carried  on  Astronomical  Observa- 
tions with  her  husband.  This  respectable  woman  dis- 
covered the  Comet<*^  of  1708,  on  the  20th  of  April  in 
tiiat  year  :  she  produced,  in  171  %;  &  Work  on  Astro- 

(41)  Godfrey  Kirch  was  born  in  the  year  1640,  at  Ouben  in 
Lower  Lusatia,  and  lived  with  Hevelius.  He  published  his 
Ephemerides  in  1681,  and  became  established  at  Berlin  in  1700. 
This  astronomer  made  numerous  observations. 


(42) «  Amid  the  radiant  orbs 

That  more  than  deck,  that  animate  the  8ky» 

The  life-infusing  suns  of  other  worlds, 

Lo !  from  the  dread  immensity  of  space 

Returning  with  accelerated  course, 

The  rushing  Comet  to  the  sun  descends ; 

And,  as  he  sinks  below  the  shading  earth. 

With  awful  train  projected  o'er  the  heavens, 

The  guilty  nations  tremble.     But,  above 

Those  superstitious. horrors  that  enslave 

The  fond  sequacious  herd,  to  mystic  faith 

And  blind  amazement  prone,  th'  cnlighten'd  few, 

Whose  godlike  minds  Philosophy  exalts. 

The  glorious  stranger  hail.     They  feel  a  joy 

Divinely  great;  they  in  their  powers  exult; 

That  wond'rous  force  of  thought,  which  mounting  spurns 

This  dusky  upot,  and  measures  all  the  sky ; 

While,  from  his  far  excursions  through  the  wilds 

Of  barren  ether,  faithful  to  his  time, 

They  seethe  blazing  wonder  rise  anew, 

Id  seeming  terror  clad,  but  kindly  bent 


ZNTRODUCTIO}?,  Jxi 

nomy ;  and  died  at  Berlin^  in  the  year  17S0.  Her 
three  daughters  contiDaed^  for  thirty  years^  to  employ 
tbemselves  in  Astronomical  Observations^  for  the  Al- 
manacks of  Berlin. 

Elizabeth  d'Oginsky  Puzynina^  Countess  Pozynina 
and  Castellane  of  Mscislau^  in  Poland^  erected  and 
richly  endowed  a  magnificent  Observatory  at  Wilna^ 
in  the  year  17^3 ;  and  in  1767^  she  added  to  this  esta- 
blishment a  fund  equivalent  to  twelve  thousand  (Ame- 
rican) dollars^  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  an  ob- 
server and  purchasing  instruments.  The  king  of  Po- 
land afterwards  gave  to  this  institution  the  title  of  a 
"  Hoyal  Observatory.'' 

The  wife  of  the  celebrated  Hevelius  was,  likewise^ 
an  astronomer.  Madame  Hevelius  made  Observations 
along  with  her  husband ;  and  she  is  represented,  in^ 
the  Machina  Ccelestis,  as  having  been  engaged  in 
measuring  distances. 

In  the  century  just  passed,  the  Marchioness  dw 
Chatelet  translated  Newton :  Besides  whom, — 

Madame  Lepante  and  Madame  da  Piery  were  both 
known  in  the  Astronomical  World. 

To  work  the  will  of  all-sustaining  love: 
From  his  huge  vapoury  train  perhaps  to  shake 
Renewing  moisture  on  the  numerous  orbS| 
Through  which  his  long  elipsis  winds ;  pertiaps 
To  lend  new  fuel  to  declining  suns. 
To  light  up  worlds,  and  feed  th*  eternal  fire."       ^ 

Thornton* 8  Summer,  I.  170dandseq. 


INTRODUCTION. 

In  onr  own  tirae^  Miss  Garoline  Herachel^  Bister  of 
ibe  great  practical  astronomer  of  the  same  name^  in 
England^  has  not  only  distinguished  herself^  by  having 
discovered  the  Comet  of  1786  ;  another^  on  the  17th 
of  Aprils  1790  ;  and  a  third^  on  the  8th  of  October, 
*793  ]^^^  but  likewise  by  attending  to  Astronomical 
Observations^  along  with  her  brother^  for  several 
years. 

To  these  may  be  added  the  name  of  an  illustrioos 
female  ;  Elizabeth,  eldest  daughter  of  Frederick  V- 
Count  Palatine  of  the  Rhine  and  Sang  of  Bohemia, 
by  the  only  daughter  of  James  I.  This  Princess  (who 
was  an  aunt  of  King  George  I.)  cultivated  a  fine  ge- 
nius for  the  several  branches  of  natural  philosophy, 
and  was  well  versed  in  mathematical  science.  Al- 
though this  excellent  woman  was  a  Protestant,  she 
was  Abbess  of  Herworden  in  Westphalia,  where  she 
died  in  1680,  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years. 

Mr.  Lalande,  in  the  prefatory  department  of  his 
great  work  on  Astronomyy  after  noticing  the  Abb6 
Pluche's  book,  entitled  Spectacle  de  la  J^Tature,  says  : 
^^  The  freshness  of  the  shade,  the  stillness  of  night, 
the  soft  beams  of  twilight,  the  luminaries  that  bespan- 
gle the  heavens,  the  various  appearances  of  the  moon, 
all  form  in  the  hands  of  Pluche  a  fit  subject  for  fine 

(43)  Mr.  Messier  observed  this  Comet  in  France,  eleven  days 
before  it  was  discovered  in  England  bj  MissHerschel. 


INTRODUCTION.  Ixili 

descriptive  colouring :  it  takes  in  view  all  the  wants 
of  man^  regards  the  attention  of  the  Supreme  Being 
to  those  wants^  and  recognizes  the  glory  of  the  Crea- 
tor. His  book  is  a  treatise  on  final  causes^  as  well  as 
a  philosophical  work ;  and  there  are  a  great  many 
young  persons  to  whom  the  reading  of  it  would  afford 
satisfaction  and  pleasure.''  Observing  that  he  himself 
had  no  object  in  view^  in  his  own  work^  but  merely 
to  treat  of  Astronomy^  Lalande  recommends  to  his  rea- 
ders^ JCature  Displayed^  Derham's  Astro-  Theology j 
and  the  Dialogues  of  Fontenelle  on  The  Plurality  of 
Worlds.  Such  works  as  these^  with  some  elementary 
books  on  astronomy  and  those  branches  of  science 
most  intimately  connected  with  that  science^  would  be 
very  proper  for  the  study  of  that  respectable  class  of 
females^  whose  minds  are  too  elevated  and  correct  to 
derive  any  gratification  from  the  trifling  productions  of 
iBOst  of  the  modern  novellists  and  romance-writers ; 
but  who^  at  the  same  time^  might  not  be  desirous  of 
enga^ng  in  the  more  abstruse  and  laborious  researches^ 
which  demand  the  attention  of  profound  practical 
astronomers.^^^  The  grand^  the  delightful  views  of  na- 
ture^ which  studies  of  this  sort  would  present  to  the 
vivid  imagination^  the  delicate  sensibility^  and  the 
good  dispositions  of  a  woman  of  genius  and  refinement, 

(44)  That  the  mind  of  the  female  sex  is  capable  of  compass- 
ing  great  and  extraordinary  attainments,  even  in  the  most  ardu- 
ous branches  of  science,  is  attested  by  many  instances ;  and  it 
cannot  be  doubted  that  these  would  be  more  numerous,  were 
women  oftener  attentive  to  philosophical  pursuits.     Those  who 


Ixiv  INTRODUCTION. 

woald  not  only  improve  her  understanding  and  sane* 
tion  the  best  feelings  of  her  heart,  but  they  would 
famish  her  mind  with  an  inexhaustible  fund  of  ani- 
mating reflections  and  rational  enjoyments  :  in  every 
respect,  indeed,  they  would  contribute  to  her  happi- 
ness. 

Let  not,  then,  the  beauties  of  astronomical  science, 
and  the  captivating  studies  of  natural  philosophy  in 
general,  be  exclusively  enjoyed  by  men  ;  but  let  the 
amiable,  the  intelligent,  and  the  improved  part  of  tiie 
female  sex,  be  invited  to  a  participation,  with  them,  in 
these  intellectual  pleasures.^^^ 

have  been  just  named  aerre  to  shew,  that  astronomy  has  been 
cultivated  with  success,  by  them.  And  Dr.  Reid  tells  us  (in  his 
JEssaya  on  the  intellectual  and  active  Powers  qf  Man^)  that  booi 
the  celebrated  ChrisUana,  Queen  of  Sweden,  and  the  Princess 
Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Fredeiick,  King  of  Bohemia,  and  aunt 
jof  George  I.  were  adepts  in  the  philosophy  of  Descartes.  The 
latter  of  these  princesses,  though  very  young  when  Descartes 
vrote  his  Princifikt^  was  declared  by  that  philosopher  to  be  the 
only  person  he  knew,  who  perfectly  understood  not  only  all  his 
philosophical  writingSi  but  the  most  abstruse  of  his  mathemati- 
cal works. 

(45)  The  writer  is  happy  in  having  it  in  his  power  to  cite,  in 
support  of  his  own  opinion,  that  of  an  amiable  and  conspicuous 
female,  in  favour  of  ladies  making  themselves  acquainted  with, 
at  least,  the  rudiments  of  astronomical  science. 

The  Countess  of  Cailisle,  a  woman  whose  literary  attainments, 
as  well  as  virtues  and  accomplishments,  do  honour  to  her  sex 
and  station,  in  her  Letters,  under  the  signature  of  CorneUoj  thus 
recommends  an  attention  to  the  study  of  astronomy,  to  the  young 
hdies  to  whom  her  letters  are  addressed. 


IKTRdDUCTION.  IxV 

VLttt,  perhaps^  might  be  rested  the  evidenee  of  the 
all-uiportant  usefahiess  oS  that  branch  of  knowledge^ 
in  which  our  American  Philosopher  was  pre-eminent- 
]j  distingoished. 

Bot^  inasmuch  as  astronomy  forms  a  part  of  mathe- 
matical science^  more  especially  of  those  branches  of 
i^  which^  under  the  denomination  of  mixed  and  prac- 
tical mathematics^  are  intimately  and  inseparably  in- 
terwoven^  every  where^  with  physical  considerations^ 
Qte  reader  will^  it  is  presumed^  be  gratified  by  a 
perusal  of  the  following  admirable  description  of  the 
Uses  of  Mathematics^  extracted  from  the  great  Dr. 

• 

Barsow's  Prefatory  Oratian,^^^  upon  his  admission 
into  the  Professorship,  at  Cambridge.  Indeed,  in 
writing  the  Life  of  a  man  so  eminently  skilled  as  Dr. 
Bittenhouse  was,  in  the  several  departments  or  vari- 
ous branches  of  natural  philosophy,  it  seems  proper 

^  Attain  a  competent  knowledge  of  the  globe  on  which  yon 
lire»  that  your  apprehension  of  Infinite  Wisdom  may  be  enlarged^ 
which  it  will  be  in  a  much  lugher  degree,  if  you  take  care  to 
acqmre  a  general  idea  of  the  structure  of  the  universe.  It  is  not 
expected  you  should  become  adepts  in  astronomy;  but  a  know- 
ledge of  its  leading  principles  you  may,  and  ought  to  obtain.*'-— 
Her  ladyship  then  refers  her  young  female  correspondents  to 
the  PluraiUy  qf  Worlds  of  FontenellCi  in  order  that  they  might 
acquire  a  knowledge  of  the  planetary  orbs ;  pleasantly  recom- 
men&ig  this  author  as  a  proper  person,  in  the  capacity  of  <<a 
gentleman  usher/*  to  <<  introduce**  them  to  an  <<  acquaintance*' 
with  ^  that  brilliant  assembly.'* 

Lady  CarHsU^a  Leltera,  lett.  8th. 


(46)  Translated  from  the  Latin. 

1 


Ixvi  INTRODUCTION. 

and  aseful  to  exhibit  to  the  reader  such  views  as  have 
been  furnished  by  nten  of  renowned  erudition^  of  the 
natwe  and  importance  of  that  complicated,^  that  wide- 
ly, extended  science,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  our 
philosopher  held  so  exalted  a  rank. 


Dr.  Barrow^^^^  thus  eulogizes  the  Mathematic 
a  science  ^^  which  depends  upon  principles  clear 
to  the  mind,  and  agreeable  to  experience;  which 
draws  certain  conclusions,  instructs  by  profitable  rulesy 
unfolds  pleasant  questions,  and  produces  wonderfid 
effects :  which  is  the  fruitful  parent  of-^I  had  almost 
said — all  arts,  the  unshaken  foundation  of  sciences, 

(47)  This  very  eminent  mathematiciaiii  as  well  as  learned  and 
pious  divine,  died  in  the  year  1677,  aged  only  forty-seven  years. 
Seethe  life  of  this  extraordinary  man,  written  in  1683,  by  the 
learned  Abraham  Hill ;  prefixed  to  the  first  volume  of  the  doc* 
tor's  theological  works ;  a  fifth  edition  of  which,  in  three  folio 
volumes,  was  published  by  archbishop  Tillotson,  in  1741.  He 
also  wrote  and  published  many  geometrical  and  mathematical 
works,  all  in  Latin. 

*\  The  name  of  Dr.  Barrow,"  says  Mr.  Granger,  one  of  his 
biographers,  "  will  ever  be  illustrious,  for  a  strength  of  mind 
and  a  compass  of  knowledge  that  did  honour  to  his  country.  He 
was  unrivalled  in  mathematical  learning,  and  especially  in  the 
sublime  geometry,  in  which  he  was  excelled  only  by  one  man ; 
and  that  man  was  his  pupil,  the  great  Sir  Isaac  Newton.  The 
same  genius  that  seemed  to  be  bom  only  to  bring  liidden  things 
to  light,  to  rise  to  the  heights  or  descend  to  the  depths  of  science, 
would  sometimes  amuse  itself  in  the  flowery  paths  of  poetry^ 
and  he  composed  verses  both  in  Greek  and  Latin." 

This  <<  prodigy  of  learning,"  as  he  is  called  by  Mr.  Granger, 
was  interred  in  Westminster  Abbey,  where  a  monument,  adorn* 
ed  with  his  bust,  is  erected  to  his  memory. 


INTBODUCTION.  IXVU 

w4  Qie  plentiful  fountain  of  advanfa^e  to  human  af- 
fairs :  In  which  last  respect  we  may  he  said  to  receive 
from  mathemati<;s  the  principal  delights  of  life^  secu- 
rities of  healthy  increase  of  fortune  and  conveniences 
sf  labour :  That  we  dwell  elegantly  and  commodious- 
\^,  bnild  decent  houses  for  ourselves^  erect  stately 
temples  to  God^  and  leave  wonderful  monuments  to 
posterity  :    That  we  are  protected  by  those  rampires 
froip  the  incursions  of  an  enemy^  rightly  use  arms^ 
artfully  manage  war^  and  i^ilfully  range  an  army : 
That  we  have  safe  traffic  through  the  deceitful  billows^ 
pass  in  a  direct  road  through  the  trackless  ways  of  the 
sea,  and  arrive  at  the  designed  ports  by  the  uncertain 
impol&e  pf  the  winds :  That  we  rightly  cast  up  our 
accounts^  do  business  expeditiously^  dispose^  tabulate^ 
and  calculate  scattered  ranks  of  numbers^  and  easily 
compute  them^  though  expressive  of  huge  heaps  of 
sand^  nay  immense  hills  of  atoms  :    That  we  make 
pacific  separations  of  the  bounds  of  lands^  examine 
the  momentums  of  weights  in  an  equal  balance^  and 
are  enabled  to  distribute  to  every  one  his  own  by  a  just 
measure :  That^  with  a  light  touchy  wiS  thrust  forward 
bodies^  which  way  we  will^  and  stop  a  huge  resistance 
with  a  very  small   force :    That  we  accurately  deli- 
neate  the  face  of  this  earthly  orb^  and  subject  the  eco- 
nomy of  the  universe  to  our  sight :  That  we  aptly 
digest  the  flowing  series  of  time ;  distinguish  what  is 
acted^  by  due  intervals  ;  rightly  account  and  discern 
the  various  returns  of  the  seasons ;  the  stated  periods 
of  the  years  and  months^  the  alternate  increasement^ 


Ixviii  iKTRomxcnOK. 

of  dnyd  and  ni^ts^  tke  doabtfal  limits  of  light  and 
AnAoWf  and  the  exaist  difljbretice  of  houni  and  minti  tes : 
lliat  we  detire  the  sdar  tutae  of  the  eun's  rays  to 
our  0806^  inftnitely  extend  the  sptere  of  light,  enlarge 
the  near  appearances  of  objects,  bring  remote  objects 
near,  discorer  hidden  things,  trace  nature  out  of  her 
eoncealments,  and  unfold  her  darfc  mysteries :  Thai 
we  delight  our  eyes  with  beautiful  images,  Cunningly 
imitate  the  devices  and  portray  the  works  of  nature; 
imitate,  did  I  say?  nay  excel ;  while  we  form  to  o«- 
•bItcs  things  not  in  being,  exhflbtt  things  abluent,  and 
represent  things  past :  That  we  recreate  our  minds^ 
and  delight  our  ears,  with  melodious  sounds ;  aitem- 
perate  the  inconstant  undulations  of  the  air  to  musical 
tones ;  add  a  pleasant  voice  to  a  sapless  log ;  and  draw 
a  sweet  eloquence  from  a  ri^d  metal ;  celebrate  our 
Maker  with  an  harmonious  praise,  and  not  unaptly 
imitate  the  blessed  choirs  iji  heaven :  That  we  ap- 
proach and  examine  the  inaccessible  seats  of  the 
clouds^  distant  tracts  of  land,  unfrequented  paths  of 
the  sea;  lofty  tops  of  mountains,  low  bottoms  of  val* 
lies,  and  deep  guiphs  of  the  ocean  :  That  we  scale 
the  ethereal  towers ;  freely  range  through  the  celestial 
flelds  J  measure  the  magnitudes  and  determine  the  in- 
terstices of  the  stars  ;  prescribe  inviolable  laws  to  the 
heavens  themselves,  md  contain  the  wandering  cir- 
cuit of  the  stars  within  strict  bounds :  Lastly,  that  we 
comprehend  the  huge  fabric  of  the  universe ;  admire 
and  contemplate  the  wonderful  beauty  of  the  divine 


ivtmohvcTum.  hdn 

wwKkamkshipy  wd  so  kani  the  inerediUe  fotee  uA 
0ftgacilgF  #f  o«r  (rtra  muidt  kj  ctrtam  taLpcrimentS;  m 
teMioRHvfedee  Ae  UeMings  ef  ktureo  with  s  pioiMi 


TImi  hoaMM  thit  have  been  rendered  to  celebFataA 
sen  in  akioat  every  age  of  the  world,  and  by  ail  luu 
tlim  eBMffinwg  which  we  h|ive  any  historical  memo- 
rials^  an  wtieed  by  nomberless  writers,  both  anciettt 
sttd  mdem.  The  coltivatioii  of  astronomical  science 
iMkd^  denbiless,  its  origin  in  the  remotest  ages  of  anti- 
qaity/^^  through  the  Ghaldeans/^^  the  Egyptians,  the 

(SS)  Ftavius  Josephus  informs  us,  (in  his  Jewish  jfntiguilietf 
k  i.  ciiap.  7.  8.)  that  the  sons  of  Seth  employed  themselves  in 
astronomical  contemplations.  According  to  the  same  historiant 
Abraham  inferred  the  unity  and  power  of  God,  from  the  orderly- 
course  of  things  both  at  sea  and  land,  in  their  times  and  seasons, 
and  from  his  observations  upon  the  motions  and  influences  of  the 
tun,  moon  and  stars.  He  further  relates,  that  this  patriarch  de- 
livered lectures  on  geometry  and  arithmetic  to  the  Egyptians,  of 
vhich  they  understood  nothing,  until  Abraham  introduced  those 
SGiencei  firom  Chaldea  into  Egypt,  from  whence  they  passed  into 
Greece :  and,  according  to  Eupolemus  and  Artapan,  he  instruct- 
ed the  noemcians,  as  well  as  the  Egyptians,  in  astronomy. 

(49)  We  are  informed  by  some  ancient  writers,  that  when 
Babylon  was  taken,  Calisthenes,  one  of  Aristotle's  scholars, 
carried  from  thence,  by  the  desire  of  his  master,  celestial  c\- 
aerrations  made  by  the  Chaldeans,  nearly  two  thousand  years 
old;  which  carried  them  back  to  about  the  time  of  the  disper- 
rion  of  mankind  by  the  confusion  of  tongues:  and  those  obser- 
vations are  supposed  to  have  been  made  in  the  famous  temple  of 
Belus,  at  Bsbylon.    But  these  accoimts  are  not  to  be  depended 


lUL  iMrRODUCTION. 

!n<Biiieiaii8  and  Greeks^  the  Arabs^  and  the  Ghinese. 
Bot  the  Indians  of  the  western  hemisphere  appear  to 
have  had  little  knowledge  of  astronomy^  at  the  time  of 
Golumbus^s  discovery^  yet  they  were  not  inattentive  to 
Its  objects ;  for  Acosta  tells  ns^  that  the  Penivians 
observed  the  eqoinoxes^  by  means  of  colnmns  erected 
before  the  temple  of  the  sun  at  Gusco^  and  by  a  circle 
traced  around  it.  Condamine  likewise  relates^  that 
the  Indians  on  the  river  of  the  Amazons  gave  to  the 
Hyades^  as  we  do^  the  name  of  the  BulPs-head ;  and 
Father  Lasitau  says^  that  the  Iroquois  called  the  same 

on :  because  Hipparchus  and  Ptolemy  could* find  no  traces  of  any 
observations  made  at  Babylon  before  the  time  of  Nabnnawwr^ 
who  began  his  reign  747  years  before  the  birth  of  Christ  (  and 
various  writers,  among  the  ancients,  agree  in  referring  the  earliest 
Babylonian  observations  to  about  the  same  period.  In  all  proba- 
bility, the  Chaldean  observations  were  then  little  more  than  mat- 
ters of  curiosity  ;  for,  even  in  the  three  or  four  centuries  imme- 
diately preceding  the  Christian  era,  the  celestial  observations 
which  were  made  by  the  Greeks  were,  for  the  most  part,  far  from 
being  of  any  importance,  in  relation  to  astronomical  science. 

Indeed,  the  knowledge  of  astronomy  at  much  later  periods 
than  those  in  which  the  most  celebrated  philosophers  of  Greece 
flourished,  must  have  been  very  limited  and  erroneous,  on  ac- 
count of  the  defectiveness  of  their  instruments.  And,  added  to 
the  great  disadvantages  arising  from  this  cause,  the  ancients 
laboured  under  the  want  of  a  knowledge  of  the  telescope  and  the 
clock;  and  also  maintained  a  false  notion  of  the  system  of  the 
world ;  which  was  almost  universally  adhered  to,  until  the  revi- 
val and  improvement  of  the  Pythagorean  system  by  Copernicus, 
who  died  in  1543.  Within  the  last  two  hundred  years,  but,  par- 
ticularly, since  the  laws  of  nature  have  been  made  manifest  by 
the  labours  and  discoveries  of  the  immortal  Newton,  the  science 
of  astr.onomy  has  made  astonishing  advances  towards  perfection. 


INTRODUCTION.  facd 

stBXB  the  Bear,  to  which  we  give  that  naine;^  and  de>* 
tignated  the  Polar  star  by  the  appellation  of  the  in-^ 
moyeable  star.  Captain  Cook  informa  n$p  that  the 
inhahitants  of  Taiti,  in  like  manner,  distinguish  the 
Afferent  stars ;  and  know  in  what  part  of  the  heavens 
th^  will  appear,  for  each  month  in  the  year ;  their 
year  eonsbling  of  thirteen  lunar  months,  each  being 
twenty.nine  days. 

Aatronomy  has  been  patronised  by  many  great 
princes  and  sovereign  states.  Lalande  observes,  that, 
about  the  year  1230,  the  Emperor  Frederick  II.(^>  pre- 
pared  the  way  for  the  renewal  of  the  sciences  amon^ 
ttie  moderns,  and  professed  himself  to  be  their  pro- 
tector. His  reign,  according  to  the  great  French  as- 
tronomer  just  mentioned,  forms  the  first  epocha  of  the 
revival  of  astronomy  in  Europe. 

(50)  This  sovereign  re-established  the  uniyersity  ef  Naplei» 
founded  that  of  Vienna  in  Austria,  in  the  year  1337,  and  im- 
parted new  vigour  to  the  schools  of  Bologna  and  Salerno.  He 
earned  xnanf  ancient  works  in  medicine  and  philosophy  to  be 
translated  from  the  Arabian  tongue ;  particularly,  the  Almagest 
of  Ptolemy. 

Cotemporary  with  the  Emperor  Frederick  II.  was  Alphonso 
X.  King  of  Castile,  sumamed  the  JVise.  This  prince  was  the 
irst  who  manifested  a  desire  of  correcting  the  Tables  qf  Ptolemy, 
In  the  year  1 340,  even  during  the  life  of  his  father,  he  drew  to 
Toledo  the  most  experienced  astronomers  of  his  time,  Chris* 
tiaasy  Moors,  or  Jews ;  by  whose  labours  he  at  length  obtained 
ihit  Jiltihonaine  Tablesy  in  1253  (the  first  year  of  his  reign:) 
which  were  first  printed  at  Venice,  in  U83«  He  died  in  the 
year  1384. 


hum  umoDUCTioir. 

Geeral  with  that  sovereign^  wan  Jofaaiuies  de  Sa- 
cm-BMeo^^  a  famomi  Engliih  eecleMaatie^  Vfhe  wn 
the  flnt  astronamical  writer  that  acquired  celeMty  Ift 
the  thirteeiith  century.  Very  nearly  about  the  mum 
time^  appeared  alM  that  prodigy  of  geniae  and  leani- 
ing,  l^iar  Bacon :  ^^^  and  from  that  period^  dowB  to 
mir  own  day^  there  has  been  a  eucceesion  of  illMtriew 
philosophers :  whose  names  have  justly  been  reaewB* 
ed^  for  the  benefits  they  have  conferred  on  mankind ; 
aames  which  reflect  honow  on  the  conntneir  to  wUMi 
they  respectively  belong.  Many  of  those  benefactors 
of  the  world  were  honoured  with  marks  of  high  dis- 
tinction^ by  their  sovereigns  and  cotemporaries ;  uid 

if  fame  will  descend  to  the  latest  posterity. 


In  recording  these  Memoirs  of  the  life  of  an  Ame- 
rican Philosopher^  whose  name  adds  dignity  to  the 
country  that  gave  him  birth^  it  is  the  design  of  the  au« 
thor  to  represent  him  as  he  truly  was ;  and  in  doing 
60>  he  feels  a  conscious  satisfaction^  that  his  pen  is 
employed  in  delineating  the  character  of  a  man^  who 

(5 1 )  His  name  was  John  Holywood  ;  deduced,  according  to  a 
practice  prevalent  in  his  time,  firom  the  place  of  his  natitity, 
which  was  Hali&x,  a  town  in  the  west-riding  of  Yorkshire,  in 
England,  where  he  was  bom  in  the  year  1204.  It  was  formerly 
named  Holy 'mood;  and  was,  probably,  so  called  in  Sacro^Boico^a 
day :  but  the  more  ancient  name  of  that  place  was  Horton,  or 
JKtIr-town;  and  Halifax  signifies  ^o/y-Aorr.—- This  great  man 
^f9B  the  inventor  of  the  sphere ;  and  wrote  a  work,  entitled  Dt 
S/^itrdi  which  was  very  celebrated.  He  died  at  Paris,  in  1256. 

(53)  He  died  in  1294,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 


INTRODUCTIOK. 

was  rendered  dngalarly  eminent  by  his  genias^  his 
virtaes  and  his  public  services.  Deeply  impressed 
with  the  magnitude  and  impcMrtance^  as  well  as  deli- 
ea^  of  the  subject^  the  writer  has  not  undertaken  the 
task  without  some  hesitation.  He  is  sensible  of  the 
difficulties  attending  it^  and  conscious  of  his  inability 
to  do  justice  to  its  merits.  Arduous^  however^  as  the 
undertaking  is,  and  since  no  abler  pen  has  hitherto 
attempted  any  thing  more,  on  this  subject,  than  to 
eulogize^''^  some  of  the  prominent  virtues  and  talents 


(53)  Dr.  Rush's  Eulogium^  "  intended  to  perpetuate  the  me- 
mory of  David  Rittenhousei"  Sec.  was  delivered  before  the 
American  Philosophical  Society  in  Philadelphia,  (a  great  many 
public  characters,  and  a  numerous  concourse  of  private  citizens, 
also  attending,)  on  the  17th  of  December  1796.  It  was  pro- 
ikounced  in  pursuance  of  an  appointment  made  by  the  society,  in 
these  words,  viz : 

<<  At  a  meeting  convened  by  special  order,  on  the  1st  of  July, 
1796,  the  following  motion  was  made,  and  unanimously  adopted  ; 
viz.  That  this  Society,  deeply  affected  by  the  death  of  their  late 
irorthy  President,  do  resolve,  That  an  Eulogium,  commemora- 
tive of  his  distinguished  talents  and  services,  be  publicly  pro- 
nounced before  the  Society,  by  one  of  its  members."— Dr.  Rush's 
appointment  was  made  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  society. 

The  following  resolutions  passed  by  them,  after  the  delivery 
of  the  oration,  will  evince  the  high  sense  they  entertained  of 
the  merit  of  this  performance ;  viz. 

«  Philosofihical  Holly  Dec,  17,  1796— /«  Meeting  of  the  American 

Philoaofihical  Society^ 

^  Reaotuedy  unanimously.  That  the  thanks  of  this  society  be 
presented  to  Dr.  Benjamin  Rush,  for  the  eloquent,  learned, 
comprehensive,  and  just  Eulogium,  which  he  has  this  day  pro- 
nounced, upon  the  character  of  our  late  respected  President^ 
Dr.  David  Rittenhouse. 


Ixxiv  INTRODUCTION. 

of  our  pliilosopber^  his  present  biographer  will  endea- 
vour^ by  the  fidelity  with  which  he  shall  portray  the 
character  of  that  truly  estimable  man^  to  atone  for  the 
imperfections  of  the  work  in  other  respects.  Possess- 
ing,  as  he  does^  some  peculiar  advantages^  in  relation 
to  the  materials  necessary  for  this  undertakings  he 
flatters  himself  it  will  be  found^  that  he  has  been  ena- 
bled thereby  to  exhibit  to  his  counti^ymen^  and  the 
world  generally^  a  portrait,  which,  in  its  more  impor- 
tant features,  may  prove  deserving  of  some  share  of 
public  regard. 

Sir  William  Forbes,  in  the  introduction  to  his  in- 
teresting^ Account  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  the  late 
Dr.  Beattie,  reminds  his  readers,  that  ^^Mr.  Mason 
prefaces  his  excellent  and  entertaining  Memoirs  of 
the  Life  and  Writings  of  Gray,  with  an  observation 
more  remarkable  for  its  truth  than  novelty ;  that  ^'  the 
Lives  of  men  of  letters  seldom  abound  with  inci- 

"  Resolved^  unanimously,  That  Dr.  Rush  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish the  society  with  a  copy  of  the  Eulogium,  to  be  published 
under  their  direction. 

<'  An  extract  from  the  minutes :— Samuel  Magaw,  Robbrt 
Patterson,  W.  Barton,  John  Bleakley,  Secretaries." 

It  may  not  be  thought  superfluous,  to  add,  that  Dr.  Rush  well 
knew  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  A  personal  friendship  of  an  early  date 
subsisted  between  them :  it  probably  originated  when  the  latter 
established  his  residence  in  Philadelphia,  about  six  and  twenty 
years  before  his  death.  In  the  summer  of  1772,  Mr.  Ritten- 
house (in  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton)  expressed  his  friendly 
estimation  of  the  doctor  in  these  few  words — <^  The  esteem  I 
have  for  Dr.  Rush  is  such,  that  his  friendship  for  Mr.  ♦*»•• 
wouldi  alone,  give  me  a  very  good  opinion  of  that  gentleman." 


INTRODUCTION.  IxXV 

dentfj.^^ — ^^  A  reader  of  sense  and  taste^  therefore/' 
eoodoaes  Mr.  Mason^  ^^  never  expects  to  find^  in  the 
Memoirs  of  a  Philosopher  or  Poet^  the  same  species 
of  entertainment  or  information^  which  ho  would  re- 
ceive from  those  of  a  Statesman  or  General.  He  ex- 
pects^ however^  to  be  informed  or  entertained.  Nor 
will  be  be  disappointed^  did  the  writer  take  care  to 
dwell  principally  on  such  topics  as  characterize  the 
man^  and  distinguish  that  peculiar  part  which  he  act- 
ed in  the  varied  drama  of  society.'^ 

Tet  these  observations  of  Mr.  Gray's  biographer^ 
though  pretty  generally  correct^  admit  of  some  qualifi- 
cation and  many  exceptions^  depending  on  a  variety 
ef  circumstances.  It  is  true^  that  a  mere  narrative  of 
the  life  of  a  "  philosopher/'  as  well  as  of  a  "  poet,'' 
considered  only  as  such,  and  abstractedly,  must  be 
expected  to  be  devoid  of  much  ^^  incident"  that  can 
interest  the  generality  of  readers.  But,  both  philoso- 
phers and  poets  have,  in  some  instances,  been  also 
statesmen ;  sometimes,  even  generals  :  both  have,  not 
anfireqnently,  distinguished  themselves  as  patriots^ 
and  benefactors  of  mankind. 

In  writing  the  life  of  our  philosopher,  the  plan  of  a 
dry  recital  of  only  such  circumstances  and  occurren- 
ces as  have  an  immediate  relation  to  the  individual, 
has  not  been  pursued.  Biographical  Memoirs,  it  is 
conceived,  do  not  confine  a  writer  to  limits  so  narrow, 
but  permit  him  to  take  a  much  greater  latitude.    It  is 


IxXVi  INTRODUCTION. 

even  allowable^  in  works  of  this  kind^  to  introduce 
histoiieal  facts^  memorable  events^  proceedings  of 
public  bodies,  notices  of  eminent  men,  evidences  of 
the  progress  and  state  of  literature,  science  and  the 
arts,  and  the  actual  condition  of  civil  society,  in  the 
scene  that  is  contemplated ;  together  with  occasional 
reflections  on  those  and  similar  subjects.  Some  of 
these  objects  may  not  seem,  perhaps,  to  be  necessarily 
or  very  intimately  connected  with  the  principal  design^ 
the  life  of  the  person  treated  of :  but  such  of  them  as 
should,  at  first  view,  appear  to  have  the  most  remote 
relation  to  that  object,  may  be  afterwards  discovered 
to  be  both  useful  and  interesting  in  a  discussion  of 
this  nature ;  while  others  serve  to  elucidate  the  main 
scope  of  the  work.  A  latitude  of  this  description^ 
in  the  compilation  of  memoirs,  seems  to  be  quite  con- 
sistent with  the  genius  and  spirit  of  works  of  that  na- 
ture ;  and  the  modern  practice  of  memoir- writers  has 
been  conformable  to  this  view  of  the  subject.^'^^ 

(54)  "  Biography,  or  the  writing  of  Lives,"  says  Dr.  Hugh 
Blair,  <<  is  a  very  useful  kind  of  composition ;  less  formal  and 
stately  than  history ;  but  to  the  bulk  of  readers,  perhaps,  no  less 
instructive ;  as  it  affords  them  the  opportunity  of  seeing  the 
characters  and  tempers,  the  virtues  and  failings  o!  eminent  men, 
fully  displayed ;  and  admits  them  into  a  more  thorough  and  in- 
dmate  acquaintance  with  such  persons,  than  history  generally 
allows.  For,  a  writer  of  lives  may  descend,  with  propriety,  to 
minute  circumstances  and  familiar  incidents.  It  is  expected  of 
him,  that  he  is  to  give  the  private,  as  well  as  public  life,  of  the 
person  whose  actions  he  records ;  nay,  it  is  from  private  life, 
from  familiar,  domestic,  and  seemingly  trivial  occurrences,  we 
often  receive  most  light  into  the  real  character."-— Z^c/z<r^«  on 
Rhetoric  and  Bellet  Lettre^y  sect  36. 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  writer  of  the  present  work  has  therefore  ven- 
tured^ with  all  due  deference  to  the  public  opinion^  to 

In  addition  to  so  respectable  an  opinion  as  that  of  Professor 
Blair,  respecting  the  utility  and  characteristic  features  of  bio- 
g;raphical  works,  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  hopes  he  will  be 
excused  for  giving  the  sentiments  on  the  same  subject,  contain- 
ed in  the  following  extracts  from  Dr.  Maty's  Memoirs  of  the  Life 
of  Lord  Chesterfield^  «  tending  to  illustrate  the  civil,  literary, 
and  political  history  of  his  own  time." 

«  Besides  the  great  utility  which  general  history  derives  from 
private  authorities,  other  advantages  no  less  important,"  says 
this  learned  and  ingenious  biographer,  <<  may  be  obtained  from 
them.  It  is  from  observing  individuals,  that  we  may  be  enabled 
to  draw  the  outlines  of  that  extraordinary,  complicated  being, 
man.  The  characteristics  of  any  country  or  age  must  be  de- 
duced from  the  separate  characters  of  persons,  who,  however 
distinguishable  in  many  respects,  still  preserve  a  family-likeness. 
From  the  life  of  almost  any  one  individual,  but  chiefly  from  the 
lives  of  such  eminent  men  as  seemed  destined  to  enlighten  or  to 
adorn  society,  instructions  may  be  drawn,  suitable  to  every  ca- 
pacity, rank,  age  or  station.  Young  men,  aspiring  to  honours, 
cannot  be  too  assiduous  in  tracing  the  means  by  which  they  were 
obtained:  by  observing  with  what  difficulty  they  were  preserved, 
they  will  be  apprized  of  their  real  value,  estimate  the  risks  of 
the  purchase,  and  discover  frequent  disappointment  in  the  pos- 


tession«" 


«  It  is  from  the  number  and  variety  of  private  memoirs,  and 
the  collision  of  opposite  testimonies,  that  the  judicious  reader  is 
enabled  to  strike  out  light,  and  find  his  way  through  tliat  dark- 
ness and  confusion  in  which  he  is  at  first  involved." 

**  Who  does  not  wish  that  Caesar  had  lived  to  finish  his  Com- 
mentaries; and  that  Pompey's  sons,  instead  of  fighting  their 
bther's  cause,  had  employed  themselves  in  writing  his  life? — 
What  a  valuable  legacy  would  Cicero  have  left  us,  if,  instead  of 
ids  philosophical  works,  he  had  written  the  memoirs  of  his  own 
times  I  Or  how  much  would  Tyro,  to  whom  posterity  is  so  much 
indebted  for  the  preservation  of  his  master's  letters,  have  en- 
creased  that  obligation,  if,  from  his  own  knowledge,  he  had  con- 


IXXViii  DTTRODUCTIOK. 

pursue  the  course  here  described.  And  in  doing  this^ 
he  presumes  that  the  comprehensive  range  he  has  al- 
lowed himself  has  enabled  him  to  render  his  memoirs^ 
even  of  a  ^^  philosopher^"  not  altogether  barren  of  in- 
cidents^  nor  destitute^  he  trusts^  either  of  pleasing  in- 
formation or  useful  instruction. 

nected  and  explsdned  them !  The  life  of  Agricola,  by  his  son-in* 
law  Tacitusi  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  most  precious  monu- 
ments of  antiquity.'* 


NOTE.— Tbeieiderifnqueftcd  totubctitDte  (with his ^)  the  wotd  Earth,  in  tbeplMtoT 
"Am,**  in  the  mth  line  of  the  note  numbered  (18),  ptge  van.  of  the  foregoing  Introduction  < 
the  error  in  the  print  it  an  enential  one ;  and  imned  unobterred,  until  it  wa»  too  late  to  correct 
fc  in  the  press.    At  the  mme  time  the  reader  will  be  incased  to  iniCKt  til*  woid  teatrUPf  ia  tht 
tUmift^Kardiy,**  ia  the  nioth  fine  from  Che  tppof  page  itii. 


/ 


MEMoms 


OF  THE 


LIFE  OF  DAVID  RITTENHOUSE; 


ANTERIOR  TO 


HIS  SETTLEMENT  IN  PHILADELPHIA. 


IHE  paternal  ancestors  of  David  Rittenhousb 
were  early  and  long  seated  at  Amheim^  a  fortified  city 
on  the  Rhine^  and  capital  of  the  district  of  Yelewe 
or  Yeluive^  sometimes  called  the  Yelau^  in  the  Bata- 
vian  province  of  Guelderland  ;^^^  where^  it  is  said^  they 

( 1)  The  duchy  of  Guelderland  formerly  belonged  to  the  Spanish 
monarchy;  but  by  the  peace  of  Utrecht,  in  1713,  part  of  it  was 
ceded  to  Austria,  part  to  Prussia,  and  guaranteed  to  them  by  the 
treaty  of  Baden,  in  1714:  that  part  which  became  subject  to 
Prussia  was,  in  exchange  for  the  principality  of  Orange,  ceded  to 
France.  By  the  barrier-treaty,  in  1715,  the  states  general  of 
the  United  Provinces  likewise  obtained  a  part  of  it.  But  the 
Upper  and  Lower  Guelderland  have  no  connexion  with  each 
other :  Lower  Guelderland  is  (or  was,  until  very  lately)  one  of  the 
Seven  United  Provinces :  it  is  the  largest  of  them  all,  and  the 
first^in  rank.    Amheim^  which  is  the  capital  of  the  whole  pro- 


80  MBMOIBS  OF 

conducted  manufactories  of  paper^^^  during  the  course 
of  some  generations.    The  orthography  of  the  name 

vince,  is  a  large,  populo^)*9  suid  handsome  town :  it  was  formerly 
the  residence  of  the  dukes  of  Guelderland,  and  the  states  of  the 
province  held  their  meetings  there. 

(2)  The  writer  of  these  memoirs  having  been  in  Holland  in 
the  summer  of  the  year  1778,  adverted,  while  in  Amsterdam,  to 
the  circumstance  of  the  Rittenhouses,  of  Pennsylvania,  having 
come  into  America  from  some  part  of  the  United  Provinces ;  and 
his  curiosity  being  excited,  by  his  consanguineous  connexion 
"with  that  family,  to  obtain  some  information  concerning  them, 
the  following  was  the  result  of  his  enquiries.  He  found  a  Mr. 
Jidrian  RUtinghuyaen^  (for  so  he  himself  wrote  his  name,)  re- 
nding in  that  city.  This  venerable  man,  who  was  then  eighty- 
five  years  of  age,  appeared  to  be  at  least  independent  in  his  con- 
dition ;  and  had,  probably,  retired  from  business,  the  part  of  the 
city  in  which  he  resided  (the  Egelantier's  Gracht,  or  Canal,) 
not  exhibiting  the  appearance  of  a  street  of  trade. 

The  information  derived  from  this  respectable  old  man,  was, 
that  his  forefathers  had  long  been  established  at  Arnheim ;  that 
his  father,  Nicholas,  was  a  paper-manufacturer  in  that  city,  as 
others  of  the  family  had  been ;  and  that  his  father's  brother,  Wil- 
liam, went  with  his  family  to  North  America,  where  he  some 
time  afterward,  as  he  had  understood,  established  the  paper- 
mills  near  Germantown.  He  further  stated,  that  he  had  only 
one  child,  a  daughter,  who  was  married,  and  resided  at  the 
Hague ;  and  that  he  was,  himself,  as  he  believed,  the  last  of  his 
&mily-name,  remaining  in  the  United  Provinces. 

Although  plain  in  his  dress  and  manners,  and  in  the  general 
appearance  of  his  household,  this  person  seemed  to  be  pleased 
in  shewing  the  writer  a  family-seal,  on  which  was  engraved  a  coat 
of  arms.  The  armorial  device  represented  a  castellated  house, 
or  chateau ;  on  the  left  side  of  which  was  a  horse,  standing  on 
his  hind  feet  and  rearing  up,  with  his  fore  feet  resting  ag^ainst 
the  wall  of  the  house :  and  this  house  very  much  resembled  the 
chateau  in  the  armorial  bearing  of  the  Spanish  family  ^<  de  Fuen* 
fesy  scTiorea  del  Caatillh^*'  as  represented  in  Dubuisson's  French 


bAVIJDr^tiTTBNHOUSE.  8% 

irai  formerly  RittiDgbuysen,  as  the  writer  of  tliese  Im- 
inoirs  was  inforaied  by  an  European  member  of  this  la- 

Collecti<m  of  Arms :  The  s^al  having  been  much  wonii  the 
lines,  &c.  describmg  the  several  tinctures  of  the  bearing,  could 
not  be  discerned ;  and,  therefore,  it  cannot  be  properly  blazoned. 
At  the  same  time,  the  old  gentleman  did  not  omit  to  memtfoa, 
Oat  Ids  mother  was  a  De  Ruyter ;  and  that  her  arms  were^  a 
mounted  chevalier  armed  cap-a-pi^. 

These  facts,  relative  to  the  origin  of  the  American  tlittenhou- 
ses,  did  not  appear  to  the  writer  to  be  unworthy  of  notice.  They 
are  correctly  stated,  being  taken  from  a  memorandum  made  by 
him,  immediately  after  his  interview  with  Adrian  Rittinghuysen* 

The  introduction  of  this  slight  sketch  of  the  occupation  and 
eeadition  of  some  of  the  European  ancestors  of  our  Philosopher^ 
into  his  Life,  may  be  the  more  readily  excused,  since  the  great 
Newton  himself  was  not  inattentive  to  such  objects.  There  is^ 
indeed,  implanted  by  nature  in  the  human  mind,  a  strong  desire 
to  become  acquainted  with  the  family -history  of  our  forefathers. 
Hence,  Sir  Isaac  Newton  left,  in  his  own  hand- writing,  a  genea- 
k>gical  account  or  pedigree  of  his  family ;  with  dihections,  8ub« 
joined  thereto,  that  the  registers  of  certain  parishes  should  be 
searched,  from  the  beginning  to  the  year  1650;  and  he  adds— 
^  Let  the  extracts  be  taken,  by  copying  out  of  the  registers 
whatever  may  be  met  with,  about  the  family  of  the  Newtonsy  in 
ifords  at  length,  without  omitting  any  of  the  words."  This  in* 
vestigatioQ  and  enquiry  of  Sir  Isaac,  was  made  in  the  sixty-third 
year  of  hbage;  and  he  himself  caused  the  result  to  be  entered 
in  the  books  of  the  herald's  office. 

Such,  also,  was  the  curiosity  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin.  Whila 
the  Doctor  was  in  England,  he  undertook  a  journey  to  Eaton,  in 
Northamptonshire,  (a  village  situated  between  Wellingborougph 
and  Northampton,)  the  residence  of  his  fore&thcrs,  for  the  pur« 
pose  of  obtaining  information,  as  he  tells  us  himself,  concerning 
his  £imily. — <^  To  be  acquainted  with  the  particulars  of  my 
parentage  and  life,  many  of  which  arc  unknown  to  you,"  (said 
Dr.  Franklin  in  his  Lifcy  which  he  addressed  to  his  son,)  <<  I  fiat* 
ter  myself,  will  afibrd  the  same  pleasure  to  you  as  te  nio«— X  shall 
relate  them  upon  paper." 

I. 


8S  n£MOIBS%F 

mily/^^  But  it  is  not  improbable^  that^  in  more  strict  con^ 
formity  to  the  idiom  of  its  Saxo-Germanic  origina1> 
the  name  was  spelt  Ritterhuysen^^^— or^  perhaps^  Rit- 
terhausen ;  which  signiJBes^  in  our  language^  Knights^ 
Bouses :  a  conjecture  that  seems  to  be  somewhat  cor- 
roborated by  the  chivalrous  emblems  alluding  to  this 
name^  belonging  to  the  family^  and  which  have  been 
already  noticed. 

It  has  been  asserted^  that  the  first  of  the  ftitten- 
bouses  who  migrated  to  America^  was  named  Wil- 
liam ;  and  that  he  went  from  Guelderland  to  the  (now) 
state  of  New-York^  while  it  was  yet  a  Dutch  colony. 
This  William  was  also  said  to  have  left  at  Arnheim^ 
a  brother^  Nicholas^  who  continued  to  carry  on  the 
paper-making  business  in  that  city/'^    But^  in  a  ge- 

(3)  See  the  preceding  note. 

(4)  Conradus  Ritterehusius  was  a  learned  civilian  of  Germany. 
He  was  born  at  Brunswick  in  the  year  1560,  and  died  at  Altorf 
ih  Switzerland,  in  1613.  Two  of  his  sons,  George  and  NicholaSi 
also  distinguished  themselves  in  the  republic  of  letters.  The 
writer  of  the  present  memoirs  is  too  little  acqusdnted  with  the 
genealogies  of  cither  German  or  Dutch  families,  to  pretend  to 
claim  any  consanguinity  between  this  C.  Rittershuysen  (or,  as 
latinized,  Rittershusius,)  and  our  Rittcnhouses.  But  the  name 
appears  to  have  been,  originally,  the  same ;  and  the  ancestors  of 
both,  it  may  be  presumed,  were  of  the  same  country :  In  giving 
a  latin  termination  to  the  name,  the  y  is  omitted,  not  being  a  Ro^ 
man  letter. 

(5)  The  Dutch  were  early  and  long  distinguished  for  the  su- 
perior quality  of  the  paper  manufactured  in  their  country.  It 
exeeUed,  in  its  whiteness  and  the  closeness  of  its  texture,  as  weli 
as  its  goodness  in  other  respectSi  the  paper  made  elsewhere; 


DAVID  RITHDrHOnSfi.  8i 

nealo^eal  aecount  of  the  family  in  the  possesflion  o^ 
the  Memorialist^  Gkurrett  (or  Gerard)  and  Nicholai 

and  it  was  an  article  of  great  importance  to  the  republic,  both  te 
the  internal  consumption  and  lor  exportation^  until  the  HoUan- 
ders  were  rivalled  in  this  manu&cture  by  the  perfecUon  to  wh^ch 
k  was  afterwards  bronght  in  other  parts  of  Europe. 

Paper,  made  from  linen  rags  (for  that  made  from  cotton,  silk, 
and  some  other  substances,  was  of  a  much  elder  date,)  is  said  to 
have  been  originally  introduced  into  Germany  from  Valencia  and 
Catalonia,  in  Spain,  as  early  as  the  year  1312,  and  to  have  appear- 
ed in  England  eight  or  ten  years  afterwards.  But  the  first  paper- 
mill  in  Great  Brita^  was  erected  at  Dartford  in  Kent,  by  Mr. 
Speelman,  a  German,  jeweller  to  queen  Elizabeth,  in  the  year 
1558 :  and  ft  was  not  until  more  than  a  century  after,  that  any 
other  paper  than  of  an  inferior  quality  was  manufactured  in  Eng- 
land. Little  besides  brown  paper  was  made  there,  prior  to  the 
revolution  in  1688 :  yet,  soon  after  that  period,  the  English  were 
enabled  to  supply  themselves  with  much  the  greater  part  of  the 
▼arious  kinds  of  paper  used  in  their  country,  from  their  own 
mills ;  and  the  perfection  to  which  the  manufacture  of  this  im- 
portant article  has  since  been  carried,  not  only  in  England,  but  in 
France,  Italy  and  Germany,  has  greatly  dinunishcd  the  consump- 
tion of  Dutch  paper. 

It  is  a  fact  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  establishment  of  paper- 
mills  in  Pennsylvania,  by  the  Bittenhouses,  was  nearly  co-eval 
with  the  general  introduction  of  the  manufactory  of  white  paper 
in  the  mother  country.   This  appears  from  the  following  circum- 
stance : — ^There  is  now  before  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  a  pa- 
|>er  in  the  hand-writing  of  the  celebrated  William  Penn,  and  sub- 
scribed with  his  name,  certifying  that  ^  William  Rittinghousen 
Mftd  Claus"  (Nicholas)  ^  his  son,'*  then  ^  part  owners  of  the  pa- 
per-mill near  Germantown,"  had  recently  sustained  a  very  great 
loss  by  a  violent  and  sudden  flood,  which  carried  away  the  said 
ipill,  with  a  considerable  quantity  of  paper,  materials  and  tools, 
with  other  things  therein,  whereby  they  were  reduced  to  great 
ibttfeis;  and,  therefiDre,  recommending  to  such  persons  as 
diould  be  disposed  to  lend  them  aid,  to  give  the  sufferers  ^  relief 
jod  encouragement,  in  their  needful  and  cpimnendalile  employe 


0t  tfllfOlRS  Q» 

Brittenhoase  are  stated  to  have  arrived  at  New-York^ 
Ivon  HoUandi  so  late  as  the  year  1690  :  it  Ukewiw 
states^  that  Nieholas  there  married  Wilhelmina  De- 
WBBBf  a  sister  of  William  Dewees^  who  came  thither 
iboat  the  same  time ;  and  that,  soon  aflen^^ards,  they 
all  removed  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Germantown  ia 
Pennsylvania;  where  Nicholas  established  the  first 

inent,"  as  they  were  '*  desirous  to  set  up  the  paper-mill  again."—? 
This  certificate  is  without  date :  but  Mr.  Pcnn  was  twice  in  Peim? 
sylvania.  He  first  arrived  in  the  year  1682,  and  returned  til 
England  in  1684;  his  second  arrival  was  in  1699,  and  he  finally 
left  the  province  in  1701.  It  was  probably  during  the  latter  pe^ 
nod  of  his  residence  in  his  proprietary-dominion,  though,  per- 
liaps,  in  the  first,  tliat  the  Germantown  paper-mills  were  dci 
stroycd. 

The  William  Rittinghousen  (so  Mr.  Pcnn  writes  the  namc^ 
here  mentioned,  is  supposed  to  be  the  same  named  in  the  textf 
and  to  have  been  the  great-grandfather  of  our  astronomer.  I14 
Mr.  Penn*s  certificate  he  is  called  an  old  man,  and  b  stated  ta 
have  then  been  ^^  decrepid." 

In  order  to  shew  the  present  importance  of  that  article,  as  a 
manufacture,  in  the  United  Stutes,  and  which  was  first  fabricated 
in  this  country  by  the  Rittcnhouses,  the  reader  is  presented  with 
the  following  Tiew  of  the  quantity  of  paper,  of  various  descrip* 
lions,  annually  made  at  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  paper-miUS| 
within  the  United  States ;  taken  from  the  latest  information  fur- 
nished on  this  subject. 

Tons. 

For  Newspapers,*       .     .  500  . 

Books, 630  . 

Writing,       ....  650  , 

>V  rapping,        .     .     .  800  . 

2580  331,000  SlI^MM^ 

*  The  number  of  Newspapers^  printed  annoalfy  m  Ae  Uoiled  St|ites,  is  ^91^ 
giitcd  at  twenty-two  S114  a&  half  miUionf. 


Reams. 

Value. 

,  50,000   ,  , 

.  £150,009 

.     70,000  .  , 

345,00a 

.  111,000  .  . 

333,000 

.  100,000  . 

.  .  83,000 

.1 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  85 

paper-iaiU  erer  erected  in  America.^  It  is  believed^ 
however^  that  Garrett  and  Nicholas  Rittenhouse  were 
sons  of  William ;  who  is  supposed  to  have  arrived  in 
•ome  part  of  the  original  territories  of  New-Tork, 
|irior  to  the  year  1674  f^  that  the  Nicholas  left  in 
Amheim^  was  his  brother ;  and  that  his  sons  Garrett 
and  Nicholas,  who  are  stated  to  have  been  the  first  of 
the  family  that  settled  in  New-Tork,  in  1690  (from 
whence  they  removed,  ^^  soon  afterwards/'  into  Penn- 
sylvania^)  did,  in  fact,  transfer  themselves  into  this 
latter  province,  in  that  year. — Garrett  left  children ; 
some  oi  whose  descendants  are  resident  in  Fennsyl- 
vaiua,  and  others  in  New-Jersey. 

Nicholas  Rittenhouse,  the  grandfather  of  our  Phi- 
losopher, died  about  the  year  1730;  leaving  three 

/ 

(is)  Mr.  Benjamin  Rittenhouse,  a  younger  brother  of  Davidi 
q»eaking  of  his  paternal  ancestors,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the 
writer  of  these  memoirs,  says :  <<  The  family  originally  settled 
in  the  state  of  New-York,  while  a  Dutch  colony ;  and  were,  un- 
doubtedly, the  first  paper-makers  in  America."  This  fact  was 
aho  communicated  to  the  writer,  by  Dr.  Franklin,  some  years 
befiMc. 

(7)  At  the  peace  of  Breda,  in  1667,  the  Dutch  colony  of  New 
Netherlands  was  confirmed  to  the  English,  to  whom  it  had  been 
ceded  in  1664.  But  the  Dutch  having  reduced  the  country  in 
the  years  1672  and  1673,  it  was  finally  restored  to  the  English 
by  the  peace  of  Westminster,  on  the  9th  of  February,  1674. 
TheRittenhouses  are  supposed  to  have  seated  themselves,  before 
this  latter  period,  in  that  part  of  the  colony  afterwards  called 
Eatt- Jersey.  Some  of  the  name  reside  in  th^  state  of  New- Jerseyi 
•t  this  day;  but  it  is  not  known  that  any  of  them  are  inhabitants 
«f  tiie  state  of  New-York.  Those  in  New-Jersey,  with  most  of 
tliose  of  the  name  in  Pennsylvaida,  are  descendants  of  Nicholas. 


86  MEMOiaa  of 

BWiMf  William,  Heuy^aiid  Matthias;  andfoar  daagh- 
tei%  Psyehe,  Maiy,  Gatharine,  and  Sasanna.  Of 
these  daughters,  Psyche  intermarried  with  John  Gtat" 
gas,  from  whom  are  descended  the  Gorgas's  of  Gre»- 
ham  and  Gocolico ;  Mary,  with  John  Johnson^  the 
father  of  Gasper^  John,  Nicholas,  William,  and  Ben- 
jamin Johnson^  some  of  whom  are  now  (or  were  late- 
ly) living,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  GermantowB) 
Gatharine,  with  Jacob  Engle,  in  the  same  vicinity ; 
and  Susanna,  with  Henry  Heiley  of  Goshehoppen. 

William  Rittenhouse,  the  eldest  brother  of  our  Phi* 
losopher^s  father,  died  at  the  paper-mills,  near  Ger- 
mantown.  He  left  several  children,  one  of  whom  did 
lately,  and  perhaps  yet  does,  carry  on  those  works. — 
Henry  and  Matthias  removed  to  the  townships  of 
Worcester  and  Norriton,  about  the  year  1732  or  1783 ; 
where  both  lived  te  be  upwards  of  seventy  years  of 
age. 

The  old  American  stock  of  the  Rittenhouses  wevi 
Anabaptists/^^  and  persons  of  very  considerable  note 

(8)  The  Rittenhouses  who  first  settled  In  America)  are  sup* 
posed  to  have  leaned  towards  the  religious  tenets  of  (if  they  did 
not  belong  to)  that  peaceable  branch  of  the  Anabaptists,  denpn|i|r 
nated  Mennonites.  Simon  MennO)  the  founder  of  this  sect,  vas, 
one  of  the  first  reformers :  he  was  bom  at  a  village  called  Wit- 
marsum,  in  the  Batavian  province  of  Friesland>  in  1505 ;  the  lame 
year  in  which  John  Knox  wts  born,  and  four  years  before  the 
birth  of  Calvin. 

Menno  had  been  a  priest  of  the  Homan  Catholic  Church,  and  . 
some  have  endeavoured  to  stigmatize  himy  as  one  who  was  «  a  im><- 


DAVID  SrlTEKHOUBS.  87 

in  ikat  religioas  society.  Probably^  tberefore^  they 
were  induced  to  establish  their  residence  in  Pennsyl* 
vania^  towards  the  close  of  the  seventeenth  century^  by 
the  tolerating  principles  held  forth  by  William  Penn^^^ 

torious  profligate/'  This,  however,  may  be  attributed  to  his 
haying  leJEl  the  communion  of  the  church  of  which  he  was  origi- 
nally a  member:  for,  he  is  represented  to  have  been  <<a  man  of 
probity,  of  a  meek  and  tractable  spirit,  gentle  in  his  manners, 
pliable  and  obsequious  in  his  connnerce  with  persons  of  all  ranks 
and  characters,  and  extremely  zealous  in  promoting  practical  re* 
ligion  and  virtue,  which  he  recommended  by  his  example  as  well 
as  by  his  precepts.'*  He  was,  moreover,  a  man  of  genius  and 
eloquence,  and  possessed  a  considerable  share  of  learning.  This 
extraordinary  man  died  in  the  duchy  of  Holstein,  in  the  year 
1561. 

The  fundamental  principles  of  the  followers  of  Menno  are,  in 
some  respects,  similar  to  those  of  the  people  called  Quakers: 
They  use,  likewise,  g^eat  plainness  in  their  apparel,  and  adhere 
to  some  of  the  practices  of  the  primitive  Christian  church.  But 
this  peaceable  sect  bapdze  adults,  and  celebrate  the  eucharist  in 
a  manner  peculiar  to  themselves. 

Some  of  Menno's  disciples  came  into  Pennsylvania  from  New- 
York,  in  the  year  1 692.  The  principal  congregation  of  this  sect 
was  established  at  Germantovm,  soon  after  the  Rittenhouses  had 
settled  themselves  there ;  and  this  may  be  considered  as  the  mo« 
tlier  of  the  sect,  in  America.  The  Mennonites  have  since  be* 
come  a  numerous  body  in  Pennsylvania,  principally  in  the  county 
of  Lancaster;  and  this  religious  society  comprehends,  among 
its  members,  many  intelligent  worthy  men,  and  valuable  citizens. 

(9)  In  the  Preface  to  a  printed  copy  of  the  celebrated  Speech 
delivered  in  the  House  of  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  24th 
of  May,  1764,  by  the  late  John  Dickinson,  Esq.  the  Merits  of  the 
Founder  of  Pennsylvania,  as  they  were  declared  at  various  times, 
in  the  proceedings  of  the  Legislative  Body  of  the  colony,  and  in 
some  other  public  Documents,  are  thus  summed  up  by  the  wri^ 
ter. 


M  iiEkons  Of 

in  respect  to  reli^kmaf^  coDcenis;  tke  justneis  of 
Ihe  tenure  by  which  he  became  proprietor  of  the 

«  WILLIAM  PENN, 

A  Man  of  Principles  truly  humane^ 

An  Advocate  for 

Religion  and  Liberty; 

Possessing  a  noble  Spirit^ 

That  exerted  itself 
For  the  Good  of  Mankind ; 
was 
The  great  and  worthy  Founder 

of 

PeNMSTLVAtNIA. 

To  its  Inhabitants,  by  Charter, 

He  granted  and  confirmed 

Many  singular  Privileges  and  Immunities^ 

Civil  and  Religious, 

Which  he  continually  studied 

To  preserve  and  defend  for  them ; 

Nobly  declaring, 

That  they  had  not  followed  him  so  far, 

To  lose  a  single  tittle 

Of  the  Great  Charter, 

To  which  all  Englishmen  were  bom. 

For  these  Services, 

Great  have  been  the  Acknowledgements 

Deservedly  paid  to  his  Merit; 

And  his  Memory 

Is  dear  to  his  People, 

Who  have  repeatedly  confessed, 

That, 

Next  to  Divine  Providence, 

Their  Happiness,  Prosperity,  and  Increase 

^  Are  owing 

To  his  wise  Conduct  and  singular  Groodness; 

Which  deserve  ever  to  be  remembered 

With 

Gratitude  and  Affection^ 

By 

Pennstlvanxaxs." 


DAVID  RITJBNHOUSE.  S9 

mm!  ;^^^  and  the  excellence  of  the  political  regulations 
established  by  that  great  legislator^  for  the  civil  go- 
vernment of  his  newly-acquired  domains. 

For  the  materials  of  iivhich  the  foregoing  Eulogy  is  composed^ 
its  author*  has  referred  his  readers  to  the  Minutes  of  Assembly^ 
for  the  years  1719  and  1725,  to  those  from  t)ie  year  1730  to  1740, 
both  inclusive,  excepting  only  1736,  1737  and  1739;  also,  for 
1745,  1 755  and  1 756 ;  to  other  proceedings  of  the  assembly,  in  the 
years  1730  and  1738;  and  to  their  Address  to  Governor  John 
Fenn,  in  1764. 

A  very  respectable  Memorial  of  another  nature,  in  honour  of 
the  justly  celebrated  Penn,  decorates  the  edifice  of  a  noble  pub- 
lic institution  in  the  capital  of  his  former  domain ;  an  institution 
devoted  to  the  purposes  of  charity,  huaanity  and  benevolence. 
It  is  a  finely  executed  metallic  statue,  in  bronze,  of  that  great 
man;  representing  him  in  his  appropriate  attire,  and  holding  in 
his  right  hand  The  Charier  of  Prwilegea.i  The  statue  stands  on 
itn  elegant  pedestal  of  marble,  in  an  handsome  area  on  the  su.^h 
front  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital :  and  the  four  sides  of  the  i  e- 
•destal  contain  these  modest  inscriptions ;  viz. 

"  William  Penn— Bom,  1644— Died,  1718." 
(And  underneath,  the  Family -Arms,  with  his  Motto ;  viz.) 

"  Mercy — Justice." 

"  Pennsylvania  Granted  by  Charles  II.  to  William  Penn, 

1681." 

**  The  Proprietary  arrived  in  1682;  made  a  just  and  amicable 
arrangement  with  the  Natives,  for  the  purchase  of  their  Lands ; 
and  went  back  to  England  in  1684.'' 

"  Returned  to  Pennsylvania,  1699;  and  finally  withdrew  to  his 
Paternal  Estate,  1701." 


•  In  the  continuation  of  the  Life  o/Dr,  Franklin,  (written  by  the  late  Dr. 
Stuber,  of  Philadelphia,)  it  is  said  that  the  Preface  to  Mr.  Dickinson's  Spefoh 
was  drawn  up  by  the  late  learned  Provost  Smith,  and  that  Dr.  Franklin  w^tc 
the  Preface  to  Mr.  Galloway's,  in  reply.  j 

fSceNotclO. 

M 


90  MEMOIRS  OP 

Matthias^  the  yonngest  son  of  Nicholas  Ritteit- 
house^  by  Wilhelmina  Dewees  his  wife^  was  born  at 

The  public  in  general,  with  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital  more 
particularly,  are  indebted  for  this  Memorial  of  true  Greatness,  to 
the  munificence  of  a  Grandson  of  the  Founder  of  the  extensive 
Dominion  that  bears  his  name ;  John  Penn,  of  Stoke-Poges  in 
Buckinghamshire,  Esquire ;  by  wl^om  tl^e  statue  ^as  presented^ 
in  the  year  1804, 

(10)  The  Charter  of  Privileges,  granted  and  solenmly  con- 
firmed to  the  freemen  of  Pennsylvania  and  territories  belonging 
to  the  province,  by  the  proprietary,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1701, 
was,  after  being  approved  and  agreed  to  by  the  legislative  body 
of  the  province,  accepted  by  them  the  same  day;  in  lieu  of  the 
Frame  of  Government  originally  stipulated  between  Mr.  Penn 
and  the  Planters,  in  the  year  1 683.  The  first  article  of  this  char- 
ter provided  for  a  full  enjoyment  of  the  Liberty  of  Conscience, 
by  all  persons  who  should  acknowledge  <<  One  Almighty  God, 
the  Creator,  Upholder,  and  Ruler  of  the  World."  It  also  de- 
clared to  be  capable  of  holding  any  office  or  place,  under  the 
government,  all  persons  professing  faith  in  "  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Saviour  of  the  World,"  and  who  should,  when  required,  attest 
their  allegiance,  Sec. 

(1 1)  Incorporated  with  that  edition  of  the  Laws  of  PcJinsylvania^ 
which  was  published  in  the  year  1810,  "  under  the  authority  of 
the  legislature,"  with  Notes  and  References,  by  Charles  Smithi 
Esq.  is  an  article  that  bears  a  respectful  testimony  to  the  justice 
and  clemency  of  the  founder  of  that  state :  It  is  an  important  and 
▼cry  interesting  A'otc  to  an  act  of  assembly  passed  the  Ist  day  of 
April,  1784,  (entitled,  "An  act  for  opening  the  Land -Office,  for 
granting  and  disposing  of  the  unappropriated  Lands  within  this 
State,")  containing  "a  connected  view  of  the  land-titles  of  Penn- 
sylvania from  its  first  settle ment  to  the  present  time."  In  this 
document  the  learned  editor  speaks  of  the  integrity  and  virtuous 
yolicy  manifested  by  Penn,  M^ith  respect  to  his  conduct  towards 
tlj^e  Indian  natives  of  the  country,  to  which  he  had  acquired  the 
dblninioii  under  h^s  sovereign,  in  these  terms. 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  91 

the  paper-milk  belonging  to  his  family^  near  &erman« 
towo/^^  in  the  connty  of  Philadelphia  and  about  eight 
milea  from  tiie  capital  of  Pennsylyania,  in  the  year 
1703.  Having  abandoned  the  occupation  of  a  paper- 
maker^  when  about  twenty-nine  years  of  age^  and  two 
years  after  his  father's  deaths  he  then  commenced  the 
business  of  a  farmer^  on  a  piece  of  land  he  had  pur- 
chased in  the  township  of  Norriton/^^^  about  twenty 


<<  William  Penn,  although  clothed  \vith  powers  as  full  and  com- 
prehensive as  those  possesed  by  the  adventurers  from  Portugal 
and  Spain,  was  influenced  by  a  purer  morality  and  sounder  solicy. 
His  religious  principles  did  not  permit  him  to  wrest  the  soil,  bjr 
force,  from  the  people  to  whom  God  and  nature  gave  it,  nor  to 
establish  his  title  in  blood;  but,  under  the  shade  of  the  lofty  trees 
of  the  forest,  his  right  was  fixed  by  treaties  with  the  natives,  and 
sanctified,  as  it  were,  by  incense  smoking  from  the  calumet  of 
peace." 

The  note  from  which  this  extract  is  made,  (and  which  com* 
prizes  156  large  8vo.  pages,  printed  on  a  small  type,)  forms  a 
valuable  treatise,  historical  as  well  as  legal,  of  the  territorial 
rights  of  the  former  proprietaries,  and  of  the  land-titles  deduced 
from  them  by  the  citizens  of  Pennsylvania. 

(12)  Germantown  was  settled  in  the  year  16812.  It  was  &• 
ealled  by  its  founders,  a  small  colony  of  Germans  from  the  Pala- 
tinate, mostly  from  the  vicinity  of  the  city  of  Worms,  who  are 
said  to  have  been  converted  while  in  their  own  country,  to  the 
principles  of  the  people  called  Quakers,  by  the  preaching  of 
William  Ames,  an  Englishman.  Germantown  is  now  a  populous 
tillage,  of  considerable  extent;  and  by  reason  of  its  proximity  to 
the  capital,  this  place  furnishes  an  agreeable  residence  to  manf 
^spectablc  families  from  thence.     See  also  Note  8. 

(13)  This  township  derives  its  name  (which  it  gave  also  t# 
Mr.  Rittenhouse's  patrimonial  farm  and  his  original  observatory,) 
as  does  likewise  the  nelghbonring  town  of  Xorristonj  Uie  c#nnty« 


9S  SfEMOIRS  OF 

miles  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia;  his  brother 
Henry  establishing  himself  in  the  same  manner^  in 
the  adjoining  township  of  Worcester.  In  October^ 
17^9 — about  three  years  prior  to  Matthias's  removal 
from  the  vicinity  of  Oermantown^ — ^he  had  become  a 
married  man.  His  wife  was  Elizabeth  William  (or 
Williams)  who  was  born  in  1704^  and  was  daughter 
ef  Evan  William>  a  native  of  Wales.  Her  father^  ft 
former^  dyiiig^  while  she  was  a  child^  she  was  placed 
nnder  the  charge  of  an  elderly  English  (or,  more  pro- 
bably, Welsh)  gentleman,  in  the  neighbourhood,  oC 
the  name  of  Richard  Jones  ;  a  relation  of  iier  family. 
That  truly  respectable  woman  possessed  a  cheerful 
temper,  with  a  mind  uncommonly  vigorous  and  com- 
prehensive :  but  her  education  was  much  neglected^ 
as  is  too  often  the  fate  of  orphan  children.  Yet,  pep- 
haps,  no  censure  ought  justly  to  be  imputable  to  Mr*. 
Jones,   iu  this  case;  because  there  were  very  few 

schools  of  any  kind,  in  country  situations,  at  that 
early  day.^"^ 

towTv  of  the  (now)  county  of  Montgomery,  from  the  respectable 
Pennsylvania  family  of  Norris ;  of  which  Isaac  Norris,  Esq.  wa»* 
eighteen  times  chosen  Speaker  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Pennsylvania,  during  the  term  of  half  a  century  from  the  time  of 
liis  first  election,  in  the  year  1713.  Mr.  Norris  held  many  pub- 
lic offices  in  Pennsylvania  with  great  reputation  and  honour.  H^ 
i^  represented  as  having  been  "an  ornament  to  his  country;** 
and  this  gentleman,  who  died  in  the  year  1735,  then  held  the 
Chief-Justiceship  of  the  Province. 

(14)  In  the  year  1683,  Enoch  Flower  undertook  to  teach  Eng^ 
llsh  in  the^ownof  Philadelphia.  Six  years  afterwards,  originated 


DATID  RITTENHOUSE.  93 

The  extraordinary  natural  understanding  of  thii^ 
persiMi,  so  very  nearly  related  as  she  was  to  the  sub. 
jaet  of  these  memoirs^  seemed  to  the  writer  to  merit 
particular  notice ;  and  the  more  especially^  for  a  rea* 
son  which  shall  be  hereafter  mentioned. 

By  this  wife^  Matthias  Bittenhouse  had  four  song 
and  six  daughters  i^^^  three  of  whom  died  in  their  mi- 

the  Friends'  Public  Schoolia  the  same  town,  then  in  its  infancy  ;. 
md  in  1697,  tlus  school  was  incorpomted,  on  the  petition  of 
Samuel  Carpenter,  Edward  Shippen,  Anthony  Morris,  lames 
Foix,  David  Lloyd,  William  Southby,  and  John  Jones,  in  behalf 
•f  themselves  and  others.  In  the  year  1708,  this  corporation 
was  enlarged  and  perpetuated  by  a  new  charter,  under  the  name 
of  ^  The  Overseers  oC  the  Public  School,  founded  in  Philadel- 
phia, at  the  request,  cost,  and  charges  of  the  people  caHed  Quae* 
kers.'*  It  was  further  extended  in  the  year  1711;  when  the  three 
first  named  gentlemen,  together  with  Griffith  Owen,  Thomas 
Story,  Richard  Hill,  Isaac  Norris,  Samuel  Preston,  Jonathan 
Dickinson,  Nathan  Stanbury,  Thomas  Masters,  Nicholas  Waln^ 
Caleb  Posey,  Rowland  Ellis  and  James  Logan,  were  appointed 
Overseers. 

As  this  was  the  earliest  considerable  school  established  in^ 
Pennsylvania,  as  well  as  the  first  institution  of  the  kind,  in  the 
province,  the  names  of  its  promoters  deser? e  to  be  held  in  re- 
membrance, among  the  patrons  of  learning  and  useful  knowledge 
in  this  country. 

From  tlus  view  of  the  origin  of  schools  in  the  capital  of  Penn- 
sylvania, it  will  be  perceived,  that  the  means  of  acquiring  even 
the  rudiments  of  literary  instruction  must  have  been  difficult  of 
access  in  country  places,  for  some  considerable  time  after  the 
periods  just  mentioned.  This  is  one  of  the  most  serious  grievr 
snces  to  which  the  settlers  in  new  and  unimproved  countries  are 
subjected. 

( 1 5)  Margaret,  who  intermarried  with  Edward  Morgan ;  Esthfrt 
with  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barton;  David,  the  subject  of  these  Me- 


91  MEMOIRS  OF 

Bority.  Tbe  three  eldest  of  the  children  were  iMmi 
at  the  place  of  their  father's  nativity ;  the  others,  al 
NorrltoD.  Of  the  former  number  was  David^  the  el* 
dest  6on^  the  subject  of  these  memoirs. — ^He  was  bom 
on  the  8th  day  of  April,  178».^*^ 

moirs ;  Andrew,  who  died  in  hiB  minority;  AnHei  who  interdlar^ 
ried  with  George  Shoemaker;  Eleanor,  who  intermarried  with 
Daniel  Evans ;  Benjamin,  yet  living ;  Jonathan,  who  died  in  hi^ 
,siinority ;  and  Mary  and  Elizabeth  (twins,)  of  whom  the  latter 
^d  in  her  minority,  unmarried :  Mary,  ^ho  is  living,  has  been 
twice  married,  but  without  issue  ;  her  first  husband  was  Thomis 
Morgan.  David  had  no  sons ;  and  two  of  his  three  brothers  hav^ 
ing  died  young  and  unmarried,  the  only  persons,  descended  fraa 
our  philosopher's  &ther,  Matthias,  who  now  bear  the  namA  of 
Rittenhouse,  arc  the  surviN  ing  brother  of  David,  namely,  Benja- 
Skin,  and  his  sons.  Benjamin  has  been  twice  married;  first,  to  ft 
daughter  of  General  John  Bull;  and,  secondly,  to  a  daughter  of 
Colonel  Francis  Wade :  By  both  marriages  he  has  male  issue ; 
and,  as  it  is  believed,  two  of  the  sons  by  the  first  wife  are  mar- 
ried. 

(16)  '<  There  is,"  says  a  late  ingenious  writer,*  ^  a  strong 
propensity  in  the  human  mind  to  trace  up  our  ancestry  to  as  high 
sndas  remote  a  source  as  possible."  *^This  piinciple  of  our  na» 
tare,"  he  observes,  ^  although  liable  to  great  perversion,  and 
frequently  the  source  of  well-founded  ridicule,  may,  if  rightly 
directed,  become  the  parent  of  great  actions.  The  origin  and 
progress  of  individuals,  of  families,  and  of  nations,  constitute 
Biography  and  History,  two  of  the  most  interesting  departments 
of  human  knowledge." 

The  pride  of  ancestry  is,  indeed,  "  liable  to  great  perversion," 
and  is  too  frequently  « the  source  of  well-founded  ridicule :" 
yet  the  experience  and  the  history  of  mankind,  in  every  age  and 

*  See  a  «  Discourse  delivered  before  the  New-Tork  Historical  Societ/s  at 
their  anniversary  meeting,  December  the  6th,  1811 :  By  the  Hon.  De  Witt 
Uljpton,  one  of  the  Vice-Fk«iidenU  of  the  Soclefy.** 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE;  99 

This  son  was  an  infant,  when  his  family  removed 
to  Norriton  and  enj;aged  in  the  business  of  farming  ; 
and  his  lather  appears,  ^^7^  to  have  designed  him 
for  this  most  useful  and  very  respectable  employment. 
Accordingly,  as  soon  as  the  boy  arrived  at  a  sufficient 
age  to  assist  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  farm,  he 
was  occupied  as  an  husbandman.  This  kind  of  oc- 
cupation seems  to  have  commenced  at  a  very  early 
period  of  his  life ;  for  it  is  ascertained,  that,  about 
the  fourteenth  year  of  his  age,  he  was  actually  em- 
ployed in  ploughing  his  father's  flelds/^^^ 

couutr^t  have  shewn,  that  it  is  connected  with  and  derived  front 
principles  of  our  nature,  which  are  not  only  laudable  in  them- 
selves, but  such  as,  if  ^'  rightly  directed"  and  properly  appliedf 
become  eminently  useful  to  society. 

(17)  It  is  not  this  occupation  that,  in  itself,  usualljTattaches 
to  those  who  follow  it,  the  idea  of  clownishness :  but  it  is  the 
ignorance  that,  unfortunately,  too  generally  characterizes  persons 
employed  in  it,  which,  by  an  association  of  ideas,  is  apt  to  dero- 
gate from  the  worthiness  of  the  employment  itself.  If  the  pro- 
fession of  husbandry  be  an  honourable  one,  and  every  rational 
consideration  renders  it  such,  then  one  of  the  most  important 
operadons  in  conducting  the  great  business  of  the  agriculturisty 
cannot  be  destitute  of  dignity.  To  follow  the  plough  is  not  a 
servile  labour :  it  is  an  employment  worthy  of  a  freeman ;  and  if 
the  person,  thus  engaged,  be  a  man  of  native  talents,  aided  by 
fome  improvement  of  mind,  scarcely  any  occupation  can  afford 
him  greater  scope  for  philosophic  reflection. 

While,  therefore,  the  reader  contemplates  the  celebrated  Rit- 
^nhousc,  such  as  he  was  in  his  maturer  years ;  and  then  takes  a 
retrospective  view  of  the  embryo-philosopher  in  the  period  of  his 
youth,  directing  the  plough  on  his  father's  freehold ;  let  it  be 
*  recollected,  that  the  sovereigns  of  a  mighty  empire,  in  the  East- 
em  world,  occasionally  guide  this  truly  important  machine  with 


96  MEMOIRS  OF 

At  that  period  of  our  fature  Philosophei'g  life^  ear- 
ly as  it  was^  his  uncultivated  mind^  naturally  teeming 
with  the  most  prdifte  germs  of  yet  unezpanded  sci- 
ence,  began  to  unfold  those  buds  of  genius^  which 
floon  after  attained  that  wonderful  luxuriance  of 
growth  by  which  the  usefulness  and  iqilendour  of  his 
talents  became  eminently  conspicuous.  His  brother 
Benjamin  relates^^"^  that^  while  David  was  thus  em- 
ployed at  the  plough^  from  the  age  of  fourteen  years 
and  for  some  time  after,  he  (this  informant,)  then  a 
young  boy,  was  frequently  sent  to  call  him  to  his 

their  own  hands,  in  honour  of  agriculture :  let  him  recal  to  hU 
inind,  that>  in  the  proudest  days  of  the  Roman  republic^  consuls, 
Rotators,  senators,  and  generals,  were  not  unfrequently  called 
forth  from  the  actual  occupancy  of  this  implement  of  husbandry, 
by  the  voice  of  their  country ;  and,  seizing  either  the  civil  or  the 
military  helm  of  its  government,  with  hands  indurated  by  the 
toils  of  the  peaceful  field,  have  by  the  wisdom  of  their  counsel, 
x>r  by  their  valour,  supported  the  tottering  fabric  of  the  state  and 
vaved  the  commonwealth :  let  them  remember,  in  fine,  that— 


"In  ancient  times,  the  sacred  plough  employed 
The  kings  and  awful  fathers  of  mankind ;' 


.»»» 


and  that  Washington,  himself,  the  pride  and  boast  of  his  ag«^ 
at  well  as  country,  disdained  not  to  engage  himself,  personally, 
In  agricultural  pursuits. 

(18)  This  gentleman  was  commissioned  by  Governor  Mifflin, 
in  the  year  1791,  to  be  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the  court  of 
common  pleas,  in  and  for  the  county  of  Montgomery :  but  his 
tenure  of  this  ofHcc  was  afterwards  vacated,  by  his  removal  to 
Philadelphia. 

*  Thomson's  Spring. 


DAVID  RITTEMHOUSE.  97 

meals ;  at  which  times  he  repeatedly  observed^  that 
not  only  the  fences  at  the  head  of  many  of  the  furrows^ 
but  even  his  plough  and  its  handles^  were  covered 
over  with  chalked  numerical  figures,  &c/^^^ — Hence  it 
is  evident,  that  the  exuberance  of  a  sublime  native 
genius  and  of  almost  unbounded  intellectual  powers^ 
unaided  by  any  artificial  means  of  excitement,  were 
enabled,  by  dint  of  their  own  energy,  to  burst  through 
those  restraints  which  the  corporeal  employments  of 
his  youth  necessarily  imposed  upon  them. 

During  that  portion  of  his  life  in  which  this  youth- 
txi\  philosopher  pursued  the  ordinary  occupations  of  a 
husbandman,  which  continued  until  about  the  eigh- 
teenth year  of  his  age,  as  well  as  in  his  earlier  youth, 
he  appeared  to  have  inherited  from  healthful  parents 
a  sound  constitution,  and  to  have  enjoyed  good  health. 

It  was  at  this  period,  or  rather  about  tlie  seventeenth 
year  of  his  age,  that  he  made  a  wooden  clock,  of  very 
ingenious  workmanship :  and  soon  after,  he  con- 
structed one  of  the  same  materials  that  compose  the 
common  four-and-twenty  hour  clock,  and  upon  the 
same  principles.  But  he  had  exhibited  much  earlier 
proofs  of  his  mechanical  genius,  by  making,  when 

(19)  "  Astronomy,"  says  Mr.  B.  Rittcnhouse,  in  the  letter  be- 
fore  referred  to,  "  appeared  at  a  very  early  day  to  be  his  favour- 
ite study ;  but  he  also  applied  himself  industriously  to  the  study 
of  opticks^  the  mechanical  powers,"  &c. 


9B  nmcoips  Of 

only  sevm  or  eight  years  old^  a  complete  water-nuU 
in  miniature. 

Mr.  Rittenbouse's  father  was  a  very  respectable 
man :  be  possessed  a  good  understanding,  united  to  a 
most  benevolent  lieart  and  great  simplicity  of  manners. 
The  writer  long  knew  him;  and,  from  his  early  ac- 
qnaintance  with  the  character,  the  appearance,  and 
the  habits  of  tliis  worthy  sire  of  an  illustrious  son,  he 
had  long  supposed  him  to  have  been  inclined  to  the 
religious^  principles  of  the  society  called  Friends,  al- 
though he  had  been  bred  a  Baptist : — but  a  circum- 
stance which  shall  be  noticed  hereafter,  will  evince 
the  liberality  of  this  good  man's  opinions,  in  the  all- 
important  concern  of  religion.  Yet,  with  truly  esti- 
Biable  qualities,  both  of  the  head  and  heart,  old  Mr. 
Bittenhouse  had  no  claims  to  what  is  termed  genius  ; 
and  therefore  did  uot,  probably,  duly  appreciate  the 
9arly  specimens  of  that  talent,  which  appeared  so  con- 
spicuous in  his  sou  David.  Hence,  he  was  for  some 
time  opposed  to  the  young  man^s  earnest  desire  to  re- 
nounce agricultural  employments;  for  the  purpose  of 
devoting  himself,  altogether,  to  philosophical  pursuits^ 
in  connexion  with  some  such  mechanical  profession 
93  might  best  comport  with  useful  objects  of  natural 
philosophy,  and  be  most  likely,  at  the  same  time,  to 
afford  him  the  means  of  a  comfortable  subsistence.  At 
length,  however,  the  father  yielded  his  own  inclina- 
tions, in  order  to  gratify  what  was  manifestly  the  irre* 
sistible  impulse  of  his  son^s  genius :  he  supplied  him 


DAVIiy  RirTBHHOUSE.  91 

with  money  to  purchase^  in  Philadelphia^  such  tooli 
as  were  more  immediately  necessary  for  commencing 
the  clock-making  business^  which  the  son  then  adopts 
ed  as  his  profession. 

About  the  same  time,  young  Mr.  Rittenhouse  erec(a 
ed  on  the  side  of  a  public  road^  and  on  hit  father's- 
land  in  the  township  of  Norriton^  a  small  but  commo- 
dious work- shop ;  and^  after  having  made  many  im- 
plements of  the  trade  with  his  own  hands^  to  supply 
the  deficiency  of  many  such  as  were  wanting  in  his 
purchased  stocky  he  set  out  in  good  earnest  as  a  clock 
and  mathematical  instrument  maker. 

From  the  age  of  eighteen  or  nineteen  to  twenty-five^ 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  applied  himself  unremittingly^  botlL 
to  hift  trade  and  his  studies.  Employed  throughout 
the  day  in  his  attention  to  the  former^  he  devoted  mueh 
of  his  nights  to  the  latter.. .  Indeed  he  deprived  him- 
self.^ the  necessary  hou^  of  rest ;  for  it  was  his  al« 
most  invariable  practim  to  sit  up^  at  his  books^  until 
fliidnight^  sometimes  much  later. 

Jt  was  in  this  interval  and  by  these  metns^  that  our 
young  philosopher  impaired  his  constitution^  and  con- 
iraeted  a  pain  in  his  breast ;  or  rather^  as  he  himself 
Ascribed  that  malady  to  the  writer^  ^^  a  constant  heat 
in  the  pit  of  the  stomaeh^  affecting  a  space  not  ex« 
ceeding  the  size  of  half  a  guinea,  attended  at  times 
with  mueh  pain;''  a  sensation  from  which  he  was 


100  IffelffOIRS  OF 

never  exempt^  during  the  remainder  of  bis  life.  About 
this  time^  be  retired  from  all  business,  and  passed  se- 
veral weeks  at  tbe  Yellow  Springs,  distant  but  a  few 
miles  from  bis  place  of  residence.  He  there  bathed 
and  drank  the  waters  ;  and  from  the  use  of  this  cha- 
lybeate^ he  appeared  to  have  derived  some  benefit  to 
his  general  health,  though  it  afforded  little  alleviation 
of  the  pain  in  his  breast. 

A  due  regard  to  the  sacredncss  of  liistoric  truth  de- 
mands^ that  some  circumstances  which  occurred  while 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  yet  a  youth,  and  one  which  it  is 
believed  liad  a  very  considerable  influence  on  his  sub- 
sequent pursuits  and  reputation,  should  now  be  made 
known.  Because  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  con- 
eeives  he  ought  not  to  be  restrained,  by  motives  which 
would  appear  to  him  to  arise  from  a  mistaken  delicacy^ 
from  introducing  into  his  work  such  notices  of  his  own 
ikther^  long  since  deceased,  as  do  justice  to  his  me- 
mory ;  while  they  also  serve  to  elucidate  the  biogm- 
phical  history  of  Mr.  Bittenbonse. 

In  the  year  1751,  when  David  Rittenhouse  was 
about  nineteen  years  of  age,  Thomas  Barton,  who  was 
two  years  elder  than  David,  opened  a  school  in  tbe 
neighbourhood  of  Mr.  Matthias  Rittenhouse.  It  was 
while  Mr.  Barton  continued  in  that  place,  supposed  to 
have  been  about  a  year  and  a  half,  that  he  became 
acquainted  with  the  Rittenhouse  Family;  an  ac- 
qniuntance  which  soon  ripened  into  a  warm  friendship 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  lOi 

for  young  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  and  a  more  tender  at- 
tachment to  his  sister^  Esther. 

Two  years  afterwards  (in  1753),  the  personal  at- 
tractions and  fine  understanding  of  the  sister  rendered 
her  the  wife  of  Mr.  Barton ;  who,  for  some  time  be- 
fore, had  officiated  as  one  of  the  tutors  in  the  then  re- 
cently-established Academy,  afterwards  College,  of 
Philadelphia ;  now  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  this  station,  he  continued  until  the  autumn  of  ±764* ; 
when  he  embarked  for  England,  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving  episcopal  ordination  in  the  church,  and  re- 
turned to  Pennsylvania  in  the  early  part  of  the  fol- 
lowing year. 

The  very  intimate  connexion  thus  formed  between 
Mr.  Barton  and  a  sister  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  (who  was 
two  years  elder  than  this  brother),  strengthened  the 
bands  of  friendship  which  had  so  early  united  these 
young  men :  a  friendship  affectionate  and  sincere,  and 
one  which  never  ceased  until  Mr.  Barton's  death, 
nearly  thirty  years  afterwards ;  notwithstanding  some 
4lifference  of  political  opinions  had  arisen  betweea 
these  brothers-in-law,  in  the  latter  part  of  that  period, 
in  consequence  of  the  declaration  of  the  American  in- 
dependence*. 

Mr.  Barton  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  descended  from 
an  En^ish  family;  of  which,  either  two  or  three  brothers 
•ettled  in  that  kingdom,  dnriss  the  disastrous  times  in 


lOjS  HEHOIRS  OF 

the  iDterregnum  of  Charles  I.  Having  obtained  very 
eonsiderable  grants  of  land  in  Ireland,  this  family  pos- 
sessed ample  estates  in  their  then  adopted  country. 
Hence,  flattering  prospects  of  an  establishment  there, 
ill  respect  to  fortune,  were  held  out  to  their  descen- 
innts.  Through  one  of  those  untoward  circumstances^ 
however,  by  means  of  which  the  most  unexpected  re- 
Tolutions  in  the  affairs  of  families  and  individuals 
have  been  sometimes  produced,  the  expectations  of  an 
independent  patrimony  which  our  Mr.  Barton^s  fathet 
kad  entertained,  were  speedily  dissipated.  Neverihe- 
less,  this  gentleman,  who  was  the  eldest  son  of  his  &« 
Bily,  was  instructed  in  the  rudiments  of  a  classical 
education  in  the  vicinity  of  his  family  residence  in  the 
eounty  of  Monaghan,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Folds,  a  respectable  English  clergyman ;  and  at 
a  suitable  age,  he  was  sent  to  the  university  of  Dub- 
lin, where  he  finished  his  academical  education.  En- 
tirely destitute  of  fortune,  but  possessing  a  strong  in- 
trilect,  stored  with  useful  and  ornamental  learning  as 
well  as  an  ardent  and  enterprizing  spirit,  this  young 
adventurer  arrived  in  Philadelphia  soon  after  he  had 
completed  his  scholastic  studies. 

The  writer's  principal  design,  in  presenting  to  the 
public  view  these  slight  sketches  of  the  early  history 
of  the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  shall  be  now  explained. 

When  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  father  established  his  re- 
sidence  at  Nomton^  and  during  the  minority  of  the 


DAVID  RITTENUOUSE.  103 

son^  there  were  no  schools  in  the  vicinity  at  which 
any  thing  more  was  taught^  than  reading  and  writing 
in  the  Englisli  language  and  the  simplest  rales  of 
arithmetic.  Young  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  school-educa- 
tion, in  his  early  youth^  was  therefore  necessarily 
bounded  by  these  scanty  limits  of  accessible  instruct 
tion  :  He  was,  in  truths  taught  nothing  beyond  these 
very  circumscribed  bounds  of  literary  knowledge^ 
prior  to  the  nineteenth  year  of  his  age ;  though  it  is 
certain^  that  some  years  before  that  period  of  his  life^ 
he  began  to  be  known — at  least  in  his  own  neighbour- 
hood— as  a  mathematician  and  astronomer^  in  conse* 
quence  of  his  cultivation  of  the  transcendent  genius 
with  which  heaven  had  endued  him. 

Under  such  circumstances  as  these^  the  familiar  in- 
tercourse between  David  Rittenhouse  and  his  young 
friend  Barton,  which  commenced  when  the  age  of  the 
former  did  not  exceed  nineteen  years,  could  not  fail 
tojprove  highly  advantageous  to  the  mental  improve- 
ment of  both.  The  one  possessed  a  sublime  native 
gimius;  which,  however,  was  yet  but  very  imperfectly 
cnltivated,  for  want  of  the  indispensable  means  of  ex- 
tending  the  bounds  of  natural  knowledge :  the  other 
had  enjoyed  the  use  of  those  means,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  and  thus  justly  acquired  the  reputation  of  a 
man  of  learning.  A  reciprocation  of  these  different 
advantages,  as  may  be  well  supposed,  greatly  pro- 
Jnoted  the  intellectual  improvement  of  both. 


iOii  MKHOIRS    OF 

It  will  be  readily  conceived^  that  Mr.  Barton's 
knowledge  of  books  must  have  rendered  even  his  con- 
yersation  instructive  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  at  so  early  a 
period  of  his  life.  But  the  former  so  greatly  admired 
the  natural  powers  of  his  young  friend's  mind^  that  he 
took  a  delight  in  obtaining  for  him  access  to  such  phi- 
losophical works^  and  other  useful  books^  as  he  was 
then  enabled  to  procure  for  his  use;  besides  directing^ 
as  far  as  he  was  capable^  the  course  of  his  studies. 

After  Mr.  Barton's  removal  to  Philadelphia  and 
while  he  resided  in  that  city,  his  means  of  furnishing 
his  friend  with  books,  suitable  for  his  instruction,  were 
greatly  enlarged  ;  an  advantage  of  which  he  most  as- 
giduously  availed  himself :  and  it  is  supposed  to  have 
been  about  this  time,  that  a  small  circulating  library 
was  established  in  Norrilon,  at  the  instance  of  Mr. 
Barton,  zealously  seconded  by  the  co-operation  and 
influence  of  Mr.  Kittenhouse. 

Finally,  when  Mr.  Barton  returned  from  England^ 
in  the  year  1755 — at  which  time  Mr.  Kittenhouse  was 
yet  but  twenty-three  years  of  age,  he  brought  with  him 
a  valuable  addition  to  his  friends's  little  library;  coa- 
sifitiDg,  in  part,  of  books  which  he  himself  had  com- 
missioned Mr.  Barton  to  purchase  for  him.^^ 

(30)  The  zeal  and  attention  with  which  our  young  philoso- 
pher pursued  his  early  studies,  and  such  mechanical  objects  as 
are  more  intimately  connected  with  those  branches  of  natural 
philosophy  to  which  he  was  most  devoted^  will  appear  from  the 


DAVID   RITTEKHOUSE.  109 

Ko  doubt  can  be  entertained^  that  Mr.  Rittenhonse 
derived  the  great  and  extraordinary  faculties  of  his 
mind  from  nature ;  and  it  is  equally  evident^  that  for 
some  years  after  he  arrived  to  manhood^  he  possessed 
very  slender  means  of  improving  his  natural  talents  : 
Nay  further,  it  is  v^^ell  known  to  those  who  were  long 
personally  acquained  with  him,  that  after  his  removal 
to  Philadelphia,  when  he  was  eight-and  -thirty  years 
of  age,  a  period  of  life  at  which  the  place  of  his  resi- 
dence, and  the  condition  of  his  pecuniary  affairs,  united 
in  placing  within  his  reach  much  that  is  dear  to 
science^ — even  then,  his  long  continued  professional 
employment  and  the  various  public  stations  he  filled, 
in  addition  to  frequent  ill  health,  deprived  him  of  a 
large  share  of  those  advantages.  The  vast  stock  of 
knowledge  which,  under  such  untoward  circum- 
stances, lie  actually  acquired,  is  therefore  an  addi^ 
tional  proof  of  his  native  strength  of  intellect. 

But,  wonderful  as  a  kind  of  intuitive  knowledge 
be  possessed  really  was,  his  mental  powers  would 
probably  have  remained  hidden  from  the  world,  they 

following  extract  of  a  letter,  addressed  by  hhn  to  Mr.  Barton,  on 
the  20th  of  September,  1756,  being  then  little  more  than  twenty- 
four  years  of  age ;  viz.  "  I  have  not  health  for  a  soldier,"  (the 
country  was  then  engaged  in  war,)  <<  and  as  I  have  no  expecta- 
tion of  serving  my  country  in  that  way,  I  am  spending  my  time 
in  the  old  trifling  manner,  and  am  so  taken  with  optics,  that  I  do 
not  know  whether,  if  the  enemy  should  invade  this  part  of  the 
country,  as  Archimedes  was  slain  while  making  geometrical 
figures  on  the  sand,  so  I  should  die  making  a  telescope.'* 


100  MEMOIRS   OF 

would  have  beeu  Very  imperfectly  cultivated,  at  best, 
had  not  an  incident  apparently  trivial,  and  which 
occurred  when  our  Astronomer  was  a  young  boy,  fur- 
nished what  was,  in  all  probability,  the  very  first  in- 

>      eitement  to  an  active  employment  of  his  philosophical 

y     as  well  as  mechanical  genius. 

Mr.   Rittenhouse's    mother  having  been   already 
noticed  somewhat  particularly,   the  reason  for  thid 

being  done  shall  be  here  stated  :  it  is  connected  with 
the   incident  just  now  referred  to.     This  valuable 
woman  had  two  brothers,  David  and  Lewis  Williams 
(or  William),  both  of  whom  died  in  their  minority. 
David,  the  elder  of  these,  pursued  the  trade  of  a  car- 
penter,  or  joiner.      Though,  like  his  nephew  and 
namesake,  he  was  almost  wholly  an  uneducated  youths 
he  also,  like  him,  early  discovered  an  unusual  genius 
and  strength  of  mind.     After  the  death  of  this  young 
man,  on  opening  a  chest  containing  the  implements  of 
his   trade  which  was  deposited  at  Mr.  M.  Ritteu- 
house%  (in  whose  family  it  is  presumed  he  dwelt,)  a 
few  elementary  books,  treating  of  arithmetic  and  geo- 
metry, were  found  in  it :  With  these,  there  were  also 
various  calculations  and  other  papers,  in  manuscript} 
fill,  the  productions  of  David  Williams  himself,  and 
such  as  indicated  not  only  an  uncommon  genius,  but 
an  active  spirit  of  philosophical  research.     To  thia 
humble  yet  valuable  coffer  of  his  deceased  uncle,  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  had  free  access,  while  yet  a  very  young 
boy.   He  often  spoke  of  this  acquisition  as  a  treasure } 


DAVID    RITTENHOUSE.  107 

inasmuch  as  the  instruments  of  liis  uncle's  calling  af- 
forded him  some  means  of  exercising  the  bent  of  his 
genius  towards  mechanism,  while  the  books  and  ma- 
nuscripts early  led  his  mind  to  those  congenial  pur- 
suits in  mathematical  and  astronomical  science,  which 
were  ever  after  the  favourite  objects  of  his  studies.^^^ 

(21)  "  It  is  observable,  that,  in  like  manner,  an  accidental 
circumstance  seems  to  have  given  the  first  impulse  to  the  philo- 
sophical researches  of  that  eminent  mathematician,  Colin  Mac- 
laurin,  the  friend  and  disciple  of  Newton.  His  biographer,  Mr. 
Murdoch,  relates,  tliat  '<his  genius  for  mathematical  learning 
discovered  itself  so  early  as  at  twelve  years  of  age ;  when,  hav- 
ing accidentally  met  with  a  copy  of  Euclid  in  a  friend's  chamber, 
in  a  few  days  he  became  master  of  the  first  six  books,  without 
any  assistance :  and  thence,  following  his  natural  bent,  made  such 
a  surprising  progress,  that  very  soon  after  we  find  him  engaged 
in  the  most  curious  and  difficult  problems." 

It  is  not  ascert^ned  at  what  age  Rittenhouse  obtained  access 
to  his  uncle  Williams's  little  collection  of  books  and  papers ; 
though  it  was,  probably,  before  his  twelfth  year.  But  it  is  to  be 
observed,  that  at  the  early  age  of  twelve,  Maclaurin  had  been  a 
year  at  the  University  of  Glasgow,  where  he  was  placed  under 
the  care  of  one  of  the  most  eminent  and  learned  professors  of  the 
age ;  while  Rittenhouse,  for  some  years  after  that  period  of  life, 
had  his  time  occupied  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  was  almost 
entirely  uneducated. 

One  particular  in  which  similar  merit  attaches  itself  to  these 
two  distinguished  philosophers,  is,  that  all  their  more  serious 
studies  were  directed  towards  objects  of  general  utility. 

Having  introduced  the  name  of  Maclaurin  more  than  once  into 
these  Memoirs,  the  author  of  them  cannot  refrain  from  presenting 
to  his  readers  the  following  epitaph  upon  that  great  mathemati* 
cian.  It  is  attributed  to  the  late  Dr.  Johnson :  the  delicacy  and 
chasteness  of  the  sentiment,  as  well  as  the  classical  purity  of  the 
language,  certainly  render  it  a  specimen  of  this  species  of  com- 
position worthy  of  the  pen  of  that  justly-admired  writer.— 


108  BIEMOIRS    OF 

It  being  thus  apparent^  that  not  only  Mr.  Ritten- 
house's  mother  but  her  brother  David  Williams 
were  persons  of  uncommon  intellectual  powers,  the 
writer  thinks  it  fairly  presumable,  that  our  Astiono- 

XI.  L4.  P«  £. 

Non  ut  nomine  paterno  consulat ; 

Nam  tali  auxilio  nil  eget; 

Sed,  ut  in  hoc  infelici  campo^ 

Ubi  luctus  regnant  et  payor, 

Mortalibus  prorsus  non  absit  solatium : 

Hujus  enim  scripta  evolve, 

Mentemque  tantarum  rerum  capacemy 

Corpori  caduco  superstitem  crede. 


The  writer  of  the  Advcrsariay  in  a  respectable  periodical  pulj- 
iication,*  observes,  that  "it  would  not  be  easy  to  do  justice  tp 
this  elegant  and  nervous  sentence,  in  English."  But,  as  he  has 
given  a  very  good  prose  translation  of  it  into  our  language,  thp 
subjoined  versification  of  this  was  attempted  by  a  young  lady,  at 
the  request  of  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  : — 

Not  to  perpetuate  his  father's  praise, 

For  no  such  aid  his  lofty  fame  rcquir'd, 
Did  filial  piety  the  marble  raise ; 

But  other  thoughts  the  friendly  deed  inspired. 

Here,  in  this  tearful  vale,  where  sorrow  dwells 
And  trembling  mortals  own  the  reign  of  fearj^'x 

At  his  command,  the  sculptur'd  tablet  tells. 
Where  hope  exists,  to  dry  the  wand'rer's  tear. 

For,  read  his  works,  O  man !  and  then  believe, 
The  mind  that  grasp'd  at  systems  so  sublime, 

Beyond  the  mortal  part  must  ever  live, 

And  bloom)  in  sacred  hcav'n's  ctliereal  clime. 

•  The  Port-Folio. 


DAVID    RITTENHOUSE.  109 

mer  iaherited  his  genius  from  his  mothers  family .^^ 
His  surviviDg  brother  has  decidedly  expressed  this 

(22)  In  order  to  gratify  the  curiosity,  if  not  to  remove  the 
doubts,  of  such  persons  as  are  not  disposed  to  believe  in  the  rea- 
lity of  any  thing  like  an  hereditary  power,  bias,  or  propensity  of 
the  mind,  the  following  memorable  instances  are  selected  from 
many  others  which  might  be  adduced ;  to  shew  that  mental  facul- 
ties, as  well  as  corporeal  qualities  and  even  mental  and  bodily 
diseases,  are  sometimes  inherited  by  children  from  their  parents  : 
perhaps  cases  of  this  kind  exist  more  frequently  than  b  either 
observed  or  imagined. 

Mr.  James  Gregor)',  the  inventor  of  the  reflecting  telescope 
in  common  use,  called  the  Gregorian,  was  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished mathematicians  of  the  seventeenth  century.  This  emi- 
nent man,  who  was  born  at  Aberdeen  in  Scotland  in  the  year 
1638,  was  a  son  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  John  Gregory,  minister  of  Dru- 
moak  in  the  same  county :  his  mother  was,  moreover,  a  daughter 
of  Mr.  David  Anderson,  of  Finzaugh,  a  gentleman  who  possess- 
ed a  singular  turn  for  mathematical  pursuits. 

Mr.  David  Gregory,  a  nephew  of  the  foregoing,  was  some 
time  Savilian  professor  of  astronomy  at  Oxford.  This  Subtilisaimi 
Ingenii  Mathemadcusy  as  he  is  styled  by  his  successor  Dr.  Smith, 
was  bom  at  Aberdeen,  in  the  year  1661.  Of  the  four  sons  of  this 
celebrated  mathematicians- 
David,  a  mathematician,  was  rcgius  professor  of  modem  his- 
tory, at  Oxford ; 

James  was  professor  of  mathematics,  at  Edinburgh ;  and 
Charles  was  also  professor  of  mathematics,  at  St.  Andrew's. 
Besides  these  men  of  genius  in  the  same  family,  was  the  lat^ 
Dr.  John  Gregory,  professor  of  medicine  in  the  University  of 
Edinburgh ;  who  had  previously  held  the  philosophical  chair  in 
the  University  of  St.  Andrews,  from  which  he  delivered  lectures 
on  the  mathematics,  experimental  philosophy,  and  moral  philo- 
sophy.    This  gentleman  was  grandson  of  the  inventor  of  the 
Gregorian  telescope,  son  of  Dr.  James  Gregory,  professor  pf 
medicine  at  Aberdeen,  and  father  of  another  James,  successor  of 
Pr.  CuUen,  b  the  medical  chair  at  Edinburgh. 


110  MEMOIRS  OP 

opinion :  in  a  letter  on  the  subject  of  the  deceased^ 
addressed  to  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  soon  after 

A  mathematical  genius  was  hereditary  in  the  family  of  the  An* 
dersons ;  and,  from  them,  it  seems  to  have  been  transmitted  to 
their  descendants  of  the  name  of  Gregory.  Alexander  Anderson, 
cousin-german  of  David  abovementioned,  was  professor  of  ma- 
thematics at  Paris,  in  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century ; 
and  published  there  in  1712,  SufifiUmentumjlfiolloniiredivwi^  &c. 
The  mother  of  the  James  Gregory,  first  named,  inherited  the 
genius  of  her  family ;  and  observing  in  her  son,  while  yet  a 
child,  a  strong  propensity  to  mathematics,  she  herself  instnict- 
efl  him  in  the  elements  of  that  science. 

Marg^aret,  the  mother  of  the  late  Dr.  Thomas  Reid,  professor 
of  moral  philosophy  in  the  University  of  Glasgow,  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  Gregory,  Esq.  of  Kinnardie  in  Banffshire,  elder 
brother  of  the  James  Gregory  first  mentioned.  It  is  remarked 
by  a  celebrated  writer,  that  **  the  hereditary  worth  and  genius 
which  have  so  long  distinguisned,  and  which  still  distinguish, 
the  descendants  of  this  memorable  family,  are  well  known  to  all 
who  have  turned  their  attention  to  Scottish  biography :  but  it  is 
not  known  so  generally,  that  in  the  female  line,  the  same  charac- 
teristical  endowments  have  been  conspicuous  in  various  instan- 
ces; and  that  to  the  other  monuments  which  illustrate  the  race 
of  the  Gregories,  is  to  be  added  the  philosophy  of  Reid." — (See 
Dugald  Stewart's  Account  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  Dr.  Reid.) 

The  great  mathematical  genius  of  the  celebrated  astronomer, 
John  Dominick  Cassini,  descended  to  his  great-grandson.  John- 
James,  the  son  of  John-Dominick,  who  inherited  the  genius  of 
his  father,  succeeded  him  as  professor  of  astronomy  in  the  Royal 
Observatory  at  Paris,  a  place  which  the  father  had  filled  more 
than  forty  years :  John-James's  son,  Caesar-Francis  Cassini  de 
Thury,  (who  died  in  the  year  1784,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,) 
was  an  eminent  astronomer :  and  his  son,  the  Count  John-Dorai- 
nick  de  Thury,  was  also  a  dbtinguished  astronomer. 

The  eldest  of  these  Cassini's  was  a  native  of  Italy,  and  bom 
in  1625.  He  died  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age ;  and  in 
the  year  1695,  a  medal  was  struck  to  honour  his  memory,  by 
order  of  the  king  of  Francp. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  Ill 

Dr.  Rittenhouse's  d^atb^  be  says — ^'  I  am  convinced 
his  genius  was  more  derived  fromi  his  mother^  than 
from  his  father/' 

A  casualty  that  occurred  in  the  year  17^6^  appear- 
ed to  have  been  very  near  depriving  the  world  of  the 
talents^  services^  and  example  of  our  Philosopher^  at 
a  very  early  period  of  those  pursuits  in  which  he  was 
afterwards  so  eagerly  engaged.  This  circumstance  is 
thus  narrated  by  himself^  in  a  letter  dated  the  S6th  of 
July^  in  that  year^  and  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Barton^  at  his  then  residence  in  Redding  township^ 
York  county .^^ 

These  instances  of  genius  in  three  families,  afford  striking 
examples  .of  Its  being  sometimes  hereditary.  It  is  further  ob- 
servable, that,  in  the  case  of  the  great  professor  Simson,  his 
mathematical  endowments  were  said  to  be  derived  from  his  mo- 
ther's family ;  as  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  were  likewise  supposed  to 
have  been  from  that  of  his  mother. 

(23)  Mr.  Barton  resided  on  a  farm,  near  what  are  called  the 
Sulphur  Springs  (now  comprehended  within  the  limits  of  the 
new  county  of  Adams,)  from  some  time  in  the  year  1755,  imtil 
the  spring  of  1759;  during  which  period  he  officiated  as  a  mis* 
sionary  from  *'  the  society,"   established  in  England,  "  for  the 
propagation  of  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,"  for  the  counties  of 
York  and  Cumberland.     While  he  resided  in  that  then  remote 
settlement  of  Pennsylvania,  he  was  greatly  instrumental,  both  by 
his  precept  and  example,  in  stimulating  the  people  to  avenge 
the  numerous  barbarities  perpetrated  on  the  inhabitants  and  their 
property  in  that  frontier,  by  their  French  and  Indian  enemies. 
In  the  expedition  against  Fort  Du  Quesne  (now  Pittsburg,)  un- 
dertaken in  the  year  1758,  under  the  orders  of  brigadier-general 
Forbes,  he  served  as  a  chaplain  to  the  forces  then  employed,  by 
virtue  of  a  commission  from  governor  Denny :  and  in  that  cam- 
paign he  became  personally  acquainted  not  only  with  the  com- 


113  MEMOIRS  OF 

^^I  Was,''  said  our  young  philosopher,  ^^  obliged  t6 
ride  hard  to  reach  Lancaster,  the  evening  after  I  left 
you;  and  being  somewhat  tired  myself,  as  well  as 
my  horse,  I  determined  to  go  to  the  Dunker's-Town,^*^^ 
where  I  staid  the  remainder  of  that  day  and  the  night 
following.  I  was  there  entertained  with  an  epitome 
of  all  the  whimsies  mankind  are  capable  of  conceiv- 

mander  in  chief,  but,  among  others,  with  colonel  (afterwards 
general)  Washington;  colonel  (afterwards  general)  Mercer; 
colonel  Byrd  of  Virginia;  colonel  Dagworthy;  colonel  James 
Burd  of  Pennsylvania ;  all  provincial  officers  of  great  merit ;  be- 
sides colonel  (afterwards  general)  Bouquet,  sir  John  St.  Clair, 
sir  Peter  Hacket,  major  Stewart,  and  other  gentlemen  of  worth 
snd  distinction,  who  held  commands  in  the  British  regiments 
engaged  in  that  service.  With  most  of  these  very  respectable 
military  characters  Mr.  Barton  occasionally  corresponded,  after- 
ward; and  his  services,  during  a  residence  of  between  three  and 
four  years  in  that  part  of  Pennsylvania,  were  honourably  acknow- 
ledged, as  well  in  England  as  among  his  fellow-citizens,  in  vari- 
ous instances. 

After  Mr.  Barton  left  the  county  of  York,  he  became  establish- 
ed in  Lancaster,  where  he  officiated  as  rector  of  St.  James's 
church  in  that  borough,  and  missionary  to  the  large  and  respect- 
able country-congregations  of  Caernarvon  and  Pequea,  nearly 
twenty  years. 

(24)  Although  commonly  called  Dunker's-Town,  the  proper 
name  of  this  once  noted  village  is  Ephrata.  The  little  commu- 
nity which  formerly  resided  there,  usually  styled  Dunkers,  date 
the  origin  of  their  sect  about  the  yeai*  1 705.  The  original  mem- 
bers of  this  religious  society,  in  Germany,  Switzerland,  and  some 
other  parts  of  Europe,  having  been  persecuted  and  banished  from 
their  homes,  assembled  themselves  in  the  duchy  of  Cleves,  un- 
der the  protection  of  the  king  of  Prussia:  and  from  thence  they 
migrated  to  Pennsylvania,  mostly  between  the  years  1718  and 
1734,  a  few  of  them  only  remaining  behind.  See  also  the  next 
note. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  118 

ing.  Yet  it  seemed  to  me  the  most  melancholy  plaee 
in  the  worlds  and  I  believe  would  soon  kill  me  were 
I  to  continue  there ;  though  the  people  were  exceed- 
ingly civil  and  kind^  and  the  situation  of  the  place  is 
pleasant  enough/^^    From  thence  I  went  homewards^ 

(25)  The  proper  name  of  this  place  is  Ephrata ;  and  the  very 
singular  religious  society  to  whom  it  belongs,  are  denominated 
Seventh-Day  Baptists. 

The  society  is  said  to  have  originally  consisted  of  about  twenty 
families  who  migrated  from  Germany  to  Pennsylvania,  about  the 
year  1718  or  1 7 19  ;  part  of  whom  settled  at  this  place,  and  found- 
ed the  village  of  Ephrata  (the  head-quarters  of  the  sect,)  which 
is  situated  about  thirteen  miles,  north-eastward,  from  Lancaster, 
on  a  little  stream  called  the  Cocoiico-creek.  These  people  hold 
the  doctrine  of  an  universal  redemption,  ultimately,  denying  the 
eternity  of  iuture  punishment ;  that  war  and  judicial  oaths  are 
unchristian;  and  that  it  is  not  justifiable  to  take  interest,  for  mo- 
ney lent.  They  keep  the  seventh  day  of  the  week  as  their  sab- 
bath, and  baptize  by  submersion ;  whence  they  derive  their  name : 
they  also  inculcate  the  propriety  of  celibacy,  and  of  maintaining 
a  community  of  goods  ;  but  when  any  of  them  marry^  and  ac- 
quire property  independent  of  the  society  in  Ephrata,  they  are 
obliged  to  retire  from  thence  and  reside  elsewhere.  The  men 
generally  wear  their  beards,  and  clothe  themselves  in  a  habit  not 
unlike  that  of  the  Carmelites  or  White  Friars:  the  women  dress 
like  nuns.  Both  men  and  women  observe  great  abstemiousness 
in  their  diet,  living  chiefly  on  vegetables,  and  submit  to  some 
privations  and  corporal  severities,  besides,  in  their  religious  dis- 
cipline i  they  lie  upon  benches,  with  a  wooden  block  instead  of  a 
pillow  :  but  though  meek,  humble,  and  even  timid,  in  their  de- 
portment, they  are  very  civil  to  strangers  who  visit  them. 

The  society  of  Ephrata  is  supported  by  cultivating  their  landSi 
conducting  a  printing-press,  a  grist-milly  a  paper-mill,  a  saw- 
mill, a  tan-yard,  &c.  and  the  women  are  employed  in  spinningi 
knitting,  sewing,  making  paper-lanterns  and  other  toys,  &c. 

The  Tillage  consists  of  about  ten  or  a  dozen  buildings ;  and 
is  mostly  composed  of  the  cloisters  and  convent,  two  churchesj 

P 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 

iluroagh  Reading  f^^  where  I  was  agreeably  surprised^ 
ibe  number  and  goodness  of  the  buildings  far  exceed- 
ing my  expectations, 

• 

and  the  mills.  One  of  their  places  of  worship  adjoins  the  sisters' 
apartments,  as  a  chapel ;  another  belongs  to  the  brothers'  apart- 
ments :  and  to  these  churches,  the  brethren  and  the  sisterhood 
rcispectively  resort,  every  morning  and  evening,  sometimes,  too, 
in  the  night,  for  the  purpose  of  worshipping ;  much  of  which  is 
made  up  of  soft  and  melodious  chanting,  by  the  females.  There 
il  said  to  be  one  other  place  of  worship,  wherein  all  the  members 
of  the  society,  within  the  bounds  of  the  settlement,  meet  once  a 
'week  to  celebrate  worship  publicly. 

Such,  indeed,  was  the  pleasant,  sequestered  little  village  of 
Ephrata,  at  the  time  our  then  very  young  philosopher  visited  it ; 
and  such  was  the  condition  of  that  little-known  sect  of  Chris- 
tians, while  the  society  continued  under  the  direction  of  their 
second  and  last  president,  the  late  Mr.  Peter  Miller.  This  vene- 
rable old  German,  who  had  been  bred  to  the  priesthood  in  some 
<me  of  the  Protestant  churches  of  his  native  country,  became  a 
convert  to  the  principles  of  this  obscure  ascetic  sect,  over  which 
he  long  presided  with  much  reputation,  after  the  death  of  its 
reputed  founder,  Conrad  Beixler,  his  patriarchal  predecessor; 
But)  tliough  possessing  a  good  share  of  the  old  scholastic  learn- 
ing, with  a  large  portion  of  piety,  the  mind  of  Mr.  Miller  was 
strongly  tinctured  with  many  mystical  notions  in  divinity ;  such 
as  well  comported  with  the  ^<  whimsies"  of  the  religious  society 
he  governed. 

Since  the  death  of  this  good  man,  the  ancient  discipline  of  the 
religious  community  at  Ephrata,  which  had  become  greatly  re- 
laked  during  the  revolutionary  war,  has  almost  wholly  disappear- 
ed. The  chief  seat  of  the  Seventh-Day  Baptists  is  no  longer  what 
it  was:  for,  in  lieu  of  the  solemn  devotional  stillness  of  the  se- 
cluded cloysters  and  cells  of  its  once  monastic  inhabitants,  and 
wUch,  at  this  time,  are  nearly  deserted,  are  now  substituted  va- 
rloas  occupations  of  industry,  amidst  ^*-  the  busy  haunts  of  men.*' 

A  letter  from  lady  Juliana  Penn  to  the  second  and  last  worthy 
pi^Bsident  of  this  little  religious  society,  has  a  place  in  the  Ap- 
pendix. It  is  indicative  of  the  goodness  of  her  ladysliip's  heart 


..v^. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  Iti 

^^  Ton  have  perhaps  seen,  in  one  of  the  last  paperxl 
an  account  of  the  prodigiously  large  hail- stones  whidk 
fell  in  Plymouth/^^  The  lightning  struck  a  tall  greea 
poplar  standing  in  our  meadow,  just  before  the  door^ 
and  levelled  it  with  the  earth.  I  was  standing  be* 
tween  the  tree  and  house ;  and,  at  the  same  instaiit 
that  I  saw  the  flash  of  lightning,  felt  a  most  violent 
shock  through  my  whole  body, — and  was  stunned  with 
such  a  horrible  noise,  that  it  is  impossible  for  ima- 
gination to  represent  any  thing  like  it.^^ 

The  advantages  and  the  disadvantages,  which  Mr; 
Rittenhouse  respectively  enjoyed  and  encountei*ed^ 
until  after  he  had  attained  to  the  period  of  manhood^ 
have  been  mentioned;  and  it  will  be  readily  per* 
ceived,  that  the  latter  greatly  outweighed  the  former^ 
in  every  other  particular  than  that  of  his  native  ge- 
nius, which  alone  was  suflicient  to  preponderate 
against  innumerable  difficulties. 

The  great  deficiencies  in  his  education,  as  well  as 
their  causes,  having  been  misconceived  and  incorrect* 
ly  represented  in  some  publications,  a  due  regard  to 
truth  demands  a  correction  of  such  mistaken  opinions* 

(26)  The  county-town  of  Berks,  in  Pennsylyania,  pleasant!^ 
situated  on  the  Schuylkill,  about  fifty-six  miles,  north-westwardf 
from  Philadelphia. 

(37)  A  neighbouring  township  to  Norriton,  the  place  of  Mr. 
Ritteohouse's  country  residence. 


116  nmoiRs  or 

Soon  alter  his  deaths  there  appeared  in  the  Maryland 
Jovnal^  ^^  Anecdotical  Mlotices  of  Mr.  David  Bitten'^ 
hmme'y'^  which;  although  written  with  some  ingenuity 
sad  knowledge  of  the  subject^  contained  several  errors. 
li  is  therein  asserted^  among  other  things^  that  '^  his 
parents^  incapMe  of  giving  him  any  other  education 
than  common  reading  and  writing,  intended  to  have 
brought  him  up  to  country-business ;  but,  being  bless- 
ed by  nature  with  a  mechanical  turn  of  mind,  he  soon 
gave  specimens  of  his  ingenuity  in  making  wooden 
clocks  :  This  so  recommended  him  to  notice,  as  to 
^ve  iiim  an  opportunity  of  learning  the  clock-making 
business/^ — It  has  been  already  shewn,  that  Mr.  Rit- 
twhouse  never  received  the  least  instruction  in  any 
mechanic  art ;  and  it  is  not  ascertained  that  he  ever 
nuule  more  than  one  wooden  clock.  It  is  also  notori- 
ously an  error,  that  his  parents  were  ''  incapable'^  of 

giving  him  any  other  education,  than  the  common 
schooling  he  received  :  they  were  by  no  means  poor^ 
though  not  wealthy.  His  father  inherited  some  pa- 
trimony ;  and  he  had,  besides,  been  about  nine  years 
concerned  in  conducting  the  paper-manufactory  near 
Oermantown,  after  his  one-and-twentieth  year,  before 
be  purchased  the  Norriton  farm.  ^  This  part  of  his 
estate  he  was  enabled  to  give  to  his  eldest  son,  David, 
dboutihe  year  1704;  prior  to  which  time  the  old 
gMitlemati  removed  to  a  farm  he  had  purchased,  near- 

|9a)  This  fann  contained  about  one  hnadred  and  fifty  acres. 
It  was  lately  sold  by  the  heirs  of  Dr.  Rittenbousc. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  117 

ly  adjoining  it  in  Worcester  township^  and  on  which 
he  had  erected  a  good  two-story  stone  dwelling-honae 
with  saitable  out-hooses.  There  Mr.  David  Bitten- 
hoQse^s  father  and  mother  afterwards  resided^  together 
with  their  other  son,  Benjamin,  (the  house  being  se 
constracted  as,  conveniently,  to  accommodate  two 
small  families,)  until  the  death  of  old  Mrs.  Ritten- 
hoQse  in  the  autumn  of  1777;  &t  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years,  and  of  her  husband  in  the  autumn  of  1780^ 
in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age.  The  Worces- 
ter farm  was  left  to  the  younger  son :  and,  in  addi- 
tion to  these  not  inconsiderable  establishments  for  his 
sons,  the  old  gentleman  had  given  small  portions  to 
each  of  his  five  daughters,  when  they  severally  mar- 
ried. The  remains  of  this  worthy  and  upright  man^ 
for  he  truly  merited  that  character,  were  interred  in 
the  cemetery  belonging  to  a  Baptist  congregation,  in 
the  neighbourhood,  in  which  both  he  and  his  wife 
had  long  attended  divine  worship.  But,  some  years 
before  his  death,  the  old  gentleman  disposed  of  a  lot 
of  ground  very  near  to  his  own  house,— and  gratuU 
toualy^  if  the  writer's  information  be  correct, — ^to  a 
Presbyterian  congregation,  for  a  burial  place,  and  site 
for  a  church  they  were  then  about  to  erect.  If  tfaii 
little  piece  of  land  was  a  donation  to  the  religious  so- 
ciety to  whom  it  belongs,  the  grant  of  it,  though  not 
of  great  value,  furnishes  an  instance  of  that  liberaUtj 
of  sentiment  and  goodness  of  heart  which  character- 
ized onr  Astronomer's  father,  and  to  which  ^ome  al- 
lusion is  before  made. 


118  1IEM0IR8  OF 

When^  therefore^  all  the  circumstances  here  men* 
fioned,  respecting  Matthias  Rittenhouse's  property 
and  condition  of  life^  shall  be  taken  into  view,  it  will 
be  evident  that  he  possessed  a  decent  competency ; 
with  an  estate  quite  independent,  though  not  large : 
lor  he  never  enjoyed  what  is  now  termed  affluence. 

Concerning  our  Astronomer^s  early  life  and  condi- 
tion, even  his  eloquent  eulogist,  Dr.  Rush,  was  mis- 
taken in  some  particulars.  His  assertion,  that  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  was  descended  from  parents  ^^distin- 
guished for  probity,  industry,  and  simple  manners/' 
is  perfectly  correct.  But,  although  he  was  compara- 
tively '^humble''  in  his  ^^ origin,'^  his  father  held  the 
highly  respectable  station  of  an  intelligent,  indepen- 
dent farmer  f^^  and  it  has  been  also  seen,  that  his  pa- 
ternal ancestors,  for  some  generations  in  succession, 
were  proprietors  of  considerable  manufactories  of  an 
article  important  in  commerce  and  the  arts,  and  emi- 
nently useful  in  literature  and  science  as  well  as  in 
the  common  affairs  of  life. 

Dr.  Rush  has  remarked,  in  regard  to  Mr.  Ritten- 
loosens  talents  ftrst  becoming  generally  known,  that 
^'  the  discovery  of  his  uncommon  merit  belonged  chief- 
ty  to  his  brother-in-law,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  Dr. 
Smith,  and  the  late  Mr.  John  Lukens.'^    Perhaps  it 

(S9)  ^  Omnium  autem  rerum^  ex  quibus  aliquid  acquiritur, 
nihil  est  agriculture  melius,  nihil  uberius,  nihil  duleius,  nihil 
homine,  nihil  libero  dignius."    Cic.  De  Offic  ii.  42. 


PAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  liQ 

might  be  said^  with  greater  strictness^  that  the  ^^  dis- 
covery^^ here  spoken  of^  belonged  solely  to  Mr.  Bar* 
ton ;  by  whom  it  was  communicated,  very  early,  to 
his  learned  and  reverend  friend,  Dr.  Smith, — and 
through  him,  to  the  ingenious  astronomical  observer^ 
Mr.  Lukens,  (afterwards  surveyer-general,)  as  well  as 
some  other  distinguished  characters  of  that  time. 
The  writer  in  the  Maryland  paper  before  referred  to, 
after  having  noticed  the  prevailing  opinion  that  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  was  self-tatightn  had  corrected  the  full 
extent  of  that  misconception,  in  these  words  :  ^^  This 
is  not  strictly  true ;  for,  while  engaged  in  these  ac- 
quirements," (astronomy,  &c.)  '^  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bar- 
ton,  a  learned  episcopal   clergyman  of  Lancaster^ 

married  his  sister." ^'  Mr.  Barton,  admiring  the 

simplicity  of  manners  and  natural  genius  of  his  bra* 
ther-in-law,  afforded  him  every  assistance  in  his 
power, — not  only  in  mathematics,  but  in  several  other 
branches  of  literature :  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  worthy 
of  his  notice ;  for  he  lost  no  time,  and  spared  no  pains^ 
to  improve  himself  in  knowledge,  as  far  as  his  limited 
education  would  permit." 

Uence,  as  well  as  from  the  preceding  narrative^  it 
will  appear  that  Dr.  Rush  was  led  into  a  further  mis- 
take, respecting  Mr.  Rittenhouse. — In  regard  to  his 
exalted  genius,  the  learned  professor  has  amply  done 
justice  to  his  memory.  He  has,  in  particular,  recorded 
one  extraordinary  fact,  in  proof  of  his  genius,  well 
worthy  of  notice ;  and  which  is  therefore  related  ia* 


ISO  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  Professor's  own  words. ''  It  was  during  the 

nridence  of  our  iDgeoious  philosopher  with  his  father, 
in  the  country,  that  he  made  himself  master  of  Sir 
Imac  Newton's  Principiay  which  he  read  in  the  Eng- 
Ush  translation  of  Mr.  Motte.  It  was  here,  likewise^ 
lie  became  acquainted  with  the  science  of  Fluxions  ; 
of  which  sublime  invention  he  believed  himself,  for  a 
while,  to  be  the  author :  nor  did  he  know  for  some 
years  afterwards,  that  a  contest  had  been  carried  on 
between  Sir  Isaac  Newton  and  Leibnitz,  for  the  boo* 
our  of  that  great  and  useful  discovery/'  Then  ex- 
claims the  ingenious  eulogist,  in  terms  of  well-foand^^ 
ed  admiration,  ^^  What  a  mind  was  here !" — But^ 
immediately  after,  he  adds — ^'  WitJiout  literarnf 
friends  or  society^  and  with  but  two  or  three  books,  he 
became,  before  he  had  reached  his  four-and-twentieth 
year,  the  rival  of  two  of  the  greatest  mathematicians 
in  Europe!" — The  circumstance  must,  then,  have 
escaped  Dr.  Rush's  recollection — if  indeed  he  had 
f^ver  been  made  acquainted  with  it, — that  five  years 
before  Mr.  Rittenhouse  attained  to  the  age  of  twenty- 
four^  he  found  at  least  one  literary  friend,  in  Mr.  Bar- 
ton ;  whose  intimate  society  he  long  enjoyed,  prior  to 
ti^at  period;  and  that,  through  his  means,  he  had  ac- 
cess to  many  books.^^ 


*. 


.  {30)  The  opinion,  that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was,  in  his  youth  and 
tbe  first  years  of  his  manhood,  <<  without  literary  friends  or  so* 
dtety,  and  with  but  two  or  three  books/*  though  erroneous  in 
fiftct,  was  propagated  pretty  early ;  and  that  opinion  has,  since, 
|[eiieraUy  prevailed.    About  twenty-two  years  before  his  death,  a 


DAVID  ]UTT£NB0U8E.  iSi 

It  is  not  meant  to  be  insinuated;  however^  thai  Mr. 
Barton  ever  gave  Mr.  Rtttenhouse  any  insight  into 
the  knowledge  of  fluxions ;  or^  indeed^  much  instmc- 
(ion,  if  any  at  all,  in  other  of  the  higher  branches  of 

book  was  published  in  Philadelphia^  under  the  title  of  Ca9fiifdna*% 
Letters  ;  of  which  the  Rev.  Mr.  Duche,  then  assistant-minister 
of  Christ-church  and  St.  Peter's  in  that  city,  was  the  writer.  In 
that  pleasant  little  work,  its  amiable  and  worthy  author  (who  has 
been  dead  many  years)  has  thus  mentioned  our  philosopher. 
<'  After  taking  a  few  turns  in  the  garden,  we  walked  back  again) 
to  the  college,  where  we  had  appointed  to  meet  the  modest  and 
ingenious  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  who,  without  one  single  advantage 
from  a  firivate  tut  or  ^  or  public  education,  by  the  mere  force.of 
genius  and  industry,  may  now  justly  be  reckoned  the  first  astro- 
nomer and  mathematician  in  the  world." 

Under  such  circumstances  as  these,  it  is  by  no  means  a  matter 
of  surprise,  that  Dr.  Rush  should  have  been  led  into  a  similar 
mistake. 

It  is,  nevertheless,  truly  astonishing  to  find  an  American  wri- 
ter (the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Linn,)  who,  five  years  after  Dr  Ritten- 
house's  death,  published  in  Philadelphia,  where  both  resided*  a 
poem  entitled,  "  The  Powers  of  Genius ;"  but,  in  which  the 
name  of  Rittejnhouse  is  not  once  noticed !  And  yet  that  gen- 
tleman had  not  omitted  to  introduce,  in  one  of  his  notes,  an  ob- 
servation which  shews,  that  an  European  philosopher,  also  of 
sublime  genius,  was  present  to  his  mind's  eye ! — ^'^  From  the 
exhibitions  of  American  talents,"  said  Mr.  Linn,  "  I  indulge  the 
warmest  expectations.  I  behold,  in  imagination,  the  Newtons, 
the  Miltons,  and  the  Robertsons,  of  this  new  world ;  and  I  behold 
the  sun  of  genius"  (likewise  ^'  in  imagination,"  it  is  presumed,) 
^<  pouring  on  our  land  his  meridian  beams." 

The  writer  of  these  memoirs  believes  Dr.  Linn  to  have  been  a 
yerf  worthy,  as  well  as  an  ingenious  man:  as  such,  he  regrets 
his  premature  death,  and  entertains  a  respect  for  Us  memory. 
But  he  could  not,  in  justice  to  the  merit  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse's 
cliancter,  pass  unnoticed  so  unaccountable  an  omission  as  the 
out  just  montiMiedy  in  Or.  Linn's  Poem. 

Q 


IM  MEUOIRS  OF 

Mathematics :  beeause  the  first  named  gentleman  ne- 
irer  did  himself  pretend  to  the  character  of  a  profound 
mathematician ;  and  because^  likewise^  although  al- 
ways esteemed  a  man  of  learning,  his  pursuits  in  sci- 
ence and  literature  were  chiefly  directed  to  objects  of 
a  different  nature.    That  Mr.  Rittenhouse  derived 
some  instruction  and  information  from  his  early  ac- 
qoaintance  with  Mr.  Barton,  is  certain  :  but,  whatever 
lluiy  have  been  the  extent  of  the  literary  advantages 
.  which  the  latter  was  enabled  to  confer  on  his  young 
j  Ibiend  and  companion,  they  could  not  in  any  degree 
I  derogate  from  the  intrinsic  excellence  and  greatness 
of  our  Astronomer's  innate  genius. 

That  a  mind  so  formed  as  that  of  our  young  philoso- 
pher— situated  in  life  as  he  was — should  have  impel- 
led him  to  assume  the  business  of  clock-makiog,  can 
not  be  a  matter  of  surprize  :  this  occupation,  connected 
with  that  of  a  mathematical  instrument  maker,  is  such 
as  may  be  well  supposed  to  have  presented  itself  to 
his  youthful  ingenuity  ;  being  in  accordance  with  the 
philosophical  bent  of  his  genius  in  his  early  years^ 
while  yet  untutored  in  science  and  unknown  to  the 
world. 

The  great  utility  of  the  common  clock,  in  measur- 
iBg  time^  is  universally  known.  It  possesses  numerous 
and  manifest  advantages,  beyond  those  of  sun-dials^ 
depsydne,  sand-glasses,  and  other  horological  instru- 
nents^  by  reason  of  its  vastly  superior  accuracy  ;  the 


DAVID  KITTENHOUSE.  1S8 

suQ-dial^  indeed^  is  oftentimes  wholly  useless  in  all 
situations^  even  in  the  day-time ;  and  always  necessa- 
rily so^  at  night. 

Bat  the  many  improvements  which  have  been  made 
in  modern  times^  in  chronometers^ — more  especially 
in  pendulum-clocks, — ^have  very  much  advanced  a 
correspondent  accuracy  in  astronomical  observations : 
and  these  improvements,  together  with  those  lately 
made  in  telescopes — chiefly  by  Dr.  Herschel,  the  dis- 
coverer   of    the    Georgium    SidusP^^ — afford  •  good 

(31)  Dr.  Herschel,  by  means  of  Ills  admirable  telescopes,  the 
most  powerful  that  have  ever  been  constructed,  discoyered  on 
the  13th  of  March,  1781,  a  new  planet  without  the  orbit  of  Sa- 
turn, called  the  Georgium  Sidua.  The  newly  discovered  star  was 
thus  named  by  Dr.  Herschel  himself,  in  honour  of  his  patron 
King  George  III.  by  whose  bounty  he  was  enabled  to  construct, 
and  to  make  incessant  and  laborious  observations  with  those  won- 
derful telescopes,  by  which  this  astronomer  has  extended  our 
knowledge  of  the  planetary  and  sidereal  system,  far  beyond  its 
former  limits.* 

Some  astronomers  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  and  in  Ame- 
rica likewise,  have  affected  to  call  this  new  planet  Heruchcli 
while  others  have  endeavoured  to  give  it  the  name  of  UranuM. 
Would  it  not  be  well,  in  order  to  avoid  the  perplexity  and  confu- 


*  Herschel,  in  calling  his  newly-discovered  planet  by  the  name  of  his  patron, 
was  not  without  illustrious  precedents  for  so  doing.  When  Galileo  dbcovered 
the  four  Satellites  of  Jupiter,  in  the  year  1610,  he  named  them  the  JIAdicea 
Stdtra^  in  honour  of  the  family  of  Medici,  his  patrons.  And  Cassini,  who,  in 
the  years  I67I,  1672,  and  1684,  successively,  discovered  the  fifth,  the  third, 
and  the  first  and  second  Satellites  of  Saturn,  denominated  these  stars,  Sidera 
Lodoieeot  in  honour  of  Louis  XIV.  in  whose  reign,  and  observatory,  they 
vete  Ibit  discovered  The  fourth  Satellite  of  Saturn  (but  the  first  of  them» 
in  die  order  of  time,  that  was  known)  bad  been  previously  discovered  by 
jHuygeos,  sixteen  years  before  any  one  of  the  others  was  known  to  exist. 


i!H  1IBM0IR8  OF 

groQnds  for  hoping^  that  yet  further  and  more  import- 
ant additions  will  continue  to  be  made  to  the  recent 
discoveries  in  astronomy. 


arising  from  various  names  for  the  same  thing,  that  astrono- 
mers of  eminence  should  designate  this  planet,  in  future,  by  the 
name  which  the  discoverer— who,  it  may  be  presumed,  was  best 
entitled  to  give  it  a  denomination—- chose  to  apply  to  it  ?  It  is  a 
Strang^  kind  of  compliment  to  Dr.  Herschel,  if  it  could  have  been 
intended  as  a  mark  of  respect  to  him,  to  refuse  an  adoption  of 
that  name  which  he  had  assigned  to  his  own  discovery ;  even  by 
changing  it  for  that  of  the  Doctor  himself  I  He  wished  this  pla- 
11^  no  doubt,  to  retain  the  appellation  of  Georgium  Sidusj  as  ^ 
memorial  of  his  grateful  respect  for  his  royal  benefactor ;  and  in 
this  object  of  his  wish  he  would  be  disappointed,  by  changing  it 
for  any  other. 

The  name  Uranus  is  also  objectionable,  and  on  another  ground. 
XJVanus  was  a  fabulous  personage.  It  is  pretended,  that  in  the 
isle  called  PancAay,*  to  the  cast  of  Africa,  is  to  be  seen  on  a  co- 
lumn of  gold,  a  recital  of  the  principal  actions  of  Uranus,  toge- 
ther with  those  of  Saturn  and  Jupiter.  It  is  said  that  the  former 
was  the  most  ancient  king  in  the  world;  and  that,  having  been 
a  just  and  beneficent  man,  well  versed  in  the  knowledge  of  the 
stars,  he  was  the  first  who  offered  sacrifices  to  the  gods  of  hea- 
ven. We  are  also  told,  that  in  the  island  just  named  is  a  moun- 
tain, where  Uranus,  holding  the  sceptre  of  the  world,  took  ^reat 
pleasure  in  contemplating  the  firmament  and  the  stars.  Among 
the  sons  of  this  monarch,  according  to  the  same  fiction,  the  two 
most  distinguished  were  Atlas  and  Saturn,  who  partitioned  be- 
tween them  their  father's  kingdom  ;  and  Atlas,  who  in  the  divi- 
ami  acquired  the  sea-coasts,  is  said  to  have  excelled  in  astro- 
logy :  his  reign  is  placed  about  sixteen  hundred  years  before  the 
Christian  era,  and  he  is  therefore  ranked  as  a  co-temporary  of 
Moses. 


*  So  written  by  Lalande.  There  is  an  Asiatic  island  called  Panaj^  .*  it  is 
one  of  the  Philippines,  and  \m,  as  Jfan§fioy  is  said  to  do,  *^  to  the  east  of 
Afitea.** 


< 


DAYIB  RITTEKHOVSK.  IM 

Further  improvements  may  also  be  expected  to  take 
place,  in  the  construction  of  watches  and  other  springs 

Such  is  the  fabulous  history  of  Uranus !  whose  name  some 
Christian  philosophers  seem  desirous  to  perpetuate,  with  honour^ 
by  attaching  it  to  a  newly-discovered  world!  It  would  be  ex* 
tremely  difficult  if  not  impracticable  (and,  perhaps,  even  if  prac* 
ticable,  the  attempt  would  not  be  advisable  at  this  time  of  day,) 
to  abolish  such  of  the  names  of  the  heavenly  bodies  as  are  de* 
rived  from  the  appellations  of  the  false  gods  of  antiquity.  But  it 
appears  very  questionable,  whether  it  be  consistent  with  proprie* 
ty  and  a  due  regard  to  truth,  to  connect  fable,  in  any  mannet^ 
with  established  and  important  realities ;  or  whether  it  be  right 
to  dignify  the  heathen  mythology  and  the  preposterous  annals  of 
fabulous  ages,  by  unnecessarily  associating  any  thing  relating  to 
them,  with  objects  of  genuine  and  useful  science. 

Baron  Bielfeld  seems  to  entertain  similar  sentiments  on  this  bend, 
when  (treating  of  the  mathematics,  in  his  <'  Elements  of  Universal 
Erudition,'')  he  observes,  that  ^  the  fables  of  ancient  poets  con* 
ceming  the  stars,  and/'  he  adds,  <^  the  fancies  of  some  modem 
Christian  astronomers,  who  have  given  them  names  borrowed 
from  the  holy  scriptures,  do  not  deserve  the  least  attention,  when 
we  would  treat  seriously  on  this  science."  There  is  much  just* 
ness  in  this  pbservation  of  the  learned  and  ingenious  baron  x 
But  if  the  application  of  names  derived  from  sacred  writ,  to  the 
stars,  be  censurable  ;  how  much  to  be  condemned  among  Chris- 
tians is  the  practice  of  giving,  even  in  our  day,  and  in  a  science 
which  has  philosophical  truth  for  its  object,  the  names  of  heathen 
deities,  and  £iibulous  persons  of  antiquity,  to  the  celestial  bodies! 
Is  it  proper,  can  it,  in  any  way,  promote  the  interests  of  truo 
science  or  the  attainment  of  useful  knowledge,  thus  to  conmie'- 
morate  any  of  the  absurdities  of  a  false  and  impious  mythology; 
or  any  of  those  traditional  personages  of  the  early  ages,  whose 
history,  as  handed  down  to  us  in  the  reveries  of  the  ancient  poets 
and  other  profane  writers,  arc  either  enveloped  in  fable  or  inex- 
plicable mystery  ?  But  to  return  from  this  digression  :— 

Mr.  Lalande  remarks  in  his  great  work  on  astronomy,  which 
was  published  in  the  year  1792,  that  Louis  XIV.  gave  to  astro- 
nomers unceasing  marks  of  the  interest  he  took  in  their  labours ; 


J 


1S6  11EM6IRS  OF 

dtronometers ;  so  as  to  render  them  still  more  useful 
for  the  purposes  of  navigation;  by  ascertaining  with 
greater  precision  the  longitude  at  sea/^^    For  this 

aad  that  George  III.  occupied,  with  great  delight,  much  of  his 
tune  in  his  Observatory  at  Richmond,  as  well  as  in  Herschel's  at 
Slough.  In  his  own,  in  Richmond  Gardens,  the  king  of  England 
has  noble  and  beautiful  instruments ;  among  which  are  a  mural 
arch  of  1 40°  and  8  feel  radius,  made  by  Sisson,  a  sector  of  1 2 
feety  a  transit  telescope  of  8  feet,  made  by  Adams,  and  a  telescope 
of  10  feet  of  Herschel.  This  grand  Observatory  was  erected  in 
the  year  1770,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Bevis :  it  is  140  feet  in 
firoDt,  and  consists  of  two  stories. 

Such  princes,  then,  as  Louis  XIV.  and  George  III.  deserve  to 
be  honourably  mentioned  in  the  records  of  astronomical  science  : 
and  it  was  meritorious  in  Dr.  Herschel,  to  dedicate  to  so  munifi* 
cent  a  patron  and  promoter  of  astronomy  as  the  latter  sovereign, 
in  the  way  he  has  done,  hi^  important  discovery  of  a  new  planet. 

It  is  noticed  by  the  writer  of  the  article  "  Astronomy,"  in  Dr. 
Brewster's  Aew  Edinbur^^k  EncyclofiaUia^  (the  first  volume  of 
which  has  been  very  lately  reprinted  in  Philadelphia,)  that  the 
venerable  Herschel,*  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-two  years, 
sdll  continued  to  observe  the  heavens  with  the  most  unwearied 
aBftiduity :  and  that  his  contemplated  ^^  successor,"  who,  it  is  pre- 
sumed, is  his  soil,  <^  promises  to  inherit  the  virtues  and  the  ta- 
lents of  his  father." 

(32)  Philip  III.  king  of  Spsdn,  first  offered  a  reward  for  the 
discovery  of  the  longitude,  about  two  centuries  ago ;  and  the 
States  of  Holland,  soon  after,  followed  his  example.  The  Re- 
gent of  France,  during  the  minority  of  Louis  XV.  also  promised 
a  great  reward  to  any  person  who  should  discover  the  longitude 
at  sea. 


•  u 


Herschel,  witli  ample  mind  and  magic  glass, 
IMid  worlds  and  worlds  revolving  as  they  pass. 
Pours  the  full  clustered  radiance  from  on  high. 
Thai  f<ilhorolc!js  abvss  of  Deity." 

Furt.  ofl^t.  dial,  the  fourth. 


DAVII)  RITTEKHOUSE.  1387 

purpose^  the  finely-improved  English  time-keepers 
of  Harrison^  Mudge^  and  others,  have  been  found  of 
the  greatest  utility.  Mr.  de  Zach,  (in  his  Explana- 
tion and  uses  of  the  Tables  of  the  Motions  of  the 
Sun^^O  After     some    obser^'ations    on     determining 

In  the  year  1714,  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain  offered  a 
reward  for  a  like  discovery ;  and  if  the  method,  to  be  proposed^ 
should  determine  the  longitude  to  twenty  geographical  mileSy 
the  premium  was  to  be  twenty-thousand  pounds  sterling.  The 
act  of  parliament  established  a  board  of  Commissioners  of  the 
Longitude.  Several  other  acts  were  passed,  in  the  reigns  of 
Geo.  II.  and  III.  directed  to  the  same  purpose.  Finally,  in  tho 
year  1774,  all  those  acts  were  repealed,  by  one  offering  separate 
premiums  for  finding  the  longitude ;  either  by  the  lunar  method^ 
or  by  a  watch  keeping  true  time,— or  by  any  other  method  prac« 
ticable  at  sea.  This  act  proposes  as  a  reward  for  a  time-keepcfi 
5000/.,  if  it  determine  the  longitude  to  one  degree  or  sixty 
geographical  miles,— 7500/.,  if  to  forty  miles,— -and  10,000/.,  if 
to  thirty  miles.  If  the  method  be  by  improved  Solar  and  Lunar 
Tables,  constructed  upon  Sir  Isaac  Newton's  theory  of  gravita- 
tion, the  author  is  to  receive  5000/. ;  provided  such  Tables  shall 
show  the  distance  of  the  Moon  from  the  Sun  and  Stars  within 
fifteen  seconds  of  a  degree,  answering  to  about  seven  minutes  of 
longitude,  after  making  an  allowance  of  a  half  a  degree  for  the 
errors  of  observation.  The  Commissioners  have  the  power  of 
giving  smaller  rewards,  at  their  discretion,  to  persons  making 
any  discovery  for  finding  the  longitude  at  sea,  though  it  may 
not  be  within  the  above  limits. 

The  set  of  Solar  and  Lunar  Tables  which  were  sent  to  the 
Board  of  Longitude,  about  the  year  1763,  by  the  widow  of  tho 
celebrated  astronomer,  Tobias  Mayer,  were  honoured  with  a 
reward  of  3000/.  sterling,  by  an  act  of  the  British  parliament, 
in  consideration  of  their  great  usefulness  in  finding  the  longi* 
tude  at  sea. 

(33)  See  Mr.  de  Zach's  great  work,  entitled,  Tabula  Motuum 
Soiia  nov€  tt  correctly  Sec. 


y 


dU(S  MEMOIRS  OF 

differences  of  longitude  by  means  of  astronomical 
observation^  says/^^ — ^^De  cseteris  longitudinem  de- 

(34)  For  the  use  of  such  readers  as  may  not  be  acquainted 
with  the  Latin  language,  the  following  translation  of  the  above 
is  given^  from  the  original  of  Mr.  de  Zach. 

<<  Concerning  the  means  of  determining  the  longitude,  this  is 
not  the  proper  place  to  treat :  of  one,  however,  the  marine  or 
nautical  time-keeper,  it  will  not  be  foreign  to  our  purpose  to  say 
aomething. 

**  It  is  now  about  thirty  years,  since  those  very  ingenious 
makers  of  time-keepers,  Harrison,  Cummings,  Kendal,  Arnold, 
and  Mudge,  among  the  £nglish,-*Le  Roy,  and  Bcrthoud,  among 
the  French^— devised  various  and  excellent  ones  for  the  use  of 
Siavigators,  and  brought  to  a  great  degree  of  perfection  those 
marine  watches,  called  by  the  Engli^,  Time-keepers.  As 
every  one  knows  their  use  in  ascertaining  the  longitude,  on  a 
Mea-voyagCj  I  shall  not  say  any  thing  more  of  them  here.— -A 
aimilar  time-piece,  made  by  the  celebrated  watch-maker  Mr. 
Thomas  Mudgei  and  often  referred  to  in  the  royal  observatory 
of  Greenwich,  was,  in  1784,  made  use  of  by  the  Hon.  Vice- 
Admiral  (John)  Campbell,  commander  of  the  naval  squadron* 
on  the  Newfoundland  station, — going  thither  and  returning ;  and 
from  that  time  was  diligently  examined,  at  the  observatory  of 
IliB  Excellency  Count  Bruhl,  in  Dover  street  London. 

^  This  very  marine  time-piece  was  confided  to  my  charge, 
m  the  year  1786,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  longitudes 
of  my  journey  by  land ;  when,  called  from  London  by  his  Serene 
Highness  the  Duke  of  Saxe-Gotha, — ^the  patron  of  all  the  sci- 
ences and  liberal  arts,  but  more  especially  favouring  astronomy,^— I 
returned  to  Germany ;  where  the  erecting  of  a  complete  and  splen- 
did Observatory,  at  Gotha,  was  placed  under  my  direction,  f  I  then 
took  with  me,  by  the  conmiand  of  his  Serene  Highness,  a  watch 
of  a  smaller  size,  which  he  usually  carried  in  his  fob, — called  by 
the  English  a  Pocket-chronometer, — made  by  a  London  artist, 
Mr.  Josiah  Emery  :|  which,  being  made  with  the  greatest  ac- 

*  Here  is  a  reference,  in  the  text,  to  note  35. 
f  Here  is  a  reference,  in  the  text,  to  note  36. 
t  Here  it  a  rtfereoce,in  the  text,  to  note  37. 


DAVID  RITTENUOUSE.  1S9 

termiuandi  modis,  non  est  hie  disserendi  locus ; — de 
UDO  yero,  horologi^  maritiuia  seu  nai^ica,  qnidquam 
adjicere  iioti  alieiium  erit.  Triginta  jam  abhinc  annis^ 
iogeniosi<$simi  hovoldgioriiin  artifices,  Harrison,  Cum- 
miiigs,  Kendal,  Arnold,  Mudge,  apud  Anglos, — lie 
Ray  et  Berthoud  apnd  Gallos,  varia  navigantium  usui, 
egregia  excogitaverant,  et  ad  maguutn  perduxerant 
perfectionis  gradum,  liorologia  nautica,  ( Anglis^  Time* 
keeper.)  Cum  eorum  in  longitudinibus  itenere  mari- 
timo  definiendis,  usum  quisque  norit,  plura  hie  dicere 
abstineo ;  simile  horologium  ab  ingenioso  horolopega 
Thom.  Mudge  couslructum,  in  Observatorio  Regio 
Grenovicensi  ssepius  exploratum^  anno  1784^  a  Clar. 


curacy  and  ingenuity,  yielded  nothing  in  point  of  correctness  to 
the  larger  nautical  time-keepers,  as  may  be  seen  from  three  ta- 
bles of  their  movements  by  the  illustrious  Count  Bruhl,  and  also 
of  others,  by  Dr.  Arnold,  lately  established  by  authenticated  cer- 
tificates. 

"About  the  end  of  the  year  1786  and  the  beginning  of  1787, 
I  accompanied  His  Serene  Highness,  in  a  tour  through  Ger- 
many, France  and  Italy.  In  this  journey,  the  longitudes  of  se- 
veral places  and  astronomical  observatories  were  determined,  from 
a  comparison  of  the  time  of  a  nautical  time-keeper  (which  was 
set  by  the  solar  mean  time  in  Dover  street,  ^ondon,)  with  the 
mean  time  of  the  place  ;  which  appears  by  the  altitudjss  of  the 
SOD,  by  Hadley's  sextant— those  which  we  call  correafionding^ 
or  by  a  comparison  with  it,  as  transmitted  to  us  in  observatories, 
by  those  astronomers.  By  the  same  instruments,  therefore,  when 
I  arrived  at  Gotha,  I  ascertained  the  longitude  of  the  future  ob- 
servatory there,  with  the  greatest  care  and  attention;  which  the 
Duke,  going  to  London  a  few  days  after,  taking  with  him  his 
chronometer,  at  length  fully  verified." 


ISO  MBltOIRS  OF 

9«  Can]^bell^  classis  navalis  pnefecto^^'^  ad  Terram 
KlMram  (Newfoundland)  vecdum^  et  redactum^  ab  hoc 
telBpore  in  Observatorio  Excellentissimi  Gomitis  de 
Bhlhl^  Londini^  Doverstreet,  assidne  observatuiu  est. 
Hoe  ipsum  horologium  maritimum^  anno  1786^  in  ter- 
ibitribus^  iteneris  longitadines  determinandi  gratia^ 
Miiereditam  mihi  fait^  cum  &  Serenissimo  Duee  Saxe- 
Qbthani^  omnium  scientiarum  bonarumque  artium 
pMrono^  imprimis  astronomiaB^  faventissimo^  Londino 
fetoeatus  in  Germaniam  me  conferrem^  ubi  amplissims 
il|lendidissim»  SpeculsB^  AstronomicsB  Gothan»  ex- 
tM6iid»  cura  mihi  demandata  erat  ^^^  attuli  eodem 

(35)  Sundry  astronomical  observations  were  made  by  this 
officer,  while  a  captsdn  in  the  British  navy,  in  the  years  1757,  8, 
and  9 ;  which  were  reported  to  the  admiralty  on  the  I4th  of 
April,  1760,  by  Dr.  Bradley,  then  astronomer-royal.  See  Dr. 
Bradley's  letter  of  that  date,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Admiralty ; 
published  (among  other  papers)  in  the  year  1770,  by  order  of 
Um  board  of  longitude,  at  the  end  of  T.  Mayer's  Tables  and  Me- 
thod of  finding  the  Longitude ;  edited  by  Dr.  Maskelync. 

i(36)  The  Observatory,  a  very  handsome  and  respectable  one, 
was  cionstructed  at  Gotha  in  the  year  1788,  under  the  aus^ces 
of  the  then  reigning  Duke  of  Saxe-Ootha,  a  zealous  patnm  of 
astronomy.  It  is  placed  on  an  eminence,  a  league  from  the  city, 
and  is  built  entirely  of  hewn  stone.  Mr.  de  Zach,  a  native  of 
fiiuigary,  an  experienced  astronomer,  was  appointed  by  the  duke 
tts' director. 

'  "^llie  instruments  with  which  the  Gotha  Observatory  is  furnish- 
ed  are  chiefly  English,  as  are  those  of  most  of  the  celebrated 
Buiropean  observatories.  Among  these,  is  a  transit  telescopet 
bf  Ramsden ;  and  Mr.  Lalande  mentions,  in  his  Mtronomie  (in 
the  year  1792,)  that  there  were  to  be  added,  two  murals  of  eight 
fset  radius,  an  entire  circle  of  eight  feet  diameter,  a  great  zenith- 
sectori  (cc«  but  that  Mr.  Ramsdeui  who  was  employed  to  make 


DAVW  RltT£NH0U8£.  481 

hoe  tempore^  ad  Serenissimi  mandatum^  ninoris  moUi 
horologiuiii^  quod  ia  braccis  gestari  solet  (AngUa^ 

Ui€mi  found -great  difficulty  in  supplying  all  the  demands  fiouria* 
strumentSi  which  his  great  reputation  occasioned. 

It  is  well  known,  that  the  first  improvements  in  astronomical 
instruments  took  place  in  Great-Britain ;  and  both  Lalande  aad 
de  2«acht  aa  well  as  other  foreign  astronomers  of  eminence}  haY« 
done  ample  justice  to  the  superior  ingenuity  and  skill  of  the  ai> 
tbts  of  that  country,  in  this  department  of  mechanism.  The  in- 
genious Mr.  Edmund  Stone,  in  his  Sufifilement  to  the  Mngli^ 
Thinsiatian  qf  Mr,  Bion*9  Conatruction  and  Use  qf  Mat&ematkql 
Instruments^  (published  in  1758,  nearly  forty  years  after  he  tran^^ 
lated  Mr.  Bion's  work  into  English,)  observes^-that,  having  se| 
about  the  business  (the  translating  of  this  latter  work,)  he  aooi^ 
perceived  that  many  French  instruments  were  excelled  by  Siomp^ 
of  the  English  of  the  same  kind,  in  contrivance ;  and  that)  aa  ta 
workmanship,  he  never  did  see  one  French  instrument  so  wei} 
framed  and  divided  as  some  English  have  been*  ^For  ex- 
ample," says  Mr.  Stone»  "  Mr.  Sutton's  quadrants,  made  abovo 
one  hundred  years  ago,"  (before  the  middle  of  the  seventeenth 
century,)  <<are  the  finest  divided  instruments  in  the  world;  and 
the  regularity  and  exactness  of  the  vast  number  of  circles  drawa 
upon  them,  is  highly  delightful  to  behold.  The  mural  quadrant 
at  the  Royal  Observatory,  at  Greenwich,  far  exceeds  that  of  the 
Royal  Observatory  at  Paris.  Also,  the  theodolites  of  Mes^%. 
Sisso^  and  Heath,  the  clocks  and  watches  of  Messrs.  Graham^ 
Tom^Mon  and  Quare,  the  orreries  of  Mr.  Graham  and  Mr*. 
Wright,  and  many  more  curiously  contrived  and  well  execute4 
mathematical  instruments  which  I  could  mention,  iar  excee4 
those  of  the  French,  or  indeed  any  otlier  nation  in  the  world-!-? 
The  making  good  mathematical  instruments,"  continues  Mr. 
Stonet  **  is  almost  peculiar  to  the  English ;  as  we|l  as  their  skill 
in  all  brapches  of  the  mathematics  and  natural  philosophy  baa 
been  generally  superior  to  that  of  other  natipns." 

Without  Yrishing  to  derogate  from  the  justly  acquired  fame  of 
Britiah  artiatSy  for  the  excellence  of  their  m^envatical  ^d  a^? 
troiMnnical  instruments,  M.  Rittenhousc's  a^l  and  accuracjf^ 
displayed  in  such  as  he  made,  stand  unsurpassed  by  simile  works 


Ids  MBMOIRS  OF 

Foeket-ehronometer^)  a  Londioiensi  artifice^  D.  Josiah 
Sttery/'^^  constnictum^  qood  surami   accaratione  et 

dC  their  most  celebrated  mechanicians :  while  his  profoundness 
ia  astronomical  science,  and  his  wonderful  in.q^enuity  of  inven- 
tion and  contrivance,  manifested  in  the  construction  of  his  Or- 
rery, leave  him  without  a  rival,  in  the  two-fold  character  of  an 
Astronomer  and  a  Mechanic.  The  idea  of  the  fine  planetarian 
machine  constructed  by  Mr.  Rowley,  under  the  name  of  the  Or- 
rery,  and  supposed  to  have  been  invented  by  Mr.  Graham,  is  ssdd 
to  have  been  taken  from  a  very  similar  machine,  of  which  that 
eminent  philosopher.  Dr.  Stephen  Hales,  had  the  credit  of  being 
the  original  contriver.  But  Mr.  Rittenhousc  was,  incontroverti- 
bly,  the  Inventor,  as  well  as  the  Maker,  of  that  sublimely -con- 
ceived and  unrivalled  machine,  which  bears  the  name  of  the  Rit- 
tenhouse-Orrery :  and  Dr.  Morse,  in  noticing  some  of  the  more 
prominent  productions  of  scientific  ingenuity  and  skill,  in  Ame- 
rica, observes,  with  good  reason,  that  ''every  combination  of 
machinery  may  be  expected  from  a  country,  a  native  son  of  which,** 
(referring  in  a  note  to  "  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq.  of  Pennsylva- 
nia,") ^'  reaching  this  inestimable  object  in  its  highest  point,  has 
epitomised  the  motions  of  the  spheres  that  roll  throughout  the 
universe.**  See  Morse's  American  Geography^  first  published  in 
1789. 

(37)  The  accuracy  of  some  of  the  fine  pocket-chronometers 
constructed  by  the  celebrated  artists  named  by  Mr.  de  Zach, 
and  by  some  others,  such,  for  instance,  as  the  one  made  by  Emery 
for  the  count  de  Bruhl,  mentioned  in  the  text,  has  rendered  themi 
on  some  occasions,  useful  assistants  in  making  astronomical  ob- 
senrations  on  land.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  occasionally  used  one  for 
such  purposes,  many  years.  It  was  an  excellent  pocket-watchy 
made  by  Lc  Roy  of  Paris  for  the  late  Matthias  Barton,  Esq.  who 
ifas  induced  to  let  Dr.  Rittenhouse  have  it.  After  his  decease, 
this  watch  was  gratuitously  restored  to  its  former  proprietor,  by 
Mrs.  Rittenhouse*s  desire,  and  as  a  testimonial  of  what  she  knew 
to  Imve  been  her  fitfe  husband's  regard  for  his  nephew.  Mr.  M. 
Barton  bequeathcfalt,  by  his  last  will,  to  his  brother  and  physi- 
cian, Dr.  Benjamin  S.  Barton. 


DAVID   RITTfiNHO08E.  188 

flubtilitate  elalM>ratuin,  nil  majoribus  eedit  horologiis 
naotieis,  ut  videre  lieet  ex  tribus  horam  motuum  elen^ 
chis  ab  Illustr.  Gomite  de  Brnbl,  et  a  aliorum  Dr.* 
Arnold,  nuperrime  publici  juris  factis.  Sub  finent 
anni  1786  et  ad  initium  17^7^  Serenissimum  in  iteneK 
per  Grermaniam,  Galliam,  et  Italiam^  comitatus  sum  :* 
hoc  itenere  quorundam  locorum  et  Specularum  astro- 
nomicarum  longitudines  deflnitse  sunt  ex  comparatione' 
iemporis  horologii  maritimi  (quod  ad  tempus  solan 
medium  Londincnse^  in  Doverstreet  incedebat)  cub* 
tempore  medio  loci^  quod  sextante  Hadleiana  per  solia 
altitudines^  quas  correspondentes  dicimus,  vel  ex  com- 
paratione  cum  illo,  quod  in  Speculis  Astronomicis  ab 
ipsis  astronomis  traditum  nobis  fuit.  lisdem  itaque 
automatis^  cum  primum  Gotham  advenissem^  observa- 
tmrii  futuri  longitudinem  maxima  cum  cura  atque  dili- 
gentia  definivi^  quam  paucis  post  diebus  Serenissimus 
Dux  Londinum  profectus,  chronometro  suo  secum 
deportato  denuo  perbelle  comprobaveraf 

This  very  respectable  testimony  of  an  eminent  Ger- 
man astronomer  affords  incontestable  proof  of  the  great 
accuracy^  of  which  nautical  chronometers  are  suscep-' 
tible^  and  to  which  they  have  actually  been  brought 
by  some  artists  of  celebrity^  mostly  English.^^ 

(38)  The  Memoirs  of  the  Royal  Academy  of  Sciences  at  PariSf 
for  the  year  1739|  contain  an  article  that  furnishes  additional 
CTidence  of  the  extraordinary  skill  and  ingenuity  manifested  by 
Engti^  artists  in  the  construction  of  watches,  as  well  as  other 
pieces  of  mechanism  which  require  great  accuracy  in  the  work- 


IM  IIKMOIXB  OP 

'  The  general  use  of  the  common  eloek  ought  not  to 
toogate  from  the  ingenuity  of  an  invention  of  sueh 
universal  importance  in  the  affairs  oi  human  life« 
The  pendulum-clock  no\^  in  use  was  brought  to 
•ome  degree  of  perfection,  if  not  invented^  by  Huy- 
^ans^^^  who  was  one  of  the  first  mathematicians-  and 

lasnship:  it  forms  a  pleasant  little  narrative  in  aH  euloglum  on 
Father  Sebastian,*  a  Carmelite  Friar  of  singular  mechanical  inge- 
nuity ;  and  it  indicates,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  repeating- 
valch  was  invented  in  England.    The  story  is  thus  told  :«— 

^  Charles  II.  roy  d'Anglcterre,  avoit  envoy6  au  feu  roi  deux 
Montres  i  Repetition ;  les  /iremicres  gu'on  ait  vuea  en  France, 
EUes  ne  pouvoient  s*ouvrir  que  par  une  secrete  pr6caution  des 
QQTriers  Angiois,  pour  cacher  la  nouvelle  construction,  et  %*tai 
ataurer  d'autant  plus  la  gloire  et  le  profit.  Les  montres  se 
d6rang6rent,  et  furent  remises  entre  les  mains  de  M.  Martineau, 
horloger  du  roi,  qui  n*y  put  travailler  faute  de  les  s^avoir  ouvrir. 
II  dit  a  M.  Colbert,  et  c'est  un  trait  de  courage  digne  d'etre  re* 
marqu6,  qu'il  ne  connoissoit  qu'un  jeune  Carme  capable  d*ouvrir 
les  montres,  ques'il  n'y  reussbsoit  pas,  il  falloit  se  resoudre  d  les 
renvoyer  en  Angleterre.  M.  Colbert  consentit  qu'il  les  donn&t 
au  P.  Sebastien,  qui  les  ouvrit  assez  promptement,  et  de  plus  les 
raccommoda  sans  S9avoir  qu'  elles  6toient  au  roi,  ni  combien  6toit 
important  par  ses  circonstances  I'ouvrage  dont  on  I'avoit  charg^.'' 

(39)  This  great  man,  who  was  the  son  of  Christian  Huygens 
lord  of  Zuylichem,  a  counsellor  qf  the  prince  of  Orange,  was 
iMMrn  in  the  year  1629,  at  Zuylichem,  in  the  province  of  Guelder- 
"kodf  the  country  of  the  ancestors  of  Rittenhouse.  Having  re- 
aided  for  some  time  in  France,  he  quitted  that  country  on  account 
ef  his  religion,  in  1684,  in  consequence  of  the  revocation  of  the 
edict  of  Nantes.  He  died  in  Holland  in  1695,  at  the  age  of  sixty- 

QaUiico,  who  was  a  native  of  Florence,  livi^d  to  the  age  of  eigh* 
If f«eyen  years.  He  died  fifty-three  years  before  Jiuygeni^ ;  an4 
about  fourteen  before  Huygens's  applicatioa  of  the  pendulum  to 

*  His  baptismal  name  was  John  Truthet. 


DAVfO  HITTBraOUSE.  Itt 

MtnHiDmeirs  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived :  aiid  the 
dmie  of  this  inventbn  is  aboat  the  middle  of  the  sei» 
▼enteenth  century;  although  Gallileo  disputed  with 
him  the  dlscoTery^  a  few  years  earlier.  Clocks  ai 
9&me  kind  date  their  antiquity  much  higher;  soma 
writers  pretending  to  carry  their  invention  baek  ad 
far  as  the  year  010  of  the  Christian  era.  However^ 
on  the  authority  of  Conrad  Gesner/^^  the  honont  of 
inventing  the  clocks  before  the  application  of  the  pen* 
dulam  to  these  machines  was  made  by  Huygens^  be« 
longs  to  England :  He  says^  that  ^^  Richard  Wal* 
lingford^  an  English  abbot  of  Bt.  Albans^  who 
flourished  in  the  year  1326^  made  a  wonderful  clock 
by  a  most  excellent  art ;  the  like  of  which  could  not 

clocks,  so  as  to  effect  an  isochronal  regulation  of  their  movements. 
Gallileo's  use  of  the  pendulum,  for  the  purpose  of  measuring- 
tune,  seems  to  have  been  nothing  more  than  the  annexation  of  a 
short  pendulum  to  clock-work. 

(40)  This  celebrated  naturalist  and  physician,  who  was  styled 
by  Boerhaave,  Monatrum  ^ruditionis^  was  bom  at  Zurich  in  1 5 1 6  ; 
He  vras,  probably,  of  the  same  family  as  that  of  the  late  Solomon 
Gesner  the  poet,  who  was  a  native  of  the  same  city,  and  appear* 
ed  more  than  two  centuries  afterwards.  Conrad  Gesner  was  sA 
f&tinguished  a  writer,  as  a  naturalist,  that  he  was  called  the 
Pliny  of  Germany.  A  splendid  edition  of  Pliny's  Natural  Hu« 
tory ,  under  the  title  of  the  HUtoria  Mundi  of  Caius  Plinius  Se« 
cundus,  with  a  dedication  by  Erasmus  to  Stanislaus  Turao,  bi- 
diop  of  Olmutz,  was  printed  at  Basil,  by  Froben,  so  early  as 
1525.  This  copy  of  Pliny  (wh^ch  is  now  very  rare)  having  beea 
published  in  the  vicinity  of  Conrad  Gesner,  during  his  yoathy 
that  circttmstance  may  have  prompted  him  to  direct  his  attentkn 
to  those  pursuits  in  science,  which  distinguii^ied  this  learned 
Swiss. 


i86  MEMOIRS   OF 

be  produced  in  all  Earope/'^*^^  This  was  forty-six 
feMs  before  Henry  de  Yic^  a  German,  made  his  clock 
for  Charles  V.  king  of  France ;  and  fifty-six  years 
Jkefore  the  duke  of  Burgundy  ordered  one,  which 
lounded  the  hour,  to  be  carried  away  from  the  city  of 
(Dpcurtray,  in  Flanders. 

Within  our  own  day  and  a  short  period  of  time 
preceding  it,  great  improvements  have  been  made  in 
the  construction  of  the  pendulum-clock,^^^^  as  well  as 

(41)  About  two  centuries  after  that  period  when  the  sciences 
had  begun  to  revive  and  the  mechanical  arts  to  Rourish,  the 
construction  of  clocks  appears  to  have  been  much  improved. 
And  in  the  reign  of  Henrf  VIII.  a  stately  clock  was  made  by 
an  artist,  the  Initials  of  whose  name  are  *^N.  O.'*  in  the  year 
1540,  and  placed  in  the  royal  palace  at  Hampton-Court.  This 
not  only  shewed  the  hour  of  the  day,  but  an  orrery-part,  connect- 
ed with  it,  exhibited  the  motion  of  the  sun  through  all  the  signs 
of  the  zodiac,  and  also  of  the  moon,  with  other  matters  depend- 
ing on  them.  A  similar  one,  in  the  cathedral  of  Lunden  in  Den- 
mark, is  mentioned  by  Heylin :  But  Martin,  in  his  Philosofihia 
Britannicaj  speaks  of  a  piece  of  clock-work  in  the  cathedral  of 
Strasburg,  in  Alsace ;  <^  in  which,  besides  the  clock-part,  is  the 
celestial  globe  or  sphere,  with  the  motions  of  the  sun,  moon, 
planets  and  fixed  stars,  Sec."  This  was  finished  in  the  year  1574, 
knd  is  represented  as  being  much  superior  to  a  pompous  clock  at 
Lyons,  in  France,  which  also  has  an  orrery  department. 

(43)  The  first  pendulum-clock  made  in  England,  was  in  the 
year  1662,  by  Mr.  Fromanteel,  a  Dutchman. 

In  the  library-hall  of  the  Philadelphia  Library -Company,  is 
one  of  the  clocks  made  by  that  artist,  having  this  inscription 
engraven  on  its  face,  ^^Johannea  Fromanteel,  Londini,  fecit  ;** 
Vut  without  any  date.  This  clock  was  a  donation  to  the  library- 
companyi  in  the  year  1804,  by  Mr.  Samuel  Hudson,  of  Philadcl- 


BAVIB   RITTENHOUSE.  187 

in  other  descriptions  of  Chronometers/^^  Mr«  Bit* 
tenhoase^s  early  zeal  in  his  practical  researches  into 

phuty  whose  ancestor  purchased  it  at  an  auction  in  London»  after 
the  restoration  of  king  Charles  II.  The  traditional  account  of  it 
is,  that  it  belonged,  originally,  to  the  Cromwell  family;  and^ 
when  presented,  was  said  to  be  one  hundred  and  forty  years  oldt 
but  it  could  not  have  been  the  property  of  the  protector,  Crom- 
well, the  time  of  whose  death  was  between  three  and  four  years 
anterior  to  Fromanteel's  construction  of  a  pendulum-clock. 

(43)  Beudes  the  testimony  of  so  distinguished  an  astronomer 
as  IVlr.  de  Zach,  already  given,  respecting  the  very  great  accu- 
racy to  which  time-keepers  have  been  brought,  the  following 
transladon,  taken  from  what  the  celebrated  Lalande  has  said  in 
bis  treatise  Dea  Horloges  Mironomiguesf  (in  the  second  volume 
of  his  Mtronomicy)  furnishes  some  curious  and  interesting  facts 
on  that  subject. 

^  Short  (the  mathematical  instrument  maker,)  upon  the  occa* 
sioQ  of  the  transit  of  mercury  over  the  sim  observed  in  1753, 
assures  us  that  he  had  found  by  many  observations,  that  his  clock 
bad  not  varied  more  than  one  second,  from  the  22d  of  February 
to  the  6th  of  May  (Philoa  Trans.  1753,  p.  200;)  so  that,  with  a 
tike  pendulum,  it  is  possible  to  obtain  an  eitactness  which,  till 
this  timie,  was  thought  incredible.  There  are  English  astrono- 
mers who  have  assured  me,"  continues  Lalande,  *'  that  pendulum- 
clocks  have  been  made  which  did  not  vary  more  than  five^  in  a 
year  i*  but  that  does  not  appear  to  me  to  be  yet  established  as  a 
fact ;  the  oils  that  one  is  obliged  to  use  in  them  ar6  sufficient, 
by  the  change  of  consistency  they  undergo,  to  prevent  such  pre- 
ciaenest.  The  count  de  Bruhl,  a  great  amateur  and  a  perfect 
connoisseur  also,  on  the  subject  of  time -pieces,  shewed  me  in 
I/mdiMi  a  diary  of  the  going  of  two  pendulums  of  Mudgc,  one  of 
the  moat  celebrated  clock-makers  in  London :  in  one,  there  was 
a  difference  of  half  a  second  a  day,  between  winter  and  summer; 

*  Even  wfttches  have  been  slready  brought  to  an  inconceivable  d^^ree  of 
eiactnese.  Mr.  Arnold  and  Mr.  Ifimery  made  some,  in  the  year  I7869  whith 
did  not  vary  one  second  in  a  voyage  of  an  liundred  leagues. 


1S9  MEMOIRS  01^ 

astronomy^  piompted  him  to  desire  the  greatest  possi- 
ble accuracy  in  the  construction  of  time-pieces  adapt- 
ed to  astronomical  purposes ;  and  uniting^  as  he  did, 
operative  skill  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the 
principles  upon  which  their  coustruction  depends^  he 
was  enabled — impelled  by  so  powerful  a  motive — to 
display  to  the  world,  by  his  own  manual  ingenuityi 
the  near  approach  to  perfection  to  which  the  pendulum- 
chronometer  may  be  brought.  Besides  his  astronomi- 
cal pursuits,  his  early  employment  in  ascertaining  the 
limits  and  fixing  the  territorial  boundaries  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  of  some  of  the  neighbouring  states^ 
obliged  him  to  supply  himself  with  chronometers  of 
the  greatest  possible  accuracy  :  and  these  were  either 
made  by  his  own  hands,  or  under  his  immediate  in- 
spection by  his  brother,  who,  with  the  aid  of  his  in- 
struction,  became  an  excellent  mechanician.  One  of 
.  these  fine  instruments,  bearing  ou  its  face  the  name  of 
Benjamin  Rittenhouse  as  the  maker,  and  the  date  of 
the  year  17^6,  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Norton 

and  in  the  other  a  second.  Mr.  Aubert  has  a  pendulum  made  bf 
Shelton,  which  vai*ies  also  nearly  a  second  in  the  day^  in  extreme 
seasons.  Picard,  in  167 1  j  had  a  clock  which  did  not  lose  a  second 
"in  two  months  But,  whatever  may  have  been,  since  .that  period, 
the  skill  of  tlie  clock-makers  of  Paris,  we  cannot  obtain  such 
'  exactness,  but  by  mere  accident  and  an  equality  of  temperatnre 
in  the  atmosphere  that  is  very  rare :  now,  the  correctness  of  oor 
clocks  is  a  necessary  consequence  of  their  principles;  but  these  do 
2iot  go  so  far.  Mr.  Emery  has  observed  two  clocks  beat  the  same 
second,  during  three  months ;  they  were,  however,  \cry  near  to 
each  other,  and  probably  had  some  influence  on  one  another  1^ 
means  of  their  fixit-board  or  support." 


DAVID  BITtENBOUdE.  iSft 

Prior/^^  of  Philadelphia:  bat  that  admirable  one^ 
the  workmanship  of  which  was  exeeated  by  oar 


(44)  This  gentleman's  name  is  connected  with  anodier  cir* 
c)mistance  in  relation  to  Mr.  D  Rittenhouse,  which  desenres  to 
be  noticed.  He  is  in  possession  of  a  finely-graduated  thermo- 
meter, made  by  otir  Philosopher ;  on  the  scale  of  which  is  en* 
frayed,  by  him,  the  record  of  a  memorable  fact  concerning  the 
climate  of  Pennsylvania,  referring  by  a  mark  to  22^  below  0,  of 
Fahrenheit's  scale;  viz. — "7a«.  2.  1762— Gr^r  Coldin  Pennsyl" 
twnfa."  This  fact  was  ascertained  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  from  a 
leference  to  the  accurate  Messrs.  Masona  and  Dixon's  Journal  ^ 
in  which,  such  was  stated  to  have  been  the  degree  of  cold  in  the 
forks  of  the  Brandywine  (about  thirty  miles  westward,  and  very 
little  to  the  southward,  from  Philadelphia,)  on  the  day  men* 
tioned. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  bad  noticed,  that,  at  his  Norriton  Observatory) 
(in  lat  40**  9'  3 1"  N.)  the  mercury  in  Fahrenheit's  thermometer^ 
not  exposed  to  the  sun-shine  but  open  to  the  air,  was  at  94^^, 
on  the  5th  of  July  1769;  <<  which,"  says  he,  <<was  the  greatest 
height  it  had  ever  been  observed  to  rise  to,  at  that  place."  But 
the  writer  is  informed  by  a  judicious  and  attentive  observer,  that 
at  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania,  which  is  in  lat.  40^  ^  3^'  N.  (the^ 
long,  of  this  borough-town  is  5*^  V  4"  W.  from  Greenw.)  the 
mercury  rose  by  Fahrenheit's  scale,  on  the  7th  of  July,  1811,  to 
97^  ^.  Admitting  this  to  be  correct,  if  1|  <^  be  then  deducted,  for 
the  extra  heat  of  so  large  a  town  as  Lancaster  in  comparisbn  vnth 
a  country-situation,  there  is  in  this  case  the  great  range  of  1 IS^ 
by  Fahrenheit's  s^ale,  for  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold  in  Pena- 
tylvania. 

The  writer  brought  with  himi  from  Elnglandi  a  meteorological 
diary  kept  in  London,  during  die  severe  frost  there,  from  the  7th 
day  of  January,  1776,  to  the  28th  of  the  same  month,  both  days 
taclasire.  The  greatest  cold,  during  that  period,  was  15^  and  it 
Is  thus  noted,  in  respect  to  the  state  of  the  atmosphere  at  the 
time;  «  Clear  sky^-^dnterue  co/rf— wind  west."  The  mercury 
rose  on  one  day,  within  that  time,  to  34^.  The  mean  degree  of 
cold,  fai  the  tame  period,  was  there  26|  ^. 


140  MEMOIRS   OF 

iMopber  himself^  and  which  was  part  of  the  apparatas 
of  his  Philadelphia  Observatory,  is  now  placed  in  the 
kail  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society /^^^  This 
is  constructed  on  a  greatly  improved  plan  of  his  own^ 
Which  improvement  was  afterwards  applied  to  that 
now  belonging  to  Mr.  Prior ;  and  the  latter  is  the 
same  chronometer,  it  is  believed,  that  was  used  by 
Mr.  D.  Rittenhouse,  in  fixing  the  northern  line  which 
divides  Pennsylvania  from  New  York,  and  in  esta- 
blishing the  boundary  line  between  the  last  mentioned 
state,  and  Pennsylvania  and  Massachusetts,  respec- 
tively, in  the  years  1786  and  1787» — A  descriptton  of 

The  greatest  cold  at  Philadelphia,  during  the  same  days  of 
January,  1776,  was  at  17**,  but  the  mercury  rose  there,  on  one  of 
those  days,  to  48**.  The  mean  degree  of  cold  at  Philadelphia,  in 
this  corresponding  period  of  time,  was  29^*^;  being  about  2^® 
wanner  (or  rather,  less  cold,)  than  the  general  temperature  of 
the  weather  in  London,  at  the  same  time,  in  what  was  there  called 
a  «  severe  frost."  Eighty-five  degrees  of  Fahrenheit's  scale  is 
considered  as  a  very  extraordinary  heat,  in  London :  consequently^ 
a  range  of  68^  may  be  presumed  to  reach  the  extremes  of  heat 
and  cold  in  England,  in  the  latitude  of  nearly  52<>  N.* 

Notwithstanding  the  extremes  of  heat  and  cold,  which  thus 
appear  in  the  climate  of  Pennsylvania,  Mr.  Jefferson  remarks  (in 
his  Ab/e«  6n  Virginia^  that  these  extremes  are  greater  at  Paris 
than  at  Williamsburg,  the  hottest  part  of  Virginia.  Yet  Wil- 
liamsburg, which  is  only  about  SJ**  to  the  southward  of  Philadel- 
phia, b  nearly  1 1^*»  further  south  than  Paris. 

(45)  See  a  description  of  this  Chronometer,  in  ttic  Appendix. 

4. 

•  Since  writing  the  above*  the  author  has  ascertained,  that  in  London,  dur- 
ing the  four  last  years  of  the  last  century,  8«*s  thermometer,  out  of  doocf , 
averaged  49. 6 ;  that  on  the  hottest  day  within  that  period,  the  mercury  rose 
to  86;  and  that  it  fell,  on  the  coldest  day,  to  4. 


DAVID  RiTTENlftOUSE.  14i 

the  principles  of  his  observatory-chronomeier  heie 
mentioned^  toge  ther  with  some  account  of  its  me- 
chanism^ will  be  found  in  the  Appendix  :  the  former 
having  been  communicated  to  the  writer  of  these  m«* 


moirs  by  the  ingenious  Robert  Patterson^  Ksq. 
tor  of  the  Mint ;  and  the  latter  by  that  able  mechani- 
cian^ Mr.  Henry  Yoight^  chief  coiner  in  that  instita- 
tion, — a  person  who^  by  reason  of  his  well-known 
skill  as  a  clock  and  watch-maker^  was  employed  by 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  more  than  forty  years  since^  in  the 
fabrication  of  some  of  his  philosophical  instruments. 

The  great  accuracy  and  exquisite  workmanship 
displayed  in  every  thing  belonging  to  the  profession 
he  pursued^  that  came  through  his  hands,  soon  be- 
came pretty  extensively  known  :  and  this  knowledge 
of  his  mechanical  abilities,  assisted  by  the  reputation 
he  had  already  acquired  as  a  mathematician  and  as- 
tronomer, in  a  short  time  procured  him  the  friendship, 
respect  and  patronage,  of  some  eminent  scientific  cha- 
racters ;  while  it  promoted  his  interest,  in  the  profes- 
sion he  had  thus  newly  chosen.  In  this  he  was,  ne« 
vertheless,  8elf4aught  f  for  he  never  received  the 
least  instruction  from  any  person,  in  any  mechanic 
art  whatever :  and,  therefore,  if  he  were  to  be  con- 
sidered as  being  merely  an  excellent  artist,  in  an  0C'» 
enpation  intimately  connected  with  the  science  of 
mathematics — untutored,  as  he  was,  in  any  art  or  sci- 
ence,—-he  would  deservedly  be  deemed  an  extraordi^ 
nary  and  eminent  man.  It  will  be  perceived,  however, 


149  MEMOIRS  OF 

4lAt  it  was  the  union  of  tbe  almost  unbounded  powers 
of  his  genius^  and  his  prodigious  acquirements  in  a 
sublime  science^  with  his  wonderful  abilities  as  a 
g)|ilosophical  mechanic — and  these  faculties  and  at- 
tfUnments^  moreover^  combined  with  an  amiable  'and 
virbious  character^ — ^which  constituted  that  celebrity 
ap  justly  attached  to  his  name. 

"  Our  young  philosopher  lived  a  retired,  though  by 
BO  means  an  inactive  life,  in  his  father's  family,  for 
•everal  years  after  he  arrived  to  (what  is  usually 
termed)  lawful  age.  In  this  situation,  which  was  a 
pleasant  one  in  many  respects,  he  long  continued  to 
eiyoy  the  tranquil  scenes  of  rural  life,  amidst  the  so- 
ciety of  an  amiable  and  very  intelligent  family-circle, 
and  surrounded  by  many  worthy  and  estimable  neigh- 
bours, by  whom  he  was  both  loved  and  respected. 
His  chief  occupation  was  the  profession  he  had  cho- 
aen ;  but  in  such  occasional  intervals  of  personal  ab^ 
atraction  from  the  mechanical  part  of  his  business,  as 
the  assistance  the  workmen  he  employed  enabled  him 
to  obtain,  he  devoted  much  of  the  time  to  philosopbi- 
eal  pursuits  and  study.  Frugal  in  his  expenditures. 
Ids  industry  furnished  him  amply  with  the  means  of 
comfort ;  and  in  the  plentiful  and  decent  mansion  of 
bia  father's  family  he  experienced,  with  contentment, 
almost  every  gratification  that  a  reasonable  mind 
could  desire.  Good  health  seemed  alone  to  be  want- 
^iag  to  complete  liis  happiness,  in  his  earlier  years : 


■>. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  i48 

a  privation  which  he  felt  through  thQ  greater  part  of 
his  life. 


Such  was  the  condition  of  Mr;  Rittenhonse^  white 
he  remained  under  the  same  roof  with  his  father  and 
mother^  and  some  of  their  unmarried  children.  It  wai 
a  mode  of  life  which  his  disposition  was  calculated 
to  enjoy ;  for^  strongly  attached  to  his  kindred  and 
friends  by  the  benevolence  of  his  nature^  he  derived 
much  of  his  happiness  from  the  reciprocal  affectioiis 
of  a  domestic  circle  and  the  kind  intercourses  of 
friendly  esteem. 

There  does  not  appear  to  have  been^  for  a  long 
time^  any  occurrence  that  could  liave  much  disturbed 
the  placid  composure  of  our  philosopher's  mind^-^- 
until  1762 ;  in  which  year  his  sister  Anne  died^  in  the 
twenty-sixth  year  of  her  age.  She  was  the  wife  of 
Mr.  George  Shoemaker^  a  respectable  citizen  of  PhU 
ladelphia^  and  a  member  of  the  religious  society  of 
Friends.  A  letter  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  wrote  to 
his  brother-in-law  Mr.  Barton^  in  October  V7^%  an* 
nouncing  this  events  indicates  the  keenness  of  his  sea* 
sibility  on  the  occasion.  Mrs.  Shoemaker  was  a 
woman  of  intrinsic  worth ;  she  died  in  the  prime  of 
life ;  and  it  is  believed^  she  was  the  first  of  Mr.  Rit* 
tenboase's  affectionate  little  band  of  brothers  and 
sisters  who  had  attained  to  the  age  of  maturity^  that 
he  had  then  lost  After  giving  a  circumstantial  ae* 
count  of  his  sister's  illness  and  death;  he  informs  Mr. 


IM  MEMOIRS  OV 

Buton^  tliat  Mr.  Daniel  Stanton^  an  eminent  pnblie 
apeaker  in  the  society  of  Friends/^^  attended  ber  in 
ber  last  illness^  at  her  particular  request ; — and^  add- 
fd  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  ^^  the  same  worthy  gentleman 
who  visited  her  in  her  sickness,  delivered  an  excel- 
lant  exhortation  at  the  grave, — giving,  in  a  few  words, 
t  very  jost  cliaracter,  I  think,  of  our  deceased  sister.'^ 

Mr.  Shoemaker  (who  married  again)  had  an  only 
child  named  Jacob,  by  his  first  wife  here  mentioned. 
This  son  became  a  young  man  of  promising  character : 
but,  having  entered  the  American  army  at  the  com* 
mencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  and  attained  (it 
is  believed)  the  rank  of  captain,  under  the  patronage 
of  his  uncle  David  Riltenhouse,  he  was  slain  in  the 
campaign  of  178i^  it^  South-Carolina.  Mr.  Ritten* 
house  was  much  afflicted  by  the  death  of  this  gallant 
young  man,  who  fell  in  the  flower  of  his  age« 

An  occasion  presented  itself,  in  which  Mr.  Ritten- 
house,  when  only  in  the  thirty-second  year  of  his  age, 
was  employed  in  transacting  an  important  piece  of 
business  of  a  public  nature  :  it  was  as  follows. 

(46)  Mr.  Stanton  died  at  Philadelphia,  the  28th  of  June,  1770, 
«ged  sixty-two  years.  He  was,  for  above  forty  years,  a  distin* 
gttished  preacher  among  the  people  called  Quakers ;  and  is  re- 
puted to  have  been  a  man,  "  who,  from  his  youth,  had  been  a 
conspicuous  example  of  Christian  meekness,  humility,  and  self- 
denial  ;  a  zealous  promoter  of  the  cause  of  religion,  and  the  es- 
iential  good  of  mankind;" 

Some  elegiac  verses,  under  the  title  of  a  <<  poetic  tribute'*  to  the 
memory  of  this  worthy  many— from  the  pen  of  a  lady  in  Philadel- 
phiar— were  published  in  the  Fort  FoUo^  for  April  1813. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  t4S 

In  cfmsequence  of  a  |ie(ition  of  the  Messrs.  Penn  to 
tbe  court  of  chancery  in  England,  exliibited  in  Uie 
year  17^^)  it  was  decreed  by  the  lord  chancellor,  iti 
1750, — That  an  agreement  which  had  been  entered 
into  between  the  Penns  and  Lord  Baltimore,  concern* 
ing  the  long- subsisting  controversy  relative  to  tbe 
boundary  lines  between  Pennsylvania  and  Marj'landy 
Ebould  be  carried  into  specific  execution :  and,  ae- 
Gordingly,  a  final  agreement  was  executed  by  those 
proprietaries  of  tbe  two  provinces,  on  the  fourth  dqr 
July,  17G0. 

In  pursnancc  of  the  chancellor's  decree,  provision 
was  made  for  ascertaining  and  fixing  the  ''  circle,'* 
to  be  *'drawn  at  twelve  miles  distance  from  New- 
Castle,  northward  and  westward,  unto  the  beginning 
of  the  fortieth  degree  of  north  latitude ;" — and  thenee^ 
running  a  straight  line  westward,  five  degrees  in  loo- 
^tttde,  to  be  computed  from  the  eastern  boundary  { 
as  described  in  the  royal  cbarter  to  William  Penn. 
Gommissionera  were  appointed  under  tbe  chancery- 
degree,  for  settling  these  boundaries.  Hut  nothing  was 
definitively  done  in  the  business,  until  tbe  eleventh  of 
January,  1769 ;  when  the  line  which  was  mn  by 
Messrs.  Mason  and  Dixon  in  tbe  years  I767  and 
1768,  in  pursuance  of  the  final  agreement  between  the 
parties  before  mentioned,  was  approved  and  ratified 
by  the  king  in  council. 


146  MEMOIRS  OF 

So  early^  however^  as  about  the  close  of  the  year 
1763^  four  or  five  years  before  the  running  and  mark* 
ing  of  Mason  and  Dixon's  line^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was 
employed  by  the  Penn  family  in  making  some  geo- 
graphical arrangements,  preparatory  to  the  final  es- 
tablishment of  those  boundaries.  He  was  engaged 
to  perform  this  service,  by  tlie  Rev.  Mr.  Richard 
Peters,  (afterwards  d.  d.  and  rector  of  the  united 
churches  of  Christ-Church  and  St.  Peters,  in  Phila- 
delphia,) who  then  officiated  as  the  Governor's  pro- 
vincial secretary ;  a  gentleman  of  learning  and  great 
worth  ;  and  one  who,  on  various  occasions,  manifest- 
ed a  friendship  for  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  as  well  the  high 
opinion  he  entertained  of  his  abilities. 

The  particular  department  of  that  business  thus  com- 
mitted to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  seems  to  have  been  the 
fiuKing  of  the  Circhy — or  at  least,  the  tracing  of  its 
course  or  route,  topographically;  and  this  was,  cer- 
tainly, a  matter  of  no  little  difiiculty.  That  this  ser- 
vice was  performed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  then 
administrators  of  the  government  of  Pennsylvania^ 
and  that  it  was  an  arduous  one,  will  appear  by  the 
following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  Rittenhouse  to 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  dated  the  sixteenth  of  Fe- 
bruary, 17»*.<^'^ 

(47)  This  letter  contains,  likewisei  a  short  narrative  of  an  oc- 
currence which  excited  much  feeling,  and  claimed  a  considera- 
ble portion  of  the  public  attention,  at  the  time.  As  Mr.  Ritten- 
house's  account  of  the  transaction  referred  tO|  will  serve  to  shew 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  147 

"  I  hope/^  said  he,  ^^  you  will  never  believe  that  I 
am  determined  to  disclaim  all  kind  of  intercourse"  with 

that  he  was  not  an  indifferent  spectator  of  the  political  events  of 
that  earljr  day ;  and,  further,  that  he  was  zealously  disposed  to 
support  the  legitimate  authority  of  the  government,  in  order  to 
suppress  illegal  and  disorderly  proceedings,  subversive  of  tho 
laws  and  dangerous  to  the  public  peace  and  safety ;  this  part  of 
his  letter  to  Mr.  Barton  (of  the  16th  of  February,  1764,)  is  also 
presented  to  the  reader. 

It  will  be  recollected  that  what  was  called  the  Paxton  Riot  in 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1763,  was  occasioned  by  an  attempt 
made  by  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  a  district  in  the  upper  end  of 
Lancaster  (now  Dauphin)  county,  called  Paxton,  with  some  of 
their  neighbours,  to  destroy  a  number  of  Indians  resident  in  and 
near  that  county ;  who  were  extremely  obnoxious  to  the  Pax- 
ton people,  by  reason  of  the  supposed  treachery,  if  not  actual 
hostility,  of  these  Indians  to  the  settlers  on  the  Paxton  frontier, 
in  the  war  that  had  then  recently  terminated.  These  unfortu- 
nate Indians  had,  nevertheless,  uniformly  professed  themselves 
to  be  friendly  to  the  English,  in  that  war ;  and  were  so  reput- 
ed by  the  government  of  Pennsylvania :  but  finding  tliemselves, 
notwithstanding,  threatened  with  extermination  by  "  the  Faxt07i 
Boys**  (as  they  were  then  called,)— by  whom  a  few  old  men, 
women,  and  children  had  been  destroyed,  shortly  before,  at  their 
homes^ — ^they  sought  the  protection  of  the  government.  Part  of 
them  were,  accordingly,  placed  in  the  public  prison  in  Lancas- 
ter, and  the  remainder  at  the  barracks  in  Philadelphia,  as  places 
of  security.  Those  in  Lancaster,  to  the  number  of  fourteen  or 
fifteen,  were  soon  after,  as  is  well  known,  killed  by  the  Paxton 
people,  one  of  the  prison  doors  having  been  forcibly  broken 
open  by  them.  The  remnant  of  these  persecuted  Indians,  who 
were  in  Philadelphia,  were  more  fortunate  tlian  their  brethren ; 
they  escaped  the  horrors  of  assassination :  And  it  is  to  the  ex- 
pedition against  these  wretched  fugitives — ^  mere  handful  of 
men,  unarmed,  and  claiming  from  Christians  an  asylum  from 
massacre^— that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  refers  in  his  letter. 

**  You  arc  no  doubt,  long  before  this  time,  well  acquainted," 
said  our  young  philosopher,  "  with  every  particular  of  the  Pax- 
tonian  expedition  to  Philadelphia :  nor  need  I  tell  you,  tnat  what- 


148  MEMOIRS  OF 

yon  :    for  I  can  say  with  the  greatest  sincerity  there 
arc  very  few  things  I  so  much  regret,  as  that  I  have  it 


ever  information  you  may  have  through  the  channel  of 


will  be  abominably  corrupt.  About  fifty  of  the  scoundrels  march- 
ed by  my  work-shop — Ihavc  seen  hundreds  of  Indians  travelling 
the  country,  and  can  with  truth  affirm,  tliat  the  behaviour  of 
these  fellows  was  ten  times  more  savage  and  brutal  than  theirs. 
Prightening  women,  by  running  the  muzzles  of  their  guns 
through  windows,  swearing  and  hallooing;  attacking  men  with- 
out the  least  provocation ;  dragging  them  by  the  hair  to  the 
ground,  and  pretending  to  scalp  them  ;  shooting  a  number  of 
dogs  and  fowls  ; — these  are  some  of  their  exploits. 

"I  received  a  letter  from  sister  E.  soon  after  the  alarm  at  Phi- 
ladelphia was  over,  and  will  give  you  a  part  of  it,  which  I  doubt 
not  will  be  agreeable  to  you." — It  is  as  follows. 

— *'  On  Monday  morning  between  one  and  two  o'clock,  an  ex- 
press came  to  the  governor,  informing  that  the  rebels  were  on 
their  way,  and  that  a  great  number  of  them  were  on  this  side 
the  White  Horse.  There  was  one  express  after  another,  till 
there  was  certain  intelligence  that  some  of  them  were  at  Ger- 
mantown.  When  the  first  express  came,  the  bells  were  rung, 
the  drums  beat,  and  the  constables  were  ordered  to  go  from 
house  to  house,  to  knock  up  the  inhabitants,  and  to  bid  them  put 
candles  at  their  doors  :  it  had  the  appearance  of  all  the  houses 
being  illuminated.  Before  day,  there  were  above  twenty  men 
met  at  J.  J.'s,  and  chose  their  oflicers.  Before  night  they  were 
increased  to  nearly  an  hundred  ;  as  were  likewise  most  of  the 

other  companies  :  E and  all  our  men  were  in  captain  Wood's 

company.  They  all  appeared  to  be  in  high  spirits,  and  desirous 
to  meet  the  rebels.  On  Tuesday,  when  the  mayor  and  tlie  other 
gentlemen  set  off  for  Germantown,  the  heads  of  the  companies 
begged  of  them  not  to  comply  with  any  dishonourable  terms,  and 
told  them—"  Gentlemen,  we  arc  ready  to  go  wherever  you  may 
command  us ;  and  we  had  much  rather  you  would  let  us  treat 
with  them  (the  rebels)  with  our  guns.' — On  their  return,  there 
was  a  general  murmur  among  the  companies  against  the  pro- 
ceedings  of  our  great  men ;  they  knew  it,  and  there  was  a  long 
iTarangue  made  by  Mr.  Chew ;  but  it  'did  not  answer  the  ead. 


DAVID  RITTENIIOUSE.  iiO 

not  in  my  power  to  spend  a  great  part  of  my  time  witfaL 
yon.     My  attention  has^  for  some  time  past^  been  en-' 

On  Wednesday  morning  I  went  to  — —— ^  as  usual ;  and  on  my 
return  home,  I  stopped  at  our  friend  H.  J.'s;  when,  on  a  suddeoi 
the  alarm-gun  was  fired,  the  bells  began  to  ring,  and  the  men 
called  ^^  to  arms^'*  as  loud  as  possible.  I  cannot  describe,  my 
dear  brother,  how  I  felt:  we  ran  to  the  door,  when  to  add  to  my 
flight,  I  saw  E  ■  ,  amidst  hundreds  of  others,  run  by  with  his 
gun.  They  met  at  the  court-house,  formed  themselves  into  re* 
gular  companies,  and  marched  up  Second -street  as  for  as  th^ 
barracks ;  when  they  found  it  was  a  false  alarm. 

^  It  was  a  pleasing,  though  melancholy  sight,  to  view  the  ac* 
tiYity  of  our  men.  In  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  they  were 
all  on  their  march, — it  is  supposed  above  a  thousand  of  them ; 
and  by  all  accounts,  tliere  were  not  ten  »  ■  among  them.  It 
was  the  common  cry,  while  our  men  were  parading — ^^  What! 
not  one  ■  among  us !" — Instead  of  joining  with  others,  they 
would  sneak  into  corners,  and  applaud  the  "  Paxton-boys." 
Their  behaviour  on  this  occasion  has  made  them  appear  blacker 
than  ever." 

Concerning  these  extraordinary  transactions,  to  which  much 
importance  was  attached  in  their  day,  and  which,  moreover^ 
constitute  a  curious  and  interesting  occurrence  in  the  history  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  time  of  our  philosopher,  the  testimony  of 
another  respectable  witness  is  added ;  a  person,  liesides,  who 
bore  a  principal  part  in  arresting  the  progress  of  the  insurrcc* 
tion  referred  to.  On  the  2d  of  June,  1765,  Dr.  Franklin^  who 
was  then  in  London,  wrote  a  letter  to  the  celebrated  Henry  H(mie| 
lord  Karnes,  in  which  the  following  interesting  circumstancee 
are  related,  respecting  what  was  called  the  Paxton  Expedition : 
this  letter  is  inserted  entire  in  lord  Woolhousie's  Memoirs  of  the 
Vfe  and  Writings  of  Lord  Kamen,  The  Doctor  therein  says-^ 
**In  December  (1763,)  we  had  two  insurrections  of  the  back  in' 
habitants  of  our  province,  by  whom  twenty  poor  Indians  wero 
murdered,  that  had  from  the  first  settlement  of  the  province 
lived  among  us,  under  the  protection  of  our  government.  This 
gave  me  a  good  deal  of  employment ;  for,  as  the  rioters  threaten* 
cd  further  mischief,  and  their  actions  seemed  to  be  approved  by 


iOO  MEMOIRS  OF 

gaged  with  such  a  multiplicity  of  things^  that  I  may 
vnih  some  reason  claim  your  indulgence  for  my  not 
writing.  Have  I  not,  indeed,  an  equal  right  to  com- 
plain?— ^for,  1  think  this  letter  will  balance  our  ac- 
eonnts^  from  the  time  I  last  saw  you. 

^^I  waited  on  Mr.  Peters,  as  you  desired  me  to  do. 
He  treated  me  kindly,  and  made  an  offer  of  doing 
me  some  services ;  for  which  I  am  greatly  obliged  to 
him.  He  likewise  paid  me  for  my  attendance  at  New- 
Castle,  and  much  more  generously  than  I  expected ; — 
though  I  found  it  a  very  laborious  affair;  being 
obliged,  singly,  to  go  through  a  number  of  tedious 
and  intricate  calculations." 


an  increasing  party)  I  wrote  a  |>ainphlet,  entitled  ji  Mirrativcj 
&€.  to  strengthen  tke  hands  of  our  weak  government,  by  render- 
ing the  proceedings  of  the  rioters  unpopular  and  odious.  This 
liad  a  good  effect :  and  afterwards,  when  a  great  body  of  them 
irith  arms  marched  towards  the  capital  in  defiance  of  the  govern- 
taetiXj  with  an  avowed  resolution  to  put  to  death  one  hundred 
and  forty  Indian  converts,  then  under  its  protection,  I  formed  an 
association  at  the  governor's  request,  for  his  and  their  defence, 
we  having  no  militia.  Near  one  thousand  of  the  citizens  accord- 
ingly took  arms :  Governor  Penn  made  my  house  for  some  time 
bis  head-quarters,  and  did  every  tiling  by  my  advice ;  so  that, 
for  about  forty-eight  hours,  I  was  a  very  great  man,  as  I  had 
been  once  some  years  before,  in  a  time  of  public  danger.  But 
tbe  fighting  face  we  put  on,  and  the  reasonings  we  used  with 
t^e  insurgents,  (for  I  went,  at  the  request  of  the  governor  and 
council,  with  three  others,  to  meet  and  discourse  tliem,)  having 
tamed  them  back,  and  restored  quiet  to  the  city,  I  became  a  less 
man  than  ever ;  for  I  had,  by  these  transactions,  made  myself 
many  enemies  among  the  populace." 


DAVID  RITTENUOUSE.  191 

It  appears  that  about  this  time^  Mr.  Rittenhouse's 
friends  had  some  beneficial  object  in  view  for  him ; 
perhaps  some  official  situation^  which  they  conceived 
to  be  adapted  to  the  nature  of  his  pursuits^  and  such 
as  might  more  permanently  promote  his  interests. 
But  whatever  that  object  may  have  been^  he  seems  to 
have  hesitated  about  it.  If  it  were  a  public  appoint- 
ment of  a  permanent  kind^  it  would  probably  have 
required  his  removal  to  the  city^ — a  measure  which 
he  did  not  contemplate  at  that  time ;  and  he  mighty 
besides^  have  been  disinclined  to  undertake  any  offi« 
cial  duties^  which  would  be  likely  to  occupy  the 
greater  part  of  his  time.  He  expressed  himself  thus 
to  Mr.  Barton,  on  the  subject,  in  the  letter  just 
quoted : — ^*  I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you,  my  dear 
brother,  for  pointing  out  any  prospect  of  advantage  to 
me :  I  shall  consider  the  matter  you  mention  in  your 
last,  and  let  you  know  ray  opinion.  The  objections 
you  have  so  well  answered,  are  those  which  would 
most  readily  occur  to  me.  Considering  the  crazy  state 
of  my  constitution,  •  a  retired  life  would  certainly  suit 
me  best.    Since  death,  to  use  John  Bunyan's  ^^^  phrase^ 

(48)  The  writer  of ^  these  memoirs  well  remembers  to  have 
heard  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  when  full3r  matured  in  years,  speak  of 
the  pleasure  he  derived  from  the  reading  of  John  Bunyan's 
PUgfim*a  Progreasy  while  a  youth.  It  is,  certainly,  no  faint  com* 
plimentto  the  "weU-iold  tale"  of  that  '<  ingenious  dreamer,*' 
that  it  engaged  the  attention  of  David  Rittenhouse,  even  at  a  very 
early  period  of  his  life :  and  that  compliment  is  greatly  enhanced 
by  the  following  beautiful  invocation,  addressed  to  the  long-since 
departed  spirit  of  the  humble,  yet  persecuted,  the  pious,  yet  fan- 
ciful Bunyan,  by  the  amiable  Cowper :— > 


10S  MEMOius  or 

docs  usually  knock  at  my  door  once  a  day^  would  it 
pot  be  a  folly  for  me  to  take  up  the  load  of  any  public 
business?*' 

About  three  years  afterwanls,  Mr.  Rittenhouse 
aeemed  to  have  been  less  indisposed  to  accept  of  an 
official  situation :  and^  such  was  his  high  standing 
with  the  government  and  its  most  influential  friends, 
there  can  be  very  little  doubt  he  could  have  obtained 
a  respectable  one.  It  is  evident  that,  at  this  latter 
period,  when  perhaps  his  health  was  improved,  he 

"  Oh  thou,  whom,  borne  on  fancy's  eager  wing, 

Back  to  the  season  of  life's  happy  spring, 

I  pleas'd  remember,  and,  while  mem'ry  yet 

Holds  fast  her  oflice  here,  can  ne'er  forget ; 

Ingenious  dreamer,  in  whose  well-told  tale 

Sweet  fiction  and  sweet  truth  alike  prevail ; 

Whose  hum'rous  vein,  strong  sense,  and  simple  style, 

Witty,  and  well-employ'd,  and,  like  thy  Lord, 

Speaking  in  parables  his  slighted  word ; 

I  name  thee  not,  lest  so  dcspis'd  a  name 

Should  move  a  sneer  at  thy  deserved  fame : 

Yet,  ev'n  in  transitory  life's  late  day, 

That  mingles  all  my  brown  with  sober  gray. 

Revere  the  man,  whose  Pilgrim  marks  the  road, 

And  guides  the  Progress  of  the  soul  to  God.'* 

Cowper's  TirocMum* 

The  celebrated  Benjamin  Franklin  too,  in  the  account  of  his 
Life  written  by  himself,  informs  us,  that  the  Pilgrim*9  ProgretM 
(which  Franklin  there,  inadvertently,  calls  «  Bunyan*9  Voyages^*) 
was  a  favourite  book  of  his,  in  his  earlier  years.  <<  I  have  since 
learned,"  says  the  Doctor,  <<  that  it  has  been  translated  into  almost 
all  the  languages  of  Europe ;  and,  next  to  the  Bible,  I  am  per- 
suadedy  it  is  one  of  the  books  which  has  had  the  greatest 
spread." 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  1S8 

liad  some  purticttlar  office  in  view :  because,  by  9^ 
letter  to  Mr.  Barton,  dated  Janaary  28th  1767^  bo 
said — ^^  I  am  entirely  satisfied  with  your  proceedings 
in  the  affair  I  recommended  to  you ;  and  I  shall  wait 
on  Mr.  Peters.  The  reputation  of  the  office  would 
be  very  agreeable  to  me ;  but  the  execution  of  it  would, 
I  am  afraid,  greatly  interfere  with  the  other  projects 
you  have  so  much  insisted  on.^^ 

Mr.  Rittenbouse  continued  a  bachelor  until  the 
20th  of  February,  I7A6,  when  he  married  Eleanor 
Colston,  daughter  of  Bernard  Colston,  a  reputable 
farmer  in  the  neighbourhood.  This  person  belonged 
to  the  religious  society  called  Quakers ;  Mr.  Ritten- 
tenhouse  was  not  himself  a  member  of  any  particular 
church :  but  the  marriage  was  solemnized  at  Norriton^ 
by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  who  went  thither  for  the 
purpose  at  bis  brother-in-law's  request. 

Some  time  prior  to  this  event,  old  Mr.  Rittenbouse, 
having  previously  made  his  son  David  the  proprietor 
of  the  Norriton  farm,  removed  with  his  family  to  the 
house  he  had  builP^  on  his  place  in  Worcester  town- 
ship, already  mentioned ;  while  the  son's  family  occu- 
pied the  old  place  of  residence  :  and  here  our  Astro- 
nomer  remained  about  four  years  after  his  marriage* 
It  was  during  this  period,  that  his  reputation  as  an 

(49)  This  was  about  the  year  ir64r, 

V 


10i  MElfOlES  OF 

tslronomer  became  eminently  conspicuoM  f^  his  nine 
Mquired  a  celebrity  even  in  tbe  old  worlds  of  which 
lu0  early  but  now  much  increased  fame^  in  his  native 
eomitry^  was  a  sure  presage/^^^ 


,  (so)  Id  the  earlier  part  of  this  interval  of  timC}  and  before  he 
b^qame  more  seriously  engaged  in  those  great  works  and  re- 
searches, the  construction  of  his  Orrery,  and  the  Observation  of 
the  Transit  of  Venus  with  the  operations  preparatory  to  it,  which 
about  that  time  engrossed  his  attention,  he  occasionally  amused 
himself  with  matters  rather  speculative  than  practical :  though 
he  very  seldom  devoted  any  considerable  portion  of  his  time  to 
things  which  he  did  not  consider  as  being  in  some  degree  useful. 

■  The  following  is  one  of  those  instances  in  which  his  active 
Blind  was  diverted  from  severer  studies,  to  some  objects  of  a 
more  playful  nature. 

In  the  year  1767,  some  ingenious  country-gentleman  publish- 
ed in  Messrs.  Hall  and  Sellers's  paper,  under  the  signature  of 
T*  T.  the  result  of  calculations  he  had  made  on  Archimedea's 
fiunous  vaunting  assertion,  Ae^  ^ov  c-riw,  xect  rift  yyfi  x/fiye-^.  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  published,  some  short  time  after,  calculations  (or 
rather  the  result  of  calculations)  of  his  own,  on  the  same  pro^ 
blem.  This  appeared  in  a  piece  under  the  signature  of  «  A 
Mechanicy*  dated  the  8th  of  October,  1767:  and  a  reply  to  it,  by 
T.  T.  dated  October  the  29th,  appeared  in  the  same  paper.  These 
little  speculations  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix.  It  is  not  im* 
pi^babie  tliat  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  under  the  disguise  of  ^^  A  Me- 
chanic," appeared  in  print  on  this  occasion,  for  the  purpose  of 
drawing  the  attention  of  ingenious  men  to  subjects  of  tlus  na- 
ture. 

(51)  It  was  between  the  years  1766  and  1770— the  interval 
df  ^tne  above  mentioned, — that  the  two  important  circumstances 
occurred,  which  gave  great  celebrity  to  tlie  reputation  of  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  as  an  astronomer :  these  were  the  Construction  of 
the  Orrery  invented  by  him,  and  the  admirable  result  of  his  ob* 
servations  of  the  Transit  of  Venus,  as  published  in  the  Philoso- 
phical Society's  Transactions. 


V 

DAVID   RITTENH0U8E.  IBK 

Aboat  the  time  that  he  projected  his  Orrery  (wlueil 
•hall  be  duly  noticed  in  its  place),  it  appears  he  hail 
been  speculating  on  the  doctrine  of  the  compressibilil;y 
of  watw.  For  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Barton,  dated  fron 
Philadelphia  the  S7th  of  March,  176/^  he  mentionsy-^ 
that  he  had  not  then  met  »ith  any  person,  who  had 
seen  Mr.  Kinnersley's^'*^  experiment  on  that  theory; 

Amidst  those  objects  of  importance  in  which  he  was  princi- 
pally occupiedy  he  occasionally  amused  himself  with  matters  of 
minor  consequence.  Among  other  things,  he  contrived  and 
vuuhf  in  the  begimiing  of  the  year  1767,  an  ingeniously  contrir- 
•d  themometer,  constructed  on  the  principle  of  the  expan- 
skm  and  contraction  of  metals,  by  heat  and  cold^  respectively* 
This  instrument  had,  under  glass,  a  face  upon  which  was  a  gra- 
dmted  semi-circle  :  the  degrees  of  heat  and  cold  corresponded 
with  those  of  Fahrenheit's  tliermometer ;  and  these  were  also 
correspondently  designated,  by  an  index,  moving  on  the  centre 
of  the  arch.  Its  square  (or  rather  parallelogramical)  form,  its 
flatness  and  thinness,  and  its  small  size — together  with  its  not 
being  liable  to  the  least  sensible  injury  or  irregularity,  from  any 
position  in  which  it  might  be  placed, — rendered  it  safely  portable ; 
insomuch,  that  it  could  be  conveniently  carried  in  the  pocket 

He  presented  one  of  these  metaline  Thermometers  to  Dr. 
Peters,  in  June  1 767 :  Another,  which  he  made  for  himself,  was 
a  considerable  time  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Barton,  at  Lancaster. 
They  were  found  to  agree  very  well  with  Fahrenheit's.  In  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Barton,  dated  the  26th  of  July  1769,  he  said^ — ^  Tou 
will  oblige  me  by  sending  the  metaline  thermometer  by  ****, 
and  let  me  know  the  greatest  height  you  have  seen  it,  this  sea- 
son. Fahrenheit's  thermometer,  in  my  Observatory,  not  exposed 
to  the  stmshine  but  very  open  to  the  air,  was  94^  ^  on  the  5th  of 
Ifais  mcmth,  at  3  in  the  afternoon ;  which  is  the  highest  I  have 
erer  seen  it." 

(59)  The  Rev  Ebenezer  Kinnersley,  a.  m.  Professor  of  £ng- 
gUsh  and  Oratory  in  the  college  of  Philadelphia.    This  vener* 


166  MBlfOIRS  OF 

Imt  that  he  undentood  it  was  made  with  the  air-pmnp^ 
and  conjectured  it  to  have  been  similar  to  the  one  made 
by  a  member  of  the  Royal  Society^  related  in  Martin's 
Magazine :  which  is  thus  quoted  in  Mr.  Rittenhouse's 
letter: 

^^  I  took  a  glass  ball  of  about  an  inch  and  A  in  dia- 
meter^ which  was  joined  to  a  cylindrical  tube  of  4 
inches  and  -^  in  lengthy  and  in  diameter  rh  of  an 
inch ;  and  by  weighing  the  quantity  of  mercury  ttttt 
exactly  filled  the  ball^  and  also  the  quantity  that  IBMIf 
the  tube^  I  found  that  the  mercury  in  -^  of  an  inch  of 
the  tube  was  the  10000th  part  of  that  contained  im 
the  ball ;  and  with  the  edge  of  a  file^  I  divided  the 
tube  accordingly.  This  having  been  done^  I  filled 
the  ball  and  part  of  the  tube  with  water  exhausted  of 
air :  Now^  by  placing  this  ball  and  tube  under  the  re* 
ceiver  of  an  air-pump^  I  could  see  the  degree  of  ex--' 
pansion  of  the  water^  answering  to  any  degree  of  nu 
refaction  of  the  air ;  and  by  putting  it  into  a  glass  re- 
ceiver of  a  condensing  engine^  I  could  see  the  degree 
of  compression  of  the  water^  answering  to  any  degree 
of  condensation  of  the  air^  &c." — Then  adds  Mr. 
Rittenhouse — ^^  Indeed  I  do  not  doubt  the  compressi- 
bility of  water^  although  the  above  experiment  does 

able  and  worthy  man^who  was  a  clergyman  of  the  Baptist  churdi, 
was  a  very  eminent  Electrician.  In  this  branch  of  philosophy, 
he  was  an  able  lecturer  and  ingenious  experimentalist :  and  per- 
haps to  no  person— at  least  in  Amcricar— were  his  cotemporarietf 
more  indebted,  than  to  him,  for  the  light  which  he  shed,  at  a 
very  early  day,  on  this  interesting  and  pleasing  science. 


DAVm  miTTENHOUSE.  197 

Bf9t  VQch  please  me.  If  the  particles  of  water  were 
in  aetaal  eontact^  it  would  be  diffieolt  to  conceive  how 
ajQiy  body  eoald  mueh  exceed  it  in  specific  gravity ; 
yet  we  find  that  gold  does^  more  than  eighte^i 
times/^ 

The  first  academic  hononr  conferred  npon  our  phi^ 
kwi^hery  was  on  the  17th  of  November^  1767;  when 
t^  College  of  Philadelphia^  then  in  its  meridiati 
i^endoar^  bestowed  on  him  an  honorary  degree  of 
Mastrr  of  Arts.  Mr.  Bittenhouse  being  present  at 
tte  commencement  then  held^  the  provost^  in  confer- 
ring this  degree^  thus  addressed  him^ — ^in  terms  of  a 
jost  and  well  merited  compliment : 

^<  Sir^— The  trustees  of  this  College  (the  faculty  of 
professors  cheerfully  coaenrring)^  being  ever  desirous 
to  distinguish  real  merits  especially  in  the  natives  of 
diis  province^ — and  well-assured  of  the  extraordinary 
progress  and  improvement  which  you  have  made^  by 
a  felicity  of  natural  genius^  in  mechanics^  mathema-. 
tics^  astronomy^  and  other  liberal  arts  and  sciences^ 
all  which  you  have  adorned  by  singular  modesty  and 
irr^roachable  morals, — ^have  authorized  and  required 
me  to  admit  you  to  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts^  in  this  seminary :  I  do  therefore,  by  virtue  of 
this  authority,  most  cheerfully  admit,  &c.'' 

Mr.  Rittenhouse's  great  abilities,  as  an  astronomer 
and  mathematician^  being  now  every  where  known^ 


iSH  VEMOIHI  OP 

he  was  employed  in  the  year  1769^  in  setding  Ikt 
limits  between  the  provinces  of  New-Tork  and  New* 
Jersey.  The  original  grant  of  all  the  territoTy^  eaHcd 
by  the  Datch  ^ew^JV^etherlands  (sometimes  JWm- 
Selgia)^  was  made  by  King  Charles  11.  to  James 
Dake  of  York^  on  the  12th  of  March,  166&-4;  anA 
on  the  fM^  of  June  following,  the  Duke  granted 
that  part  of  it^  now  called  New^Jersey,  to  tlie  Loid 
Berkeley  of  Stratton  and  Sir  Geo^  Garterety  jotBt]|f  , 
The  Dutch  reduced  the  country^  in  the  year  lAjH ; 
but  it  was  restored  by  the  peace  of  WestmiMttry 
February  the  9th,  1678-4.  On  the  S9th  of  Jnne^  As 
the  same  year,  a  new  patent  was  issued  to  the  Dake 
of  York,  for  the  lands  comprised  within  the  limits 
described  in  the  former  patent  On  the  S8th  of  the 
succeeding  July,  the  colony  of  New- Jersey  was  di- 
vided into  East  and  West«Jersey  (henee,  generally 
called  the  Jei*sie8) ;  and  the  former  was  then  grante<|9 
by  the  Duke  of  York,  to  Sir  George  Carteret  lift 
1679^  West-Jersey,  being  Lord  Berkeley's  moiety  of 
the  province,  was  sold  to  John  Feowick,  in  trust  for 
£dward  Bylinge ;  who  assigned  bis  inter;  st  therein 
to  William  Fenn  and  others/^  in  trust,  for  the  use 

(53)  According  to  the  American  historian,  Marshall,  Lord 
Berkelef  assigned  his  interest  in  the  Jersies  to  Penn  and  his 
three  associates,  in  the  year  1 674 ;  and  they,  soon  perceiving 
the  inconvenience  of  a  joint  property,  divided  the  province,  in 
1675,  with  Carteret,  ivho  still  retained  his  interest ;  to  him  they 
released  East- Jersey ;  and  received  from  him>  in  return,  a  con- 
veyance for  the  western  part  of  the  province.  The  Duke  of 
York  resigned  the  government  of  East  Jersey  to  the  proprietor, 


DAVn  BITTENH0U8E.  159 

•f  kis  eredUors.  TUi  purtitioii  was  eonimed  in  the 
year  171 0^  by  the  ganeral  a»Bembly  of  the  Jersies. 
But  priar  to  this  contrmation^  viz.  the  lOtb  of  October, 
1078y  a  new  grant  of  West- Jersey  was  made  by  the 
Dake  of  York,  to  the  assigns  of  Lord  Berkeley ;  and 
m  the  Ist  of  February^  1681-2,  East-Jersey  was  sold 
and  conveyed,  in  pursuance  of  Sir  George  Carteret's 
will,  to  twelve  persons ;  who,  by  separate  deeds,  con- 
veyed one- half  of  their  several  interests  in  the  same 
fo  twelve  other  persons  :  and,  on  the  14th  of  the  next 
■ontk,  the  Duke  of  York  made  a  new  grant  of  East- 
lersey  to  those  twenty-four  proprietors,  (hereby  con- 
irmng  the  same  to  them.  The  proprietors  of  both 
the  Jersies  afterwards  became  very  numerous,  by  pur- 
chase as  well  as  by  decent.  This  being  attended 
with  great  inconveniencies,  they  finally  surrendered 
(he  government  to  the  crown,  on  the  17th  of  April, 
1703:  and  from  that  time,  the  province  of  New- 
Jersey  continued  to  be  a  royal  government,  until  the 
American  revolu'^ou. 


retaining  that  of  Wcst-Jcrscy  aa  an  afifiendage  to  ^^ew•Yorki  vm» 
lil  August  1680;  when,  on  a  reference  to  Sir  William  Jones, 
the  title  was  decided  against  the  Duke  :  after  which,  he  formal- 
ly released  all  claim  upon  East-Jersey.     Soon  afler  this,  Carte- 
ret trantferred  his  rights  to  Penn^  and  eleven  other  persons  of 
the  same  religious  persuasion,  who  immediately  conveyed  one 
half  of  their  interest  to  James  Drummond,  Elarl  of  Perth,  and 
eleven  others;  and  these,  in  March  1683,  obtained  a  conveyance 
from  the  Duke  of  York  directly  to  themselves.— 'During  these 
tnatactions,  continual  eiTorts  were  made  to  re-annex  the  Jerseys 
to  the  province  of  New- York.     [See  Marshall's  Introduction  fo 
the  Ufe  of  Waahingtons  ch.  vi.] 


160  ICBlfOIBS  09 

The  divisioqlLlitte^  between  But  and  WestJ^eriqr, 
was  to  run  from  the  soath-east  poiiit  of  Little  BgS*- 
Harbour^  on  Bamegate  Creek — ^being  aboat  midwaf 
between  Cape-May  and  Sandy-Hook^  to  a  creek^ .  a 
little  below  Ancocus-Creek^  on  the  river  Delaware ; 
thence^  about  thirty-five  miles  in  a  stnught  eourse^ 
along  the  Delaware^  up  to  ^i"*  K/  of  north  latitude. 

The  province  of  New-Tork  passed  a  legislative 
act  on  this  subject,  in  the  year  176^;  &nd  the  Mew- 
Jersey  Assembly  enacted  a  corresponding  law,  in 
1764*  Five  commissioners — namely,  John  Stevens, 
James  Parker,  Henry  Cuyler,  William  Donaldson, 
and  Walter  Rutherford — were  appointed  on  this  bo- 
siness,  for  the  two  provinces  :  their  report  was  passed 
upon,  by  both ;  and  it  was  confirmed  by  the  King  in 
council,  the  1st  of  September,  1773.  It  is  under- 
stood,  that  the  division-line  between  East  and  Wert- 
Jersey  remained  unsettled,  so  late  as  the  year  1789* 
But  it  nevertheless  appears,  that  the  territorial  boun- 
dary between  New- York  and  New-Jersey  was  fixed 
by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  forty-four  years  ago. 

A  recurrence  shall  now  be  had  to  a  date  anterior 
to  our  Philosopher's  employment  in  the  transaction 
just  mentioned. — Within  the  two  years  preceding  that 
period,  two  objects  of  much  importance  to  astronomi- 
cal science,  claimed  a  large  share  of  the  public  atten- 
tion, in  this  country :  One  of  them,  especially,  had 
already  actually  engaged  the  investigations  of  the 


DAVID  RITT£NUOUS£.  l6i 

ablest  astronomers  of  the  other  hemisphere,  as  \<rell  as 
oar  own;  preparatory  to  the  then  approaching  event, 
to  which  those  researches  were  directed.  The  result 
of  the  expectations  excited  by  both  of  those  objects 
proved,  on  their  final  completion,  highly  honourable 
to  the  fame  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

The  first  of  these,  in  the  order  of  time,  was  our 
Astronomer's  newly- projected  Orrery;  a  general  but 
concise  description  of  which,  was  communicated  by 
his  iViend,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  to  the  Philosophical 
Society,  on  the  21st  of  March,  I768.  Of  this  fine 
and  eminently  useful  piece  of  mechanism,  more  par- 
ticular mention  shall  be  made  in  the  sequel. 

The  other  circumstance,  just  referred  to,  was  ti:6 
then  approaching  Transit  of  Venus  over  the  Sunn's 
disk;  an  event  which  was  to  take  place  on  the  Sd 
day  of  June,  1769  :  And  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  parti- 
cipation in  the  arduous  labours  of  the  astronomieal 
world,  on  that  very  interesting  occasion,  the  following 
narrative  will  furnish  some  account. 

The  Americai^   Philosophical    Society,    in  their 

,  meeting  on  the  7th  of  January,  1769,  had  appointed 

the  following  gentlemen  to  observe  that  rare  phcBno- 

menan,^'^  as  it  was  aptly  styled  by  Dr.  Smith ;  namely^ 


(54)  There  will  not  be  another  transit  of  Venus  over  tlie  Son's 
4i»k,  until  the  Sth  of  December,  1874;  which,  it  is  probable 


16£  MEMOIRS  OF 

tho  Rev.  Mr.  (afterwards  Dr.)  Jobn  Ewing^  Mr. 
Thomas  Prior^  Joseph  Shippen^  jun.  Esq.  Hugh 
Williamson^  M.  D.  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  Mr.  David 
Rittenhouse,  John  Lukens,  Esq.  and  Messrs.  James 
Alexander,  Owen  Biddle,  James  Pearson,  John  Sel- 
lers, Charles  Thomson,  and  William  Poole.  The 
gentlemen  thus  nominated  were  distributed  into  three 
committees,  for  the  purpose  of  making  separate  obser- 
vations at  three  several  places ;  these  were,  the  city 
of  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  residence,  in 
Norriton,  and  the  Light-House  near  Cape  Henlo- 
pen,  on  Delaware  Bay.  Dr.  Ewing,  an  able  mathe- 
matician and  very  respectable  astronomer,  had  the 
principal  direction  of  the  Observatory  in  the  City, 
which  w^as  erected  on  this  occasion  in  the  State- 
-house Gardens ;  and  Mr.  O.  Biddle,  a  person  of  much 
ingenuity,  had"  the  charge  of  superintending  the  obser- 
vations at  Cape  Henlopen.  Assocrated  with  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhousc,  on  the  Norriton  committee,  were  the  Rev. 
Dr.  Smith,  provost  of  the  College  of  Philadelphia, 
well  known  as  an  astronomer  and  eminently  skilled 
in  the  mathematics ;  Mr.  Lukens,  then  surveyor-gene- 

few  persons  now  living  will  have  an  opportunity  of  observing^ 
astronomically  :  And  fi*om  that  time,  down  to  the  14th  of  June, 
A.  D.  2984,  inclusively, — a  period  of  upwards  of  eleven  cen-  - 
turies,— the  same  planet  will  pass  over  the  Sun  only  eighteen 
times.  There  will  be  one  other  such  transit  of  this  planet,  with- 
in the  present  century  ;  after  which  there  will  not  be  another, 
daring  the  term  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-one  years  and  an 
half.  [See  Table  of  the  Transits  of  Venus  over  the  Sun^  in  La- 
lande's  Astronomic  -,  vol.  ii.]  ^ .. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE*  168 

ral  of  Pennsylvania,  who  possessed  considerable 
abilities  in  the  same  departments  of  science ;  and  Mr. 
Sellers,  a  respectable  member  of  the  provincial  legis- 
lature, for  the  county  of  Chester.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Barton,  with  some  other  gentlemen  of  ingenuity  and 
talents,  voluntarily  attended  at  Norriton,  on  this  oc- 
casion ;  and  rendered  such  assistance  as  they  could, 
to  the  committee. 

As  the  time  approached  near,  when  this  extraor- 
dinary and  almost  unprecedented^^'^  astronomical  phs- 
nfltTmenon  was  to  manifest  itself,  the  public  expecta- 
tion and  anxiety,  which  were  before  considerable,  be- 
came greatly  heightened.     The  ignorant — and  those, 
generally,  unacquainted  with  the  nature  of  the  looked- 
■for" event, — hearing  much  everywhere  said  on  the 
subject,  and  seeing  the  preparations  making  for  the 
occasion,    had  their  curiosity  wonderfully  excited. 
To  scientific  men,  the  inestimable  value  of  the  ap- 
proaching phacnomenon  suggested  very  different  sen- 
sations.    ^^  Its  importance  to  the  interests  of  Astro- 
nomy  and  Navigation,  had,''  as  Dr.  Ewing  observed 
at  the  time,  '^justly  drawn  the  attention  of  every 
civilized  nation  in  the  world.''     An  accurate  ascer- 


(55)  There  had  been  but  one  of  these  tran3its  of  Venus  over 
the  SuD)  during  the  course  of  about  one  hundred  and  tliirty 
years  preceding  the  transit  of  1769 ;  and,  for  upwards  of  seven 
centuries,  antecedently  to  the  commencement  of  that  period,  the 
same  planet  had  passed  over  the  Sun*s  disk  no  more  than  thir-» 
teen  times.     [See  Lalande's  Table,  before  referred  to."] 


164  MEMOIRS   OF 

tainment  of  the  Son^s  Parallax^ — an  important  and 
fundamental  article  in  Astronomy,  was  a  desideratum 
not  yet  obtained^  Only  two  Transits  of  Venus  over 
the  Sun,  iiad  been  observed,   prior  to  the  3d  of  June^ 

1769,  since  the  creation  of  the  world ;  and  of  these, 
the  first  alone  was  seen  bat  by  two  persons  :^^^  Yet^ 
as  the  learned  gentleman  just  quoted  has  remarked, — 
^^  the  Transits  of  Venus,  alone,  afford  an  opportunity 
of  determining  this  problem"  (the  settling  the  Parallax 
of  the  Sun,)  ''  with  sufficient  certainty :  and  these, 
be  adds,  ^'  happen  so  seldom,  that  there  cannot  be 
more  than  two  in  one  century,  and  in  some  centuries 
none  at  all." 

To  an  object,  then,  of  such  vast  importance  to 
science,  were  proportioned  the  expectations  of  our 
Observers.  But  they  could  not  fail  to  experience,  at 
the  same  time,  in  common  with  their  astrononiical 
brethren  in  other  parts  of  the  world,  a  large  portion 
of  anxious  apprehensions,  lest  a  cloudy  day — nay, 
even  a  solitary  passing  cloud, — should  baffle  entirely 
their  exalted  hopes,  and  destroy  all  the  fruits  of  their 
arduous  labours !  Yet  such  an  occurrence,  as  one  or 
the  other  of  these  events,  was  evideutly  within  tfie 
calculations  of  a  probable  incident. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  participated  largely  in  these  blend- 
ed hopes  and  fears.     He  had,  for  some  time  before, 

(56)  Jeremiah  Horrox  and  William  Crabtrce>  two  English- 
men, were  the  observers  of  the  Transit  of  Venus  of  1639. 


DAVID   RITTENUOUSE.  I6fi 

been  laboriously  employed  ia  making  the  requisite 
preparatory  observations  and  calculations :  and,  as 
Norriton  was  now  rendered  eminently  conspicuousi 
by  being  fixed  on  as  a  principal  site  for  observing  tbe 
very  interesting  pha&nomenon  so  near  at  hand,  he  had 
been  assiduously  engaged,  at  the  same  time,  in  pre- 
paring and  furnishing  an  Obsei*vatory  at  that  place, 
suitable  for  the  occasion.  This  he  began  to  erect  early 
in  November,  I768, — "  agreeably,^^  to  use  his  own 
words,  ^^  to  the  resolutions  of  the  American  Philoso- 
^cal  Society;''  but,  through  various  disappoint- 
ments from  workmen  and  weather,  he  was  not  ena- 
bled to  complete  it  till  tlie  middle  of  April,  1769/*'^ 


(57)  It  was  not  until  the  year  1786,  that  Mr.  Rittenhoase 
built  the  house  at  the  north-west  comer  of  Arch  and  (Delaware) 
Seventh  streets,  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  resided  during  the 
remainder  of  his  life :  but  probably  it  was  some  few  years  earlier 
that  he  erected  his  Observatory,  a  small  but  pretty  convenient 
octagonal  building,  of  brick,  in  the  garden  adjacent  to  his  dwel- 
ling-house. Its  situation  was  not  an  ineligible  one,  when  the 
building  was  first  put  up :  but  its  commodiousness  and  utility 
were  probably  much  diminished,  by  the  erection,  not  long  after- 
wirds,  of  Bome  large  houses  near  it;  and  it  is  presumable,  that 
its  usefulness  in  any  degree,  for  the  purposes  of  an  Observatory, 
could  have  continued  but  a  little  while  beyond  the  duration  of 
its  late  proprietor's  life,  by  reason  of  the  rapid  increase  of  the 
Bumber  of  lofty  houses  in  the  vicinity.  Indeed  it  lately  became 
extremely  probable,  on  considering  the  great  enlargement  of 
Philadelphia  within  the  last  twenty-five  years,  that  the  future 
sogmentation  of  the  population  and  extension  of  improvements 
in  this  beautiful  and  hitherto  fiourishing  city,  would,  in  a  very 
few  years,  render  the  late  Observatory  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse 
wholly  useless  for  astronomical  purposes:  and,  in  the  event  of  the 


166  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  Norriton  Observatory  was  commodiously  sita- 
ated  near  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  mansion^  on  a  pretty  ele- 
Tatecl  piece  of  ground^  commanding  a  good  range  of 
horizontal  view.  This  temporary  edifice  was  as  well 
adapted  to  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  chiefly  de- 
signed, as  the  nature  of  the  materials  of  which  it  was 
constructed,  and  other  circumstances,  would  permit. 
Some  monies  liad  been  previously  appropriated  by  the 
Philosophical  Society,  towards  defraying  the  expenses 
necessarily  incident  to  this  occasion,  at  the  three  seve- 
ral places  of  observation  :  but  the  funds  of  the  society, 
at  their  disposal  for  such  purposes,  were  very  limit- 
ed ;  and  it  is  believed  that  the  quota  of  those  funds 
assigned  for  the  expenditures  actually  incurred  for 
making  the  observations  of  the  transit,  at  Norriton, 
was  quite  inconsiderable  in  its  amount. 

In  order  that  ample  justice  may  be  done  to  the  me- 
rits of  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  for  all  the  preparatory  ar- 
rangements  made  by  him  on  this  occasion,  the  reader 

surrounding  ground  and  adjacent  buildings  being  alienated  from 
his  family,  improper  for  any  other. 

This  was  the  Observatory  noticed  by  Mr.  Lalande,  when  (in 
his  Astronomic y  published  in  1792,)  he  made  this  remark,  treating 
of  the  numerous  Observatories  in  dififerent  parts  of  the  world— 
"  In  America,  I  know  of  no  Observatory  but  that  of  Mr.  Ritten- 
house at  Philadelphia." 

The  Observatory  at  Norriton,  mentioned  in  the  text,  was  a 
temporary  erection ;  and  was  disused  on  his  removal  to  Philadel- 
phia, soon  after.  The  one  put  up  in  the  State-House  Gardens  in 
that  city  on  the  same  occasion,  was  likewise  a  temporary  edifice, 
eonstructed  of  wood. 


DAVID   RITTENHOtJSE.  167 

Is  here  presented  with  an  extract  from  Dr.  Smith's 
sabsequent  Report^  to  the  Philosophical  Society^  of 
the  proceedings  of  the  Norriton  Committee^  and  made 
in  their  behalf. — <^  I  am  persuaded^'  says  the  doctor, 
^^  that  the  dependance  which  the  learned  world  may 
place  on  any  particular  Transit- Account^  will  be  in 
proportion  to  the  previous  and  subsequent  care,  which 
is  found  to  have  been  taken  in  a  series  of  accurate  and 
well  conducted  observations,  for  ascertaining  the  going 
of  the  time- pieces,  and  fixing  the  latitude  and  longitude 
of  the  place  of  observations,  &c.  And  I  am  the  ipore 
desirous  to  be  particular  in  these  points,  in  order  to  do 
justice  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  one  of  the  committee;  to 
whose  extraordinary  skill  and  diligence  is  owing  what- 
ever advantage  may  be  derived,  in  these  respects,  to 
our  observation  of  the  Transit  itself.'^ — ^^Our  great 
discouragement  at  our  first  appointment,'^  continues 
the  learned  reporter,  "  was  the  want  of  proper  appa- 
ratus, especially  good  Telescopes  with  Micrometers. 
The  generosity  of  our  Provincial  Assembly  soon  re- 
moved a  great  part  of  this  discouragement,  not  only  by 
their  vote  to  purchase  one  of  the  best  refiecting  Teles- 
copes, with  a  Dollond^s  micrometer  ;^^^^  but  likewise 

(S8)  On  an  address  of  the  Philosophical  Society  to  the  general 
asBemblyy  dated  the  15th  of  October,  1768,  the  latter  <<  Resolved, 
That  a  suni)  not  exceeding  one  hundred  pounds  sterling,  be 
proYided  and  appropriated  for  purchasing  a  reflecting  telescope 
with  a  micrometer,  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in  the  said  ad- 
dresa"  (observing  the  Transit  of  Venus,  then  near  at  hand,)  <<  and, 
afterwards,  for  the  use  of  the  house ;  and  that  the  speaker  do 


16S  MEMOIES  OF 

by  tbeir  subsequent  donation  of  one  bundred  pounds/* 
(this  was  in  sterling  money^  «  S444) ''  for  erecting  Ob- 
servatories  and  defraying  other  incidental  expences.^**^ 
It  was  forseen,  that  on  the  arrival  of  the  Telescope^ 
added  to  such  private  ones  as  might  be  procured  in 
the  city,  together  with  fitting  up  the  instruments  be- 
longing to  the  honourable  the  Proprietaries  of  the  pro- 
vince— viz.  the  equal  Altitude  and  Transit  Instru- 
ments and  the  large  astronomical  Sector, — nothing 
would  be  wanted  for  the  city  Observatory  in  the 
State-House  Square,  but  a  good  Time-piece,  which 
was  easily  to  be  procured.  We  remained,  however, 
still  at  a  loss,  how  to  furnish  the  Norriton  Observa- 
tory :^^^  But  even  this  difficulty  gradually  vanished.^^ 

write  to  Benjamin  Franklin,  Esq.  in  London,  to  purchase  the 
same." 

(59)  On  a  similar  address  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  dated 
the  7th  of  February,  1769,  the  assembly  granted  them  one  hun- 
dred pounds,  ^<  to  be  laid  out  towards  defraying  the  expenses  ne- 
cessary for  observing  the  (then)  ensuing  Transit  of  Venus." 
This  grant  was  made  on  the  1 1th  of  February,  1769. 

But  the  sum  then  granted  proving  very  inadequate  to  the  ob- 
ject, the  society  petitioned  the  assembly  on  the  1 1th  of  February, 
1773  ;  stating,  that  the  erecting  the  different  observatories,  fitting 
up  instruments,  engraving  various  plates,  and  publishing  tho 
different  transit  papers  alone,  cost  the  society  near  400/*  and 
praying  assistance  to  discharge  that  debt. 

(60)  Mr.  Lalande,  in  the  preface  to  his  Mtronofnie  (3d  edit. 
1793,)  mentions,  that  he  did  not  then  know  of  any  other  observa- 
tory in  America  than  that  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  l69 

Thus  it  appears^  that  while  the  public  contributions^ 
and  such  astronomical  instruments  suitable  for  the  oc- 
casion as  were  the  public  property,  were  principally 
at  the  disposal  of  the  Philadelphia  committee,  the  Ob- 
servatory at  Norriton — which  seems  to  have  been  con- 
sidered  as  a  private  establishment,  belonging  to  an  in- 
dividual,-!^epen(]ed  almost  entirely  on  other  re- 
sources. Even  an  excellent  reflecting  telescope  (though 
without  a  micrometer,)  the  property  of  the  Library 
Conipan;j|r  of  Philadelphia,  and  to  which  institution  it 
was  a  donation  from  the  Hon.  T.  Penn, — the  same 
that  had  been  used  by  Messrs.  Macon  and  Dixon, 
when  employed  in  settling  the  boundary  lines  of  Penn* 
sylvania  and  Maryland — was  necessarily  appropriat- 
ed to  the  use  of  Mr.  Owen  Biddle,  who  was  appointed 
by  the  Society  to  conduct  the  Observation  of  the  Tran- 
sit, near  Cape  Henlopen. 

The  Norriton  01)servatory  was,  notwithstanding,  at 
last  completely  furnished  with  every  instrument  pro- 
per for  the  occasion.  In  consequence  of  some  pre- 
vious communications  made  by  Dr.  Smith  to  the  Hon. 
Mr.  T.  Penn  of  London,  and  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Mas- 
kelyne,  the  British  astronomer-royal  at  Greenwich, 
the  former  worthy  and  liberal  gentleman  had  sent,  for 
the  use  of  the  Norriton  committee,  a  reflecting  Teles- 
cope with  Dollond^s  Micrometer — such  as  the  doctor 
had  expressed  a  wish  to  obtain  ;  and  requested,  that 
after  the  committee  should  have  made  their  observa- 
tions with  it,  it  should  be  presented  in  his  name  to  thr 

V 


170  MEMOIRS  OF 

CoUege.^"^  Through  the  means  of  Dr.  Smithy  like- 
wise^ an  astronomical  quadrant  of  two  and  an  half  feet 
radius^  made  by  Sisson,  the  property  of  the  East- Jer- 
sey proprietaries^  was  procured  by  Mr.  Lukens  from 
the  Earl  of  Stirling,  surveyor- general  of  that  province. 
This  had  been  pretty  early  sent  up  by  Mr.  Lukens  to 
Mr.  Rittenhouse,  and  was  used  by  him  ia  ascertain- 
ing the.  latitude  of  his  Observatory. 

In  addition  to  these  and  some  other  apparatus  used 
at  Norriton  on  the  occasion — a  catalogue  and  descrip- 
tion of  the  whole  of  which,  are  contained  in  Dr.  Smith's 
before-mentioned  report — the  zeal,  industry,  and  ta- 
lents of  Mr.  Ritteuliouse  enabled  him  to  furnish  his 
Observatory  with  the  three  following  described  instru- 
ments, made  by  himself/®^^  as  described  by  Dr.  Smith. 

(61)  This  was  one  instance  among  many  of  the  munificence  of 
Mr.  Pcnn  to  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  and  oi  his  zealous  wish 
to  promote  the  interests  of  science  in  Pennsylvania.  The  trus- 
tees of  the  college  say,  in  a  letter  written  to  Mr.  Penn  the  1st  of 
August,  1769,  thanking  him  for  his  donation  of  the  fine  instru- 
ment above  mentioned,  together  with  a  pair  of  "  Adams's  new- 
invented  Globes ;"  "  We  have  likewise  the  pleasure  to  acknow- 
ledge a  fresh  instance  of  your  benevolence,  in  sending  us  a  che- 
mical apparatus  under  the  care  of  Dr.  Rush."  "  The  many  great 
and  valuable  favours  this  College  has  received  at  your  hands, 
have  always  been  conferred  in  a  maimer  which  has  rendered 
them  peculiarly  acceptable ;  and  cannot  fail  to  leave  the  most 
lasting  impressions  of  gratitude  and  esteem  in  the  heart  of  every 
person  concerned  in  the  institution.*' 

(62)  Mr.  Lalande  (in  his  Mtrorioviit)  has  been  careful  to  men 
tloD)  that  the  celebrated  asti'onomcr  Hcvelius  possessed  a  sinula^ 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUS£.  171 

1.  An  Kqual  JLltitude  Instrument — its  telescope 
three  and  an  half  feet  focal  lengthy  with  two  horizon- 
tal bairs^  and  a  vertical  one  in  its  focus  ;  firmly  sup- 
ported on  a  stone  pedestal,  and  easily  adjusted  to  a 
plummet- wire  four  feet  in  length,  by  two  screws,  one 
moving  in  a  North  and  South,  the  other  in  an  East 
and  West  direction. 

S.  A  Transit  Telescope,  fixed  in  the  meridian,  on 
fine  steel  points ;  so  that  the  hair  in  its  focus  could 
move  in  no  other  direction  than  along  the  meridian  ; 
in  which  were  two  marks.  South  and  North,  about 
330  yards  distance  each ;  to  which  it  could  be  readily 
adjusted  in  an  horizontal  position  by  one  screw,  as  it 
eould  in  a  vertical  position,  by  another. 

3.  An  excellent  Time-piece — liaving  for  its  pendu- 
lum-rod a  flat  steel  bar,  with  a  bob  weighing  about 
twelve  pounds,  and  vibrating  in  a  small  arch.  This 
went  eight  days,  did  not  stop  when  Avound  up,  beat 

merit.  He  constructed,  himself,  the  very  large  telescopes  and 
other  instruments,  described  (with  plates)  in  his  great  work  en- 
titledy  Machina  Calestis^  and  with  which  he  furnished  the  Obser- 
Tatory  that  he  established  at  his  own  residence,  in  the  year  1641. 
Hevelius  (^whose  true  name  was  John  Hoelk6.)  was  the  son  of  a 
brewer;  but  was  well  educated.  He  was  bom  at  Dantzic  the 
SSth  of  January,  1611:  and  after  having  made  the  tour  of  £ng- 
bold,  France  and  Germany,  from  1630  to  163^,  he  was,  on  his 
return  to  his  native  city,  occupied  for  some  time  in  the  affairs  of 
Ihat  little  republic;  of  which  he  officiated  as  consul,  in  1651.  He 
died  on  the  anniversary  of  his  birth-day,  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
3^ears. 


17S  M£MOIKS  OF 

dead  seconds^  and  was  kept  in  motion  by  a  weight  of 
five  pounds/"^ 

Tims  was  the  Norriton  Observatory  furnislied  with 
all  the  more  immediately  necessary  apparatus^  in  rea- 
diness for  the  important  event  which  was  the  main 
object  of  these  arduous  exertions.  Much  credit  was 
due  to  Dr.  Smith,  much  to  Mr.  Lukens  and  the  other 
gentlemen  engaged  on  this  occasion,  for  the  assistance 
which  he,  and  they,  afforded  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  Yet 
the  doctor  himself  very  candidly  says — in  reporting 
the  proceedings  of  the  Norriton  committee  to  the  Phi- 
losophical Society, — "otlier  engagements  did  not  per- 
mit Mr.  Lukens  or  myself  to  pay  much  attention  to 
the  necessary  prepai-ations  ;  but  we  knew  that  we  had 
entrusted  them  to  a  gentleman  on  the  spot,  who  had 
joined  to  a  complete  skill  in  mechanics^  so  extensive 
an  astronomical  and  mathematical  knowledge,  that  the 
use,  management,  and  even  the  construction  of  the 
necessary  apparatus,  were  perfectly  familiar  to  him, 
Mr.  Lukens  and  myself  could  not  set  out  for  his  house 
till  Thursday,  June  1st;  but,  on  our  arrival  there,  we. 
found  every  preparation  so  forward,  that  we  had  little* 
to  do,  but  to  adjust  our  respective  telescopes  to  dis- 
tinct vision.  He  had  fitted  up  the  different  instruments^ 
and  made  a  great  number  of  observations,  to  ascertain 
the  going  of  his  Time-piece,  and  to  determine  the  la- 
titude and  longitude  of  his  Observatory.     The  laud- 

(-63)  For  some  of  the  reasons  which  induced  the  writer  to  de- 
scribe the  instruments  used  on  that  occasion^  see  Note  71.        ^ 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  17^ 

able  pains  he  liath  taken  in  these  material  articles/* 
continues  Dr.  Smith  in  his  report^  ^^  will  best  appear 
from  the  work  itself ^ — which  he  hath  committed  into 
my  bands^  witii  the  following  modest  introduction; 
giving  me  a  liberty,  which  his  own  accuracy^  care 
and  abilities,  leave  no  room  to  exercise.'*^^^ 

(64)  In  addition  to  this  publicly  declared  testimony  of  Dr. 
Smithy  to  the  merits  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  on  that  occasion,  are  the 
fellowing  extracts  of  a  letter  from  the  Dr.  to  Mr.  Barton,  dated 
July  the  8th,  1769. 

^  Mr.  Jesse  Lukens  left  my  house  on  Tuesday  evening,  at 
half  an  hour  past  six,  where  he  waited  till  I  scrawled  out  a 
pretty  long  letter  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  for  whom  my  esteem  en- 
creases  the  more  I  see  him ;  and  I  shall  long  Ibr  an  opportunity 
of  doing  him  justice  for  his  elegant  preparations  to  observe  the 
Transit,  which  left  Mr.  Lukens  and  me  nothing  to  do,  but  to  sit 
down  to  our  telescopes.  This  justice  I  have  already  in  part  done 
Mm,  in  a  long  letter  to  the  proprietor"  (Thomas  Penn,  Esq.) 
^yesterday,  and  I  hope  Mr.  Rittenhouse  will  not  deprive  us  of 
the  opportunity  of  doing  it  in  a  more  public  manner,  in  the  ac- 
count we  are  to  draw  up  next  week." 

<*I  did  not  chuse  to  send  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  original  projectioii 
of  the  Transit,  as  it  is  a  society  paper,  to  be  inserted  in  our 
minntes :  but  I  have  enclosed  an  exact  copy.  Pray  desire  him 
to  take  the  sun's  diameter  again  carefully,  and  examine  the 
micrometer  by  it.  The  mean  of  our  diameters  come  out,  Hor. 
Diam.  31'  34",  3— Polar.Diam.  31'  32",  8— Ven.  Diam.sr,  98— 
The  Sun's  is  bigger  than  the  Naut.  Almanac  gives :  That  of 
Venus  very  well.  The  diameters  of  the  State-house  micrometer 
come  out  lesa.  I  have  compared  some  of  our*'  (the  Norriton)* 
**  micrometer-observations  with  those  made  in  towrij  and  do  not 
find  a  difference  of  one  second  :  but  ail  theirs  do  not  seem  to 
have  been  taken  with  equal  care,  and  differ  from  each  other 
sometimes;  a  fault  I  do  not  find  among  ours.  Our  nearest  dis- 
tance of  the  centres  comes  out,  I  think,  IC/  3",  in  which  we  agree 
within  about  one  second  with  their  nearest  distance :  and  our 
time  of  the  nearest  approach  of  the  centres,  viz.  5*»  20*  32",  re- 


174  MEMOIRS  OF 

J^orriton,  July  iSth  1769. 
'^Dear  Sir, 

^^  The  enclosed  is  the  best  account  I    can 

give  of  the  Contacts^  as  I  observed  them;    and  of 

what  I  saw  during  the  interval  between  them.     I 

should  be  glad  you  would  contract  them,  and  also  the 

other  papers,  into  a  smaller  compass,— as  I  would 

have  done  myself,  if  I  had  known  how.     I  beg  you 

would  not  copy  any  thing  merely  because  I  have  writ- 

ten  it,  but  leave  out  what  you  think  superfluous. — I 

am,  with  great  esteem  and  affection,  yours,  &c. 

David  Rittexiiouse.^**^ 
To  Rev.  Dr.  Smith.^^ 

duced  to  mean  time,  is  within  one  minute  of  the  time  marked  for 
their  nearest  approach." 

"  With  my  compliments  to  Mr.  Rittenhousc  and  family,  I  am, 
in  great  haste,"  &c. 

Mr.  Barton  was  then  at  Norriton,  and  Dr.  Smith  wrote  from 
Philadelphia. 

(65)  On  the  26th  of  the  same  month  he  thus  addressed  Mr. 
Barton  on  the  suhject : — 

<<  I  have  at  last  done  with  astronomical  observations  and  calcu* 
lations  for  the  present,  and  sent  copies  of  all  my  papers  to  Dr. 
Smith,  who,  I  presume,  has  drawn  up  a  complete  account  of  our 
Observations  on  the  Transit  of  Venus :  this  I  hope  you  will  see, 
when  you  come  to  Philadelphia.  I  have  delineated  the  Transit, 
according  to  our  observations,  on  a  very  large  scale,  made  many 
calculations,  and  drawn  all  the  conclusions  I  thought  proper  to 
attempt,  unul  some  foreign  observations  come  to  hand,  to  com- 
pare with  ours ;  all  of  which  have  been,  or  will  be  laid  before  the 
Philosophical  Society.  The  Doctor  has  constantly  seemed  so 
desirous  of  doing  me  justice,  in  the  whole  affair,  that  I  suppose 
I  must  not  think  of  transmitting  any  separate  account  to  Eng- 
land." 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSB.  175 

The  result  of  the  Norriton  Observations  of  the 
Transit  of  Venus — as  well  as  those  also  made  under 
the  auspices  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society^ 
at  Philadelphia  and  Cape  Henlopen — will  be  founds 
in  detail,  in  the  first  volume  of  the  Transactions  of 
that  Society /^>     And  "  the  Work  itself/'  to  which 

(66)  The  first  volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions  contains 
(p.  125,)  among  other  observations  of  the  transit  of  Venus  in 
1769,  those  made  at  Baskenridge  in  New- Jersey,  by  the  late 
Earl  of  Sterling.  William  Alexander,  the  gentleman  referred 
to,  and  who  held  this  title,  was  (it  is  believed)  a  native  of  New- 
York.  It  is  presumable  that  the  title  he  bore  was  one  to  which 
he  had  an  equitable  right :  It  was  recognized  in  America,  the 
country  of  his  birth,  from  the  time  of  his  first  assumption  of  it 
until  his  death,  although  his  claim  to  that  honour  was  not  juridi-> 
cally  established  in  Great  Britain,  where,  in  official ^cts  of  that 
fovemment,  he  was  styled  "  William  Alexander,  Esq.  claiming 
to  be  Earl  of  Sterling."  He  was  descended  from  Sir  William 
Alexander,  in  the  reign  of  James  I,  to  whom  that  monarch  made 
a  grant  of  the  province  of  Nova  Scotia,  on  the  20th  of  September, 
1621.  On  the  12th  of  July,  1625,  Sir  William  obtained  from 
King  Charles  I.  a  grant  of  the  soil,  lordship  and  domains,  of  that 
province,  which,  with  the  exception  of  "  Port-Royal,"  (Annapo* 
lis,  on  the  Bay  of  Fundy,)  formerly  the  capital  of  the  province, 
he  conveyed  on  the  30th  of  April,  1630,  to  Sir  Claude  de  St. 
Etienne,  lord  of  la  Tour  and  Uarre,  and  to  his  son  Sir  Charles 
de  St.  Etienne,  lord  of  St.  Deniscourt,  on  condition  that  they 
^ould  continue  subjects  to  the  crown  of  Scotland.  This  Sir 
William  was  appointed  by  Charles  I.  commander  in  chief  of 
Nova-Scotia.  Soon  after  the  institution  of  the  order  of  Baronets 
of  Nova-Scotia,  he  had  been  advanced  to  that  dignity  by  Charles 
I.  viz.  on  the  21st  of  May,  1625 ;  when  the  king  conferred  on  him 
the  privilege  of  coining  copper*money.  In  1626,  he  was  created 
Viscount  Sterling :  and  on  the  1 4th  of  June,  1 633,  he  was  further 
promoted  by  the  same  king  to  the  Earldom  of  Stirling. 

The  late  Lord  Stirling,  who  was  seated  at  Baskenridge  in  New- 
Jersey,  inherited  his  Baronetage  and  titles  of  Nobility,  as  heir- 


176  MEMOIRS  OF 

Dr.  Smith  refers^  in  liis  Report  of  the  Proceedings  of 
the  Norriton  Committee^  bears  ample  testimony  to  the 

male  to  Henry,  the  fourtli  Earl.  He  married  Sarah,  daugliter 
of  Philip  Livingston,  Esq.  of  New-York,  by  whom  he  had  issue 

two  daughters ;  Lady  Mary,  married  to —  Watts,   Esq. 

of  New- York,  and  Lady  Catharine,  first  married  to  William 
Duer,  Esq.  of  New-York,  and  after  liis  decease  to  William 
Nelson,  Esq.  of  the  same  city. 

This  nobleman  appears  to  have  been  in  some  degree  skilled  in 
astronomy,  and  was  reputed  a  good  observer.  In  the  first  volume 
of  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society  there  is 
contained,  besides  his  lordship's  observations  of  the  transit  of 
Venus,  a  letter  from  him  to  Dr.  Smith,  communicating  an  ac- 
count of  his  having  discovered,  on  the  28th  of  June,  1770,  a 
comet,  which  he  observed  astronomically  on  that  and  the  three 
succeeding  nights;  being  the  same  that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  first 
saw  on  the  25th  of  that  month ;  and  respecting  which,  there  are 
two  letters  from  him  to  Dr.  Smith,  in  the  same  volume. 

Immediately  before  the  American  revolution,  lord  Sterling 
was  one  of  the  king's  council  in  New-Jersey ;  and  held  alfto* 
under  the  crown,  the  appointment  of  surveyor-general  for  the 
eastern  division  of  that  province.  With  the  talents  of  a  philoso- 
pher, he  united  those  of  the  soldier:  On  the  1st  of  March,  1776, 
his  lordship  was  appointed  a  brigadier-general  in  the  continental 
army,  and  was  afterwards  promoted  to  the  rank  of  major-general. 
He  was  esteemed  a  brave  and  faithful  officer,  and  served  with  re- 
putation ;  but  he  died  before  the  close  of  the  war. 

In  the  same  volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Philo- 
Mofihical  Society y  with  lord  Stirling's  observations,  there  are,  inde- 
pendent of  those  made  under  the  direction  of  that  society,  the 
observations  of  the  transit  of  Venus  in  1 769,  made  at  Cambridge 
in  New-England,  by  John  Winthrop,  Esq.  F.  R  S.  and  member 
of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  Hollisian  Professor  of 
Mathematics  in  Harvard-College— -(see  p.  124;)  likewise,  the 
result  of  those  made  by  captain  Holland  and  Mr.  St.  Germaui, 
at  and  near  Quebec ;  and  by  other  skilful  observers,  at  sundry 
places  in  Europe  and  the  West-Indies;  all  reported  (p.  120)  by 
a  committee  of  the  American  Philo%ophical  Society. 


DAVID  RITTBKHOUSE.  1?7 

transeendeDt  Astronomical  Abilitiea  of  Mr.  Bitten- 
honse. — Four  days  after  the  Transit^  Dr.  Smith  trans- 
mitted to  the  Hon.  Mr.  Penn^  in  London^  a  short  ac- 
coont  of  the  Norriton  Observations^  more  particnlarly 
mentioning  the  times  of  the  Contacts,  and  a  few  other 
circumstances  attending  them.  This  was  speedily 
communicated  by  Mr.  Penn  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maske- 
lyne/^  the  Astronomer  Royal ;  who^  acknowledging 


(67)  Afterwards  Dr.  Maskelyne^— <<  To  the  abilities  and  inde- 
fatigable attention  of  this  celebrated  astronomer/*  8a]rs  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Vince  (in  his  great  work  on  astronomy,)  **  nautical  astrono- 
my is  altogether  indebted  ibr  its  present  stale  of  perfectioa.  Of 
oar  (the  English)  Miutkal  Almanac j  that  great  astronomeri  M.  de 
la  Lande,  thus  writes :  ^  On  a  fait  &  Bologne,  k  Vienne,  &  Berliny 
4  Milan  ;  mais  Le  Mauticai  Almanac  de  Londres^  est  Fephemeride 
Is  plus  parfaite  qu*il  j  ait  jamais  eu.'*  He  has  established  the 
Newtonian  doctrine  of  universal  attraction  upon  the  firmest  foun- 
dstion,  by  his  experiments  upon  Schehallien.*  His  regular 
observations  of  the  sun,  moon,  planets,  and  fixed  stars,  which 
are  every  year  published,  are  allowed  to  possess  an  unrivalled 
degree  of  accuracy ;  and  we  may  consider  them  as  the  basis  of 
ioture  improvements  of  the  tables  of  the  planetary  motions. 
M.  de  la  Lande,  in  his  Aatronomie  (vol.  ii.  p.  121.  last  edit)  speak- 
ing of  astronomical  observations,  says-— ^'  Le  recueil  le  plus  mo- 
deme  et  le  plus  pr^cieux  de  tous  est  celui  de  M.  Maskeljme, 
Astronome  Royal  d'Angleterre,  qui  commence  k  1765,  et  qui 
fi>rme  d^ja  deux  volumes  in  folio  jusqu'  k  1786.  La  precision  de 
ces  observations  est  si  grande,  qu'on  trouve  souvent  la  m6me 
second  pour  i'ascension  droite  d'une  planete  d6decite  de  diff(&r- 
Cittes  6toites,  quoiqu'on  y  emploie  la  mesure  du  temps.';  His 
catalogue  of  fundamental  stars  b  an  invaluable  treasure.  These, 
snd  his  other  various  improvements  in  this  science,  entitle  him 

*  The  SchehalUen  is  a  moantain  in  Scotland,  being  one  of  the  highest  points 
b  that  range  uf  mountains  called  the  Grampian-Hills.  The  elevation  of  the 
SdMhaifiea  above  the  aorfaceofthe  flea  is  about  1760  feet  w.b. 

Z 


ITS  MEHOIBS  OF 

the  receipt  of  the  communication^  by  a  note^  dated  at 
Greenwich  the  Sd  of  August,  1769^  says — ^^  I  thank 
you  for  the  account  of  the  Pennsylvania  Observations 
(of  the  Transit,)  which  seem  excellent  and  cam- 
pletep^^^  and  do  honour  to  the  gentlemen  who  mads 
them^^^^  and  those  who  promoted  the  undertaking; — 

to  the  most  distinguished  rank  amongst  astronomers,  and  will 
render  his  name  illustrious,  as  longlas  the  science  of  astronomy 
shall  continue  to  be  cultivated." 

Of  Lalande  himself,  whose  name  often  occurs  in  the  following 
pages,  Mr.  Vince  thus  speaks  : — ^«  To  that  celebrated  astronomer, 
M.  de  la  Lande,  the  world  is  indebted  for  the  most  important 
improvements  in  the  science  of  astronomy.  Through  so  exten- 
sive a  field,  he  has  left  no  track  unbeaten  ;  almost  every  part  has 
received  improvements  from  him.  His  system  of  astronomy  is 
invaluable,  and  has  tended  far  more  to  the  general  promotion  of 
that  science  than  all  other  works  which  ever  appeared  upon  the 
subject.  The  labours  of  this  great  astronomer  will  perpetuate 
his  name."  See  Vince's  Comfilete  System  of  Aatronomy^  vol.  il. 
p.  288  and  289. 

(68)  Mr.  Vince  observes,  in  his  Comjdete  System  ofMtronomy^ 
(vol.  i.  p.  419)  that  the  Transit  of  Venus  affords  a  very  accurate 
method  of  finding  the  place  of  the  node ;  and  this  he  verifies  ex- 
pressly by  calculations  founded  on  the  observations  made  by  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  at  Norriton,  in  the  year  1769. 

(69)  To  so  honourable  a  testimony,  in  favour  of  the  merits  of 
the  Pennsylvania  observers  of  this  Transit,  as  that  of  Mr.  Maske- 
lync,  the  acknowledgments  of  many  other  eminent  foreign  as- 
tronomers might  be  superadded :  And  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  ad- 
dressing himself  to  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  ob- 
serves, ^<that  societies  of  the  first  reputation  in  Europe  are  not 
ashamed  to  place  our  labours  on  a  footing  with  their  own ;  freely 
acknowledging,  that  we  have  been  chiefly  instrumental  in  ascer- 
taining that  great  desideratum  in  astronomy^  the  sun's  parallax; 


DAVID  R1TTENH0U8E.  179 

among   whom^   I  reckon    yourself  ^^^    in    the    first 

andi  consequently,  the  dimensions  of  the  solar  system.**    See 
his  Oration,  delivered  before  the  society,  Jan.  32,  1773. 

(70)  The  compliment  here  paid  by  the  Astronomer- Royal  to 
the  Hon.  T.  Penn,  proprietary  of  the  late  province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  the  zeal  he  manifested  in  firomoting  the  Pennsylvania 
Observations  of  the  Transit  of  Venus,  was  well  merited^— as  the 
detailed  accounts  of  that  highly  interesting  phenomenon  abun- 
dantly shew. 

Nor  was  that  the  only  instance  in  which  Mr.  Penn  discovered 
his  attachment  to  the  reputation  and  prosperity  of  that  extensive 
American  territory,  which  continues  to  bear  the  name  of  his  fa- 
mily. He  was,  on  various  occasions,  a  liberal  and  disinterested 
benefactor  to  public  institutions  in  Pennsylvania :  as  a  proof  of 
which,  his  aggregated  donations  to  the  College  of  Philadelphia^ 
prior  to  the  American  war,  amounting  to  about  twelve  thousand 
dollars— besides  a  grant  of  the  manor  of  Verkessie  in  Bucks 
county,  contsdning  upwards  of  3000  acres,— •need  alone  be  men- 
tioned* 

But  it  is  within  the  knowledge  of  many  persons  in  the  midit 
of  whom  these  memoirs  are  penned,  that  even  the  Juliana  Li- 
brary Company,  in  Lancaster  (an  inland  and  secondary  town  of 
Pennsylvania,)  experienced  repeated  proofs  of  the  munificence 
of  Mr.  Penn,  and  also  of  his  late  truly  noble  and  excellent  con- 
sort, after  whom  that  institution  was  named.  The  writer  himself 
well  knows,  from  the  tenor  of  numerous  letters,  not  only  from 
Mr.  but  Lady  Juliana  Penn,  (who  honoured  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton 
with  their  friendship  and  correspondence,  for  the  space  of  twenty 
yearsr— 41  patronage  which  was  continued  to  a  member  of  his 
bmily,  long  after  Mr.  Penn's  death,)  the  generous  and  unrep 
mitted  attention  of  both,  to  whatever  seemed  likely  to  promote 
the  honour  or  the  interest  of  Pennsylvania. 

Thomas  Penn,  Esq.  died  on  the  21st  of  March,  1775,  when 
he  had  just  completed  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  Ids  age.  He 
was  the  survivor  of  all  the  children  of  the  illustrious  founder  of 
Pennsylvania ;  <^  whose  virtues,  as  well  as  abilities,  he  inherited 


180  MEMOIBS  OF 

Here  the  observation  will  emphatically  apply  ;- 
Laus  est^  i  viro  laudato  laudari. 


in  an  eminent  deg;ree/*«-as  was  justly  obsenred  in  an  obituary 
notice  published  soon  after  his  decease.  Lady  Juliana,  his  wi- 
dow, survived  him  many  years. 

In  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette  (then  published  by  Messrs.  Hall 
and  Sellers,  but-  originally  by  Franklin  and  Hall,)  for  May  17, 
1775,  appeared  the  following  just  tribute  to  the  memory  of  Mr. 
Penn. 

^  He  had  the  principal  direction  of  the  affairs  of  this  govern- 
ment for  half  a  century,  and  saw  such  an  increase  of  population, 
arts,  and  improvements  in  it,  as  during  the  like  period,  perhaps 
no  man,  before  him,  ever  beheld  in  a  country  of  his  own.  He 
rejoiced  at  the  sight,  was  a  kind  landlord,  and  gave  a  liberal, 
6Sttiti  a  magnificent  encouragement,  to  our  various  public  insd* 
tations.  The  Hospital,  the  College,  our  different  Libraries  and 
Religious  Societies,  can  witness  the  truth  of  this :  For  he  did  not 
confine  himself  to  sect  or  party;  but,  as  became  his  statioUf  and 
the  genius  of  Ids  Other's  benevolent  policy,  he  professed  himself 
a  friend  to  universal  liberty,  and  extended  his  bounty  to  all.  In 
abort,  as  the  grave,  which  generally  stops  the  tongue  of  flattery^ 
should  open  the  mouth  of  Justice,  we  may  be  permitted  to  con- 
clude his  character  by  saying,-— that  he  was  both  a  great  and  a 
good  man.'' 

The  writer  of  these  Memoirs  hopes  he  will  not  be  censured 
by  any  Pennsylvanian  of  generous  feelings,  for  introducing,  in 
the  Appendix,  some  elegiac  verses  (by  an  unknown  hand,)  in 
commemoration  of  the  virtues  of  this  worthy  man ;  who  was  not 
only  a  munificent  benefactor  to  this  country,  and  a  bountiful  pa- 
tron of  the  Memorialist  himself,  as  well  as  his  fiunily ;  but  who, 
also,  took  a  very  friendly  interest  in  the  reputation  and  pros- 
perity of  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  These  verses  were  published  in 
The  Pennsylvania  Magazine j  for  Oct.  1775. 

(71)  In  addition  to  the  honourable  testimony  of  the  Astrono* 
mer-Royal,  in  favour  of  the  Pennsylvaiua  Observers  of  the  Tran- 
sit of  Venusy  is  the  following  eulogy  of  another  eminent  En- 
glish astronomer/— as  communicated  by  Dr.  Franklin  to  Or. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  181 

Before  this  interesting  occurrence  in  the  Ufe  of 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  is  finally  passed  over^  the  reader's 

T.  Bond}  one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  Philosophical  So* 
ciety*  in  a  letter  from  London  dated  the  5th  of  Feb.  1772.  The 
Rev.  Mr.  Ludlam,  the  gentleman  referred  to,  and  whom  Dr. 
Franklin  styles  <<amost  learned  man  and  ingenious  mechanic"—- 
m  a  paper  published  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  (and  a  copy 
ef  which,  subscribed  by  himself,  was  sent  by  him  to  the  Society,) 
giving  an  account  of  the  Society's  Transactions,  more  especial- 
ly their  Observations  of  the  Transit  of  Venus, — applauds  both 
the  General  Assembly  and  the  late  Proprietaries  of  Pennsylvania, 
far  the  countenance  and  assistance  they  gave  to  the  making 
those  Observations.— —-^<  No  astronomers,"  said  Mr.  Ludlam, 
<<  could  better  deserve  all  possible  encouragement ;  whether  we 
consider  their  care  and  diligence  in  making  the  ObservationSi 
their  fidelity  in  relating  what  was  done,  or  the  clearness  and  ac- 
curacy of  their  reasonings  on  this  curious  and  difficult  subject." 
He  then  mentions,  in  very  honourable  terms,  the  papers  of  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  Dr.  Smith,  Dr.  Ewing,  and  Mr.  Biddle,  who  drew 
up  the  several  accounts  of  the  Observations  made  at  Norriton, 
Philadelphia,  and  Cape-Henlopen ;  and  adds,  that  <^  they  have 
very  honestly  given  not  only  the  Result  of  their  Observations, 
but  the  Materials  also,  that  others  may  examine  and  judge  for 
themselves ;  an  example  worthy  of  imitation  by  those  European 
astronomers,  who  are  so  very  shy  of  giving  particulars,  and 
Touch  for  their  Instruments  and  Observations  in  general  terms." 
The  same  gentleman,  in  a  letter  dated  at  Leicester  (in  Eng- 
land,) January  the  25th,  1773,  and  transmitted  to  the  Philoso- 
phical Society  by  Dr.  Franklin,  wrote  thus: — ^<  The  more  I 
read  the  Transactions  of  your  Society,  the  more  I  honour  and 
esteem  the  members  of  it.  There  U  not  another  Society  in  the 
%nrld^  that  can  boast  of  a  member  such  as  Mr.  Rittbmhousk  t 
theorist  enough  to  encounter  the  problems  of  determining  (from 
a  few  Observations)  the  Orbit  of  a  Comit;  and  also  mechanic 
enough  to  make,  with  his  own  hands,  an  Equal-Aldtude  Instru<< 
ment,  a  Transit-Telescope,  and  a  Time-piece.  I  wish  I  was 
near  enough  to  see  his  mechanical  apparatus.  I  find  he  is  en-> 
gaged  in  making  a  curious  Orrery.    May  I  aak«"  &c, 


18S  MEMOIRS   OF 

attention  is  solicited  to  ttie  beautiful  and  animated 
description  given  by  Dr.  Rush,  in  his  Eulogium,  of 
the  sensations  which  must  have  been  more  particu- 
larly experienced  by  that  extraordinary  man,  on  the 
near  approach  of  the  long-expected  Phsenomcnon. — 
^'  We  are  naturally  led  here/^  says  the  learned  Pro- 
fessor^ "  to  take  a  view  of  our  Philosopher,  with  his 
associates,  in  their  preparations  to  observe  a  phseno- 
mcnon which  had  never  been  seen  but  twice^*^  before^ 

As  further  evidence  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  the 
Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  and  particu- 
larly of  the  Observers  «&the  Transit,  were  held  abroad.  Dr. 
Wrangel,  an  eminent  and  learned  Swedish  clergyman,  wrote  thus 
to  Dr.  Smith  from  Stockholm,  under  the  date  of  Oct.  18,  1771  :-— 
^^  I  have  been  agreeably  surprised  to  observe  the  rapid  progress 
of  your  American  Society,  of  which  I  esteem  it  a  great  honour  to 
be  counted  a  member,"  &c. — *'  Your  accurate  Observations  of 
the  Transit  of  Venus  have  given  infinite  satisfaction  to  our  (Swe- 
dish) astronomers ;  as  will  the  rest  of  your  Transactions,  to  the 
literary  world,  when  they  come  to  be  further  known.*' 

(72)  According  to  Mr.  Lalande,  (in  his  Aatronomiey  vol.  ii.) 
the  transit  of  Venus  over  the  Sun,  in  1639,  observed  by  only 
Messrs.  Horrox  and  Crabtree,  two  Englishmen,  and  which  was 
the  first  ever  observed,  was  seen  in  consequence  of  a  fortunate 
accidental  circumstance.  He  says,  that  Horrox  had  been  occo- 
{Med  in  making  calculations  for  an  almanack,  from  the  Tables  of 
Lansbergius,  which  are  much  less  perfect  than  the  Rhodolphine 
Tables :  that  these  Tables  of  Lansbergius  were  in  an  error  of 
\&  for  the  latitude  of  Venus,  while  the  Rodolphine  Tables  had 
an  error  of  only  8' ;  but  the  one  of  Lansbergius  made  Venus  pass 
on  the  sun  in  such  a  way,  as  that  the  transit  ought  to  be  visible ; 
#hereas  the  tables  ot  Kepler  represented  the  planet  as  passing 
below  him ;  and  thus  it  was,  remarks  Lalande,  that  bad  tables  oc- 
casioned a  good  observation.  Relying  on  these  tables,  wluch 
Lansbergius  had  extolled  with  a  confidence  likely  to  produce^ 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  183 

by  any  inhabitant  of  our  earthy  which  would  never  be 
seen  again  by  any  person  then  livings  and  on  which 
depended  very  important  astronomiul  consequences. 
The  night  before  the  long-expected^ay^  was  probably 
passed  in  a  degree  of  solicitude  which  precluded 
sleep.  How  great  must  have  been  their  joy^  -when 
they  beheld  the  morning  sun! — ^and  the  whole  hori- 
zon without  a  cloud ;'  for  such  is  the  description  of 
the  day,  given  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  in  the  report  re- 
ferred to  by  Dr.  Smith.  In  pensive  silence  and  trem- 
bling anxiety,  they  waited  for  the  predicted  moment 
of  observation  :  it  came, — and  brought  with  it  all  that 
had  been  wished  for,  and  expected,  by  those  who  saw 
it. — ^In  our  Philosopher,  it  excited — in  the  instant  of 
one  of  the  contacts  of  the  planet  with  the  sun,  an 
emotion  of  delight  so  exquisite  and  powerful,  as  to 
induce  fainting.  This,''  then  remarks  Dr.  Rush, 
'^  will  readily  be  believed  by  those  who  have  known 
the  extent  of  that  pleasure  which  attends  the  disco- 
very,  or  first  perception  of  Truth.'' 

On  tlie  9th  of  November,  following,  there  was  a 
Transit  of  Mercury  over  the  Sun.  An  account  of 
this  phenomenon, — as  observed  at  Norriton  by  Wil- 

imposition,  Horrox  prepared  himself  to  observe  that  transit ;  and 
on  the  24th  of  November,  it  took  place  at  the  time  he  expected, 
Venus  being  about  half  an  hour  on  the  sun  when  he  set.  He 
had  sent  on  the  occasion  to  his  friend  Crabtree,  who  was  at  Man- 
chester, some  miles  from  Hoole :  and  he  observed  the  transit, 
likewise ;  though  very  imperfectly,  by  reason  of  intervening 
clouds,  w.  B. 


J 


IM  MEMOIRS   OF 

luun  Smttti^  D.  D.  John  Lukens^  Esq.  and  Messrs. 
David  Rittenhoase  and  Owen  Biddle,  the  Committee 
appointed  for  that  Observation  by  the  American  Phi- 
losophical Society^ — was  drawn  up  and  communicated 
io  the  Society^  by  direction  and  in  behalf  of  the  Com- 
mittee^ by  Dr.  Smith :  tliis  will  be  found  in  the  first 
volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions.  In  this  re- 
port it  is  remarked,  that — ^<  the  first  time  that  ever 
Mercury  was  observed  on  the  Sun's  disk,  was  by 
Gassendus  at  Paris,  October  S8th  1631,  O.  S.  and 
ihat  the  Transit  of  Nov.  9th  was  the  fourth  in  that 
class ;  the  two  intermediate  ones,  each  at  forty-six 
years  distance,  having  been  observed  by  Dr.  Halley, 
in  1677  and  1783.'' 

Mr.  Maskelyne,  the  celebrated  English  Astronomer 
before  mentioned,^' — ^in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Smith,  of  the 
t6th  of  December,  1769 — expressed  a  wish  ^^  that  the 


(73)  Flamsted,  Halley,  Bradley  and  Bliss,  successively  occu- 
pied the  royal  observatory  at  Greenwich,  from  the  time  of  its 
institution  by  Charles  II. ;  and,  in  the  year  1765,  the  last  of  these 
eminent  men  was  succeeded  in  the  place  of  Astronomer-Royal, 
by  Nevil  Maskelyne,  B.  D.  a  man  who,  in  the  words  of  the  pro- 
fiE>ttnd  French  astronomer,  Lalande,  '<  has  sustained  perfectly  the 
reputation  of  that  famous  observatory." 

The  scientific  world  are  indebted  to  this  excellent  practical 
tstronomer  for  the  publication  of  the  Nautical  Almanack ;  and) 
ia  a  great  measure,  for  the  perfection  of  the  lunar  method  of 
ascertaining  the  longitude  at  sea.  <'  His  unwearied  exertions  in 
tMs  great  cause  of  humanity  and  science,"  as  the  compilers  of 
the  Nev)  Edinburgh  Encyclofiedia  (in  the  article  jfetronofny)  ob- 
serve, <<  entitle  him  to  the  gratitude  of  the  remotest  posterity." 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  185 

difference  of  Meridiaas  of  Norriton  and  PhiladeU 
phia^  could  be  determined  by  some  measures  and 
bearings^  within  one-fiftieth  or  one-hundredth  part  of 
of  the  whole ;  in  order  to  connect/'  continues  Mr. 
Maskely ne^  ^<  your  observations  of  the  Longitude  of 
JCorriton  with  those  made  by  Messrs.  Mason  and 
Dixon^  in  the  course  of  measuring  the  degree  of  Lati- 
tude.'^ — This  request  of  the  Astronomer  Royal  was 
communicated  to  the  Philosophical  Society  of  Phila- 
delphia ;  in  consequence  of  which^  Dr.  Smithy  Mr. 
Lukens  and  Mr.  Rittenhovse^  were  appointed  to  make 
the  terrestrial  measurement  required.     These  gentle- 
men,  having  taken  to  their  assistance  Mr.  Archibald 
M'Clean  and  Mr.  Jesse  Lukens^  two  able  and  expe- 
rienced Surveyors,    commenced  their  operations   at 
Norriton,  early  on  the  Sd  day  of  July  following,  and 
completed  their  survey  on  the  4;th  day  of  that  month. 
The  Report  of  the  able  Committee,  to  which  this  bu- 
siness was  assigned  by  the  American  Philosophical 
Society,  is  also  contained  in  the  first  volume  of  the 
Transactions  of  that  learned  Body.     After  giving  va- 
rious calculations,   resulting  from  the  operations  of 
that  committee,  the  Reporter  says — "  Hence,  by  the 
above  measurement  and  work,  we  get  Norriton  Ob- 
servatory 52f  of  time  West  of  the  Observatory  in  the 
State-house  Square;  which  is  exactly  what  we  got  by 
that  excellent  element,  the  external  contact  of  Mer- 
cury with  the  Sun,  Nov.  9th  1769."— ^^ The  external 
contact,"  continues  the  Reporter,  ^^gave  it  something 

more:  owing,  no  doubt,  to  the  difference  that  will 

A  a 


186  MEMOIRS  OF 

arise  among  Observers^  in  determining  tlie  exact  mo- 
ment when  the  thread  of  light  is  compleated  :  and 
the  mean  of  all  our  Observations  gives  the  difference 
of  Meridians,  between  Norriton  and  Philadelphia^ 
only  4^^  of  time  more  than  the  terrestrial  measurement^ 
and  the  external  contact  of  Mercury,  gave  it, — which 
may  be  taken  as  a  very  great  degree  of  exactness ;  if 
we  consider  that  the  difference  of  Meridians,  between 
the  Ions-established  Observatories  of  Greenwich  and 
Paris,  (as  Mr.  De  la  Lande  writes,  Nov.  18th  1768,) 
was  not  then  determined  within  2(f  of  time — For,  he 
says,  ^some  called  it  &  15^;  others,  if  40";'  but  that 
he  himself  commonly  used  9  tOTy  though  he  could 
not  tell  from  what  Observations  it  was  deduced.^^ — 
Finally,  the  Report  fixes  Philadelphia  to  be  5**  (f  9fy 
and  Norriton,  Sf"  1'  SiT  West  from  Greenwich.<'^'>  The 
Latitude  of  Norriton,  as  deduced  from  the  actual  men- 
suration just  mentioned,  connected  with  Observations 
previously  made  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse — ^predicated  also^ 

(74)  It  appears  that  the  difTerencc  of  the  meridians  of  the 
Greenwich  and  Paris  Observatories,  is  9'  20"  as  assumed  by  La- 
lande.  This  was  ascertained  by  the  result  of  tlie  measurement 
oftlie  distance  between  those  Observatories,  made  sometime  about 
the  year  1786  or  1787,  under  tlie  sanction  of  the  British  and 
French  governments,  respectively ;  and  this  difference  of  meri- 
dians corresponds  with  what  Dr.  Maskelyne  had  before  stated  it 
to  be.  The  last  mentioned  astronomer  shewed,  in  1787,  that  the 
latitude  of  Greenwich  is  5  P  28'  40^. 

(75)  In  relation  to  Paris*  Mr.  Lalande  calculates  the  longitude 
of  Philadelphia  at  5^  9'  56",  according  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse ;  and 
its  latitude^  as  being  39*^  5'7  10. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  187 

Hi  part^  on  antecedent  Calculations  of  Messrs.  Mason 
and  Dixon^  who,  (having  been  furnished  with  a  com- 
plete Astronomical  Sector,)  had  ascertained  the 
southernmost  point  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia  to  be 
in  Latitude  3^  5&  S9'',4.  N.— is  stated^  in  the  same 
Beport,  as  being  40''  9^  31".  ,It  came  out^  by  the  mea- 
sorement,  Sd\09  less  North,  with  respect  to  the 
soathernmost  point  of  Philadelphia,  than  Mr.  Ritten- 
hoase's  Observations  had  given  it;  and,  in  making 
these,  he  had  no  better  Instrument  than  Sisson's  two-* 
and-an  half  feet  Quadrant.  Nevertheless,  the  framer 
of  the  Report  remarks,  ^^as  both  were  fixed  by  ce- 
lestial observations  and  experienced  Men,  the  small 
difference  ought  perhaps  to  be  divided ;  and  if  a  mean 
be  taken,  to  reconcile  it  with  the  terrestrial  measure, 
the  Lat.  of  the  south  point  of  Philadelphia  would  be 
89^  66'  4Sr';  and  that  of  Norriton,  40°  9'  4ia\^'^^ 

The  same  Volume  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Transactions  that  comprehends  the  communications  of 
these  Proceedings — as  well  as  various  Observations, 
made  at  different  places,  on  the  then  recent  Transit 
of  Venus — contains  also  a  Memoir,  by  Dr.  Smithy 
deducing  the  Sun's  Parallax  from  a  comparison  of 
the  Norriton  and  some  other  American  Observations 
of  the  Transit  of  Venus,  in  1769,  with  the  Green- 

(76)  In  Mr.  Rittenhousc's  "  Delineation  of  the  Transit,"  &c. 
published  in  the  first  volume  of  the  Philosophical  Society's 
Traobactions,  it  appears  that  he  assumed  the  latitude  of  the 
Norriton  Observatory  to  be  40**  9'  56^ 


188  MEMOIRS  OF 

wich  and  some  other  European  Observations  of  the 
same  :  And  with  this  paper,  its  learned  writer  has  in- 
corporated a  communication,  on  the  same  subject, 
made  to  him  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

Until  about  the  period  at  which  the  latest  of  these 
favourite  transactions  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  took  place — 
namely,  his  geometrical  employment  in  ascertaining 
the  Latitude  and  Longitude  of  Norriton  and  Phila- 
delphia, respectively, — ^lie  continued  to  reside  on  his 
farm  at  Norriton.  And  here  he  still  carried  on,  with 
the  aid  of  some  apprentices  and  journey-men,  his 
self-acquired  occupation  of  a  Clock  and  Mathemati- 
cal Instrumcnt-maker :  combining,  at  intervals,  with 
these  mechanical  pursuits,  an  unceasing  attention  to 
his  philosophical  studies  and  researches ;  and  occa- 
sionally employing  himself,  principally  with  a  view  to 
his  health,  in  some  of  the  occupations  of  Husbandry. 

Ever  an  economist  of  Time,  of  which  he  well  knew 
the  inestimable  value,  none  of  his  hours  which  could 
hh  spared  from  necessary  sleep  were  suffered  to  be 
unemployed.  In  this  rural  abode,  he  enjoyed  the 
comforts  of  domestic  life  amidst  his  little  family,  con- 
sisting only  of  an  amiable  wife  and  two  young  chil- 
dren. In  short,  no  part  of  his  time  was  unengaged^ 
or  uselessly  passed ;  although  he,  not  unfrequently, 
felt  the  solace  of  friendly  calls,  and  was  gratified  by 
visits  from  persons  of  science,  worth,   and  distinction. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  189 

The  writer  of  these  memoirs  designed  to  narrate 
those  circumstances  most  worthy  of  notice^  in  the  Life 
and  character  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  in  their  chronolo- 
gical order ;  and  this  plan  will  be  generally  adhered 
to.  Having  followed  our  philosopher  in  his  astrono- 
mical and  mechanical  pursuits^  up  to  the  year  1770^  it 
therefore  becomes  proper  to  recur  to  a  period  of  his 
life  some  few  years  earlier^  in  order  to  introduce  the 
history  of  his  Orrery /^^^  before  mentioned ;  a  piece  of 

(77)  See  Martin's  Philosofihia  Britannica^  lect.  xi*  note  141. 
Though  "  Orrery^*  be  a  modem  name,  the  invention  of  such  ma- 
chines as  it  is  now  applied  to,  is  of  a  very  early  date.  The  first 
filanetarium  or  orrery^  of  which  we  have  any  account,  was  the 
bmouft  machine  of  Archimedes.  This  consisted,  as  Cicero  (in 
his  Tu9culan  Questiona)  asserts,  of  a  sphere,  of  an  hollow  globu- 
lar surface,  of  glass,  within  which  was  some  ingenious  mecha- 
nism, to  exhibit  the  motions  of  the  moon,  the  sun,  and  all  the 
planets  then  known.  Very  imperfect  as  it  must  necessarily  have 
been  in  other  respects,  it  was  radically  erroneous,  in  being  adapt- 
ed to  the  Ptulomaic  system.  This  is  described  in  Latin  verse, 
by  the  poet  Claudius  Claudianus,  of  Alexandria,  who  flourished 
about  four  centuries  after  the  Christian  era,  and  more  than  six. 
centuries  after  the  Syracusean  philosopher. 

Cicero,  in  his  hook  De  Miturd  Deorum^  mentions  one  invented 
by  Posidonius  the  Stoic,  in  his  time,  and  about  eighty  years  be. 
lore  the  birth  of  Christ.  He  describes  it  as  a  "  sphere/*— ^<  in 
every  revolution  of  which,  the  motions  of  the  sun,  moon,  and 
five  planets  were  the  same  as  in  the  heavens,  each  day  and  night  *' 

Nothing  further  is  heard  of  orreries  or  spheres,  imtil  about 
five  hundred  and  ten  years  after  Christ,  when  Anicius  Manlius 
Torquatus  Severinus  Boethius,  the  Roman  Consul,  (who  was 
also  a  Christian,  and  a  Peripatetic  Philosopher,)  is  said  to  have 
contrived  one.  Theodoric,  king  of  the  Goths,  calls  it  <<  MachU 
nam  Mundo  gravidam^  Calum  gcatabUcy  Rerum  Comfiendium  :  But 
Bcethius  was,  nevertheless,  put  to  death  by  this  Gothic  king, 
A.  D.  524.    A  long  and  dismal  reign  of  barbarism  and  ignorance. 


190  MEMOIRS  OF 

mechaDism  which  is  admitted^  by  all  competent  judg^ 
of  its  merits  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  of  his  works. 

The  Planetarium  invented  by  Mr.  George  Gra- 
liam/^^ — and  a  model  of  which  was  improperly  re- 
tained by  Mr.  Rowley^  its  constructor^ — had^  long  be- 
fore the  appearance  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  machine, 
acquired  the  name  of  an  OiTery ;  in  compliment  to 
Richard  Boyle,  Earl  of  Orrery/''^  who  merely  patron- 
ized the  construction  of  one,  from  the  artist  Rowley's 
pirated  model.  This  complimentary  appellation  of 
Mr.  Graham*s  then  newly  invented  Planetarium  is 

having  succeeded  this  period,  no  further  mention  is  made  of  any 
thing  in  the  nature  of  a  planetarium,  for  about  one  thousand  years. 
See  Note  41. 

(78)  In  the  work,  entitled,  <<  A  new  and  general  Biographical 
Dictionary,"  8cc.  published  in  1761,  the  Invention  of  Graham*^ 
Planetarium  is  attributed  to  the  celebrated  Charles  Boyle,  Earl 
of  Orrery ;  and  the  compilers  of  that  work  cite  this  aufifl09ed 
Invention  of  Lord  Orrery^  ^  as  an  indubitable  proof  of  his  me- 
chanical genius."  On  this  authority,  the  compilers  of  the  firitiah 
Encyclopaedia  (reprinted  in  Philadelphia  by  Mr.  Dobson,)  id  the 
very  words  of  the  Biographical  Dictionary,  make  the  nobleman 
from  whom  the  first  English  Orrery  derives  its  name,  the  Inven* 
tor.  But  it  seems  to  be  now  pretty  generally  admitted,  that  his 
lordship  was  only  the  Patron  of  the  machine,  made  for  George  I. 
by  Mr.  Rowley. 

(79)  I'his  accomplished  nobleman,  who  was  also  the  fourth 
Earl  of  Cork,  in  Ireland,  and  the  third  Earl  of  Burlington,  in 
England,  was  born  in  the  year  1695,  and  died  in  1753.  He  was 
a  great  encourager  of  the  liberal  arts,  possessed  an  extraordinary 
taate  and  skill  in  architecture,  and  was  animated  by  a  most  escalt- 
ed  jmblic  spirit 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  IQl 

saM  to  have  been  bestowed  upon  it  by  Lord  Orrery's 
friend,  Sir  Richard  Steele  ;^^^  and,  the  name  being 
{hoe  applied  to  that  machine,  all  those  of  the  nature  of 
Planetaria^  subsequently  constructed, — however  va- 
riant in  usefulness  or  design,  from  the  original  one 
bearing  the  name  of  an  ^^Orrery,'' — were  denominated 
0rrerie8^^^>  In  compliance,  then,  with  long  established 

(80)  Mr.  Martin  (in  his  Philo90phia  Britannica)  says :  « The 
Orrery^  though  a  modern  name,  has  somewhat  of  obscurity  in 
re8i>ect  to  its  origin ;  some  persons  deriving  it  from  a  Greek 
vordy  which  imports  to  see  or  viev)  :**  *<  But  others  say,  that  Sir 
Richard  Steele  first  gave  this  name  to  an  instrument  of  this  sorty 
which  was  made  by  Mr.  Rowley  for  the  late  Earl  of  Orrery,  and 
shewed  only  the  movement  of  one  or  two  of  the  heavenly  bodies. 
From  hence  many  people  have  imagined,  that  this  machine  owed 
its  invention  to  that  noble  lord."  This  Orrery  was  a  large  one ; 
and,  although  it  is  represented  by  Mr.  Martin  as  a  very  defective 
machine,  it  was  purchased  by  King  George  I.  at  the  price  of 
one  thousand  guineas. 

(81)  Besides  the  Orrery  here  referred  to,  as  the  invention  of 
the  celebrated  mechanic  and  watchmaker,  Mr.  George  Graham, 
a  like  machine  was  afterwards  contrived  by  Mr.  James  Ferguson, 
an  eminent  Scotch  mechanic  and  astronomer,  and  another  plane- 
tarium of  the  same  kind,  by  Mr.  William  Jones,  an  ingenious 
mathematical  instrument  maker,  of  London  From  the  plancta- 
riom  or  orrery  of  Graham,  however,  as  a  model,  all  the  modem 
orreries,  prior  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse's,  appear  to  have  been  taken. 
The  one  constructed  by  Mr  Rowley  is  said  to  be  very  similar  to 
that  invented  by  Dr.  Stephen  Hales. 

But  the  idea  of  a  planetarium,  somewhat  similar  to  the  Ritten- 
house-orrery,  seems  to  have  been  conceived  by  Huygens,  who 
died  in  1695.  A  collection  of  this  celebrated  philosopher's  works 
was  printed  at  Ley  den  in  the  year  1724  and  1728:  and  in  these 
will  be  found  the  description  of  a  planetarium ;  ^<  a  machine" 
(says  I^lande,  in  speaking  of  the  one  contemplated  by  Huygens,) 


192  MEMOIRS  OF 

usage^  Mr.  Rittenhouae  modestly  called  his  Flaneta 
rian-macbine^  from  the  first  projection  of  it^  an  Orrery 
although  the  entire  merits  both  of  the  invention 
construction^  belonged  to  himself. ^^^^ 

It  is  not  ascertained,  at  what  time  Mr.  Kittenhonae 
first  conceived  the  plan  of  that  extensive,  complicated 
and  inestimable  Orrery,  which  he  afterwards  execat- 
ed.  Probably,  he  had  long  thought  on  the  subjeet, 
before  he  publicly  announced  his  design.  It  is  cer- 
tain, however,  that  before  the  beginning  of  the  year 

<<  which  represents,  by  wheel-work,  the  revolutions  of  the  planets 
around  the  sun  and  of  the  moon  around  the  earth,  in  their  dura- 
tions and  natural  dimensions;  with  their  excentricities,  their  in- 
equalities, and  their  inclinations  towards  the  ecliptic."  See  La- 
land's  Aatron. 

(82)  Mr.  Jefferson  remarks,  in  Yix^jVotea  on  Virginia^  that  "  Mr. 
Rittenhouse's  model  of  the  planetary  system  has  the  plagiary  ap- 
pellation of  an  Orrery."  This  was,  undoubtedly,  a  plagiary  namci 
in  its  relation  to  Graham's  Planetarium,  of  which  Lord  Orrery 
was  the  supposed  inventor :  but  the  charge  of  plagiarism  does 
not  properly  apply  to  the  same  name,  when  bestowed  by  Mr  Rlt- 
tenhouse  himself,  on  the  grand  machine  of  his  own  invention  and 
construction.  How  improper  soever  this  name  may  have  been 
in  its  first  application  to  a  planetarium,  it  has  since  been  gene- 
rally applied  to  similar  machines ;  and  it  has  thus  acquired  an 
appropriate  signification  in  relation  to  them.  Mr.  Rittenhottse 
did  not  choose  to  depart  from  the  appellation  in  common  use,  in 
naming  a  machine  for  surpassing,  in  ingenuity  of  contrivance^ 
accuracy  and  utility,  any  thing  of  the  kind  ever  before  construct- 
ed ;  yet,  in  all  those  points  of  excellence,  he  was  the  inventor  of 
that  admirable  machine,  which  has  been  genemlly  denominated^ 
by  others,  "the  Rittcnhouse  Orrery." 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  103 

17679  there  was  some  correspoodence  and  some  un- 
dentaDdlng,  respecting  it,  betweeo  himself  and  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Barton.  It  appears  in  fact^  thaiy  prior  to 
that  period^  Mr.  Barton  had  been  fally  apprized  of 
his  brother-in-law's  desire  to  carry  into  effect  his  me- 
ditated design  of  constructing  a  complete  Orrery^  on  a 
plan  entirely  new ;  and  that  some  arrangement  was 
previously  made^  between  these  gentlemen  ;  by  which 
Mr.  Barton  undertook  to  indemnify  Mr.  Rittenhouse, 
for  such  actual  expenditures  as  he  should  incur  in 
making  the  machine  and  his  loss  of  time  while  em- 
ployed in  the  work^  not  exceeding  a  stipulated  sum ; 
provided  he  should  not  be  able  to  dispose  of  it,  when 
finished,  at  a  price  then  fixed  on.  The  prudential 
cautbn  of  our  young  Philosopher  (then  about  thirty, 
four  years  of  age,)  and  the  public  spirit  of  his  friend, 
grounded  on  the  confidence  be  had  in  the  artist's  ta- 
lents and  abilities,  were  alike  evinced  on  this  occa- 


The  first  written  communication  made  by  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhonse  to  Mr.  Barton,  on  the  subject  of  the  Orrery, 
if  eontained  in  a  letter  under  the  date  of  Jan.  S8th, 
1707 :  it  is  in  these  words : — '<  I  am  glad  you  took 
the  pains  to  transcribe,  and  send  me,  Martin's  •ttccount 
rf  Orreries.^^  "Two  forms  (he  says)  have  princi- 
pally obtained,  the  Hemispherical  Orrery  and  the 
Whole  Sphere.    But  the  idea  given  us  by  the  former, 

(83)  See  Note  77. 

Bb 


i04  MEMOIRS  Of 

is  very  unnatural  and  imperfect  An  Orrery^  theii| 
adapted  to  an  Armillary  Sphere  is  the  only  macbuie 
that  can  exhibit  a  just  idea  of  the  true  System  of  the 
World.^'— '^But  in  my  opinion/'  says  Mr.  Bitten* 
house^  ^^  the  latter  is  likewise  very  unnatural :  for^ 
what  has  a  Sphere^  consisting  of  a  great  number  of 
metaline  Circles^  to  do  with  the  true  System  of  the 
WorJd?  Is  there  one  real,  or  so  much  as  apparent 
Circle,  in  it?  (the  bodies  of  the  Sun  and  Planets  ex- 
cepted.) Are  they  not  all  merely  imaginary  lines^ 
contrivt'd  for  the  purpose  of  calculation  ?  I  did  not 
intend  to  let  one  of  them  have  a  place  in  my  Orrery, 
except  the  Zodiac,  on  which  I  would  have  the  true 
latitude  and  longitude  of  each  planet  pointed  out  by 
its  proper  Index.'' 

'^  I  did  not  design  a  Machine,  which  should  give 
the  ignorant  in  astronomy  a  just  view  of  the  Solar  Sys- 
tem :  but  would  rather  astonish  the  skilful  and  curious 
examiner,  by  a  most  accurate  correspondence  between 
the  situations  and  motions  of  our  little  representatives 
of  the  heavenly  bodies,  and  the  situations  and  motions 
of  those  bodies,  themselves.  I  would  have  my  Orrery 
really  useful,  by  making  it  capable  of  informing  us, 
truly,  of  the  astronomical  phaenomena  for  any  particu- 
lar point  of  time ;  which,  I  do  not  find  that  any  Orrery 
yet  made,  can  do/' 


.« 


^^But,''  continues  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  ^^ perhaps  it  may 
be  necessary  io  comply  with  the  prevailing  taste :  If 


DAVID   BITTEtJHOUSE.  199 

M,  my  plan  ronat  be  entirely  altered  ; — and  thia  is  a 
matter  that  must  be  settled  between  yoa  and  me,  be- 
fore I  caD  proceed.  However,  T  shall  send  yon,  in 
my  next,  a  particalar  account  of  my  desiga ;  aocb  as  I 
Vould  have  it, if  act  limited  by  the  fearof  making  it  too 
expensive. — A  specimen  (if  I  may  so  call  it)  of  the 
moat  curious  part  of  it,  though  much  smaller  than  that 
inteoded  for  the  Orrery,  is  now  in  hand,  and  I' hope 
will  soon  be  fluished." 

To  this  letter  Mr.  Barton  returned  the  following  an- 
swer. 

"  Lancaster,  February  Sis*,  1767. 
''Dear  Brother, 

"  I  received,  a  few  days  ago,  yours  of  the  S8th 
ult. — after  it  had  undergone  the  torture  of  some  Dutch- 
man's pocket,  which  compelled  it  to  force  its  way 
through  the  cover :  However,  the  inside  did  escape 
without  many  fractures ;  so  that  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
getting  it  iuto  my  bands  in  such  a  condition  that  I 
could  read  it. 

"  Had  I  known  your  distress,  at  the  time  yon  re- 
ceived my  letter,  I  should  have  sincerely  felt  for  yon. 
I  well  know  the  anxiety  of  an  husband,  on  such  occa- 
sions, and  my  heart  will  ever  join  in  sympathy  with 
him  :  For  you,  my  feelings  would  have  been  doubled, 
as  a  husband,  as  my  friend  and  brother.  Glad  I  am, 
therefore,  that  I  have  no  occasion  to  condole  with  yon, 
bnt  rather  to  rejoice ;  and  I  most  sincerely  and  affec- 
tionately congratulate  yon,  on  the  escape  and  recovery 


195  iflevoiRS  OF 

of  your  good  girl^  and  wish  yoa  joy  of  your  dauglltAr. 
I  desire  to  offer  m;^  best  regards  to  sister  Nelly^  for 
die  eompliment  she  intended  me,  had  her  child  been  a 
boy.  Her  intention  was  kind,  and  I  hope  to  have  the 
eontinnance  of  her  favourable  opinion  of  me. 

^^I  am  much  pleased  with  your  remarks  on  Spheri* 
cal  Orreries,  or  rather  on  the  circles  generally  adapted 
to  such  Orreries.  Mr.  Rowning  seems  to  be  go  moch 
of  the  same  opinion,  that  I  could  not  deny  myself  the 
pleasure  of  transcribing  some  part  of  his  account  of 
Orreries,  and  of  an  imaginary  machine,  which  he 
thinks  might  be  made  very  useful.^^  Several  of  his 
hints  appear  to  me  ingenious^  and  I  hope  they  will  not 
be  unacceptable  to  you. 

"  I  would  have  you  pursue  your  Orrery  in  your 
own  way^  without  any  regard  to  an  ignorant  or  prevail- 
ing taste.  All  you  have  to  study  is  truth,  and  to  dia- 
play  the  glorious  system  of  Copernicus  in  a  propw 
manner ; — and  to  make  your  machine  as  much  an  ori- 
ginal^ as  possible.  I  beg  you  will  not  limit  your- 
self in  the  price.  I  am  now  perfectly  convinced^  that 
yoa  can  dispose  of  it  to  advantage ;  and  should  be  sorry 
you  would  lose  one  hour  more  in  fears  or  doubts  about 
it*  In  fact,  I  have  laid  such  plans  for  the  disposal  of 
ily  that  I  have  almost  a  moral  certainty  of  having  a 
demand  for  more  than  one  of  the  kind.  I  have  not 
time  to  write  you  as  fully  as  I  could  wish,  as  the  tran- 

(84)  See  A  Com/iendioua  System  ofXatvxal  Philoaophy^  Sec.  bjr 
J.  Rowning,  M.  A.  part  iv.  chap.  15. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  Ifl7 

seribing  from  Rowning  hag  detained  me  so  long^  and 
1  mm  this  moment  setting  out  for  Gaemarvon. 

^^  My  letter  to  the  Propretor^**^  is  delayed^  till  I  can 
send  him  the  account  of  yonr  design^  iivhich  you  are 
pleased  to  promise  me.  You  say  you  have  ^^  a  speci- 
men'^ in  hand :  I  should  be  glad  to  know  what  it  is. 

'^  I  shall  not  neglect  the  things  you  mentioned  to 
me^  as  I  shall  always  receive  a  pleasure  in  serving 

you.        *********      #*#t4|t 
***      ************ 

«    «    *    *    glie  joias  me  in  love  to  father^  mother 

r 

and  all  friends. — I  am^  in  haste^  dear  Davy^  your  very 
affectionate  friend  and  brother^ 

"  Thomas  Barton. 

^^  P.  8.  Forgive  this  wretched  scrawl — ^I  have  not 
time  to  examine  whether  I  have  committed  any  errors 
m  copying  Mr.  Rowning. 

'^  I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Huygens'^  Cotes'^  HeL 
iham's^  and  Power's  Philosophy  to  you.  Ton  will 
be  much  pleased  with  them. 

(85)  The  Hon.  Thomas  Penn,  of  Stoke-PogeS)  in  Bucking- 
himshire,  heretofore  one  of  the  Proprietaries  of  the  former  pro- 
vince of  Pennsylvania.  This  gentleman  was  then  usually  styled, 
in  Pennsylvania,  "The  Proprietor." 


116  MEMOIRS  OF 

^  I  wish  you  woald  purchase  BioQ'*s  Description  of 
Philosophical  and  Mathematical  Instruments^  &;c.'' 

^Mb.  David  Rittenhouse.'^ 

His  next  letter  to  Mr.  Barton^  covering  the  pro- 
mised Account  of  his  Orrery,  is  dated  the  97th  of 
March,  1767 :  and  this,  it  will  be  perceived,  is  very 
nearly  a  year  before  a  description  of  it  was  communi- 
cated to  the  American  Philosophical  Society  in  Phi- 
ladelphia. In  this  letter,  he  says — ^'  Rowning's  opi- 
nion of  Orreries  pleases  me  more  than  any  tldng  I 
had  met  with  before.  The  idea  of  his  imagitiary  ma- 
chine naturally  presents  itself  to  persons  conversant 
in  Astronomy;  but,  if  actually  made,  it  could  not 
answer  the  purpose,  unless  prodigiously  large,— 
which  I  presume  is  the  reason  it  has  never  been 
done.'^ 

I  send  you  a  description  of  my  imaginary  machine : 
the  foundation  of  it  is  now  laid;  and  I  hope  that  part 
of  it,  containing  the  mechanical  Astronomy  of  the 
Moon,  will  be  finished  some  time  this  spring :  then 
we  shall  be  able  to  judge,  whether  my  abilities  are 
equal  to  the  undertaking.'^ 

The  ^^Description''  here  referred  to,  in  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse's  own  hand- writing,  is  now  before  the  wri- 
ter of  these  Memoirs;  and  is  thus  endorsed  by  the 
Rev.   Mr.   Barton — ^'  Original  Description  of  Mr. 


\ 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  199 

Aitlenhouse's  Orrery^  first  communicated  to  Thomas 
Barton." — For  the  satisfaction  of  those^  who  may 
not  have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  American  Phi- 
losophical  Society's  Transactions,  in  which  this  short 
account  of  the  On*ery  was  afterwards  published;  and^ 
as  this  original  description  of  it  differs  somewhat 
from  the  printed  one,  it  is  presumed  that  the  intro- 
daction  of  the  former  into  this  work^  will  not  be  un- 
acceptable  to  the  reader. 

The  impossibility  of  conveying  to  the  mind  of  any 
frntf  even  the  most  intelligent  and  skilful,  by  means 
ai  either  any  delineation  upon  paper  in  the  nature  of 
a  diagram,  or  by  words,  an  adequate  idea  of  so  com- 
plex and  multiform  a  machine  as  the  one  now  about 
to  be  described,  will  instantly  be  conceived.  Indeed 
no  description,  alone,  can  render  the  nature  of  its 
construction,  and  the  many  curious  and  useful  pur- 
poses it  is  capable  of  answering,  perfectly  intelligible 
to  the  most  scientific  Astronomer.  Mr.  Rittenhouse's 
very  concise  description  of  his  Orrery  will,  therefore, 
necessarily  be  found  defective  :  it  is  thus  worded  by 
himself. 


^^  DESCRIPTION  OF  A  NEW  ORRERY. 

^^  This  Machine  is  intended  to  have  three  faces, 
standing  perpendicular  to  the  horizon :  that  in  the 


/ 


SOO  MEMOIRS   OF 

froot  to  be  four  feet  square^  made  of  sbeet-brass^  ca« 
riously  [lolished^  silvered^  and  painted  in  proper 
places^  and  otherwise  ornamented.  From  the  centre 
arises  an  axis^  to  support  a  gilded  brass  ball^  intended 
to  represent  the  Snn.  Round  this  ball  move  others^ 
made  of  brass  or  ivory^  to  represent  the  Planete: 
They  are  to  move  in  elliptical  orbits,  having  the  em* 
tral  ball  in  one  focus ;  and  their  motions  to  be  eooM* 
times  swifter,  and  sometimes  slower,  as  nearly  ae- 
cording  to  the  true  law  of  an  equable  description  of 
areas  as  is  possible,  without  too  great  a  com  plication 
of  wheel- work.  The  orbit  of  each  Planet  is  likewise 
to  be  properly  inclined  to  those  of  the  others ;  and 
their  Aphelia  and  Nodes  justly  placed ;  and  their  ve- 
locities so  accurately  adjusted,  as  not  to  differ  sensi- 
bly from  the  tables  of  Astronomy  in  some  thousandB 
of  years. 

^^  For  the  greater  beauty  of  the  instrument,  the  balls 
representing  the  planets   are  to  be  of  a  considerable 
bigness  ;  but  so  contrived,  that  they  may  be  taken  off 
at  pleasure,  and  others,  much  smaller,  and  fitter  for 
some  purposes,  put  in  their  places. 

^^  When  the  Machine  is  put  in  motion,  by  the  tam- 
ing of  a  winch,  there  are  three  indexes  which  point 
out  the  hour  of  the  day,  the  day  of  the  month,  and  the 
year  (according  to  the  Julian  account,)  answering  to  that 
situation  of  the  heavenly  bodies  which  is  then  repre- 
sented ;  and  so  continually,  for  a  period  of  0000  years, 
either  forward  or  backward. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  201 

"  la  order  to  know  the  true  situation  of  a  Planet 
at  any  particular  time^  the  small  set  of  balls  are  to  be 
put  each  on  its  respective  axis ;  then  the  winch  to  be 
turned  round  until  each  index  points  to  the  given  time. 
Then  a  small  telescope^  made  for  the  purpose^  is  to  be 
applied  to  the  central  ball;  and  directing  it  to  the  pla- 
net, its  longitude  and  inclination  will  be  seen  on  a 
large  brass  circle^  silvered^  and  properly  graduated^ 

representing  the  zodiac^  and  having  a  motion  of  one 
degree  in  seventy-two  years,  agreeable  to  the  preces- 
sion  of  the  equinoxes.  So,  likewise,  by  applying  the 
telescope  to  the  ball  representing  the  earth,  and  di- 
recting it  to  any  planet, — then  will  both  the  longitude 
and  latitude  of  that  planet  he,  pointed  out  (by  an  index 
and  graduated  circle,)  as  seen  from  the  earth. 

^^  The  two  lesser  faces  are  four  feet  in  height,  and 
two  feet  three  inches  in  breadth.  One  of  them  will 
exhibit  all  the  appearances  of  Jupiter  and  his  Satel- 
lites— their  eclipses,  transits,  and  inclinations ;  like- 
wise, all  the  appearances  of  Saturn,  with  his  ring  and 

satellites.     And  the  other  will  represent  all  the  pb»- 

« 

nomena  of  the  moon,  particularly,  the  exact  time, 
qauitity,  and  duration  of  her  eclipses— ^and  those  of 
the  san,  occasioned  by  her  interposition ;  with  a  most 
earioQS  contrivance  for  exhibiting  the  appearance  of  a 
solar  eclipse,  at  any  particular  place  on  the  earth : 
Iftewise,  the  true  place  of  the  moon  in  the  signs,  with 
her  latitude,  and  the  plaee  of  her  apoge  in  the  nodes ; 
the  san'e  declination,  equation  of  time  &c.    It  mast 

c  c 


SOS  M£UOIRS  OF 

be  uaderstood^  that  all  these  motious  arc  lo  cairespond 
exactly^  with  the  celestial  motions;  and  not  to  differ 
several  degrees  from  the  truth,  in  a  few  revolutions, 
as  is  common  in  Orreries. 

^^  If  it  shall  be  thought  proper,  the  whole  is  to  be 
adapted  to,  and  kept  in  motion  by,  a  strong  pendulum- 
clock  ;  nevertheless,  at  liberty  to  be  turned  by  the 
winch,  and  adjusted  to  any  time,  past  or  future/^ 

''  N.  B.  The  diurnal  motions  of  such  planets  as 
have  been  discovered  to  revolve  on  their  own  axes, 
are  likewise  to  be  properly  represented;  both  with 
regard  to  the  Times,  and  the  situation  of  their  Poles.'' 


The  foregoing  is  a  literal  copy  of  the  original 
nuscript;  and  such  readers  of  this  article  as  may 
think  proper  to  compare  it  with  the  printed  descrip- 
tion of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  Orrery,  communicated  to 
the  American  Philosophical  Society  by  Dr.  Smith, 
on  the  81st  of  March  i768,  and  contained  in  the  first 
Tolnme  of  that  Society's  Transactions,  will  find  mmm 
(though,  on  the  whole,  not  very  essential)  differenca, 
in  the  two  descriptions.  The  concluding  paragraph, 
indeed,— designated,  in  each,  by  a  N.  B. — is  mate- 
rially variant  in  the  two :  and  it  appears,  by  its  hav- 
ing been  announced  in  the  published  (and  later)  ac» 
connt  of  this  machine,  that,  ^^  the  clock  part  of  it  may 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  SOS 

..  be  contrived  to  play  a  great  variety  of  Masic/'  (a 
suggestion  wholly  omitted  in  Mr.  Rittenhoase's  origi- 
nal communication,  made  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,) 
that  the  philosophic  Artist  had  been  afterwards  induc- 
ed, in  one  particular  at  least,  ^^  to  comply  with  the 
prevailing  taste.'^^^  But  this  may  be  readily  account- 
ed for :  our  artist  had  previously  made  some  extreme- 
ly curious  and  beautiful  Time-pieces,  to  each  of  which 
was  attached  the  mechanism  of  a  Musical  Clock,  in 
addition  to  a  limited  Planetarium,  in  miniature.  These 
were  in  the  hands  of  gentlemen  of  respectability  and 
taste  if"^  and  they  were  much  and  generally  admired^ 

(86)  This  design  was,  however,  finally  abandoned. 

(87)  One  of  these  valuable  clocks,  which  is  of  a  large  size, 
with  an  accurate  little  planetarium  attached  to  its  face  and  placed 
above  the  dial-piate,*  was  made  for  the  late  Mr.  Joseph  PottSi 
of  Philadelphia  county,  who  paid  for  it,  as  the  writer  is  informed, 
six  hundred  and  forty  dollars.  In  the  spring  of  the  year  1774, 
it  was  purchased  by  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Prior,  of  Philadelphia; 
to  whom,  it  is  said,  general  Sir  William  Howe  made  an  offer  of 
one  huadred  and  twenty  guineas  for  it,  shortly  before  the  eva- 
cuation of  that  city,  in  1778.  It  is  also  said,  that  Don  Joseph  de 
Jandenes,  late  minister  of  Spain  to  the  United  States,  offered 
Mr.  Prior  eight  hundred  dollars  for  this  clock,  with  a  view  of 
piWKntmg  it  to  his  sovereign.  Mr.  Prior,  however,  retained  it 
until  his  death,  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1801  :  after  which,  it 
passed  through  two  other  hands,  successively,  into  the  posses- 
Noo  of  Professor  Barton,  of  Philadelphia,  whose  property  it 
now  is. 


*  Hie  atea  of  the  face  of  the  dial  plate  is  twenty  inches  sqnareb  and  the 
■lotjoiui  and  places  of  the  planets  of  our  syatem  are  represented  on  a  circular 
area  of  eight  inches  in  diameter. 


XOi  MEMOIRS    OF 

as  well  for  the  great  ingenuity  displayed  by  the  con- 
fitnietor^  in  these  combined  and  pleasing  operations  of 
his  machinery^  as  for  the  superior  accuracy  and 
beauty  of  the  workmanship ;  qualities  eminently  coo* 
spicuous  in  all  his  mechanical  productions. 

'  It  fippears^  that  when  Mr.  Bittenhouse  sent  the  fore- 
g(HOg  description  of  bis  projected  Orrery  to  Mr.  Bar- 
tOQ-^that  is  to  say^  on  the  97th  of  March;  1767<^_ 

(88)  It  appears  that  Mr.  Barton  must  have  transmitted  to  the 
honourable  Mr.  T.  Penn,  in  London,  a  description  of  the  Orrery, 
very  soon  after  it  was  publicly  communicated  to  the  Philosophical 
Society  in  Philadelphia ;  for,  a  letter  from  Mr.  Penn  to  that  gen- 
tleman, dated  July  22,  1768,  contains  this  remark— ^  The  ac- 
count you  give  mc  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  Orrery,  is  what  I  could 
not  have  imagined  could  be  executed  in  Pennsylvania;  and  I 
shall  be  much  pleased  to  sec  a  copper-plate  of  it,  for  which  I 
would  make  that  gentleman  a  present,  for  his  encouragement ; 
or,  perhaps  he  may  be  induced  to  bring  it  hither,  and  exhibit  it, 
by  publicly  lecturing  on  it." 

Had  Mr.  Rittenhouse  taken  an  Orrery  to  England,  and  it  ap- 
pears by  his  letters  of  March  15,  1771,  and  Feb.  3,  1772,  quoted 
in  the  text,  that  he  had  seriously  intended  going  thither,  he 
would,  very  probably,  have  derived  g^cat  emolument,  as  well  as 
fame,  by  delivering  lectures  on  astronomy,  adapted  to  his  orrery ; 
and  it  is  probable,  that,  in  addition  to  the  public  encouragement 
he  might  reasonably  have  calculated  upon,  Mr.  Penn  would  have 
patronised  him,  with  his  usual  liberality.  Of  the  disposition  of 
that  worthy  gentleman  to  befriend  him,  Mr.  Rittenhbuse  seems 
to  have  been  fully  sensible :  for,  in  a  letter  of  the  1 1th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1768,  to  Mr.  Barton,  he  said — '*  I  am  very  desirous  to  send 
Jir.  Penn  something :  as  the  orrery  is  not  finished,  perhaps  a  de- 
scription of  it,  with  draughts  of  the  clock  I  have  just  made,  may 
answer  the  purpose,  together  with  some  little  instrument:  I 
(hall  be  glad  tp  have  your  thoughts  on  the  matter." 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  SOS 

the  ^^  foundation'^  of  it  was  ^Haid.'^  But,  not  with- 
standing  his  earnest  wishes  prompted  him  to  the  ut- 
most diligence,  in  his  exertions  to  finish  it,  many  cir- 
camstances  concurred  to  retard  its  completion.  The 
magnitude  of  the  undertaking — ^the  multiplicity  of  the 
work — and,  perhaps,  the  difficulty  of  sometimes  rea- 
dily procuring,  even  from  Philadelphia,  the  necessary 
materials, — all  conspired,  to  prevent  as  early  a  com- 
pletion of  the  machinery  as  he  had  anticipated :  and, 
added  to  these  causes  of  unavoidable  delay,  was  the 
yet  unabandoned  pursuit  of  his  professional  business. 

The  Orrery  was,  nevertheless,  then  his  favourite 
object  On  the  18th  of  June,  1767^  he  wrote  to  Mr- 
Barton,  thus — ^^  I  hope  you  will  persuade  your  Fe- 
quea  friends  to  stay  for  the  clocks,  till  harvest  is  over ; 
and  then,  I  think,  I  may  venture  to  promise  them,  for 
ready  money  :  but,  at  this  time,  one  part  of  the  Or- 
rery is  in  such  forwardness,  that  I  am  not  willing  to 
by  it  by  till  it  is  done.  I  hope  it  will  far  exceed  the 
description  I  gave  you  of  it.  To-morrow  morning  I 
am  to  set  ofif  for  Reading,  at  the  request  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  Berks  county,  who  wrote  to  me  about 
their  town-clock.  They  had  employed  a  *****  to 
make  it,  who,  it  seems,  is  not  able  to  go  through  with 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  remark,  that  no  engraving,  or  draw- 
ing, could  give  an  adequate  idea  of  the  orrery:  and  that  the 
clock,  mentioned  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  was  one  of  those  of  which 
a  short  notice  is  introduced,  immediately  after  the  original  de- 
^riptionof  the  orrery,  in  the  text 


il06  MEMOIRS  OF 

it :  if  I  should  undertake  to  finish  it^  this  will  fik*- 
wise  retard  the  great  work/^ 

Amidst  the  more  important  philosophical  pursuits 
which  engaged  Mr.  Rittenhonse's  attention  before  his 
removal  to  Philadelphia^  as  well  as  after  he  fixed  his 
residence  in  that  city^  he  now  and  then  relaxed  tlie 
energy  of  his  mind  from  its  employment  in  laboriom 
investigations^  by  bestowing  a  portion  of  his  time  on 
minor  objects  in  physical  science ;  and  indeed^  sooia* 
times^  even  on  little  matters  of  ingenuity,  curiosity  and 
amusement.  As  instances  of  this^  he  addressed  to  the 
Bev.  Mr.  Barton  the  letter  under  the  date  of  the  SOth 
of  July^  1768^  which  will  be  found  in  the  Appendix} 
and  also  another^  dated  the  4th  of  February^  i770^ 
to  which  there  is  the  following  postscript : 

^^Ihave/^  says  he^  ^^  seen  a  little  curiosity,  with 
which  you  would  be  pleased ;  I  mean  the  glass  de- 
scribed by  Dr.  Franklin,  wherein  water  may  be  kept 
in  a  boiling  state,  by  the  heat  of  the  hand  alone,  and 
tlutt  for  hours  together.  The  first  time  I  shall  be  in 
Lancaster,  where  I  hope  to  be  next  June,  I  expect 
to  prevail  on  you  to  accompany  me  to  the  Glass- 
koose,^^  where  we  may  have  some  of  them  made,  as 

(89)  The  glass-house  mentioned  in  the  text,  was  erected  se- 
renl  years  prior  to  the  American  revolutionary  war,  at  the  yil- 
kge  of  Manheim,  about  twelve  miles  from  the  borough  of  Lan- 
caster, by  Mr.  Henry  William  Stiegel,  an  ingenious  and  enter- 
prising  German  gentleman.    Glass  of  a  very  good  quality  and 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  S07 

vffiH  as  some  other  things  I  wanf — ^A  description  of 
this  instrument^  then  usually  called  Dr.  Franklin^s 
Ptdse-Glassy^^^  by  means  of  which  water  may  be  made 
to  boll^  in  vacuo  J  by  the  heat  of  the  human  hand^  was 
communicated  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse  to  Mr.  Barton  in  a 
subsequent  letter. 

wvMtnanship,  was  made  at  that  glass-house ;  as  will  appear  by  the 
following  extracts  from  a  letter  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  to  Mr.  Bar- 
tjOD)  written  in  the  summer  of  1771,  and  acknowledging  the  re* 
ceipt  of  a  barometer-tube  executed  there.  He  sajrs— ><<!  am 
obliged  to  you  for  the  glass  tube  ;  it  will  make  a  pretty  barome- 
M»  tlKHigh  the  bore  is  somewhat  too  small.  I  have  compared 
it  with  an  English  tube,  and  do  not  think  the  preference  can, 
with  any  reason,  be  given  to  the  latter.*'  And  in  the  same  let- 
ter, he  requests  Mr.  Barton  to  procure  for  him,  from  the  glass- 
hoose,  <<  some  tubes  of  a  size  fit  for  spirit-levels.**  ^  The  bore," 
WKf%  he,  <<must  be  half  an  inch  in  diameter,  and  from  four  to 
dght  inches  in  length ;  as  straight  as  possible,  and  open  at  one 
end  only.** 

While  Mr.  Stiegel  was  thus  early  and  meritoriously  carrying 
on  the  manufacture  of  glass,  he  was  also  engaged  in  manufac- 
tnring  iron  at  Elizabeth-Furnace  in  the  vicinity,  which  then  be- 
longed to  him.  But  he  proved  unfortunate  in  his  extensive  un- 
dertakings, and  the  glsss-works  have  not  since  been  in  operation. 
The  fbundery  of  Elizabeth,  together  with  the  great  establish- 
ment of  iron-works  connected  with  it,  and  of  which  Robert 
Coleman,  Esq.  of  Lancaster,  is  now  the  proprietori  are  well 
known. 

(90)  Dr.  Franklin  is  said  to  have  first  met  with  the  Pulse- 
Ghuw  in  Germany,  and  to  have  introduced  it  into  England  witk 

lome  improvement  of  his  owxl 


• 


MEMOIRS 


OF  TUB 


LIFE  OF  DAVID  BITTENHOUSE; 

CONTINUED, 

PttOM  THE  TIME  OF  HIS  SETTLEMENT  IN  PHILADELPHIA. 


JLN  the  antamn  of  1770^  our  Philosopher  changed 
the  place  of  his  residence ;  removing^  with  his  tkmWjf 
into  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  To  this  exchange  of 
his  beloved  retirement^  at  his  Norriton  farm^  for  the 
scene  of  noise  and  activity  presented  by  a  great  town^ 
he  must  have  been  induced  by  the  flattering  prospects 
of  advantage  to  himself  and  usefulness  to  the  public^ 
pointed  out  to  him  by  his  friends :  and  among  these. 
Dr.  Smith  was  one  of  the  most  urgent  for  the  measare. 
The  following  extract  of  a  letter^  dated  the  S7th  of 
January^  1770^  and  addressed  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton 
l^j  that  gentleman,  will  explain  his  motives^  and  at 
the  same  time  exhibit  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  views^  on  that 
occasion :  it  will  also  afford  strong  evidence  of  the 
Doctor's  friendship  for  our  philosopher. 

^^  As  my  esteem  for  Mr.  Ritlenhouse  increases^  the 
more  I  know  him;*^  said  Dr.  Smith,  ^^I  set  on  foot  a 


I 


DAVID   RITTENUOUSE.  ^9 

^ject^  assisted  by  my  neighbours^  the  Wissahickon 
■illers^  to  get  him  recommended  to  the  Assembly^  to 
be  put  in  as  a  trustee  of  the  loan-oflBce^  in  the  bill  now 
before  the  house.  I  first  broke  the  matter  to  the  speak- 
er ;^^^  telling  him^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  ought  to  be  en- 
couraged to  come  to  town,  to  take  a  lead  in  a  manufac- 
ture^ optical  and  mathematical,  which  never  had  been 
attempted  in  America^  aud  drew  thousands  of  pounds 
to  England  for  instruments,  often  ill  finished ;  and  that 
it  would  redound  to  the  honour  of  Philadelphia  to  take 
a  lead  in  this,  and  of  the  Assembly,  to  encourage  it. 
The  speaker  took  the  proposal  well,  and,  in  short,  so 
did  every  person  applied  to  ;  and  when  the  vote  pass- 
ed^ the  day  before  yesterday,  for  the  three  trustees, 
the  whole  house  rose  for  Rittenhouse's  name  ;  so  that 
Mr.  Allen,^^  who  was  hearty  among  the  rest  for  him^ 
observed — ^^  Our  name  is  Legion^  for  this  vofe,'^— 
though  Dr.  M****  got  in  only  by  the  speaker's  cast- 
iDj^  vote. 

^^  This  will  give  you  pleasure,  as  it  shews  that  a 
good  man  is  capable  of  sometimes  commanding  all 

(1)  Joseph  Galloway,  Esq.  a  representative  in  assembly  from 
the  county  of  Bucks.  He  was  speaker  of  the  house,  from  the 
year  1766  to  1773,  inclusively ;  excepting  a  short  interval  in  the 
session  of  1768-9,  in  which  Joseph  Fox,  Esq.  officiated  as 
speaker. 

(2)  William  Allen,  Esq.  chief- justice  of  the  supreme  court 
')f  Pennsylvania,  and  a  member  of  assembly  from  the  county  of 
Cumberland. 


SIO  Memoirs  of 

parties  ;  and  it  will  be  creditable  for  Mr.  Rittenboam, 
even  if  tbc  bill  should  not  succeed  for  the  preseiiL 
The  salary  to  each  of  the  trustees  is  200/.^>  Both 
the  Mr.  Ross's/^  Mr.  Biddle/*>  and  Mr,  Carpen- 
ter/*^  were  hearty  in  their  interest  for  Rittenhoose^ — 
so  was  MinshuU  f^  and  I  hope  you  will  thank  them 
all.     The  governoi*^"^  declared  (and  with  more  frank- 

(S)  Equal  to  533  Spanish  or  American  dollars. 

(4)  John  and  George  Ross,  Esqrs.  lawyers  of  great  respecta- 
bility, and  brothers ;  the  former  a  resident  in  Philadelphia ;  the 
latter  in  Lancaster.  Mr.  George  Ross  was  a  member  of  the  first 
congress ;  and  was  appointed  by  the  assembly  on  the  5th  of  April, 
1775,  judge  of  the  admiralty-court  for  Pennsylvania. 

(5)  Edward  Biddle,  Esq.  a  lawyer  of  eminence,  and  a  repre- 
sentative in  assembly  for  the  county  of  Berks,  in  which  he  resided. 
This  gentleman  was  one  of  the  delegates  appointed  to  the  con- 
gress of  the  10th  of  May,  1775,  under  an  unanimous  resolution 
of  the  assembly,  passed  in  December,  1774;  but,  having  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Galloway  as  speaker  of  Uiat  house,  in  the  session  of 
1774-5,  he  did  not  take  his  scat  in  congress,  with  his  colleagues. 
These  were  John  Dickinson,  Charles  Humphreys,  John  Mortoni 
George  Ross,  Thomas  Mifflin,  Benjamin  Fi<anklin,  Thomas 
Willing  and  James  Wilson,  Esqrs. 

(6)  Emanuel  Carpenter,  Esq.  long  a  respectable  member  of 
assembly  from  Lancaster  county. 

(7)  Thomas  Minshull,  Esq.  a  respectable  member  of  the 
house,  from  York  county. 

(8)  The  Hon.  John  Penn. — This  wortliy  gentleman,  a  grand- 
son of  the  celebrated  William  Penn,  was  lieutenant-governor  of 
Pennsylvania,  under  the  chief  proprietaries  of  the  province,  from 
October  1763,  to  May  1771 ;  and  again,  from  August  1773,  un<- 
til  the  revolution. 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUS£.  ftii 

Bess  than  usual^)  when  I  waited  on  him^ — ^^Mr.  Bit* 
tenhouse^s  name  shall  never  be  an  objection  with  pne^ 
ll  tills  or  any  other  bill :  on  the  contrary^  I  shall  re- 
joice if  the  bill  come  to  me  in  such  a  form^  as  that  I 
ean  shew  my  regard  for  him/' 

*^  Yet,  my  dear  friend,'^  adds  Dr.  Smith,  '^  I  fear 
this  bill  will  not  pass  ;  and  the  Gbvernor  may  be  re- 
duced to  the  hard  dilemma,  of  even  striking  out  the 
name  he  would  wish  in,  if  he  had  the  nomination 
himself.     The  house  insist  on  putting  the  names  in 
the  bill,  before  it  goes  up :    the  Governor  contends, 
that  he  ought  to  have  at  least  a  share  in  the  nomina- 
tion.    This  matter  has  been  long  litigated.     The  go- 
vernor, to  maintain  his  right,  always  strikes  out  some 
names — even  though  he  approves  of  them,  and  puts 
la  others.   Tills  he  did  last  year,  and  put  in  tlie  name 
4d  Dr.  M^  *  *  ^y  and  the  other  trustee  now  in  the 
bill.    The  house  would  not  admit  his  amendment, 
then ;  but  now,  this  year,  they  take  two  of  the  very 
men  the  governor  had  appointed  last  year,  vote  them 
in  themselves,  and  join  Mr.  Rittenhouse  with  them. 
The  governor  cannot  well  negative  any  of  those  ap- 
proved by  him,  before ;  yet  he  must  negative  some 
one,  to  assert  his  right ; — and  I  believe  it  would  really 
^ve  him  pain,  if  that  one  should  be  David. 

''  I  am  thus  particular,^^  continues  the  Doctor,  ''  that 
3fOu  may  understand  the  whole,  and  not  think  our 
friend  slighted  by  the  government,  even  if  this  thiug 


3iS  MEMOIRS   OF 

should  not  sacceed«  All  the  council^^^  are  hearty  for 
Mr.  Ritten house;  and  if  he  does  not  get  this  matter, 
he  will  not  be  long  without  something  else.  Bat  i 
hope  some  expedient  may  be  hit  upon^  to  compromise 
the  matter^  should  the  bill  not  have  faults  in  itself, 
that  may  set  it  aside/^ 

The  warm  and  sincere  interest  which  Mr.  Barton ^ 
took  in  every  thing  that  seemed  likely  to  promote  the 
welfare  of  his  brother-in-law^  was  manifested  on  this 
occasion.  In  his  answer  to  Dr.  Smith's  letter^  writ- 
ten a  week  after,  he  says :  '^  Your  letter  by  Mr. 
Slough  was  so  truly  obliging  and  friendly,  that  I  can- 
not think  of  words  strong  enough  to  express  my  gra- 
titude. Rittenhouse,  I  trust,  will  always  be  sensible 
of  the  favours  you  have  shewn  him,  and  of  the  uncom- 
mon pains  you  have  taken  to  serve  him  on  this  occa- 
sion, which  have  been  represented  to  me,  fully,  by 
Mr.  Slough.^*®^  Accept  then,  dear  sir,  my  most  hear- 
ty thanks  for  your  kind  offices  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Rit- 


(9)  The  proprietary's  and  governor's  council,  consisting  of 
James  Hamiltoni  William  Allen,  Joseph  Turner,  William  Lo- 
gan. Richard  Peters  (D.  D.),  Lynford  Lardner,  Benjamin  Chew^ 
Thomas  Cadwallader,  Richard  Pcnn,  James  Tilghman,  Andrew 
Allen,  and  Edward  Shippen,  jun.  Esquires.  Joseph  Shippen, 
jun.  Esquire,  officiated  many  years  as  provinciiii  secretary  and 
clerk  of  the  council. 

(10)  Matthias  Slough,  Esq.  who  served  several  years  with 
reputation  as  a  representative  in  the  assembly,  from  the  county  of 
Lancaster. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSk.  S13 

ienhouse.  Accept  of  my  wife'8  best  thanks^  also 
—  —  She  shed  tears  of  gratitude^  when  she  read 
your  letter,  (for  her  attachment  to  her  brother  David 
is  very  great,)  and  declared,  in  a  high  strain  of  en- 
thusiasm, that  Dr.  Smith  was  the  most  steady  friend 
and  obliging  man  that  ever  lived;  that  she  shDuld 
honour  and  respect  him,  while  living,  and,  should 
she  surnve  him,  would  always  revere  his  memory. 
Thus  it  was,  that  the  sister  of  yonr  ^  optical  and  ma- 
thematical' friend  expressed  hf'rself  on  the  occasion.'' 

Notwithstanding  the  fair  prospects  which  Mr.  Bit- 
tenhouse  thus  had,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1770, 
of  being  enabled  to  establish  himself  in  Philadelphia, 
with  a  handsome  salary  of  200Z.  per  annum  from  the 
government,  in  addition  to  such  funds  as  he  might 
reasonably  calculate  on  acquiring,  in  that  capital,  by 
his  professional  occupation,  both  he  and  his  friends 
were  disappointed,  in  regard  to  the  contemplated  offi- 
cial station :  The  assembly  rose,  as  Dr.  Smith  seem* 
ed  to  have  anticipated  a  very  short  time  before,  without 
passing  the  loan-office  bill. 

Mr.  Bittenhouse's  actual  removal  into  the  city,  in 
the  succeeding  autumn,  appears  to  have  been  made  in 
pursuance  of  a  previous  determination  more  recently 

formed  f^^^  one  founded  on  some  plan,  not  liable  to  be 

• 

(11)  On  the  4th  of  Feb.  1770,  he  mentioned  to  Mr.  Barton 
bis  then  contemplated  removal  into  that  city,  in  these  terms-— 
^  Dr.  Smith)  to  whom  I  am  indebted  for  many  kindnesses,  is  very 


S14  .  MKMOIRS  OF 

affected  by  such  contingencies  as  have  been  jost  no- 
ticed. Prior  to  that  period^  his  Orrery  was  nearly  if 
not  quite  completed :  for  it  appears  by  a  letter  which 
lie  wrote  to  Mr.  Barton  from  Norriton,  on  tlie  ISth  of 
May  preceding  his  removal  to  the  city^  that  the  trus- 
tees of  Nassau-Hall,  in  New-Jersey,  had  then  agreed 
on  some  terms  with  him^  as  the  inventor,  maker,  and 
proprietor,  for  the  purchase  of  it.^^^^  The  trustees 
of  the  College  uf  Pliiladelphia  had  likewise  been  in 
treaty  with  him,  for  the  same  purpose :  but  the  Prince- 
ton College  succeeded  in  their  negociation,  and  thus 
acquired  the  pi*operty  of  the  Orrery  first  constructed. 

This  circumstance  gave,  at  the  time,  some  dissatis- 
faction  to  the  more  immediate  friends  of  the  Philadel- 
phia institution;  though  it  is  confidently  believed  that 
no  degree  of  censure,  whatever,  could  be  justly  imput- 
ed to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  on  the  occasion ;  perhaps,  none 
was  fairly  chargeable  on  any  of  the  parties.  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse, however,  experienced  some  unpleasant  sen- 
sations ;  although,  in  order  to  avoid  any  suspicion  of 

urgent  to  have  me  come  to  Philadelphia  to  reside,  which  it  is 
probable  I  may  do  shortly  :  but  I  am  not  yet  determined.  If  I 
live  to  write  again,  you  shall  know  more  of  my  mind ;  in  the 
mean  time,  I  shall  be  glad  to  have  your  opinion  of  the  matter." 

(12)  Since  writing  the  above  the  author  has  ascertained,  that 
towards  the  close  of  April,  1770,  the  orrery  was  purchased  for 
the  college  of  New- Jersey.  On  the  23d  of  that  month,  Dr. 
Witherspoon,  then  the  president  of  that  college,  accompanied 
by  some  gentlemen,  went  to  Norriton  for  that  purpose,  and  it 
appears  that  the  orrery  was  then  nearly  finished. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  S18 

hif  liaving  been  actaaied  by  an  undne  purtiality  to- 
wards the  College  of  Princeton^  he  had  made  such  a 
stipulation  in  favour  of  its  sistcr-institution^  as  could 
not  fail^  when  made  known^  to  remove  any  imputation 
of  impropriety  of  conduct  on  bis  part,  in  the  transac- 
tion.  This  is  explained  by  the  following  passage  in 
the  letter  to  his  brother- in-law,  last  referred  to, — evi- 
dently penned  without  any  reserve.  After  noticing 
ibe  dissatisfaction  just  mentioned^  he  says — ^^  I  would 
noty  on  any  account,  incur  the  imputation  of  cunning; 
nor  are  there,  probably,  many  persons  living  who  de- 
serve it  less :  yet  I  am  greatly  mistaken  if  this  mat- 
fer''  (his  transfer  of  the  Orrery  to  Princeton  College) 
'^  does  not,  in  the  end,  turn  out  to  my  advantage,  and 
consequently,  to  your  satisfaction.  At  present,  the  point 
ii  settled  as  follows  :  I  am  to  begin  another"  (Orrery) 
'^immediately,  and  finish  it  expeditiously,  for  the  Col- 
lege of  Philadelphia.  This  I  am  not  sorry  for; 
since  the  making  of  a  second  will  be  but  an  amuse- 
ment, compared  with  the  first :  And  who  knows,  but 
that  the  rest  of  the  coloules  may  catch  the  conta- 
gion.'-^"^ 

(13)  The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Smith  to  Mr. 
Barton,  written  the  day  after  Mr.  Rittcnhousc's  on  the  same 
subject,  >!vill  further  explain  the  embarrassing  circumstances 
that  attended  this  transaction,  and  the  delicate  situation  in  which 
Mr.  Rittcnhouse,  particularly,  was  placed. 

«  I  never,**  said  the  Doctor,  "  met  with  greater  mortification, 
than  to  find  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had,  in  my  absence,  made  a  sort  of 
agreement  to  let  his  Orrery  go  to  the  Jersey  College.  I  had 
constantly  told  him;  that  if  the  Assembly  did  not  take  it,  I  would 


SI  6  MEMOIBS  rff 

The  second  Orrery  was  soon  completed :  for,  on 
the  15th  of  March^  1771^  only  ten  months  after  the 

Hike  it  for  our  College,  and  would  have  paid  the  fuU  ftuniy 
should  I  have  begged  the  money.  I  thought  I  could  dependy 
as  much  as  on  any  tiling  under  the  sun,  that  after  Mr.  Ritten- 
house  knew  my  intentions  about  it,  he  would  not  have  listened  to 
any  proposal  for  disposing  of  it,  without  advising  me, and  giving^ 
our  College  the  first  opportunity  to  purchase.  I  think  Mr.  Ritten- 
house  was  never  so  little  himsflf,  as  to  suffer  himself  to  be  taken 
oJBT  his  guard  on  this  occasion.  This  province  is  willing  to  hononr 
him,  as  her  ovm :  and  believe  me,  many  of  his  friends  wondered 
at  the  newspaper  article  ;  and  regretted  that  he  should  think  so 
little  of  his  noble  invention,  as  to  consent  to  let  it  go  to  a  village; 
unless  he  had  first  found,  on  trial,  that  his  friends  in  this  city 
had  not  spirit  to  take  it :  For  if  he  would  wish  to  be  known  by 
Ms  worA:— -and  introduced  to  the  best  business  and  commissions 
for  instruments,  from  all  parts  of  the  continent, — his  Orrery 
being  placed  in  our  College,  where  so  many  strangers  would 
have  an  opportunity  of  seeing  it,  was  tlie  sure  way  to  be  serried 
able  to  Himself. 

"You  will  think,  by  all  this,  that  I  am  offended  with  him,  and 
that  our  friendship  may  hereby  be  interrupted  :  Far  from  it-^ 
went  to  see  him,  the  day  the  newspaper  announced  the  affair.  I 
soon  found  that  I  had  little  occasion  to  say  any  thing :  he  was 
convinced,  before  I  saw  him,  that  he  had  gone  too  far.  But 
still,  as  no  time  was  fixed  for  delivering  the  Orrery,  I  was  glad 
to  find  he  had  concluded  that  it  should  not  be  delivered  till  next 
winter ;  against  which  time,  he  said,  he  could  have  a  second  one 
made,  if  this  one  staid  with  him  for  his  hands  to  work  by.  As  I 
love  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  and  would  not  give  a  man  of  such  de* 
licate  feelings  a  moment's  uneasiness,  I  agreed  to  wave  the  Ac- 
nour  of  having  the  first  Orrery,  and  to  take  the  second." 

In  fact,  the  Orrery  was  not  at  that  time  finished ;  for  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  then  informed  Dr.  Smith,  that  he  was  under  the 
necessity  of  waiting  for  brass  from  England,  to  enable  him  to 
complete  it.  "  The  result  (continued  the  Doctor)  will  be»  I 
thinky    that  he   will  keep  his  (Orrery  till  towards  winter ;  and 


DAVID  BXTTENHOUSE.  217 

date  of  his  last  quoted  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton^ 
he  wrote  to  that  gentleman^  on  the  subject^  in  these 
words.  ''  Dr.  Smith  bids  me  to  tell  you  he  will  write 
by  your  son  William.  He  is  fully  employed^  at  pre- 
sent^ with  his  Lectures^  and  has  great  success^  having 
nised  upwards  of  two  hundred  pounds.^^  I  am. sure 
you  would  afford  me  some  additional  compassion^  if  you 
knew  the  drudgery  of  explaining  the  Orrery  to  two 

thould  they  not  then  receive  it|  in  the  Jersiesi  they  will  take  it 
It  New-York." 

On  the  7th  of  the  following  month,  Dr.  Smith  wrote  thus  final* 
\fj  to  Mr.  Barton,  on  this  subject—^  Your  and  my  friend,  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  will  be  with  you  on  Saturday.  The  Governor  says, 
the  Orrery  shall  not  go :  he  would  rather  pay  for  it,  himself. 
He  has  ordered  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  on  Tuesday  next ; 
nd  declares  it  as  his  opinion,  that  we  ought  to  have  the  Jirtt 
Orrery,  and  not  the  second,--pCven  if  the  second  should  be  the 
best." 

(14)  The  Rev.  Dr.  Peters  wrote  thus  to  Mr.  Barton,  under 
the  date  of  March  22,  1771 — ^<  Dr.  Smith  has  done  wonders  in 
&vour  of  our  friend  Rittenhouse.  His  zeal  has  been  very  active : 
he  has  got  enough  to  pay  him  for  a  second  orrery;  and  the  as- 
sembly has  given  him  300/.  The  Doctor,  in  his  introductory 
lecture,  was  honoured  with  the  principal  men  of  all  denomina- 
tions, who  swallowed  every  word  he  said,  with  the  pleasure  that 
attends  eating  the  choicest  viands ;  and  in  the  close,  when  he 
came  to  mention  the  orrery,  he  over-excelled  his  very  self  !"— 
<*Your  son  will  acquaint  you  with  all  the  particulars  respecting 
it  The  lectures  are  crowded  by  such  as  think  they  can,  thereby, 
be  made  capable  of  understanding  that  wonderful  machine :  where- 
as, after  all,  their  eyes  only  will  give  them  the  truth,  from  the 
figures,  and  motions,  and  places,  and  magnitudes  of  the  heavenly 
bodies." 

£  e 


S18  MfiifoiRs  oir 

hundred  persons^^'^  in  small  companies  of  tea  or 
twelve^  each  :  the  satisfaction  they  universally  ex* 
press^  makes  however  some  amends/^^**^ 

The  italicised  words^  in  the  foregoing  paragraph, 
have  reference  to  a  great  domestic  calamity  Mr.  Kit- 

(15)  The  author  of  The  Visioii  of  Columbus^  a  Poem,  (first 
published  at  Hartford  in  Connecticut,  in  the  bcgirining  of  the 
year  1787,)  alludes  to  the  Rittenhouse-Orrery,  and  to  the  numer-' 
eus  resort  of  persons  to  the  College-Hall,  for  the  purpose  of 
viewing  that  machine,  in  the  following  lines,  (book  vii.) 

"See  the  sage  RrrrENHausE,  with  ardent  eye, 
Lift  the  long  tube  and  pierce  the  starry  sky ; 
Clear  in  his  view  the  circling  systems  roll, 
And  broader  splendours  gild  the  central  pole. 
He  marks  what  laws  th'  eccentric  wand'rers  bind, 
Copies  Creation  in  his  forming  mind, 
And  bids,  beneath  his  hand,  in  semblance  rise. 
With  mimic  orbs,  the  labours  of  the  skies 
There  wond'ring  crouds  with  raptur'd  eye  behold 
The  spangled  Heav'ns  their  mystic  maze  unfold ; 
While  each  glad  sage  his  splendid  Hall  shall  grace, 
With  all  the  spheres  that  cleave  th*  ethereal  space.** 

(16)  In  a  letter  from  Dr.  Smith  to  Mr.  Barton,  dated  Marck 
23,  1 77 1 ,  is  this  paragraph  :— 

"  I  have  been  so  busy  these  two  months  past,  that  I  could  not 
find  a  moment's  leisure  to  write.  A  good  deal  of  time  was  to  be 
given  to  the  public  lectures,  the  Orrery,  and  the  getting  our  dear 
friend  Rittenhouse  brought  into  as  advantageous  a  light  as  possi- 
ble, on  his  first  entrance  into  this  town  as  an  inhabitant ;  all  which 
has  succeeded  to  our  utmost  wishes;  and  the  notice  taken  of 
him  by  the  province,  is  equally  to  his  honour  and  theirs.  The 
loss  of  his  wife  has  greatly  disconcerted  him ;  but  we  try  to  keep 
up  his  spirits,  under  it." 


DAVID  UITTENHOUSE.  3819 

tenhouge  had  experienced^  only  a  very  few  months 

before, — the  death  of  an  affectionate  wife,  whom  he 
tenderly  loved.     This  afflicting  event  appears  to  have 
overspread^  for  some  time,  the  highly  sensible  and  de- 
licate mind  of  our  Philosopher^  with  a  considerable 
degree  of  gloominess.     In  this  mood,  then,  he  thas 
commenced  the  letter  just  quoted  :    ^^  Tou  are  not  un- 
acquainted with  the  dismal  apprehensions  of  losing 
what  is  most  dear  to  you^'  (alluding,  here,  to  a  danger- 
ous fit  of  illness  from  which  Mrs.  Barton,  the  writer's 
sister^  had  recently  recovered :)  ^^  and  therefore  you 
can  better  judge,  than  I  can  describe,  what  I  feel  at 
present.     I  do,  indeed,  endeavour  to  bear  my  loss  in 
the  manner  you  recommend  :  bu^  how  irksome  does 
every  thing  seem  !  Nothing  interesting,  nothing  enter- 
taining !  except  my  two  little  girls  ;  and  yet  my  re- 
flecting on  their  loss  sinks  me  the  deeper  in  affliction. 
What  adds  to  my  misfortune,  is  the  hurry  of  business 
I  am  engaged  in,  and  know  not  how  to  get  rid  of.  My 
design,  at  present,  is  to  keep  the  childi*en  with  me, 
until  I  can  conveniently  take  a  ramble  to  Europe.'' 
And,  in  the  same  strain  of  melancholy  reflections^  he 
concluded  this  letter  to  his  friend  and  brother-in-law  : 
"I  suppose,''  said  he,  ^'  you  have  been  informed,  that 
the  Assembly  have  made  me  a  donation  of  three  hun- 
hundred  pounds.     This  would  have  been  very  agree- 
able to  me,  if  my  poor  Eleanor  had  lived  :  but  now^ 
neither  money — nor  reputation —  has  any  charms : 
though  I  must  still  think  them  valuable,  because  ab- 
solutely necessary  in  this  unhappy  life/' 


2180  MEMOIRS  OF 

Although  such  was  the  keen  sensibility  of  this  ami- 
able man^  on  so  distressing  an  occasion^  iiis  numeroos 
avocations  of  business  and  studies^  aided  by  the' cor- 
rectness of  his  own  reflections^  gradually  dispelled 
these  orer-shadowings  of  his  dejected  mind;  and  ere 
long,  he  very  naturally  regained  his  usual  serenity  and 
cheerfulness  of  temper. 

A  new  phasnomenon  in  the  heavens  soon  after  en- 
gaged his  attention :  this  was  the  Comet  which  appear- 
ed in  June  and  July,  1770.  His  Observations  on  this 
Comet,  with  the  elements  of  its  Motion  and  the  Tra- 
jectory of  its  Patli,  were  communicated  to  the  Ameri- 
can  Philosophical  Society,  through  his  friend  Dr<r 
Smith,  on  the  3d  of  August,  soon  after  the  Comet's 
disappearance,  and  were  dated  at  Norriton  the  24*th 
of  the  preceding  month.  The  letter  to  Dr.  Smithy 
that  covered  this  communication,  and  in  which  he 
says,  ^^  Herewith  I  send  you  the  fruit  of  three  or  four 
days  labour,  during  which  I  have  covered  many  sheets, 
and  literally  drained  my  ink- stand  several  times''-— 
will  demonstrate  how  completely  his  mind  was  oecn- 
pied  in  those  researches. 

About  the  close  of  the  following  autumn,  some  ae- 
counts  of  Observations  of  this  Comet  in  England  and 
France,  respectively,  reached  this  country ;  when  a 
further  correspondence  on  the  subject  took  place  be- 
tween Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  These  com- 
munications are  published,  entire,  in  the  first  volume 


DAVID  BITTBKHOUSE.  SSi 

of  the  Philusophieal  Society's  Transactions ;  and, 
with  those  already  noticed,  complete  the  list  of  our 
Astronomer's  papers  in  that  volume.  It  is  here  wor- 
thy  of  remark,  that  a  comparison  of  Mr.  Rittenbouse'a 
Observations  of  this  Comet  with  those  of  M.  Messier 
IB  France  and  Mr.  Six  in  England,  confirmed  the 
.theory  of  the  American  Observer. 

Before  this  subject  is  dismissed^  however^  it  may 
net  be  deemed  uninteresting  to  subjoin  an  extract  of 
a  letter  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  addressed  to  the  Rev. 
Mr.  fiarton  (from  Norriton,)  on  the  30th  of  July,  re- 
apecting  the  same  Comet :  it  wilt,  at  least,  serve  to 
shew  the  zeal  of  our  Astronomer,  on  tlie  occasion. 

"  I  told  3'ou,*'  said  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  '^  that  some 
intricate  calculation,  or  other,  always  takes  up  my  idle 
ibonrs"  (he  seems  to  have  considered  all  his  hours  as 
*'  idle"  ones,  which  were  not  occupied  in  some  ma- 
noal  employment,)  "  that  1  cannot  find  time  to  write 
to  my  friends  as  ofteu  as  I  could  wish  :  a  new  object 
kas  lately  engrossed  my  attention.  The  Comet  which 
appeared  a  few  weeks  since  was  so  very  extraordinary, 
that  I  could  not  forbear  tracing  it  in  all  its  wander- 
ings, and  endeavoaring  to  reduce  that  motion  to  order 
aad  regularity,  which  seemed  void  of  any.  This,  I 
think,  I  have  accomplished,  so  far  as  to  be  able  to 
compute  its  visible  place  for  any  given  time  :  and  I 
can  assure  you,  that  the  account  from  York,  of  its  hav- 
ing been  seen  again  near  the  place  where  it  first  ap- 


SSS  MEMOIRS   OF 

peared^  is  a  mistake.    Nor  is  Mr.  Wiathrop  of  Bos* 
ton  happier^  in  supposing  that  it  yet  crosses  the  Me* 
ridian^  every  day^  between  twelve  and  one  o'clocki 
that  it  has  already  passed  its  perihelion^  and  that  it 
may^  perhaps^  again  emerge  from  the  Southern  Hori- 
zon.    This  Comet  is  now  to  he  looked  for  no  where 
but  a  little  to   the  North  of^  and  very  near  to^  the 
Ecliptic.     It  rises  now  a  little  before  day-break ;  and 
will  continue  to  rise  sooner  and  sooner^  every  morn- 
ing.    Yet  perhaps,  on  account  of  its   smallness,  we 
may  see  it  no  more ;  though  I  rather  think  we  shall : 
But  I  must  stop,  for  fear  of  tiring  you.'^ 

The  subjects  of  all  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  philosophical 
papers,  comprised  in  the  first  volume  of  the  Society's 
Transactions,  having  been  now  noticed,  some  public 
acts  connected  with  two  of  the  objects  to  which  thoec 
papers  relate,  and  which  took  place  about  the  time 
to  which  these  memoirs  are  brought  down  shall^  at 
present,  be  adverted  to. 

The  Orrery  had  attracted  a  very  general  attention, 
among  learned,  ingenious,  and  well-informed  persons, 
in  this  country :  it  could  not,  therefore,  escape  the 
notice  of  the  then  Legislature  of  Pennsylvania.  Ac- 
cordingly, the  honourable  testimony  borne  by  that 
very  respectable  body,  to  the  merits  of  Mr.  Bitten- 
hoose,  is  thus  expressed  in  the  Journal  of  the  House, 
under  the  date  of  March  the  81h,  1771. 


DAVID  RITTEKHCUSE.  S!^ 

''The  members  of  assembly^  having  viewed  the 

Orrery  constructed  by  Mr.  David  Bittenhouse^  a  na^ 

^▼e  of  this  Province^  and  being  of  opinion  that  it 

Spreatly  exceeds  all  others  hitherto  constructed^  in  de* 

SBonatrating  the  true  Situations  of  the  celestial  Bo- 

^ien^  their  Magnitudes,  Motions^  Distances,  Periods, 

Xelipses,  and  Order,  upon  the  principles  of  the  New- 

tenian  System : 

'^  Resolved,  That  the  sum  of  three  hundred  pounds 
be  given  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  as  a  Testimony  of  the 
high  sense  which  this  House  entertain  of  his  Mathe- 
matical genius  and  Mechanical  abilities,  in  construct- 
ing the  said  Orrery.  And  a  Certificate  for  the  said 
sum,  being  drawn  at  the  table,  was  signed  by  the 
Beaker  and  delivered  to  Mr.  Evans. 

*^  Ordered,  That  Mr.  Evans,  Mr.  Rhoads,  Mr. 
lames,  Mr.  Rodman,  Mr.  Morton,  Mr.  Carpenter, 
Mr.  Montgomery,  and  Mr.  Edwards,  with  the 
Speaker,'''^  be  a  Committee  to  agree  with  and  pur- 
chase from  Mr.  Riltenhouse  a  new  Orrery,  for  the 
ese  of  the  Public,  at  any  sum  not  exceeding  four  hun- 
dred pounds,  lawful  money  of  this  Province.^'^"^ 

(17)  Joseph  Galloway,  Esq.  was  then  speakeF. 

(18)  The  committee,  named  in  the  above  order  of  the  general 
assembly,  made  the  following  report  to  that  body,  on  the  24th  of 
September,  1771 ;  viz. 

<^  The  committee  appointed  to  agree  with,  and  purchase  from 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  a  new  Orrery  for  the  use  of  the  public,  beg 


)SM  MEMOIRS  OF 

Vurortunately,  the  important  object  designed 
have  been  obtained  ^^for  the  use  of  the  Pnblie/'  b; 
the  Order  which  closes  this  legislative  resolution  wi 
not  executed.  This  disappointment  of  the  liberal  in- 
tentions of  the  Legislature  arose^  probably^  from  the 
many  and  arduous  employments  in  which  "Mr.  Bitten-  - 
house  was  almost  constantly  engaged^  in  the  short  pe- 
riod which  intervened  between  that  time  and  the  com- 
mencement of  the  troubles  in  America.  But^  what- 
ever may  have  been  tiie  cause^  the  consequence  is 
much  to  be  regretted. 

In  January^  1771^  Mr.  Bittenhouse  was  elected 
one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society ;  and  on  the  22A  of  February  following^  an 
Address  was  presented  to  the  General  Assembly  by 
that  Society,  requesting  the  acceptance,  by  each 
Member  of  the  House,  of  the  first  volume  of  the  So- 
ciety's Transactions,  then  recently  published.  Thia 
Address,  which  was  signed  by  order  and  in  behalf 
of  the  Society,  by  Dr.  Smith,  Dr.  Ewing,  and  Mr. 
Robert  Strettel  Jones,  together  with  Mr.  Rittenlioase, 
as  the  Secretaries,  was  favourably  received  by  the 
Assemblv. 

leave  to  report,  tliat  they  have,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  as- 
sembly, agreed  with  Mr.  Rittenhouse  for  a  new  Orrery,  at  the 
price  of  four  hundred  pounds,  the  price  limited  by  the  house ; 
to  consist  of  one  principal  square  (face,)  of  eight  feet  or  more 
each  way,  with  two  wings ;  making  in  the  whole  one  large  front, 
as  nearly  resembling  the  form  of  the  Orrery  now  standing  in  the 
College  of  the  city  of  Philadclpbb,as  its  superior  size  v.  ill  admit/* 
(Signed  by  all  the  members  of  the  committee.} 


DAVID  RITTBKH0U8C.  iS80 

Some  short  time  prior  to  this^  viz.  on  the  SSd  of 
September^  1770^  Dr.  Thomas  Bond  and  Samuel 
Rhoads;  Esq.  two  of  the  ViccPresidedts  of  the 
American  Philosophical  Society^  had^  by  their  Order 
and  in  their  behalf^  transmitted  to  the  Greneral  Assem- 
bly the  Observations  on  the  Transits  of  Venus  and 
Mercury^  then  unpublished;  not  only  those  which 
^ad  been  made  under  the  directions  of  that  Society^ 
bat  such  as  had;  in  the  intermediate  time^  been  re- 
ceived from  the  other  American  Colonies  and  from 
England :  the  Society  expressing^  at  the  same  time^  a 
doe  sense  of  the  obligations  they  were  under  to  the 
Assembly^  ^^  for  the  countenance  and  encouragement 
they  had  given  them^  in  carrying  on  the  designs  of 
t)^e  Institution;  and^  that  they  were  particularly  thank* 
fal  for  the  generous  assistance  granted  to  them^  for 
making  those  Observations/'  They  say  further: 
^  We  have  the  pleasure  to  find  they  have  been  highly 
aeeeptable  to  those  learned  Bodies  in  Europe^  to  whom 
they  have  heen  communicated ;''  and^  that  they  were 
^'likely  to  be  of  great  service,  in  settling  that  impor- 
tant point  in  Astronomy,  which  '  was  proposed  from 
the  Transit  of  Venus/' 

It  18  evident  from  these  proceedings,  that  there  was, 
at  that  day,  a  reciprocation  of  good  will  between  the 
Legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  most  valuable 
Scientific  Institution,  established  within  the  bounds  of 
their  jnrisdiction.  While  the  legislative  body,  on  the 
one  hand,  encouraged  such  institutions,  and  extended 

Ff 


336  MEMOIRS  OF 

a  liberal  patronage  to  persons  of  genius  and  useful 
talents ;  men  of  learning  and  abilities^  on  the  other^ 
were  stimulated  by  a  sense  of  gratitude,  and  a  lauda- 
ble desire  of  honourable  fame^  to  exert  themselves 
for  the  public  welfare. 

Among  the  Members  of  the  then  General  Assembly 
of  Pennsylvania;  were  John  Dickinson^  William  Al- 
leu;  George  Ross^  Edward  Biddle^  Charles  Hum- 
phreys;  John  Sellers^  John  and  Israel  Jacobs^  and 
James  Wright^  besides  the  very  respectable  charac- 
ters named  in  the  foregoing  resolution  and  oi*der  of 
the  House.^^^^ 

(19)  Messrs.  Dickinson,  Humphreys,  Morton,  Ross  and  Bid- 
die,  together  with  MifHin  and  Franklin,  were  delegated  on  tBe 
part  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  first  general  congress,  which  met  iit 
Philadelphia  on  the  5th  of  September,  1774  ;  and  the  same  gen* 
tlemen,  with  the  addition  of  Messrs.  Willing  and  Wilsoni  were 
also  delegates  from  Pennsylvania  in  the  second  general  congress, 
which  met  in  the  same  city  on  the  10th  of  May,  1775.  Of  these 
'^dignified  and  ever  memorable  assemblies,"  composed  of  that 
^'  illustrious  band  of  patriots  whose  worth  sheds  a  lustre  on  the 
American  character,''  the  great  Washington  was  also  a  member. 

Mr.  Dickinson,  the  writer  of  the  celebrated  Farmtr*%  Iuttttr%y 
Vas  a  distinguished  lawyer,  statesman  and  scholar.  Dr.  Ramsay 
|[who  published  his  History  of  the  Amcricau  Revolution  at  the 
close  of  the  year  1789,)  remarks,  that  ^Hhe  stamp-act,  which  was 
to  have  taken  place  in  1765,  employed  the  pens  and  tongues  of 
many  of  the  colonists,"  and,  that  '^  the  duties  imposed  in  ITGT", 
called  forth  the  pen  of  John  Dickinson,  who  in  a  series  of  letters, 
signed  ^  ^  Pennsylvania  Fannevy  may  be  ssdd  to  have  sown  the 
seeds  of  the  revolution." 

From  the  commencement  of  the  momentous  controversy  be- 
tween the  North- American  colonies  and  the  parent  state,  Mr. 
Dickinson  was  an  able  and  strenuous  assertor  of  the  rights  of  the 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  S9«S7 

The  various  agitatioos  which  the  pablie  mind  un- 
derwent in  this  conntry,  in  the  encceediDg  four  years, 

colonists.  In  the  summer  of  the  year  1768,  the  Rev,  Mr.  Barton 
sent  him  a  little  artificial  fountain  or  jet-d'eau,  called  b  perpe- 
tual fountain,  preitily  contiived  and  ornamented.  On  that  occa- 
sion, the  patriotic  feelings  of  Mr.  Dickinson  were  thus  express- 
ed, in  an  hundsome  allusion  to  this  engine  ;  feelings,  called  forth 
bjr  some  sentiments  contained  in  the  Letter  wtiich  accompanied 
this  small  present,—"  I  wish"  (said  he,  in  his  answer  to  Mr. 
Barton's  letter,  dated  the  39th  of  August,) — "I  wish  '  a  pcrpe- 
ttul  fountain'  may  water  the  tree  of  American  liberty — 1  slioU 
always  be  ready  and  willing,  with  pioua  hands,  to  sprinkle  its 
roots ;  even  though,  for  every  drop;  of  the  pure  elcnicnt  I  throw 
upon  them,  the  free-booters  should  pour  upon  me  all  the  foul 
waters  in  which  they  delight  to  dabble.  I  have  acted  from  the 
best  of  motives,  the  love  of  freedom  and  of  my  country.  If  re- 
proaches can  influence  the  weak  and  malicious,  they  never  cail 
blot  from  my  incmory  the  pleasing  consciousness  of  having  en- 
deavoured to  do  my  duty.  I  am  extremely  sensible  of- my  own 
fhdlties ;  and  yet  I  think  I  have  so  much  charity,  that  I  reflect 
with  pleasure,  that  perhaps  these  very  people  who  abuse  mc, 
may  derive  some  little  advantage  from  those  very  actions  of  mine 
for  which  they  abuse  me.  May  heaven  grant  this  to  be  the  case  '. 
It  is  all  the  revenge  I  desire  to  take  of  Uiem;  and  this  I  think, 
my  good  sir,  is  a  Christian  revenge." 

Messrs.  Allen,  Ross,  and  Biddle,  shall  be  noticed  in  another 
place. 

Mr.  Sellers  was  a  sensible  and  ingenious  country- gentleman, 
possessed  of  some  skill  in  mathematical  and  astronomical  science. 
Messrs.  John  and  Israel  Jacobs  (whose  sister  was  the  second 
wife  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse)  were  also  well-informed  country>gen- 
tlcmcn :  the  former  was  speaker  of  the  general  assembly  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  the  latter  a  member  of  congress,  after  the  revolu- 
tion. Mr.  James  Wright  was  a  very  respectable  representative 
of  the  county  of  Lancaster,  before  the  revolutiou.  The  gentle- 
men named  in  the  committee  of  the  gciifral  assembly,  to  treat 
with  Mr.  Rittenhouse  for  the  purchase  of  an  Orrery  for  tho  ust- 
of  the  public,  were  likewise  conspicuous  for  their  worth.    Of 


9M8  ItfiMOIRB  OF 

in  Gonsequcnce  of  its  disputes  with  the  parent  utate^ 
and  until  the  commencement  of  hostilities  between  thft 
two  countries^  seem  to  place  Mr.  Rlttenhouse  more  oat 
of  view  for  some  time^  with  respect  to  auy  public  em* 
ployments.  Then^  all  classes  of  people  appeared  to 
have  become  Politicians.  The  interests  of  Literature 
were  neglected ;  Science^  abstracted  from  Politics^  was 
little  cultivated ;  and  all  other  considerations  were^  in 
general^  apparently  absorbed  in  the  views  which  the 
American  people  entertained  of  their  public  aflOurs^ 
and  in  tlie  prosecution -of  measures^  adapted  cither  for 
the  obtaining  a  redress  of  the  then  existing  grievances^ 
or  to  meet  the  possible  contingency  of  an  adverse  event. 
There  was^  in  fact^  for  about  four  years  preceding  the 
year  177^^  ft  great  interruption^  sometimes  an  almost 
total  suspension,  in  the  American  colonies  of  Great 
Britain,  of  all  pursuits,  except  the  ordinary  and  indis- 
pensable  ones  of  Industry  and  Commerce.  Yet  about 
the  commencement  of  this  period,  (viz.  in  the  summer 
of  I771O  ^^*  Rlttenhouse  was  engaged  with  Mr.  Kin- 
nersley  and  some  other  gentlemen,  several  days  suc- 
cessively, in  making  a  series  of  experiments  at  Phi- 
ladelphia,  on  the  Gymnotus  Electricus,  or  Electric 
Eel ;  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the  nature  of  the 
faculty  by  which  this  fish  is  enabled,  on  being  touch- 

these,  Mr.  Rhoads  was  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the  Ameri- 
can Philosophical  Society,  and  Mr.  Morton,  a  judge  of  the  su- 
preme court  of  Pennsylvania,  before  the  revolution :  both  vrere 
afterwards  members  of  congress. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  8M 

cdy  to  impart  a  ahock,  very  similar  in  aeniation  to  that 
]pmdaced  by  the  electric  fluid.  An  account  of  these 
experiments  was  long  afterwards  communicated  by 
Mr.  Bittenhouse  to  Professor  Barton  of  Philadelphia* 
and  will  be  found  in  the  first  volume  of  his  PhiladeL 
flkia  Medical  and  Physical  Journal. 

It  was  during  this  interval  that  Mr.  Bittenhouse 
eq^rienced  a  long  course  of  exemption  from  any  very 
conspicuous  public  employments^  which  could  inter- 
fete  with  his  favourite  studies;  an  interval^  in  which 
lie  was  disposed  to  have  enjoyed  a  kind  of  dignified 
leiwre,  amidst  the  tranquillity  of  domestic  employ- 
ments ;  so  far  as  the  existing  state  of  things  in  the  po- 
litical world  would  permit  a  man^  solicitous  for  his 
conntry^s  happiness^  to  participate  in  any  sort  of  gra- 
iifteationy  that  might  be  deemed  incompatible  with  a 
dae  degree  of  interest  in  the  public  weal.    He  pos- 
seaaed  too  enlightened  and  patriotic  a  mind  not  to  be 
Iceenly  sensible  of  the  delicate^  as  well  as  alarming 
situation,  in  which  his  country  was  then  placed.    But 
nature  had  fitted  him  for  the  quiet  station  of  domestic 
life,  and  the  delightful  pursuits  of  natural  science; 
irather  than  for  the  bustle  of  official  situation,  and  for 
those  speculative  projects  in  politics,  wherein  specious 
theories  often  terminate  in  the  most  deceptive  results. 

He  had  been  investigating  principles  founded  in 
Truth,  from  his  childhood ;  this  object  was  always 
near  to  his  heart ;  and  he  set  little  value  on  any  thing 


iteO  MEUOIRS  OF 

that  did  not  lead  to  its  attainment  This  predominaU 
iDg  disposition  of  his  mind  is  indeed  plainly  evinuft- 
liy  a  single  sentence,  contained  in  a  letter  which  he 
addressed  to  Mr.  Barton^  so  early  as  the  l6th  of  Feb- 
raary^  1764.  Having  had  a  personal  interview  witib 
an  eminent  and  worthy  clerical  gentleman^  well  dis- 
posed to  befriend  him^  bat  who  was  more  a  metaphy- 
sical than  a  natural  philosopher^  he  thus  expressed 
himself  on  the  occasion  :  ^^  I  had  a  good  deal  of  con- 
versation with  Mr.  ******,  not,  perhaps,  gr^tly 
to  the  satisfaction  of  either  of  us ;  for  he  appears  to  me 
to  be  a  Mystical  Philosopher,  and  you  know  I  care 
not  a  farthing  for  any  thing  but  sober  Certainty  in 
Philosophy.^' 

Fifteen  years  elapsed  between  the  publication  of  the 
first  and  second  volumes  of  the  Transactions  of  the 
American  Philosophical  Society ;  and  there  is  an  in- 
terval of  about  ten  years  between  the  latest  of  Mr. 
Bittenhouse's  communications,  contained  in  the  first 
volume,  and  the  earliest  in  the  second.  These  facts, 
alone,  are  sufficient  to  demonstrate  to  what  a  state  of 
depression  all  philosophical  pursuits  had  sunk,  not 
only  during  the  war  of  the  revolution,  but  for  some  years 
preceding  it.  It  is  true,  that  long  before  the  close  of 
that  war,  an  attempt  was  made  by  a  few  individuals 
to  revive  the  long  interrupted  meetings  of  the  Society, 
at  the  stated  times  of  their  convening  ;  and  that,  for 
this  purpose,  a  Charier  of  Incorporation  was  granted 
to  the  members  of  that  Institution,  by  an  act  of  the 


DAVIP  RITTENHOUSE.  SSl 

Pennsylyania  Legislature^  passed  the  iSth  of  March 
1780 :  but  that  act  itself  contains  an  acknowledgmeiit 
of  the  truths  that^  ^^  The  Society^  after  having  beea 
long  interrupted  in  their  laudable  pursuits  by  the  ca- 
lamities of  war  and  the  distresses  of  our  country/' 
had*^^  found  means  to  revive  their  design^'^ — ^'  in  hopes 
of  being  able  to  prosecute  the  same  with  their  former 


success.'^ 


But^  at  the  date  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  letter  to  Mr. 
Barton^  of  the  3d  of  February,  1772,^^  he  appears  to 
have  been  chiefly  engaged  in  his  domestic  concerns 
and  professional  employment.  He  remained,  even 
then,  very  sensible  of  the  loss  he  had  sustained  in  the 
death  of  his  wife :  and  his  reflections  on  that  circum- 
stance, together  with  the  serious  aspect  of  the  time» 
and  his  frequent  indisposition,  depressed  his  mind^ 
occasionally,  much  below  its  natural  state  of  cheerful- 
ness. It  must  have  been  in  one  of  these  hours  of 
mental  gloom,  that  he  penned  the  succeeding  passage, 
in  the  letter  last  referred  to, 

^^  I  do  not  doubt,  my  dear  Brother,  but  that  you 
condemn  me,  as  usual,  for  not  writing:  but  much 
writing  ill  suits  a  Mechanic.  After  the  comfortless 
toil  of  the  day,  when  evening  comes,  I  am  glad  to 
sooth  my  mind  with  a  favourite  poet,  or  some  other 
book  of  amusement.    That  you  may  not  be  disap- 

(20)  See  Note  2d. 


UEIIOIRS  OF 

pointed^  I  would  have  you  to  expect  nothing  of  me, 
in  fiitore.  I  no  longer  feel  any  inducement  to  exert 
myself:  every  thing — even  life  itself — is  Insipid. 
Tet  yon  will  be  told^  I  suppose,  that  I  am  paying  my 
addresses  to  some  one : — I  sincerely  wish  sad  experi- 
enee  may  never  teach  you  to  reconcile  these  contrtf- 
dietions.'' 

^^  It  is  still  my  intention  to  go  to  England,  as  soon 
as  my  business  will  permit.  I  have  had  my  health  as 
well  as  usual,  until  the  last  fortnight ;  but  have  now 
a  violent  cold.'^ 

The  tenor  of  this  quotation  manifests,  that  our  Phi* 
losopher  did  not,  at  that  time,  enjoy  his  accustomed 
serenity  of  mind.  Some  of  the  causes  of  his  depres- 
sion of  spirits  appeared  to  his  friend  and  correspon- 
dent to  be  of  such  a  nature,  as  might,  perhaps,  be  re- 
moved by  a  little  pleasantry.  Under  this  impression^ 
Bfr.  Barton,  in  his  answer,  thus  rallied  him  : 

"I  am  extremely  sorry,'' — said  this  gentleman,  af- 
ter replying  to  some  other  parts  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's 
letter — ^^  to  find  your  Ambition  so  low,  as  to  render 
you  indifferent  to  that  Fame  to  which  you  might  just- 
ly aspire ;  and  your  Spirits  so  sunk,  as  to  put  you 
ont  of  humour  with  the  world.  My  dear  Brother^ 
what  can  this  be  owing  to  ?  You  have,  indeed,  receiv- 
ed a  severe  blow  :  but  I  am  sura  that  your  Philoso 
phy  has  taught  you,  with  the  Poet, — ^that, 

"  To  be  from  all  thin^  that  disquieti  free. 
Is  not  consistent  with  Humanity.'* 


DAVID   KITTENHOUSE.  288 

^^  Your  case  is  not  singular ; — nay,  it  is  favourable 
in  comparison  with  that  of  thousands.  Though  you 
have  been  deprived  of  one  comfort,  yet  many  have 
been  continued  to  you ;  such  as,  a  tolerable  share  of 
health — your  children — the  means  of  subsistence — 
the  esteem  of  your  friends — the  applause  of  your 
eountrymen,  &c.  &c.  Banish  therefore,  I  beseech 
you,  this  serious  sadness — these  melancholy  reflec- 
ttons ;  wliich,  if  Dr.  Cadogan^^^^  is  to  be  credited,  must 
be  more  injurious  to  your  health  than  any  other  cause 
can  be.'' 

^^  I  know  not,  indeed,  what  kind  of  Melancholy 
yours  can  be.  To  use  the  words  of  the  immortal 
Shakespeare, — 

"  You  have  neither  the  Scholar's  Melancholy, 
Which  is  Emulation;  nor  the  Musician's, 
Which  is  fantastical ;  nor  the  Courtier's, 
Which  is  Pride ;  nor  the  Lawyer's,  which  is  politic ; 
Nor  the  Lady's,  which  is  nice  ;  nor  the  Lover's, 
Which  is  all  these  :  but  it  is  a  Melancholy 
Of  your  own, — compounded  of  many  simples, 
Extracted  from  many  objects, — and,  indeed. 
The  sundry  Contemplation  of  the"  Stars. 

^^  If  you  will  promise  to  pardon  your  saucy  niece, 
I  will  tell  you  what  she  attributes  it  to.     She  says 

(21)  Dr  William  Cadogan's  "Dissertation  on  the  Gout  and 
aU  Chronic  Diseases,"  &c.  made  its  appearance  in  America  about 
that  time ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  who  had  long  experienced 
an  hereditary  gouty  affection,  then  thought  favourably  of  the 
Doctor's  general  theory,  although  he  could  not  adopt  that  inge- 
mous  theorist's  doctrine,  denying  the  existence  of  any  hereditary 
diseases. 

«  5 


fM  MEHOIRS  OF 

yoa  are  in  Love  f  and,  really^  you  seem  to  insinnate 
M  much)  yourself :  If  it  be  so^  I  sincerely  wish  yoa 
aaccess  in  your  ^^  Addresses  ;'^  or  a  happj  delivor- 
aace  from  the  effects  of  Love.'^ 

^^It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  hear^  that  yoa 
had  fairly  resolved  upon  going  to  England  ;^^^  be- 
cause it  would  be  the  means  not  only  of  cheering  your 
spirits,  but  of  establishing  your  interest  as  well  as 
reputation.  You  give  me  some  hopes  of  seeing  you 
soon  :  your  Sister  and  I  would  be  extremely  glad^ 
indeed^  to  see  you  at  Lancaster/"^ 

I 

(22)  Mr.  Barton  and  some  others  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  friends 
had  repeatedly  recommended  to  him  to  visit  England :  the  for- 
mer, particularly,  often  urged  him  to  it,  and  for  the  reasons  as- 
signed in  the  text.  That  he  had,  himself,  long  contemplated 
that  voyage,  is  apparent  from  the  extract  of  his  letter  to  Mr. 
Barton,  of  the  15th  of  March  1771,  already  quoted;  and  his  last 
mentioned  letter  to  the  same  gentleman  shews,  that,  nearly  a 
year  afterwards,  he  still  had  that  object  steadily  in  view. 

(23)  In  a  preceding  letter,  Mr.  Barton  had  sent  him  some  Ma- 
thematical Problems,  for  solution.  These  had  been  furnished 
by  a  schoolmaster,  in  Mr.  Barton's  neighbourhood ;  who«  although 
reputed  a  pretty  good  mathematician,  possessed  but  a  small  share 
•f  genius  or  invention,  while  he  had  a  large  portion  of  confidence 
in  his  own  abilities.  In  noticing  these  problems,  Mr.  Ritten- 
house  could  not  refrain  from  shewing  some  little  irritation:  he 
thought  the  communications  too  trifling,  too  destitute  of  origi- 
nality, or  too  useless,  to  merit  his  attention ;  and,  accordingly, 
he  thus  expressed  liimself  on  the  occasion,  in  a  lettar  dated  Feb. 
3,  1772  : 

"I  entreat  you  not  to  insist  on  my  measuring  heads  with  any 
pragmatical  schoolmaster,  who  is  heartily  welcome,  for  me,  to 


DAVID  RlTTBirHOUSE.  MS 

Although  no  doubt  can  be  entertained^  that^  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year  i772y  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had  it 
very  seriously  in  contemplation  to  visit  England^  as 
soon^  to  use  his  own  words^  as  his  business  would  per<r 
mit^  his  intention  in  that  particular  was  eventually  frus- 
trated :  but  it  is  now  uncertain^  to  what  cause  was 
owing  a  change  of  his  views  or  the  disappointment  of 

divert  himself  with  his  x.  y,  z*8j  at  which  he  may  be  very  experts 
and  yet  be,  as  you  say,  both  ignorant  and  conceited.     His  first 
question,  however,  may  be  answered  by  any  young  algebraist : 
the  second  and  third  are  more  difficult,  and  will  admit  of  various 
mswers.  The  fourth  contains  four  observations,  picked  out,  (and 
carelessly  enough,  several  of  the  figures  being  wrong,)  of  a  set 
itaoade  on  the  comet  of  1682,  which  I  shewed  your  son  William 
in  about  half  a  dozen  different  books;  you  will  find  them  in  Dr. 
Halley's  Astronomical   Tables.     Every  thing  relating   to  this 
comet  has  long  ago  been  settled  by  Dr  Halley ;  so  that,  to  give 
a  complete  answer  to  the  question,  I  need  only  transcribe  from 
him :  but  you  cannot  conceive  how  much  I  despise  thb  kind  of 
juggle,  where  no  use  is  proposed.     If  your  schoolmaster  will 
givr  me  but  three  good  observations  (I  do  not  want  four)  of  the 
comet  of  1769, 1  will  accept  them  with  thanks,  and  sood  under- 
take the  laborious  task  of  determining  its  orbit,  which  we  yet 
know  nothing  about.*' 

To  this  Mr.  Barton  replied,  in  a  rem  of  good-humoured 
pleasantry: 

^  I  imagine  you  have  mistaken  me,  with  regard  to  the  mathe- 
madcal  questions.  They  were  not  sent  as  trials  of  your  abilities : 
butyfor  reasons  with  which  W.B.  is  acquainted,  and  which  I  have 
desired  him  to  give  you,  in  order  to  afford  you  a  laugh.  I  shall 
never  ^  insist"  on  your  <<  measuring  heads"  with  a  <<  schoolmas- 
ter," of  any  kind ;  because  I  know  full  well,  already,  that  your 
head  is  longer  than  all  the  heads  of  the  whole  tribe.  Had  you 
known  what  diversion  your  solutions  would  have  afforded  mi6) 
you  would  have  sent  them." 


I 


S36  MEMOIRS   OF 

his  plan.^  He  married^  however,  in  ibe  month  of  De- 
cember following,  Miss  Hannali  Jacobs,  of  the  dty 
of  Philadelpbia/«'> 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  passed 
the  26th  of  February,  1773,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  ap- 
pointed one  of  tbe  Commissioners  for  making  the 
river  Schuylkill  navigable  ;^^^  and  by  two  subsequent 
laws,  passed  on  tbe  S4th  of  March,  17^1,  and  the 
15th  of  March,  17S4',  he  was  again  appointed  a 
Commissioner,  at  those  two  periods,  for  the  same 
purpose.  And  by  a  list  of  the  incidental  cxpences  of 
the  government,  for  the  first  mentioned  of  those  years, 

(24)  It  is  not  improbable,  that  about  the  time  of  writing  the 
letter  of  the  3d  of  Feb.  1772,  from  which  extracts  are  given  in 
the  text,  he  began  to  think  seriously  of  marrying  again.  Both 
his  natural  disposition  and  his  habits  endeared  to  him  the  com- 
forts of  domestic  society ;  and  these  he  could  not  enjoy  in  a  sin- 
gle state,  his  two  only  children  being  infants.  He  therefore 
married,  in  December  1772;  at  which  time  he  was  only  in  the 
forty -first  year  of  his  age.  The  lady  he  chose  as  his  companion, 
was  a  sensible,  prudent  and  valuable  woman ;  whose  family  were 
members  of  the  religious  society  of  Friends,  and  with  whose 
bi*othcrs  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had  long  been  intimately  acquainted. 
By  that  marriage  there  was  but  one  child,  a  daughter,  who  died 
in  her  infancy.  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  survived  her  husband  little 
more  than  three  years.     She  died  in  October,  1799. 

(25)  See  the  preceding  note. 

(26)  The  first  law  of  Pennsylvania,  for  removing  rocks,  sand- 
bars and  gravel,  from  the  bed  of  the  river  Schuylkill,  so  as  to 
render  it  passable  with  rafts,  boats,  and  other  small  river-craft, 
was  passed  the  14th  oi  March  1761. 


DAVID  R1TTEKH0U8E.  287 

it  Appears  that  he  received  412.  10«.  lliL  for  his  ser- 
rices  in  that  business.  In  these  several  appointments  of 
commissioners^  during  a  term  of  eleven  years^  Mr. 
Bittenhouse  was  uniformly  first-named;  and^  conse- 
qaently,  became  president  of  their  board. 

The  last  important  business  of  a  public  nature^  in 
which  Mr.  Rittenbouse  was  engaged^  prior  to  the 
American  war,  was  in  fixing,  jointly  with  a  Commis- 
fiioner  on  the  part  of  New-York^  the  beginning  of  the 
43^  of  North  latitude^  and  to  establish  a  Line,  thence 
Westward,  as  the  Boundary  between  Pennsylvania 
and  New -York. 

Mr.  Rittenbouse  was  appointed  the  Commissioner 
for  this  purpose,  on  the  part  of  the  then  province  of 
Pennsylvania,  by  Gov.  John  Penn,  on  the  S^th  of  Oc- 
tober, 1774<;  and  Samuel  Holland,  Esquire^  was  the 
Gommissioner  on  the  part  of  New- York,  appointed 
by  Lieutenant-Governor  Golden.  As  Gaptaiu  HoU 
land's^^  commission  was  not  made  out  until  the  8th 

(37)  Mr.  Holland  was  an  able  engineer  in  the  British  service, 
and  held  the  military  rank  of  captain. 

In  September  1772,  the  Philosophical  Society  announced  in 
the  public  prints,  the  receipt,  by  them,  of  sundry  communica- 
tions: among  which  were  various  astronomical  observations, 
made  in  Canada,  by  this  gentleman  and  two  other  military  ofEcers, 
fixmi  June  1765,  to  May  1770,  (captain  Holland  being,  at  that 
period,  surveyor-general  of  the  district  of  Quebec.)  These  ob- 
servadons  were  communicated  to  the  society  by  Mr.  Rittenbouse ; 
but,  having  been  received  after  the  first  volume  of  the  Society's 
Transactions  was  published,  their  publication  in  the  subsequent 
volumes  was  by  some  means  omitted. 


238  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  November^  these  Joint-CommissioDers  could  nofe 
proceed  on  the  business  of  their  appointment^  befoie 
that  iate  period.  It  appears^  however^  by  the  dupli- 
cate returns  made  by  these  gentlemen  to  their  respec- 
tive governments^  under  the  date  of  December  the 
14th  in  the  same  year^  that  they  ^*' ascertained  and 
fixed  the  beginning  of  the  forty- third  degree  of  North 
latitude  on  the  Mohawk  or  Western  branch  of  the 
Delaware  ;  and  there^  in  a  small  island  of  the  said 
river,  planted  a  stone,  marked,  &c.^^^"^ — "but  that 
the  rigour  of  the  season  prevented  them  from  proeeed- 
ing  further  in  running  the  said  line,  &c/'^^ 

This  Line  remained  thus  unsettled,  until  after  the 
conclusion  of  the  American  war.  Mr.  Riltenhouse 
and  Captain  Holland  having  previously  established 
the  North.£astern  Comer  of  Pennsylvania,  on  that 
boundary,  by  ascertaining  and  marking  thereon  the 
beginning  of  the  ^S""  of  North  latitude,  the  Pennsyl- 
Tania  Legislature,  on  the  31st  of  March,  1785,  enact, 
ed  a  law,  authorizing  the  Executive  of  the  State  to 
appoint  a  Commissioner,  in  conjunction  with  one  or 
more  on  the  part  of  New- York,  to  run  and  complete 

(28)  The  Marks,  8cc.  are  particularly  described  in  the  Penn- 
sylvania  Act  of  Assembly,  passed  the  39th  of  Sept.  1779,  entitled 
^An  Act  to  establish  and  confirm  the  Boundary  Line  between 
this  state  and  the  state  of  New- York.'' 

(29)  The  Law,  referred  to  in  the  preceding  note,  states  the 
extent  of  their  further  progress  in  the  business  at  that  time, 
which  was  inconsiderable. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  S89 

the  lane.  The  person  selected  for  ihis  serviee  by 
Pennsylvania,  in  addition  to  Mr.  Rittenhonse,  was 
Andrew  Ellicott,  Esq.  an  able  Matliematician  and 
Astronomer,  and  well  qualified  also,  by  his  practical 
knowledge  of  Surveying  or  Land-Mensuration  :  this 
gentleman  was  accordingly  commissioned^^^  by  the 

(30)  Although  Mr.  EUicott's  commission  bears  date  the  1 6th 
4)f  June,  1786,  his  appointment  took  place  some  months  sooner. 
On  the  3d  of  April,  in  that  year,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  wrote  him 
thus:— - 

^  Dear  Sir, 

**  By  direction  of  Council"  (the  Supreme  Executive  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,)  <<  I  wrote  some  time  ago  to  the  gentlemen  ap- 
pointed by  the  state  of  New- York  for  running  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  this  state.  I  have  received  their  answer;  which  is,  that 
they  will  meet  us  at  Philadelphia  on  the  20th  of  this  month,  in 
order  to  concert  measures  for  carrying  that  business  into  execu- 
tion. It  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  attend,  and  I  shall  confident- 
ly expect  you— 'till  then,  I  must  defer  many  things  I  have  to  say 
to  and  settle  with  you :  perhaps  copying  the  Nautical  Almanack 
may  wait  until  I  see  you.  Hurry  of  business  will  not  permit  me 
add  more,  than  that  I  am, 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  very  humble  serv't. 

Dav.  Rittenhouse.** 
^  AvDREW  Ellicott,  Esq. 
Baltimore." 

And  on  the  29th  of  September,  in  the  succeeding  year,  he  ad- 
dressed another  letter  on  the  subject  of  this  boundary,  to  Messrs. 
Ellicott  and  Porter,  jointly ;  wherein  he  says : 

**  Your  packet  came  safe  to  hand,  about  three  weeks  after  the 
date  of  the  letters.  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  intelligence 
it  contains ;  you  have  succeeded  beyond  my  expectation,  and  I 
hare  no  longer  any  doubt  of  your  completing  the  line  this  sea- 
wn.     I  should  have  been  glad,  if,  to  the  account  of  your  work, 


SM  MEMOIRS  OF 

hon*  Charles  Biddle^  Esquire^  then  Vice-President  of 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania^  on 
the  I6th  of  Junc^  1786.^'*^  The  Commissioners  on  the 
part  of  New-York,  were  James  Clinton  and  Simeon 
De  Witt,  Esquires :  And  by  these  gentlemen,  appoint- 
ed on  behalf  of  their  respective  governments,  thie 
business  was  prosecuted ;  but  it  was  not  then  com- 
pleted/»« 

you  had  added  some  description  of  the  country  :  but  ray  curiosity 
must  wait  till  your  return." 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  continued  in  commission,  for  the  establish- 
ing of  this  line,  until  its  entire  completion :  but  his  non-attend- 
ance with  the  other  commissioners  in  the  actual  running  of  the 
line,  in  the  year  1787,  was  prevented  by  his  being  then  engaged 
in  fixing  the  territorial  boundary  between  the  states  of  Massa- 
chusetts  and  New- York.  In  the  letter,  last  quoted,  is  this  para- 
graph : — ^^  Dr.  Ewing  and  myself  were  absent  seven  weeks,  on 
the  line  between  New- York  and  Massachusetts,  in  which  time 
we  happily  completed  it,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  parties ;  and) 
with  this  business,  I  have  bid  adieu,  forever,  to  all  running  of 
lines/* 

(^31)  Dr.  Rush  has  been  led  into  a  mere  mistake  of  the  date 
on  this  occasion ;  probably,  by  an  hasty  perusal  of  the  confirma- 
tory law,  of  Sept.  29,  1789.  He  states,  in  his  eulogium,  that  it 
was  the  year  1786,  in  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  "was  employed  in 
fixing  the  northern  line  which  divides  Pennsylvania  from  New- 
York  :  his  services  on  that  business  were  originally  employed  in 
1774.  He  did,  indeed,  again  act  as  a  commissioner,  in  the  year 
1786,  and  it  was  on  the  16th  day  of  June,  in  that  year,  that  Mr. 
Ellicott  was  commissioned  to  complete,  in  conjunction  with  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  what  the  latter  had  begun  to  execute  eleven  years 
and  an  half  before  the  last  mentioned  date. 

(32)  "  In  order  to  carry  on  the  parallel  of  latitude  with  as 
much  expedition  and  economy  as  possible,"  says  Mr.  Ellicott^ 


DAVID  RITTISNHOUSE.  241 

The  following  letter,  addressed  by  Mr.  Bittenlioase 
to  his  wife,  while  he  was  engaged  in  this  service,  will 
not  only  furnish  the  reader  with  some  idea  of  the  man- 
ner in  which  the  commissioners,  with  their  attendants, 
^ere  obliged  to  live  in  the  wilderness,  and  the  nature 
^  their  accommodations  ;  but  it  will  also  present  him 
"with  an  interesting  little  story,  illustrative  of  the  man- 
ners and  condition,  in  our  day,  of  some  of  that  unfor- 
tunate race  of  men,  who  were  once  the  independent 
lords  of  that  vast  territory,  over  which  the  descendants 
of  a  grant  transatlantic  people  now  exercise  all  the 
rights  of  sovereignty  and  ownership.     This  letter  is 
dated  the  6th  of  August,  1786. 

^^  It  is,"  says  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  ^^  six  long  weeks 
since  I  have  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  you  or  hear- 
ing from  you ;  and  this  is  the  first  opportunity  I  have 
had  of  conveying  a  letter  to  you,  since  I  left  Wyoming. 
As  I  cannot  hope  to  receive  a  line  from  you  until  we 
i^proach  nearer  to  the  habitable  world,  my  next  great- 

^we  dispensed  with  the  method  of  tracing  a  line  on  the  arc  of  a 
gtcat  circle,  and  correcting  into  the  parallel ;  as  pursued  by 
Messrs.  Mason  and  Dixon,  in  determining  the  boundary  between 
this  state''  (Pennsylvania,)  ^<and  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  which 
we  followed  in  completing  their  line  in  the  year  1784.  We  com- 
menced our  operations  by  running  a  guide-line,  Westy  with  a 
surveying  compass,  from  the  point  mentioned  on  the  Delaware*' 
(the  one  which  was  fixed  by  Dr.  Rittenhouse  and  Capt  Holland, 
in  the  year  1774,)  20^  miles;  and  there  corrected  by  the  follow- 
ing zenith  lines"  (laid  down  in  the  sequel,)  <<  taken,  at  its  west- 
em  termination,  by  a  most  excellent  Sector,  constructed  aM 
executed  by  Dr.  Rittenhouse." 

Hh 


242  UEMOIBS  OP 

est  pleasure  is  to  inform  you  of  the  favourable  state  of 
my  health  :  this  pleasure  is  indeed  damped  in  some 
degree,  by  my  fears  that  you  will  not  give  full  crodit 
to  what  I  say,  though  I  mean  to  abide  strictly  by  the 
truth.  The  head-ach  has  been  unknown  to  me,  al- 
most ever  since  I  left  you ;  my  cough,  tliough  much 
better,  is  not  quite  removed ;  and  I  have  no  other  com- 
plaint, except  that  which  will  never  leave  me  in  this 
world :  this,  however,  far  from  being  worse  than  nsual^ 
is  certainly  something  less  troublesome ;  which  I  at- 
tribute to  my  being  more  at  liberty  to  use  moderate 
exercise,  and  less  exposed  to  summer  heats  thaa  I 
should  be  at  home.  This  seems  to  be  a  different  cli- 
mate from  that  you  are  in ;  the  weather  is  constantly 
cool,  but  not  cold.  We  are  at  present  situated  on  a 
pleasant  bank  of  the  Susquehanna,  about  fifteen  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  the  Chenango,  one  of  the  principal 
branches  of  this  river.  From  this  place  to  Middle- 
town  in  Lancaster  county,  is,  by  estimation,  270  miles 
along  the  river  :  much  of  the  road  is  very  bad,  so  that 
we  had  a  tedious  journey. 

^^  At  Chenango,  there  are  a  few  Indian  families  set- 
tled, amounting  to  forty  souls.  Some  of  these  people 
frequently  visit  us,  and  bring  us  fish  and  venison ;  in 
return  for  which,  they  are  very  desirous  to  have  floor 
or  salted  provisions  ;  and  we  live  in  the  greatest  bar- 
mony  with  them.  Five  or  six  days  ago,  one  of  the 
Onondago  Sachems  with  his  family  came  up  in  three 
canoes,  and  encamped  in  the  eveoing,  just  below  us. 


DAVIO   RITTENUOUSE.  848 

Kext  mornings  we  received  a  message  from  them^  re- 
qnesting  an  audience  for  two  young  ladies  of  the  fa« 
snly.  To  tbis^  a  proper  answer  was  returned^  (Ge- 
neral Clinton  having  prudently  brought  an  interpreter 
with  him^)  and  at  the  time  appointed  they  were  intro- 
duced to  us  in  our  tent^  unattended  by  any  other  In- 
dians. After  a  draught  of  punchy  and  a  decent  silence^ 
oar  visitors  were  told  that  we  were  ready  to  hear  what 
tliey  had  to  say.  The  eldest  of  the  two,  a  fine  girl  of 
about  .twenty,  and  extremely  well  dressed,  with  a  be- 
coming modesty  made  a  short  speech ;  concluding  with 
an  handsome  apology  for  acquitting  herself  no  better,  on 
account  of  her  youth  and  sex.  The  purport  of  her 
speech  was,  that  thinking  it  would  not  be  disagreeable 
to  us,  they  were  come  to  spend  a  few  days  in  our  com- 
pany :  that  they  were  poor,  and  in  want  of  provisions, 
especially  flour ;  and  hoped  we  would  furnish  them 
with  a  small  portion  of  our  stores, — at  least  for  pre- 
sent use,  whilst  they  staid  with  us.  We  encourag^sd 
them  to  briog  us  fish  and  other  fresh  provision  ;  in  re- 
turn for  which,  they  should  have  salt  meat  and  some 
bread.  Business  being  over,  some  cheerful  conversa- 
tion  ensued :  and  we  had  reason  to  think  our  interpre* 
ter  went  much  further  than  he  was  warranted  to  do ; 
for  he  made  some  proposition  which  the  young  lady 
negatived  strongly,  though  we  are  ignorant  of  what  it 
was.  He  was  then  bid  to  assure  them,  that  no  insult 
should  be  offered,  and  that  they  might  visit  us  at  our 
tents  whenever  they  pleased :  to  this  one  gentleman 


s 


§44  MEMOIRS  OF 

added,  tliat  wc  would  treat  them  »8  \v&  woq1<I  our  owu 
country  women. 

'   "It  seems  the  old  interpreter  mistook  the  wwil  treatf 

imd  construed  it,  the  giving  them  rictual  and  drink: 
in  consequence  of  this  mistake,  thn  ladies  cxpectctt  to 
dine  with  us  every  day.  They  then  dejiarted,  scorning 
well  satisfied ;  hut  in  the  afternoon  we  received  a  meg. 
sa<;e  from  them,  complaining  that  we  had  already  bro- 
ken the  treaty,  in  not  sending  for  them  to  dinoor. 
To  this  we  sent  a  vcrhal  jiiiswcr,  with  an  apology, 
and  lettiog  the  ladies  know  we  should  expect  then  to 
tea.  To  my  great  surprise,  we  then  received  a  written 
note,  thanking  us  for  our  kiudao^s  and  promising  to 
drink  tea  with  us, — signed,  Jacowe  and  Sally :  it  was 
1q  the  Indian  language,  and  written  by  Miss  Sally 
herself.  We  now  thought  it  our  duty  to  return  a  writ- 
ten compliment  likewise ;  and  this  intercourse  ended 
with  a  verbal  message  from  Miss  Sally,  assuring  us, 
that  she  thought  herself  honoured  by  our  letter  and 
would  carefully  preserve  it.  The  ladies  did  not  fail  to 
come;  and  have  drank  tea  every  day,  and  sometimes 
dined  with  us.  They  are  cheerful  and  agreeable; 
but  cannot,  or  will  not,  speak  one  word  of  English. 
Mr.  De  Witt  draws  prettily,  and  is  taking  a  very  good 
picture  of  the  young  princess,  which  I  hope  to  have 
the  pleasure  of  shewing  you  in  a  few  weeks.  I  have 
mentioned  their  writings  which  you  will  be  surprised 
at :  but  these  Indians  are  in  some  measure  civilized ; 
many  of  theni  bave  learned  to  i-ead  ;— rthcy  have  the 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUS£.  SIB 

Common  Prayer  Book  of  the  Church,  printed  in  their 
own  language,  which  is  the  Mohawk/^^  The  family 
now  with  us  have  several  books  with  them ;  likewise 
paper,  pens  and  ink.  Every  evening,  the  females  joint- 
ly sing  several  religious  hymns,  and  their  music  is  at 
least  equal  to  any  of  this  kind  I  have  heard :  the  old 
mistress  is  very  devout,  and  sometimes  says  her  pray- 
ers with  great  fervency.  They  are,  nevertheless,  stUl 
but  Indians ;  and  Miss  Sally  will  sit,  with  all  her  fi- 
nery about  her,  flat  on  the  ground  for  hours  together, 
under  a  miserable  bark  shed,  making  buckskin  shoes, 
nntU  her  eyes  are  almost  smoked  blind ;  then,  by  way 
of  relaxation,  she  and  her  cousin  will  step  into  a  little 
tottering  canoe,  where,  standing  upright,  they  row 
away  with  incredible  swiftness. 

^^  Tou  will  excuse  me  for  entertaining  you  so  long 
with  an  account  of  thesie  poor  wretches.  But  your  news, 
and  your  politics,  are  almost  forgotten.  Still,  my  prin- 
cipal happiness  is,  that  not  only  waking  but  frequently 
in  my  dreams,  I  feel  all  that  esteem  and  aflfection  for 
you,  which  I  hope  will  never  end.    My  companions 

(33)  The  Liturgy  of  the  Church  of  England  was  first  trans- 
lated into  the  Mohawk  language,  in  the  year  1714.  Another 
translation  was  made  under  the  direction  of  three  clergymen  of 
that  church;  namely,  the  Rev.  Mr.  William  Andrews,  Dr.  Henry 
Barclay,  and  Dr.  John  Ogilvic :  This  was  printed  in  the  year 
1769 ;  but  the  place  where  it  was  printed  does  not  appear.  In 
the  year  1787,  an  handsome  edition  of  the  English  Book  of 
Common  Prayer,  with  a  translation  into  the  Mohawk  language 
by  capUun  Joseph  Brant,  was  published  in  London. 


SM  MEMOIRS  OF 

are  agreeable  enough ;  but  as  every  one  has  his  owa 
humours^  it  is  by  no  means  a  desirable  thing  to  be 
cooped  up  in  a  little  tent^  night  and  day,  for  weeks 
together^  with  any  one.  I  want  something  to  employ 
my  leisure  hours.  This  I  could  do  by  writing,  but 
here  is  no  privacy :  I  am  at  present  obliged  to  write 
badly  and  in  a  small  hand,  to  prevent  its  bein^  over- 
looked. I  cannot  think  of  taking  my  departure  for 
Philadelphia,  until  we  approach  nearer  the  inhabited 
country :  our  next  station,  but  one,  will  be  at  or  near 
Tioga,  and  from  thence  I  shall  return." 

4l&  4fe  A  ^  ^  A  A         ^  ^  ^  ^         «9fe*  A  JIl 

^^  '^  ^*  'I^  '^^  1*  ^^  *l*  ^V  ^fV  ^V  ^*  ifh  *^» 

*^  God  grant  you  health  and  spirits,''  &c. 


In  1787?  Mr.  Ellicott's  associates,  in  completing 
this  line,  were  Col.  Andrew  Porter  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Abraham  Uardenberg  and  William  Morris^  Es- 
quires, of  New  York ;  Mr.  Rittenliouse,  who  was  en- 
gaged  tlie  same  year  in  a  similar  occupation,  being  un- 
able to  attend  the  finishing  of  this  boundary.  It  was 
then  finally  nm  and  marked,  by  the  other  commis- 
sioners here  named  ;  and,  in  conformity  to  the  return 
of  these  commissioners,  their  proceedings  were  ratified 
by  a  confirmatory  law  of  Pennsylvania,  passed  on  the 
89th  of  September,  1789. 

Thus  did  the  labours  of  a  great  work, — of  one 
which  employed  the  talents  of  Mr.  Kittenhouse  to- 


OAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  f4ff 

wards  the  close  of  the  year  1774p — ^whieh  were  resum- 
ed by  him  in  1786,  and  were  afterwards  continued  and 
eompleted  by  Mr.  EUicott  and  his  associates^ — ^receive 
fhe  legislative  sanction  of  Pennsylvania^  fifteen  years 
after  the  commencement  of  this  arduous  undertaking. 

His  studious  habits,  and  zealous  investigation  of 
the  works  of  nature,  led  Mr.  Bittenhouse  to  devote 
IS  much  of  his  time,  as  the  delicate  state  of  his  health 
permitted  him  to  retrench  from  occasional  public  em- 
ployments and  his  private  occupations,  to  those  ob- 
jects for  the  promotion  of  which  the  American  Philo- 
sophical Society  was  instituted.  After  he  fixed  his 
residence  in  Philadelphia,  the  established  seat  of  that 
Society,  he  attended  their  Meetings  pretty  regularly ; 
and  by  that  means  had  an  opportunity  of  forming  a 
more  intimate  acquaintance  with  many  persons,  most 
conspicuous,  at  that  time,  for  talents,  knowledge,  and 
learning.  His  great  abilities  had  then  become  almost 
universally  known ;  and  these,  in  connexion  with  the 
suavity  of  his  deportment,  his  great  modesty,  and  ex- 
emplary moral  character,  had  not  only  procured  him 
the  esteem  and  respect  of  all  good  men;  but  confirm- 
ed the  friendship  of  his  old  acquaintances,  and  at- 
tached to  him  the  high  and  sincere  regard  of  many  new 
ones. 

As  one  instance,  among  many,  of  the  distinguished 
estimation  in  which  Mr.  Rittenbouse  was  held  by  his 
fellow-citizens,  after  a  residence  of  between  four  and 


MS  MEMOIRS   OF 

five  years  in  Philadelphia ;  the  American  Philosophic 
eal  Society  petitioned  the  legislature^  on  the  6th  of 
March^  ±77^9  for  pecuniary  aid^  to  enable  them  to 
erect  an  Observatory^ ;  and  to  allow  Mr.  Rittenbouse 
an  annual  salary^  as  the  ^^  Public  Astronomical  Ob- 
server/^ 

The  objects  of  this  application  were  important,  in 
a  public  view;  and  its  whole  tenor  was  alike  hoBour- 
able  to  the  enlightened  patriotism  of  the  Philosophical 
Society^  and  the  merit  of  the  person  to  whom^  more  par- 
ticularly,  it  had  reference/^^  Indeed^  such  a  public  act 
of  so  respectable  a  body  as  that  society^  is  a  testimo- 
nial reflecting  great  honour  on  the  character  of  Mr. 
Rittenhouse ;  insomuch,  that  it  would  be  doing  injaa- 
tice  to  his  memory,  not  to  insert  it  in  these  Memoirs  of 
of  his  Life.     Tt  is  as  follows : 

^^'  To  the  honourable  the  Representatives  of  the  Free- 
men of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  in  Grenend  As- 
sembly met : 

^*  The  Representation  and  Petition  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society,  held  at  Philadelphia,  for 
promoting  useful  knowledge. 

(34)  Mr.  Rittenhouse  is  not  mentioned  in  the  petition^  by  name. 
This  was  unnecessary:  for  it  was  universally  known,  that  it 
f9i>uld  apply  to  no  other  person  in  America^  so  unquestionable 
and  pointed  are  its  allusions  to  him ;  and  that,  perhaps,  no  other 
Astronomer  then  living,  so  well  merited  the  high  encomiums  on 
lus  philosophical  abilities,  which  it  contains. 


^'<  • 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  M9 

^^  Gentlemeo^ 

^^  It  must  yield  a  sensible  satisfaction  to  the  good 
paople  of  this  proviace^  whom  you  represent,  to  find, 
,  that  although  it  be  among  the  youngest  of  our  Ameri- 
can settlements,  its  reputation  has  risen  high  among 
the  sister  colonies,  and  has  extended  even  to  the  re- 
Biotest  part  of  Europe,  on  account  of  our  many  pub- 
Ue-spirited  institutions,  and  our  rapid  improvements 
in  all  useful  arts.  This  satisfaction  is  also  greatly  in- 
creased, when  we  consider,  that  notwithstanding  these 
institutions,  through  the  necessity  of  tl;e  case,  were 
generally  obliged  to  derive  much  of  their  first  support 
from  the  benevolence  of  individuals ;  yet  a  liberal 
spirit,  for  their  encouragement  and  final  establish- 
ment, has  gone  forth  among  our  Representatives,  ia 
proportion  to  the  increase  of  our  provincial  funds. 
And  indeed  the  savings  of  public  money,  after  sup- 
plying the  exigencies  of  the  state,  are  never  more 
laudably  directed,  than  towards  the  promoting  what- 
ever is  useful  and  ornamental  in  society. 

^^  It  is  with  unfeigned  gratitude  that  your  peti- 
tioners recollect  the  repeated  occassions  you  have 
^ven  them,  of  acknowledging  your  bounty  and  protec- 
tion, in  carrying  on  their  designs  ^  for  the  advance- 
ment of  useful  knowledge ;'  and  it  is  their  firm  resolu- 
tion never  to  abuse  your  former  indulgence,  by  any 
future  unnecessary  or  unimportant  applications.    By 

the  means  now  in  their  own  power,  they  hope,  in  ge- 

• 
f  1 


8S0  MEMOIRS  OF 

nenl,  to  be  able  to  prosecute  their  plan ;  except  so 
far  as  they  may  sometimes  find  it  incambent  on  then 
humbly  to  suggest  to  you  the  encouragement  of  usefol 
inventions^  and  the  patronizing  undertakings  benet* 
cial  to  tbe  whole  community :  And  it  is  in  this  lait 
view^  that  they  presume  to  address  you  at  this  time. 

^^  Amidst  the  variety  of  fields^  which^  in  this  new 
worlds  lie  op^n  to  the  investigation  of  your  petitioners^ 
they  have^  for  several  years^  turned  their  views  to- 
wards one^  wherein  they  hope  to  gather  some  of  their 
chief  laurels^  and  to  make  discoveries  alike  honour- 
able to  their  country  and  themselves.  Our  distance 
from  the  chief  Observatories  in  the  world^  the  puri^ 
and  serenity  of  our  atmosphere^  invite  us^  nay  loudly 
call  upon  us^  to  institute  a  series  of  regular  Astrono- 
mical Observations;  the  comparison  of  which  with 
those  made  in  Europe^  and  elsewhere,  might  settle 
some  very  important  points,  and  contribute  greatly  to 
give  a  last  perfection  to  Geographj^  and  Navigation, 
The  advantages  derived  to  those  noble  and  useful 
sciences,  from  such  observations,  are  so  obvious,  that 
there  is  scarce  a  civilized  nation  in  the  world  that  has 
not  made  some  provision  for  prosecuting  them ;  and 
your  petitioners  have  been  honoured  with  repeated  so- 
licitations from  some  of  the  greatest  men  in  Europe^ 
to  join  with  them  in  this  great  work,  and  in  a  mutual 
communication  of  our  labours. 

^^It  would  be  inexcusable^  therefore,  in  your  peti- 
tioners to  neglect  the  present  opportunity  of  endea- 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  JSffi 

vouring  to  set  such  a  design  on  foot^  when  we  have  a 
Gentleman  among  us^  whose  Abilities^  speculative  as 
well  as  practical^  would  do  Honour  to  any  Country^ 
and  who  is^  nevertheless,  indebted  for  bread  to  his 
daOy  toil,  in  an  occupation  the  most  unfriendly  botti 
to  health  and  study.  Under  his  auspices,  the  work 
may  now  be  undertaken  with  the  greatest  advantages ; 
and  others  may  be  bred  up  by  him,  to  prosecute  it  in 
future  times:  but  if  the  present  opportunity  is  ne- 
glected, perhaps  whole  centuries  may  not  afford  such 
another.  To  rescue  such  a  Man  from  the  drudgery 
of  manual  labour,  and  give  him  an  occasion  of  indulg- 
ing his  bent  of  genius,  with  advantage  to  his  Country^ 
is  an  Honour  which  crowned  heads  might  glory  in,«— 
but  it  is  an  Honour  also,  which  it  is  hoped,  in  the 
case  of  a  native,  Pennsyleania  would  not  yield  to  the 
greatest  prince  or  people  on  earth ! 

« 

^^  The  design,  which  your  petitioners  have  project- 
ed^ and  now  humbly  beg  leave  to  lay  before  your 
honourable  House,  is  as  follows,  viz. 

^'  First,  That  the  Honourable  Proprietaries  be  pe- 
titioned to  grant  a  Lot  of  Ground,  for  erecting  a  Pub- 
lic Observatory,  and  to  give  such  other  encourage- 
ment to  the  design  as  they  may  think  proper.  And 
from  their  known  attachment  to  the  interest  of  this 
country,  as  well  as  their  professed  readiness  to  serve 
the  Gentleman  who  is  proposed  to  conduct  the  designi 


&M  IttMOIBS  OP 

yo«r  petitioneni  cannot  have  any  doubt  of  their  kmik 
compliance  with  thi9  humble  request. 

^^  Secondly,  That  the  assistance  of  your  honour- 
able House  be  requested,  agreeably  to  the  concluding 
prayer  of  this  petition. 

^^  Thirdly,  That  a  subscription  be  promoted  for 
erecting  a  Public  Observatory,  and  furnishing  it  with 
such  instruments  as  may  be  wanted,  in  addition  to 
thoee  valuable  ones  now  in  the  province.  Of  the  aac- 
cesa  of  this  subscription  among  our  benevolent  fellow- 
citizens,  there  can  be  no  doubt ;  and  the  expense  oi 
Ihe  additional  instruments  will  not  be  great,  as  the 
Gentleman  proposed  to  conduct  the  design,  is  capable 
of  constructing  them  all  with  his  own  hand,  in  the 
most  masterly  manner. 

^*  Fourthly,  That  the  Observatory  shall  be  at  all 
times  open  to  the  curious ;  and,  particularly,  that  cap- 
tains and  mates  of  vessels,  and  young  gentlemen  de- 
sirous of  obtaining  a  practical  knowledge  in  Astrono- 
my, shall  have  admittance,  and  (under  proper  rales, 
io  be  framed  for  that  purpose,)  be  taught  the  use  of  In- 
stniments,  and  the  method  of  making  Observations, 
oc^cially  the  new  method  of  ascertaining  the  lon^- 
tode  at  sea ;  for  the  perfecting  of  which,  the  ParUa- 
ment  of  Great  Britain  has  of  late  given  such  ample 
rewards,  to  the  singular  advantage  of  trade  and  navi- 
gation. 


DAVID  BITTEKH0U8E.  S98 

f^FifOily^  Tliat(heOIisenrati0n8iobeiMdeb3rtli6 
Poblic  Observer,  shall  be  annually  published,  under 
the  inspection  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society, 
and  communicated  to  the  learned  Societies  in  Europe, 
with  such  remarks  as  may  render  them  generally  use« 
fnl  and  entertaining. 

^^  Sixthly,  That  the  same  person  might  also  be  ap- 
pointed Surveyor  of  the  high  roads  and  waters ;  in 
QKAer  that  when  any  public  proposals  are  to  be  made, 
for  improving  navigation,  and  shortening  the  commu- 
nieations  between  capital  trading  places,  there  be  aL 
ways  a  person  who  has  leisure,  and  is  skilled  in  mea- 
soring  and  reducing  distances,  taking  heights  and 
levels,  and  who  may  be  employed  in  conjunction  with 
others,  when  necessary,  to  make  report  on  all  such 
matters,  either  at  the  expence  of  those  who  request 
saeh  service,  or  at  the  public  expence^  as  the  case 

y  require. 


^'  Your  Petitioners  therefore  humbly  pray,  that  your 
Honoorable  House  would  take  the  premises  into  your 
consideration,  and  allow  a  yearly  salary  for  such  per- 
•OD^  at  least  as  a  Public  Astronomer,  if  you  should 
not  view  the  additional  office  of  Surveyor  of  the  high 
roads  and  waters  in  the  same  important  light  as  it  is 
viewed  by  your  petitioners ;  and  they  further  pray, 
that  yon  would  give  them  leave  to  bring  in  a  bill  for 
the  legislative  appointment  of  such  Public  Observer, 


£54  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  for  regulating  his  duty  in  theexucution  of  his 
trust :  and  your  petitioners  shall  ever  pray^  &c. 

Signed  in  behalf  and  by  order  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Society^  at  Philadelphia,  Mareb 

6th  177s. 

Thomas  Bond,  V.  P.*^ 

Nothing  was  done,  in  pursuance  of  this  application 
to  the  legislature ;  although  there  is  not  any  reason 
inrhatever  to  doubt,  that  there  was  the  most  faTourable 
disposition  in  that  enlightened  and  liberal  assembly, 
to  promote  the  laudable  views  of  the  Philosophical 
Society,  both  as  they  regarded  the  public  interest,  mid 
the  personal  advantage  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  But  the 
period  was  then  close  at  hand,  and  its  arrival  had  bem 
for  some  time  before  anticipated,  when  the  public  voice 
was  expected  to  proclaim,  in  a  tone  of  awful  solemni- 
ty, ^^  Cedant  Jnnis  Togce  :^'  and,  in  fact,  the  calama- 
tons  appeal  to  arms  which  soon  after  succeeded,  seem* 
ed  almost  wholly  to  absorb  all  other  considerations, 
than  such  as  were  connected  with  the  defence  of  the 
country  and  a  new  organization  of  its  internal  polity. 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  among  those,  who  early  yield- 
ed to  the  call  of  their  fellow- citizens  to  serve  them  in 

(35)  Joseph  Galloway  and  Samuel  Rhoads,  Esq'rs.  the  cither 
Tice^residents  of  the  society,  were  then  members  of  the  gene- 
ral assembly;  and  Dr.  Franklin,  the  president,  had  not  at  that 
time  returned  from  England.  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was,  at  the  same 
time,  one  of  the  curators  of  the  society ;  as  he  was,  alsoi  during 
the  year  1772. 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  S09 

a  civil  capacity.  Dr.  Franklin  and  Major  (afterwards 
General)  Mifflin  had  been  respectively  appointed  by 
the   continental  congress^  in    the  year  177^9  to  be 
post-master  general  of  ^^  the  United  Colonies  of  North- 
America,''  and  quartermaster-general  of  the  American 
army :  and^  in  consequence  of  these  appointments^ 
both  these  gentlemen  resigned^  in  the  early  part  of  the 
«uti0QiDg  year^  the  seats  they  had  occupied  in  the  ge- 
neral assembly  of  Pennsylvania^  as  burgesses  for  the 
city  of  Philadelphia.     To  supply  this  vacancy  in  the 
representation  of  that  city.  Colonel  (afterwards  Gene- 
mi)  Joseph  Reed  and  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq.  were 
elected,  in  March  1776.     Mr.  Rittenhouse  took  his 
seat  on  the  dth  day  of  the  same  month,  and  con- 
"tinaed  an  useful  member  of  that  body  until  the  termi- 
nation of  its  legislative  functions.     But^  although  he 
was  a  valuable  and  highly  respecb^ble  member  of  that 
lipase,  he  did  not  possess  that  species  of  talent  which 
ollen  enables  a  man  of  even  moderate  abilities,  to  make 
a  prominent  figure  in  popular  assemblies  :  his  percep- 
tion was  extremely  quick ;  in  deliberative  powers  he 
excelled ;  and  all  his  reasoning  faculties  were  most 
accurate  :  yet,  an  insuperable  native  diffidence — pur- 
suits  which  precluded  opportunities  of  public  speak- 
ing— and,  perhaps,  a  peculiar  structure  of  his  mind — 
all  forbad  his  being  an  orator. 

Notwithstanding  the  agitating  and  highly  important 
pnblic  events  which  occupied  men's  minds,  in  the 
memorable  year  1776,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  could  not  en- 


S56  MEMOIRS  OF 

tirely  abandon^  eventhen^  his  darling  pursQits.  His  ar- 
dent attachment  to  the  Newtonian  philosophy  led  hioi^ 
on  TarioQS  occasions^  to  vindicate  it  against  new-fuig- 
led  theories  which  sometimes  appeared  against  it :  iior 
there  still  remained  a  few  speculative  men^  and,  ^BMNiig 
these,  some  persons  of  considerable  learning,  who  con- 
tinued to  adhere  to  the  visionary  principles  of  Degcartes 
and  his  followers/^^  Of  this,  an  instance  occurred  in  the 

(36)  That  enunent  mathematician  and  astronomer,  Mr.  Soger 
Cotesi*  in  an  excellent  preface  to  his  edition  of  Sir  Isaac  New- 
ton's  Mathtmatica  Princifiia  P/iilosophia  JSTaturalU^  has  explained 
the  true  method  of  philosophising ;  shewn  the  foundation  <m 
which  the  Newtonian  system  was  built;  and  refuted  the  objec- 
tions of  the  Cartesians,  and  all  other  philosophers,  s^^ainst  iL 
In  this  preface,  Mr.  Cotes  has  ably  answered  those,  who  contend- 
ed, that  gravity  or  attraction,  in  the  system  of  Newton,  was  not 
a  clearer  principle,  nor  one  more  fit  to  explain  the  phxnoaiens 
of  nature,  than  the  occult  qualities  of  the  peripatetics :  fori  there 
were  still  philosophers,  such  as  they  were,  who  persisted  in  that 
absurd  opinion!  << Gravity,"  said  the  objectors,  <<  is  an occak 
cause ;  and  occult  causes  have  nothing  to  do  with  true  phihMO- 
phy."  To  which  Mr.  Cotes  made  this  lucid  reply  ;-*^  Occult 
causes  are  not  those  whose  existence  is  most  clearly  demon- 
strated by  observation  and  experiment ;  but  those  only  whose 
existence  is  occult,  fictitious,  and  supported  by  no  proofa.  Om- 
vity,  therefore,  can  never  be  called  an  occult  cause  of  the  plane- 
tary motions ;  since  it  has  been  demonstrated  from  the  phaeno* 
mena,  that  this  quality  really  exists.  Those  rather  have  recoorae 
to  occult  causes,  who  make  vortices  to  govern  the  heavenly  mo- 
tions ;  vortices,  composed  of  a  matter  entirely  ficdtious,  and  mi- 
known  to  the  senses.  But,  shall  gravity  therefore  be  called  an 
occult  cause,  because  the  cause  of  gravity  is  occult,  and  as  jrct 

*  This  extraotdinary  inui>  who  was  the  first  Plumian  professor  of  aatro- 
nomy  and  experimental  philosophy  at  Cambridge,  was  born  July  10, 168^ 
and  died  prematurely  Jane  5, 1716. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  £07 

year  1776.    A  writer  under  the  signature  of  M.  W. 
(and  wlio  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  late  Rev. 

undiscovered  ?  Let  those  who  affirm  this,  beware  of  laying  down 
^  principle  which  will  serve  to  undermine  the  foundation  of  every 
system  of  philosophy  that  can  be  established.  For  causes  always 
proceed}  by  an  uninterrupted  connexion,  from  those  that  are 
compound,  to  those  that  are  more  simple ;  and  when  you  shall 
have  arrived  at  the  most  simple,  it  will  be  impossible  to  pro* 
ceed  further.  Of  the  most  simple  cause,  therefore,  no  me- 
chanical solution  can  be  given;  for  if  tliere  could,  it  would 
not  be  the  most  simple.  Will  you  then  call  these  most  simple 
canses  occult^  and  banish  them  from  phUosophy  ?  You  may  so; 
but  you  must  banish  at  the  same  time  the  causes  that  are  next  to 
them,  and  those  again  that  depend  upon  the  causes  next  to  them, 
tiU  philosophy,  at  length,  will  be  so  thoroughly  purged  of  causes, 
that  there  will  not  be  one  left  whereon  to  build  it." 

The  great  doctrine  of  gravitation  and  attraction,  the  aubttra- 
turn  of  the  Newtonian  philosophy,  is  amply  verified  by  numerous 
observations  and  experiments.  Whether  that  which  constitutes 
the  principle  of  gravity  be,  in  itself,  an  incorporeal  or  spiritual 
substance,  or  a  materia  aubtUia^  some  very  subtile  kind  of  ethe- 
real fluid,  is  a  question  which  does  not  at  all  affect  the  actual 
existence  of  such  a  power.  <<  We  know,"  as  is  observed  by  a 
great  astronomer*  of  our  own  time,  "  that  all  the  bodies  in  our 
system  are  retained  in  their  courses*  by  such  a  power"  (the 
power  of  attraction.)  ^<  And,"  he  adds,  "  it  is  a  very  singular 
instance  of  the  unerring  wisdom  of  the  Creator,  that  the  law 
which  this  power  observes  is  such,  that  notwithstanding  the  mU' 
tual  attractions  of  the  bodies,  the  system  will  never  fall  into  ruin, 
bat  is  capable  of  preserving  itself  to  all  eternity.  ^<  Moreover," 
continues  the  same  profound  writer,  ^the  mutual  attraction 
which  takes  place  between  distant  bodies  could  not,  of  itself, 
either  produce  their  motion  about  the  sun,  or  the  rotation  about 
their  axes :  it  required  an  external  impulse  to  operate  in  con- 
junction with  it,  to  produce  these  effects;  an  act,  which  nothing 
but  the  arm  of  Omhxpotsncs  could  accomplish."  ^<  An  invisible 

•  The Bev. Mr.  Vince>  A.M.  F.  R.  S.Plumiwi  Professor  of  Astronomy  uicl 
Rxperimental  Philosophy,  in  the  University  of  Cambridge.  Sec  his  CimpUte 
SjfHetn  ofArtronomy,  voLil  p.  291. 

R  k 


S5S  fiEMOIBS  OF 

Matthew  Wilson,  a  respectable  presbylerian  dergj- 
maoj  of  Lewes,^^^  in  the  county  of  Sussex  on  DeU* 

power  pervades  the  whole  system,  and  preserves  it.  In  tte 
effects  produced  by  man,  we  see  the  operation  of  the  canse; 
but  "the  ways  of  the  Almighty  are  past  finding  out"  "Hence,** 
Bays  our  author,  "  in  whatever  point  of  view  we  take  a  surrey  of 
our  system,  we  trace  the  Power,  Wisdom,  and  Goodness  of  the 
Creator  :  his  Power,  in  its  formation ;  his  Wisdom,  in  the  ilni* 
plicity  of  the  means  to  produce  the  ends ;  and  bis  GoodneaSi  in 
making  those  ends  subservient  to  our  use  and  enjoyment  Thus 
i^e  are  led  by  our  enquiries  into  the  structure  of  the  unirerse, 
to  the  proofs  of  the  existence  and  attiibutes  of  a  Suprkmb  Bs- 
INO*  who  formed  and  directs  the  whole.  Arguments  of  tlus 
kind  produce  conviction  which  no  sophistry  can  confouwL 
<*  Every  man  may  see  it ;  man  may  behold  it  afar  off.**  Let  not 
therefore  the  ignorant  declaim  ag^nst  those  pursuits  which  direct 
us  to  a  knowledge  of  our  Creator,  and  furnish  us  with  unan* 
swerablo  arguments  against  the  infidel  and  the  atheist'* 

But,  to  return  more  immediately  to  the  doctrine  of  gravitation : 
Some  experiments  had  been  made  by  M.  Boguer  and  M.  do  la 
Condamine,  so  long  since  as  the  year  17o8,  upon  the  Chimboraao 
in  South- Am  erica,  in  order  to  test  the  Newtonian  theory  of  gra- 
vity, by  examining  the  attraction  of  mountains ;  and  the  reiult 
accorded  with  that  theory.  With  a  view,  however,  to  estabiiah 
the  principle  more  completely,  the  experiments  of  Mesua.  Bo- 
guer and  Condamine  having  been  made  under  so  many  disadTan- 
tages,  as  rendered  the  result  not  sufficiently  accurate  to  be  oo- 
tirely  depended  on,  similar  experiments  were  made  upon  the 
mountain  Schchallien  in  Scotland,  by  Dr.  Maskelyne,  at  the  re- 
quest  of  the  Royal  Society,  and  under  the  patronage  of  his  soto- 
reign,  the  present  king,  who  liberally  undertook  to  defray  the 
expenses.  From  observations  of  ten  stars  near  the  zenith»  he 
found  the  difference  of  latitudes  of  the  two  stations  on  the  oppo- 
site sides  of  the  mountain  to  be  54',  6 ;  and  by  a  measurement  of 
triangles,  he  ascertained  the  distance  of  the  parallels  to  be  4364^4 
leet,  corresponding,  in  that  latitude,  to  an  arc  of  the  meridian  of 
43^,  94,  which  is  1 1",  6  less  than  by  observation:  its  half  there- 
fore', 5",  8,  is  the  effect  of  the  attraction  of  the  mountain ;  and 
from  its  magnitude,  compared  with  the  bulk  of  the  whole  earth, 


BAVID   RITTENROUSE.  1iS9 

warej  published  in  The  Pennsylvania  Magazine^ 
for  March  and  April  in  that  ycar^  (conducted  by  the 
late  Mr.  Robert  Ailken  of  Philadelphia,)  some  specu- 
latioDSy  under  the  head  of  ^^  A  proposal  for  reducing 
Natural  Philosophy  to  a  System,  with  Remarks  ou 
the  Cartesian  and  Newtonian  Theories.^'  In  his  lu- 
cubrations, this  writer  discovered  a  decided  partiality 
for  the  doctrine  of  Descartes,  in  preference  to  those  of 
Newton.  Nor  did  this  admirer  of  the  justly  exploded 
philosophy  of  the  former  long  want  a  coadjutor  :  for^ 
in  the  same  Magazine,  for  the  succeeding  month,  ap- 
peared another  reverend  gentleman  of  the  same  religi- 
ous persuasion,  and  known  to  possess  a  copious  fund 
of  scholastic  learning ;  who,  under  the  signature  of  J. 
W.  approved,  in  the  main,  of  the  opinions  of  his  pre- 
cursor, on  this  occasion.  After  acknowledging  that 
the  Newtonian  system  prevailed  universally  in  Great- 
Britain^  and  pretty  generally  throughout  the  rest  of 
Europe,  he  asks — ^^  Shall  we  then  hear  any  thing 
against  the  Newtonian  principles,  in  Answer  ?^'  He 
adds — ^^I  answer^  yes.''  After  rendering  a  constrain- 
ed kind  of  compliment  to  the  great  Newton,  for  his 
*^ inexpressible  service  to  Philosophy'' — "so  far  as  he 
adhered  to  his  own  plan," — he  proceeds  with  intro- 

Dr.  Maskelyne  computed  the  mean  density  of  the  latter  to  be 
abovit  doable  that  of  the  mountaui.  ^  Thus,"  to  use  the  words 
cf  Bir.  Vuice,  ^^the  doctrine  of  UmvevMal  Gravitation  is  firmly 
established."  The  reader  will  find  Dr.  Maskelyne's  deductions 
from  this  experiment,  in  Vince's  Com/Uete  System  of  Astronomy y 
vol.  ii.  p.  100  and  seq. 

(37)  The  essay  signed  M.  W.  it  d«ted  from  that  place. 


S60  MEMOIRS  OF 

docing  '^  A  few  Thoughts  on  Space^  Dimension^  ud 
the  Divisibility  of  Matter  in  infinitumJ^ 

Mach  as  Mr.  Rittenhoose  was  averse  to  controveny 
of  any  kind^  he  coald  not  content  himself  without  pub- 
liely  pointing  out  one  palpable  fallacy^  among  the 
many  mistakes  which  the  last  mentioned  writer  had 
fallen  into  :  for  he  did  not  notice  the  preceding  pro- 
duction of  ^  M.  W/  not  deeming  it^  probably^  worthy 
of  his  attention.  Accordingly,  having  been  shewn 
^  J.  W.'s'  essay,  with  some  remarks  on  it  by  his  in- 
genious friend  Mr.  Eilicott  (then  quite  a  young  man,) 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  drew  up  some  observations,  very  con* 
cisely,  on  the  errors  of  this  Anti-Newtonian  essayist : 
This  piece  will  be  found  in  the  same  periodical  work, 
for  June  1778-  Being  addressed  to  Mr.  Aitken^  the 
publisher  of  the  Magazine,  our  Philosopher  concludes 
his  strictures  thus :  ^^  I  wish  the  gentleman  would  be 
more  cautious,  for  the  future ;  as  well  on  your  own 
aecount  as  for  the  sake  of  your  i*eailers,  some  of  whom 
may  be  misled  by  the  weakest  reasoning,  on  a  subject 
which  they  do  not  understand.*^^^  and  I  will  venture 

(38)  In  the  beginning  of  these  observations  of  Mr.  Ritteo- 
house,  on  "  J.  W.'s"  piece,  he  says — « I  am  one  of  those  who  arc 
ready  to  subscribe  to  the  general  maxim,  That  perfection  is  not 
to  be  found  in  any  thing  human;  and  therefore  do  not  suppose 
the  Newtonian  philosophy  to  be  so  perfect  as  not  to  admit  of 
alnendment :  But  I  must  confess,  that  almost  all  the  attempts  to 
controvert  that  philosophy,  which  I  have  met  with,  amount  to  no* 
thing  more  than  so  many  proofs,  that  those  who  made  them  did 
not  understand  it  Of  this  kind,  are  the  objections  started  by 
your  correspondent!  J.  W." 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSB.  96l 

to  assure  bim^  that  the  whole «  doctrine  of*  Infinitefl^' 
which  be  is  pleased  to  call  a  sophism,  will  not  proi 
dace  one  contradiction  in  a  mathematical  head.  Those 
of  anothor  casi^'^^  need  not  meddle  with  it,  since  there 
is  a  suflBcient  variety  of  literary  subjects  to  engiige  eve^ 
ry  man,  according  to  the  bent  of  his  genius.^' 

A  farther  proof  of  Mr.  Rittenhoiise^s  unremitting 
attachment  to  the  interests  of  science,  even  ^^  amidst  the 
calamities  of  an  unhappy  war,"  will  be  found  in  the 
following  circumstances ;  a  written  memorial  of  which^ 
is  preserved  in  the  family  of  his  friend^  the  late  Dr* 
W.  Smith. 

On  the  2d  day  of  November,  1776,  Mr.  Bitten- 
house  was  engaged,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  jointlj 
with  Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  John  Lukens,  in  observing 
Idhe  transit  of  Mercury  over  the  Sun,  which  appeared 
that  day.  On  the  9th  of  January,  following,  the 
Doctor  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse  employed  themselves  al 
the  same  place,  in  like  Observations  on  an  eclipse  of  the 
Sun,  which  then  occurred.  And,  on  the  S4th  of  Junct^ 
1778,  just  one  week  after  the  evacuation  of  that  city 
by  the  British  army,  the  three  gentlemen  here  named^ 
together  with  Mr.  Owen  Biddle,  were  busied  in  mak« 
lag  observations,  there,  on  another  eclipse  of  the  Sxau 
The  results  of  these  several  Observations,  in  the 

(39)  Alludingi  probabljr,  to  Metaphysicians ;  for,  neither  M#. 
M.  W.  nor  Dr.  J.  W.  was  distinguished  as  a  Mathematiciaa. 


S68  MEMOIRS  OF 

louid- writing  of  Dr.  Smith,  having  been  boand  up  by 
Um  with  a  copy  of  T.  Mayers  Lunar  Tables,  the 
writer  of  these  Memoirs  was  obligingly  permitted  by 
Mr.  Charles  Smith,  the  Doctor's  son,  to  transcribe 
Ihem,  for  publication  in  this  work.  A  true  copy  of 
them  is  accordingly  given  in  the  Appendix. 

But,  to  return  to  some  political  events  of  the  year 
177^ :  In  the  month  of  September  of  that  year,  Mr. 
Sittenhouse  was  one  of  twenty-four  persons  who  were 
appointed  justices  of  the  peace,  for  the  whole  State  of 
Pennsylvania;  in  their  capacity  of  members  of  the 
then  existing  council  of  safety. 

This  appointment  was  made  by  virtue  of  an  ordi- 
aance  of  the  convention  of  Pennsylvania,  which  pass- 
ed the  first  constitution  of  the  state,  on  the  S8th  of 
September,  1776,  of  which  lie  was  also  a  member,  fcr 
tlie  city  of  Philadelphia.  That  convention  could  boast 
of  possessing,  among  their  members,  two  distinguished 
philosophers,  Franklin^^^  and  Ritlenhouse :  but  it  can- 
not be  ascertained,  whether  the  opinions  of  these  two 
ttainent  men,  on  the  subject  of  government,  had  any 
decided  infiuence  on  the  deliberations  of  that  assembly. 
Certain  it  is,  however,  that  the  Constitution  framed 
§Mfi  promulgated  by  the  convention,  was  predicated 
m  too  many  new  and  untried  principles  of  civil  polity; 
that  it  contained  too  many  aberrations  from  maxims 

(40)  Dr.  Franklin  was  president  of  that  convention. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  S68 

founded  on  a  knowledge  of  human  nature^  to  have 
warranted  a  reasonable  expectation,  Uiat  it  could  long 
prove  practically  beneficial.  Hence,  after  an  experi- 
ment of  fourteen  years  continuance,  it  was  succeeded 
by  the  present  constitution  of  the  state ;  one  adminu 
bly  well  suited  to  secure  the  rights  and  liberties  of  its 
citizens,  individually,  and  to  promote  the  prosper!^ 
of  the  whole  community,  so  long  as  it  shall  be  faith« 
folly  and  wisely  administered.^**^ 

The  thirteen  British  Colonies,  which,  on  the  memo- 
rable fourth  day  of  July,  1776,  had  declared  them- 
selves  free  and  independent  States,  assumed  at  th^ 
same  time  a  national  character,  under  the  denomina- 
tion of  ^^  The  United  States  of  America,"  in  the  arti- 
cles  of  confederation  and  perpetual  union  between  the 
states,  then  published  :^^^  and  by  these  articles  it  was 

'*(41)  Dr.  Ramsay)  who  pubUshed  his  History  of  the  American 
Revolution  at  the  close  of  the  year  1789,  after  observing  that  the 
policy  of  Great-Britain,  in  throwing  the  inhabitants  of  her  ancient 
colonies  on  the  American  continent  out  of  her  protection,  in- 
duced a  necessity  of  establishing  independent  constitutions  (or 
themselves,  makes  these  judicious  remarks  »— ^  The  maay  errors 
that  were  at  first  committed  by  unexperienced  statesmen^  have 
been  a  practical  comment  on  the  folly  of  unbalanced  constitutions 
and  injudicious  laws.** 

(43)  The  articles  of  confederation  were  not  finally  ratified  by 
congress  until  the  9th  of  July,  1778.  <<  After  eleven  years  ez« 
perience,"  as  Dr.  Morse  has  observed,  ^  being  found  inadequate 
to  the  purposes  of  a  federal  government,"  the  present  constitu- 
tion of  the  United  States  was  formed  at  Philadelphia^  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1787,  by  that  wise,  liberal  and  patriotic  assemblyi  iu 
which  the  illustrious  Washington  presided. 


• 


SB64  IIEHOIRS   OF 

agreed^  that  each  state  should  retain  its  sovereignty^ 
freedom  and  independence^  and  every  power^  jurisdic- 
tion and  rights  not  expressly  delegated  to  congress  by 
Ibe  confederation.  As  soon^  therefore^  as  Fennsylva* 
nia  had  adopted  her  state-constitution^  measures  were 
pursued  for  organizing  her  government^  in  conformity 
to  its  provisions.  The  right  of  appointing  the  treasurer 
of  the  state  by  annual  election^  was  vested  in  the  im- 
mediate representatives  of  the  people,  when  assembled 
in  their  legislative  capacity.  This  policy  had  been 
invariably  pursued  in  the  proprietary  governmetit  of 
Pennsylvania,  while  she  continued  to  be  a  British 
province :  after  the  abrogation  of  the  first  constitution 
of  the  state,  the  same  mode  of  appointing  that  impor- 
tant officer,  the  staie-treasurer,  was  continued,  and 
will  probably  long  remain  a  constitutional  provision. 

The  person  tirst  appointed  to  that  higli  trust,  under 
tiie  republican  goverhment  of  Pennf^ylVania^  was 
David  Rittenhonse :  a  man  whose  stern  integrity,  nu- 
merous public  services,  and  uniform  adherence  to 
those  principles  which  gave  rise  to  the  American  re- 
Vblution,  were  well  calculated  to  inspire  a  general 
Goafidence  in  his  character ;  more  especially,  in  times 
when  virtue  and  talents  were  considered  as  merito- 
jdpus  qualities  in  public  men^  by  those  who  elevated 
tkem  to  offleci  The  first  legislative  body  of  the  State, 
fSbjbv  the  declaration  of  independence,  assembled  at 
Philadelphia  in  October,  I77G ;  and,  on  the  14th  day 
'if  January,  in  the  following  year,  they  elmse  Mr. 


DAVID  RITTENHOU9K.  SAS 

Bittenhoase  to  be  the  state-treasurer^  without  a  dis- 
MDting  voice.  In  like  manner^  he  was  unanimously 
continued  in  that  station^  during  twelve  soeeeeding 
years ;  in  the  last  of  which^  he  sent  to  the  legislature 
his  resignation  of  that  office  :  this  event  shall  be  more 
particularly  noticed  in  its  proper  place  in  the  order  of 
time. 

In  consequence  of  the  possession  of  the  city  of 
Philadelphia  by  the  British  army,  from  the  latter  end 
tf  September^  1777^  until  the  beginning  of  the  ensuing 
MmtHery  the  session  of  the  state- legislature  which  in* 
torvenedy  was  held  at  Lancaster.  The  compulsory 
removal  from  the  capital^  not  only  of  the  government 
of  Pennsylvania  but  of  congress  also^  and  all  the 
•Sees  attached  to  the  seat  of  the  national  government, 
produced  an  high  degree  of  agitation  and  resentment 
ia  ,the  public  mind ;  more  especially  in  Pennsylvania^ 
Where  tlie  evils  occasioned  by  the  occupancy  of  their 
capital  by  an  hostile  army^  were  more  keenly  felt  by 
the  citizens. 

tJnder  these  impressions^  the  general  assembly  of 
that  state  passed  a  law  on  the  13th  of  October  (only 
seventeen  days  after  the  British  forces  entered  Phila- 
delphia,) entitled  ^^An  act  for  constituting  a  council  of 
safety^  &c/'  By  this  act,  twelve  persons  therein 
named,  of  whom  David  Rittenhouse  was  one,  were 
constituted  that  council :  and  to  this  body,  jointly 
with  the  supreme  executive  council  of  the  state^  great 

L  1 


S60  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  extraordinary  powers  weregiven^  to  punish  (even 
capitally)  offenders^  ^^  traitors  or  others^  who  from 
their  general  conduct^  or  conversation^  should  be 
deemed  inimical  to  the  common  cause  of  liberty  and 
the  United  States  of  North- America.^'  The  irrita- 
tion^  that  could  have  provoked  such  a  measure^  mart 
have  been  extreme !  for^  surely^  nothing  less  than  an 
extremity  of  necessity  could  be  urged  as  any  sort  of 
justification^  in  a  free  country^  of  a  legislative  act^ 
whereby  the  constitution  was  grossly  violated^  laws 
were  dispensed  with^  and  a  summary  authority  of  the^ 
highest  nature^  vested  in  a  tribunal  unknown  to  the 
laws  and  unwarranted  by  the  constitution/^  It  i^ 
believed;  however^  that  po  proceedings  were  had  ui|. 

(43)  <<War  never  fails,"  as  Dr.  Ramsay  has  justly  Qbser?a4| 
^  to  injure  the  morals  of  the  people  engaged  in  it.  The  Ameri- 
can war  in  particular/'  continues  that  historian,  <<  had  an  un- 
happy influence  of  this  kind.  Being  begun  without  funcls  or  ,re« 
gular  establishments,  it  could  not  be  carried  on  withput  violating 
private  rights;  and  ui  its  progress,  it  involved  a  necessity  for 
breaking  spl^mn  promises,  and  plighted  public  faith.  The  fiaiilare 
of  national  justice,  which  was  in  some  degree  unavcudable,  in* 
creased  the  difficulties  of  performing  private  engagements,  and 
weakened  that  sensibility  to  the  obligations  of  public  and  priyate 
honour,  which  is  a  security  for  the  punctual  performance  of 
contracts." 

This  is  a  melancholy  but  faithful  representatipn  of  some  of  U&q 
injurious  impressions  made  on  the  moral  sentiments  and  feelings 
of  the  people  of  this  country,  by  the  revolutionary  war :  evils  in- 
separable from  warfare ;  and  such  as  necessarily  spring  from  « 
state  of  things,  alike  destructive  of  social  order  and  the  refine^ 
ments  of  society,  as  repugnant  to  the  precepts  of  religion)  the 
dlcutes  of  natural  justice  and  the  mild  suggestbns  of  bepevo- 
lence. 


DAVtD  RITTENttOUSE.  fU7 

der  this  stratige  legislative  act:  and  tbe  writer  is 
firmly  persuaded^  that  neither  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  nor 
some  others  of  the  gentlemen  who  constituted  the  tri- 
bunal erected  by  that  act^  would  have  undertaken  to 
exercise  some  of  the  powers  required  of  them^  there- 

by. 

During  the  occupancy  of  Philadelphia  by  the  Bri- 
tish forces  under  Sir  William  Howe^  the  commander 
in  chiefs  from  the  26th  of  September^  1777^  until  the 
evacuation  of  that  city  on  the  18th  of  June^  in  the  fol- 
lowing year^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  resided  at  Lancaster  ;^**^ 
where  he  was  buisily  employed  in  the  duties  of  his 
office  of  treasurer  of  the  state/^    Before  his  removal 


(^44)  This  large  and  thriving  borough,  said  to  be  the  greatest 
inland  town  in  the  United  States,  was,  for  a  short  time,  (though 
very  short,  indeed,)  the  seat,  or  rather  place  of  refuge,  of  the 
American  congress ;  the  members  of  which,  having  separated  on 
the  near  approach  of  the  British  army,  eight  days  before  their 
occupation  of  the  capital,  re-assembled  at  Lancaster  the  27th  day 
of  the  same  month.  Lancaster,  which  is  situated  at  the  distance 
of  sixty-four  miles  fVom  Philadelphia,  in  a  direction  nearly  westy 
Was  at  first  conceived  to  be  a  place  of  safety  :  but,  for  their  more 
perfect  security,  congress  convened,  three  days  afterwards,  at 
York  in  Pennsylvania,  a  considerable  county-town  about  twenty- 
two  miles  westward  from  Lancaster,  and  from  each  of  which 
places,  the  intervening  great  river  Susquehanna  is  about  equi- 
distant 

(45)  His  active  mind  derived  much  of  its  happiness  from  its 
continual  employment.  It  appears,  that,  while  engaged  in  the 
dades  of  his  office,  at  Lancaster,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year 
1777,  he  made  the  calculations  for  an  Ephemeris,  called  << Father 
Abraham's  Pocket- Almanack,  for  the  year  M.DCC  LXXVIII ; 


»> 


S0S  MiaifOiRS  OF 

from  Philadelphia^  he  had  placed  hia  family  at  or  a 
ihe  vicinity  of  his  farm  io  Norriton,  distant  about  twen* 
tj  miles  in  a  north* weatwardly  direction  from  the  ca« 
^tal ;  then  conceiving  that  situation  to  be  a  place  of 
safety  from  any  hostil^  excursions.  While  he  himself 
continued  in  the  borough  of  Lancaster^  he  made  hia 
home  at  the  house  of  the  late  William  Henry^  Esq.  at 
^  that  time  treasurer  of  the  rich  and  populous  county  of 
the  same  name ;  a  situation  which  was  very  comniodi* 
•us  for  the  business  of  his  office,  from  its  conneximi 

tiie  late  Mr.  John  Dunlap,  the  publisher,  (who  was,  during  many 
years,  an  eminent  printer  in  Philadelphia,)  having,  in  his  adver- 
tisement of  it,  announced  to  the  public,  that  '^The  Astronomical 
Calculations  of  this  Almanack  were  composed  by  David  Ritten- 
house,  A.  M."  Mr.  A.  EUicott  made  calculations  for  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Maryland  Almanacks,  several  years  after  Mr.  Kitten- 
house  declined  to  continue  them 

It  is  believed  that  our  Astronomer  made  the  calculations  for 
^  Father  Abraham's  Almanack,"  and  probably  some  others,  for 
jieveral  years :  but  mostly  in  the  earlier  part  of  his  life.  And,  u^ 
it  was  no  disparagement  to  the  talents  of  a  Franklin  to  publish 
"  Poor  Richard's  Almanack,"*  (which  the  Doctor  long  continued 
to  print,)  so  it  was  none  to  the  genius  and  abilities  of  a  Ritten- 
'  house,  that  he  employed  himself,  occasionally,  in  making  calcu- 
lations of  an  useful  nature  for  these  Ephemerides. 


*  Not  only  the  astronomical  calculations  of  this  once  welUknown  and 
bigkly  esteemed  Ephcmeris^  but  its  poetry  also,  (which  is  said  to  have  pot* 
seised  a  considerable  share  of  merit,)  were  the  productions  of  Jacob  TaykNV 
Esq.  an  old  English  gentleman,  who,  for  some  time,  executed  the  office  of 
Surveyor-General  of  Pennsylvania.  Franklin  was  the  printer  and  publisher 
of  thb  Ephemeris :  but  many  of  the  productions  of  hb  pen,  which  appeared  in 
It,  ttdd,  among  the  rest,  his  '*  Way  to  WealUi,*'  contributed  towards  renderin|f 
it  a  fery  popular  publication,  of  its  kind.  Franklin  coioiDenced  the  publka« 
tion  of  *'  Poor  Bichard's  Almanack,"  io  the  year  1732,  when  he  wi^  but 
twenty-etx  years  of  age. 


DAVID  RITTBVnOUSE.  060 

wiili  that  of  the  county-treMiuer^  and  one  which  was 
also  rendered  the  more  agreeable^  by  reason  of  Mr. 
Henry  being  a  person  of  Tery  considerable  mechani- 
cal ingenuity. 

This  separation  of  Mr.  Sittenhouse  from  his  wife 
and  children — attended  too^  as  it  was^  by  the  most  em* 
harassing  circumstances^  and  great  uncertainty  with 
respect  to  the  extent  of  its  continuance — ^produced^  in 
such  a  disposition  as  his^  the  most  poignant  feelings. 
His  lot,  it  is  true,  was  that  of  thousands  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  :  nor  were  the  opposite  party  exempt  from  si- 
milar evils  ;  many  of  whom  were  obliged  to  abandon 
their  homes,  and,  after  making  great  sacrifices,  to  seek 
an  asylum  among  strangers.  These  were  a  part  of 
the  miseries  inseparable  from  a  state  of  war ;  and  some 
of  them  were  of  that  nature  which  necessarily  resulted 
from  a  war  of  so  singular  a  character ;  considerations^ 
however,  which  could  not  afford  much  alleviation  to 
the  anxious  feelings  of  our  Philosopher,  in  his  exile : 
those  sensations  were  in  his  mind,  extremely  acute  ; 
aggravated  as  they  were,  by  the  almost  hopeless  con- 
dition of  his  native  country  at  that  time/^^ 

(46)  '<  At  no  period  of  the  war/'  says  chief-justice  Marshall 
te  historian, ''  bad  the  American  army  been  reduced  to  a  situa- 
tion of  greater  peril,  than  during  the  winter  at  Valley-Forge.'* 
*More  than  once  they  were  at>solutely  without  food.  Even 
while  their  condition  was  less  desperate  in  this  respect,  their 
slock  of  provisions  was  so  scanty,  that  there  was  seldom  at  any 
lime  in  the  stores  a  quandty  sufficient  for  the  use  of  the  troops 
for  one  week.  Ccmsequentlyi  had  the  enemy  moved  out  in  fcrce^ 


S70  MEMOIRS  OF 

A  letter  which  he  wrote  to  his  wife^  from  Lanearter^ 
on  the  S6th  of  January^  1778^  strongly  bespeaks  hi* 
inquietade  and  distress^  at  that  alarming  period ;  and 
is^  besides^  so  very  expressive  of  his  purity  of  heart 
and  the  delicacy  of  his  conjugal  and  parental  affections^ 
that  the  following  extracts  from  it  will^  it  is  presamed^ 
be  strikingly  indicative  of  his  principles  and  temper* 

'^  One  of  your  last^''  says  Mr.  Rittenhouse  to  his 
1i?ife^  ^^  convinces  me^  that  the  fears  I  expressed  in  a 
former  letter  are  well-founded ;  I  mean^  that  yon  will 
write^  when  writing  is  painful  to  you :  Indeed^  my 
dear  H.  I  am  not  so  unreasonable  as  to  desire  it.''— - 
'^  Your  letters^  my  dearest  H.  give  me  mingled  plea- 
sure and  pain.    There  is  nothing  in  this  world  I  value 

the  American  army  could  not  have  continued  in  camp.  The 
want  of  provitdons  would  have  forced  them  out  of  it;  and  dieir 
deplorable  condition  with  respect  to  clothes,  disabled  them  from 
keeping  the  field  in  the  winter.  The  returns  of  the  first  of 
February  (1778)  exhibit  the  astonishing  number  of  three  thou- 
sand nine  hundred  and  eighty-nine  men  in  camp  unfit  for  du^^ 
for  want  of  clothes.  Of  this  number,  scarcely  a  man  had  a  pair 
of  shoes.  Even  among  those  returned  capable  of  doing  duty^ 
very  many  were  so  badly  clad,  that  exposure  to  the  colds  of  the 
season  must  have  destroyed  them.  Although  the  total  of  the 
army  exceeded  seventeen  thousand  men,  the  present  effective 
i«nk  and  file  amounted  to  only  five  thousand  and  twelve.  The 
returns  throughout  the  winter  do  not  essentially  vary  from  that 
which  has  just  been  particularly  stated." 

Such  was  the  miserable  condition  of  the  American  army,  at 
the  date  of  the  above  returns !  It  was,  indeed,  sufiiciently  desperate 
in  appearance,  to  have  appalled  the  stoutest  heart ;  and  it  required 
Hie  magnanimity,  as  well  as  the  virtue  of  a  WASHnroTONy  to 
conquer  such  difficulties  ftnd  rise  superior  to  them. 


OAYID  BITTEKHOVSE.  S7i 

go  mneh^  u  your  esteem  and  affection :  Toor  very  kind 
expressions  of  regard^  and  concern  for  my  healthy 
would  therefore  make  me  bappy^  if  it  were  not  for  onr 
unfortunate  situation.  But  we  have  long  since  talked 
of  the  necessity  of  reconciling  ourselves  to  the  prospect 
of  a  separation^ — perhaps  for  years  :  this,  I  fear,  you 
bare  still  made  little  progress  in  doing,  if  I  may  judge 
ftom  your  letters.  Nevertheless,  the  dismal  prospect 
itill  continues.  I  cannot,  indeed,  boast  of  much  mor^ 
resolution  myself.  If  providence  has  espoused  the 
canse  of  our  enemies,  for  wise  reasons  unknown  to  us^ 
''-^Heaven,  nevertheless,  is  my  witness,  with  what  in- 
tegrity I  have  acted ;  and,  that  the  virtue  and  happi- 
Bess  of  my  fellow-creatures  has  always  been  my  prin- 
cipal  object.  I  am,  therefore,  not  at  all  distressed  on 
my  own  account,  confldent  of  being  happy,  in  what- 
ever part  of  the  world  my  lot  may  be  thrown :  but  how 
to  leave  you  exposed  to  the  frowns  of  fortune ;  to  leave 
you  to  the  mercy  of  an  unfeeling  world,  rendered  more 
callous  by  general  distress  ;  to  leave  you  thus,  confid- 
ing only  in  the  goodness  of  Providence,  is  what  I  have 
still  to  learn.  May  kind  Heaven  render  it  unneces^ 
nry! 

^^  I  shall  perhaps,  before  I  seal  this,  appoint  a  time 
to  meet  ^ou.  In  my  last,  I  partly  promised  to  come 
and  stay  a  fortnight  with  yon :  but  I  do  not  now  think 
it  so  safe,  as  I  did  then.  In  our  present  situation,  I 
should  not  think  it  prudent  to  stay  above  one  night 
with  you,  as  parties  of  horse  are  employed  to  pick  up 


VM  MBMOIRS  OF 

jj^vtieiilar  persons.  For  this  reason^  I  would  ratker 
Met  you  at  one  of  your  brothers^'  or  at  sister's  ;^^  bat 
I  apprehend  the  Schuylkill  is^  at  present^  difflcult— -tf 
Aot  dangerou8*«>4o  eross^  on  account  of  the  ice« 

^^  Tuesday  morning. — ^I  am  now  nearly  determined 
it  appoint  ne^t  Saturday  week,  in  the  evenings  to  meel 
ymL  at  brother  John's  }^^^  and  yet  I  fear  it  may  expose 
mie  or  both  of  us  to  a  tery  uticomfortable  ride.  I  Willy 
koweyer,  be  therd,  if  the  weather  be  tolerable  and 
Imalth  permit;  but  do  not  come,  my  dear  H.  if  the 
weather  should  be  bad ;  beeause  if  I  do  not  find  yon 
ttere,  I  shall  proceed  to  brother  IsraePs/^^  where  I 
ahall  be  glad  to  find  you  on  Sunday,  in  order  to  ae« 
company  you  home.  If  you  can  find  any  opportunity 
to  write  before  then,  I  shall  be  glad  to  receive  a  line.'' 

After  experiencing  the  numerous  and  distressing  ilri« 
nations  incident  to  a  nine  months  banishment  from  his 
iMmie  and  separation  from  his  family — during  a  period^ 
teo^  of  great  calamity  and  suffering  among  his  coutt- 
iiymen,  Mr.  Bittenhouse  most  joyfully  retnmed  to 

(47)  This  sister  of  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  was  the  widow  of  Colonel 
Caleb  Parry,  a  gallant  officer  in  the  American  service,  who  was 
lulled  at  the  battle  of  Long-Island  in  July,  1776. 

..  (48)  John  Jacobs,  Eftq — ^This  gentleman  was  a  brother  of  Mrs. 
Uuenhouse. 

'  (49)  Israel  Jacobs,  E8q.-^Another  brother  of  Mrs.  Rittw* 
Imusci. 


k. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  S73 

Philadelphia,  soon  after  its  abandonment  by  the  hos- 
tile army ;  and  there,  once  more,  enjoyed  the  solace 
of  a  reunion  with  his  wife  and  children ;  amidst  whose 
tender  embraces,  and  the  mutual  congratulations  of 
his  friends  and  fellow-citizens,  especially  of  the  re- 
tarning  exiles,  he  participated  largely  in  those  delight- 
ful sensations  with  which  such  an  occasion,  and  such 
scenes,  must  have  inspired  a  virtuous  heart. 

In  Philadelphia,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  resumed  the  dis- 
charge of  his  official  functions,  as  treasurer  of  the  state ; 
an  office^  in  the  execution  of  which  there  were  very 
numerous  and  complicated  duties,  arising  out  of  the 
novel  system  of  finance  and  paper- credit,  pursued  by 
both  the  general  and  state  governments  during  the 
war  :  consequently,  his  attention  to  this  busines9  en- 
grossed so  much  of  his  time,  as  to  leave  him  little  lei. 
sure  for  pursuits  more  congenial  to  his  mind. 

In  a  very  short  time  after  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  return 
to  Philadelphia  he  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Jeffer- 
son, congratulating  him  on  that  happy  event :  and  ex- 
pressing, in  very  forcible  terms,  the  exalted  sense  that 
gentleman  entertained  of  our  Fhilosophei*^s  genius,  ta- 
lents, and  usefulness.  It  indicates,  also,  the  solicitude 
felt  by  its  writer,  lest  the  Orrery  of  Mr.  Ritteuhouse's 
invention  and  construction,  bclouging  to  the  College 
of  Philadelphia,  had  been  either  removed  or  injured 
by  the  British  forces,  while  they  occupied  that  city. 
On  this  head,  however,  the  apprelicnsions  conreived 

M  m 


974  MBMons  OF 

bj  Mr.  JeflSBTMHi  proved  to  be  groondless  :  for^  set 
oolj  WM  the  Orrery  not  removed  fron  its  proper  ala* 
tioD  ;  bat,  at  the  instance  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  the 
provost  of  the  CoUe^.  the  apartment  in  the  Co11^|B 
ediftee  which  contained  the  invalaable  machine,  was 
closed  op  by  order  of  Sir  William  Howe,  to  prevent 
its  being  injured ;  and  no  person  was  permitted  to  ea- 
ter that  apartment  to  view  the  Orrery,  withoot  the 
Provost's  consent ;  on  which  occasions  he  nnifwmlj 
attended  in  person,  with  the  keys  kept  in  his  possea- 
sion.  The  means  thus  nsed,  to  secure  from  any  injm- 
ly  property  so  inestimable  to  the  friends  of  science,  is 
a  circumstance  that  certainly  reflects  mnch  honour 
npon  the  parties  by  whom  they  were  effected, — even 
thoogh  one  of  them  was,  at  that  time,  necessarily  view- 
ed in  the  character  of  an  ^^  enemy.'' 

Bat,  in  order  that  the  reader  may  be  enabled  to  form 
his  own  judgment,  on  Mr.  Jefferson's  estimate  of 
genius,  and  concerning  the  rank  and  privileges  to 
which  the  distinguished  writer  conceives  men  of  great 
philosophical  talents  are  entitled,  the  letter,  just  re- 
ferred to,  is  now  presented  to  him  :    it  is  as  follows. 

^^Manticello  in  Mheinarley  Virginia^  July  19, 1778. 

'^  Dear  sir, 

*^  I  sincerely  congratulate  you  on  the  recovery  of 
Philadelphia,  and  wish  it  may  be  found  uninjured  by 
the  enemy.  How  far  the  interests  of  literature  may 
have  suffered  by  the  injury  or  removal  of  the  Orrery 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  IQV 

(as  it  is  miscalled),  the  public  libraries,  and  yonr  pa- 
pers  and  implements,  are  doubts  which  still  excite 
anxiety.     We  were  mach  disappointed  in  Yirgioia 
generally,  on  the  day  of  the  great  eclipse,^^^  whkh 
proved  to  be  cloudy  in  Williamsburg^  where  it  waf 
total.    I  understand,  only  the  beginning  was  seen  at 
this  place,  which  is  in  Latitude  SS""  &  and  Longitude 
West  from  Williamsburg,  about  l""  45'  as  is  conjee* 
tared;  eleven  digits  only  were  supposed  to  be  covered- 
It  was  not  seen  at  all  till  the  moon  had  advanced 
nearly  one-third  over  the  sun's  disc.     Afterwards,  it 
was  seen  at  intervals  through  the  whole.    The  egress 
particularly  was  visible.    It  proved,  however,  of  lit- 
tle use  to  me,  for  want  of  a  time-piece  that  could  be 
depended  on ;  which  circumstance  together  with  the 
subsequent  restoration  of  Philadelphia  to  you,  has  in- 
duced me  to  trouble  you  with  this  letter,  to  remind 
yoa  of  your  kind  promise  of  making  me  an  accurate 
clock,  which  being  intended  for  astronomical  purposes 
only,  I  would  have  divested  of  all  apparatus  for  strik- 
ing, or  for  any  other  purpose,  which  by  increasing  its 
Qomplication  might  disturb  its  accuracy.    A  compa- 
nion  to  it,  for  keeping  seconds,  and  which  might  be 
moved  easily,  would  greatly  add  to  its  value.    The 

(50)  This  eclipse,  which  happened  on  the  24th  day  of  June, 
17789  was  observed  in  Philadelphia^  by  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  the 
Rev.  Dr.  W.  Smith,  John  Lukens,  Esq.  and  Mr.  Owen  Biddlci 
at  the  College  in  that  city.  The  result  of  the  joint  observations 
made  by  those  gentlemen  on  that  occasion,  as  drawn  up  by  Dr. 
Smith,  but  never  before  published,  will  be  found  in  tbe  Appen- 
dix. W.B. 


S76  MEMOIRS  OF 

theodolite^  for  which  I  spoke  to  you  also,  I  can  now 
dispense  with,  having  since  purchased  a  most  excel- 
lent one. 

^^  Writing  to  a  Philosopher,  I  may  hope  to  be  par- 
doned for  intruding  some  thoughts  of  my  own,  thoagh 
they  relate  to  him  personally.  Your  time  for  two 
years  past  has,  I  believe,  been  principally  employed 
in  the  civil  government  of  your  country.  Though  I 
have  been  aware  of  the  authority  our  cause  would 
acquire  with  tlie  world  from  its  being  known  that 
Yourself  and  Doctor  Franklin  were  zealous  friends 
to  it,  and  am  myself  duly  impressed  with  a  sense  irf 
the  arduousness  of  government,  and  the  obligation 
those  are  under  who  are  able  to  conduct  it;  ^et  I  am 
also  satisfied  there  is  an  order  of  geniuses  above  that 
obligation,  and  therefore  exempted  from  it.  Nobody 
can  conceive  that  nature  ever  intended  to  throw  awaj 
a  Newton  upon  the  occupations  of  a  crown.  It  would 
have  been  a  prodigality  for  whicli  even  the  eonduct 
of  Providence  might  have  been  arraigned,  had  he 
been  by  birth  annexed  to  what  was  so  far  below  him. 
Co-operating  with  nature  in  her  ordinary  economy^ 
we  should  dispose  of  and  employ  tlie  geniuses  of  men 
according  to  their  several  orders  and  degrees.  1 
doubt  not  there  are  in  your  country  many  persons 
equal  to  the  task  of  conducting  government :  but  you 
should  consider  that  the  world  has  bu^^ie  Ritten- 
house,  and  that  it  never  had  one  before,  "^l^e  amaz- 
ing mechanical  representation  of  the  solar  system 


DA.TID   RITTGNHOUSE.  Vfl 

which  you  conceived  and  executed,  has  never  been 
surpassed  by  any  but  the  work  of  which  it  is  a 
copy.  Are  those  powers  then,  which,  being  intended 
for  the  erudition  of  the  world,  are,  like  air  and  light, 
the  world's  common  property,  to  be  taken  from  their 
proper  pursuit  to  do  the  common-place  drudgery  of 
gorerning  a  single  state,  a  work  which  may  be  exe- 
cuted by  men  of  an  ordinary  stature,  such  as  are  al- 
ways and  every  where  to  be  foand?  Without  having 
ascended  Mount  Sinai  for  inspiration,  I  can  pronooDce 
that  the  precept,  in  the  decalogue  of  the  vulgar,  that 
.they  shall  not  make  to  themselves  the  'likeness  of  any 
thing  that  is  in  the  heavens  above,'  is  reversed  for 
you,  and  that  you  will  fulfil  the  highest  purposes  of 
y<mr  creation  by  employing  yourself  in  the  perpetual 
breacli  of  that  inbibitioo.  For  my  own  country  in 
particular,  you  mast  remember  something  like  a  pro* 
Biifie  that  U  should  be  adorned  with  one  of  them.  The 
taking  of  your  city  by  the  enemy  has  hitherto  pre- 
vented the  proposition  from  being  made  and  approved 
by  our  legislature.  The  zeal  of  a  true  whig  io  science 
must  excuse  the  hazarding  these  free  thoughts,  which 
flow  from  a  desire  of  promoting  the  diffusion  of  know- 
ledge and  of  your  fame,  and  of  one  who  can  assure 
you  truly  that  he  is  with  much  sincerity  and  esteem 
your  most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant. 

Th.  Jepfehsok. 


£}^8  HBMOIRS  OF 

^^P.  S.  If  you  can  spare  as  much  time  as  to  ^ve 
me  notice  of  the  receipt  of  tbis^  and  what  hope  I  may 
form  of  my  Glock^  it  will  oblige  me.  If  sent  to  Fre- 
dericksburg^ it  will  come  safe  to  hand.*' 

In  the  commencement  of  the  year  1779^  our  bene- 
volent Philosopher  had  an  opportunity  of  testifyk^ 
the  friendly  interest  he  took  in  the  prosperity  of  his 
brother-in-law  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton^  and  his  family. 
This  gentleman  was  then^  with  Mrs.  Barton/'^  in  the 
city  of  New- York;  to  which  they  went  towarda  (he 
close  of  the  year  1778^  in  pursuance  of  a  permiation 
granted  for  that  purpose  by  the  government  of  Penn- 
sylvania^ under  certain  conditions.  All  Mr.  Bartends 
children  excepting  the  eldest^  (the  writer  of  these 
Memoirs ),  who  was  then  abroad^  remained  in  Penn- 
sylvania ;  those  in  their  minority^  being  six  of  tiw 
seven  so  remaining^  having  been  previously  plaoed 
under  the  charge  of  suitable  persons.  After  a  long  ab- 
sence  of  the  eldest  son  from  his  native  country^  he  re- 
turned to  Pennsylvania  the  beginning  of  the  year  1779l 
Immediately  after  his  arrival  at  Lancaster,  he  received  a 
letter  from  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  dated  in  Philadelphia, 
January  Slth  1779,  in  which  he  says — ^'  I  most  sin- 
cerely congratulate  you  on  your  safe  arrival^  and  im- 


(51)  To  this  lady,  who  is  yet  living,  Mr.  Barton  was  married 
in  the  year  1776.  She  remains  his  widow,  and  enjoys  the  yery 
affectionate  respect  of  Mr.  Barton's  descendants  and  relatives,  to 
which  her  great  worth  and  many  virtues  justly  entitle  her. 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  S70 

patiently  expect  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you  here.  I 
received  yours  from  Baltimore,  ten  days  after  the 
date,  and  immediately  wrote  to  your  father/^^  sup* 

(53)  Colonel  Samuel  J.  Atlee,  formerly  a  parishioner  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  had  written  ivro  letters  to  him,  to  inform  him 
of  his  son's  arrival.  The  second  of  these  only  had  got  to  handy 
aad  was  acknowledged  at  the  same  time  as  Mr.  Rittenhouae'a. 
Col.  Atiee,  who  was  a  steady  friend  of  Mr.  Barton's  family,  was 
a  valuable  officer  in  the  American  army,  in  the  earlier  period  of 
the  war;  and  afterwards  served  as  a  delegate  in  congress,  for  the 
slate  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  difficulty  of  Mr.  Barton's  returning  to  Pennsylvania,  and 
which  he  alludes  to,  in  his  letter  to  Mr  Rittenhouse,  arose  from 
the  terms  of  his  passport  to  New- York,  from  the  Supreme  Exe-* 
cudve  Council  of  Pennsylvania:  it  permits  him  to  go  to  New* 
York)  **  not  to  return."  A  letter  which  Mr.  Barton  wrote  to  John 
De  Hart,  Esq.  of  Elizabeth-Town  in  New-Jersey,  on  tlie  30th 
of  January,  1779,  will  sufficiently  explain  the  conscientious  sent- 
plea  which  actuated  the  writer's  conduct;  and  they  were  such  as, 
it  is  presumed,  will  have  weight,  when  dispassionately  and  liber« 
aUy  considered. 

In  addressing  Mr.  De  Hart,  Mr.  Barton  says: — ^l  received 
year  favour  of  the  22d  instant,  by  Mr.  Alexander.  The  papers 
with  which  you  entrusted  me,  gave  me  no  trouble,  except  that 
of  my  not  being  able  to  serve  you  in  the  manner  which  was  first 
proposed.  You  may  depend  on  their  safety  in  my  hands ;  sul>* 
ject  to  such  directions  as  you  shall  be  pleased  to  give  me."  <*I 
wish  for  an  opportunity  to  oblige  you,  and  if  any  should  offeri  I 
beg  you  will  employ  me  without  any  apology. 

^  I  am  just  informed  that  my  son  has  returned  to  his  native 
country,  after  an  absence  of  between  three  and  four  years.  How 
melancholy  and  distressing  is  my  situation !  separated  from  eight 
children,  and  three  congregations,  to  whom  I  am  bound  by  duty, 
gratitude,  and  every  Ue  of  affection!  <A  parent  only  knows  a 
parent's  woes ;'  and  such  will  feel  for  me.  You  arc  kind  enough 
to  tell  me,  that  my  son  requests  me  to  retui-n  to  my  parish.  What 
he  can  mean  by  this  request,  I  am  totally  at  a  loss  to  understand: 


I 

S80  MEMOIRS  OF 

posing  him  to  be  still  at  New- York  ;^^^^  though  we 
eannot  be  certain  as  to  that  matter/'  The  Rev.  Mr. 
Barton^  on  the  15th  of  February^  acknowledged  the 

could  the  matter  have  been  determined  by  my  option,  I  should 
never  have  left  my  parish,  for  any  prospect  or  preferment  that 
could  offer.  But  no  choice  was  left  me,  but  either  to  take  the 
oathy  or  to  suffer  a  painful  separation  from  my  dearest  coimexioiis  ; 
as  well  as  from  a  country  which  always  had,  since  I  have  known 
ity  my  predilection  and  best  wishes  ;  a  country  to  which,  I  can 
declare  (with  an  appeal  to  heaven  for  the  truth  of  the  declaration,) 
I  never  did,  or  wished  to  do,  <any  act  or  thing  prejudicial  or  in- 
jurious :'  and  though  my  heart  assures  me,  that  many  conscien- 
tious and  good  men  have  conformed  to  the  test-act,  yet  my  own 
conscience  always  revolted  at  the  abjuration  part  of  it,  and  pre« 
Tailed  with  me  to  surrender  every  worldly  consideration^  that 
should  come  in  competition,  or  tempt  me  to  a  violation  of  it 
This,  sir,  was  the  only  crime  (if  a  crime  it  be)  for  which  I  now 
suffer  banishment  from  all  that  are  most  dear  to  me  ;  with  an  ih- 
terdict,  <'not  to  return  again."  I  cannot  therefore  comprehendy 
how  I  can  consistently  return,  before  this  interdict  is  cancelled ; 
or  some  assurance  given  mc,  that  I  may  again  unite  and  liye 
quietly  with  my  family,  without  being  subject  to  an  abjurationy 
which  I  cannot  take.  The  proper  duties  and  professioa  of  a 
minister  of  the  gospel  should,  in  my  opinion,  never  lead  him 
into  the  field  of  politics.  In  conformity  to  this  opinion,  e very- 
man  who  knows  me  can  testify,  that  I  never  degraded  my  func- 
tion by  intermeddling,  directly  or  indirectly,  in  the  present  un- 
happy contest :  so  that  my  own  scruples  would  be  a  stricter  tie 
upon  me,  than  any  that  could  be  made  by  oaths  or  tests.  Tou 
will  excuse  my  troubling  you  on  this  subject,  when  I  tell  you, 
that  the  kind  manner  in  which  you  address  me  has  drawn  it  upon 
you." 

(53)  It  was  Mr.  Barton's  intention,  when  he  left  Pennsylvania, 
to  embark  at  New-York  for  England  or  Ireland :  but  his  ill  state 
of  health,  which  soon  after  ensued^  prevented  his  leaving  New- 
York. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE*  S8i 

neeipt  of  his  brother-in-law^s  letter  to  him^  whieh^ 
although  dated  the  16th  of  January,  did  not  reach  him 
mitil  the  13th  of  the  succeeding  month.  In  this  an* 
ewer,  Mr.  Barton  says ; — ^'  To  see,  and  to  be  united 
with  my  children,  is  my  most  earnest  wish ;  but  how 
tiiat  liappy  event  is  to  be  obtained,  I  know  not :  If  my 
mm  should  choose  to  come  to  Elizabeth-Town,  per« 
haps  I  might  be  indulged  with  a  flag,  to  have  an  in- 
tarview  with  him  there. ''^^ 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Rittenbouse 
again  manifested  his  friendly  attachment  to  Mr.  Bar- 
ton's  family^  on  an  occasion  which  offered,  relating  to 
the  writer  of  these  Memoirs  personally.  Soon  after 
the  appointment  of  the  late  Henry  Laurens,  Esq.  to 
be  envoy  to  Holland,  Mr.  Rittenbouse  applied  to  that 
gentleman  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  for  the  writer^ 
who  was  well  known  to  him,  the  secretaryship  to  that 
ittssion :  but  Mr.  Laurens  had  determined  to  appoint 
no  secretary ;  at  least  before  he  should  arrive  in  Hoi* 
laBd«  In  a  letter  to  the  writer  of  this,  communicating 
the  result  of  his  application,  Mr.  Rittenbouse  says-^ 
^  I  wish  you  could  obtain  some  handsome  thing  of  this 

(54)  This  indulgence  was  obtained  in  April,  ITSO,  from  the 
Supreme  Executive  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  chiefly  through  the 
{Hendship  of  the  late  general  Joseph  Reed,  then  president  of 
that  body ;  and,  in  pursuance  of  this  passport,  sanctioned  by  gc- 
nerri  Washington,  the  desired  interview  was  had  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Barton,  at  Elizabeth-Town,  a  very  short  time  before  the 
death  of  Mr.  Barton. 

V  n 


SM  MBXOIRS  OF 

luiid ;  bat  there  are  such  numbers  of  humble  suitors  io^ 
and  dependants  on^  members  of  congress^  that  every 
thing  is  snapped  up^  before  you  or  I  know  any  thii^; 
of  the  matter/^ 

In  consequence  of  a  territorial  dispute  which  had 
arisen  between  Pennsylvania  and  Vir^nia^  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse  was  appointed  by  the  legislature  of  the  form- 
er^ in  the  year  1779^  one  of  the  commissioners  for  set- 
tling that  controversy :  his  colleagues^  on  that  occa- 
sion^ were  George  Bryan^  Esq.  and  the  reverend  Br. 
Bwing. 

These  commissioners^  thus  nominated  on  behalf  of 
tiieir  own  state^  were  authorised  ^^  to  meet  and  agree 
with  other  commissioners^  on  the  part  of  Vii^nia^ 
upon  the  western  boundary/^  They  accordingly  met 
Dr.  James  Madison^  president  of  the  college  of  Wil- 
liam and  Mary^  (late  bishop  of  the  protestant  episcopal 
church  in  Virginia)^  and  Robert  Andrews^  professor 
of  mathematics  in  that  institution^  the  commissioners 
appointed  by  Virginia^ — for  the  purposes  of  their  re- 
spective appointments.  This  meeting  was  held  on  the 
81st  day  of  August^  1779.  The  propositions  for  an 
amicable  adjustment  of  the  boundary  line  in  dispute^ 
were  first  made  by  Pennsylvania :  and^  at  the  meeting 
thus  held^  in  consequence  of  Virginia  having  acceded 
to  those  propositions^  the  joint  commissioners  of  the 
two  states  entered  into  the  following  agreement : 


DATID  BITTENHOUSE.  »5» 

**  We,  Oeoi^  Bryan,  John  Ewing,  and  David  Rit- 
tenbouse,  commisaioaers  from  the  state  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, and  we,  James  Madison  and  Robert  Andrews, 
commissioners  for  the  state  of  ViTgiaia,  do  hereby  tan-' 
tually,  in  behalf  of  our  respective  states,  ratify  md 
eonfirm  the  following  agreement,  viz.  To  extend  Ma- 
son's and  Dixon's  line,  due  west,  five  degrees  of  lon- 
gitude, to  be  computed  from  the  river  Delaware,  for 
the  southern  boundary  of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  a 
meridian,  drawn  from  the  western  extremity  thereof 
to  the  northern  limit  of  the  said  state,  be  the  western 
booadary  of  Pennsylvania  for  ever." 

This  agreement;  signed  by  the  respective  commis- 
sioners of  the  contending  states,  was,  oo  the  10th  of 
November  ensuing,  unanimously  ratified  and  confirmed 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  and  its  ra- 
tification duly  transmitted  to  the  government  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

But  this  agreeinent,  thus  solemnly  concladed,  did 
not  quiet  the  pre-existing  disputes.  Divers  persons, 
deriving  authority,  or  pretending  so  to  do,  under  the 
government  of  Virginia^  proceeded  to  Fort  Byrd  in' 
the  connty  of  Westmoreland,  thirty  miles  at  least  with- 
in the  line  agreed  on  by  the  commissioners, — and 
npon  lands  originally  settled  under  Pennsylvania,  and 
long  held  as  being  within  its  nnqnestionablc  jurisdic- 
tlon ;  and  these  intruders  there  exercised  a  summary 
and  uttbitrsry  aotfaority,  tending  to  the  dispossession 


UMl  MBMOIBS  OF 

of  the  graHtees  under  PeDDaylvaaiA ;  vexing  and  dis- 
iarbing  them^  greatlyi  in  the  peaceable  possession  of 
Iwds  which  they  had  honestly  purchased,  and  culti<p 
lilted  for  a  long  course  of  years.  Such  injustice  and 
OVtcages^  on  the  part  of  the  Virginia  intruders^  induc- 
ed congress  to  interpose  the  little  authority  they  po9- 
aessed,  for  the  purpose  of  tranquillizing  the  eontend- 
iog  parties,  at  a  period  when  the  harmony  of  the  ci- 
tizens of  the  several  states  was  highly  important  to 
the  safety  of  the  whole  confederacy.  Accordin^y^  in 
iQecemher,  1779;  and  nearly  four  months  after  the 
adjustment  of  the  before  disputed  boundary  by  the 
persons  duly  empowered  to  settle  the  same,  congress 
passed  a  resolution,  attested  by  their  secretary^  in 
these  words: 

^^  In  Congresdy  December  S7|  1779« 
^^  Whereas  it  appears  to  congress,  from  the  repre* 
sentation  of  the  delegates  of  the  state  of  Pennsylvania^ 
that  disputes  have  arisen  between  the  states  of  Penn- 
igrWania  and  Virginia,  relative  to  the  extent  of  tlieir 
boundaries,  which  may  probably  be  productive  of  ae* 
rjous  evils  to  both  states,  and  tend  to  lessea  their  ex* 
^irtions  in  the  common  defence :  Therefore, 


•  I 


:  ^^  Beadved,  That  it  be  reconrniended  to  the  eontend* 
i^  parties,  not  to  grant  any  part  of  the  disputed  landf 
tf  to  disturb  the  possession  of  any  persona  living  then*. 
€^4  and  to  avoid  every  appearance  of  foree^  until  ibm 
dispute  can  be  amicably  aettled  by  botb  stato^^  «t 


BAVIB  RITTENH0U8E. 

broogbt  to  a  just  decision  by  the  interventioii  of  eon- 
gress ;  that  possessioiui  forcibly  taken  be  restored  to* 
the  original  possessms^  and  things  be  placed  in  the  si*' 
taation  in  which  they  were  at  the  commencement  of 
the  present  war^  without  prejudice  to  the  claims  of 
either  party .'^ 

It  is  evident  from  the  face  of  this  resolution^  that 
eongress  were  not  disposed  to  notice  this  controveny^ 
otherwise,  than  with  extreme  delicacy :  and  so  cau- 
tions were  they,  under  all  existing  circumstances,  of 
interfmng  with  the  merits  of  this  dispute  between  two 
great  and  powerful  states,  that  they  speak  of  the  con- 
trover^  as  one  then  actually  in  existence,  between 
Qiose  states ;  although,  in  regard  to  their  respective 
governments,  it  had  been  settled  long  before.  How- 
ever, the  day  after  the  date  of  the  resolution  of  Con- 
gMw,  the  president  and  the  supreme  executive  coun- 
cil of  Pennsylvania  issued  a  proclamation,  requiring 
all  officers,  civil  and  military,  and  others,  subjects  of 
tibe  state,  to  pay  due  obedience  and  respect  to  that  re- 
sohition ;  and  also  encouraging  the  several  granteesr 
daiming  under  Pennsylvania  to  continue  in  the  culti:. 
Tatioa  and  improvement  of  their  several  estates  and 
possessions,  as  well  as  in  their  allegiance  and  fidelity 
te  the  state, — notwithstanding  any  claims  or  pretences 
Mi  np  by  the  state  of  Virginia,  or  any  other  foreign 
jnasdiction ;  and  assuring  them  of  the  protection  anA 
tUfipogt  of  their  ovm  state,  while  so  continuing  in  duif- 
•lid  obedience  to  its  laws  and  government. 


S80  MEMOIRS   OV 

Notwithstanding  all  these  proceedings^  this  extra- 
wdtnary  controversy  was  not  terminated  until  long  af- 
terwards. In  consequence  of  a  resolution  of  the  ge* 
neral  assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  of  the  S8th  of  August, 
1783,  the  supreme  executive  council  of  that  state  pass- 
ed, on  the  11th  day  of  the  succeeding  month,  a  resolu- 
tion on  their  part,  stating, — ^that,  as  many  of  the  ob- 
jections which  had  hitherto  prevented  the  determina- 
tioa  of  the  boundary-line,  in  question,  were  then 
removed,  it  became  necessary  to  close  that  business 
with  all  possible  accuracy  and  dispatch ;  and  that,  to 
tiiis  end,  four  commissioners  should  be  immediately 
appointed,  with  directions  to  provide  the  necessary  as- 
tronomical apparatus,  and  to  correspond  with  those 
appointed  by  the  state  of  Yirgiuia  for  the  same  pur- 
pose :  they  therefore  appointed  the  Rev.  John  Ew- 
ing,  D.  D.,  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq.  treasurer  of  the 
state  and  Thomas  Hutchins,  Esq.  to  perform  that 
duty. 

The  arduous  service  thus  assigned  to  these  gentle- 
men,  all  of  them  possessing  great  abilities,  was  ac- 
cordingly executed ;  and  a  law  was  thereupon  passed 
hy  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1784;  which,  after  reciting  that  the  boundary-line 
agreed  on  by  the  former  commissioners,  on  the  31st  of 
August,  1779, — and  which  is  therein  stated  to  have 
tfeen  unanimously  confirmed  by  Pennsylvania  on  the,, 
sad  of  September,  1780,  with  the  condition  attached 


BAVm  RITTENHOUSE.  tSf 

thereto  by  Virginia/"^ — wag  by  this  law  finally  con- 
firmed. 

Mr.  Ritteiihouse  bore  so  conspicuous  a  part^  in  ne- 
gociating  and  executing  this  long-depending  and  im- 
portant  business^  that  the  writer  of  his  life  could  not 
deem  it  improper  to  introduce  into  it^  this  historical 
detail  of  a  transaction  of  so  much  moment^  which  ori- 
^ated  in  1779  and  was  not  completed  until  1784; 
and^  more  particularly^  as  (to  use  the  M'ords  of  Dr. 
Rush  J  ^Ho  Iiis  talents^  moderation  and  firmness^  were 
ascribed^  in  a  great  degree^  the  satisfactory  termina- 
tion of  that  once  alarming  controversy.'^ 

The  death  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton^  which  occur- 
ired  in  the  spring  of  1780/"^  put  a  period  to  the  sin- 

(55)  The  conditions  proposed  by  the  state  of  Virginia  (and 
which  Pennsylvania  considered  as  having  a  tendency  to  counte- 
nance unwarrantable  claims  that 'might  be  made  under  the  state 
of  Virginia,  in  consequence  of  pretended  purchases  or  settle- 
ments, pending  the  controversy,)  were  these;  viz  :— That  the 
line,  commonly  called  Mason  and  Dixon's  line,  be  extended  due 
west,  5^  of  long,  to  be  computed  from  the  river  Delaware^  for 
the  southern  boundary  of  Pennsylvania,  and  that  a  meridian, 
drawn  from  the  western  extremity  thereof,  to  the  northern  limits 
of  the  said  states,  respectively,  be  the  western  boundary  of  Penn- 
sylvania, for  ever :  on  condition,  that  the  private  property  and 
rights  of  all  persons,  acquired  under,  founded  on,  or  recognized 
by  the  laws  of  either  country,  previous  to  the  3 1  st  of  August^ 
1779,  should  be  saved  and  confirmed  to  them,  although  they 
should  be  found  to  fall  within  the  other ;  and  that  in  the  decision  of 
disputes  thereon  &c.  (see  act  of  1st  April,  1784.) 

(56)  He  died  at  New- York,  the  25th  of  May,  1780,  aged  only 
fifty  years ;  and  was  interred  in  the  chancel  of  St.  Gcorge'a 
Chapel,  in  that  city. 


i 


988  MKMOttS  OP 

cere  and  intimate  friendship  between  that  gentlemaii 
and  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  which  had  subsisted  almoai 
thirty  years.  This  friendship^  which  may  be  said  to 
liave  commenced  almost  in  the  youth  of  both  parties^ 
continued  without  interruption  until  the  year  1776 ; 
when  the  declaration  of  American  independence  pro- 
dnced^  unhappily^  some  abatement  of  it  on  each  side; 
at  leasts  so  far  as  related  to  that  great  political  mea- 
aore^  respecting  which  they  entertained  different  opi- 
mens :  For^  although  Mr.  Barton  was^  in  trath^ 
warmly  attached  to  the  principles  of  the  English 
whigs;  and  had,  on  various  occasions^  manifested  hia 
zeal  for  the  liberties  of  the  American  people  and  rights 
of  the  colonists  f^  his  opinions  were  conscientiously 

(57)  As  Mr.  Barton's  deportment  and  services,  very  earlf  in 
life)  evinced  his  devotion  to  the  happiness  of  his  adopted  coim- 
try,  the  writer  hopes  he  may  be  permitted,  without  being  charge* 
able  with  great  impropriety,  to  adduce  the  following  evidences, 
among  many  which  might  be  exhibited,  of  the  usefulness  and 
public  spirit  of  a  person,  who  was,  during  a  long  course  of  yearsy 
intimately  connected  with,  and  a  confidential  friend  of  David 
Rittenhouse. 

Annexed  to  a  printed  copy  of  <<  A  letter,  concerning  the  office 
and  duty  of  Protestant  ministers,  especially  in  times  of  public 
danger,  written  to  a  clergyman  on  the  frontiers  of  Pennsylvaniai 
on  general  Braddock's  defeat,"*  there  is  the  following  note : 

<*  The   gentleman  to  whom  this  was  addressed,!  as  well  as 
Mine  ministers  of  other  denominations,  did,  a  few  months  after 
thifli  find  it  necessary  to  appear  at  the  head  of  their  people,  and 

*  This  letter  is  contained  in  a  Tolume  of  Dr.  Smith's  Sermons,  8cc.  pablished 
m  Englind  in  two  editions,  in  the  years  1759  and  1762 ;  and  it  also  compre- 
heeded  in  an  elegant  edition  of  the  Doctor's  works,  republished  in  Fluleild- 
jplua  a  Ibw  years  since. 

fThe  Bev.  Mr,  Barton. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  S8Q 

opposed^  and  only  these^  to  the  expediency  of  that 
measure.  Yet  it  is  believed^  that  the  personal  friend- 
were  signally  instrumental  in  preventing  some  of  the  frontier 
counties  from  being  totally  abandoned  by  their  inhabitants.*'  See 
the  Appendix  to  ^^  Discourses  on  public  occasions  in  America  : 
By  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Provost,"  &c.  who  was  the  writer  of 
the  letter.     It  is  dated,  «  Philadelphia,  August  21,  1755." 

Extract  of  a  letter,  dated  London,  Januaiy  10th,  1759,  from  the 
Hon.  Thomas  Penn,  Esq.  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barton  : — 

**  Since  I  received  your  last  letter,  I  paid  a  visit  to  the  present 
Archbishop,*  and  mentioned  to  him  what  you  wished  me  to  do. 
I  found  he  did  not  approve  of  your  contemplated  removal ;  but 
he  proposed,  that  twenty  pounds  sterling  per  annum  should  be 
added  to  your  salary :  for,  his  grace  observed,  that  a  person  90 
capable  as  you  are,  to  advise  and  assist  the  people  in  your  neigh- 
bourhood,! could  not  be  spared  for  any  other  mission :  And)  on 
that  consideration,  the  society^  had  agreed  to  this  augmentation 
of  your  salary." 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1767,  Mr.  Penn  again  wrote  to  Mr.Bjir- 
ton,  from  London  ;  as  follows : 

^1  am  much  concerned  to  find,  that  the  missionaries  have 
suffered  so  much,  and  that  you  are  so  uneasy  in  your  situation  As 
to  have  asked  leave  to  move  into  Maryland.  The  society  has 
offered,  or  intend  to  offer,  an  addition  to  your  salary,  or  some 
other  encouragement,  if  you  stay  in  Pennsylvania :  and  I  have 
desired  Mr.  Hamilton,§  who  is  upon  his  return,  to  talk  to  )r<la 

•  Dr.  Thomas  Seeker,  then  lately  translated  from  the  diocese  of  Oxford  to 
the  archi-episcopal  see  of  Canterbury :  **  a  name,"  as  the  author  of  the  Ptr* 
$uiu  of  Literature  has  justly  observed,  ••never  to  be  uttered  but  with  rcver* 
eiice,  as  the  great  exemplar  of  metropolitan  strictncHs,  erudition,  and  dignity.^' 
Thb  excellent  prelate,  ailer  most  worthily  sustaining  the  highest  station  in  the 
Eoglish  church  more  than  ten  years,  died  in  the  year  1768. 

f  Mr.  Barton's  residence  was,  at  that  time,  in  Redding  township,  York 
county,  then  a  frontier  settlement  of  Pennsylvania. 

t  The  Society  lor  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  foreign  parts. 

f  James  Hamilton,  Rsquirc — ^This  gentleman  was  lieutenant^vcrnor  of 
FanBsyivtnia  from  the  year  1748  to  1754 — appin,  from  1759  to  1763 -and 
president  of  the  proprietary  and  governor*.*?  r.mncil,  from  tho  6th  of  May, 


MO  ICEMOIBS  OF 

•hip  of  these  intimate  relatives  was  far  from  having 
ever  subsided ;  the  ties  that  early  united  them^  vrere 
of  the  strongest  kind ;  that  union  was  of  long  conti* 
noance;  and  they  were  mutually  sensible  of  eadi 
other's  worth  and  talents. 

The  name  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton^  which  has 
hitherto  been  so  often  introduced  in  the  course  of  these 
Memoirs^  is  closely  connected  with  that  of  Mr.  RiC- 
tenhouse,  in  many  of  the  more  striking  traits  of  his 
life :  the  writer  cannot^  therefore^  restrain  himself 
fi'om  ackuQwledging,  that  he  is  happy  in  having  this 
fair  opportunity  of  rendering  some  small  tribute  of  re- 
spect— and^  for  himself^  of  filial  veneration — to  the 
memory  of  a  man  distinguished  by  his  virtue^  his  ta- 
lents^ and  his  learning  ;  one^  who^  independently  of 
those  considerations^  alone^  which  arose  out  of  the 
American  revolution^  long  enjoyed  the  friendship  and 
esteem  of  many  of  the  most  prominent  characters  in 
America^  by  reason  of  his  abilities  and  usefulness^  as 
well  as  the  urbanity  of  his  manners.     To  have  said 

on  this  affair,  before  you  take  your  resolution ;  as  I  hope  and  in- 
tend to  make  you  a  present  from  me,*  ii  you  do  not  put  that  de- 
sign into  execution." 

1771,  to  the  16th  of  October  in  the  same  year.    Re  was  a  liberal  patrob  of 
teamiDg  and  science. 

*<  Est  et  Hamiltonus  nomen  venerabile,  cujus 
Intemerata  fides."-— J.  Beveridgc,  A.M. 

*  BIr.  Pexin  actually  gave  to  Mr.  Barton,  not  long  afterwards,  the  use  of  a 
imliiable  Carm,  on  which  were  three  tenants,  situated  in  the  neighbourhood  of 
Lancaster.  This  farm,  which  was  part  of  one  of  the  proprietiry-manorSf  Mr. 
ttarton  held  during  bis  life. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  Mi 

less  of  this  person^  would  be  doing  injustice  to  the 
life  and  character  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  :  to  say  maref 
would  perhaps  be  deemed  irrelevant  to  the  subject; 
if  not  indecorous^  as  it  regards  the  writer. 

To  return^  however^  more  particularly  to  Mr.  BilU 
ttnhouse.  On  the  10th  day  of  March,  1780,  he  was 
elected,  by  the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  a 
tmstee  of  the  loan-office  of  the  state. 

The  institution  here  mentioned  was  a  measure  of 
inancial  policy,  which  had  its  origin  in  Pennsylva- 
ua,  at  an  early  period  of  the  provincial  government : 
and,  from  an  experience  of  its  beneficial  effects,  it 
was  not  only  continued,  at  various  intervals  of  time, 
from  the  year  17S3,  to  the  termination  of  that  govern- 
ment; but  was  resorted  to,  and  for  some  time  conti- 
nued, by  the  state  legislatures  after  the  revolution. 
The  scarcity  of  gold  and  silver,  among  the  earlier  set- 
tlers of  the  province,  subjected  them  to  many  and 
great  inconveniences,  and  suggested  to  the  legislature 
the  necessity  of  adopting  some  rational  and  efficient 
means  of  remedying  the  evil.  The  expedient  was, 
the  emiting,  and  making  current,  bills  of  credit ;  which 
were  loaned  to  cultivators  of  the  soil  on  the  security 
of  their  lands,  and  repayable  with  interest,  in  annual 
payments,  within  an  assigned  term  of  years.  The 
first  act  of  assembly  for  this  purpose  was  passed  the 
11th  of  May,  1723;  and  the  preamble  to  that  law  is 
expressive  of  its  object:  it  states,  that^  ^^ Forasmuch 


SOS  MEMOIRS  OF 

as  through  the  scarcity  of  money,  the  trade  of  this 
province  is  greatly  lessened  and  obstracted,  and  the 
payment  of  the  public  debts  of  this  government  ren- 
dered exceeding  difficult,  and  likely  so  to  continae, 
unless  some  medium  in  commerce  be  by  law  made 
current,  instead  of  money  :  for  remedy  whereof,  may 
it  please  the  governor  that  it  be  enacted,  and  be  it 
enacted  by  Sir  William  Keith,  baronet,  Governor^ 
&c.''  This  act  then  goes  on  to  direct  the  emission  of 
^^  fifteen  thousand  pounds,  current  money  of  America, 
according  to  an  act  of  Parliament  made  in  the  sixth 
year  of  Queen  Anne,  for  ascertaining  tlie  rates  of  fo» 
reign  coins  in  the  Plantations;"  and  provides  for  the 
loaning  of  these  bills,  by  persons  thereby  appointed 
^^  trustees  of  the  general  loan-oflice  ;'^  to  be  loaned  out> 
upon  the  security  of  mortgages  of  real  estates,  within 
the  province,  of  at  least  three  times  the  value  of  the 
sums  lout :  which  sums  so  loaned  were  made .  repay- 
able in  those  bills,  in  eight  years,  in  annual  pay- 
ments of  one- eighth  part  of  the  amount  of  the  prioci- 
pal  with  the  addition  of  an  interest  of  five  per  cent 
per  annum.  The  act  also  contains  a  provision  (bat 
one  which  was  omitted  in  the  subsequent  loan-office 
laws,)  for  lending  these  bills  upon  the  security  of 
plate  also,  for  the  term  of  one  year.,  This  paper- 
money,   thus  established  upon  indubitable  funds/^ 

(58)  While  the  credit  of  the  loan-office  bUls  of  credit,  emitted 
JQ  moderate  sums  by  the  assembly  of  Pennsylvania,  was  fuHy 
supported,  during  the  course  of  seventy  years,  the  quantities  of 
paper-money  issued  at  different  times,  by  the  legislative  body  of 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  293 

.     was  made  a  legal  tender  in  the  payment  of  debtis; — 
y^  and  it  never  suffered  any  depreciation  of  its  nomi* 
nal  value.^**^ 

Hence^  an  interesting  fact  is  presented  to  the  view 
of  the  reader ;   that^  ninety  years  ago^  so  small  was 

Massachusetts)  down  to  the  year  1748,  had  then  depreciated  that 
currency,  for  want  of  it  being  bottomed  on  sufficient  funds,  to 
one-eleventh  part  of  its  nominal  value.  Fortunately,  about  that 
period,  a  large  sum  in  specie  arrived  from  England,  having  been 
granted  by  the  British  parliament  to  reimburse  the  monies  ex- 
pended by  the  colonists  in  the  expeditions  against  Louisburg 
and  Canada.  In  Massachusetts,  this  money  was  wisely  applied 
by  its  legislature  to  the  redemption  of  the  bills  of  credit  of  that 
colony,  then  in  circulation ;  which  were  sunk,  in  the  succeeding 
year,  at  the  rate  of  fifty  shillings,  in  those  bills,  for  one  ounce  of 
sUver.  Thus,  the  mint-price  of  an  ounce  of  sterling  silver  be* 
iQgfive  shillings  and  two  pence,  the  bills  were  redeemed  at  the 
rate  of  nearly  nine  shillings  and  eight  pence,  of  their  nominal 
value,  for  one  shilling  in  English  coin. 

i  (59)  How  different,  in  this  respect,  from  that  species  of  paper- 
■  credit,  which,  during  the  American  war,  succeeded  it,  under 
die  denomination  of  continental  money  !  But  this  had  nothing  but 
the  fitdth  of  government  pledged  for  its  redemption ;  while  the 
loan-office  bills  of  credit  were  bottomed  (as  all  government-pa- 
per ought  ever  to  be)  on  an  appropriated,  sufficient,  and  substan* 
ual  fund.  For  want  of  such  a  foundation.  Dr.  Morse  remarkSf 
that  ^  The  whole  history  of  the  continental  paper  is  a  history  of 
public  and  private  frauds  Old  specie  debts,"  says  he,  <^were 
often  paid  in  a  depreciated  currency ;  and  even  new  contracts,  for 
a  few  weeks  or  days,  were  often  discharged  with  a  small  part  of 
their  value.  From  this  plenty,  and  the  fluctuating  state. of  the 
medium,  sprung  hosts  of  speculators  and  itinerant  traders,  who 
left  their  honest  occupations  for  the  purpose  of  immense  gains 
in  a  fraudulent  business,  that  depended  on  no  fixed  principles, 
and  the  profits  of  which  could  be  reduoed  to  no  certain  calcula- 
tions," See  his  Geograpliical  work. 


itidii  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  population^  and  so  slender  were  the  agrieultaral 
and  commercial  resources  of  Pennsylvania^  that  the 
scanty  amount  of  a  sum  equivalent  to  forty  thousand 
dollars,  was  deemed  adequate  to  the  relief  of  the  pub- 
lic and  private  difficulties  in  the  province^  arising  from 
the  want  of  a  sufficient  circulating  medium  at  that 
time.  Yet  such  was  the  increase  of  population  and 
trade,  and  such  were  the  improvements  in  agriculture, 
in  Pennsylvania,  in  half  a  century  afterwards,  that 
the  last  loan-office  law,  under  the  provincial  govern- 
ment,^^ directed  the  emission  of  ten  times  the  origbal 
flum;^  to  be  applied,  in  aid  of  land-improvementi,  in 
loans  for  the  term  of  sixteen  years ;  and  repayable 
in  like  manner,  with  an  annual  interest  of  six  per  cen- 
tnm. 

The  same  policy  was  pursued  by  the  independent 
government  of  Pennsylvania.  Under  the  first  loan- 
office  law  of  that  state,^^^^  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand 
pounds  was  issued  in  bills  of  credit ;  and  eight  years 
afterwards,  a  further  sum  of  half  a  million  of  dollars 
(or  187^900/.)  was  appropriated  for  the  purposes  of  a 
loan-office  on  similar  principles,  in  pursuance  of  a  law 
of  the  state.^**^  But,  as  the  individual  state-govern- 
ments were  prohibited  by  the  constitution  of  the  United 

(60)  Passed  26th  February,  1773. 

(61)  Passed  4th  April,  1785. 
(63)  Passed  Uth  April,  1793. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  S99 

States,  then  recently  established,  from  emitting  bills  of 
credit,  or  making  any  thing  but  gold  and  silver  coia 
a  tender  in  payment  of  debts, — the  money  to  be  em- 
ployed in  loans,  on  mortgages  of  real  estates,  was  to 
be  borrowed,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  law 
last  mentioned,  from  the  bank  of  Pennsylvania;  a 
power  which  the  state  had  resented,  for  that  express 
purpose,  in  the  act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  to 
that  bank.  ""^ 

This  loan-office  law  was,  however,  the  last  in  Penn- 
sylvania.^^^    The  establishment  of  banks,  for  facilitat- 
ing the  purposes  of  trade,  together  with  the  great  im-> 
provements  and  wealth  to  which  the  landed  interest  of 
\  the  state  had  attained,  by  means  of  a  widely  extend* 
i  ed  foreign  commerce,  coming  in  aid  of  the  benefits 
I  which  the  cultivators  had  previously  derived  from  the 
loan-office  system,  superseded,  in  a  great  degree,  the 
utility  of  this  institution.    In  one  year  after  tlie  last 
loan-office  was  erected,  the  law  for  that  purpose  was 
repealed ;  the  repealing  act  declaring — that   it  had 
been  found  inexpedient,  and  not  to  answer  the  pur* 
poses  intended  by  the  legislature.   In  fact,  the  esta- 

(63)  Passed  30th  March,  1793. 

(64)  Mr.  Rittenhouse  continued  to  hold  the  place  of  a  trastee 
of  the  loan-oflice  more  than  ten  years;  but  on  the  1st  of  April, 
1790,  a  law  was  passed,  by  which  all  the  powers  and  duties  of 
the  trustees  of  that  institution  were  transferred  to,  and  rested  in, 
the  treasurer  of  the  state. 


i 


S96  MEMOIRS  OF 

blishment  of  banks  in  the  interior  of  the  country^  not 
only  supplies  the  place  of  a  loan-office^  in  relation  to 
the  farmer^  but  greatly  facilitates  the  extensive  inland 
trade  of  the  state.  Experience  has  demonstrated^ 
that^  operating  in  this  way^  they  are  productive  of  all 
the  important  advantages  of  the  loan-office  system : 
and  of  this  institution^  the  late  governor  Pownall  speaks 
in  these  remarkable  words-^^^  I  will  venture  to  say, 
that  there  never  was  a  wiser  or  a  better  measure ;  ue- 
ver  one  better  calculated  to  serve  the  uses  of  an  in- 
creasing country;  that  there  never  was  a  measure 
more  steadily  pursued,  or  more  faithfully  execoted, 
for  forty  years  together/^  than  the  loan-office  in  Penn- 
sylvania, formed  and  administered  by  the  assembly  of 
that  province.^'^"^ 

(65)  The  loan-ofifice  system  was  kept  up,  in  Pennsylvania, 
thirty  years  after  governor  Pownall  wrote. 

(66)  Paper-money  was  not  so  well  managed  in  some  of  the 
other  colonies,  where  it  was  issued  in  too  large  quantities,  and 
its  credit  not  established  on  funds  sufficiently  stable  and  secure  ;* 
a  circumstance  which  induced  the  parliament  of  Great-Britidn 
to  interdict,  for  a  time,  further  emissions  of  that  sort  of  money, 
called  bills  of  credit,  by  the  provincial  legislatures. 

Although  the  last  emission  of  loan-office  bills  of  credit,  under 
the  colonial  government  of  Pennsylvania,  was  made  in  the  be* 
ginning  of  the  year  1773,  the  want  of  this  succcdaneum  for  gold 
and  silver,  as  a  circulating  medium  of  commerce  commensurate 
to  the  encrcased  population  and  trade  of  the  country,  was  expe* 
rienced  some  considerable  time  before.  In  a  letter  written  by 
the  Hon.  Mr.  T.  Penn  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  dated,  London, 
June  17,  1767,  the  writer  says  : 

*'Your  account  of  the  increase  of  the  growtli  of  hemp,  gives 
me  great  pleasure ;  and  I  think  the  demand  there  has  been  fAr 

•  See  Kote  58 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  297 

In  the  year  1782^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  elected  a 
iFellow  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences^  of  Bos- 
ton :  his  certificate  bears  date  the  30th  of  January^ 
in  that  year.  This  academy,  which  Dr.  Morse  ranks 
among  the  first  literary  institutions  in  the  state  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, holds  a  very  respectable  station  in  relation 
to  science  :  yet  it  was  not  established  till  so  lately  as 
May  %  I78O.  The  end  and  design  of  the  institution 
are  stated  to  be — ^^to  promote  and  encourage  the 
knowledge  of  the  antiquities  of  America,  and  of  the 
natural  history  of  the  country,  and  to  determine  the 
uses  to  which  its  various  natural  productions  may  be 
applied:  also,  to  promote  and  encourage  medical 
discoveries,  mathematical  disquisitions,  philosophical 
enquiries  and  experiments;  astronomical,  meteorolo- 
and  geographical  observations,  improvements  in 


wheat,  since  the  date  of  your  letter,  must  have  made  the  country 
people  rich,  even  those  who  were  poor  before  :  it  will  prevent 
people  being  under  the  necessity  of  parting  with  their  lands, 
and  going  to  Carolina.  Their  produce  will  always  bring  them 
money  at  Philadelphia,  notwithstanding  there  may  be  some  more 
need  for  paper-money;  yet,  when  trade  is  brisk,  it  circulates 
filter,  and  a  less  quantity  will  carry  on  a  greater  trade :  however, 
I  hope,  in  the  next  session  of  parliament,  we  may  get  the  law 
which  prohibits  our  making  any  more,  repealed." 

The  parliamentary  restriction  was,  in  fact,  afterwards  taken 
off;  and  an  effort  was  made,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1770, 
by  the  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  to  enact  a  loan-office  law,  for 
the  purpose  of  putting  in  circulation  a  further  emission  of  paper* 
money :  but  the  measure  then  miscarried,  in  consequence  of 
some  disagreement  between  the  governor  and  the  general  as- 
sembly respecting  the  right  they  severally  claimed,  of  appointing 
the  trustees  of  the  proposed  loan-office. 


898  MEMOIRS  OF 

agriculture^  arts^  manufactures^  commerce^  and  the  cul- 
tivation of  every  science  that  may  tend  to  advance  a 
free^  independent  and  virtuous  people.'^^^^ 

It  is  supposed  to  have  been  somewhat  about  this 
time^  that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  exercised  his  ingenuity 
apon  an  object^  which,  though  not  of  great  importance^ 
is  nevertheless  a  matter  of  considerable  utility  and 
gome  curiosity ;  the  invention  of  an  Hygrometer,  made 
wholly  of  wood.  The  simplicity  of  the  construction 
of  this  instrument,  renders  it  easily  attainable  by  al- 
most every  one ;  and  as  it  is  found  to  answer,  very 
well,  the  end  for  which  more  expensive  instruments 
are  often  employed,  it  maybe  considered  as  being  more 
generally  useful.  Descriptions  of  the  construction^ 
and  principle  of  operation,  of  this  Hygrometer,  hav- 
ing been  furnished  to  the  writer  through  the  obliging- 
ness of  two  of  his    friend s/^^  a  very  concise  account 

(67)  The  number  of  members  in  the  Boston  Academy  is  never 
to  exceed  two  hundred,  nor  to  be  less  than  forty.  By  bein|; 
limited  to  so  moderate  a  number  as  the  former,  for  the  greater 
extreme,  this  academy  will  be  likely  to  select  suitable  persons  for 
the  honour  of  fellowship,  with  the  more  discriminating  circum- 
spection. 

(68)  Robert  Patterson,  Esq.  Director  of  the  Mint,  and  David 
Rittenhouse  Waters,  Esq.  a  gentleman  bred  to  the  law,  and  a 
grandson  of  the  late  Dr.  Rittenhouse. 

The  decease  of  Mr.  Waters  happened  soon  after :  he  died  on 
the  4th  of  September,  1813,  at  the  premature  age  of  twenty-two 
years.  Although  he  had  just  entered  on  the  threshold  of  the 
world,  this  excellent  young  man  exhibited  many  proofs  of  extra- 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  SM 

of  it,  drawn  up  from  those  descriptions^  is  given  in  the 
Appendix. 

A  circumstance  shall  be  noticed  in  this  place^  which, 
although  trivial  in  itself,  will  serve  to  shew  the  grate- 
ful sense  entertained  by  our  Philosopher  of  the  merits 
of  General  Washington.  It  appears,  that  just  about 
ihe  time  when  the  provisional  articles  of  peace,  con- 
cluded on  between  the  United  States  and  Great-Bri- 
tain,  were  made  known  in  America,  Mr.  Rittenhouse 
Iiad  forwarded  to  the  General,  at  the  head-quarters  of 
the  army,  a  pair  of  spectacles,  and  reading  glasses, — 
as  a  small  testimonial  of  his  respect  for  the  character 
and  services  of  that  great  man.  The  terms  of  the  let- 
ter that  accompanied  this  little  present,  are  not  known 
to  the  writer  of  these  memoirs;  but,  of  what  complex- 
ion they  were,  may  be  inferred  from  the  General's 
answer,  which  is  in  these  words : 

"J^ewhurgliy  I6ti  Feh.  1783. 
"Sir, 

^^  I  have  been  honoured  with  your  letter  of  the  7th, 
and  beg  you  to  accept  my  sincere  thanks,  for  the  fa- 
vor conferred  on  mc,  in  the  Glasses — which  are  very 

ordinary  attainments  in  literature  and  science,  as  weH  as  of  a  su- 
perior genius.  He  appeared  to  have  inherited  from  his  maternal 
grandfather,  congenial  talents.  In  his  life,  his  amiable  disposi- 
tion endeared  him  to  all  who  had  an  opportunity  of  knowing  his 
virtues:  in  his  death,  not  only  have  his  relatives  and  friends  ex- 
perienced an  afflicting  bereavement,  but  his  country  has  sustain- 
ed the  loss  of  a  citizen  of  great  promise. 


800  MEMOIRS  OF 

fine;  but  more  particularly^  for  the  flattering  expres* 
sions  which  accompanied  the  present. 

^^  The  Spectacles  suit  my  eyes  extremely  well — as 
t  am  persuaded  the  Reading-Glasses  also  will^  when 
I  get  more  accustomed  to  the  use  of  them.  Atpresent^ 
I  find  some  difficulty  in  coming  at  the  proper  focus ; 
but  when  I  do  obtain  it^  they  magnify  perfectly,  and 
shew  those  letters  very  distinctly,  which  at  first  ap- 
pear like  a  mist — blended  together  and  confused. 
With  great  esteem  and  respect,  I  am,  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  and  humble  servant, 

"  Go.  Washington. 
'^David  Rittenhouse,  Esq.'' 

The  grinding  and  polishing  of  the  glasses  were  of 
Mr.  Rittenhouse's  own  workmanship ;  and  they  were 
made  for  the  purpose.  This  circumstance,  added  to 
the  manner  and  occasion  of  their  being  presented^ 
could  not  fail  of  being  liighly  acceptable  to  the  Ge- 
neral. 

In  the  year  1784^^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  employed  on 
the  part  of  Pennsylvania,  for  the  purpose  of  determin- 
ing the  western  extension  of  that  state ;  and  was  asso- 
ciated in  that  business  with  Mr.  Lukens,  Dr.  Ewing, 
and  Capt.  Hutchins:  the  commissioners  in  behalf  of 
Virginia  were  Dr.  (afterwards  bishop)  Madison,  Mr. 
Ellicott,^">  Mr.  J.  Page,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  R.  An- 

(69)  Although  Mr.  Ellicott  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  a  citizen  of  that  state  until  the  British  army  took  possession 
of  Philadelphia,  in  1777,  he  resided  in  Baltimore  county  about 
eight  years  after  that  event 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  301 

drews.  A  record  of  the  astronomical  observations 
which  were  made  on  this  occasion,  and  on  similar  ones 
of  an  important  natuic^  will  be  found  detailed  in  a  let- 
ter, under  the  date  of  ApriFS,  1795,  addressed  by  Mr. 
!Ellicott  to  Mr.  Patterson,  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the 
Am.  Philos.  Society's  Transactions.  Among  the  ob- 
servations contained  in  the  first  part  of  that  letter,  arc 
those  of  the  immersions  of  the  satellites  of  Jupiter, 
taken  at  Wilmington  on  the  Delaware,  by  Messrs.  Rit- 
tenhouse,  Lukens,  Page  and  Andrews,  at  divers  days 
from  the  1st  to  the  S3d  of  August,  in  the  year  1784; 
together  with  those  taken  at  the  western  observatory 
by  Messrs.  Ellicott,  Ewing,  Madison  and  Hutchins, 
at  divers  days  from  the  17th  of  July  to  the  19th  of  Au- 
gust: also,  the  emersions  of  those  satellites  by  the 
same  eastern  observers,  from  the  S9th  of  August  to  the 
19th  of  September;  and  by  the  same  western  observ* 
ers,  from  the  S7th  of  August  to  the  19th  of  September; 
all  in  the  same  year. 

^^  After  the  determination,'^  says  Mr.  Ellicott,  ^^  we 
completed  the  southern  boundary  of  Pennsylvania;  it 
being  likewise  the  north  boundary  of  Maryland,  and  a 
part  of  Virginia;  and  which  had  been  carried  on  some 
years  before,^^®^  by  Messrs.  Mason  and  Dixon,  the  dis- 
tance of  S42  miles.''  This  line  is  in  the  parallel  of 
89^  43'  18^  North  latitude.^"^ 

(70)  In  the  years  1767  and  1768. 

(71)  The  difference  of  16'  42",  between  the  latitude  above 
mentioned  and  the  beginning  of  the  40th  degree  of  north  lati* 


S02  MEMOIRS    OV 

It  was  at  the  close  of  this  year^  that  the  college  of 
William  and  Mary^  in  Virginia^  complimented  Mr. 
Bittenhouse  with  an  honorary  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts^  by  an  unanimous  vote  of  the  rectors  and  faculty 
of  that  institution.  His  diploma^  which  is  a  special 
one^  and  wherein  he  is  styled  the  Chief  of  Philoso* 
phers^^^  has  a  place  in  the  Appendix. 

The  college  of  William  and  Mary  was  founded  in 
the  joint  reign  of  the  king  and  queen  of  those  names^ 
who  endowed  it  with  twenty  thousand  acres  of  land^ 
besides  a  small  duty  on  certain  exported  tobaccoes, 
granted  by  stat.  S5  Gh.  11:  in  addition  to  which,  the 
assembly  of  Virginia  also  gave  to  it^  by  temporary 
laws^  a  duty  on  liquors  imported^  and  on  skins  and  furs 
exported.   And  from  these  resources^  its  funds  amount- 

tude,  (which  was  the  southern  limit  assigned  to  Pennsylvania^  bj 
her  charter,)  was  gained  by  Mr.  Penn,  as  far  as  the  northern  boun- 
dary of  Maryland  extended  westward,  in  consequence  of  a  com- 
promise entered  into  by  him  and  Lord  Baltimore ;  whereby  the 
latter  obtained  some  advantage  on  his  part  in  return.  From  the 
western  extremity  of  this  northern  boundary  of  Maryland,  the 
line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  was  continued,  westward, 
in  the  same  parallel  of  latitude,  (instead  of  these  coming  back  to 
the  40th  deg.  of  N.  lat.)  by  virlue  of  an  agreement  between  these 
two  states ;  the  former,  An  consideration  of  that  privilege,  relin- 
quishing her  right  to  run  her  western  boundary  line  parallel  to 
the  meandrings  of  the  river  Delaware. 

(72)  "  Principem  Philosophorum,"  in  the  original : — Such  was 
the  appellation  (Principes  Philosophorum)  by  which  Cicero  ho- 
nours Pythagoras,  Democritus,  Plato,  Xenocrates,  Zeno,  Clean- 
thes,  Diogenes  the  Stoic  ;  men,  among  others,  whose  usefulness 
(he  observes)  old  age  might  diminish)  but  not  destroy. 


DAVID   UITTBNHOUSE.  303 

tdy  on  a  medium^  to  more  than  3^0002.  Virginia  car- 
rency^  (or  810,000,)  per  annam.  The  Hon.  Robert 
Boyle,^^  of  England^  liad  also  made  a  liberal  donation 
to  this  college,  for  the  purpose  of  instituting  a  profes- 
sorship, called  the  Brafferton,  (the  name  of  the  English 
estate^  purchased  with  the  money  granted  by  him  to 
the  college^)  for  the  purpose  of  compensating  mission- 

(73)  Mr.  Boyle  was  the  seventh  son  of  Richard,  the  first  earl 
of  Cork,  in  Ireland,  and  first  earl  of  Burlington,  in  England ;  and 
was  bom  at  Lismore  in  Ireland,  the  26th  of  January,  1726-7'. 
This  eminent  philosopher  and  sincere  Christian  established,  by 
his  will,  in  the  year  1 69 1 ,  a  perpetual  fund,  equivalent  to  about 
two  hundred  and  twenty-two  dollars  per  annum,  for  instituting  a 
course  of  eight  sermons  or  lectures,  to  be  delivered  annually  ; 
designed  to  prove  the   truth  of  Christianity,  generally,  without 
engaging  in  any  of  the  controversies  subsisting  among  its  pro- 
fessors :  And  to  this  establishment,  denominated  Boyle* a  Lecturer j 
the  world  are  indebted  for  many  able  and  elaborate  defences  both 
of  natural  and  revealed  religion.  In  addition  to  several  extensive 
bene£ACtions,  for  charitable  and  religious  purposes,  of  this  great 
and  excellent  man,  besides  his  donation  to  the  College  of  Wil- 
liam-and-Mary  (which,  according  to  Mr.  Jefferson,  was  ^<  consi- 
derable" in  its  amount,)  he  gave,  in  his  lifetime,  a  sum  equiva- 
lent to  thirteen  hundred  and  thirty-three  dollars,  towards  propa- 
gating the  Christian  Religion  in  America.     So  great  was  liis 
veneration  for  the  name  of  God,  that  he  never  pronounced  it 
without  a  discernible  pause :  he  was  steady  in  his  secret  addresses 
to  the  throne  of  heaven :  and,  amidst  all  his  enquiries  into  nature, 
his  chief  design  seemed  to  be  that  of  continually  elevating  his 
own  mind,  and  the  minds  of  others,  by  contemplating  the  Glory, 
the  Wisdom,  and  the  Goodness  of  God.     Were  this  illustrious 
man  to  be  considered  in  no  other  point  of  view,  than  that  of  a 
bene&ctor  to  America,  his  memory  would  be  entitled  to  respect 
in  thb  country :  but  his  virtues,  his  talents,  and  the  services  he 
baa  rendered  to  mankind  in  general,  will  for  ever  endear  his 
name  to  the  good  and  wise  of  all  nations.     He  died  the  30th  of 
December,  in  the  year  1691. 


304*  MEMOIRS  OF 

aries^  to  instract  the  Indian  natives  and  to  convert  them 
to  Christianity.  After  the  revolution^  the  constitution 
of  the  college  of  William  and  Mary  underwent  a  con- 
aiderable  change :  three  of  the  six  original  professor- 
ships^ that  is  to  say^  two  of  Divinity^  and  one  of  the 
Greek  and  Latin  languages^. were  abolished;  and  three 
others^  namely,  one  for  Law  and  Police — one  for  Ana- 
tomy and  Medicine — and  a  third  for  Modern  Lan- 
guages^ were  substituted  in  their  stead ;  the  Brafferton^ 
it  is  presumed^  has  been  diverted  into  other  channels^ 
if  not  wholly  neglected. 

This  once  respectable  college,  or  university,  is  at  pre- 
sent in  an  unprosperous  condition ;  and  will  not  proba- 
bly soon,  if  ever,  regain  its  former  reputation.  A  coun- 
try of  which  a  large  portion  of  the  population  consists  of 
slaves,  is  ill  suited  for  the  site  of  an  extensive  seminary 
of  learning,  and  for  the  education  of  youth :  nor  can  it  be 
expected,  that  where  an  almost  despotic  sway  of  mas- 
ters over  their  slaves^^^^  is  daily  exhibited  to  the  view 

(74)  The  author  of  a  poem,  entitled,  « The  Dying  Negro,'  has 
introduced  these  lines  into  that  poem:* 

**  Oft  have  I  seen  them,  at  the  break  of  day, 
"Rous'd  by  the  lash,  go  forth  their  cheerless  way.** 

No  man  ever  held  the  slave-trade,  and  the  condition  of  the 
hapless  people  who  are  the  objects  of  that  nefarious  traffic,  in 
greater  abhorrence,  than  the  benevolent  Rittenhouse  :  a  passage 
in  his  Oration,  fully  evinces  his  sentiments  on  this  subject. 

In  addition  to  this  highly  respectable  testimony  against  Negro 
Slavery,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  one  of  the  last  acts,  of  a  pub- 

*  It  was  written  by  Mr.  Day,  the  friend  of  Mr.  Darwin. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  SOff 

•f  both  young  and  old^  the  children  t)f  those  masters 
will  submit  to  that  degree  of  subordination,  and  to  that 
exercise  of  authority  by  their  literary  preceptors,  which 
tbe  discipline  of  an  academic  education  renders  indis- 
pensable. The  late  Bishop  Madison  contributed  much 
by  his  abilities,  his  suavity  of  manners  and  his  pru- 
dence, to  maintain  a  due  degree  of  order  in  this  insti- 
tntion,  over  which  he  long  presided  with  distinguished 
reputation ;  but  tbe  death  of  that  respectable  man,  it  is 
feared5  augurs  ill  for  the  future  prosperity  of  the  se- 
minary. 

In  the  year  following,  the  tracing  of  a  meridian^ 
northward,  for  the  western  boundary  of  Pennsylvania, 
«— and,  consequently,  the  eastern  boundary  of  part  of 
Virginia, — was  commenced,  from  the  western  end  of 
(he  southern  line  of  Pennsylvania  before  mentioned. 
On  this  occasion,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  addressed  the  fol- 
lowing letter  to  Mr.  ElUcott. 

^^  Philadelphia,  dpril  S8f  A,  1780. 
«  Dear  Sir, 

^^  For  some  months  past  J  had  not  the  least  appre- 
hension of  being  obliged  to  visit  the  Ohio,  this  spring; 

lie  nature,  in  vrhich  our  philosopher's  predecessor*  was  concern- 
ed, was  to  sanction  with  his  name  the  Memorial  presented  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States,  on  the  subject  of  the  Slave- 
Trade,  by  ^  The  Pennsylvania  Society  for  promoting  the  Aboli- 
tion of  Slavery,  and  the  reUef  of  free  Negroes,  unlawfully  held 
in  Bondage »"  of  which  Society,  that  distinguished  man  was  the 
President. 

•  Dr.  Franklin. 


a06  MEMOIRS  OF 

but  our  affairs  have  taken  such  a  turn^  that  at  present 
k  is  probable  I  shall  meet  you^  at  the  time  and  plaee 
appointed.  Gapt  Hutchins  has  been  sent  for  to  New 
York^  by  Congress^  as  the  trustees  of  the  universi^ 
will  not  consent  to  Dr.  Ewing's  absence.  One  or  other 
of  us  will  certainly  set  off  in  a  few  days^  to  meet  you : 
<>v  waggons  are  already  gone. 

^*  I  have  earnestly  recommended  to  council  to  com- 
mission you  to  act  in  behalf  of  Pennsylvania,^*^  after 
we  pass  the  Ohio ;  and  the  president  directs  me  to 
inform  you,  that  they  mean  to  send  you  a  commission 
for  the  purpose :  I  hope  it  will  suit  your  convenience. 

^^I  ought  long  since  to  have  informed  you,  that  you 
were  elected  a  member  of  our  Philosophical  Society — 
I  wish  you  would  favour  us  with  a  communication, 
on  any  subject  you  please.  Pray  let  me  hear  from 
you,  before  you  leave  Baltimore.  Have  you  any  ac- 
count  from  Virginia?  I  am,  dear  sir,  yours  with  re- 
spect and  sincerity. 

^^  David  Rittenhousb. 
^^  Andrew  Ellicott,  Esq.  Baltimore.^' 

This  boundary-line  was  begun  in  May,  1785^  by 
Messrs.  Rittenhouse,  Ellicott,  Porier,  and  Nevill; 

(75)  Mr.  Ellicott  being  a  commissioner  for  Virginia,  his  pow- 
ers would  have  ceased,  as  soon  as  the  boundary-line  between  that 
Btate  and  Pennsylvania  had  reached  the  river  Ohio.  The  object, 
therefore,  was  to  enable  him  to  complete  it>  to  its  western  extre- 
mity. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  807 

assisted  by  the  present  Dr.  Benjamin  Smith  Barton^ 
then  a  youth  about  nineteen  years  of  age^  whose  medi- 
eal  and  other  scientific  acquirements  rendered  him^  even 
at  that  early  period  of  life^  an  useful  associate  of  the 
(Commissioners.  Mr.  Nevill  (who  was  employed  on  the 
part  of  Virginia)  left  the  other  commissioners  late  in 
August;  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  about  the  middle  of 
September.^^^  Dr.  Barton  remained  until  some  time 
in  October^  when  these  operations  ceased  for  that 
season.  The  line  then  wanted  about  S5\  miles  of 
being  completed  :  and  this  part  of  it^  to  its  intersec- 
tion of  the  margin  of  Lake  Erie^  was   finished  in  tha 

(76)  The  following  report  of  the  progress  of  their  work  was 
ifimde  by  the  commissioners^  to  the  government  of  Pennsylvania) 
between  three  and  four  weeks  before  Mr.  Rittenhouse  set  out 
on  his  return  to  Philadelphia :  it  is  entered  on  the  journal  of  the 
general  assembly  of  that  state,  under  the  date  of  Nov.  3,  1785. 

^  We  the  subscribers,  commissioners,  appointed  by  the  states 
•f  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  to  ascertain  the  boundary  between 
the  said  states,  do  certify,  that  we  have  carried  on  a  meridian 
line  from  the  south-west  corner  of  Pennsylvania,  northward,  to 
the  river  Ohio ;  and  marked  it,  by  cutting  a  wide  vista  over  all 
the  principal  hills  intersected  by  the  said  line,  and  by  falling  or 
deadening  a  line  of  trees,  generally,  through  all  the  lower  grounds. 
And  we  have  likewise  placed  stones,  marked  on  the  east  side,  P. 
and  on  the  west  side,  V.  on  most  of  the  principal  hills,  and  where 
the  line  strikes  the  Ohio ;  which  stones  are  accurately  placed  in 
the  true  meridian,  bounding  the  states  as  aforesaid." 

«*  Witness  our  hands  and  seals,  this  23d  day  of  Augjust,  1785. 
(Signed,)  David  Rittenhouse,  Andrew  Porter,  Pennsylva- 
nia, Andrew  Elucottj  Iosepu  Nevill;  Virginia." 


M8  M'JfOIRS   OF 

following  year^  by  Col.  Porter  and  Alexander  Ma* 
claia^  Esq.^ 

It  will  be  readily  conceived^  tliat  a  person  of  Mt. 
Bittenhouse's  delicate  constitution^  and  regularity  in 
his  mode  of  living  when  at  liome^  must  have  expe- 
rienced much  inconvenience  and  felt  many  privations 
of  comfort^  while  climbing  rugged  mountains^  travers- 
ing vast  uncultivated  forests^  and  sleeping  in  a  tent^ 
for  successive  months^  as  he  was  necessarily  obliged 
In  do,  when  employed  on  occasions  of  this  kind.  For, 
although  the  govern meut  afforded  to  the  gentleman 
engaged  in  these  arduous  services,  very  liberal  ac- 
commodations, there  were,  nevertheless,  numerous 
conveniencies  which  the  nature  of  the  doty  to  bn 
performed  rendered  unattainable.  Yet  it  is  a  fact^ 
tliat  Mr.  Rittenhouse  always  returned  from  these  ex* 
cursions  with  a  better  stock  of  health,  than  he  sat  out 
with;  notwithstanding  the  hardships  he  sometimes 
endured,  and  the  many  unpleasant  circumstances  in 
regard  to  weather,  diet,  bedding,  &c.  which  he  was 
eompelled  to  encounter.  The  two  following  let* 
ters,  written  by  him  to  his  wife,  while  he  was  en- 
gaged  in  the  service  of  establishing  the  boimdary* 
line  last  mentioned,  will  enable  the  reader  to  form  a 

(77)  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had  probably  a  reference  to  the  expected 
completion  of  this  line,  perhaps  to  the  whole  business,  generally, 
when,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Ellicott,  of  the  31st  of  Jan.  1786,  he 
says ;  ^^  I  shall  be  able,  some  time  hence,  to  write  to  you  more 
fully  about  the  boundary  lines/* 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  809 

pntty  good  judgment  of  the  kind  of  life  he  then 
pused.  They  will  at  the  same  time  serve  to  shew^ 
ia  some  degree,  the  b^nt  of  his  mind  and  the  disposi- 
Uon  of  bis  heart. 

The  first  of  those  letters,    dated  at  ^^  Wheeling 
Creek/'  June  30th  1785,  is  in  these  words. 

*'My  dearest  H, 

^'I  have  not  heard  one  word  from  Philadelphia, 
since  I  left  you.  About  a  month  ago  I  wrote  to  you 
from  Union  Town,  and  I  promise  myself  a  letter  from 
yon  by  the  first  messenger  from  that  place,  who  is  now 
daily  expected.  To-morrow  Mr.  Armstrong  sets  off 
for  Hanna's  Town,  where  be  expects  to  meet  brother 
baac  Jacobs,  so  that  I  write  in  confidence  of  my  let- 
ter reaching  you. 

**  If  I  were  to  view  only  the  dark  side  of  my  situa- 
tion, I  should  complain  that  I  am  here  secluded  from 
the  society  of  those  I  love,  deprived  of  books  and  every 
other  of  my  most  favourite  amusements ;  confined  to 
homely  fare  by  day,  arid  a  hard  bed  at  night;  and 
obliged,  by  our  business,  to  take  rather  too  much  ex- 
weise.  But  these  inconveniences  are  in  some  mea* 
Nure  counterbalanced  by  several  advantages:  I  am 
not  condemned  to  hear  that  eternal  din  for  money, 
vrhieh  it  pains  me  to  think  you  are  every  day  perplex- 
ed with  f^^  politics  have  no  existence  here  ;  constant 

(78)  Mr.  Rittcnhouse,  being  then  treasurer  of  the  state,  alludes 
X)  those  incessant  demands  on  the  treasury  for  money,  whichi  by 


810  MEMOIRS  OP 

and  regular  exercise  causes  me  to  sleep  much  better 
at  nights^  than  I  did  at  home ; — we  have  a  woman  ttt 
cook  for  U9^  so  that  our  bread  is  good^  and  every  thing 
else  tolerable.  Colonel  Porter  is  attentive,  and  cousin 
Benjamin^^^  has  recommended  himself  as  an  agreeable 
companion,  to  all  of  us ;  and  I  could  almost  call  Mr. 
EUicott  a  congenial  soul. 

^^I  ever  deliglited  in  a  wild  uncultivated  country; 
>  this  is  truly  romantic,  and,  at  this  season  of  the  year^ 
beautiful  and  luxuriant  in  the  highest  degree.  A  few 
days  ago,  I  walked  up  a  little  rivulet,  in  company 
with  Mr.  Ellicott,  for  a  considerable  distance,  in  order 
to  enjoy  the  romantic  scene.  It  was  bounded  on  each 
side  b^  steep  hills  of  an  ipimeuse  height :  its  bottom 

reason  of  the  financial  embarrassments  of  the  govemmentf  at 
that  period,  could  not  be  always  punctually  paid.  The  activitft 
and  the  very  intelligent  mind  of  Mrs.  Rittcnhousc,  both  prompt- 
ed and  enabled  her  to  relieve  her  husband  from  much  of  the  pcr- 
plexity,  which  at  that  time  attended  the  duties  of  state-treasurer. 
Indeed}  it  was  owing  to  the  great  attention  of  that  excellent  wo- 
man to  some  of  the  more  important  transactions  of  the  ofiice,  and 
her  capability  to  manage  and  superintend  the  current  business 
of  that  department  of  the  public  affairs,  in  the  absence  of  her 
husband  from  home,  or  when  incapacitated  by  bodily  indisposi- 
tion from  personally  attending,  that  the  government  was  enabled 
to  avail  itself,  in  several  instances,  of  the  talents  and  services  of 
Mr.  Rittenhouse,  in  matters  of  high  importance  to  the  commu- 
nity, which  required  the  aid  of  his  abilities.  On  such  occasionSf 
he  ever  found  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  a  competent,  as  well  as  a  most 
faithful  assistant,  in  the  business  of  the  treasur)^ 

(79)  So  he  then  used  to  call  his  nephew,  the  present  Profesior 
Barton. 


P 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  811 

flnely  paved  with  large  flag- stones^  rising  in  steps, 
I,  every  now  and  then,  a  beautiful  cascade.  The 
flirther  we  went,  the  more  gloomy  and  cool  we  found 
it  At  last,  I  advised  Mr.  EUicott  that  we  should 
proceed  no  further ;  for,  if  we  did,  we  should  in  all 
probability  find  some  of  the  water-goddesses, — per- 
haps stark  naked  and  fast  asleep.  Mr.  A******** 
went  with  us,  for  company- sake ;  but  neither  the 
nyHiphs  nor  their  shady  bowers  have  any  charms  for 
himJ^^ — ^Nothing  but  your  company  was  wanting  to 
me,  to  heighten  the  enchanting  scene. 

^^  Deer  are  incredibly  plenty  here — ^I  was  the  first 
that  caught  a  ^  oung  fawn,  and  hoped  to  have  sent  the 
beautiful  little  animal  a  present  to  H^  ***.  We  kept 
it  about  a  week,  and  it  became  quite  tame ;  but  oui* 
cows  ran  away,  and  it  was  starved  for  want  of  milk. 

Col.  P.  called  it  F B ,  and  says  H*  *  *  *  shall 

at  least  have  the  skin.  We  have  all  been  very  healthy ; 
my  cough  diminishes  slowly,  my  old  complaint  is  less 
troublesome,  and  I  have  no  other. 

''I  am  not  yet  determined,  as  to  the  time  of  my  re- 
turn. Later  than  September,  I  have  no  thoughts  of 
staying ;  perhaps  the  fear  of  riding  in  hot  weather  may 
induce  me  to  stay  till  then. 

^^  We  have,  hitherto,  ^ade  so  slow  a  progress,  that 
I  am  much  dissatisfied  with  it;  but  do  not  know  how 

;   (80)  Mr.  A.  was  a  worthy  and  pleasant  man;  but,  he  was  «) 


3ilB  MEMOIRS  OF 

to  help  it.  Oar  greatest  difficulty  arises  from  the 
tare  of  the  ground ;  and  the  idleness  of  the  people  of 
the  country^  is  not  the  least.  We  have  had  about 
thirty  men  employed^  and  are  not  yet  able  to  go  more 
than  a  mile  per  day.  I  was  about  writing  to  the  Vice* 
President^  on  this  subject ;  but^  on  second  tboughtSf 
concluded  it  best  not  to  do  it :  I  wisb^  however,  that 
eonncil  would^  by  some  official  letter^  urge  us  to  pro- 
ceed with  all  the  dispatch  consistent  with  the  acdura- 
cy  they  expect. 

^a  wish  to  write  to  B*  *  *  *  *  andH*  *  *  *;  but 
you  will  not  readily  imagine  how  little  leisure  I  have : 
Tired  of  the  exercise  of  the  day^  I  rejoice  at  the  ap- 
proach  of  night ;  and^  after  a  cup  of  tea,  generally  Ue 
down  to  rest  as  soon  as  it  is  dark,  unless  we  have  ob- 
servations to  make ;  and  then  we  have  generally 
half  a  mile  to  walk,  through  dark  woods,  from  the 
place  of  observation  to  our  encampment :  this,  how- 
ever^ does  not  happen  above  once  in  a  fortnight. ' 

<<  Sun,  gallop  down  the  western  skies ; 
Go  quick  to  bed,  and  quickly  rise ;" 

ID^ntil  you  bring  round  the  happy  day,  that  will  restore 
me  again  to  the  dear  woman  and  children  I  so  much 
love. 

^^  Give  my  love  to  my  children,  and  the  few  friends 
that  are  really  concerned  for  my  welfare.  God  bless 
yon^  and  make  yoa  at  least   as  happy  a«  I  am; 


DAVID  RITTEMHOUSE.  318 

uid  then,  I  am  mm,  yoa  will  not  eomplua.    Tour 
ever  affectionate 

''  D.  BiTTENHOUSB. 

"  Mrs.  Hannah  BiTTENHOuae." 


The  other  letter,  dated  at  the  ^<  Head  Waters  of 
Buffalo/^  the  thirteeDth  of  July,  is  as  follows. 

''My  dearest  H, 

"  I  Deed  not  say  how  mach  I  feel  for  you,  on  ae- 
count  of  the  disagreeable  situation  in  which  you  last 
wrote.  The  only  advice,  I  beliere,  which  I  thought 
it  necessary  to  give  you,  at  leaving  yon,  was  to  keep 
np  your  spirits  and  endeavour  to  bear  the  fatigues  of 
the  office.  What  will  you  say,  or  what  will  yon  think, 
when  T  tell  you,  I  believe  it  scarcely  possible  for  any 
thing  to  contribute  so  much  to  reconcile  me  to  your 
absence,  as  the  aversion  I  have  to  the  plagues  of  that 
same  office. 

''Ton  have  heard  the  reports  concerning  the  In- 
dians. We  are  sdll  ignorant  of  the  true  state  of  mat- 
ters ;  but,  from  every  information  we  can  get,  it  seems 
very  improbable  that  we  shall  cross  the  Ohio  this  sum- 
mer :  on  this  aide  of  the  river,  we  do  not  apprehend 
tiie  least  danger. 


814  MEMOIRS  OF 

^^On  Saturday  last^  we  suddenly  emerged  fron 
the  gloomy^  uncultivated  desert^  into  a  habitable  Goan- 
try;  and  encamped  with  joy  in  an  open  field  wh^re 
we  could  once  more  see  the  heavens  around  085—4 
sight  we  had  not  been  blest  with^  for  five  weeks  past. 
Wheat,  rye,  and  Indian-corn,  growing,  afforded  a  very 
pleasing  sight ;  even  the  barking  of  dogs  and  crow- 
ing of  cocks  were  agreeable.  The  next  day  being 
Sunday,  several  of  the  neighbours,  their  wives  and 
daughters,  paid  us  a  visit ;  and  amongst  them,  at  least 
one  spruce  young  lady,  bred  at  the  metropolis,  Fort- 
Pitt.^^  But  would  you  believe  it?  such  is  my  unrea- 
sonable and  incurable  aversion  to  company,  that  their 
visits  soon  became  irksome.  They  hindered  me  from 
enjoying  a  lonely  walk,  or  some  passage  in  Milton, — 
or,  perhaps,  a  loll  on  my  bed.  Nay,  even  our  fellow- 
commissioners,  the  Virginians,  I  mean ;  I  sometimes 
wish  their  wine  was  better,  and  flowed  more  plenti- 
fully :  not  that  I  might  enjoy  it  with  them ;  bat  that  I 
might  enjoy  myself  the  more,  alone. 

"  Whether  you  will  believe  me  or  not,  I  do  not 
know ;  but  my  health  is  really  much  better.     As  I 

(81)  Now  the  flourishing  borough  of  Pittsburgh,  situated  at 
the  confluence  of  the  rivers  Allegany  and  Monongahela,  which 
form,  by  their  junction,  the  commencement  of  the  great  river 
Ohio. 

This  place,  which  is  distant  about  thirty-five  miles,  eastward^ 
from  the  western  boundary-line  of  Pennsylvania,  was  the  site  of 
a  fort,  formerly  erected  by  the  French,  which  they  called  Fort 
Du  Quesne ;  but  on  its  reduction  by  the  English,  it  was  named 
by  them  Fort-Pitt ;  and  by  this  name  the  place  is  still  recognixed 
by  many  people. 


DAVID  BITTENHOUSE.  fH6 

Md  yott  in  my  last^  my  old  complaint  is  the  only  one 
I  have ;  and  this  ia^  and  has  been  for  several  weeks^ 
infinitely  more  supportable^  than  1  have  known  it  for 
Months  together.  I  do  not,  indeed,  flatter  myself  with 
a  cure ;  it  is,  in  all  probability,  fixed  for  life :  bnt  an 
alleviation  of  the  pain  1  have  usaally  felt,  is  to  me  of 
much  importance. 

^^We  have,  for  three  weeks  past,  had  a  much 
greater  proportion  of  dry  weather;  and  in  this  coun- 
try,  when  it  does  not  rain,  the  sky  is  always  fair,  of 
a  beautiful  blue,  and  the  air  serene.  There  has  been 
nothing  like  a  storm,  nor  scarce  a  puff  of  wind,  since 
we  came  here.  Though  thunder,  lightning,  and  rain, 
are  so  very  frequent,  they  are  never  attended  with 
high  winds,  nor  scarcely  a  perceptible  motion  of  the 
air.  For  a  month  past,  we  had  a  very  decent  womaii 
to  cook  for  us,  but  some  little  family  broils  obliged 
^»  to  pack  her  home  again.  Our  boys  have,  however^ 
learnt  from  her  to  bake  good  bread,  and  to  cook  much 
better  than  they  did.  I  mention  this,  because  you 
will  be  pleased  with  any  thing  that  can  contribnte  to 
my  comfort. 

*^  I  expect  several  opportunities  of  writing,  before 
we  reach  the  Ohio,  none  of  which  shall  be  neglected. 
I  must  lay  down  the  pen,  to  retire  to  rest  after  the  fa- 
tigues of  the  day.  Wishing  you  a  very  good  nighty 
I  conclude,  &c.  your  ever  affectionate 

"  David  Rittenhouse. 
^^Mrs.  Rittenhouse.'^ 


816  MEMOIRS   OF 

^^  P.  S.  Having  mentioned  the  fatigues  of  the  day^ 
I  mast  assure  you  that  I  find  my  strength  fully  eqnal 
to  them :  As  to  walking  up  the  hills^  I  never  pretend 
to  it,  having  always  a  horse  to  ride — Col.  P.  is  every 
thing  I  could  wish ;  I  mean,  so  far  as  is  necessary  to 
me.^^ 


This  arduous  business  of  determining  the  territo- 
rial limits  of  several  great  states,  which  commenced 
before  the  American  revolution,  was  not  terminated 
until  some  years  afterward.  And  on  every  occasion  of 
that  kind,  where  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  situation,  in  re- 
spect to  health  and  official  duties,  admitted  of  his 
being  employed,  his  talents  placed  his  services  in  re- 
quisition. 

He  had  been  at  home  but  a  few  weeks,  after  being 
engaged  in  running  the  Western  boundary  of  Penn- 
sylvania, before  he  was  elected  by  Congress,  together 
with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Ewing,  and  Thomas  Hutchins, 
Esq.  afterwards  Geographer  of  the  United  States,  a 
commissioner  ^^for  running  a  line  of  jurisdiction  be- 
tween the  states  of  Massachusetts  and  New-Tork, 
conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  said  states.^'  This 
appointment  was  made  on  the  Sd  day  of  December, 
1785.^^^     It  was  not,  however,  until  the  year  1787, 

(82)  By  an  agreement,  entered  into,  on  the  18th  of  May,  1773, 
between  commissioners  appointed  by  the  legislatures  of  Neir- 


J 


DAVID  RITTfiNHOUSE.  817 

that  the  legislature  of  ^{  e w-Tork  ceded  to  the  state  of 
Massachusetts  all  the  lands  within  their  jurisdiction^ 
Westward  of  a  meridian  to  be  drawn  from  a  point  in 
the  Northern  boundary  of  Pennsylvania^  eighty4wo 
miles  West  from  the  river  Delaware ;  excepting  one 
mile  along  the  Eastern  side  of  the  Niagara  river;  and 

York  and  Massachusetts^  respectively,  for  the  settlement  of  a 
partition-line  of  jurisdiction  between  those  (then)  provinces,  on 
the  eastern  part  of  New- York,  and  from  the  southern  to  the 
northern  boundaries  of  Massachusetts,  (then  called  Massachu- 
sett's  Bay  ;)  in  compliance  with  the  king's  recommendations, 
which  had  been  previously  signified  to  sir  Henry  Moore,  and 
Francis  Barnard,  Esq.  the  then  governors  of  those  provinces. 
The  commissioners,  on  the  part  of  New-York,  were  John  Watts, 
Robert  R.  Livingston,  and  William  Nicoll,  Esq'rs.  and  on  that 
of  Massachusetts,  William  Brattle,  Joseph  Hawlcy,  and  John 
Hancock,  Esq'rs.  These  gentlemen  met,  in  pursuance  of  their 
appointment,  at  Hartford  in  the  (then)  province  of  Connecticut, 
where,  after  divers  conferences,  they  concluded  on  the  following 
line,  as  the  one  which  should,  at  all  times  thereafter,  be  the  line 
of  jurisdiction  between  Massachusetts  and  New-York,  whereso- 
ever the  latter,  on  its  eastern  boundary,  should  adjoin  on  the  for- 
mer :  that  is  to  say,  beginning  at  a  place  fixed  upon  by  the  two 
governments  of  New-York  and  Connecticut,  about  the  year  1731, 
for  the  north-western  comer  of  a  tract  of  land  commonly  called 
the  Oblong,  or  Equivalent  Land;  and  running  from  that  comer, 
north,  21**  10*  30*  east  (as  the  needle  then  pointed,')  to  the  north- 
em  line  of  Massachusetts.  This  agreement  was  ratified  by  the 
governors  of  Massachusetts  and  New-York,  on  the  same  day ; 
and  commissioners  were  accordingly  appointed  by  both  provin- 
ces, before  the  revolution,  to  run  the  line  thus  defined.  It  was, 
In  part,  then  effected ;  but  those  commissioners  not  having  been 
able  to  proceed,  by  reason  of  an  eventual  disagreement  between 
them,  this  line  was  finally  run  out,  surveyed,  ascertained  and 
marked,  by  the  commissioners  appointed  by  congress,  whom  the 
two  gOTfltfptiBMpcemed  had  empowered  to  make  such  ap- 


318  MEMOIRS  OF 

ilso  ten  townships  between  the  Ghenengo  and  Owegy 
rivers  ;  reserving  the  jurisdiction  to  the  state  of  New- 
ITork :  a  cession  which  was  made  to  satisfy  a  claim 
of  Massachusetts^  founded  upon  their  original  char- 
ter. 

This  line  was  accordingly  run,  in  the  year  1787^ 
by  the  commissioners  so  appointed  for  the  purpose :— - 
And  ^^  tliis  last  business^  which  was  executed  with 
his  usual  precision  and  integrity^' — says  Dr.  Rash^ 
speaking  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse^ — ^^was  his  farewell 
peace-offering  to  the  union  and  happiness  of  hii 
country." 

It  was  not  until  the  year  1786^  that  the  American 
Philosophical  Society  were  enabled  to  publish  a  86- 
cond  volume  of  their  Transactions  :^^^  it  then  made  its 
appearance.  Into  that  volume  is  introduced  a  letter 
to  the  Society^  in  the  original  Latin^  (accompanied 
with  an  English  translation^)^*!^  from  the  celebrated 

(83)  In  the  beginning  of  the  same  year,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was 
elected  one  of  the  twelve  Counsellors  of  the  American  Philoso* 
phical  Society ;  an  office  in  that  institution,  created  by  the  incor- 
porating act  of  the  15th  of  March,  1780. 

(84)  There  was  some  unaccountable  mismanagement  in  the 
whole  of  this  business,  on  the  part  of  the  society.  Mr.  Mayer'^ 
letter  is  published  entire,  in  the  original  Latin :  but  the  transla- 
tion ends,  abruptly,  in  the  middle  of  a  paragraph.  When  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  was  directed  by  the  society  to  answer  that  letter,  he 
requested  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  to  furnish  him  with  ai^ 
English  translation  of  ity  for  the  purpose  of  comparing  with  it 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  819 

C.  May«r,  the  Elector  Palatine^s^*'^  Astronomer  at 
Manheim,  dated  so  long  before  as  the  S4th  of  April^ 
177B.  The  receipt  of  that  letter  had  been  acknow- 
ledged by  Mr.  Rittenhouse^  according  to  a  special  or- 
der of  the  Society^  so  early  as  the  SOth  of  August^ 
1779;  and  the  answer^  it  is  presumable^  was  duly 
transmitted  to  Mr.  Mayer.  Yet^  although  there  was 
a  lapse  of  seven  years^  from  the  date  of  Mr.  Ritten- 
kottse's  letter  to  the  time  of  Mr.  Mayer's  communica- 
tien  being  printed  in  the  Society's  Transactions^  the 
ftfrmer  was^  by  some  unaccountable  circumstance^ 
omitted  and  unnoticed !  Nor  will  the  reader's  sur- 
prise on  this  occasion  be  diminished,  when  he  learns^ 
that  a  member  of  the  Society,  having  obtained  from 
Mt.  Rittenhouse  a  copy  of  his  letter,  had  it  read  at 
their  stated  meeting  on  the  l6th  of  March,  1793, — 


which  he  had  himself  attempted.  That  translation  (which, 
1^  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  desire,  was  made  to  conform  pretty  closely 
to  the  original,)  is  inserted  in  the  Appendix,  entire,  together  with 
the  hitherto  unpublished  answer. 

(85)  Charles  Theodore,  Duke  of  Bavaria,  who  is  denominated 
bjrLalande,  <<an  illustrious  patron  of  the  sciences." 

It  18  about  fifty  years  since  this  prince  built  an  observatory  near 
the  gardens  of  Schwctzingen,  two  leagues  from  the  city  of  Man* 
helm;  and  there  Father  Christian  Mayer  pursued  his  astronomi- 
cal labours  for  several  years.  But  about  the  year  1772,  the  same 
prince  erected  another  and  a  more  magnificent  edifice  (of  108 
Rlkeiiish  feet  in  height,)  at  Manheim,  for  the  same  purpose : 
where  Father  flayer  made  numerous  and  highly  estimable  ob- 
servations; as  may  be  collected  from  his  work,  entitled,  De  novu 
in  C£lo  Siderio  Fhanofficnh.  Lalandc  places  this  observatory  in 
N.  Lat.  49**  29'  1 5". 


320  MEMOIRS  OF 

twelve  years  and  a  half  after  its  date ;  that  it  wag^ 
thereupon^  ^^  referred  to  the  committee  of  selection 
and  publication :''  and^  notwithstanding,  by  some  other 
fatality,  that  letter  remained  unpublished  until  now ; 
being  twenty-one  years  afterwards ! 

On  a  perusal  of  the  answer  to  Mr.  Mayer's  com- 
munication (in  the  Appendix,)  it  will  be  found,  that 
the  ^^  eminent  utility,"  which  he  expected  to  result^  at 
some  future  day,  to  astronomical  science,  from  a  pro- 
secution of  such  discoveries  as  he  had  recently  made 
among  the  fixed  stars,  iiad  been  long  before  anticipat- 
ed by  our  Astronomer.  In  that  answer  Mr.  Ritten- 
house  mentions,  that  he  is  induced  to  request  his  cor- 
respondent's acceptance  of  a  copy  of  the  Oration  he 
had  delivered  before  the  American  Philosophical  So- 
ciety, "some  years''  before: — "because,"  says  the 
writer,  ^^  I  therein  gave  my  opinion,  that  the  fixed 
stars  afforded  the  most  spacious  field  for  the  industry 
of  future  astronomers ;  and  expressed  my  hopes,  that 
the  noblest  mysteries  would  sometime  be  unfolded^  in 
those  immensely  distant  regions." 

This  early  opinion  of  his  own  concerning  the  fixed 
stars,  to  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  refers  in  his  letter,  is 
expressed  in  his  Oration,  in  this  short  paragraph :  "  If 
astronomy  shall  again  break  those  limits  that  now  con- 
fine it,  and  expatiate  freely  in  the  superior  celestial 
fields, — what  amazing  discoveries  may  yet  be  made 
among  the  fixed  stars !    That  grand  pha&nomenon  the 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  SBl 

Milky  way^  seems  to  be  the  clne^  that  will  one  day 
goide  us." 


Such  were  the  expectations  entertained  by  our 
losopher^  more  than  three  years  before  the  date  of  Mr. 
Mayer's  communication  of  his  discovery  to  the  Phi- 
losophical Society ; — a  discovery  which  Mr.  Ritten- 
house^  in  his  letter  to  that  great  astronomer^  styles 
''excellent ;''  and  one  that  proves  his  own  '^presage" 
to  have  been  well  founded.  He^  at  the  same  time^ 
modestly  suggests  to  Mr.  Mayer^  the  institution  of  a 
comparison  between  the  many  observations  he  had  al- 
ready made^  in  order  to  determine,  whether  the  several 
changes  observed  will  agree  with  any  imagined  motion 
of  our  system  ;  remarking^  that  those  he  had  commu- 
nicated, seemed  to  favour  such  a  supposition. 

How  important  soever,  in  relation  to  astronomy,  the 
phenomena  observed  by  Mayer  may  be,  the  honour  of 
irst  discovering  them  certainly  belongs  to  him.  Mr. 
Bittenhouse  was  not  the  discoverer :  nor  had  he  ever 
access  to  so  complete  and  expensive  an  astronomical 
apparatus,  as  that  used  by  Mayer  on  the  occasion,  and 
with  which  he  was  furnished  by  means  of  princely 
ttianificence.  But  all  candid  men  of  science  will,  ne- 
vertheless, be  disposed  to  allow  the  American  Astro- 
li^er  no  inconsiderable  share  of  merit  for  the  early 
^presage,"  which  his  deep-discerning  and  vastly  com- 
ptehensive  mind  enabled  him  to  suggest,  of  soD^e  such 
fatare  discoveries. 

s  s 


BtS^  WBIIOIRS  OP 

Tbe  writer  of  these  memoirs  deemed  it  bis  daty  to 
do  justice  to  the  memory  of  the  subject  of  them^  by 
giving  publicity  to  these  interesting  circumstances; 
and  the  performance  of  this  duty  is  the  more  gratifying 
to  the  writer,  because  he  alone  possesses  a  knowledge 
of  all  the  facts  he  has  stated^  concerning  them. 

The  late  discoveries  of  Dr.  Herschel^  among  the 
fixed  stars,  in  addition  to  those  previously  made  by 
Mr.  Mayer,  have  in  a  greater  degree  realised  the  ex- 
pectations which  were  formed,  man\>  years  before  ei- 
ther, by  our  Astronomer  ;  such,  in(^ed,  as  are  almost 
entitled  to  the  character  of  prescient  annunciations,  re- 
s|>ecting  that  portion  of  the  heavens  which  should^ 
some  time  or  other,  be  the  scene  of  the  most  important 
astronomical  fliscoveries .  According  to  Herschel^ 
tbe  Milky  Way  is  an  immense  nebula,  near  one  of  the 
aides  of  which,  is  placed  the  solar  system ;  and  he 
imagines,  that  each  nebula,  of  which  he  had  observed 
more  than  nine  hundred,  consists  of  a  group  of  suiis^ 
with  their  attendant  planets  ! 

Mr.  Rittenhouse  never  possessed  the  means  of  ae- 
quiring  such  stupendous  and  costly  telescopes,  as  those 
used  by  Herschel,  for  the  purpose  of  exploring  the 
Jieavens.     But  the  penetrating  genius  of  our  country- 

lOfn  seems  to  have  contemplated,  by  anticipation,  the 

I* 

Mtual  existence  of  those  sublime  phsnomena,  some  of 
which  the  vastly  superior  instruments  of  the  Germano^ 
Anglican  Astronomer  have  since  manifested;  when^ 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  808 

Id  language  apparently  prophetic^  but  certainly  dictat- 
ed by  the  most  exalted  pre-couceptions  of  the  gran- 
deur of  celestial  objects  which  were  yet  undiscovered^ 
the  American  Philosopher  observes^  as  he  does  in  his 
Oration, — that  ^'  all  yonder  stars  innumerable,  with 
their  dependencies,  may  perhaps  compose  but  the  leaf 
of  a  flower  in  the  Creator's  garden,  or  a  single  pillar 
in  the  immense  building  of  the  Divine  Architect/^ 
Well  might  he  exclaim,  with  rapturous  extacy,  after 
so  beautiful  and  sublime  a  reflection^ — ^^  Here  is  am- 
ple provision  made  for  the  all-grasping  mind  of  man !'' 

It  will  be  evident  to  such  as  duly  reflect  on  this  sub- 
jecty  that  tliose  expectations  which  occupied  the  mind 
of  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  so  long  since  as  the  year  1779-t- 
concerning  the  ^^  amazing  discoveries''  which  should^ 
at  some  future  period,  be  made  among  the  fixed  stars, 
were  not  mere  conjectures  or  vague  hypotheses  ;  but, 
that  they  were  rational  anticipations  of  realities,  found- 
ed on  the  most  acute  observation  and  laborious  re- 
search, as  well  as  the  profoundest  philosophical  judg- 
ment.  As  Newton  is  said  to  have  revealed  those  truths 
in  physics,  which  his  predecessor.  Bacon,  had  pre- 
conceived ;  so,  that  great  practical  astronomer,  Her- 
fichel,  and  some  other  eminent  observers  of  our  day,^^ 

(•86)  Among  those  who  have  observed,  since  Dr.  Herschei*s 
discovery  of  the  Georgium  Sldus/new  phsenomena  in  the  hea- 
venSf  may  be  ranked  the  following : 

M.  Piazzi,  a  Sicilian  astronomer,  who,  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1801,  discovered  a  small  planet  revolving  round  the  sun,  be- 
tween the  orbits  of  Jupiter  and  Mars,  named  Ceres : 


8Mi  MEHOIR8  OF 

have  been  enabled,  by  means  of  the  very  impoiiaBt 
improvements  recently  made  in  astronomical  instm* 
ments^^^^  to  verify  a  grand  hypothesis  in  his  favouHta 

Dr.  Olbers,  of  Bremen,  who,  on  the  38th  of  March  in  the  fol- 
lowing year,  dbcovered  another  small  planet,  to  which  he  gave 
tlie  name  of  Pallas,  which  revolves  round  the  sun  nearly  at  the 
tame  distance,  and  in  the  same  time,  as  Ceres ;  and  afterwards, 
▼is.  on  the  29th  of  March,  anotlier  planet,  which  he  called  Vesta; 
similar  to  the  others,  both  in  its  position  and  magnitude :  and 

Mr.  Harding,  of  Lilienthal,  who,  between  these  two  last  men- 
tioned periods,  viz.  on  the  Ist  of  September,  1804,  discovered  a 
fourth  planet  (but  the  third  in  the  order  of  time,)  also  amall)  to 
which  he  gave  the  name  of  Juno ;  resembling  Pallas  in  a  great 
excentricity  of  its  orbit,  and  the  inclination  of  this  to  the  ecliptic, 
and  placed  at  nearly  the  same  distance  from  the  sun. 

The  Giorgium  Sidus  was  not  discovered  until  about  fifteen 
years  before  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  death ;  and  the  first  discovered  of 
the  four  last  mentioned  planets  was  not  known  in  America,  for 
almost  five  years  after  that  event. 

(87)  <<  There  is  perhaps  no  individual  of  the  present  age," 
(says  the  writer  of  the  article  "  Astronomy,"  in  the  New  Ediu* 
burgh  Encyclopaedia,  now  publishing  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Brewster,)  <<  to  whom  practical  astronomy  owes  deeper  and  more 
lasting  obligations,  than  to  Mr.  Edward  Troughton.  The  great 
improvements  which  he  has  made  upon  astronomical  instruments, 
and  the  extreme  accuracy  with  which  he  divides  them,  have  ren- 
dered his  name  celebrated  in  every  part  of  Europe,  and  have  in- 
spired the  practical  astronomer  with  a  confidence  in  his  observa- 
tions, which  he  had  hitherto  been  unaccustomed  to  feel.  There 
is  scarcely  an  observatory  of  any  consequence,  either  in  this 
country'*  (Great-Britain,)  "or  the  continent,  that  does  not  contain 
some  of  Mr.  Troughton's  instruments ;  and  there  are  few  series 
of  observations,  in  which  thcy'have  not  been  used.  The  admira* 
ble  observations  of  Mr.  Pond,  on  the  declinations  of  the  principal 
stars,  were  made  with  an  azimuth  circle  of  Mr.  Troughton's  con- 
struction. The  mural  circle,  which  Mr.  Groombridge  of  Black- 
heath  uses,  in  his  numerous  and  accurate  observations,  was  made 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  8S5 

teienee^  whieh  liad  long  before  been  cpmleived  by  the 
towering  genius  of  Bittenhouse.  < 

From  the  time  our  astronomer  became:  established 
in  Philadelphia,  until  the  year  I7879  he  resided  in  a 
bouse  belonging  to  the  late  Mr.  Thomas  Clifford^  at 
the  south-east  corner  of  Arch  and  (Delaware)  Seventh 
streets  :  But  the  mansion  which  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had 
erected  for  himself,  the  preceding  year,  on  his  Obse^- 
vatory-lot  at  the  diagonal  corner  of  those  streets,  be- 
log  then  compleated,  he  removed  thither ;  and  there 
continued  his  residence,  during  the  residue  of  his  life. 
It  was  about  this  time,  perhaps  towards  the  close  of 
the  year  1786,  that  he  was  compelled  by  the  duties  of 
his  office,  as  sole  trustee  of  the  loan-office,  to  put  in 
suit  the  bonds  which  accompanied  the  mortgages  of 
sundry  delinquent  loanees.  The  bonds  were  placed 
in  the  hands  of  the  Writer  of  these  Memoirs,  for  that 
purpose ;  with  instructions  to  treat  the  delinquents 
with  every  reasonable  degree  of  forbearance.  This 
lenity  was  observed,  agreeably  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse's 
desire;  few  suits  were  instituted,  and  payment  of  the 
monies  due,  or  the  greater  part  of  them,  was  not  long 
after  obtained. 


by  the  same  artist  The  splendid  mural  circle,  of  0  feet  3  in- 
ehea  radius^  which  Mr.  Troughton  is  at  present  preparing  for 
the  Rojul  Observatory  at  Greenwich,  will  cost  700/.*/  (equivalent, 
in  money  of  the  United  States,  to  K  31 1  ItVtp)  ^'&nd  will  be  one 
of  the  most  magnificent  and  accurate  instruments  that  has  ever 
been  erected." 


8S6  MEMOIRS  OF 

Early  in  the  year  1787*  the  expected  appearance 
of  a  new  comet  in  that  year^  engaged  Mr.  Bitten- 
house's  attention  :  and  on  that  occasion  he  addressed 
the  following  letter  to  Mr.  Ellicott. 

^^  PhUadelpkia^  Feb.  IS,  1787- 
^  Dear  Sir, 

^^  The  elements  of  the  new  Planet  have  been  pretty 
well  determined  by  several  European  astronomers. 
The  following  I  have  extracted  from  the  Almanack^^ 
for  1787. 


Mean  Longitude         4>    ST  21'  58''-| 
Mean  Anomaly  4     8    53  96 


Place  of  ApheL         11    S3    S8     S 
Ascending  Node         S    IS    dS  54 


To  Dec.  31, 
>1787^  at  noon, 
Paris. 


Mean  Motion  in  Long,  in  365  days  4*  19'  47^ 

in  30  days  Si'  Si'' 

in  24  hours  48^.7 

^^  The  Aphelion  and  Nodes  move 
according  to  the  precession  of  the 
Equinoxes ;  that  is  50^.8  per  ann. 

Inclination  of  the  Orbit  46'  13" 

Log.  of  greatest  distance  from  the  Sun         6.3007701 
Ix)g.  of  least  distance  6.3594052 

The  Log.  of  the  Earth's  mean  dist.  from 
O  being  5.0000000 

(88)  The  Nautical  Almanack. 


DAVID   KITTENHOUSE.  '  fBBJ 

^Dv.  Halley'9  Table  of  the  equation  of  V^b  orbit 
do  very  well  for  eompating  the  place  of  Her* 
flchel's  planet,  only  sobtracting  ^  part  of  the  equa- 
tion there  found  ;  the  greatest  equation  of  this  planet 
being  5^  3/  10^.  So,  if  from  the  Log*  to  any  degree 
ef  anomaly,  is  the  Table  for  Jupiter,  we  subtract  ^ 
part  of  the  excess  of  that  Log.  above  the  least,  and  to 
the  remainder  add  the  constant  Logarithm  ^647700^ 
w^  shall  have  the  Log.  for  ft  sufficiently  accurate* 
On  these  principles,  I  have  computed  the  Right  As« 
tension  of  ft ,  and  find  both  agree  with  my  own  ob* 
servation,  to  a  lew  seconds. 

^  I  am  sorry  you  havd  engaged  the  notice  of 
*******.  Men  of  his  principles,  with  a  printing- 
press  at  command,  are  the  greatest  pests  of  society. 

^^  My  very  bad  state  of  health,  and  a  multiplicity  of 
business,  have  prevented  my  answering  yours  as  soon 
as  I  wished  to  have  done  it.  I  am,  Dear  Sir,  your 
Friend  and  Humble  Servant, 

^^  David  Rittenhousk. 
^  Andrew  Ellicott,  Esq.  Baltimore.'' 

The  correctness  of  the  calculatbns  respecting  the 
^^rgium  Sidus,  stated  in  this  letter,  is  noticed  in  the 
following  extract  from  one  of  Mr.  EUicott's  Alma- 
nacks. 


9X8  MEHOIBS  OF 

^^  The  reader  will  find  in  this  Almanack  a  contiim- 
ation  of  the  planet  ft  •  The  elements  on  whieh  the 
calculations  were  made^  appear  by  observation  to  be 
tery  accurately  determined^  not  only  by  the  astrono- 
mers in  Europe^  bat  by  my  ingenious  fnend  Mr.  Bit* 
tenhouse^  whose  knowledge  of  the  theory  and  practice 
tC  Astronomy^  is  not  surpassed  in  the  old  world.'' 

.«;  From  tliis  time,  until  his  resignation  of  the  treasu* 
fersfaiip  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  autumn  of  1789^VMr.' 
Bittenhonse  ftppears  to  have  continued  to  be  pretty 
much  engaged  in  the  duties  of  that  office.  A  short 
time  before  this  events  the  Writer  of  these  Memoirs 
visited  the  city  of  New- York ;  where  the  first  con- 
gress^ chosen  under  the  present  constitution  of  the 
United  States^  were  then  convened^  having  common^ 
ced  their  session  on  the  fourth  day  of  March  preced- 
ing :  and  on  that  occasion^  Mr.  Rittenhouse  addressed 
a  letter  to  General  Washington^  then  President  of  the 
United  States^  recommendatory  of  his  friend  and  ne- 
phew. Delicacy  forbids  this  relative  to  present  to 
public  view  that  portion  of  the  letter^  which  more  es- 
pecially relates  to  himself :  but  the  introductory  part 
of  it  is  here  presented  to  the  reader^  fur  the  purpose  of 
testifying  the  continuance  of  the  high  esteem  enter- 
tained for  the  truly  great  man  to  whom  it  was  ad* 

(89)  In  this  interval,  that  is  to  say,  towards  the  close  of  the 
year  1788|  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  eldest  daughter  was  married  to  the 
late  Jonathill  Dickinson  Sergeant,  Esq.  of  Philadelphia. 


DAVID  "EITTEMHOUSE.  SJBfl 

dreMed^  by  one  who  never  disguised  his  sentiments, 
l^is  extract  is  as  follows : 

''  Phiiudelphia,  Aug.  i%  1789^ 
<'  Sir, 

^  ^'  However  unwilling  I  am  to  add  to  that  multitade 
of  letters  which  must  encroach  so  much  on  your  precious 
time^  I  cannot  altogether  forbear^  without  doing  vio* 
fence  to  my  feelings^  As  we  have^  all  of  ns^  through 
the  coarse  of  life^  been  greatly  indebtedio  the  good 
offices  of  others ;  so  we  are  no  doubt  under  obliga- 
tMMis  to  perform  the  same  in  our  tum^  as  well  with 
respect  to  our  particular  friends^  as  society  in  general* 

(90)  A  few  days  after  this  date  (about  the  30th  of  Augusti)  the 
writer  of  these  memoirs  was  nominated  by  the  president  to  the 
senate,  and  by  their  advice  and  consent  thereto  was  appointed^ 
to  be  one  of  the  judges  of  the  western  territory  (now  the  state 
of  Ohio,  Sec.) :  the  other  judges,  nominated  and  appointed  with 
Um^  Were  Samuel  Holden  Parsons  and  John  Cleres  Symmeif 
Esquires.  Major-General  Arthur  St  Clair,  who  msyi  in  some 
respects,  be  considered  as  a  modem  Bellisarius,  was  at  the  same 
time  appointed,  in  like  manner,  to  be  governor  of  that  territory.* 
The  writer  declined  the  hcmour  Intended  for  him  by  this  appoin^> 
ment,  which  was  unsolicited  on  his  part:  he  resigned  it  inads|' 
w  two  after. 

The  promptitude  with  which  this  mark  of  president  Wash- 
imgUiffi*h  approbation  of  the  person  recommended  to  him  by  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  was  bestowed,  is  an  evidence  of  the  respect  in  which 
the  president  held  that  gentleman's  recommendation ;  and  it  is 
tlMi  more  so,  as  Mr.  Ilittenhouse*s  letter  was  the  only  one  ad- 
dressed to  the  president  on  that  occasion. 

*  For  msny  interesting  particulars  concerning  the  suffering;8  and  illw^uited 
Ajpricet  of  tliis  respectable  wteran^^of  a  maa  who  onoe  filled  the  diaar  sf 
congress,  and  uniformly  possessed  the  friendship  and  confidence  of  W^cn* 
1 21  OTON>  see  his  Marative,  lately  publiUied. 

-'t 


sad  MEMOIRS  OF 

_  • 

^1  Mr.  William  Barton^  my  sister's  sod^  knowing 
that  yoa  have  heretofore  honoured  me  with  your  ae- 
quaintance,  I  might,  perhaps^  say  friendship^  is  wiU 
ling  to  believe  that  any  thing  I  can  say  in  his  favoor, 
might  have  some  weight  with  your  Excellency.— 

^^  Wishing  your  Excellency  every  happiness^  I  have 
ihe  honour  to  be^  8ir^  with  the  greatest  respect^  your 
most  obedient  humble  servant^ 

^^  David  Rittenhguse. 

<^  His  Excellency  the  President  of  the  U.  States.'' 

On  the  iOth  of  November^  1789,  the  following  let- 
ter from  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  offering  bis  resignation  of 
the  office  of  treasurer  of  the  state,  was  presented  to 
the  general  assembly ;  and,  after  having  been  twice 
read,  waS;  by  order  of  the  house^  entered  on  their 
minutes. 

J^Tovember  9>  1780. 
^'  Sir, 

^^  On  account  of  the  very  unfavourable  state  of  my 
health,  as  well  as  because  I  most  earnestly  wish  to 
devote  some  of  the  few  remaining  hours  of  my  life  to 
a  favourite  science,  I  find  myself  under  the  necessUj 
of  declining  the  office  of  treasurer. 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  881 

'  ^^  I  have  now  held  that  office  for  almost  thir^en 
years,  having  been  annually  appointed  by  the  unani- 
mous voice,  so  far  as  1  know,  of  the  representatives 
of  the  freemen  of  this  state ;  a  circumstance  I  shall 
ever  reflect  on  with  satisfaction,  and  which  does  me 
the  greatest  honour. 

^^  I  will  not  pay  so  ill  a  compliment  to  those  I  owe 
80  much,  as  to  suppose  the  principal  motive  in  these 
repeated  appointments  was  any  other  than  the  public 
good ;  but  I  am  nevertheless  very  willing  to  believe^ 
that  a  regard  to  my  interest  was  not  wholly  out  of 
view.  And  I  shall,  perhaps,  never  have  another  op- 
portunity of  expressing,  with  so  much  propriety,  my 
sincerest  gratitude  to  the  representatives  of  my  conn- 
trymen,  whose  favour  I  have  indeed  often  experienced 
on  other  occasions. 

^^  I  accepted  the  treasury,  when  it  was  attended 
with  difficulty  and  danger,  and  consequently  when 
there  was  no  compensation  for  it.  Soon  afterwards, 
a  depreciated  currency,  prodigiously  accumulated^ 
made  it  extremely  burthensome,  without  any  prospect 
of  profit. 

^^  In  a  more  favourable  situation  of  our  affidrs,  it 
might  have  been  lucrative,  had  not  the  very  small 
commissions  allowed  by  law,  been  scarcely  equal  to 
the  risk  of  receiving  and  paying.  In  1785,  my  com- 
misaiomi  were  increased,  and  the  office  was  for  nam^ 


SfflB  MEMOIRS  OF 

tiiiie  profttiUiIe ;  bat  tbe  difficulties  or  remismess  in 
collecting  the  public  revenues^  agais  reduced  it  to  a 
Tery  moderate  compensation. 

^^If^  however^  the  embarrassments  of  the  office 
have,  in  general,  been  little  understood  by  those  not 
immediately  concerned  in  it ;  if  the  emoluments  of  it 
liave  been  greatly  exaggerated  in  the  public  opinion ; 
I  am  still  the  more  obliged  to  the  several  assemblies!, 
who,  under  these  impressions,  have  nevertheless  con- 
tinued me  so  long  their  treasurer. 

'^  The  confidence  of  the  public  I  have  ever  esteem- 
ad  so  invaluable  a  possession,  that  it  has  been  my 
fixed  determination  not  to  forfeit  it,  by  any  voluntary 
tct  of  impropriety.  Where  my  conduct  has  been  de- 
ficient in  the  discharge  of  my  duty,  1  hope  it  will  be 
imputed  to  want  of  ability,  and  not  of  Integrity. 

'^  Fully  sensible  of  the  importance  of  the  office  I 
have  the  honour  to  hold,  I  cheerfully  commit  it  into 
the  hands  of  those  who  properly  are,  and  ever  must 
be^  the  guardians  of  the  public  good.  I  am,  sir,  with 
great  respect^  your  most  obliged  and  very  humble 
servant — 

"  David  Rittenhouse* 
^'The  honourable  the  Speaker  of  the  Assembly.'^ 

From  the  commencement  of  the  year  1777^  ftt  which 
l^enod  Mr.  Rittmhonse  was  invested  with  the  irea- 


DAVID  RITTEKB0U8E.  888 

.  torerahip  of  bis  native  state^  until  the  month  of  Sep- 
teaber  followingy  when  its  capital  was  actually  pos- 
Mssed  by  the  British  army^  that  city  was  in  imminent 
danger  of  an  hostile  invasion.  When  it  was  reduced 
to  a  moral  certainty^  that  the  speedy  occurrence  of 
anch  an  event  was  inevitable,  he  had  retired  with  the 
treasury  (as  before  noticed)  to  Lancaster,  as  a  place 
of  security;  where  he  remained  until  the  succeeding 
iemmer:  when,  after  the  evacuation  of  the  capital  by 
tfie  British  forces,  he  returned  thither,  and  replaced  - 
the  treasury  in  its  ancient  seat  The  time,  therefore^ 
at  which  he  accepted  the  office  of  treasurer,  was  truly 
one  of  ^<  difficulty  and  danger.'' 

That  it  was  not,  for  many  years,  a  lucrative  place, 
must  be  apparent  from  the  ever  memorable  circum- 
stance of  the  great  and  unexampled  depreciation  of 
that  species  of  paper-currency,  called  continental  mo- 
ney ;^^^  which  was  the  only  circulating  medium  of  the 

(91)  According  to  Dr.  Ramsaf^  ^the  depreciation  began  at 
Afferent  periods  in  different  states;  but,  in  general,  about  the 
middle  of  the  year  1777,  and  progreasiyely  hicreaaed  for  three 
er  (bur  years."  In  the  first  four  or  five  months  of  1780|  it  de« 
predated  to  50  or  60  for  one.  ^  Its  circulation,''  continues  Dr. 
Ramsay,  ^  was  afterwards  partial;  but,  where  it  passed,  it  soon 
depreciated  to  150  for  one.  In  some  few  parts,  it  continued  in 
circulation  for  the  first  four  or  five  months  of  1781 ;  but  in  this 
kftter  period,  many  would  not  take  it  at  any  rate,  and  they  who 
Ady  received  it  at  a  depreciation  of  several  hundreds  for  one." 

HUt,Am.  Revol, 
'  In  October,  1779,  it  was  resolved  by  cong^ss,  that  no  fuller 
sum  in  this  paper-money  should  be  issued^  on  any  account  what- 


dSA  UfiHOIRS  OP 

United  States^  until  the  year  178^^  when  the  bank  of 
North  America  went  into  operation.  The  vast  aeea^ 
inulation  in  the  treasury^  of  that  depreciated  and  daily 
depreciating  substitute  for  money^  must  necessarily 
have  been  *'  extremely  burthensome''  to  the  treasurer^ 
and  could  not  have  afforded  him  ^'  any  prospect  of 
profit^''  during  the  first  five  years  of  his  tenure  of  the 
office.  And  it  was  not^  in  fact^  until  those  last  few 
years^  which  constituted  tlie  interval  between  the  time 
of  augmenting  the  commissions  and  his  retirement 
from  the  office,  that  the  treasurership  was  profitable  to 
him.  During  the  greater  part  of  the  time  he  held  it^ 
the  profits  of  the  office  did  not  enable  him  to  employ 
even  a  clerk :  nor  could  he  have  performed  the  nu- 
merous and  laborious  duties  of  that  station  (such  as 
they  then  were,)  had  he  not  been  greatly  assisted  by 

ever,  than  would,  when  added  to  the  sum  then  in  circulatioi^ 
amount  to  200  millions  of  dollars.  In  their  circular  letter  of  the 
13th  of  September  preceding,  addressed  to  their  constituents, 
congress  asserted  the  practicability  of  redeeming  all  the  conti- 
nental bills  at  par,  with  gold  and  silver ;  and  rejected,  with  indig- 
nation, the  supposition  that  the  states  would  ever  tarnish  their 
credit  by  violating  public  faith.  <<  These  strong  declarations  in 
favour  of  the  paper-currency,"  says  Dr.  Ramsay,  <^  deceived 
many  to  repose  confidence  in  it,  to  their  utter  ruin."  In  additioa 
tf>  the  amount  of  many  millions  of  dollars,  in  paper-emissions  of 
the  several  states,  congress,  soon  after,  actually  continued  to 
issue  their  own  paper,  until  it  amounted  in  the  whole  to  the  enor-' 
mous  sum  of  200  millions  of  dollars !  That  which  was  of  iitUft. 
value  before,  now  became  of  less,  and  soon  afterwards  good  for. 
nothing.  The  inevitable  consequence  was,  that  thousands  of 
meritorious  citizens  were  entirely  ruined,  and  others  greatly  in* 
jujred  in  their  property. 


DAVID  RITTENHOXJSE.  ^89 

the  assiduity,  care  and  abilities,  of  an  excellent  Wo- 
man — ^Mrs.  Rittenhouse.  Singular  as  this  circum- 
ttanre  may  appear,  this  notice  of  it  seems  due  to  the 
memory  of  an  highly  meritorious  ivife;  while,  on  the 
other  hand,  it  must  be  acknowledged,  that  it  does  not 
leflect  any  honour  on  the  liberality  of  a  great,  wealthy, 
aad  populous  state.  Buch  a  man  as  David  Ritten- 
iMiase  ought  to  have  been  otherwise  employed,  by 
ft  generous  and  enlightened  public :  the  exercise  of 
hia  transcendent  talents,  in  works  of  great  and  per- 
Bianent  public  utility,  would  not  only  have  constituted 
services  which  would  have  entitled  him  to  a  bountiful 
remuneration  ;  but  such  as  would  have  conferred  great 
additional  benefits  and  honours  on  his  country. 

That  he  should  have  had,  in  thirteen  years,  succes- 
sively,  an  unanimous  annual  vote  for  the  ofBce  of  trea- 
sorer,  is  a  very  strong  testimonial  of  the  exalted  sense 
which  his  countrymen  entertained  of  his  integrity  :  it 
would  have  been  so,  under  a  popular  government,  at 
any  period.  But  when  it  is  considered,  that,  during 
the  whole  of  the  time  he  held  the  treasurership,  the 
people  of  Pennsylvania  were  divided  into  two  oppos- 
isg  parties,  which  sprung  into  existence  with  the  adop- 
tion of  the  state-constitution  of  1776,  the  unanimity  of 
their  representatives  in  favour  of  this  individual,  is 
fffll  more  conclusive  evidence  of  his  merits.  Most  of 
those  men  in  the  community,  best  acquainted  with  hu- 
man nature,  and  practically  versed  in  the  science  of 
politics;  very  early  pointed  out  the  radical  defects  of 


336  UEMOIRS  OF 

the  new  frnme  of  government  j  and  predicted  the  at- 
ter  iucompetenc^  of  tliat  iastrumeot,  m  Ihcy  eonceired^ 
to  promote  the  troe  interest  and  happiue?**  of  civil  ao- 
ciety.  In  a  single  legislative  body,  a  plural  exrcu* 
tive^  and  in  a  limited  duration  of  tbe  judicial  authority 
— consequently,  an  undue  dependence  of  tht^  jiidgei 
on  the  executive  for  their  TB-appointment, — Ibey  fore- 
siivv  those  evils,  which  were  too  soon  realized  :  and  in 
a  septennial  council  of  ceaftors,  such  as  that  constitu- 
tion provided  for/**'  they  beheld  a  politieal  chinenr  ' 


(93)  The  judicury  is  the  onlf  deputment  of  f 
in  ^  republic,  the  oSicera  of  which  ought  (conlbrmalil]'  to  the 
principles  of  that  form  of  government)  to  be  permanent  in  their 
stations.  Judges,  in  order  to  sccui-e  their  independence,  and 
thereby  enable  them  to  administer  justice  faithfully  and  impar- 
tially, should  hold  their  ofhces  ijuamdiu  te  benf  gmcrini  :  and, 
fihoutd  they  violate  the  condition  of  this  tenure,  the  constitution 
should  provide,  as  that  of  Pennsylvania,  in  conformity  to  those  of 
the  union  as  well  as  her  sister  states,  does,  that  they  should  no 
longer  continue  in  office.  Thus,  this  bruncli  of  the  government 
would  have  formed  the  only  safe  and  effectual  check,  against 
such  unconstitutional  attempts  as  might  be  made  upon  the  char- 
tered rights  of  individuals  or  the  public,  by  either  the  legislative 
or  executive  power.  But,  unfortunately,  the  dependent  nature 
ef  the  judiciary,  under  the  constitution  of  1776,  rendered  it  in- 
competent to  that  end.  Hence,  as  was  noticed  by  the  writer  of 
these  memoirs  on  a  former  occasion,*  ''the  framers  of  the  first 
constitution  of  the  stiLic  of  Pennsylvania  discovered  the  indis- 
pensable necessity  of  providing  some  tribunal  for  preserving  the 
constitution  entire.  They  accordingly  instituted  a  perioHicat 
body,  in  the  nature  of  a  judicial  inr(uest,  and  styled  the  council  of 
censors  ;  whose  duty  it  was,  "  to  enquire  whether  the  consiitutioa 

•  In  ■  pamphlet,  entitled  "  Tlie  CoiiBtitulionalist :  addreslcil  In  men  of  all 
pirtie*  in  the  United  Sutts"— puUithed  In  Bkiltdriplua,  Intbe  jcdt  II04>     ^ 


DATID  RITTENHOUSE.  887 

at  variance  with  common  sense  and  tbe  experience  of 
mankind.  Men  entertaining  these  views;  formed,  of 
course,  one  of  those  parties. 

had  been  preserved  inTiolatfi  in  cveiy  part;  and  whether  the  le- 
gislative and  executive  branches  of  government  had  performed 
their  dut^,  as  fjuardians  of  the  people,  or  exercised  other  or 
greater  powers,  than  thejr  vere  entitled  to  by  the  constitution.'^ 
"This  censorial  tribunal  was,  however,  ill  calculated  to  answer 
the  purposes  of  its  institution.  It  was,  itself,  a  temporary  body^ 
iq>pointed  immediately  by  the  people.  In  the  alternation,  and 
casual  ascendency,  of  different  parties  in  the  country,  a  contin- 
gency inseparable  from  the  nature  of  a  popular  government 
the  council  of  sensors  became  the  representatives  of  the  passions^ 
the  prejudices,  the  political  interests,  of  whatever  party  might 
happen  to  be  the  predominant  one  at  the  moment  of  their  elec- 
tion. If  this  should  prove  to  be  the  same  party  with  that  which 
had  borne  the  sway,  during  the  seven  years  immediately  pre- 
ceding their  election,  they  would  be  disposed  to  sanction  the 
proceedings  of  that  party :  otherwise,  they  would  be  likely  to 
censure  and  pronounce  unconstitutional,  the  official  measures  of 
an  adverse  party,  without  just  cause,  impelled  thereto  by  a  spi- 
rit of  party-hostility. 

"Under  a  government  thus  constituted,  all  would  be  uncer* 
tain  and  insecure.  From  the  deficiency  of  one  stationary  and 
.  independent  department  in  its  administration,  the  rights  of  the 
people  and  the  best  interests  of  the  stale  would,  eventually,  bo- 
come  the  sport  of  opposite  and  contending  parties;  these  rights 
and  interests  would  be  sacrificed  at  the  shrine  of  some  desperats 
and  unprincipled  fiiction;  the  constitution  itself,  destitute  of  anf 
steadydisinterestedsupport  against  their  machinations,  would  bo 
overthrown:  till,  finally,  the  people,  having  no  longer  any  rally- 
ing point  of  security  for  their  persons  or  property,  would  be 
driven  from  anarchy  and  licentiousness  into  the  arms  of  despot- 

"  It  Is  further  worthy  of  remark,  that  the  council  of  censot^ 
was  an  inefficient  and  a  nugatory  tribunal,  in  one  most  important 
particular;  Numerous  unconsdtutional  acts  of  the  legislature 
might  have  been  carried  into  effect,  and  have  had  their  complete 


3S8  MEMOIRS   OF 

The  other  was  composed  of  the  projectors  of  the 
constitution  of  177^ f  s^nd  other  speculative  politicians  $ 
together  with  all  those  whom  they  were  enabled  to  in- 
ftuence,  through  the  medium  of  their  prejudices^  their 
inexperience  or  their  interests. 

These  two  parties  continued  to  divide  the  state^  un- 
til the  adoption  of  the  foederal  constitution.  The  great 
aod  multiplied  evils  which  resulted  to  the  people  of 
the  United  States^  after  the  restoration  of  peace^  and 
which  had  also  been  severely  felt  during  the  greater 
part  of  the  war,  from  the  ineflScacy  of  the  original  con*- 
fcBderation  of  the  States,  had  convinced  all  thinking, 
men  of  the  necessity  of  forming  a  more  energetic  na- 
tional government,  as  the  only  remedy  for  those  evik^K 
And  the  actual  formation  of  such  a  government^  aided 
by  the  long  experience  which  the  citizen*  of  PennsyU 
Tanra  had  then  acquired,  of  the  injurious  effects  of  their 
own  existing  constitution,  dis^Hised  them  soon  after  to 
establish  the  present  constitution  of  the  state,  which 
was  done  in  convention  on  the  2d  of  September  1790 ; 
a  form  of  government,  free  from  the  palpable  errors  of 
'  the  preceding  one,  and  much  more  consonant  to  the 
genius  and  spirit  of  the  foederal  constitution. 

It  is,  then,  a  very  extraordinary  circumstance,  and 
one  that  reflects  great  honour  on  the  character  of  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  that,  in  the  long  course  of  years  during 

operation^  attended  by  the  most  unjust  and  ruindus  consequences^, 
before  they  could  be  even  pronounced  unconstitutional." 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  889 

which  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  were  thus  divided 
into  two  contending  parties^  he  alone  could  unite  the 
favourable  opinion  of  both  parties^  respecting  his  su- 
perior claims  to  hold  one  of  the  most  important  offices 
the  government. 


Although  little  more  than  six  years  and  an  half  in- 
tervened^  from  the  time  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  resign- 
ing the  treasurership  of  the  state^  until  the  period  of 
liis  decease^  literary  and  other  public  honours  then 
flowed  in  upon  him.  He  enjoyed,  likewise,  the  sa^ 
tisfaction  of  experiencing,  during  that  short  interval^ 
mnltiplied  proofs  of  the  esteem  in  which  his  abilities 
and  character  were  held,  both  at  home  and  abroad. 
And,  notwithstanding  it  appears  to  have  been  his 
wish,  when  he  retired  from  the  treasury,  to  decline 
'for  the  future  any  official  situation,  or  public  employ- 
■lent  of  any  kind,  not  connected  with  science;  in 
wder  that  he  might,  without  interruption,  devote  the 
remainder  of  his  life  to  his  favourite  pursuits ;  a  va- 
riety of  public  trusts,  some  of  them  requiring  arduous 
duties,  were  constantly  pressed  upon  his  acceptance. 

Shortly  before  he  resigned  the  treasurership,  the 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  was  conferred  on  Mr.  Rit- 
tenhouse,  by  the  College  of  New- Jersey :  his  diploma 
bears  date  the  30th  of  September,  1789*  This  re- 
spectable seminary  had  given  him  the  degree  of  Mas- 
ter in  the  Arts^  seventeen  years  before^*^^;  and  this  new 

(93)  In  September,  1772. 


840  MEMOIRS  OP 

hoDour  was  a  further  pledge  of  the  high  estimation  in 
which  he  continued  to  be  held  by  the  regents  of  the 
institution.  His  diploma  for  the  Doctorate  has  a  place 
in  the  Appendix. 

The  College  at  Princeton,  in  I^ew  Jersey,  then 
possessed-^as  she  still  does — the  first  Orrery  con- 
structed by  Dr.  Rittenhouse ;  a  monument  of  his  ge- 
nius and  abilities,  that  seemed  to  give  him  a  just  claim 
to  this  highest  academical  honour,  appropriate  to  his 
character,  which  the  college  could  confer. 

This  institution,  called  Nassau  Hall,  was  founded 
about  the  year  1738;  but  its  original  charter  was  en- 
larged  by  Governor  Belcher,  in  1747-  The  president 
and  trustees  of  Nassau  Hall  possessed  a  power,  by 
their  charter,  of  granting  to  ^'  the  students  of  the  col- 
lege, or  to  any  others  thought  worthy  of  them,  all  sifeh 
degrees  as  are  granted  in  either  of  the  universities,  or 
any  other  college,  in  Great  Britain/'  This  privilege, 
it  is  believed,  was  not  enjoyed  generally — if  at  all,  in 
any  other  instance^"^,  by  the  American  colleges,  be- 
fore the  revolution ;  as  it  is  supposed  they  were  re- 
stricted,  prior  to  that  era,  to  the  conferring  of  degrees 
in  the  Arts  only.  But  all  the  superior  seminaries  of 
learning,  in  the  United  States,  now  possess  the  right 
of  creating  Bachelors  and  Doctors,  in  Divinity,  Law, 
and  Medicine :  and  it  is  greatly  to  be  wished,  that 

(94)  Unless,  perhaps,  in  that  of  King's  College  (now  Columbia 
College,)  in  Ncw-Yprk. 


DAVID   RITTENUOUSE.  941 

they  may  always  dispense  these  high  academic  ho- 
nours with  impartiality  and  a  due  discretion. 

The  college- edifice  at  Princeton  is  a  stately  and 
durable  one^  constructed  of  stone ;  and  it  will  afford 
satisfaction  to  the  reader^  to  be  informed^  that  in  this 
building  is  deposited  the  Rittenhouse  Orrery.  He 
will  derive  additional  pleasure  from  learning,  that 
this  grand  machine  has,  lately,  been  repaired  in  some 
considerable  degree,  and  at  a  great  expence,  by  the 
ingenious  Mr.  Henry  Yoight,  of  the  Mint :  by  whom, 
that  belonging  to  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  has 
likewise  been  put  in  good  order.  Neither  of  these 
Orreries  appeared  to  have  suffered  any  material  injury 
from  the  British  troops,  during  the  war  of  the  revolu- 
tion ;  though  it  has  been  generally  believed,  they  did. 
The  libraries,  indeed,  and  some  of  the  apparatus,  be- 
lon^g  to  both  the  colleges  in  which  the  Orreries  are 
placed,  experienced  great  losses  from  the  presence  of 
an  hostile  army  in  their  vicinity :  but  the  officers  of 
that  army  seem  to  have  respected  these  greater  works 
ef  human  ingenuity .^^^ 

(95)  Dr.  Morse  observes,  that,  before  the  American  war,  the 
CoUege  of  New- Jersey  was  furnished  with  a  philosophical  appa- 
ratus, valued  at  more  than  thirteen  hundred  doUars ;  <^  which,  ex- 
cept the  eleg;ant  Orrery  constructed  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,"  says 
the  Doctor,  *^  was  almost  entirely  destroyed  by  the  British  army, 
in  the  late^war;  as  was  also  the  library,  which  now*'  (this  was  in 
1789)  ^  consists  of  between  two  and  three  thousand  volumes." 

With  a  view  to  the  obtaining,  with  greater  certainty,  informa- 
tion  respecting  the  condition  Sec.  of  the  Orrery  in  Princeton 


8M  MEMOIHS  OF 

On  the  fint  daj  of  January,  1790,^  Dr.  Rittea- 
house  was  elected  one  of  the  Vice-presidents  of  tht 

College,  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  addressed  a  letter  on  the 
subject,  to  his  worthy  and  much  respected  friend,  the  Rev.  Sa- 
muel Stanhope  Smith,  D.  D.  then  president  of  that  institution:* 
To  that  letter  the  learned  president  promptly  returned  the  follow- 
ing answer : 

Princeton^  May  3d,  1813. 
tt  Dear  Sir, 

^  I  just  redeem  a  moment,  before  the  closing  of  the  mailf 

to  inform  you,  that  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  Orrery  cost  at  first  300^ 

Pennsylvania  currency.     It  was  his  own  moderate  price,  and 

immediately  paid  him  by  Dr.  Witherspoon,t  on  behalf  of  thA 

College. 

^  The  Orrery  was  very  much  injured  during  the  revolutionsiy 

war :  but  has  been  since  partly  repaired  by  a  gentleman  in  your 

city4  who  formerly  worked  with  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  and  under  his 

direction,  in  its  fabrication.  The  injuria  s  which  it  received  were 

comparatively  small,  by  the  British  soldiery.     A  guard  was  set 

to  protect  it :  and  the  officers  were  said  to  be  contemplating  its 

removal  to  England ;  this,  at  least,  was  the  general  report  and 

opinion.   The  principal  injury  was  produced  by  our  ownnillti% 

when  the  college  was  appropriated  as  a  barrack  for  them.    Maaf 

of  the  wheels  were  seen  to  be  taken  off,  as  handsome  curio^deSb 

This,  however,  was  no  more  than  was  to  be  expected  from  a 

number  of  ignorant  men,  so  imperfectly  disciplined  as,  at  that 

time,  they  were." 

"  I  am,  dear  Sir, 

Your  friend  and  very  humble  serv't 

Samubl  S.  SMirn.'* 

^96)  It  was  in  the  autunm  of  this  year  that  the  second  (and 
youngest  surviving)  daughter  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  married 
to  the  late  Nicholas  Baker  Waters,  M.  D.  of  Philadelphia. 

*  The  Rev.  Ashbel  Green,  D.  D.  of  Philadelphia^  has  since  been  appointed 
to  the  Presidentship  of  the  College  at  Princeton,  on  the  resignation  of  Dr. 
Smith. 

t  The  President  of  the  College. 

4  Mr.  Ueory  Voight 


BAYID  RITTEKHOUSE.  MB 

Philosophical  Society ;  his  colleagues^  in 
this  office^  being  the  Rev.  William  Smithy  D.  D.  and 
John  Ewing^  D.  D.  both  of  them  able  and  distinguish- 
ed astronomers. 

This  appointment  he  held  but  one  year;  in  conse- 
quence of  the  death  of  Dr.  Franklin^^^  on  the  17th 
day  of  April  foUowing.^^^ 

(97)  A  very  eloquent  and  interesting  Oration  on  this  occasion, 
bemg  an  eulogium  on  Dr.  Franklin,  was  delivered  on  the  1st  of 
March,  1791,  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society  and 
i^preeably  to  their  appointment,  by  the  Rev.  William  Smith,  D.  D. 
then  one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  the  society ;  for  which  the 
orator  received  their  unanimous  thanks. 

In  a  note  addressed  to  the  public  by  Dr.  Smith,  and  prefixed 
t*  this  eulogium  in  tlie  first  volume  of  his  works,  the  Doctor 
acknowledges  the  assistance  derived  by  him,  in  its  composition, 
^'from  the  friendly  communications  of  some  of  his  learned  col- 
Ingres,  among  the  officers  of  the  American  Philosophical  So- 
ciety:"  viz.  David  Rittenhousc,  Esq.  LL.D.  President  of  the 
Society;  Thomas  Jefferson,  Esq.  LL.D.  one  of  the  Vice-Presi- 
dents ;  Jonathan  Williams,  Esq.  one  of  the  Secretaries ;  and  Ben- 
jamin Rush,  M.  D.  one  of  the  Council.  To  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  he 
Biakes  his  acknowledgements,  '<  for  sundry  papers,  which  have 
ioen  digested  into  the  account  of  Dr.  Franklin's  Electrical  and 
PhiloMofihical  Diacoveriea  ;"  which  occupy  six  or  seven  pages 
•f  the  printed  eulogium. 

Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  well  acquainted  with  the  principles  of 
electricity ;  at  least,  so  &r  as  they  appear  to  be  hitherto  under- 
8tood»  It  is  believed  that,  pretty  early  in  life,  he  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  this  branch  of  science ;  which  he  occasionally  cul- 
tivated afterwards.  A  letter  written  by  Dr.  Franklin  to  Mr. 
Ijuidriani,  on  the  utility  of  electric  conductors,  will  serve  to 
•liew,  that  ^our  astronomer"  (as  Franklin  styled  him)  had  em- 
ployed the  instrumentality  of  his  « telescope,**  in  observing  some 


8M  MEMOIRS  OF 

In  supplying  the  vacancy  which  had  thns  occurred 
in  the  Presidentship  of  the  Society^  the  members  of 

of  the  effects  of  lightning.     This  letter,  which  is  dated  <<  Phik^ 
delphia,  Oct.  14, 1787,"  is  in  these  words : 

^  I  have  received,  sir,  your  excellent  dissertation  on  the  utili^ 
of  electric  conductors  which  you  have  had  the  goodness  to  send 
me,  and  I  have  read  it  with  much  pleasure.  I  beg  leave  to  return 
you  my  sincere  thanks  for  it. 

"  I  found,  on  my  return  to  this  country,  that  the  number  of 
conductors  was  much  increased,  the  utility  of  them  having  beea 
demonstrated  by  several  experiments,  which  shewed  their  effi- 
cacy in  preserving  buildings  from  lightning.  Among  other  ex- 
amples, my  own  house  one  day  received  a  severe  shock  inmk 
lightning :  the  neighbours  perceived  it,  and  immediately  hasten* 
ed  to  give  assistance,  in  case  it  should  be  on  fire ;  but  it  sustun- 
ed  no  damage :  they  found  only  the  family  much  frightened  bf 
the  violence  of  the  explosion. 

^^  Last  year,  when  I  was  making  some  addition  to  the  build* 
ing,  it  was  necessary  to  take  down  the  conductor :  I  found,  upon 
examination,  that  its  copper-point,  which  was  nine  inches  ia 
length  and  about  one  third  of  an  inch  in  diameter  in  the  thickest 
part,  had  been  almost  entirely  melted,  and  very  little  of  it  re- 
mained fixed  to  the  iron  rod.  This  invention,  therefore,  has 
been  of  some  utility  to  the  inventor ;  and  to  this  advantage  is 
added,  the  pleasure  of  having  been  useful  to  others. 

"  Mr.  Rittenhauss,*  our  astronomer,  has  informed  me,  that 
having  observed  with  his  excellent  telescope  several  conductors 
which  were  within  his  view,  he  perceived  that  the  points  of  s 
certain  number  of  them  had  been  in  like  manner  melted.  There 
is  no  instance  where  a  house  furnished  with  a  complete  con- 
ductor has  suffered  any  considerable  damage ;  and  those  even 
which  had  none  have  been  very  little  injured,  since  conductors 
have  become  common  in  the  city." 

(98)  The  body  of  Dr.  Franklin  was  interred  in  the  cemetery 
belonging  to  Christ-Church  in  Philadelphia,  under  a  plain  mar- 
ble tomb-stone,  inscribed  with  only  his  name,  the  time  of  his 

*  So  written  by  Dr.  Franklin. 


DAVID  ]UTT£NHOU8E«  845 

that  body  could  not  hesitate  in  selecting,  for  that  ho- 
BOarable  station,  a  suitable  successor  to  tlieir  late  vene- 
irable  patron  and  chief :  the  eyes  of  all  were  immedi- 
ately directed  towards  Dr.  Rittenhouse.  He  was  ac- 
cordingly elected  to  be  President,  at  the  stated  annual 
meeting  of  the  Bociety  for  the  purpose  of  chosiog  their 
officers,  held  in  January,  1791  •  On  being  notified  of 
this  appointment,  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to 
Mr.  Patterson,  one  of  the  secretaries  of  the  Society. 

decease^  and  his  age.  But  the  following  epitaph  on  himself  was 
written  by  him,  many  years  before  his  death.  As  it  contains  a 
pretty  allusion,  typically  expressed,  to  his  belief  in  the  Immorta- 
lity of  the  Soul)  it  may  not  be  deemed  superfluous  to  add,  on  the 
present  occasion,  the  testimony  of  this  philosopher  in  concur- 
rence with  Rittenhouse's,  on  that  subject.  If  the  doctrine  had 
needed  any  further  verification  than  before  established  it,  the 
suflHrages  of  two  such  men  as  Franklin  and  Rittenhousb 
could  scarcely  fail  to  remove  the  doubts  of  the  most  sceptical. 
This  epitaph  is  copied  from  Stuber's  Continuation  of  the  Life  of 
Franklin. 

The  Bodt 

of 

Benjamin  Franklin,  Printer^ 

(Like  the  Cover  of  an  old  Book, 

It's  Contents  torn  out, 

And  stript  of  its  Lettering  and  Gilding,) 

Lies  here,  food  for  worms ; 

Yet'  the  Work  ifelf  thall  not  be  lo9tf 

For  it  will  (as  he  believed)  appear  once  more, 

In  a  new 

And  more  beautiful  Edition, 

Corrected  and  amended 

by 

The  Author. 

X  X 


MA  KElf  0IR8  OF 

^^  Fhiladelphia,  Jan.  S8  170i» 
"Sir, 

^^I  am  extremelj  sensible  of  the  honour  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Philosophical  Society  have  done  me^  by 
ekcting  me  their  President^  in  the  room  of  that  very 
worthy  patron  of  the  Society^  the  late  Doctor  Frank- 
lin. 

^^They  have^  by  this  act  of  theirs^  laid  an  additional 
obligation  on  me  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  instita* 
tioh^  by  the  best  means  in  my  power^  to  which  I  shall 
ever  be  attentive ;  though  my  ill  state  of  health  wiU 
frequently  deny  me  the  pleasure  of  attending  the  stat- 
ed meetings. 

^'I  send  you^  herewith^  two  letters  which  you  will 
please  to  communicate  to  the  society. — I  am^  Sir^  your 
very  humble  servant. 

"David  Rittenhouse," 


"  In  this  elevated  situation^  the  highest  that  Philo- 
sophy can  confer  in  our  country  /''  says  his  learned 
and  eloquent  Eulogist/^^  "his  conduct  was  marked  by 
its  usual  line  of  propriety  and  dignity.'^ — "  Never,^^ 
continues  his  Eulogist,  "  did  the  artificial  pomp  of  sta- 
tion command  half  the  respect,  wluch  followed  his 

(99)  Benjamin  Rush>  M.  D. 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUS£.  d4ff. 

ttnassuming  manners  in  the.  public  duties  of  this  office. 
¥oa  will/^  says  he^  ^^  often  recollect^  Gentlemen^  with 
a  mixture  of  pleasure  and  pain^  the  delightful  even* 
ings  you  passed  in  the  Society^  every  time  he  presided 
in  yoar  meetings.  They  were  uniformly  charactwiz-^ 
ed  by  ardour  in  the  pursuits  of  science^  urbanity^  and 
brotherly  kindness/^ 

About  the  time  of  Dr.  Bittenhouse^s  elevation  to  the 
Presidency  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  and  indeed 
pretty  generally  afterwards^  the  delicate  state  of  hin 
liealth  confined  him  much  to  his  house  and  his  obser* 
vatory.  On  a  dry  day^  he  would^  occasionally^  walk 
a  little  abroad ;  in  the  proper  seasons^  he  would  now 
and  then  recreate  himself  in  a  pretty  little  flower-gar^ 
den  adjoining  his  house^  which  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  took 
pleasure  in  decorating.  His  evenings  were  uniformly 
passed  at  home ;  except  at  the  times  of  the  stated 
meetings  of  the  Philosophical  Society^  when  he  usual- 
ly attended^  if  the  weather  permitted. 

Besides  a  few  of  his  most  intimate  friends^  who 
were  in  the  habit  of  visiting  him  pretty  often  towards 
the  close  of  the  day^^^^  many  strangers  of  distinction^ 

(100)  Of  those  gentlemen  who  were  among  Dr.  Rittenhouse's 
more  particular  acquaintances,  and  with  whom  he  maintained 
the  closest  friendshipi  few,  if  any,  visited  him  more  frequently 
than  the  late  Frauds  Hopkinson,  Esq. 

Mr.  Hopkinson  was  a  man  of  genius,  taste  and  learning.  He 
possessed  an  exuberance  of  refined  and  genuine  wit,  rarely  to  be 


348  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  persons  who  had  no  particular  claims  upon  fain* 
on  the  score  of  friendship,  made  him  occasional  visits 
at  other  times  :  but  in  such  portions  of  his  time  as  lie 
could  retrench  from  these  avocations^  he  was  much 
employed  in  reading;  and  the  books. he  read  comprCM 
heuded  works  of  literature,  taste,  and  science.     He 
blended  the  utile  cum  dulcij  in  the  choice  of  his  sub- 
met  with;  and  his  veil)  for  8atii*e,  which  was  always  applied  to 
useful  ends,  was  almost  unrivalled.     His  knowledge  of  musif 
was  correct  and  extensive,  both  in  the  theory  and  practice  of  that 
art ;  and  he  had  also  a  critical  acquaintance  with  painthig,  as 
well  as  a  good  judgment,  in  relation  to  the  fine  arts  in  genettL 
'  These  qualifications  and  attainments,  united  with  a  vivadiDUS 
temper,  a  knowledge  of  mankind,  and  a  love  of  virtue,  rendered 
him  a  pleasing  companion :  but  the  more  solid  acquirements'  in 
literature  and  science,  of  which,  also,  he  possessed  a  very  conav 
derable  share,  made  his  society  not  less  interesting  than  agreea- 
ble.    No  one  set  an  higher  value  on  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  talents 
and  virtues,  than  this  gentleman;  their  esteem  was  mutual;  and 
a  constant  and  intimate  friendship  long  subsisted  between  them. 
Mr.  Hopkinson  held    an  appou)tment  in  the  Loan-office  of 
Pennsylvania,  for  some  years.     He  afterwards  succeeded  George 
Ross,  Esq.  in  the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Admiralty,  for  that  state. 
In  this  station  he  continued  until  the  year  1790;  when  President 
Washington,  by  whom  he  had  the  honour  to  be  much  esteemed^ 
conferred  on  him  the  place  of  Judge  of  the  District  Court  of  the 
United  States,  for  Pennsylvania  :  which  important  office  he  held 
during  the  remainder  of  his  life.    A  collection  of  Judge  Hopkio- 
son's  writings,  on  various  subjects,  was  made  after  his  deathi 
and  published  in  the  year  1792,  in  three  octavo  volumes;  con- 
stituting a  curious  and  entertaining  miscellaneous  work.     He 
died  on  the  8th  of  May,  1791,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  age, 
and  somewhat  more  than  five  years  before  his  venerated  friend, 
Rittenhouse. 

Mr.  Hopkinson  was  one  of  the  executors  of  Dr.  Franklin's 
Will  \  but  he  sui^vived  the  Doctor  little  more  than  a  year. 


DATID  BITTENUOUSE.  040 

jects ;  and  while  he  devoted  some  of  what  might  be 
eilled  his  leisure  hours^  such  as  were  abstracted  from 
bbrmore  appropriate  pursuits,  to  works  of  amusement^ 
he  did  not  neglect  studies  of  a  more  serious  and  im- 
poftant  nature.  He  was  at  no  loss  for  books :  inde- 
pendently of  his  own  collection,  he  had  ready  access 
to  two  valuable  and  extensive  public  libraries^^^^^; 
those  of  several  literary  gentlemen  were  open  to  him ; 
and  some  of  his  friends  occasionally  supplied  him  with 
new  publications.  The  following  note  addressed  to 
him  by  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year 
17919  will  shew  that  Dr.  Bittenhouse  then  devoted 
some  attention  to  chemistry,  and  that  he  continued  to 
read  wmks  of  natural  science,  in  French,  as  well  as 
in  Ins  own  language. 

^^  Th.  Jefferson  sends  to  Mr.  Rittenhouse  Bishop 
Watson's  essay  on  the  subjects  of  chemistry,  which 
is  too  philosophical  not  to  merit  a  half  an  hour  of  his 
time,  which  is  all  it  will  occupy.  He  returns  him 
BIr.  Barton's  papers^^^%  which  he  has  perused  with 
great  pleasure ;  and  he  is  glad  to  find  the  subject  has 

(101)  Belonging  to  the  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia,  and 
to  the  American  Philosophical  Society. 

(103)  The  papers,  referred  to  by  Mr.  JefTerson,  were  "Obsct- 
vaticms  on  the  probabilities  of  the  Duration  of  Human  Life,  and 
the  progress  of  Population,  in  the  United  States  of  America;'* 
addressed,  in  the  form  of  a  Letter,  to  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  Presid.  of 
the  Am.  Philos.  Society,  and  afterwards  published  in  the  third 
volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions, 


800  MEMOIRS  OP 

been  taken  up  by  so  good  a  hand :  he  has  eerteioly 
done  all  which  the  scantiness  of  his  materials  wimld 
admit.  If  Mr.  Rittenhouse  has  done  with  the  last 
nomber  of  the  Journal  de  Physique^  sent  him  by  Th. 
J.  he  will  be  glad  to  receire  it^  in  order  to  forward  il 
on  to  Mr.  Randolph :  if  not  done  with^  there  is  no 
hurry. 

*^  Monday  morning.'^ 


The  relation  in  which  Dr.  Rittenhouse  now  stood 
to  the  American  Philosophical  Society^  of  whicK  be 
bad  attained  to  the  honour  of  being  the  Presidealy 
renders  it  proper  that  some  account  should  be  givcfli^  in 
this  place^  of  an  iustitutioo  heretofore  distinguished  by 
its  Transactions.  The  following  are  the  leading  fea- 
tures in  its  history. 

This  Society  was  instituted  on  the  Sd  day  of  Janu- 
ary^ 1769^  by  an  union  of  t^o  literary  societiea  that 
bad  subsisted  some  time  previously^  in  Philadelphia. 
In  the  same  year  this  united  body  petitioned  the  gene- 
ral assembly  of  the  province  to  grant  them  the  privi- 
lege of  erecting  a  buildings  suitable  for  their  accom- 
modation^  on  some  part  of  the  State-House  square. 
But  the  Library  Company  of  Philadelphia^  also  a  very 
useful  and  respectable  institution  and  a  much  older 
corporation^  having  about  the  same  time  made  a  simi- 
lar application  to  the  legislature^  in  their  own  behalf; 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUS£.  9Uf 

tlie  prayer  4>f  neither  was  then  granted.  The  latter 
kave^  long  since^  erected  for  their  accommodation  a 
hatgdf  commodious  and  elegant  structure^*^^^  on  a  lot 
of  ground  purchased  by  them  for  the  purpose,  in  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  public  square  originally  con- 
templated for  its  site. 

A  second  petition  was  presented  to  the  general  as- 
sembly by  the  Philosop  hical  Society^  for  the  same 
purpose,  soon  afterwards;  though  without  success. 
But,  finally,  in  pursuance  of  another  applieation  to 
flie  state  legislature  by  the  Society,  for  the  same  ob- 
jecty  A  law  was  enacted  on  the  88th  of  March,  1785 ; 
by  which  a  lot  of  ground  (being  part  of  the  State- 
House  Square)  was  granted  to  them,  for  the  purpose 
•f  erecting  thereon  a  Hall^  Library,  &c  ^^  for  their 
proper  accommodation.^' 

The  ground  appropriated  by  the  legislature,  for 
this  purpose,  contains  seventy  feet  in  front  on  (Dela- 
ware)  Fifth-Street,  (and  nearly  opposite  the  Hall  of 
the  Philadelphia  Library-Company,)  and  fifty  feet  ia 
depth;  on  which  the  Society  erected,  between  the 
yemn  1787  and  1791^  a  neat,  convenient^  and  spa* 
eioos  edifice :  it  was  completed  under  the  direction 
and  superintendence  of  Samuel  Yaughan,  Esq.  for- 

(103)  In  a  niche,  over  the  entrance  into  the  edificei  is  placed 
a  Statue,  in  white  marble,  of  Dr.  Franklin;  presented  to  the 
Library  Company  by  the  late  William  Bingham,  Esq.  of  Phila- 
delphia. 


89S  M£M0IR9  OF 

meAj  a  vice-presideiit  of  tbe  Society ;  and  by  means 
of  this  gentleman's  disinterested  exertions^  princi* 
pally^  somewhat  more  than  S3500  were  obtained  from 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  contributors^  towards  de- 
fraying  the  expense  of  the  building.  Dr.  Franklin 
gave  at  sundry  times,  towards  this  object^  nearly  8540 

in  the  whole  amount.^^^ 

» 

The  act  of  assembly  of  1785  having,  however,  re- 
stricted the  corporation  of  this  Society,  not  only  from 
selling  or  transferring,  but  from  leasing,  any  part  of 
the  ground  thus  granted  to  them,  or  of  tbe  erections  to 
be  made  on  it,  a  supplement  to  that  act  was  obtained, 
on  the  17th  of  March,  in  the  following  year;  autho- 
rizing the  Society  to  let  out  any  part  of  their  Build- 
ing, for  such  purposes  as  should  have  an  affinity  to 
the  design  of  their  institution ;  but  restricting  the  pro- 
fits  arising  from  any  such  lease  to  the  uses  for  which 
the  Society  was  originally  instituted.  The  cellars 
and  some  of  the  apartments  in  the  house,  have  been 
leased  accordingly ;  and  the  profits  arising  from  these 
leases  constitute  a  considerable  part  of  the  Society's 
funds,  which  are  of  very  moderate  extent.  The  resi- 
dent members  pay  to  the  Treasurer  a  small  annual 
assessment,  fixed  by  a  by-law  of  the  Society :  these 
payments,  in  addition  to  occasional  donations  in  mo- 

•  (104)  The  Doctor  also  made,  at  different  tim^s,  valuable  do> 
nations  to  the  Society,  in  Books  and  some  other  articles. 


DAVID  RITTENHOU8E.  SSS 

mbjj  made  by  members  and  others/^  form  the  residue 
of  the  funds  of  the  Society ;  besides  which^  they  re- 
ceive from  time  to  tinle  valuable  presents,  in  books, 
astronomical  and  other  instruments,  &c.  Their  li- 
brary,  philosophical  apparatus,  and  collections  of  va* 
lious  kinds,  are  now  respectable* 

The  objects  of  this  institution  are  readily  compre- 
hended, from  its  name ;  the  style  of  the  corporation 
being — "The  American  Philosophical  Society  held 
at  Philadelphia,  for  promoting  Useful  Knowledge  :'^ 
And  with  this  view,  in  its  formation,  the  fundamental 
laws  (passed  on  the  3d  day  of  February,  1769,)  di- 
rect,  that  "The  members  of  the  Society  shall  be 
classed  into  one  or  more  of  the  following  commit- 
tees : 

1.  Geography,  Mathematics,  Natural  Philosophy 
and  Astronomy. 
%  Medicine  and  Anatomy. 
8.  Natural  History  and  Chemistry. 
4.  Trade  and  Commerce. 
0.  Mechanics  and  Architecture. 
6.  Husbandry  and  American  Improvements.^^ 


ke  same  original  laws  and  regulations  of  the  So- 
ciety indicate  tiie  style  of  the  several  officers  of  the  in- 

(105)  It  is  due  to  the  liberality  of  the  general  assembly  of 
1782-3,  to  notice  in  this  place,  that  on  the  1 6th  of  February,  1783, 
that  legislative  body  of  Pennsylvania  made  a  grant  to  the  Ameri- 
can Philosophical  Society,  of  four  hundred  dollars. 


SM  MBMOIRB  OF 

slitatioB^  tnd  preseribe  the  duties  of  their  respective 
stations :  they  likewise  direcl  the  manner  in  whieh 
the  general  economy  of  the  Society  shall  be  managed, 
and  their  proceedings,  in  the  more  appropriate  busi- 
neas  of  their  institution,  arranged  and  conducted* 
^^  These  Rules/'  say  the  Society  (in  an  Advertiaa- 
ment  prefixed  to  the  first  volume  of  their  Transac- 
tions,) ^^were  adopted  from  the  Rules  of  that  illus- 
trious Body,  the  Royal  Society,  of  London;  whose 
example  the  American  Philosophical  Society  think  it 
their  honour  to  follow,  in  their  endeavours  for  en- 
enlarging  the  sphere  of  knowledge  and  useful  arts.'' 


The  Oflcers  of  the  Philosophical  Society 
patron,  who  is  the  governor  of  the  state  for  the  time 
being — a  president — three  vice-presidents — a  trea- 
surers-four secretaries,  and  three  curators, — together 
with  twelve  counsellors ;  which  last  board  of  officers 
was  created  by  an  act  of  the  legislature,  in  the  year 
1780,  and  the  same  law  designates  the  duties  of  their 
appointment 

The  number  of  members  of  this  Society  is  not  limit- 
ed :  it  consisted  of  three  hundred,  forty  years  ago ; 
and,  probably,  now  amonnts  to  about  four  hundred  and 
fifty.  Of  this  number,  however,  a  large  proportion  is 
made  up  of  foreigners ;  many  of  whom  are  eminent 
personages,  and  men  of  the  most  distinguished  abili- 
ties in  various  departments  of  science,  in  different 
parts  of  the  world. 


DAVID  RITTENH0U9E.  800 

The  Proceedings^  hitherto^  of  this  very  respectable 
MMoeiation  of  literary  and  scientiftc  characters^  have 
been  pablished  in  six^^^  qnarto  volnmes^  denominated 
tte  ^^  Transactions''  of  the  Society  :  Besides  which, 
teveral  learned  and  ingenioas  Orations — including 
two  or  three  of  much  eloquence,  under  the  title  of  Eu- 
logiums — have  been  delivered  before  the  Society  and 
by  their  appointment,  by  members  of  their  body. 

These  outlines  will  serve  to  furnish  the  reader  with 
some  ideas  of  the  nature,  condition,  and  character  of 
an  institution,  which  has,  in  many  respects,  reflected 
honour  on  the  country  to  which  it  belongs.  Its  use- 
ftilness,^^  it  is  earnestly  to  be  wished,  will  not  be  suf- 

(106)  Part  the  1st  of  the  6th  Tolume  was  published  in  the  jear 
1S04,  aod  a  continuation  of  that  volumey  in  1809. 

(107)  At  the  death  of  Hevelius,  as  Lalande  remarks,  Europe 
abounded  with  men  of  science^  whose  various  nations  disputed 
the  glory  of  important  discoveries,  and  of  perfecting  those  which 
had  been  already  made.  The  Academy  of  Sciences  at  Paris 
and  the  Royal  Society  of  London  produced,  above  all,  as  the  same 
learned  writer  further  observes,  that  revolution  (as  he  is  pleased 
to  term  it,)  by  the  great  number  of  illustrious  men  and  celebrated 
astronomers,  which  they  gave  to  Europe.  The  Royal  Society 
was  instituted  in  the  year  1660;  and  it  is  deserving  of  noUce, 
that  this  was  the  period  at  which  the  English  nation  vras  on  the 
eve  of  a  restoration  of  their  legitimate  and  orderly  government, 
after  the  boisterous  and  unhappy  times  of  Cromwell  and  his 
pretended  Commonwealth :  The  Academy  of  Sciences  was  esta- 
blished in  1 666 ;  not  long  after  France  had  likewise  been  dis- 
tracted by  domestic  factions ;  but,  when  the  great  Colbert  had 
restored  the  finances  of  the  state,  and  not  only  invigorated 
but  improved  every  department  of  that  powerful  monarchy.   La* 


356  MEMOIRS  OF 

ftwd  to  diminish,  by  any  declension  of  that  nobia  ar* 
donr  in  cultivating,  that  public  spirit  in  pramotiiif;^ 
learning  and  science,  which,  while  they  adorn  the 
names  of  indiyiduals^  contribute  to  the  glory  of  a  na- 
tion. Let  a  hope  be  still  cherished,  that  notwithatand-* 
ing  the  tumult,  the  folly,  and  the  distractions,  whicli 
at  the  present  day  pervade  a  large  portion  of  the  ei^ 
lized  world,  the  period  is  not  remote,  when  tranquillity^ 
good  sense  and  order,  shall  resume  their  blest  domi- 
nion over  the  conduct  of  the  too  many  now  infatuated 
nations  of  the  earth.— Let  a  belief  be  yet  encouraged^ 
that  under  the  guidance  of  a  benign  Providence,  not 
only  the  rising  generation  will  be  found  zealous  ta 
emulate  the  fair  fame  of  a  Fuankltn  and  a  Rittek* 
house;  but  even,  that  good  and  rational  men  in  our 
own  time,  and  among  ourselves,  will  continue  to  cul- 
tivate the  arts  of  peace,  and  to  promote  those  objects 
of  literature  and  science,  which,  at  the  same  time 
they  meliorate  the  heart  and  elevate  the  mind^  con- 
tribute to  the  happiness  of  the  individual  and  the  gene- 
ral welfare  of  mankind. 

Dr.  Uittenhouse's  attachment  to  the  interests  of 
the  institution  of  which  he  had  been  thus  recently 
elected  President,  was  amply  manifested  soon  after. 
In  the  month  of  November,  of  tlie  same  year,  he  pre- 
sented to  the  Society,  the  sum  of  308/.  (equivalent  to 

lande  designates  this  period,  as  an  era  distinguished  for  the  re- 
newal of  astronomy,  by  the  establishment  of  Academies.  Such 
are  the  proofs  of  the  usefulness  of  institutbns  of  this  nature. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  Sfl7 

8014  dollars^  for  tbe  purpose  of  discharging  a  debt 
doe  by  their  corporation  to  the  estate  of  the  late  Fran- 
cis HopkinsoD^  Esq.  the  treasurer,  then  deceased. 
This  liberal  donation  was  thankfully  received ;  and 
the  acknowledgments  of  their  grateful  sense  of  it  were 
Bade  to  the  donor,  by  the  following  address, — ex- 
l^ssive  as  well  of  their  feelings  on  the  occasion,  as  of 
tiie  high  opinion  they  entertained  of  his  merits  and 
eharacter. 

^  To  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq,  LL,D.  President 
-of  the  American  Philosophical  Society,  held  at  Phila- 
delphia, for  promoting  Useful  Knowledge. 

«  Sir, 

^^  The  American  Philosophical  Society  embrace 
the  present  occasion  of  a  meeting  for  stated  annual 
bnsiness,  to  ackuowledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter, 
dated  Nov.  15th,  addressed  to  their  ti'easurer;  in 
which  you  are  pleased  to  inform  him,  that  you  have 
pud  the  308^  due  to  the  late  Judge  Hopkinson,  and 
will  lay  the  bond  and  mortgage  before  the  Society ; 
•xpressing  your  hopes,  that  this  benefaction,  on  your 
part,  may  ^^  encourage  the  Society  to  exert  themselves 
to  get  rid  of  some  other  heavy  debts  and  incum- 
brances.^' 

*^  This  renewed  instance  of  your  liberality  joined  to 
ihe  consideration  of  the  illustrious  part  which  you 
liaVQ  taken  in  their  labours,  for  many  years  past,  has 


86B  MEMOIRS   OF 

■Mide  fiuch  an  impression  upon  them^  that  they  are  at  a 
loss  in  what  manner  they  can  best  express  their  giati- 
inde^  or  their  respect  and  veneration  for  your  name* 


^^  At  any  time^  and  in  any  country^  such  a  ^^ 
liant  present'^  would  indicate  a  mind  that  can  feel  the 
inseparable  connection  between  Learning  and  Hamaa 
Felicity :  But  in  the  present  state  of  our  finances^  it  is 
a  most  important  benefaction  ;  and  a  noble  specimen 
of  literary  Patronage  in  a  young  empire^  where  many 
other  improvements  must  share  with  the  Arts  and  Bci- 
ences^  in  the  public  attention  and  bounty. 

^^  We  are  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  extinguishing 
the  other  heavy  debts  of  the  Society^  with  all  possible 
speed,  and  have  appointed  a  proper  committee  for  that 
purpose. 

^^  Signed  in  behalf,  and  by  order,  of  the  Society,  at 
a  meeting  held  the  16th  day  of  December,  1791. 

^^  John  Ewiko,  William  Smith,  Th.  Jeffbrsoi^ 
Vice  PresidenU. 

^^  James  Hutchixson,  Jonathan  Williams^  Sa- 
MUEL  Magaw,  Secretaries.^^ 

To  which  address,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  returned  this 
answer. 

'*  Ghentlemen, 

^^  The  satisfaction  I  feel,  in  contributing  something 
towards  promoting  Science,  the  interests  whereof  aft, 


DAVID  RITTBKHOUSE.  309 

I  am  persaadeily  inseparable  from  those  of  humanity^ 
to  greatly  increased  by  your  very  polite  approbation. 

^^  My  sincerest  wishes  are^  that  you  may  ever  merit 
pablic  encouragement^  and  enjoy  the  patronage  of  the 
generous  and  the  good.'^ 

la  (be  spring  succeeding  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  election 
to  the  Presidency  of  the  Philosophical  Society^  his 
vaae  was  included^  jointly  with  those  of  Thomas 
Willing^  Esq.  and  the  late  Samuel  Howell^  Esq.  in  a 
oommission  to  receive  subscriptions^  in  Pennsylvania^ 
to  the  Bank  of  the  United  States.  This  appointment 
waa  made  by  President  Washington^  on  the  S6th  of 
March,  1791. 

8oon  after,  he  was  commissioned  by  Grovernor  Mif- 
ttn  to  be  one  of  three  joint  ^^  Agents  of  Information,^' 
relating  to  the  business  of  opening  and  improving  cer- 
tain roads,  rivers  and  navigable  waters,  in  Penusyl- 
IPMiik.  His  colleagues  in  this  commission  were  the 
Bev.  Dr.  William  Smith  and  William  Findley,  Esq. 
mmA  this  board  of  commissioners,  whose  appointment 
bears  date  the  10th  of  May,  1791,  Mas  erected  in  pur- 
suance of  an  act  of  assembly,  passed  the  13th  of 
April,  preceding.  These  gentlemen,  it  appears,  pro- 
ceeded on  that  service ;  for,  about  two  months  after 
their  appointment,  monies  were  advanced  to  them,  to- 
wards defraying  the  expences  to  be  incurred  in  exe- 
enting  the  duties  of  their  commissipn. 


360  MEMOIRS  OP 

These  duties^  it  is  belie ved,  were  ia  some  way  con- 
nected with  an  investigation  of  the  most  practicable 
route  for  a  turnpike-road  between  Philadelphia  and 
Lancaster.  A  company^  M'hich  liad  been  formed 
some  time  before^  for  the  purpose  of  constmctiog  sach 
a  road,  were  incorporated  by  the  governor  of  the  state^ 
.by  virtue  of  a  law  passed  the  9th  of  April,  1798.  Dr. 
Rittenliouse  was  a  member  of  that  company,  and  he 
actually  superintended  the  surveyors,  who  were  em- 
ployed in  tracing  one  of  the  then  contemplated  rontes : 
Dr.  Ending  was  likewise  engaged  in  the  same  service. 
Neitfier  of  those  gentlemen  lield  any  appointment  for 
rach  purposes,  from  the  managers  of  the  turnpike- 
company,  nor  received  any  compensation  from  theM^ 
for  their  services  :  it  is  therefore  presumed,  that  Dr. 
Rittf\nho;isc  officiated  under  the  commission  last  men- 
tioned ;  and  perhaps  Dr.  Ewing  acted,  also,  under  a 
similar  commission.^*®'^    The  former,  however,  wii 

(108)  Since  the  above  was  written,  more  satisfactorf  inlbrma'' 
lion  has  b  en  obtained  on  the  subject.  The  agency  of  imforma- 
tion,  to  which  Dr.  Rittenhousc  was  appointed  (together  with  tlilc 
Rev.  Dr.  Smith  and  Mr.  Findley,)  in  May,  1791,  was  unconnectc 
cd  with  the  appointment  respecting  the  turnpike  road.  It  ap- 
pears, that  on  the  luth  of  October,  1791,  David  Rittcnhouse^ 
Esq.  the  Rev,  Dr.  John  Ewing,  and  Mr.  John  Nancarrow,  were 
appointed  by  Governor  Mifflin,  Commissioners  to  view  and  mark 
out  a  road,  from  the  middle  ferry  on  Schuylkill  to  the  borougb 
of  Lancaster,  by  courses  and  distances,  as  near  to  a  strsdght  line 
as  the  nature  of  the  ground  and  other  circumstances  would  ad- 
nit;  and  also  to  view  and  lay  out,  in  a  general  plan,  the  great 
road  at  that  time  leading  from  the  city  of  Philadelphia  to  tto 
i>ame  borough,  (and  now  called  the  old  road  :)  with  topographical 
observations  thereon,  having  reference  to  the  practicability  and 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  86.1 

himself  one  of  the  board  of  managers ;  in  which  capa«> 
eity  be  acted  as  a  member  of  several  committees^  par- 
ticularly in  1792 :  bnt  at  the  end  of  that  year,  he  de- 
clined to  continue  any  longer  a  manager /^^^ 

It  has  been  before  noticed,  that,  on  the  elevatiou 
of  the  College  of  Philadelphia  to  the  grade  of  an 
University,  by  an  act  of  assembly  passed  in  Novem- 
ber, 1779^  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  one  of  the  trust**  3s  of 
the  new  institution,  created  by  that  law.  On  the 
80th  of  September,  1791,  almost  twelve  years  after- 
wards, a  compromise  was  effected  between  the  re- 
spective advocates  of  the  old  and  the  new  institution ; 
a  law  of  the  state  being  then  passed,  ^^  to  unite  the 
University  of  the  slate  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  Gol- 

comparative  circumstances  necessary  to  making  turnpikes  on 
the  then  existing  and  proposed  roads ;  in  which,  expense  and 
materials  were  to  be  attended  to ;  together  with  the  plans  of  the 
surveys,  in  profile,  of  the  said  road  or  roads :  agreeably  to  a 
resolution  of  the  general  assembly,  passed  on  the  30th  of  Sep- 
tember, in  the  same  year.  Under  commissions  thus  desig^nating 
their  duties,  these  gentlemen,  assisted  by  surveyors  and  the  ne- 
cessary attendants,  proceeded  on  this  service,  and  established 
tSiat  great  and  important  public  highway,  known  by  the  name  of 
the  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  Turnpike  Road :  their  compen- 
sation for  this  service,  was  consequently  drawn  from  the  trea- 
fiiry  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  author  was  favoured  with  this  information  by  John  Hall, 
Kq.  who  acted  as  one  of  the  surveyors  on  the  occasion. 

(109)  These  particulars,  respecting  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  connec- 
tion with  the  Philadelphia  and  Lancaster  Turnpike-Company, 
were  obligingly  furnished  to  the  Memorialist  by  Mr.  William 
Govett,  secretary  to  the  board  of  managers  of  that  company. 

7.   Z 


36S  MEHOIBS  OF 

le^^  Academy  and  Charitable  School  of  Plulftdel- 
phia^  ftc'^  By  this  act,  the  then  existing  trnsteea  of 
each  institution  were  to  elect  twelve  trustees ;  and  the 
twenty.four  persons  who  should  be  thus  chosen^  to* 
gether  with  the  governor  of  the  state  for  the  time 
being,  as  president  of  the  board,  were  to  be  the  trus- 
tees of  this  united  seminary,  under  the  denomination 
of  ^^  The  Trustees  of  the  University  of  Pennsylva- 


nia.^' 


On  this  occasion,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  again  chosen 
a  member  of  the  corporation,  on  the  part  of  the  Uni- 
versity, the  election  having  been  made  the  3d  of  No- 
vember, 1791 ;  at  which  time,  Bishop  White  was 
president  of  the  board  of  the  College  trustees,  and 
Dr.  M^Kean,  late  governor  of  Pennsylvania,  of  that 
ef  the  University.  By  an  act  of  assembly,  pass- 
ed the  6th  of  March,  17S9,  so  much  q(  the  act  erect- 
ing the  University,  as  affected  the  charters,  franchiset 
and  estates  of  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  had  been 
repealed,  and  the  powers  of  the  former  trustees  re- 
vived :  but  by  the  act  of  1791,  all  the  estates  of  the 
two  institutions  were  vested  in  this  one,  composed  of 
both. 

The  union  of  the  separate  interests  of  those  semi- 
naries, it  may  be  reasonably  expected,  will  eventually 
prove  a  fortunate  circumstance :  because,  by  its  ex- 
tinguishing the  jealousies  and  rivalship^^®^  that  here- 

(no)  By  the  legislative  act  of  the  27th  of  November,  irr9, 
the  charter  g^ranted  to  the  Academy  and  Charitable  School  of 


DAVID  RITTS^UOUSE.  868 

tofore  sabsisted  between  the  friends  of  each^  wbich 
musty  tooy  have  continued  to  operate,  had  they  re* 
mined  separate ;  and,  by  consolidating  their  estates 
and  pecuniary  resources  into  one  fund,  greatly  en- 
creasing  the  sphere  of  their  usefulness,  beyond  the 
ratio  in  which  they  could  have  been  enjoyed  sepa* 
rately ;  the  important  interests  of  literature  might  be 
expected  to  be  proportionably  advanced.  A  doubt 
can  not  be  entertained,  that  this  was  an  object  very 
desirable  by  the  benevolent  Rittenhouse,  as  well  as 
by  the  trustees,  generally,  of  these  conjoint  institu- 
tions.<»"> 

Philadelphia^  by  the  Proprietaries,  on  the  30th  of  July,  1753,  to* 
gether  with  the  one  granted  to  the  College  on  the  1 4th  of  May, 
1755,  were  declared  void,  and  David  Rittenhouse,  Esq.  was  one 
of  the  twenty-five  trustees  of  the  University,  then  appointed. 
Twelve  of  these  twenty  five  newly-appointed  trustees,  were  such 
tx  officio.  Dr.  Franklin,  who  was  one  of  them,  never  qualified 
under  this  act ;  and  some  of  the  others  afterwards  withdrew. 

By  the  law  of  the  30th  of  September,  1791,  the  old  College 
and  the  new  University  were  incorporated :  twelve  trustees  were 
to  be  appointed  by  each  of  these  institutions,  and  reported  to  the 
governor  before  the  1st  of  December  succeeding,  which  was 
accordingly  done ;  and  thus  the  union  of  the  two  institutions  was 
happily  completed. 

(Ill)  Between  the  years  1763  and  1774,  there  were  collected 
for  the  use  of  the  College,  chiefly  by  the  agency  and  zealous  ex- 
ertions of  the  Provost,  between  fifty  and  sixty  thousand  dollars ; 
the  much  greater  part  of  which  amount  was  obtained  from  con- 
tributors in  Great-Britidn  and  Ireland. 

It  is  not  precisely  known  to  the  writer,  what  is  the  present 
condition  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  with  which  the  ori- 
ginal College  of  Philadelphia  and  its  appendages  are  incorpo- 
cited  ;  but  it  is  believed  to  be  prosperous:  its  medical  depart- 
ment is,  certainly,  in  a  most  flourishing  state. 


8M  ^    «.  MEMOIKS  OF 

It  has  been  already  noticed,  that  the  first  aeadeste 
honour  conferred  on  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  was  obtained 
from  the  College  of  Philadelphia :  he  might  therefort 
consider  it  as  being  his  Mma  Mater  ;  and  his  attach- 
ment to  that  seminary  must  have  been  strengthened^ 
by  the  circumstance  of  one  of  his  (only  two)  Orreries 
liaving  been  acquired  by  it,  and  its  being  deposited  in 
the  college-edifice.     But,  besides  these  considerations^ 

The  persons  who  may  be  considered  as  the  Founders  of  the 
College,  when  the  original  institution  was  incorporated  hf  the 
name  of  ^^  The  Academy  and  Charitable  School  of  Philadelpluaf" 
were  Benjamin  Franklin,  James  Logan,  Thomas  Lawrence,  Wil- 
liam Allen,  John  Ingiis,  Tench  Francis,  William  Masters,  Lloyd 
Ziichary,  Samuel  ?»l<Calli  junior,  Joseph  Turner,  Thomas  Leech^ 
William  Shippen,  Robert  StretteK  Philip  Syng,  Charles  WilUngi 
Phineas  Bond,  Richard  Peters,  Abraham  Taylor,  Thomas  Bandy 
Thomas  Hopkinson,  William  Plumsted,  Joshua  Maddox,  Thomas 
White  and  William  Coleman  The  names  of  these  respectable  me% 
(the  meritorious  promoters  of  that  institution  which  fostered  the 
genius  of  a  Rittenhouse,  and  with  which  his  name  and  talents 
were  associated,)  were  deemed  deserving  of  record,  as  eaiif 
patrons  of  learning  in  Pennsylvania.  Of  this  Coliege,  the  jiinm 
Mater  of  the  memorialist,  he  trusts  it  will  not  be  thought  pre- 
sumptuous to  speak  in  the  language,  and  with  the  gratefal  feel- 
ings, of  one  of  her  Sons,*  in  an  eai  ly  period  of  his  life: 

"  Blest  Institution  !  Nurse  of  Liberty  ! 

My  heart,  my  grateful  heart  shall  burn  for  thee. 

No  common  pride  I  boast,  no  common  joy, 

That  thy  instructions  did  my  youth  employ : 

Tho'  not  the  first,  among  thy  sons,  I  prove  ; 

Yet  well  I  feel,  I'm  not  the  last  in  love. 

O  may'st  thou  still  in  wealth  and  pow'r  encrease. 

And  may  thy  sacred  influence  never  cease  T' 

•  The  late  Francis  Hopkinson,  Esq.  Sec  his  Poem  entitled.  Science  t  m- 
ioribed  to  the  Trustees,  Proyo8t»  Vice-Provost^  and  Professors  of  the  Colleft 
ofPhiladelpbia,  A.  D.  1762. 


DATIB  RITTENHOUSE.  SSfi 

he  officiated^  for  some  time,  as  Yice-provost  and  a  pro- 
fessor in  the  institation,  after  it  became  an  University. 
To  the  first  of  these  stations,  he  was  elected  on  the 
8th  of  February,  178O ;  having  been  unanimously 
appointed  professer  of  astronomy,  the  l6th  of  Decem- 
ber preceding :  a  salary  of  one  hundred  pounds  per 
annum  was  annexed  to  the  vice-provostship,  and  three 
Irandred  pounds  per  annum  to  the  professor's  chair. 
These  places  Dr.  Rittenhouse  resigned,  the  18th  of 
April  1788. 

Thus  attached  to,  and  connected  with,  this  very  re- 
spectable seminary  of  learning,  as  Dr.  Rittenhouse 
was,  the  following  occurrences  in  the  history  of  its 
origin  and  advancement^  will  not  be  deemed  uninter- 
esting, by  the  reader. 

The  Academy  and  Charitable  School,  of  Phila- 
delphia, originated  in  the  year  17^1^9.  This  insti- 
tution, which  was  opened  in  that  year,  was  pro- 
jected by  a  few  private  gentlemen  ;  and  many  others, 
of  the  first  respectability,  gave  their  countenance 
to  it,  as  soon  as  it  became  known :  some  of  them 
were,  on  its  first  establishment,  appointed  trustees  of 
the  infant  seminary. 

The  persons  on  whom  the  charge  of  arranging  and 

digesting  the  preparatory  measures  for  this  important 

undertaking,    were  Thomas  Hopkinson,^^"'    Tench 

• 
(1 13)  A  lawyer  of  eminence. 


866  MEMOins  OF 

Francifl/^^^  Richard  PetftrA  and  Benjamin  Fraiikli% 
Biqnires/"^^  The  last  mentioned  of  these  distingaisfa- 
ed  and  patriotic  gentleman  draughted  and  published 
the  original  proposals ;  and  on  the  opening  of  tiie 
Academy^  another  of  them,  Mr.  Peters^  (afterwards 
D.  D.  and  rector  of  Ghrist's-Church  and  St.  Peter's 
ia  Philadelphia,)  who  long  oflBciated  al^  provincial 
secretary^  preached  an  appropriate  sermon— -on  the 
7th  of  January^  1791 — from  these  words  (St.  Johiiy 
viii.  3S.}  ^^J.nd  ye  shall  know  the  truths  and  the  truth 
shall  make  you  free.^^ — "  This  reverend  and  worthy 
gentleman"  said  Dr.  Smith,  in  his  account  of  this 
institution,  first  published  among  his  works  in  the  year 
I76S  ^^(who,  amid  ail  the  labours  of  his  public  sta- 
tion,  as  well  as  the  private  labours  in  which  his  be- 
nevolence continually  engaged  him,  has  still  made  it 
his  care  to  devote  some  part  of  his  time  to  classical 
learning,  and  the  study  of  divinity,  to  which  he  Was 

(113)  Then  attorney-general  of  Pennsylvania. 

(114)  In  selecting  the  twenty-four  trustees  for  the  proposed 
Academy,  as  well  as  in  the  formation  of  iiis  plan,  Dr.  Franklin 
consulted,  besides  the  three  gentlemen  named  with  him,  in  the 
text,  Dr.  Phineas  Bond,  a  physician  of  eminence  in  Philadelphia 
and  a  worthy  character.  The  trustees,  whose  names  were  in* 
serted  in  the  contributions,  and  which  were  subscribed  on* the 
13th  of  Nov.  1749,  were  among  the  most  respectable  citizens  of 
Philadelphia.  The  plan  of  the  then  projected  Academy  was 
adapted  to  <<  the  state  of  an  infant  country ;"  Dr.  Franklin  having 
considered  it  as  only  <^  a  foundation,  for  posterity  to  erect  (there- 
on) a  seminary  of  learning  more  extensive,  and  suitable  to  future 
circumstances." 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  807 

Hffiginally  bred  J  took  occasion,  from  these  words  of 
oor  blessed  Saviour,  to  shew  the  intimate  connexioii 
between  truth  and  freedom,— ^between  knowledge  of 
every  kind,  and  the  preservation  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty/' 

The  Rev.  William  Smith,  M.  A.  (afterwards  D,  D.) 
was  inducted,  on  the  S9th  of  May,  1794,  as  head  of 
this  seminary,  under  the  title  of  Provost,  with  the  pro- 
fessorship of  natural  philosophj^"'^  annexed  to  that 
slatio 

On  the  i4ih  of  May,  1755,  an  additional  charter  was 
granted  by  the  Proprietaries  to  this  seminary,  by  which 
a  College  was  engrafted  upon  the  original  Academy : 
a  joint  government  was  agreed  on  for  both,  under  the 
style  of  ^^The  College,  Academy  and  Charitable 
School,  of  Philadelphia,  in  Pennsylvania;''  and  this 
enlarged  institution  became  invested  with  a  power  of 
conferring  degrees,  and  appointing  professors  in  the 
various  branches  of  the  arts  and  sciences. 

The  first  commencement,  in  this  College  and  Aca- 
demy, was  held  the  17th  of  May,  1797;^*"^  on  which 

(lis)  He  was,  afterwards,  also  professor  of  astronomy  and 
rhetoric ;  and  he  gave  lectures  in  these  branches,  in  addition  to 
natural  philosophy. 

(116)  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Salutatory  Oration 
defivered  by  Mr.  Paul  Jackson,*  at  the  first  Commencement 

*  Mr.  Jackson  was  professor  of  languages  and  master  of  the  Latin  school* 
in  the  college,  until  the  spring  of  the  year  1758 ;  when  he  accepted  of  a  cap- 
tuncy  in  Uie  provincial  service,  in  tlie  expedition  under  general  Forbes, 
against  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies.  On  the  resignation  of  his  profes- 
ftrshipj  Mr.  Jackson  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Bereridge. 


366  MEMOIRS  .OF 

occftsion^  an  excellent  charge  was  delivered  to  the 
graduates^  by  the  Provost.  One  passage  in  that 
charge  is  so  patriotic  and  impressive^  as  to  merit  atten- 
tion at  all  times^  in  3,  country  that  boasts  of  a  free  con* 
stitution  of  government ;  its  introduction  at  this  timef 
and  on  the  present  occasion^  cannot  be  considered  im- 
proper :  it  is  the  following  animated  and  eloquent 
exhortation  to  active  patriotism^  in  times  ^f  nusrale^ 
popular  delusion^  and  public  danger : — 

"  Should  your  Country  call,  or  should  you  per- 
ceive  the  restless  tools  of  faction  at  work  in  their  dark 
cabals,  and  ^  stealing  upon  the  secure  hour  of  Liber- 
ty ;'  should  you  see  the  corrupters,  or  the  corrupted| 
imposing  upon  the  public  with  specious  names,* 


held  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia;  when  a  Master's  degree 
>yas  conferred  on  that  gentleman,  and  on  him  only. 

After  making  his  salutations  of  respect  to  the  profesaors  ge« 
nerally,  the  orator  thus  addressed  the  Rev.  Mr.  (afterwards  Dr.) 
Smith,  the  Provost : 

"  Prsecipu^,  Te,  collegii  et  academic  hujus  Praefecte  TCnc- 
rande  I  summ&  benevolentia  a  nobis  observari  par  est.  Ta 
gressus  nostros,  dum  subtilioris  sapientise  recessus  curios6  m- 
dagamus,  direxisti.  Tu  nobis,  mansuetioribus  musis  operam 
impcndentibus,  orationis  simplicis  ac  perspicuse  regulas,  ve* 
nusta  ornamenta  ac  veneres  accurate  eleganterque  explicuistL 
Tu,  quid  sit  magnificum  tum  in  verbis,  tum  in  sententiis,  turn 
in  figuris,  edocuisti,  omnesque  subiimitatis  fontes,  ipsius  Lon- 
g^i  majestateni  et  acumen  feliciter  semulatus,  auditoribus  toia 
iflmirantibus  rctexisti.  Qui  vult  fieri  disertus,  scripta  tua,  tan- 
quam  praeceptorum  exempla  luculenta,  saepius  versato ;  ani* 
mum  intendat  ad  argumenta  muitifaria,  quae  tarn  vari6>  tun 
numeros^,  tam  abundanter,  tarn  illumhiat6,  tum  rebus  tum 
verbis  tractasti." 


DAVID   RITTBNHOU3E.  860 

dermiuiiig  the  civil  and  religioas  principles  of  their 
Qountry^  and  gradually  paving  the  waj  to  certain  Sla- 
very^ by  spreading  destructive  notions  of  Government ; 
— ^hen^  Oil !  then^  be  nobly  roused  !     Be  all  eye,  and 
eWTy  and  heart,  and  voice,  and  hand,  in  a  cause  so 
glorious  I     Cry  aloud,  and  spare   not, — fearless  of 
flanger,  regardless  of  opposition,  and  little  solicitous 
alKNit  the  frowns  of  power,  or  the  machinations  of  vil- 
lany.     Let  the  world  know,  that  Liberty  is  jour  un- 
conquerable delight;  and  that  you  are  sworn  foes  to 
every  species  of  bondage,  either  of  body  or  of  mind. 
These  are  subjects  for  which  you  need  not  be  asham- 
ed to  sacrifice  your  ease  and  every  other  private  ad- 
Tantage.     For,  certainly,  if  there  be  aught  upon  earth 
sailed  to  the  native  greatness  of  the  human  mind,  and 
worthy  of  contention, — it  must  be  to  assert  the  cause 
of  Religion,  and  to  support  the  fundamental  rights 
and  liberties  of  mankind,  and  to  strive  for  the  consti- 
iation  of  your  country, — and  a  government  of  laws, 
not  of  Men." 

In  the  year  1769,  the  original  plan  of  this  institn- 
tioit  was  greatly  enlarged,  by  the  addition  of  the  Me- 
dical School  ;^^^^  with  the  appointment  of  Professors/^^*^ 


(117)  Dr.  William  Shippen,  the  younger,  who  first  filled  the 
anatomical  chair  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia,  (afterwards,  the 
University  of  Pennsylrania,)  and  which  he  continued  to  occupy 
for  almost  forty-three  years  with  great  respectability,  may  be 
justly  considered  as  the  founder  of  the  medical  department  of 
that  institution.  The  establishment  of  a  medical  school  in  his 
native  city,  had  long  been  contemplated  by  this  distinguished 

3   A 


370  MEMOIRS  OP 

for  reading  lectures  in  anatomy^  botany^  chemisirj^ 
the  materia  mcdica,  the  theory  and  practice  of  physiek^ 

lecturer,  as  a  most  desirable  object :  but,  in  the  execution  of 
such  a  plan,  serious  difficulties  were  to  be  encountered  at  the 
commencement.  In  the  language  of  his  anonymous  eulogistf* 
"  the  entcrprize,  arduous  in  itself,  was  rendered  abundantly 
more  so,  in  consideration  of  its  novelty :  for,  as  yet,  the  Toice  of 
a  public  lecturer  in  medicine  had  never  been  beard  in  the 
western  world.  In  order,  therefore,  to  test  the  practicability  of 
the  measure,  and  to  pave  the  way  for  a  more  regular  and  ex- 
tensive establishment,  he  determined  to  embark  in  the  under- 
taking himself,  by  delivering,  in  a  private  capacity,  a  course  of 
lectures  on  anatomy  and  surgery :  this  he  did  in  the  winter  of 
1762-3,  being  the  first  winter  after  his  return  from  his  studies 
and  travels  in  Europe.'* 

Dr.  Shippen's  success,  as  a  private  lecturer,  demonstrated 
the  expediency  of  engrafting  a  medical  school  on  the  College; 
and,  in  consequence,  he  was  unanimously  elected  the  professor 
of  anatomy  and  surgery,  on  the  17th  of  September,  1765.  This 
able  teacher  held  that  chair  until  his  death,t  which  occurred  the 
1 1th  of  July,  1808,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age. 

(lis)  William  Shippen,  jun.  M.  D.  just  mentioned,  was 
the  professor  of  anatomy  ;  Adam  Kuhn,  M.  D.  a  distin- 
guished pupil  of  the  celebrated  Linnaeus,  was  professor  of 
botany,  united  with  the  materia  mcdica;  Benjamin  Rush,  M  D. 
a  learned  and  able  professor  of  the  theory  and  practice  of  phy- 
sick,  then  held  the  chemical  chair;  and  Dr.  Thomas  Bond,  an 
ingenious  and  eminent  physician,  gave  clynical  lectures  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Hospital.  In  the  year  1789,  the  trustees  of  the 
College  of  Philadelphia  instituted  a  professorship  of  natural  his- 


♦  Said  to  be  Dr.  Caldwell,  of  Philadelphia.    See  the  Port  Folio. 

f  Casper  Wistcr,  M.  D.  Professor  of  Anatomy  and  Surgery  in  the  Univer- 
sity of  Pemiaylvania,  was,  for  some  years  before  the  death  of  Dr.  Shippen,  his 
adjunct  profesaor  io  the  same  chair;  to  which  station,  this  eminent  teacher 
in  those  branches  of  medicine  was  appointed  by  the  trustees  of  the  umvenutyi 
at  the  request  of  his  late  colleague. 


DAVID  RITTEKUOUSE.  371 

and  also  for  deliveriog  clynical  lectures  in  the  Penn- 
flylvatiia  Hospital.         Since  that  period^  and  after  the 

toiy  and  botany ;  which  was  then  conferred*on  Benjamin  Smith 
Barton,  M.  D.  Dr.  Kuhn  had  formerly  delivered  several  courses 
of  lectures  on  botany,  in  the  College  of  Philadelphia  ;  but  natu* 
ral  history  had  never  before  been  taught  there.  Ou  the  union 
of  the  College  with  the  University,  in  the  year  1791,  Dr.  Bur- 
ton's former  appointment  was  confirmed  by  the  trustees  of  the 
united  institution;  and  in  the  year  1796,  be  was  further  appoint- 
ed by  them  to  the  professorship  of  materia  medica ;  that  chair 
liaving  been  then  vacated  by  the  resignation  of  the  late  professor 
of  that  branch  of  medical  science. 

The  other  chairs,  in  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Univer- 
sity, are  filled  as  follows  ;  viz.  that  of  Anatomy,  by  Casper  Wis- 
tcr*  M.  D. — of  the  Theory  and  Practice  of  Physick,  by  Benjamin 
Rush,  M.  D.* — of  Chemistry,  by  John  Redman  Coxe,  M.  D — 
of  Materia  Medica,  Botany  and  Natural  History,  by  Benjamin 
Smith  Barton,  M.  D. — of  Surgery,  by  Philip  Syng  Physick, 
M.  D.  and  John  S.  Dorsey,  M.  D  — and  of  Midwifery,  by  Tho- 
mas Chalkley  James,  M.  D. 

Among  these  collegiate-chairs  in  medicine,  appertaining  to 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  the  only  one  which  appears  to 
be  deficieflt  in  a  suitable  appendage  to  its  institution— -and  this> 
too,  such  an  appendage  as  may  be  considered  almost  indis]>en- 
sably  necessary  to  it — is  the  Professorship  of  Botany.  To  this 
chair,  a  Botanical  Garden  ought  to  be  appurtenant :  and  accord- 
ingly we  find,  that  this  requisite  for  rendering  a  Botanical  Pro- 
fessorship complete,  in  most  Universities,  is  the  establishment 
of  such  a  Garden,  for  the  use  of  the  Teacher  and  his  Pupils. 

The  im^rtance  that  is  attached  to  institutions  of  this  kind, 
in  foreign  seminaries  of  learning,  will  be  perceived  from  the 
following  sketches  of  those  in  three  of  the  most  celebrated  uni- 
versities of  Europe. 

The  Botanical  Garden  (called  the  «  Physick  Garden")  of  the 
university  of  Oxford,  contains  five  acres  of  ground  It  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  noble  wall,  with  portals  in  the  rustic  style,  at  pro- 
per distances  The  passage  to  the  grand  entrance  is  through  a 
small  court :  tliis  principal  portal  is  of  the   Doric  order,  oma- 

*  SiDce  deceased. 


87S  MEMOIRS  OF 

erection  of  the  whole  of  the  College-establishment  into 
an  University^  the  Medical  department  has  been  still 

mented  with  rusti?  work,  and  adorned  with  a  bust  of  Heniy 
Danvers,  Earl  of  Danby,  the  founder;  besides  statues  of  the 
kings  Charles  I.  and  II. 

The  ground  is  divided  into  four  quarters.  On  each  side  of 
the  entrance,  is  a  neat  and  convenient  green-house,  stocked  with 
a  great  variety  of  exotics.  The  quarters  arc  filled  with  indige- 
nous plants,  properly  classed ;  and  without  the  walls  is  an  ad- 
mirable hot-house,  filled  with  various  plants,  the  production  of 
warm  climates. 

These  fine  and  spacious  gardens  were  instituted  by  Lord 
Danby,  so  early  as  the  year  1632;  and  this  nobleman  baring 
supplied  them  with  the  necessary  plants,  for  the  use  of  the  stu- 
dents of  Botany  in  the  university,  endowed  the  establishment 
with  an  annual  revenue,  for  its  support.  The  Gardens  were  af- 
terwards much  improved  by  Dr.  Sherrard,  who  assigned  a  fund 
of  3000/.  sterling,  for  the  maintenance  of  a  professor  of  Botany. 
Over  the  grand  entrance  into  the  Gardens  is  this  inscription : 
"  Gloria  Dei  Ofitimi^  maxiwi  honori  Caroli  I.  Regisy  in  usum  Aca- 
dcmia  it  Bei/iublica^  Henricua  Cornea  Danby ^  anno  1632." 

The  Botanic  Garden,  at  Cambridge,  consists  of  nearly  five 
acres,  well  watered.  The  ground,  with  a  large  hdlse  for  the 
use  of  the  governors  and  officers  of  the  Garden,  was  purchased 
at  the  expense  of  about  1600/.  sterling,  by  Dr.  Richard  Walker. 

An  handsome  green-house,  one  hundred  feet  in  length,  and 
having  an  hot-house  (or,  what  is  called  a  stove,)  appurtenant  to 
it,  were  erected  by  subscription.  These  are  furnished  with  an 
extensive  variety  of  curious  exotics  :  the  plants  are  all  arranged 
according  to  the  Linncan  system,  and  a  catalogudlbf  them  is 
printed. 

These  Gardens  are  under  the  government  of  the  chancellor 
or  vice-chancellor  of  the  university,  the  heads  of  three  of  the 
colleges,  and  the  regius  professor  of  physick  ;  and  they  are  su- 
perintended by  a  lecturer  or  reader,  and  a  curator. 

There  is,  besides,  a  Professorship  of  Botany,  in  this  univer- 
sity ;  as  there  is  also  at  Oxford. 

The  Botanical  Garden  belonging  to  the  university  of  Edin- 
burgh, is  about  a  mile  from  the  city.     It  consists  of  a  great 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  373 

further  extended^  by  the  creation  of  other  Professor- 
ships in  the  Schools  of  Medicine^  and  filling  these 

variety  of  plants,  exotic  and  indigenous.  Tfle  Professor  is  bo- 
tanist to  the  king,  and  receives  an  annual  salary  of  120/.  sterling, 
for  the  support  of  the  Garden.  A  monument  to  the  memory  of 
Linnaeus  >vas  erected  here,  by  the  late  Dr.  Hope,  who  first 
planted  the  Garden  and  brought  it  to  perfection. 

The  Garden  of  Plants,  at  Paris,  now  termed  the  Museum  of 
Natural  History,  comprises  a  space  of  many  acres.  It  dates  its 
origin  as  far  back  as  the  year  1 640,  during  the  reign  of  Louis 
Xin.  In  1665,  it  bore  the  name  of  Hortua  Regiusj  and  exhibit- 
ed a  catalogue  of  four  thousand  plants.  From  that  period,  it 
Blade  but  slow  progress,  until  Louis  XV.  placed  it  under  the 
direction  of  the  Count  de  Buffon,  the  celebrated  naturalist ;  to 
whose  anxious  care  and  indefatigable  exertions,  it  owes  its  pre- 
sent extent  and  magnificence :  it  is  now  under  tlie  patronage  of 
the  government. 

fiut  this  institution  comprehends,  in  addition  to  the  Botanical 
Garden,  an  extensive  chemical  laboratory,  a  cabinet  of  compara- 
tive anatomy,  a  cabinet  of  preparations  in  anatomy  and  natural 
history,  a  large  library,  a  museum  of  natural  history,  and  a  me- 
nagerie well  stocked.  Besides  the  lectures  delivered  in  the 
Amphithealie,  erected  in  these  Gardens,  the  Professors  of  Bo- 
tmy  give  their  peripatetic  lessons,  in  good  weather,  to  a  nume- 
rous train  of  disciples. 

<*  When  I  have  been  seated  at  noon,  on  a  fine  day,  in  the  month 
of  August,  or  in  the  commencement  of  May,  under  one  of  the 
majestic  ash  of  the  Garden  of  Plants,  with  this  Eiysian  scene 
before  me,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  profound  silence,  and  of  a  so- 
litude inten^tcd  only  by  the  occasional  appearance  of  the  Pro- 
fessor of  Botany  and  his  pupils,  I  have  almost  fancied  myself," 
says  the  writer  of  Letters  on  France  and  England'^ste  Am. 
Rev.  No.  ii.)  "among  the  groves  of  the  Athenian  Academy,  and 
could  imagine  that  I  heard  the  lessons  of  the  ^<  divine"  Plato. 
Here,  as  well  as  in  the  spacious  and  noble  works  and  gardens 
of  Oxford,  which  are  so  admirably  calculated  for  the  exercises 
both  of  the  mind  and  body,  the  fancy  takes  wing,  and  readily 
transports  the  4tfBM|f  antiquity  to  those  venerable  seats  of 
knowledgei  wjjp        ^^|M||^Philosophy  of  the   Greeks  vras 


S74  MEMOIRS  OF 

new  chairs— as  well  as  those  ori^nally  institated**- 
with  men  of  distinguished  learning  and  abilities  :  Bj 

taught,  and  the  masters  of  human    reason  displayed    their  i&* 
comparable  eloquence :" — 


-  "  the  green  retreats 


Of  Academus/  and  the  thymy  vale, 
Where,  oft  enchanted  with  Socratic  sounds^ 
Ilys8us,t  pure,  devolv'd  his  tuneful  stream 
In  gentle  murmur." 

Akenside's  Pleasures  of  Imagination. 

The  importance  of  establishing  a  Botanical  Garden  ut  Philadel- 
phia is  obvious :  it  has,  in  fact,  become  a  necessary  institutioDi 
towards  completing  a  medical  education ;  according  to  the  sys- 
tem of  teaching  medicine,  pursued  in  the  medical  department  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  In  this  respect,  New- York  bai 
taken  the  lead  of  Philadelphia.  Dr.  Ddvid  Hosack,  professor  of 
botany  in  the  Medical  School  of  New-York,  established  a  Botanic 
Garden  of  about  twenty  acres,  called  the  Elgin  Botanic  Gardeiiy 
in  the  vicinity  of  that  city,  in  the  year  1801.  This  Garden  ii 
skirted  around  by  forest-trees  and  shrubs,  within  the  substanUal 
enclosure  oi  a  stone  wall;  and  on  these  grounds  aro»erected  ex- 
tensive, commodious,  and  well  constructed  conservatories  and 
hot-houses,  which  are  furnished  with  a  variety  of  plants,  ezotie 
and  indigenous.  The  whole  of  this  establishment  was  purchased 
from  Dr.  Hoeack,  by  the  state,  in  the  year  1810:  It  is  now  under 
the  direction  of  the  regents  of  the  University  of  that  state. 

Six  years  ago,  the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania  made 
some  provision  for  such  an  institution :  By  a  law  ptfteed  the  19th 

*  Academus  was  an  Athenian  hero,  from  whom  tlie  original  Academista,  or 
that  sect  of  philosophers  who  followed  the  opinion  of  Socrates,  as  illustrated 
and  enforced  by  Plato,  derived  their  name ;  Plato  having  taught  his  disciples 
in  a  grove,  near  Athens,  consecrated  to  the  memory  of  that  hei-o. 

I  The  Ilyssus  is  a  rapid,  but,  when  not  swollen  by  rains,  a  small  stream,  of 
pure  and  limpid  water,  in  the  vicinity  of  Athens ;  and  near  the  margin  of 
which,  in  a  vale  at  the  foot  of  Mount  Ilymettus,  is  supposed  to  have  stood 
the  Grove,  dedicated  to  Academus>  in  which  the  Socratic  Philosophy 
taught  in  its  greatest  purity. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  375 

which  means^  the  Medical  School  in  Philadelphia^ 
connected  with  the  University  of  Pennsylvania^  now 
justly  vies  with  that  ofEdinburgb^  in  celebrity, 

•f  March,  1807,  towards  the  close  of  Governor  M'Kean's  admi- 
nistration.  three  thousand  dollars  were  granted  to  the  trustees  of 
the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  **out  of  the  monies  they  owe  the 
state;  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  them  to  establish  a  Garden  for 
the  improvement  of  the  science  of  Botany,  and  for  mstituting  a 
series  of  experiments  to  ascertain  the  cheapest  and  best  food 
for  plants,  and  their  medical  properties  and  virtues.'*  But  no 
application  of  this  fund  has  yet  been  made,  to  the  purposes  con- 
templated by  the  legislature  in  their  appropriation  of  it 

Mr.  John  Bartram,  F.  R  S.  a  distinguished  botanist,  though 
self-taught,  is  understood  to  have  been  the  first  an glo- American 
who  executed  the  design  of  a  Botanic  Garden  in  this  country. 
He  laid  out,  and  planted  with  his  own  hands,  on  his  farm,  plea- 
santly situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Schuylkill  and  about  four 
miles  below  Philadelphia,  a  garden  of  five  or  six  acres;  which 
he  furnished  with  a  great  variety  of  curious,  useful  and  beautiful 
vegetables,  exotic  as  well  as  American.  He  acquired  the  greater 
psrt  of  the  latter,  in  travelling  through  many  parts  of  the  conti- 
nent, from  Canada  to  the  Floridas.  His  proficiency  in  his  favourite 
science  was,  at  a  pretty  cJarly  period,  so  great,  that  Linneus  pro- 
nounced him,  in  one  of  his  letters,  to  be  the  greatest  natural 
botanist  in  the  world.  This  Garden  is  now  in  the  tenure  and 
under  the  management  of  his  son,  the  ingenious  Mr.  William 
Bartram,  a  well  known  cultivator  of  Natural  History  and  Botany. 
Although  this  respectable  man  is  above  seventy  years  of  age,  he 
continues  the  most  sedulous  attention  to  his  favourite  purauits. 
For  a  further  account  of  Mr.  John  Bartram,  see  Dr.  Barton's 
Medical  Jottmal, 

Mr.  Bartram  was  bom  near  Darby,  in  the  (then)  county  of 
Chester,  Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1701.  He  held  the  appoint- 
ment of  Botanist,  for  America,  to  King  George  III.  until  hifi 
death,  which  occurred  in  September,  1777,  in  the  seventy-sixth 
year  of  his  age. 


876  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  whole  of  the  literary  and  scientific  institutioiiy 
thas  formed — which^  besides  the  Medical  Schools^ 

(119)  This  highly  important  and  well  conducted  insdtatioo 
owes  its  rise  to  the  liberal  contributions  of  several  humane^  cha- 
ritable and  public- spirited  persons,  aided  by  a  legislative  grant 
of  two  thousand  pounds,  Pennsyh  ania  currency,  (equivalent  to 
S5333^)  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1751  :  the  first  deugOy  it 
is  believed,  was  suggested  by  the  late  Dr.  Thomas  Bondy  long 
an  eminent  physician  in  Philadelphia ;  and  heretofore  an  active 
and  useful  member  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  as  well  as  some- 
time one  of  the  vice-presidents  of  that  body.  By  a  law  passed 
the  11th  of  April,  1793,  the  general  assembly  liberally  granted 
ten  thousand  pounds  (g  26,666,)  out  of  the  funds  accruing  to  the 
loan-office  of  February  26,  1773;  to  enable  the  managers  of  the 
Hospital  to  make  additions  to  their  buildings,  conformably  to 
the  original  plan ;  and  so  to  extend  it  as  to  comprehend  a  Lying- 
in  and  a  Foundling  Hospital,*  so  soon  as  specific  funds  for  those 
purposes  should  be  obtained. 

The  first  twelve  managers  (whose  names  deserve  to  be  held  in 
remembrance,  as  prominent  benefactors  to  their  country,)  wero 
Joshua  Crosby,  Benjamin  Franklin,  Dr.  Thomas  Bond,  Samuel 
Hazard,  Richard  Peters,  Israel  Pemberton,  (then  styled  junioTf} 
Samuel  Rhoads,  Hugh  Roberts,  Joseph  Morris,  John  Smithi 
Evan  Morgan  and  Charles  Norris ;  and  John  Reynell  officiated 
as  treasurer :  all  of  these  were  gentlemen  of  most  respectable 
characters. 

In  order  to  obviate  some  objections,  that  were  at  first  made, 
to  the  contemplated  expense  of  the  medical  department  of  the 
institution,  and  which  it  was  apprehended  might  obstruct  the 
passage  of  the  bill  then  depending  in  the  legislature,  by  which 
the  grant  of  the  two  thousand  pounds,  before  mentioned,  was  ob- 

*  Towards  the  incorporation  of  either  one  or  the  other  of  these  institntioat 
with  the  present  estabUshment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hoipitalf  the  managen 
poasess>  also,  sixteen  shares  of  stock  in  the  Bank  of  Pennsylvania,  bestowed 
by  the  First  Troop  of  Cavalry  in  Philadelpliia.  The  product  of  this  noble 
and  very  valuable  donation,  and  which  is  considered  as  being  equivalent  to  a 
capital  stock  of  ^SS0333,  will,  most  probably,  be  wholly  apptied  to  the  tup- 
port  of  a  Lying-in  Hospital,  as  part  of  the  great  institution. 


DAVID  RITTKNnOUSE.  377 

was  composed  of  the  College^  the  Academy  and  Ibe 
Charitable  School^  continued  under  the  provostship  of 

tained  from  the  public,  Dr.  Thomas  Bond,  together  ^Ith  his 
brother  Dr.  Phineas  Bond,  and  Dr.  Lloyd  Zachary,  generously 
offered  to  attend  the  Hospital,  gratuitously,  for  the  term  of  three 
years. 

The  Hospital  establishment  is  now  very  complete,  according 
to  the  original  plan  of  this  valuable  institution ;  and,  indeed, 
much  beyond  what  was  at  first  contemplated,  in  some  respects  : 
yet  its  utility  might  be  much  increased,  by  a  further  extension 
of  the  design.  In  its  present  condition,  however,  it  reflects  great 
honour  on  Pennsylvania,  justly  celebrated,  as  she  is,  for  her  cha- 
ritable, literary,  scientific,  and  other  useful  institutions ;  and  the 
conduct  of  the  managers  has  been  uniformly  such,  as  to  entitle 
them  to  the  gratitude  of  the  community. 

The  Students  in  the  Medical  School  of  the  University  pay 
ten  dollars  per  annum,  for  the  privilege  of  attending  the  Hospital- 
practice,  which  is  of  very  important  advantage  to  them  :  and  the 
physicians,  with  the  managers,  have  generously  appropriated  a 
fund  out  of  the  monies,  thus  obtained,  for  the  purpose  of  founding 
a  Medical  Library,  and  of  purchasing  the  late  Dr.  Abraham 
Chovet's  most  curious  anatomical  preparations.*  By  these 
means,  in  addition  to  Dr.  John  Fothergill's  valuable  present,  and 
other  donations,  this  Hospital,  with  little  expense  of  its  more 
immediate  funds,  already  possesses  the  most  useful  as  well  as 
ornamental  collection,  of  the  kind,  that  is  to  be  found  any  where 
in  America :  and  when  the  superbly  magnificent  painting,  re- 
presenting Christ  healing  the  sick,  (now  in  a  train  of  execution 
by  Mr.  West,  in  London,  and  intended  to  be  a  donation  from  him 
to  this  Hospital,)  shall  have  been  received,  this  chtf-d^ttwvrc  of 
the  sublime  artist  will  constitute  there,  not  only  a  noble  monu- 
ment of  his  liberality,  benevolence,  and  attachment  to  liis  native 
country,  but  a  splendid  and  admirably  well-siuted  ornament  to 
the  institution  possessing  it     It  is  scarcely  sixteen  years  since 

•  Thirty  pounds  a  year  were  payable  to  Mrs.  Abingtoti,  a  dauglitcr  of  Dp. 
Ghovet,  during  her  life,  on  account  of  this  purchase.  That  annuity  lias  very 
recently  been  cxtingtiished,  by  the  death  of  ihc  annuitant. 

3   W 


378  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  Rev.  Dr.  Smith,  assisted  by  able  teachers  and  pro* 
fessors/^^  from  his  indaction  in  the  year  i7o4fy  ontil  the 

the  hospital-tickets  of  the  medical  pupils  amounted  to  only  about 
three  hundred  dollars  per  annum.  This  fund  has  been  ainoe 
increasing ;  the  annual  income  to  it  being  at  present  eatimaled 
at  fifteen  hundred  dollars :  it  is  now  amply  sufficient  to  supply 
the  library  belonging  to  the  Hospital  with  new  books,  and  to  keep 
in  g^ood  preservation  the  anatomical  casts,  £cc. 

As  Dr.  Franklin  was  eminently  instrumental  in  promoting  the 
establishment  of  the  Pennsylvania  Hospital,  so  he  likewise  bore 
a  conspicuous  part  in  the  formation  of  xM  Library-Company  of 
Philadelphia ;  an  institution  which  holds  a  distinguished  nnk, 
for  its  usefulness,  among  the  many  that  do  honour  to  the  capital 
of  Pennsylvania.  A  public  Library  was  first  set  on  foot  in  Phi- 
ladeiphia  by  Franklin,  about  the  year  1731 ;  at  which  time  he  was 
scarcely  twenty-six  years  of  age.  Fifty  persons  then  subacribed 
forty  shillings  each,  and  agreed  to  contribute  ten  shillings  annu- 
ally, for  that  purpose.  Some  other  companies  for  similar  pur- 
poses had  been  formed  in  that  city,  after  the  one  here  mentioned; 
but  these  were  soon  after  united  with  '^The  Library  Company  of 
Philadelphia."  This  Company  now  possess  many  thousand  valua- 
ble books;  and  their  stock  is  continually  deriving  acceaaioBS 
from  donations,  as  well  as  from  purchases.  Besides  the  marble 
statue  of  Dr.  Franklin,  presented  to  the  company  by  the  late 
William  Bingham,  Esq.  of  Philadelphia,  (which  decorates  the 
front  of  the  Library-edifice,)  and  many  other  considerable  bene- 
factions to  the  institution,  from  time  to  time,  (<  the  Penn  family*' 
(as  the  late  ingenious  Dr.  Henry  Stubcr,  the  continuator  of  the 
Life  of  Franklin,  has  remarked,)  ^<  distinguished  themaelTea  by 
their  donations"  to  it  The  Loganian  Library  was,  a  few  yean 
since,  placed  under  the  same  roof  with  that  of  the  Philadelphia 
Company ;  though  in  a  distinct  apartment.  It  consists  of  an  ex- 
tensive collection  of  curious,  rare  and  valuable  books,  in  various 
branches  of  ancient  and  modeiii  learning :  and  for  this  noble 
benefaction  to  his  native  country,  the  public  are  indebted  to 
James  Logan,  Esq.  many  years  an  eminent  citizen  of  Philadel- 
phia, and  well  known,  not  only  throughout  America,  but  in  the 
old  world,  for  his  erudition  and  talents. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  379 

establisbmeiit  of  the  University,  in  4779  :^*^  daring 
which  time,  comprehending  a  period  of  twenty-flve 

Dr.  Rittenhouse's  intimate  connexion  with  the  Colle^^  and 
afterwards  with  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  rendered  it  im- 
proper, in  the  opinion  of  the  Memorialist,  not  to  notice  those 
institutions  in  the  manner  he  has  done :  and  in  doing  this,  he  could 
not  without  injustice  omit  a  similar  mention  of  the  Hospital,  so 
nearly  allied  to  them  through  the  Medical  Sohool  of  the  former; 
nor  of  the  Philadelphia  Library  Company,  which  bears  a  close 
affinity  to  them  all. 

The  name  of  Mr.  West  having  been  introduced  on  this  oc« 
casion,  the  writer  conceives  it  will  not  be  thought  foreign  to  the 
design  of  these  Memoirs  (though  only  incidentally  connected 
with  the  present  article),  to  make  some  further  mention  of  a 
native  American,  whose  name  must  ever  hold  a  most  conspi- 
cuous place  in  the  history  of  the  fine  arts,  in  relation  to  this 
country. 

This  celebrated  Artist  is  the  youngest  often  children  of  John 
West,  a  person  descended  from  very  respectable  ancestors,  and 
a  native  of  England.  John  early  embraced  the  tenets  of  the 
people  called  Quakers.  Migrating,  in  the  year  1714,  to  Penn- 
qrlvania,  where  some  members  of  the  same  family  had  arrived 
with  William  Penn  about  fifteen  years  before,  he  married  and 
settled  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadelphia ;  and  there  hb  son  Ben- 
jamin was  bon). 

This  gentleman's  residence  has  been  in  England,  during  the 
last  forty-five  years :  but  he  left  his  native  country  some  consi- 
derable time  prior  to  that  period ;  having  fit*st  visited  Italy,  and 
some  other  schools  of  painting  on  the  continent.  When  a  So- 
ciety of  Artists  was  instituted  in  London,  a  few  years  after  the 
accession  of  the  present  king  to  the  throne,  Mr.  West  (who 
had  then  recently  arrived  in  England,  on  his  return  from  Italy,) 
became  a  member  of  that  body.  Their  exhibitions  of  painting, 
sculpture  and  architectural  designs,  became  objects  of  attention 
to  men  of  tasic  in  the  fine  arts ; — ^^  the  young  Sovereign,"  says 
Mr.  West  (in  a  letter  to  Mr.  C.  W.  Peale,  written  in  1809,*) 

•  See  the  Port  Folio,  for  January,  1810. 


380  MEMOIRS  OF 

years^  this  seminary  increased  in  reputaliun  and  flour- 
ished ;  and  indeed  it  was  indebted  for  much  of  its  re- 

"  was  interested  in  their  prosperity."  After  the  dissolution  of 
that  society,  the  king  desired  Mr.  West  and  three  otlier  artiM 
to  form  a  plan  for  a  Royal  Academy ;  which  having  been  ap^ 
proved  by  his  majesty,  he  directed  that  it  should  be  carried  into 
execution.  "  Thus,'*  continues  Mr.  West,  *^  commenced  the 
institution  of  the  Ro)ral  Academy  of  London*:**  And  again, 
speaking  of  this  patronage,  he  says ; — **  his  majesty,  by  lus  re- 
gard for  the  arts,  gave  a  dignity  to  them,  unknown  before  in  the 
country."  Referring  to  this  meritorious  patronage  of  the  fine 
arts  by  the  present  king  of  England,  Mr.  Latrobe  (in  his  Anni- 
versary Oration  before  the  Society  of  Artists  in  Philadelpliiai  In 
May,  18 ft?)  makes  this  just  remark:  "  Nof  ought  wc  to  omit 
mention  of  the  name  of  George  III.  by  whose  patronage,  cor 
illustrious  countryman,  West,  has  become  the  first  historical 
painter  of  the  age." 

(120")  Of  these,  Francis  Alison,  D.  D.  a  learned  and  worthy 
presbyterian  clergyman,  was  vice-provost,  and  professor  of  moral 
philosophy ;  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Rinnersley,  M.  A.  an  eminent 
electrician  and  an  amiable  man,  was  professor  of  English  and 
oratory;  John  Beveridge,  M.  A.  an  excellent  scholar  in  tlic 
learned  languages  (some  of  whose  Latin  epistolary  writings,  in 
metrical  language,  after  the  manner  of  Horace,  possess  a  consi- 
derable portion  of  merit  and  discover  much  classical  purity  of 
style,)  was  professor  of  languages;  and  Hugh  Williamson,  M.  A. 
(now  M.  D.)  a  gentleman  of  distinguished  talents,  was  professor 
of  mathematics. 

The  last  mentioned  of  these  eminently  meritorious  characters 
is  yet  living.  He  enjoys  the  respect  and  esteem  due  to  a  man 
who,  in  the  course  of  a  long  life,  devoted  much  of  his  time  and 
talents  to  the  promotion  of  learning,  useful  knowledge,  and  the 
welfare  of  his  country.    Of  the  other  three,  who  have,  long  since. 


*  When  tliis  Academy  was  first  established,  the  celebrated  Dr.  Samuel 
Jdhnson  was  appointed  '  Professor  of  Ancient  literature*  in  the  institution ; 
an  office  merely  honorary. 


1 


DAVID  RITTENUOUSE.  381 

spectability  and  usefulness  to  the  zeal/^'^  the  talents 
and  the  services  of  Dr.  Smith. 

passed  on  to  "  that  bourn  from  which  no  traveller  returns,"  the 
following  circumstances  are  worthy  of  being  preserved  in  re- 
membrance, by  those  who  shall  hereafter  record  the  history  of 
literature  and  science,  in  this  coimtry. 

Dr.  Alison  was  one  of  the  first  persons  in  the  middle  colonies, 
who,  foreseeing  the  ignorance  into  which  this  part  of  the  country 
seemed  inclined  to  fall,  set  up  a  regular  school  of  education  here. 
He  was  long  employed  in  the  education  of  youth  at  New-London 
Cross-roads,  in  Pennsylvania,  before  his  appointment  to  the  vice- 
provostship  of  the  college  of  Philadelphia ;  and  many  persons, 
who  afterwards  made  a  distinguished  figure  in  this  country,  were 
bred  under  his  tuition.  The  University  of  Glasgow,  being  well 
informed  of  the  pious  and  fidthful  labours  of  this  valuable  man, 
in  propagating  useful  knowledge  in  these  then  untutored  parts 
of  the  world,  created  him  a  Doctor  of  Divinity  :  He  was  honour- 
ed with  this  degree,  without  any  solicitation  whatever  on  his 
part. 

Mr.  Kihnersley  possessed  great  merit,  in  the  estimation  of 
the  learned  world,  <^in  being  the  chief  inventor  of  the  Electrical 
^paratus,  as  well  as  author  of  a  considerable  part  of  those  dis- 
coveries in  Electricity,  published  by  Mr.  Franklin,  to  whom  he 
communicated  them.  Indeed  Mr.  Franklin  himself  mentions 
bis  name  with  honour ;  though  he  has  not  been  careful  enough  to 
dbtinguish  between  their  particular  discoveries.  Tliis,  perhaps, 
he  may  have  thought  needless,  as  they  were  known  to  act  in  con- 
cert. But,  though  that  circumstance  was  known  here,  it  was 
not  so  in  remote  parts  of  the  world,  to  which  the  fame  of  these 
discoveries  has  extended."  The  passage  here  quoted,  is  copied 
from  an  account  of  the  college  and  academy  of  Philadelphia, 
pablished  in  October,  1758. 

Dr.  Franklin's  experiment  with  the  electrical  kite-— which 
established  the  theory  on  which  the  metallic  conductors  of  light- 
ning were  introduced,  foi^  the  security  of  buildings,  and  those 
within  them,  from  injury  by  that  element— was  made  in  June, 
1752;  and  his  letter,  giving  an  account  of  it,  is  dated  the  19th 


8SB  ifEMoias  oi' 

This  gentleman  was  educated  in  the  university  of 
Aberdeen/^''^  in  Scotland^  where  he  graduated  as  Mat- 

of  October  following.  But  Mr.  de  Romas,  a  FrenchmaOf  to 
whom  his  couatryman  the  \bb6  Bertholon  ascribes  the  honour 
of  the  experiment  with  the  kite,  made  his  first  attempt  on  the 
14th  of  May,  1753  :  he  did  not  succeed,  until  the  7th  of  the  next 
month ;  a  year  after  Dr.  Franklin  had  completed  his  experi- 
ments, and  then  generally  known  in  Europe.  It  is  noticed  hj 
the  late  ingenious  Dr.  Stuber,  of  Philadelphia,  in  his  coadniu- 
tion  of  the  Life  of  Franklin,  that  *^  his  (Dr.  Franklin's)  frieodf 
Mr.  Kinncrsley,  communicated  to  him  a  discovery  of**  (what  Dr, 
Stuber  terms)  *'  the  different  kinds  of  electricity,  excited  by  rub- 
bing glass  and  sulphur."  This,  it  is  said,  was  first  obserTcd  bj 
Mr.  Du  Faye ;  though  afterwards  not  attended  to,  for  unny 
years.  It  seems,  however,  that  the  electricians  of  Europe,  with 
Du  Faye  himself  had  conceived  a  mistaken  notion  on  this  sob* 
ject;  and  that  Franklin  had,  at  first,  adopted  their  doctrine. 
«  But,"  says  the  continuator  of  his  Life,  "  upon  repeating  the 
experiments,  he  perceived  that  Mr.  Kinncrsley  was  right ;  and 
the  vitreous  and  the  resinous  electricity  of  Du  Faye  were  no- 
thing more  than  the  positive  and  negadve  states  which  he  had 
before  obsei*ved  ;  that  the  glass  globe  charged  positively,  or  cn- 
creascd  the  quantity  of  electricity  on  the  prime  conductor^— 
whilst  the  globe  of  sulphur  diminished  its  natural  quantityi  or 
charged  negatively." 

Mr  Beveridge,  who  was  appointed  by  the  trustees  of  the  col- 
lege and  academy  of  Philadelphia,  in  June,  1758,  professor  of 
languages  in  that  institution,  was  one  of  the  ablest  masters  of 
the  Latin  tongue  ;  and  wrote  many  poetical  pieces  in  that  lan- 
guage, in  a  style  of  superior  purity  and  elegance.  This  excel- 
lent Latin  scholar  originally  taught  a  grammar-school  in  Edhi- 
burgh,  under  the  patronage  of  the  celebrated  Mr.  Ruddiman. 
While  in  that  station,  he  taught  the  Latin  to  Mr.  Thomas  Black- 
lock,  the  well-known  blind  poet ;  and  it  was  during  this  time, 
that  Blacklock  wrote  his  fine  paraphrase  of  Psalm  CIV.  which 
his  friend  Beveridge  afterwards  rendered  into  Latin  verse.  A 
collection  of  Mr.  Beveridge's  poetical  pieces^  under  the  title  of 
EfiUtoU  Familiarea  tt  alia  c/uadam  miscellanea^  was  published  at 
Philadelphia^  in  the  year  1765. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  383 

ter  of  Arts.     He  soon  after  obtained  clerical  orden,  in 
the  Church  of  £ngland ;  and^  in  the  year  1709^  he 

(121)  A  Law  Professorship  was  instituted  in  the  College  of 
Philadelphia,  in  the  year  1790,  and  the  Hon.  James  Wilson, 
LL  D.  (late  one  of  the  associate  judges  of  the  supreme  court  of 
the  United  States,)  was  appointed  the  first  professor :  the  firtt 
course  of  lectures,  under  this  appointment,  was  delivered  in  the 
winterof  1790-1.  In  April,  1792,  when  the  College  and  Univer- 
sity became  united  into  one  seminary,  under  the  latter  title,  a 
Professorship  of  Law  was  erected  in  the  new  seminary ;  when 
Judge  Wilson  was  again  appointed  to  fill  that  chair :  but  no 
Law-lectures  were  afterwards  delivered. 

The  lectures  composed  by  the  able  and  very  learned  Judge, 
for  this  department  of  the  institution,  are  given  entire  in  his 
works,  published  in  three  volumes  octavo,  in  the  year  1 804,  by 
his  son  Bird  Wilson,  Esq.  president  of  the  seventh  judicial  dis- 
trict of  Pennsylvania. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  this  important  chair  in  the 
University  has  remained  unoccupied,  since  the  death  of  its  late 
eminent  incumbent:  For,  as  he  has  justly  observed,  in  his  In- 
troductory Lecture^  "  The  science  of  Law  should,  in  some  mea- 
sure and  in  some  degree,  be  the  study  of  every  free  citizen,  and 
of  every  free  man.  Every  free  citizen  and  every  free  man  has 
duties  to  perform,  and  rights  to  claim.  Unless,  in  some  measure, 
and  in  some  degree,  he  knows  those  duties  and  those  rights,  he 
never  act  a  just  and  an  independent  part." 


(122)  In  an  Account  of  Dr.  Smith,  prefixed  to  his  posthu- 
mous works,  the  respectable  Editor  observes — that  <<  Dr.  Smith 
was  actuated  by  a  ^  zeal  bordering  on  enthusiasm*'  (as  he  him- 
self expressed  it),  in  his  devotion  to  the  dissemination  of  litera- 
ture and  science." 

(123)  This  University  was  founded  in  the  year  1 480 ;  it  consists 
oi  two  colleges,  called  the  Marischal  and  the  King's  College, 
under  the  name  of  the  University  of  King  Charles.  The  library 
belonging  to  this  ancient  university  is  large ;  and  in  both  the  col- 
leges, the  languages,  mathemadcs,  natural  philosophy,  divinity, 
&c.  are  taught  by  able  professors. 


384»  MEMOIRS  OF 

was  hpnoured  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  ia  Divinityi 
from  the  University  of  Oxford^  on  the  recommeadatioa 
of  the  archbishop  of  Canterbury^  and  the  bishops  of 
Dnrham^  Salisbury^  Oxford  and  St.  Asaph/^^  Aboot 
the  same  time^  he  received  a  similar  degree  from  the 
University  of  Trinity-College^  Dublin.  Dr.  Smith 
died  the  14th  of  May^  1803^  at  the  age  of  seventy-six 
years. 

On  the  10th  of  Aprils  1792^  an  act  was  passed  by 
the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania^  for  the  par- 
pose  of  enabling  the  governor  to  incorporate  a  com- 
pany for  opening  a  canal  and  water- commonicaticm 
between  the  rivers  Delaware  and  Schuylkill :  and  by 
this  act^  David  Rittenhouse^  William  Moore^  Eliston 
Ferot^  Cadwallader  Evans^  jun.  and  Francis  John- 
ston^ Esquires^  were  appointed  commissioners  to  re- 
ceive subscriptions  of  stocky  for  constituting  a  fand 
for  this  purpose. 

Thnc^  after  having  been  engaged  in  the  coarse  of 
eleven  years^  at  a  prior  period^  in  the  improvement  of 
a  great  natural  highway  of  his  native  country^  he  was 
again  employed^  in  conjunction  with  others^  by  the 
legislative  body  of  that  country^  after  a  lapse  of  nine- 
teen years  from  the  time  of  his  first  appointment  to  a 
similar  duty,  in  forwarding  the  great  design  of  uniting 
more  intimately^  and  more  beneficially  for  the  pur- 

(124)  These  prelates  were,  respectively,  the  Doctors— >Seck- 
cr,  Trevor,  Thomas,  Hume,  and  Egerton. 


DAVID  HITTENHOUSE.  88P 

poses  of  agricaltnre  and  commerce^  the  waters  of  the 
beaatiful  stream  near  whose  banks  he  was  born^  with 
those  of  the  majestic  Delaware. 

This  comparatively  inconsiderable  appointment  was 
presently  after  succeeded  by  a  most  important  one. 
Dr.  Rittenbeuse  was  commissioned  to  be  Director  of 
the  Mint,  by  President  Washington,  the  l^h  of 
April,  1793 ;  but  he  did  not  take  the  requisite  qualifi- 
cations for  that  office,  ontil  the  Ist  of  July  following. 
He  entered  upon  tlie  duties  of  this  arduous  and  very 
respectable  station  with  great  reluctance :  it  was,  in- 
deed, pressed  upon  him ;  not  only  by  Mr.  Jefferson^ 
then  secretary  of  state,  with  whom  Dr.  Rittenhouse 
had  long  been  in  habits  of  intimate  friendship ;  but 
(through  the  means  of  Mr.  Secretary  Hamilton,  of  the 
Treasury,)  by  the  illustrious  President  himself,  who 
always  entertained  the  highest  regard  for  him :  and 
this  esteem  was  mutual,  notwithstanding  some  ^^  shades 
of  difference'^  in  the  political  tenets  of  these  two  great 
and  good  men ;  for  no  person  could  hold  a  more  ex- 
alted opinion  of  the  integrity,  abilities,  and  public 
services  of  Washington,  than  Dr.  Rittenhouse  nni« 
fbrmly  did.  Such  was  the  extreme  diffidence  with 
which  our  Philosopher  accepted  this  appointment  thos 
honourably  conferred  on  him,  that  he  declined,  for  a 
considerable  time,  to  be  sworn  into  office ;  until,  final- 
ly, on  applying  to 'the  writer  of  these  memoirs,  he  ob- 
tained his  promise  to  render  such  assistance  to  him  as 
he  should  be  able  to  do,  in  the  event  of  his  own  inea<- 


886  XEMOm^  OF 

pacity^  from  want  of  health  or  by  reason  of  any  in- 
eidenlal  circumstance^  to  devote  a  sufflcieot  porti^m  of 
his  time  to  the  duties  of  the  station.  Although  the 
writer  was  never  required  to  act  in  the  capacity  thas 
proposed  to  him^  circumstances  not  occurring  to  ren- 
der it  necessary,  he  shall  always  consider  the  ar- 
rangement then  made  upon  the  subject^  on  the  yoloB- 
tary  proposition  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse^  as  an  estimable 
testimonial  of  his  confidence  in  his  friend  and  rela- 
tive :  yet  the  writer  would  have  introduced  the  men- 
tion of  these  particulars^  into  the  present  work^  with 
greater  hesitation  than  he  does^  did  he  not  conceive 
that  a  statement  of  facts  of  this  kind  will  evince  the 
delicate  sensibility  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  on  the  occa- 
sion. 

As  soon  as  he  had  determined  to  accept  the  Diree- 
torship  of  the  Mint^  he  began  to  make  suitable  ar- 
rangements for  carrying  the  institution  into  operation. 
Towards  this  end^  he  suggested  to  the  secretary  of 
state  the  expediency  of  purchasing  two  contiguous 
bouses  and  lots  of  ground^  conveniently  situated^  for 
the  establishment ;  in  preference  to  taking  bnildings 
upon  lease^  for  a  purpose  that  seemed  to  require  some- 
tiling  like  a  permanent  position.  His  proposal  rela- 
tive to  this  matter^  it  appears^  was  communicated  to 
the  secretary  of  state,  for  the  purpose  of  being  snb* 
nitted  to  the  consideration  of  the  President :  for^  on 
the  9th  of  June,  1793,  his  approbation  of  the  plan  was 
expressed  in  the  following  note  la  the  aecretaq^ 


DAVID  RITTENfiOUSE.  887 


^^Dear  Sir, 

^^  I  am  in  sentiment  with  yoa  and  the  Director  of 
the  Mint,  respecting  the  purchase  of  the  lots  and 
houses  which  are  offered  for  sale,  in  preference  to 
renting — as  the  latter  will  certainly  exceed  the  in* 
terest  of  the  former. 

'^  That  all  the  applications  may  be  brought  to  view, 
and  considered,  for  Coining  &c.,  Mr.  Lear  will  lay 
the  letters  and  engravings  before  you,  to  be  shewn  to 
the  Director  of  the  Mint : — I  have  no  other  object  or 
wish  in  doing  it,  than  to  obtain  the  best     Tours,  &c. 

"  0\  Washingtok. 
^^  Mr.  Jefferson.'^ 


Dr.  Rittenhoose  executed  this  high  trust  with  great 
ability  and  unimpeachable  integrity,  during  three 
years ;  at  the  expiration  of  which  he  resigned  it,  on 
the  30th  of  June,  1799.  He  had,  long  before,  ex- 
pressed his  anxious  wish  to  retire  from  this  station ; 
bnt  continued  in  office  until  that  time,  on  the  solicita-  ^ 
tion  of  the  President  and  at  the  earnest  desire  of  Mr. 
Jefferson. 

As  he  was  the  first  person  appointed  to  that  office, 

after  the  institution  of  the  Mint  under  the  present  fe- 

'  deral  government  of  the  Uniout  the  doties  that  devolv* 


388  MfiMoiBB  or      • 

ed  apon  him,  in  condueting  it,  were  arduous  and  com- 
plicated. He  directed  the  construction  of  the  machi- 
nery ;  made  arrangements  for  providing  the  necessary 
apparatus;  and^  in  duly  visits  to  the  Mint,  v^henever 
his  health  permitted,  personally  superintended,  with 
the  most  sedulous  fidelity,  not  only  the  general  econo- 
my of  the  institution,  but  its  operations  in  the  various 
departments; — duties,  which  his  love  of  system  and 
order,  his  extensive  knowledge,  and  his  practical 
skill  in  mechanicks,  eminently  qualified  him  to  per- 
form with  peculiar  correctness.  At  those  times  when 
he  was  prevented,  by  indisposition,  from  attending  at 
the  Mint  in  person,  reports  were  made  to  him  by  the 
proper  officers,  either  verbally  or  in  writing,  of  the 
state  of  the  institution  and  the  progress  of  its  business ; 
and  those  officers  received  from  him,  on  such  occa- 
rions,  the  instructions  requisite  for  their  several  de- 
partments. 

In  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  Mint,  Dr.  Kitten- 
house  was  seconded  by  capable  and  trusty  officers ; 
among  whom  was  Mr.  Yoight,  the  Chief  Coiner,  with 
whose  ingenuity  and  skill,  as  an  operative  mechanic^, 
he  was  well  acquainted,  having  long  before  employed 
him  in  that  capacity,  while  he  was  engaged  in  con- 
structing one  of  his  Orreries  and  carrying  on  other 
branches  of  his  professional  business.  Dr.  Nicholas 
Way,  a  physician  of  some  eminence,  officiated  at  the 
same  time  as  Treasurer  of  the  Mint ;  and  that  respec- 
table co-adjtttor  of  the  then  Head  of  this  importanl- 


DdLVID  RITTENHOUSE.  SB9 

insiitution  in  the  national  economy,  has  borne  testimo- 
ny to  his  scrupulous  attention  to  the  public  interests^ 
in  its  direction  : — <^  I  have  been  informed  by  his  col- 
league in  oflBce,  Dr.  Way/'— says  Dr.  Benjamui 
Rush/"'^  who  succeeded  that  gentleman  in  the  Trea- 
surership  of  the  Mint^ — <^  that^  in  several  instances^ 
he/'  (speaking  of  the  Director)  '^  paid  for  work  done 
At  the  Mint  out  of  his  salary,^^^  where  he  thought  the 
charges  for  it  would  be  deemed  extravagant  by  the 
United  States/"^> 

(135)  See  his  Eulogium  on  Rittenhouse. 

(126)  His  salary  was  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

(1 87)  A  particular  instance,  of  a  similar  kind,  occurred  within 
the  knowledge  of  the  Memorialist.  Mr.  Peter  Getz.  was,  lately^ 
a  self  taught  mechanic  of  singular  ingenuity,  in  the  borough  of 
Lancaster ;  where  he  many  years  exercised  the  trade  of  a  silver- 
smith  and  jeweller,  and  was  remarkable  for  the  extraordinary 
accuracy,  elegance,  and  beauty  of  the  workmanship  he  executed. 
Tliis  person  was  a  candidate  for  the  place  of  chief  coiner  or  en- 
g^ver  in  the  mint ;  and,  on  that  occasion,  he  offered  to  present 
to  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  in  the  summer  of  1793,  a  small  pair  of 
scales— such  as  are  commonly  called  gold-scales— of  exquisita 
workmanship  as  well  as  great  exactness,  as  a  specimen  of  hb 
skill  as  an  artist.  The  Director  conceived,  that  an  instrument 
equally  well  suited  to  the  use  for  which  this  was  deaignedg 
though  less  ornamental,  could  be  procured  for  the  mint,  if  ds- 
sirable,  for  less  money  than  this  was  worth  as  a  matter  of  cu- 
riosity ;  he  would  not,  therefore,  purchase  it  for  the  mint :  but 
behig  determined  not  to  accept  it  as  a  present,  and  desirous  at 
the  same  time  to  make  compensation  to  the  artist  for  his  work» 
he  insisted  on  his  receiving  twenty  dollars  for  the  instrument ; 
on  payment  of  which,  he  retained  it  himself. 


890  MEMOIRS  OF     • 

When  Dr.  Rittenhouse  resigned  the  Directorship  of 
the  Mint,  in  June  1792^  he  was  succeeded  in  that 
office  by  Henry  William  De  Saussure,  Esq.  of  Sooth 
Carolina,  a  gentleman  of  distinguished  talents  and  re- 
spectability.   But  Mr.  De  Saussure  did  not  long  hold 
the  appointment :  Some  invidious  and  illiberal,  as  wel) 
as  ill-founded  insinuations,  were  soon  cast  upon  the 
establishment  and  the  manner  in  which  it  was    con- 
ducted, by  certain  persons  in  the  government,  who 
had  very  early  evinced  an  hostility  to  the  institotion 
itself;  and  it  is  not  improbable,  that  some  of  this  de- 
scription were  also  influenced  in  their  inimical  views 
towards  it,  by  personal  considerations.     Mr.  De  Saus- 
sure, disgusted  with  such  unworthy  conduct,  retired 
from  the  Directorship,  after  having  held  that  ofllee 
only  a  few  months ;  during  which  short  period,  he 
executed  his  trust  in  such  a  manner,  as  to  obtain  the 
i^probation  of  President  Washington,  and  entitle  him 
to  the  public  esteem. 

The  following  letter,  which  was  addressed  by  Mr. 
De  Saussure  to  the  editors  of  the  Charleston  City  6«- 
atette,  and  published  in  that  paper,  soon  after  his  re- 
signation, will  serve  to  elucidate  this  subject :  as  a 
▼indication  of  that  gentleman,  and  also  of  his  predeces- 
sor, from  the  injurious  aspersions  so  unjustly  thrown 
eat  against  the  institution  of  the  Mint  by  its  enemies^ 
that  publication  is  entitled  to  a  place  in  the  Memoirs 
of  Rittenhouse ;  it  shall  now  close  the  narrative  of 
Dr.  Rittenhouse^s  connexion  with  the  Mint, 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  801 

^'Messrs.  Freneau  and  Payne, 

^^  I  \f  as  filled  with  no  less  indignation  than  sur- 
prise,  on  reading  the  debates  in  the  house  of  represen- 
tatives of  the  United  States^  on  Tuesday  the  19th  of 
January,  respecting  the  Mint^  to  find  that  a  good  deal 
of  censure  had  been 'thrown  out  by  some  of  the  mem- 
bers against  the  management  of  that  establishment,  in 
such  general  and  indiscriminating  terms  as  might  be 
deemed  to  implicate  me,  during  the  short  time  1  was  in 
the  Directorship. 

^^  Several  members  spoke  in  hasty  and  unguarded 
terms  ;  and  one  member,  whose  name  the  printer  had 
not  given,  passed  all  the  bounds  of  moderation.  He  is 
represented  as  having  said,  ^^  that  the  institution  is  a 
bad  one,  and  is  badly  conducted  :  it  had  been  most 
scandalously  carried  on,  and  with  very  little  advan- 
tage to  the  public.  If  the  institution  is  not  better  car- 
ried on  than  it  has  been,  it  oTight  to  be  thrown  aside.'^ 
— ^If  I  could  tamely  endure  these  imputations,  which 
in  their  generality  may  be  supposed  to  reach  me,  I 
should  be  unworthy  the  esteem  of  my  fellow- citizens. 

^^  It  ought,  perhaps,  to  be  sufficient  for  me  to  pro- 
dace  to  the  public  eye  the  entire  approbation  which 
the  President  of  the  United  States  was  pleased  to  ex- 
press of  my  conduct,  when  quitting  the  office  of  the 
Director.  I  laid  before  him  a  full  and  exact  state  of 
the  situation  of  the  Mint,  and  of  the  coinage  prior  to, 


SgS  MEMOIBS  OF 

and  daring  my  being  in  office.  His  approbation  is 
eontained  in  a  letter  which  he  wrote  me  at  the  moment 
of  my  leaving  Philadelphia, — dated  the  Ist  of  Nov. 
179s ;  from  which  these  words  are  an  extract — ^^I 
cannot,  at  this  moment  of  your  departure,  bat  express 
my  regret,  that  it  was  not  accordant  with  your  views 
to  remiun  in  the  Directorship  of  the  Mint :  Permit  me 
to  add  thereto,  that  your  conduct  therein  gave  entire 
satisfaction ;  and  to  wish  you  a  pleasant  voyage,  and 
a  happy  meeting  with  your  friends  in  South  CaroUuu^' 

^^  To  those  who  know  the  President  of  the  United 
States  well, — who  know  the  caution  with  which  be  is 
accustomed  to  speak,  and  that  he  possesses  the  talent 
of  correctly  estimating,  as  well  as  vigorously  overcom- 
ing, the  difficulties  which  present  themselves  in  every 
circumstance  of  business, — this  would  rescue  any  cha- 
racter from  the  unqualified  censure  of  the  members  of 
the  house  of  representatives.  But  1  will  go  farther, 
and  will  shew  the  grounds  on  which  the  President 
formed  his  judgment,  so  tliat  every  man  may  form 
bis  own  opinion.'^ 

The  Writer  then  proceeds  with  some  detuls^  re* 
specting  the  condition  of  the  Mint  on  his  coming  into 
office,  and  at  the  time  he  left  it ;  in  the  course  of  which 
he  states  some  difficulties,  and  unavoidable  obstmc- 
tions  to  the  progress  of  tlie  coinage,  which  existed  in 
the  time  of  his  predecessor,  and  some  of  which  could 
not  be  obviated  while  he  remained  in  the  direction  : 


DAVID  BITTBNHOUSE.  908 

aod  to  this  statement  he  annexes  a  tahle^  exhibiting  an 
account  of  the  gold  and  silver  coinage  at  the  Miiit^ 
from  its  establishment  to  the  close  of  October^  i79fi  i 
at  the  foot  of  which  he  remarks^  that  ^^  there  nevep 
was  any  period  at  which  the  Mint  was  supplied  wiUi 
bullion^  in  a  state  for  coinage^  sufficient  to  keep  it  re* 
gidarly  and  fully  employed  for  any  considerable  time ; 
except/^  continues  the  writer^  ^^near  the  close  of  my 
direction ;  to  wit^  from  the  1st  to  the  SMb  of  October.'^ 
Mr.  De  Saussure  thus  concludes  his  very  satisfactory 
letter  on  this  subject : 

^^  Whilst  I  am  vindicating  myself  from  the  censnrei 
indiscriminately  thrown  upon  the  management  of  the 
Mint^  I  do  by  no  means  concede  that  the  censnre  ii 
justly  applicable  to  my  respectable  predecessor.  The 
solid  talents  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse  will  be  remembered 
with  pride^  and  his  mild  virtue  recollected  with  ten- 
derness^ by  his  countrymen^  when  many  of  his  cen- 
sors will  be  forgotten  in  the  silent  dust  His  lofty  and 
correct  mind^  capable  alike  of  ascending  to  the  snb- 
limest  heights  of  science^  and  of  condescending  to  re- 
gulate the  minute  movements  of  mechanical  machi- 
nery^ organized  the  Mint^  and  created  the  workmen 
and  the  apparatus ;  amidst  the  complicated  difficulties 
from  which  the  most  persevering  minds  might  have 
shrunk  without  dishonour.  A  very  long  and  debili- 
tating state  of  ill  health  prevented  him  from  giving  ti» 
establishment  all  the  activity  of  which  it  was  snsea^ - 
tible ;  and  he  long  wished  to  retire  before  he  was  per- 

3  D 


894  iCBMOIRB   OF 

mitted.  His  country  suffered  him  to  retire^  without 
remembering,  that  it  was  the  duty  of  a  liberal  nation 
to  provide  an  independent  retreat  in  his  old  age,  for 
one  of  the  noblest  of  her  Philosophers ;  and  to  this 
neglect^  it  is  attempted  to  add  unmerited  obloquy. 

^'  I  quit  the  ungrateful  theme  with  disgust.  I  am 
eonsoled  by  the  approbation  of  kim^  by  whom  to  be 
approved,  will  gladden  the  heart  through  a  long  life. 
I  rejoice  that  I  quitted  an  office  which  subjects  -  ite 
bolder  to  such  unjust  censure,  by  the  advice  of  ay 
friends,  who  in  prophetic  spirit  told  me,  ^  that  tueh 
offices  were  suited  to  men  who  could  bear  up  against 
censure,  though  they  did  not  deserve  it/  which  thsgr 
did  not  believe  me  formed  to  endure/^ 

'^  Henry  Wm.  He  Saussurb* 
OhailestoR,  S.  C.  Feb.  3.  1796.-' 


.  A  national  coin  having  been  always  considered  as 
n  proper,  if  not  an  absolutely  necessary,  attribute  of 
ih^  sovereignty  of  a  state/^^^  the  establishment  of  a 
Idint,  for  the  United  States,  was  pretty  early  contem* 
plated.    A  plan  for  that  purpose  was  brought  into  thci 

(138)  ^  Coipage  is  peculiarly  an  attribute  of  sovereigntf:  to 
transfer  its  exercise  hito  another  country,  is  to  submit  it  to  ano- 
ther sovereign."  See  a  Report  made  to  congress,  in  the  year 
1790,  by  Thomas  Jeffersoui  Esq.  then  secretary  of  state,  on  cer«> 
ttdn  Proposals  for  supplying  the  United  States  widi  Copper 
Opinage,  bffrred  by  Mr.  John  H.  Mitchell,  a  foreign  artist 


DAVID  RiTT£KUUUS£.  "305 

view  of  cofigresfl^  in  the  last  year  of  the  war;  although 
no  national  coinage  was  instituted  until  ten  years  af- 
terwards. The  early  part  of  the  year  1780  was  ex« 
tremely  disastrous  to  the  affairs  of  the  United  States. 
The  fall  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  depressed  the  spirits  of 
the  country  :  and  the  almost  total  failure  of  public 
credit^  accompanied  by  a  want  of  money^  and  other 
means  of  carrying  on  tbe  war^  about  that  period^  pa- 
ralyzed the  measures  of  the  government  Such  was 
the  apathy  of  the  public  mind,  in  regard  to  the  peri- 
lous condition  of  the  country  at  that  crisis^  that  many 
members  of  the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylvania^ 
which  was  convened  on  the  10th  of  May^  in  that 
year^  came  thither  with  petitions  from  their  consti- 
tuents^ praying  to  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of 
taxes. 

But  while  this  assembly  were  in  session^  a  letter 
was  received  from  General  Washington  by  the  Su- 
preme Executive  Council  of  the  state^  and  by  them 
^pfidentially  communicated  to  the  legislative  body^ 
in  which  the  distressed  condition  of  the  army  was 
faithfully  described.  Among  other  things  the  Gene- 
ral stated^  that,  notwithstanding  Ids  confidence  in  the 
.attachment  of  ^e  army  to  the  cause  of  their  country^ 
the  distresses  of  the  soldiery,  arising  from  a  destitu- 
lion  of  those  necesi&ries  which  were  indispensable^ 
had  become  extreme ;  insomuch^  that  appearances  of 
amimy  were  so  strongly  marked  on  the  countenances 
of  the  army^  as  to  occasion  in  his  mind  hourly  appre** 
jkensions  of  the  event. 


t|6  MEMOIRS  OF 

This  appalling  information^  and  from  such  a  aounc^ 
elicited  some  latent  sparks  of  public  spirit.  Yolnn- 
tary  contributions  were  immediately  begun ;  and  Ro- 
bert Morris^  Esq.  a  merchant  of  the  highest  credit— 
fta  well  as  a  man  whose  patriotism^  talents  and  enter- 
priae^  inspired  confidence^ — contributed  two  hondred 
pounds,  Pennsylvania  currency,  in  (what  was  then 
called)  hard  money.  This  subscription  commenced 
tibe  8Ch  of  June,  1780 :  but  it  amountedi  in  the  whole 
t#  only  XOOI.  hard  money,  and  101,8602.  in  the  public 
btUs  of  credit,  or  paper-money,  denominated  canti^ 

On  the  17th  of  the  same  month,  however,  a  meeting 
of  the  contributors  to  this  fund  (which  was  intended 
as  a  donation,  towards  carrying  on  the  recruiting  ser- 
vice,) and  of  others,  was  convened  in  Philadelphia ; 
with  a  view  to  promote  the  object  more  extensively. 
At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved — ^^  to  open  a  security- 
snbscription,  to  the  amount  of  300,000/.  in  real  money; 
the  subscribers  to  execute  bonds  to  the  amount  of  their 
Subscription,  and  to  form  a  Bank  thereon,  for  snpply- 
ing  the  army/^ 

This  was  the  origin  of  the  ^^  Bank  of  North-Ame- 
riea^^^  which  thus  took  its  rise  from  an  association  of 
^*  a  Momber  of  patriotic  persons'^  in  the  city  of  Phfla- 
delphia.  The  plan  they  formed  for  the  purpose  was 
coMMiMcatod  to  congress  by  the  secretary  at  war,  on 
tbo  SOth  of  Jnne;  and  the  next  day  they  were  honoor- 
ed  with  a  vote  of  thanks. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  897 

On  the  SOth  of  Febraary,  1781^  Mr.  Morris  was 
nnanimoasly  elected  by  eongress  to  the  office  of  Sa- 
perintendant  of  Finance^  then  first  created.  This 
gentleman  arranged,  in  the  spring  following^*',  the 
system  of  the  present  Bank  of  North- America ;  where- 
upon, many  of  the  subscribers  to  the  first-formed  bank 
transferred  their  subscriptions  to  this  institution. 
These  were  incorporated  by  an  ordinance  of  con- 
gress^^^^,  passed  the  81st  of  December,  1781 ;  and  in 
the  beginning  of  the  succeeding  year,  this  Bank  com- 
menced its  operations  in  Philadelphia.  By  the  incor- 
porating ordinance,  the  following  gentlemen  were 
nominated  by  congress  to  bo  the  president  and  direc- 
tors of  the  institution,  until  a  choice  of  a  new  direction 
should  be  made  by  the  stockholders ;  namely,  Tho- 
mas Willing,  Thomas  Fitzsimons,  John  Maxwell 
Nesbitt,  James  Wilson,  Henry  Hill,  Samuel  Osgood, 
Cadwalader  Morris,  Andrew  Caldwell,  Samuel  In- 

(129)  The  plan  of  the  Bank  of  North- America,  which  was 
submitted  to  congress  by  their  order,  was  approved  by  them  on 
the  26th  of  May,  1781. 

(130)  When  the  question,  respecting  the  incorporation  of  the 
Bank  of  North  America  was  taken  in  congress,  twenty  members 
voted  in  the  affirmative  and  only  four  in  the  negative.  But  the 
▼otes  were  then  taken  by  states ;  and  of  these,  the  delegates  from 
New- York  and  Delaware  were  absent,  Pennsylvania  (having  only 
two  members  of  her  delegation  present)  was  dividedi  Massachu- 
aetto  (having  also  but  two  members  present)  voted  in  the  nega« 
tivc:  all  the  southern  states  were  in  the  affirmative,  with  the 
single  exception  of  Mr.  Madison's  vote,  his  three  coUeaguea 
(from  Virginia)  being  on  the  affirmative  side  of  the  question. 


898  MEMOIRS  OF 

gii%  Samuel  Meredith,  William  Bingham,  and  "inmo- 
thy  Matlaek,  Esqaires.  Mr.  Willing,  a  merchant  of 
bigh  credit  and  respectability,  was  president  of  the 
board. 

Some  doubts  having  arisen,  respecting  the  right  of 
congress,  under  the  then  existing  confederation^  fo 
exercise  the  power  of  erecting  any  corporate  body,  an 
act  was  passed  by  the  general  assembly  of  Pennsylva- 
nia, the  1st  of  April,  178S,  to  incorporate  this  Bank, 
in  order  to  obviate  such  doubts.  That  act  was  re- 
pealed, the  13th  of  September,  1785 ;  but  on  the  18th 
of  March,  1787>  the  charter  was  renewed  for  the  term 
of  fourteen  years,  and  has  been  since  further  continn- 
eiL 

It  was  by  means  of  this  establishment,  that  Mr. 
^orris,  the  superintendant  of  the  lijiances,  was  ena- 
bled to  support  the  public  credit,  and,  in  the  words  of 
Pr.  Gordon,  ^^  to  keep  things  in  motion,"  at  a  most 
critical  period  of  the  American  affairs,  and  when  the 
national  credit  was  in  the  lowest  possible  state  of  de- 
pression.^*?^^ 

(Idl)  Whatever  failings  (and  these  were  of  a  venial  nature) 
9My  have  appeared  in  the  transactions  of  Mr.  Morris,  as  a  primte 
dtisen}  in  the  latter  part  of  a  life  long  devoted  to  honourable  and 
useful  pursuiu,  yet  the  eminent  services  which  he  rendered  to 
Ua  country,  in  times  of  her  greatest  peril,  entitled  him  to  the 
gftttitude  of  his  compatriots ;  for,  in  his  numerous  and  important 
oAcial  and  other  public  negotiations,  his  honour  and  integrity 
were  alike  irreproachable.  Hb  merits  ought  not  only  to  rescue 
His^  name  from  oblivion,  but  they  give  him  a  just  clum  to  be 


1>AVID   KITT£NH0U8£.  399 

The  establitthment  of  a  Mint  seems  to  be  a  necessary 
appendage  to  that  of  a  national  Bank.  Accordinglyi 
Mr.  Morris^  in  his  capacity  of  superintendant  of  the 
finances^  addressed  a  letter  to  congress^  on  the  15th  of 
January  I7SS9  ^Uouching  the  establishment  of  aMinf 
On  the  Slst  oC^he  succeeding  months  they  approved 
his  proposal^ — directing  him^  at  the  same  time^  ^^  to 
prepare  and  report  to  congress  a  plan  :'^  Bot  nothinf^ 
further  appears  to  have  been  done  in  this  business^ 
until  the  I6th  of  October  1786,  when  congress  passed 
^^  An  Ordinance  for  the  establishment  of  the  Mint  of 
the  United  States/'  &c. 

About  two  years,  however,  after  the  commencement 
of  the  present  federal  government  (viz.  March  3. 
1791^)  a  resolution  of  congress  was  passed,  concern- 
ing the  establishing  of  a  Mint,  under  such  regulations 
as  should  be  directed  by  law.  Previously  to  this,  the 
late  Alexander  Hamilton,  Esq.  had  communicated 
to  the  house  of  representatives,  by  their  order,  the  re« 
snlt  of  his  enquiries  and  reflexions  on  the  subject,  in  a 

placed  in  the  list  of  American  worthies ;  while  his  subsequent 
misfortunes  — —  — —  —  — *—  — —  but, 

/  <<  No  further  seek  his  merits  to  disclose, 

Or  draw  his  frailties  from  his  dread  abode, 

(There  they  alike  in  trembling  hope  repose,) 

The  bosom  of  his  Father  and  his  God." 

Gray. 

Mr.  Morris,  who  was  long'  distinguished  for  his  talents  and  his 
services  in  this  country,  was  a  native  of  Lancashire,  in  England* 
Se  died  in  Philadelphia  on  the  8th  of  Mar,  1806. 


400  MEMOIRS  OF 

diffuse  and  masterly  official  report.  In  bis  report, 
this  able  financier,  alike  distinguisbed  as  a  statesman 
and  a  soldier/^^  remarked,  that  ^^  the  unequal  values 

(133)  ((  The  task  of  re-creating  public  credit/'  (says  Chief 
Justice  Marshal,  in  his  Life  of  Washington^)  "  of  drawing  order 
and  arrangement  from  the  chaotic  confusion  in  which  the  fi- 
BSDces  of  America  were  involved,  and  of  devising  means  whiofa 
should  render  the  revenue  productive,  and  commensurate  with 
the  demand,  was  justly  classed  among  the  most  arduous  of  the 
ditties  which  devolved  on  the  new  government*.  In  discharg- 
faig  it)  much  aid  was  expected  from  the  head  of  the  treasury. 
To  Colonel  Hamilton!  was  assigned  this  important,  and  at  that 
time  intricate  department. 

<<  This  gentleman  was  a  native  of  the  island  of  St.  Croix,  and, 
at  a  very  early  period  of  life,  had  been  placed  by  his  friends  in 
New- York.  Possessing  an  ardent  temper,  he  caught  fire  from 
the  concussions  of  the  moment,  and  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of 
youth,  engaged  first  his  pen,  and  afterwards  his  sword,  in  the 
stem  contest  between  the  American  colonics  and  their  parent 
state.  Among  the  first  troops  raised  by  New-York  was  a  corps 
of  artillery,  in  which  he  was  appointed  a  captain.  Soon  after 
the  war  was  transferred  to  the  Hudson,  his  superior  endow- 
ments recommended  him  to  the  attention  of  the  commander  in 
chief,  into  whose  family,  before  completing  his  twenty-first  year, 
he  was  invited  to  enter.  Equally  brave  and  intelligent^  he  con- 
tinued in  this  situation  to  display  a  degree  of  firmness  and  caps- 
cijty  which  commanded  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  g^ene- 
ral,  and  of  the  principal  ofiicers  in  the  army. 

^^  After  the  capitulation  at  York -Town,  the  war  languished 
throughout  the  American  continent,  and  the  probability  that  its 
termination  was  approaching  daily  increased. 

^  The  critical  circumstances  of  the  existing  government  ren- 
dered the  events  of  the  civil,  more  interesting  than  those  of  the 
military  department,  and  Colonel  Hamilton  accepted  a  seat  in 
the  congress  of  the  United  States.     In  all  the  important  acts  of 

*  This  was  in  the  year  1^89. 

t  Afierwards  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major-Geoeral. 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  401 

Allowed  in  different  parts  of  tbe  Union  to  coins  of  the 
Mme  intrinsic  worth ;  the  defective  species  of  then^ 
which  embarrass  the  circulation  of  them  in  some  of 
the  states ;  and  the  dissimilarity  in  their  several  mo- 
nies of  account^  are  inconveniences^  which  if  not  to  be 
ascribed  to  the  want  of  a  national  coinage,  will  at 
least  be  most  effectually  remedied  by  the  establish- 
ment of  one ;  a  measure  that  will  at  the  same  time 
give  additional  security  against  impositions,  by  coun- 
terfeit as  well  as  by  base  currencies/^-— ^^  It  was  with 
great  reason,  therefore,'^  continues  the  Secretary, 
^^  that  the  attention  of  congress,  under  the  late  con- 
federation, was  repeatedly  drawn  to  the  establishment 
of  a  Mint ;  and  it  is  with  equal  reason  that  the  sub- 
ject has  been  resumed ;  now  that  the  favourable  change 

the  day,  he  performed  a  conspicuous  part,  and  was  greatly  dis- 
tinguished among  those  distinguished  characters  whom  the 
crisis  had  attracted  to  the  councils  of  their  country.  He  had 
afterwards  been  active  in  promoting  those  measures  which  led 
to  the  convention  at  Philadelphia)  of  which  he  was  a  member, 
and  had  greatly  contributed  to  the  adc^tion  of  the  constitution 
by  the  state  of  New- York.  In  the  distinguished  part  he  had 
performed)  both  in  the  military  and  civil  transactions  of  his 
country,  he  had  acquired  a  great  degree  of  well  merited  fame; 
and  the  frankness  of  his  manners,  the  openness  of  his  temper, 
tho  warmth  of  his  feelings,  and  the  sincerity  of  his  heart,  had 
secured  him  many  valuable  friends. 

^  To  talents  of  the  highest  grade,  he  united  a  patient  indus- 
try, not  always  the  companion  of  genius,  which  fitted  him  in  a 
peculiar  manner  for  the  difficulties  to  be  encountered. by  the 
man  who  should  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the  American  finan- 
ces.** 

The  disastrous  death  of  this  celebrated  man  happened  on  the 
12th  day  of  July,  1804,  at  the  age  of  about  forty-seven  years. 

3  K 


4€S  MEMOIRS  OF 

whieh  hUB  taken  plaee  in  the  situation  of  pulilie  aP* 

faifs^  admits  of  its  being  carried  into  execution.'' 

• 

The  Mint  has  been  continued  in  Philadelphia^  ever 
*  sipce  its  establishment^ — a  great  commercial  city  be- 
ivg  very  properly  considered  the  most  suitable  sitna- 
tion  for  such  an  institution :  its  operations  have  been 
conducted^  for  many  years  past^  with  activity ;  and 
ik^n  are  few  coins  superior  in  beauty,  to  those  of  the 
American  Mint. 

In  less  than  a  year  after  Dr.  Ritteuhousc  had  en- 
gaged himself  in  the  duties  appertaining  to  the  Di- 
rectorship of  the  Mint,  he  was  again  called  upon  to 
assist  his  countrymen,  by  the  aid  of  his  talents,  in  ef- 
fecting  an  important  water- communication,  inland, 
which  was  then  contemplated.  Au  association,  called 
^^The  Conewago-Canal  Company,''  was  formed  in 
Philadelphia,  in  pursuance  of  a  law  enacted  the  13th 
of  April,  1791 }  by  which  the,  sum  of  fourteen  thou- 
sand dollars  was  appropriated,  for  the  purpose. <tfim* 
proving  the  navigation  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  be- 
tween Wright's  Ferry  (now  the  thriving  town  of 
Columbia)  and  the  mouth  of  the  Swatara.  TMa  emoh 
pany  consisted  of  seventeen  members,  of  whom  Dr. 
Rittenhouse  was  one :  and  they  were  incorporated  by 
an  act  of  assembly,  passed  the  10th  of  April,  I7S8. 

■  .  I  - 

Just  about  this  period,  an  occurrence  took  plaee  at 
Phila^elphjiii^  then  the  seat  of  the  national  govemaient, 


DAVID   RITTEXHOUSE.  403 

ivhich  excited  much  public  feeling  at  the  time^  and — 
contrary  to  the  expectations  of  some  good  men  of  san- 
guine dispositions — became  the  source  of  many  politi- 
f4»l  evils^  afterwards.  This  was  the  formation  of  what 
was  called  the  Democratic  Society;  a  political  associa-* 
tion^  produced  by  the  effervescences  of  the  French 
jrcvolution^  while  that  all-important  event  was  yet 
•viewed  in  a  favourable  light  by  free  nations :  and  of 
this  society^  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  elected  President 

That  Dr.  Rittenhouse  should  have  been  selected 
as  the  President  of  the  Democratic  Societyi  and 
chosen  for  that  station^  can  be  readily  accounted  for.  ^ 
This  gentleman  had  evinced^  from  the  commencement 
of  the  troubles  between  the  American  colonies  of 
Great-Britain  and  the  parent  country^  an  ardent  at- 
tachment  to  the  cause  of  his  native  land.  The  benevo- 
lence  of  his  disposition  rendered  him  the  well-wisher 
of  all  mankind  :  hence  every  thing  that^  in  his  view^ 
bore  the  semblance  of  oppression^  was  odious  to  him. 
But  the  wrongs  which  the  country  of  his  nativity^ 
more  particularly^  experienced,  from  the  unconstitu- 
tional claims  of  the  British  Parliament,  roused  those 
feelings  of  patriotism,  with  which  his  virtuous  breast 
was  animated,  at  the  beginning  of  the  American  dis- 
contents :  he  was,  therefore,  an  early  and  decided 
Whig;  and  the  same  principles  that  induced  him  to 
become  such,  continued  to  actuate  him  throughout  the 
contest  between  the  two  countries. 


404  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  benignity  of  his  temper  must,  nevertheless, 
irnn  indneed  him  to  be  truly  rejoiced  at  the  return  of 
peace.  When  that  happy  event  took  place^  he  had 
too  mach  goodness  of  heart  to  remember  past  injories^ 
too  mach  understanding  to  be  influenced  by  unworthy 
and  mischievous  prejudices;  he  had  not  a  particle  (rf 
malignity  in  his  nature.  At  the  period  of  the  Deela- 
ration  of  American  Independence  by  Congress^  he 
believed,  with  a  great  majority  of  his  coantrymen, 
that  necessity  justified  the  separation  :  and  from  that 
epoeha,  he  was  heartily  disposed  to  hold  the  mother- 
Goontry,  as  his  compatriots  then  declared  they  did 
the  rest  of  maukind,—^^^  enemies  in  war,  in  peaea. 
friends/' 

When  the  French  revolution  commenced,  the  be- 
nevolence of  his  feelings  led  him  to  believe,  as  almost 
every  American  then  did,  that  it  would  meliorate  the 
condition  of  a  great  nation,  whose  inhabitants  con* 
stituted  a  large  portion  of  the  population  of  the  Enror 
pean  world ; — a  nation,  which,  by  the  rigourous  poli- 
cy of  its  government,  under  a  long  succession  of  ambi- 
tious and  arbitrary  monarchs,  anterior  to  the  one  then 
on  the  tottering  throne  of  that  ill-fated  country,  had 
become  extremely  corrupt  among  the  higher  orders  of 
the  people ;  and  in  which,  the  inferior  classes  were 
subjected  to  great  oppression.  The  American  people 
having,  on  their  separation  from  the  mother- country, 
instituted  for  themselves,  as  an  independent  nation,  a 
constitution  wholly  republican;  they  were  disposed 
to  atiribule  the  vices  of  the  French  government,  bo- 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  405 

Aibre  the  revolution^  to  the  circumstance  of  its  heiqg  A 
(monarchy^  and  the  sufferings  of  the  people  of  France^ 
as  necessarily  resulting  from  the  monarehial  system 
of  rule  over  them.  When^  therefore^  a  republicaii 
form  of  government  was  erected  in  France  on  the 
ruins  of  the  throne ;  the  excesses,  and  even  the  atro* 
cities  of  the  people,  which  attended  the  demolition  of 
the  ancient  government  of  that  country,  and  the  esta- 
blishment of  political  institutions  entirely  new  to  its 
inhabitants,  found  palliatives  in  the  dispositions  of 
most  good  men  among  us  :  they  were  ascribed  to  the 
strong  conflicting  passions  naturally  produced  between 
the  great  body  of  the  people,  on  the  one  part^  and 
their  rulers  on  the  other ;  excited  by  the  long  soffer- 
ings  of  the  former,  and  an  unwillingness  to  part  with 
power,  in  the  latter.  Great  enormities  were  consi- 
dered as  the  inevitable  consequences  of  these  opposite 
interests,  when  brought  into  action  amidst  a  popula- 
tion of  many  millions  of  men,  whose  national  charac- 
teristic is  that  of  levity  of  temper  and  vehement  pas- 
sions ;  and  a  conflict,  wherein  all  the  malign  disposi- 
tions of  the  most  depraved  characters,  actuated  by 
motives  the  most  flagitious,  intermingled  themselves 
with  the  designs  of  those  who  meant  well.  Such  men, 
|freed  from  all  the  restraints  of  government  and  law, 
land  utterly  disregarding  all  the  obligations  of  either 

^ligious  or  moral  duties,  had  then  an  opportunity  of 
giving  a  full  vent  to  their  views,  whether  of  ambition, 
avarice  or  personal  resentments;  and  they  did  not 
fail  to  embrace  it.    While,  on  the  one  hand,  demei- 


400  MEMOIRS  OF 

gogues  faoned  tbe  popular  flame  by  the  vilest  arti« 
iices;  put  on  the  serablance  of  patriotism^  and  by 
{HractisiDg  the  most  detestable  hypocrisy^  professed 
themselves  to  be  the  friends  of  the  people^  whom  they 
were  deluding  into  premeditated  ruin.  £ven  Virtuous 
Frenchmen,  and  many  of  th<^m  possessing  no  inconsi- 
derable share  of  discernment,  soon  fell  victims  to  the 
machiavclian  policy  of  these  pretended  patriots.  These, 
in  their  turn,  were  sacrificed  under  the  denunciations 
of  their  compeers,  or  other  aspiring  villains;  and 
thus,  others  still  in  succession :  until,  finally,  a  for* 
tunate  military  usurper,  restored  the  monarchy  in  his 
diwn  person,  with  absolute  sway ;  and  by  substituting 
an  horrible  military  despotism,  in  the  place  of  a  most 
sanguinary  anarchy,  confounded  all  ranks  of  his  sub- 
jects in  one  vast  mass  of  miserable  slaves;  who  have 
been  since  employed  in  destroying  the  peace,  freedom 
and  happiness  of  their  fellow-men,  in  other  countries. 
Bach  have  been,  hitherto,  the  fioiits  of  the  French  re- 
volution; from  which,  at  its  commencement,  myriads 
of  good  men  fondly  anticipated  an  issue  precisely  the 
reverse.'^^^^^ 

(133)  The  deleterious,  though— as  it  might  almost  be  called— 
fascinating  influence,  of  the  revolution  undertaken  by  the  peo- 
ple of  France,  extended  itself  far  and  wide,  prior  to  the  murder 
of  their  king,  even  in  countries  under  the  milder  forms  of  go- 
vernment :  many  characters  of  great  worth  were  every  whore 
misled  by  the  plausibility  of  the  avowed  designs  of  its  authors 
^  and  supporters ;  and  in  no  country  was  the  infatuation  more 
genei^al,  than  in  the  United  States.  In  England  itself,  it  b^at 
a  kind  of  political  frenzy ;  and,  had  not  the  wise  and  salutsry 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  407 

NotwithsfandiDg  the  criminal  excesses  committed 
by  many  of  the  French  revolutionists^  before  the  insti* 
tution  of  their  short  lived  and  turbulent  republic,  it 
Inras  hoped  by  most  troe  Americans,  attached  by  fide- 
lity  as  well  as  principle  to  that  system  of  government^ 
which  was  then  the  legitimate  one  in  their  own  conn- 

vritings  of  the  celebrated  Burke  arrested  its  progress,  in  good 
time,  the  most  fatal  consequences  must  have  ensued.  Among 
the  literary  and  scientific  men  in  Britain,  who  became  deeply- 
infected  by  the  revolution-mania  of  that  day,  was  Dr.  Erasmus 
Darwin.  Miss  Anna  Seward  (one  of  his  biographers)  remarkSi 
that  the  Doctor  has  introduced  into  his  Botanic  Garden  an  alle- 
gory, representing  Liberty  <<  as  a  great  form,  slumbering  within 
the  iron  cage  and  marble  walls  of  the  French  Bastile,  uncon- 
scious of  his  chains ;  till,  touched  hy  the  patriot  flame,  he  rends 
bis  flimsy  bonds,  lifts  his  colossal  form,  and  rears  his  hundred 
arms  over  his  foes;  calls  to  the  good  and  brave  of  every  coun- 
try, with  a  voice  that  echoes  like  the  thunder  of  heaven  to  the 
polar  extremities ; 

<<  Gives  to  the  winds  his  banner  broad,  unfuri'd, 
**  And  gathers  in  its  shade  the  living  world  !*' 

In  consequence  of  Darwin's  use  of  this  grossly  misapplied 
figure ;— .as  the  issue  of  the  French  revolution  too  fatally  proves 
it  to  have  been^-Miss  Seward  offers  the  following  apology  for 
the  subject  of  her  friendly  pen : 

<<  This  sublime  sally  of  a  too-confiding  imagination,  has  m^dc 
tlie  poet  and  his  work  countless  foes.  They  triumphed  over 
him,"  says  his  fair  biographer,  ^on  a  result  so  contrary^— on 
the  mortal  wounds  given  by  French  crimes  to  real  Liberty. 
They  forget,  or  choose  to  forget,  that  this  part  of  the  poem 
(though  published  after  the  other)  appeared  in  1791,  antecedent 
(•the  dire  regicide,  and  to  all  those  uopreetdiented  itt;cjkies-  of 
sanguinary  cruelty  inflicted  on  FrancCi  by  three  :Of,  her  repu^i? 
can  tyrants ;  compared  to  whom,  the  most  remorseless  of  her 
monarchs  was  mild  and  merciful." 


408  liEHoms  OF 

tiy^  that  its  ultimate  establishment  in  France  would 
produce  permanent  benefits,  to  that  country  at  least^ 
which  would  infinitely  overbalance  what  were  consi- 
dered, by  zealous  republicans,  as  temporary  and 
partial  evils,  such  as  seemed  to  be  unavoidable,  in 
bringing  about  a  radical  change  in  the  fundamental 
institutions  of  a  great  and  powerful  empire.  Many 
Americans  were  not,  indeed,  so  sanguine  in  their  ex- 
pectations :  but  such  were,  nevertheless,  the  prevail- 
ing sentiments  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States, — 
even  among  the  best-informed  men. 

The  deliberative  and  cautionary  proceedings  (as 
they  purported  to  be)  of  the  more  prominent  revoln- 
tionary  characters  in  France,  in  their  minor  popular 
assemblies,  prior  to  the  establishment  of  their  national 
constitutional  form  of  government,  were  judged  of^  in 
the  United  States,  with  respect  to  their  objects  and 
utility,  as  similar  assemblies,  under  the  denominations 
of  councils  of  safety,  committees  of  safety,  &c.  were 
considered  by  their  own  citizens,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  American  revolution :  they  were  deemed 
to  be  necessary  agents  of  the  people  in  each  country, 
respectively,  during  the  interregnum  which  succeeded 
the  abandonment  of  their  ancient  governments. 

The  Jacobid  Club  of  Paris  M'as  one  of  these  poUU* 
eal  engines  of  the  French  revolution,  for  some  time 
riter  its  commencement ;  and^  perhaps,  that  assembly 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUSE.  409 

contained  many  worthy  members^  originaUy^  althou^ 
it  afterwards  became  notoriously  infamoiui^  by  the 
monstrous  enormity  of  the  crimes  it  countenanced  and 
produced. 

Chief  Justice  Marshall  has  observed  (in  his  lAft  of 
Washington^)  that  ^^  soon  after  the  arrival  of  Mr. 
G^enet^^^^  a  Democratic  Society  was  formed  in  Phila- 

(134)  Mr.  Genet  arrived  in  Philadelphia  the  16th  of  May» 
1793 ;  and  in  the  evening  of  the  same  day  a  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens was  held  at  the  state-house,  when  a  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  draw  up  an  address  to  this  minister  from  the  republic  of 
France :  Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  the  first  named  on  that  committee. 
At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  held  the  next  day,  he,  as  chairman 
of  that  committee,  reported  an  address  accordingly ;  which,  be- 
ing adopted  by  the  persons  then  assembled,  was  presented  to  the 
new  minister,  the  ensuing  morning. 

The  president's  proclamation  of  neutrality  had  then  been  issu- 
ed between  three  and  four  weeks  :*  the  addressers  therefore  say, 
keeping  this  in  their  view ;  ^  Earnestly  giving  to  the  national 
exertions  (of  France)  our  wishes  and  our  prayers,  we  cannot  re- 
riat  the  pleasing  hope,  that  although  America  is  not  a  party  in 
the  existing  war,  she  may  still  be  able,  in  a  state  of  peace,  to 
demonstrate  the  sincerity  of  her  friendship,  by  affording  very 
Useful  assistance  to  her  sister  republic." — ^The  ^  useful  assist- 
ance/' here  alluded  to,  and  which  it  was  supposed  France  might 
derive  from  this  coimtry,  <<  in  a  state  of  peace,"  did  not  contem- 
plate any  infringement  of  the  neutrality  of  tlie  United  States : 
Nor  could  Mr.  Genet,  himself,  consider  the  language  of  the  ad- 
dress in  any  other  than  its  true  sense ;  for,  in  his  extempore  an- 
swer, (a  written  one  was  also  returned,)  he  says,  "  From  the  re- 
mote situation  of  America,  and  other  circumstances,  France  does 
not  expect  that  America  should  become  a  party  in  the  war;  but 
remembering  that  she  has  already  combated  for  your  liberties, 

•  It  is  dated  Uie  22d  of  April,  1793. 

3  r  * 


410  MEMOIRS  OF 

<1c]p))ia,  wliicli  seems  to  have  taken  for  iU  model  the 
Jacobin  Club  of  Paris:" — "Its  organizatiou,"  con- 
tinues tbe  hisloriaa,  "  appears  (o  have  Iici'n  com- 
pleted OD  the  SOtli  of  May,  1793.*' 

It  will  nevertbekas  he  recollected,  tbat,  alioiit  that 
period,  the  shuck  given  to  llic  humane  feelings  of  tbe 
Americdo  people,  by  tbe  murder  of  Louis  XVI.  Iheir 
bciiofactor  dnring  tbe  war  in  (his  country,  and  bj  the 
death  and  sufferings  of  his  queen  and  family,  bad  uost- 
^^  '^ubitided.  Tbe  great  American  puljlic  still  continued 
Marmly  and  sincerely  attached  to  what  was  then 
\  icwed  06  tbe  cause  of  tbe  Kreneb  people  :  and  there- 
fore, wliatever  may  have  been  tbe  real  design  of  sett- 
ing up  a  Democratic  Society  in  Fbiladelpbia,  at  tbat 
point  of  time — a  design  only  known  to  its  founders, — 
it  is  certain,  lliat  many  highly  estimalile  and  merito- 
rious citizens,  and  firm  friends  of  the  existing  govern- 
ment, were  elected  members  of  that  society,  without 
any  previous  intimation  being  given  to  them  of  such 
an  iiilenliou  :  some  of  tbose  persons  never  attended 
any  of  llie  meetings  of  tbe  society ;  and  others  soon 

(and  if  it  was  necessary,  and  she  liail  (he  power,  would  clieerfully 
again  enlist  in  your  cause,)  we  hope,  (and  every  thing  I  hear  and 
sec  assures  mc  our  liopc  will  !jc  realized,)  that  licr  citizens  will 
be  tre.ited  as  brothers,  in  danger  and  distress."  This  declaration 
of  the  Trench  minister,  made  immediately  after  his  arrival  at  the 
seat  of  the  American  government,  forbad  the  addressers  to  be- 
lieve, that  cither  he  or  any  other  agent  of  the  French  government 
would  afterwards  undertake  to  violate  the  neutrality  of  the  Uni- 
ted Slates, 


DAVID  HITTENHOUSE^  4lll 

discoatinued  their  attendance.  If  it  were  actually 
formed  on  the  model  of  the  Jacobin  Club  of  Paris,  by 
some  of  those  with  whom  the  scheme  originated,  it 
cannol  be  rationally  presumed  that  men  of  great  pu- 
rity of  reputation,  in  public  as  well  as  private  life^ 
would  either  seek  admission  into  such  an  assembly, 
knowing  it  had  any  criminal  views ;  nor  would  they^ 
if  chosen  members  of  it  without  their  knowledge  and 
consent,  participate  in  its  proceedings,  should  these 
be  found  to  be  unconstitutional,  illegal^  or  dishonour- 
able.  Yet  it  is  a  matter  of  notoriety,  that  persons  of 
such  characters  were  in  some  instances  enrolled  among 
the  members  of  the  Democratic  Society  in  Philadel- 
phia, at  its  commencement  and  soon  after  its  organizaT- 
tioo^  in  the  spring  of  1793. 

It  may  be  readily  supposed,  that  such  of  its  mem- 
bers as  meant  well,  would  be  desirous  of  placing  at 
the  head  of  that  body^  a  man  of  unimpeachable  pa- 
triotism and  integrity ;  and  it  is  equally  reasonable  to 
conclude,  that,  had  there  been  a  majority  of  its  mem- 
bers, whose  secret  designs  were  inimical  to  the  tra^ 
interest  of  the  country  or  the  well-being  of  the  go- 
vernment^— even  these  would  wish  to  disguise  their 
intentions,  under  the  nominal  auspices  of  a  character 
universally  respected  and  esteemed.  Such  a  man  waa 
Dr.  Rittenhouse ;  and  therefore  was  he  selected  by 
the  Philadelphia  Democratic  Society,  as  their  Presi- 
dent.    At  the  time  of  his  election  to  that  station,  he 


41S  MEMOIRS  OF 

lield  fbe  highly  important  office  of  Director  of  the 
Miiit^  under  a  commission  from  President  Wiashing- 
ton ;  fbr  whose  public  and  private  character  he  always 
totertaihed  the  most  exalted  respect,  besides  the  per- 
sonal regard,  which  the  writer  of  these  Memoirs  knows 
to  have  subsisted  between  them.  It  is  not  presmki- 
ablc,  taking  all  considerations  into  view,  that  Dr.  Rit- 
tenhouse  suffered  any  serious  diminution  in  the  es- 
teem  of  that  virtuous  and  discerning  statesman,  by  the 
circumstance  of  the  Doctor  being  placed  at  the  head 
of  the  Democratic  Society  :  for  he  not  only  continued 
lo  hold  the  Directorship  of  the  Mint,  but,  when  he  of- 
fered his  resignation  of  that  high  trust,  two  ^ears  af- 
terwards, the  President's  reluctance  to  accept  it  yield- 
ed only  to  the  Doctor's  urgent  solicitation  to  decline  a 
further  continuance  in  the  office. 

Whatever,  therefore,  may  have  been  the  real  views 
and  intentions  of  some  of  the  members  of  the  Demo- 
cratic Society  which  was  formed  in  Philadelphia,  in 
1793, — even  if  those  of  a  majority  of  their  number 
were  highly  unjustifiable, — no  imputation,  unfavour- 
able to  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  character,  either  as  a  good 
citizen  or  an  upright  man,  could  in  the  smallest  de- 
gree be  attached  to  him,  by  reason  of  his  having  beei> 
chosen  a  President  of  that  body,  at  the  time  of  its  or- 
ganization.^"'^ 

(135)  Many  months  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  the 
same  licentious  writer  who  publicly  charged  him  with  being  an 


DAVlB  RITTENHOUSE.  •filS 

That  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  a  zealous  advocate  for 
fthe  liberties  of  mankind^  is  anquestionable :  but^  mneh 
r«8  he  abhorred  slavery  and  oppression  of  every  kind, 
'did  he  deprecate  turbulence  and  licentiousness  in  the 
^bple^  and  wars  of  ambition,  avarice  or  injustice,  un- 
'  Aertaken  by  their  rulers«  He  was  decidedly  friendly 
*to  those  measures  of  civil  government,  which  are  best 
calculated  to  maintain  order,  tranquillity,  and  safety 
in  the  state,  on  just  and  honourable  principles.  It  can 
%carcel;^  be  doubted  by  any  one,  intimately  acquainted 
with  his  character,  that  he  must  have  concurred  in 
'scmtiments  similar  to  those  attributed  by  the  biographer 
of  Washington  to  that  great  man,  on  this  subject, — 
in  the  following  observation  :  ^^  Between  a  balanced 
jrepublic  and  a  democracy  the  difference  is  like  that 
tletween  order  and  chaos.  Real  liberty,  he  thought, 
was  to  be  secured  only  by  preserving  the  authority  of 
the  laws,  and  maintMuing  the  energy  of  government* 
Scarcely  did  society  present  two  characters  which,  in 
his  opinion,  less  resembled  each  other,  than  a  patriot 
and  a  demagogue.'' 

Atheist,  declared,  in  the  same  public  manner,  what  was  equally 
untrue.  He  asserted,  not  only  that  Mr.  Rittenhouse  <<  volun- 
teered as  president  of  the  Democratic  Society,  in  Philadelphia,'* 
but  that  <<  he  himself  signed  the  inflammatory  resolves  against 
the  excise-law,  which  encouraged  the  malecontents  to  rise  in 
open  rebellion."  The  £ict  is,  that  the  ">  inflanunatory  resolves" 
referred  to,  were  entered  into  by  that  body,  on  the  8th  of  May, 
1794;  and  were  not  signed  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  but  by  another 
person,  as  ^  President  pro  tem/* 


414*  HEMOIIIS   OF 

Mr.  Rittenbouse^  it  must  be  rationally  supposed, 
was  less  acqaainted  with  mankind^  than  Generrt 
Washington  was  known  to  be :  he  had  mach  fewer 
and  more  limitcyd  opportunities  of  studying  human  na- 
ture ;  and  professions  of  pretended  patriots  were^  there- 
fore^ more  likely  to  impose  on  the  unsuspecting  ho- 
nesty of  his  nature.  He  may  even  have  been  deceived^ 
for  a  while^  and  ere  the  plausible  fallacies  of  theorists 
in  matters  of  civil  polity^  emanating  from  the  philo- 
sophy of  the  French  school^  had  yet  been  manifested 
to  the  world.  A  practical  philosopher  himself^  he 
must  have  contemplated  with  pity,  if  not  with  indig- 
nation, the  doctrines  of  the  followers  of  Pyrrho :  with 
whom  it  was  a  fundamental  principle,  that  there  is 
nothing  timt  can  be  denominated  true  or  false,  right  or 
wrong,  honest  or  dishonest,  just  or  unjust;  or,  in  other 
words,  that  there  is  no  standard  beyond  law  or  custom; 
and  that  uncertainty  and  doubt  are  attached  to  all 
things.  Nevertheless,  on  these  doctrines  of  the  scep- 
tical philosophers  of  antiquity  are  founded  that  mon- 
strous and  wicked  tenet  of  most  of  the  modern  sceptics, 
that  the  end  justifies  the  means  ! — a  principle  destrnc- 
tive  of  all  the  foundations  of  religion  and  morals. 
Well  might  the  Abbe  le  Blanc  exclaim,  when  no- 
ticing this  mischievous  sect  of  philosophers,  seventy 
years  ago, — ^^  Is  it  not  surprising,  that  men  should 
endeavour  to  acquire  the  esteem  of  the  public,  by  striv- 
ing to  break  the  most  sacred  baud  of  all  societies ;  in 
declaring  their  opinion  to  others,  that  there  is  neither 
virtue  nor  vice,  truth  nor  doubt/^— <^  Our  modem 


DAVID  RITTEKROUSE^  416 

philosophers/^^^  says  the  learned  Abb6  in  another 
place;  ^^  have  been  too  cojifdent.^^ 

This  is  certainly  correct,  in  one  point  of  view ;  al- 
though the  assertion  seems  to  imply  a  contradiction  in 
tenns;  so  far  as  it  applies  to  the  metaphysical  scepticism 
of  many,  assuming  the  honourable  appellation  of  Philo- 
sophers;  without  being  entitled  to  the  true  character. 
What  were  the  sentiments  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  con- 
eerning  the  tenets  of  men  of  this  description;  may  be 
fairly  inferred;  not  only  from  the  manner  in  which  he 
has  introduced  the  names  of  Berkeley  and  Hume  into 
the  Oration  which  he  pronounced  before  the  Philoso- 
phical Society;  in  the  year  177^5  but  from  other  ob- 
servations and  reflexions  contained  in  that  discourse; 
as  well  as  from  the  general  tenure  of  opinions  express^ 
ed  by  him  on  various  occasions. 

At  an  early  period  of  the  French  revolution;  a  cir- 
cumstance occurred,  which;  from  its  connexion  in 
some  particulars  with  the  life  of  our  Philosopher;  is 
here  entitled  to  notice. 


(136)  The  Abbele  Blanc  (or  the  writer  who  assumed  that  ap- 
pellation) names,  of  this  metaphysical  tribe,  Hobbes,  Lord  Shaftes- 
bury, Tindal  and  Collins,  all  Englishmen ;  though  his  own  coun- 
try has  long  been  the  superlatively  prolific  soil  of  infidelity  in 
religion,  and  chimerical  theories  in  every  department  of  science : 
such  philosophers  abound  in  France.  He  observes  very  justly, 
hpwever,  that  ^^  there  is  nothing  so  improperly  made  use  of,  as 
the  name  philosopher."  See  Le  Bianc*s  Lrtter9  on  the  English 
and  French  JVatioTis. 


4lift  l^SMOIRS  OF 

On  the  7tli  of  Aagast  1783,  and  after  peace  had 
been  proclaimed,  congress  unaoimoosly  passed  a  le- 

solation  in  the  following  words ^^  Resolved,  That 

an  equestrian  statue  of  General  Washington  be  erected 
at  the  place  where  the  resideH^ee  of  Congress  shall  be 
established ; — ^that  the  statue  be  of  bronze :  the  Gene- 
ral to  be  represented  in  a  Roman  dress,  holding  .1^ 
truncheon  in  his  right  hand,  and  his  head  epeircled 
with  a  laurel  wreath.     The  Statue  to  he  supported  l^y 
a  marble  pedestal,  on  which  are  to  be  represented^  in 
hasso  TTeKevoy  the  following  principal  events  of  the  wfr, 
in  which  General  Washington  commanded  In  pwsw: 
the  evacuation  of  Boston ; — the  capture  of  the  Hfi* 
sions,  at  Trenton ; — the  battle  of  Princeton ; — the  ae- 
tion  of  Monmouth  ; — and  the  surrender  of  York.— - 
On  the  upper  part  of  the  front  of  the  pedestal,  to  be 
engraved  as  follows  :  ^^  The  United  States  in  Congress 
assembled  ordered  this  Statue  to  be  erected,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1783,  in  honour  of  George  Wash- 
INGTON,  the  illustrious  Commauder  in  Chief  of  the 
Armies  of  the  United  States  of  America,  during  the 
war  which  vindicated  and  secured  their  Liberty,  So- 
vereignty and  Independence/^^"^^ 

(137)  The  legislature  of  Virginia,  in  their  first  session  aftcjr 
the  resignation  of  the  Commander  in  Chief,  passed  the  foliow- 
ihg  resolution  : — 

<*  Resolved,  that  the  executive  be  requested  to  take  measures 
4or  procuring  a  Statue  of  General  Washington,  to  be  of  the  finest 
marble  and  best  workmanship,  with  the  fi)]]owing  inscripticm  an 
its  pedestal.  * 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  417 

This  was  an  bonourable  testimony  of  the  gratitode 
and  affectionate  respeet  of  the  nation,  towards  the 
Hero  and  Patriot,  who  so  eminently  merited  both ;  and 
it  was  a  sincere  effusion  of  the  heart,  in  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  American  people,  while  the  transcendent 
Tirtnes  of  a  Washington,  and  his  then  recent  services 
in  his  country's  cause,  yet  inspired  every  generous 
breast  with  a  faithful  remembrance  of  his  worth  :  It 
was  a  laudable  proof  of  the  patriotism  that  actuated 
the  public  mind,  at  a  period,  when,  in  the  words  of  an 
enlightened  historian,^^**^  "  the  glow  of  expression  in 
which  the  high  sense  universally  entertained  of  his 
services  was  conveyed,  manifested  a  warmth  of  feel- 
ing seldom  equalled  in  the  history  of  man*'' 

The  fascination  wliicb  the  revolution  of  France 
spread  over  a  large  portion  of  Europe  and  America, 
for  some  time  after  its  commencement,  and  during  tlie 

.^The  general  assembly  of  the  commonwealth  of  Virginia 
have  caused  this  statue  to  be  erected  as  a  monument  of  affection 
and  gratitude  to  George  Washington,  who,  uniting  to  th^ 
endowments  of  the  Hero,  the  virtues  of  the  Patriot,  and  ex- 
erting both  in  establishing  the  Liberties  of  his  Country,  has  ren- 
dered his  name  dear  to  his  fellow-citizens,  and  given  the  world 
an  immortal  example  of  true  glory." 

This  resolution  was  afterwards  carried  into  effect:  the  statue 
wjiich  it  decreed  was  executed  by  Houdon,  and  occupies  a  con- 
spicuous place,  in  a  spacious  area  in  the  centre  of  the  capital  at 
Richmond,  in  Virginia. 

()38)  Chief- Justice  Marshall,  in  his  Life  of  George  IVaMng- 
ton, 

8    G 


4id  VEliOIRS  OF 

tine  it  yet  bore  (he  semblance  of  a  virtaocui  caute^ — 
while  it  seemed  to  enchant  the  trae  friends  of  freedom 
every  where ;  and  the  oft-resounded  and  captivating 
name  of  <^  Liberty/'  produced  in  men  of  ardent  tem- 
pers^  and  speculative  notions^  ideas  of  its  realiiy  of 
the  most  extravagant  nature,  and  in  numerous  instances 
of  very  mischievous  tendency. 

Among  those  of  the  latter  description  was  Joseph 
Ceracchi,  an  Italian  artist  of  celebrity.  Mr.  Ceraeehi 
was  a  statuary,  of  great  eminence  in  his  profession} 
and  to  the  manners  and  accomplishments  of  a  gentle- 
man, he  united  much  genius  and  taste.  Though  bont 
and  bi'ed  in  the  dominions  of  the  papal  see,  he  foster- 
ed the  principles  of  a  republican.  Conceiving  that 
the  genius  of  a  free  government  comported  with  these 
alone,  he  became  an  enthusiastic  admirer  of  the  French 
republic.  Finding  the  turbulent  state  of  France,  ai 
the  beginning  of  her  troubles,  unfavourable  to  the  ex* 
ercise  of  his  art,  in  that  country  ;  and  believing  as  he 
did,  that  the  tranquil  and  prosperous  condition  of  the 
United  States  would  afford  full  employment  for  his 
talents,  in  a  manner  congenial  to  his  inclinations,  as 
well  as  beneficial  to  his  private  interest ;  he  arrived^ 
with  bis  wife — a  German  lady  of  some  distinction — 
at  Philadelphia,  then  the  seat  of  the  national  govern- 
ment, sometime  (it  is  supposed)  in  the  year  1703. 

The  great  equestrian  statue,  which  congress  had^ 
ten  years  before,  decreed  to  be  erected  in  honour  of 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  41tt 

General  Washingtoo^  had  not  yet  bein  exeented ;  and 
Mr.  Ceracchi  imagined  that  the  gratitude  of  the  Ame- 
rican republic  would  furnish,  besides  this  primary 
work,  ample  scope  for  the  exercise  of  Iris  talents,  in 
erecting  honorary  memorials  of  some  of  the  more  illus- 
trions  characters,  which  tlie  American  revolution  had 
produced.  The  aptitude,  beauty  and  magnificence!^ 
which  the  artist  designed  to  display  in  some  great 
public  monuments  of  this  kind^  were  exhibited  in  mo- 
dels which  he  executed,  for  tlie  purpose  of  testifying 
his  abilities  in  the  art  be  professed  :  these  were  uni- 
versally admired,  as  the  productions  of  superior  geniuS; 
taste  and  skill.  Yet  Mr.  Ceracchi  remained  unemploy- 
ed :  the  national  council  did  not,  even  at  that  late  day, 
avail  themselves  of  so  favourable  an  opportunity  of 
engaging  liim  to  erect  the  statue  decreed  to  Washing- 
TON, — a  work  which  continues  unexecuted  at  the  pre- 
sent moment^*^^ !  and  t]>e  talents  of  that  eminent  artist 


(139)  "  If  the  example  of  all  the  republics  that  have  prece- 
ded U8  did  not  authorize  the  hope,  that  history  will  not  find  us 
guilty  of  ingratitude,  but  only  of  delay,  the  national  neglect  of 
tbe  memory  of  Washington  would  be  sufficient  to  repress  every 
sentiment  of  patriotism  and  public  spirit.  Of  this  neglect,  ag- 
gravated by  the  solemn  steps  taken  by  congress  to  obtain  a  right 
to  remove  the  body  of  the  Founder  of  our  Liberties  to  a  place 
of  public  and  honourable  sepulture,  and  the  abandonment  of 
that  right  when  obtained,  it  is  painful  to  speak — nor  is  it  neces- 
sary. There  is  not  wanting  a  general  sentiment  of  the  disgrace 
whifch  the  nation  suffers,  while  the  body  of  Washington  rests 
Tipon  a  tnisslc,  croud ed  into  a  damp  and  narrow  vault,  in  which 
the  rapid  decay  of  the  wooden  support  must  in  a  few  years  min- 
gle his  ashes  with  those  of  his  worthy  but  unknown  relations. 
"Rxcnions  not  aUoj^cthcr  worthy  of  the  object,  but  such  an  the 


i/SO  MEMOIRS  OF 

were^  not  long  irfterwards^  for  ever  lost  ta  the  caon^ 

fay. 

Among  the  gentlemen  with  whom  Mr.  Geracchi  be* 
CMne  acquainted,  in  Philadelphia^  were  some  mem* 
bers  of  the  Philosophical  Society  in  that  city;  andf 
on  their  recommendation  of  him,  he  was^  himself,  sooa 
IMSociated  with  this  institution. 

In  this  body,  as  the  Writer  believes,  Dr.  Ritten- 
jhonse  acquired  a  knowledge  of  Mr.  Ceracchi's  person 
and  character.  Both  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Rittenhouse^  from 
their  kind  and  unceasing  attentions  to  this  gentleman 
and  his  wife,  appear  to  have  considered  them  as  per- 
sons of  merit :  the  Doctor,  particularly,  by  his  friend- 
ly deportment  towards  the  husband,  during  the  time 
he  continued  his  residence  in  this  country,  testified  the 
esteem  he  had  conceived  for  this  ingenious  foreigner ; 
heightened  too,  perhaps,  by  a  delicate  sensibility  to- 
wards  him,  on  account  of  the  disappointment  in  his 
expectations  of  public  patronage  in  his  profession, 
which  he  experienced  while  here.  For  it  is  known 
to  the  Memorialist,  that  when,  in  consequence  of  such 
disappointment,  Mr.  Geracchi  became  embarrrassed 
in  his  pecuniary  affairs.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  eontiibated 
liberally  to  his  relief. 

present  fashion  of  finance  autliorizes,  arc  made,  to  give  tb  hij& 
memoiy  that  honour  in  other  cities,  which  is  denied  him  in  the 
metropolis  of  the  Union.*'  [Sec  the  .i?m.  Oration  delivered  6e^ 
fore  ihe  Society  of  Artist  s^  in  Philadelphia^  in  May^  l&ll^byB.H. 
Latrobef  Esq.^ 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  i&i 

dome  time  in  the  summer  of  the  year  1794  (if  the 
Writer's  recoUectioii  be  correct,)  our  benevolent  phi- 
losopher  having  occasion  to  view  the  canal,  intended 
to  form  a  communication  between  the  waters  of  tha 
Delaware  and  the  Bchnylkill,  invited  Mr.  Ceracchi  t» 
accompany  hiin>  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  qua^ 
lity  of  the  marble  in  the  great  quarries  of  that  mate«* 
rial,  situated  near  the  margin  of  the  latter  river,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  western  end  of  the  canal.  The  Memo- 
rialist  joined  in  this  little  excursion,  during  whic^ 
Dr.  Bittenhouse  was,  as  usual,  communicative,  cheer- 
fol  and  instructive. 

On  inspecting  the  quarries  just  mentioned — so  far 
as  time  then  permitted  an  examination  of  them, — Mr. 
Oeracchi  seemed  to  think  they  contained  only  lamina- 
ted  strata  of  stone ;  i^ot  massy  blocks,  without  fissures 
or  veins,  like  the  marbles  of  Carrara,  and  those  in 
some  other  parts  of  Europe  :  that^  although  this 
Schuylkill  marble  was  generally  of  a  good  quality 
and  of  a  whiteness  sufficiently  pure,  it  could  not  be 
obtained  in  masses  thick  enough  for  the  larger  sub- 
jects  of  fine  statuary.  Tet  this  artist  observed,  that  a 
large  proportion  of  the  slabs  appeared  to  be  of  dlmen* 
sions  suitable  for  various  subjects  of  sculpture ;  and 
'more  especially,  that  they  furnished  an  excellent  ma- 
terial  for  many  purposes,  ornamental  as  well  as  use- 
ful^ in  public,  edifices  and  other  structures^^^\     No 

(140)  Mr.  B.  H.  Latrobe,  in  speaking  of  the  great  improve- 
nMjnt  in  arcjtut^cturf;  recently  manifested  in  Philadelphia,  no- 


4(te  ftEMOIBS   OF 

Other  qnarries  of  marble  were  viewed^  on  tbii  ozeiir- 
•ion :  bat  it  is  probable  Mr.  Caracchi  would  haro 
found  the  marblei  of  Hitner'a  and  Henderson's  qoar- 
riea — which  are  at  nearly  the  same  distance  from  Phi* 
ladelphia^  though  not  situated  very  near  the  rim 
8ehuylkill*-«-much  better  adapted  in  every  respoety  id 
the  uses  he  contemplated.  This  nnfortunato  man  ap» 
peared  to  have  possessed,  in  addition  to  genius  and 
fine  professional  talents,  the  exalted  virtue  of  grati- 
tude. Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  his  benefactor }  and  the 
Philosophical  Society  had  elected  him  a  member  of 
their  body  :  a  fine  bust  of  the  Philosopher  in  the  an- 
tique style,  was  executed  by  Ceracchi  in  white  mar- 
ble, and  by  him  presented  to  the  Society,  on  the  6th 
of  February,  1799.  It  is  supposed  that  he  left  Ame- 
rica about  twelve  months  after  this  date ;  and  it  is 
said,  that  he  afterwards  perished  on  a  scaffold,  in  Pa- 
ris;  in  consequence  of  its  being  alleged,  that  he  was 
engaged  in  a  conspiracy  against  the  life  of  Bonaparte. 

ti^ea  the  peculiar  advantages  derived  to  that  city,  from  the  Ta- 
Idable  marbles  in  its  vicinity.  <<  The  beautiful  marble/*  says  hS| 
*^  with  which  this  neighbourhood  abounds,  and  the  excellence 
of  all  other  building  materials,  give  to  Philadelphia  great  advan- 
tages  in  this  branch  of  the  fine  arts."  (See  Mr.  Latrobe^s  Jb^ 
nual  Oration^  delivered  before  the  Society  of  jtrtisU^  in  PJtitadei- 
fikioj  May  8th,  1811.)  The  correct  taste  and  superior  skill  of 
this  gentleman,  as  an  Architect  and  Civil  Engineer,  are  well 
known  in  the  United  States.  In  Philadelphia,  the  Bant  o/ 
Fennsxjivania  will,  more  especially,  remdn  a  lasting  moDumeot 
of  his  talents  in  architectural  science,  as  well  as  of  the  excellent 
quality  of  the  maxMe  (for  such  purposes)  of  which  that  edifice 
is  constnictcd. 


BAVID  KITTENHOUSE.  VSSIt 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1794^  the  Earl  of  Bnchan^i 
P.  S.  S.  A.  and  James  Anderson^  LL.  D.  both  distin- 
goished  characters  in  Scotland,  were  elected  membere 
of  the  American  Philosophical  Society^  at  Philadel- 
phia :  and  it  appears  probable^  from  a  note  addressed 
to  Or.  Rittenhouse  by  President  Washington,  that 
they  had  been  pnt  in  nomination,  or,  at  least,  that 
their  election  had  been  advocated  by  the  former,  at 
the  instance  of  the  latter ;  the  note  is  in  these  words — 

^^  The  President  presents  his  compliments  to  Mr. 
Rittenhouse,  and  thanks  him  for  the  attention  he  has 
given  to  the  case  of  Mr.  Anderson  and  the  Earl  of 
Buchan. 
^^  Sunday  afternoon,  20th  April,  179*.'' 

At  the  commencement  of  the  following  year.  Lord 
Buchau^^  wrote  to  Dr.  Rittenhouse  tht  following  let- 

^^  Dryburgh  Abbey,  Jan.  IS,  1795, 
''  Sir, 

^^  My  wortliy  friend,  Mr.  John  Miller,  son  of  the 
eminent  professor,  John  Miller,  of  Glasgow,  whom  I 
recommend  to  your  attention,  has  charged  himself 
with  this  letter,  and  will  deliver  to  you  a  Writing- 
Box,  which  I  dedicate  to  your  use,  as  President  of 
the  Philosophical   Society  at  Philadelphia,  and  to 

(Ul)  The  Righ(  Hon.  David  Stewart  Erskine,  is  the  present 
Earl. 


4M  MEMOIRS  OF 

your  successors  in  office,  as  a  testimony  of  my  lu^ 
esteem  for  yoar  literary  character  and  for  that  of  the 
Society  over  which  you  preside. 

^^  This  Box  is  made  of  Tew,  of  Black  Cherty  tree, 
and  Acacia  and  Barberry,  and  veneered  with  Holly  ;* 
all  the  growth  of  my  garden  at  this  place,  and  joiuedi 
fitted  and  finished,  by  my  own  joiner,  in  this  hoose* 

^^  On  the  lid  is  an  authentic  pictnre  of  Copemieos, 
and  in  the  inside  thereof  is  a  similar  one  of  Napier. 
That  of  Copernicus  is  from  the  accurate  copy  of  the 
Chancellor  Hupazzuoski's  original  picture,  which 
was  sent  by  the  learned  Dr.  Wolf,  of  Dantzic,  to  the 
Royal  Society  of  London ;  and  this  limning  of  mine  is 
most  faithfully  delineated  and  shaded,  from  a  drawing 
made  by  Mr.  Thomas  Parke,  of  Picadilly,  formerly  a 
pupil  of  Yaleptine  Green,  engraver  at  London,  from 
the  picture  in  the  Royal  Society,  on  a  scale  propor- 
tional in  all  parts  aud  with  great  fidelity ;  so  that  I  can 
assure  you  of  my  limning  being  a  fac  simile,  as  to  the 
features  and  countenance.     That  of  Napier^*^  is  in- 

(142)  John  Napier,  called  Baron  of  Merchiston,  in  Scotland^ 
%iras  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Atxhibald  Napier,  of  Merclds- 
ton,  and  was  bom  in  the  year  1550.  As  Lalande,  m  his 
Aitrtmomie^  observes-— '<  he  deserves  to  be  celebrated  in  a  book 
on  Astronomy,  for  his  invendon  of  Logarithms,  which  he  pub- 
fished  in  1614.  He  had,"  continues  Mr.  Lalande,  ^  at  first  con- 
ccaled  the  principle  of  this  discovery :  but  Kepler  soon  pene* 
t rated  it ;  and  the  son  of  Napier,  in  an  edition  of  his  father's 
work,  which  he  published,  cxplidncd  the  ground  of  the  princi- 
ples." 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  488 

dlBed  a  most  exquisitely  beautiful  piece^  by  Jeha 
BrowD^  of  Edinburgh,  executed  with  the  black-lead 
pencil,  from  an  original  portrait  in  the  possession  of 
Lord  Napier;  and,  as  a  drawing  with  black-lead,  ex- 
cels, I  believe,  every  thing  of  the  kind  now  extant : 
Mr*  Brown  having  by  drawing,  during  twelve  years  in 
Italy,  from  statues,  obtained  a  super-eminent  accuracy 
and  beauty  of  design. 

^*  I  consecrate  this  interesting  piece  of  furniture  to 
American  Science,  and  to  the  Philosophical  Society 
of  Philadelphia :  willing,  however,  that  in  considera- 
tion of  the  high  esteem  I  bear  to  you  personally,  you 
should  have  the  custody  and  use  of  it  in  your  own 
house^  during  your  life  ;  producing  it  only  to  the  So- 
ciety for  the  use  of  the  Secretary,  when  you  think  pro- 
per. I  have  subjoined  by  way  of  postscript  to  this 
letter,  some  particulars  relating  to  the  Residence  of 
Copernicus,  and  iiis  Tomb  ;  which  I  wish  you  to  com- 
municate to  our  Society/"'^ 

^^  Permit  me  to  repeat  my  earnest  request,  that  you 
should  be  kind  and  attentive  to  the  Bearer  (and  his 
Family,)  who  I  hope  will  have  the  happiness  to  ob- 
tain  a  literary  establishment  in  the  United  States,  and 

The  son  here  mentioned,  Sir  Archibald,  was  promoted  to  the 
peerage  by  Car.  I.  in  the  year  1657,  and  was  ancestor  of  the 
present  Lord  Napier. 

An  account  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  the  Inventor  of  Logti^- 
rithms  was  published  by  the  Earl  of  Buchan.  w.  b. 

'•{143)  Sec  this  Postscript,  in  the  Appendix. 

3    H 


'N 


4A6  MEMOIRS  OP 

prove  of  much  utility  to  the  public.    I  am;  dir^  witb 
68 teem;  your  obliged  humble  servant — 

'^  Dk.  Rittenhouse;  Prcs.  of  the  Am.  Phil.  Society .'' 

This  really  ^^  interesting  piece  of  furniture^'  vtbb 
viewed  by  Dt*.  Rittenhouse  and  the  Philosophical  So- 
ciety, in  the  light  it  was  intended  to  be, — as  a  mark  of 
the  Donor's  good -will  towards  this  institution,  and  of 
his  respect  for  the  character  of  its  President.  The 
Box  has  been  disposed  of,  agreeably  to  his  Lordship'i 
desire  :  it  is  inserted  in  the  list  of  Donations  to  the  So- 
ciety, prefixed  to  the  fourth  volume  of  their  Transac- 
tions, under  the  date  of  May  15,  179{>;  and  it  is,  at 
present,  deposited  in  their  Hall. 

The  friendship  that  subsisted  between  Dr.  Ritten- 
house and  Mr.  Jefferson,  was  produced,  in  a  great 
measure,  by  the  congeniality  of  these  gentlemen  in  the 
concerns  of  science.  The  correct  and  penetrating  mind 
of  the  former  knew  how  to  estimate  at  their  just  value, 
without  over-rating  them,  the  literary  and  scientific  ac« 
quirements  of  the  latter ;  while,  on  the  other  hand;  this 
last  was  fully  capable  of  discerning  the  sublime  ge- 
nius and  most  extraordinary  talents  of  that  man  whom 
he  greatly  admired.  While  Mr.  Jefferson  resided  in 
Philadelphia,  as  secretary  of  State,  he  made  frequent 
visits  to  Dr.  Rittei^house :  he  thus  became  intimately 
acquainted  with  his  character,  for  which  he  conceived 
th(v  highest  respect;  and,  as  a  mark  of  his  esteem  for 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  487 

Ilim,  he  presented  him  with  his  own  bust,  in  the  cos- 
tume of  the  day^  cast  in  plaster^  from  one  in  marble 
^executed  by  Houdon^  of  Paris. 

Mr.  Jefferson  has  testiied  to  the  world  the  exalted 
opinion  he  entertained  of  our  Philosopher.  In  his  re- 
futation of  the  Count  de  Buffon's  preposterous  theory, 
^^  of  the  tendency  of  nature  to  belittle  her  productions 
on  this  side  the  Atlantic/'  he  makes  the  following  re- 
marks,  on  the  assertion  of  another  French  philoso- 
pher^^^ — tliat  America  has  not  produced  "  one  able 
mathematician,  one  man  of  genius  in  a  single  art  or  a 
single  science:'' — ^^  In  war/'  says  Mr.  Jefferson, 
^^  we  have  produced  a  Washington,  whose  memory 
will  be  adored  while  liberty  shall  have  votaries,  whose 
name  will  triumph  over  time,  and  will  in  future  ages 
assume  its  just  station  among  the  most  celebrated  wor- 
thies of  the  world :  when  that  wretched  philosophy 
shall  be  forgotten,  which  would  have  arranged  him 
among  the  degeneracies  of  nature.     In  physics,"  coh- 

(U4)  The  Abb6  Raynal.  The  Count  de  Buffon  had  conceived 
.an  opinion,  which  he  endeavoured  to  establish  by  ill-founded  ar- 
guments, that  the  animals  common  both  to  the  Old  and  th«  New 
^Vorld,  are  smaller  in  the  latter :  that  those  peculiar  to  the  New 
World,  are  on  a  smaller  scale  :  that  those  which  have  been  do- 
mesticated in  both  hemispheres,  have  degenerated  in  America : 
and,  that,  on  the  whole,  this  portion  of  tlic  world  exhibits  fewer 
species.  But  Raynal  went  further :  he  has  applied  this  ^  new 
theory"  (as  Mr.  Jefferson  calls  it)  of  the  ingenious  French  Natu- 
list,  to  the  race  of  men,  descendants  of  Europeans,  in  America. 
Mr.  Jefferson  has  shewn  the  erroneousness  of  these  theoriety 
founded  on  palpably  mistaken  facts. 


428  MEMOIRS  OF 

tinues  Mr.  Jefferson^  ^^  we  have  prodaced  a  Fr akrlik, 
than  whom  no  one  of  the  present  age  has  made  more 
important  discoveries,  nor  has  enriched  philosophy 
with  more,  or  more  ingenious  solutions  of  the  phaeno- 
mena  of  nature. — We  have  supposed  Mr.  Rittex- 
HOusE  second  to  no  astronomer  living  :  that  in  genius, 
he  must  be  the  first,  because  lie  is  self-taught.  As  an 
artist  he  has  exhibited  as  great  a  proof  of  mechanical 
genius,  as  the  world  has  ever  produced.  He  has  not 
indeed  made  a  world;  but  he  has  by  imitation  ap- 
proached nearer  its  Maker,  than  any  man  who  has 
lived  from  the  creation  to  this  day.^^^***^ 

Mr.  Jefferson  retained  the  highest  esteem  for  Dr. 
Bittenhouse,  during  his  life;  and  it  is  believed  this 
sentiment  was  mutual.  Letters  of  friendship  were 
occasionally  iutcrchanged  by  them  :  part  of  one  of 
the  latest  of  these,  is  as  follows  : 

'' Monticello^  Feb.  S4f.  1795. 
«  Dear  Sir, 

3k.  He.  Hi-  iit-  Jit  :Je.  J1& 

<Tv  ^  »T>  v^  ^/^  f^  Ti|r 

********    (145) 

^^I  am  here  immersed  in  the  concerns  of  a  farmer^ 
and  more  interested  and  engrossed  by  them,  than  I 

(145)  See  Jefferson's  jYous  on  Virginiay  written  in  the  year 
1781. 

(146)  A  considerable  portion  of  this  letter,  in  the  beginning, 
is  occupied  with  matters  of  business. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  4S9 

had  ever  conceived  it  possible.  They  in  a  great  de- 
gree render  me  indifferent  to  my  books,  so  that  I  read 
little  and  ride  much ;  and  I  regret  greatly  the  time  I 
have  suffered  myself  to  waste  from'  home.  To  this^ 
indeed,  is  added  another  kind  of  regret,  for  the  loss 
of  society  with  the  worthy  characters  with  which  I 
became  acquainted,  in  the  course  of  my  wanderings 
from  home.  If  I  had  but  Fortunatus's  wishing  cap, 
to  seat  myself  sometimes  by  your  fireside,  and  to  pay 
a  visit  to  Dr.  Priestly,  I  would  be  contented ;  his  wri- 
tings evince,  that  he  must  be  a  fund  of  instruction, 
in  conversation,  and  his  character  an  object  of  attach- 
ment and  veneration. 

^^  Be  so  good  as  to  present  my  best  respects  to  Mrs. 
Rittenhouse ;  and  to  accept,  yourself,  assurances  of 
the  high  esteem  of,  dear  sir,  your  sincere  friend  and 
liumble  servant, 

^^  Th.  Jeffebsox. 
^^David  Rittenhouse.^^ 

At  this  time.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  still  held  the  Direc* 
torship  of  the  Mint,  though  he  resigned  it  a  few  months 
nfter ;  and  from  that  period,  his  health  being  then 
much  on  the  decline,  he  seemed  to  be  desirous  of 
passing  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  tranquillity,  and 
an  abstraction  from  all  business  and  severe  studies, 
in  the  society  of  his  family  and  a  few  particular  friends. 
He  now  received  numerous  proofs  of  the  affectionate 
respect  and  high  consideration,  in  which  liis  person 


4S0  MEMOIRS  OP 

and  character  were  held ;  both  amoag  his  own  coim- 
liyinen  and  in  foreign  nations.  Many  of  his  fellow- 
citizens  were  assiduous  in  their  attentions  to  him : 
they  frequently  visited  him  ;  and,  when  he  was .  snf- 
fering  in  his  healthy  he  experienced  repeated  acts  of 
friendship  and  kindness  : — President  Washington 
often  made  calls  upon  him^  and  enquiries  concerning 
his  health ;  and  among  his  other  friends,  the  late  Mr. 
Henry  Hill  and  Mr.  Robert  Morris  mamfested  to- 
wards him  the  kindest  attentions. 

• 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  ±795^  our  amiable  Philo- 
sopher was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Royal  Sociefy 
of  London.  He  was  apprized  of  this  new  mark  of 
distinction  conferred  on  him,  by  the  following  note, 
addressed  to  him  by  Phineas  Bond,  Esq.  late  the  Bri- 
tish Consul^  resident  in  Philadelphia. 

"  Chesnut  Street^  I5th  June^  1795* 
^'  Mr.  Bond  lias  the  honour  to  inform  Mr.  Ritten- 
house,  that  he  has  received  a  letter  from  his  friend 
Mr.  George  Chalmers,  of  the  office  of  the  Lords  of 
the  Committee  of  Council  for  Trade,  &c.  at  White- 
hall,  in  which  he  requests  him  to  apprize  Mr.  R.  of 
his  clertion  as  a  Fellow  of  the  Royal  Society  of  Lon- 
\        don,  which  took  place  on  the  SSd  of  April. 

"  Mr.  B.  begs  leave  to  congratulate  Mr.  R.  on  this 
new  honour,  to  wliich  his  merits,  as  a  Philosopher,  «o 
eminently  entitle  him. 

"  David  Ritteniiouse,  Esq.-' 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  431 

It  was  not  until  towards  the  close  of  the  sammer^ 
that  Dr.  Rittenhouse  received  the  certificate  €i  his 
Fellowship^  in  the  Royal  Society.  His  Diploma,  for 
this  honour,  bears  date  the  l6th  of  April,  1795  ;^'^^^ 
and  was  accompanied  by  the  following  letter : 

^'Sir, 

^^  Having  the  honour  to  transmit  to  you  the  Diplo- 
ma of  your  election  into  the  Royal  Society,  as  a  fo- 
reign Member,  I  beg  leave  to  congratulate  you  on  this 
proof  of  the  high  esteem  in  which  you  are  held  bj 
that  illustrious  body.  I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with 
the  greatest  respect,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant. 

"  Charles  Peter  Layard. 
^^  R.  Society's  Apartments,  Somerset  Place, 
^^  London,  July  8d,  17i09.'' 

The  Royal  Society  of  London  has  dealt  out  the 
honour  of  Fellowship  with  a  sparing  hand,  to  foreign- 
ers ;  and  very  few  Americans  have  been  admitted  into 
that  body,  at  anytime:  the  Writer  does,  not  recol- 
lect any  others  than  Dr.  Franklin,  Dr.  Johnson,  for- 

(147)  Mr.  Bond  must  have  been  mistaken,  in  the  date  he  has 
assigned  to  the  election  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse ;  or,  perhaps,  the  date 
of  the  diploma  has  reference  to  the  time  of  nomination :  the  vari- 
ance in  these  dates  is,  however,  unimportant. 

The  diploma,  which  is  in  Latin,  being  done  on  copper-plate, 
18  in  the  usual  form.  It  has  the  signatures  of  eight  of  the  Fel- 
lows of  the  Society,  besides  those  of  the  President  and  one  of 
the  Vice-Presidents. 


482  MEMOIRS   OF 

merly  of  Connecticut^  and  the  late  Dr.  Morgan  tfnd 
Mr.  John  Bartram^  of  Fbiladelphia^  who  were  Fel* 
lows  of  the  Royal  Society  before  the  American  revo- 
lution ;  aud  since  that  period,  he  believes  Dr.  Bitten- 
house  to  have  been  one  of  but  two  or  three  native 
Americans  who  have  borne  that  mark  of  distinction. 

Soon  after  Dr.  Rittenhousc  became  associated  with 
that  illustrious  band  of  scientific  men^  a  letter  was 
^vritten  to  him  by  Mr.  Lalande^  the  celebrated  Astro- 
nomer of  France ;  of  which  the  following  translation 
is  given  in  this  place^  as  it  will  be  perused  with  inte- 
rest by  the  reader  versed  in  astronomy. 

^'  Parisy  at  the  College  ofFrancey  May  14<A,  1793. 

^^  It  is  a  long  time^  my  dear  Associate^  since  I  have 
heard  from  you :  but  Mr.  Adet^  our  worthy  ambassa- 
dor^  will  probably  procure  for  me  that  satisfaction. 
You  will  see  by  the  little  history  which  I  send  you, 
that  the  troubles  of  the  revolution  have  not  impaired 
my  labours ;  and  that  I  have^  now^  twenty-seven  thou- 
sand  stars,  observed. 

"  1  have  seen  with  great  pleasure,  in  the  transac- 
tions of  your  Philosophical  Society,  the  annular 
eclipse  of  1/91  c^"''^  I  have  calculated  the  conjunction 

(148)  The  continuation  of  the  6th  volume  of  the  American 
Philosophical  Transactions  (published  in  1809)  contains  various 
observations  on  the  Annular  Eclipse  of  the  3d  of  April «  1791, 
made  at  Greenwich,  Paris,  Cambridge  in  New-England,  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  George-Town  in  Maryland.     A  recapitulation  of 


DAVID  RITTENBOUSE.  4B8 

9^4Sf  iV;  but  I  have  been  obliged  to  take  one  mi* 
note  from  the  phases  of  the  ring^  and  to  suppose 

<  y ,  in  order  to  agree,  either  with  your  end 

of  the  eclipse^  or  the  difference  of  meridians^  already 
known  with  sufficient  accuracy  by  the  transit  of  Ve- 
nus, which  gives  9*"  i(y  6";  and  your  eclipse  gives 
g^  10'  3S  or  d^"  0'  4<3''  in  relation  to  Greenwich* 

^^  What  has  given  me  still  greater  pleasure^  is^  that 
the  duration  of  the  ring,  as  you  obherved  it,  agrees 
very  well  with  the  diameters  of  the  Sun  and  of  the 
Moon,  which  I  have  adopted  in  the  third  edition  of  my 
Astronomn  (179^)^  ftnd  the  diminutions  that  I  there 
propose  for  eclipses ;  viz.  B"^  to  be  taken  from  the 
diameter  of  the  Sun^  and  Sf  from  that  of  the  Moon.^^ 

the  results  of  the  longitudes  of  Philadelphia  and  Cambridge, 
irest  from  Paris,  is  made  from  the  Transit  of  Venus,  in  1769| 
the  Transits  of  Mercury,  in  1782  and  1789  ;  this  Annular  Eclipse 
of  the  Sun,  in  1791,  and  a  Solar  Eclipse,  in  1806;  the  mean  ro* 
solts  of  which,  give 

The  Long,  of  Philadelphia,  W.  fW>m  Paris,      S^  1(/.  Ol'',^^ 
Do.         of  Cambridge,  Do.  4.    53.  53 

These  observations  were  communicated  to  the  Philosophical 
Society  by  Don  Joseph  J.  Ferrer,  of  Cadiz,  a  very  respectable 
astronomer,  and  a  foreign  member  of  the  Am.  Philos.  Society. 

(U9)  In  the  annular  eclipse  of  the  sun,  on  the  Sd  of  Aprils 
1791,  as  observed  at  Philadelphia  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  the  fiuv- 
niation  of  the  ring  is  stated  at  &^  46'  1 1^''  A.  M.  true  time ;  and 
its  rupture,  at  6*»  5(/  28^,  «  I  have,"  says  Mr.  Lalande  (in  his 
Additional  \797 j)  ^ reduced  the  conjunction  of  it  to  7^  41'  19^, 

8i 


4if0  ttftitoms  OF 

^^  I  pray  you  to  make  many  complimento  far  mt,  to 

the  astrDnomers  whom  I  know^  ill  your  country,  Mr* 

Willard  at  Beverley  and  Mr.  Williams  at  Cambridge: 

Is  there  any  other  astronomer,  now,  who  applies  him- 

self  seriously  to  astronomy  ?    I  greet  you  with  healtb 

and  brotherhood. 

^^  Lalande« 

^^  Professor  of  Astronomy,  and  Inspector  of  th5 
College  of  France,^*'®^  Cambray.Placc.'^ 

The  mind  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  ever  intent  on  doing 
good,  was  always  zealously  engaged  on  occasiont 
which  afforded  him  opportunities  of  contributing  to  the 

and  the  difference  of  meridians  5^  \C/  3",  greater  by  7^  than  thai 
given  by  Mr.  Rittcnliouse.  This  duration  of  the  ring,  gives  (or 
the  latitude  in  conjunction  44'  57^,  which  confirms  the  value  of 
the  diameters  of  the  sun  and  of  the  moon,  that  I  have  given  in 
the  3d  edition  of  my  Mtronomy^  and  the  diminution  that  I  make 
fti  the  eclipses,  3^^  for  the  ray  of  the  sun,  and  2"  for  that  of  the 
moon.  I  have  subtracted  one  minute  of  the  time  marked  in  tlie 
third  volume  of  the  Transactions  of  the  Society  of  Philadelfdibii 
for  the  formation  and  the  rupture  of  the  ring;  but  this  correetloo 
was  pointed  out  to  me  by  the  termination  of  the  eclipse,  as  well 
as  by  the  difference  of  meridians,  which  was  ascertained  by  the 
Transit  of  Venus  over  the  Sun.** 

(150)  Mr.  Lalande  was  first  appointed  to  that  station,  in  the. 
year  1761.  "The College  of  France,"  heretofore  styled  "The 
Royal  College  of  France,"  was  originally  founded  in  the  year 
1530,  by  Francis  I.  but  letters -patent  were  issued  in  favour  of  it 
in  1772,  by  the  unfortunate  Louis  XVL  The  present  edifice, 
finished  in  1775,  gave  new  activity  to  the  ancient  establishment^ 
and  Lalande  viewed  it,  when  he  wrote  his  Mtronomic^  as  faaTing 
been  one  of  the  best  schools  in  the  world  for  the  sciencesy  hot 
principally  for  astronomy. 


DAVim  RITTENBOUSE.  4fii 

rewards  of  merit  aod  the  promotion  of  beneficial  es* 
tabliBhrnents^  or  useful  undertakings  of  any  kind. 

Such  an  occasion  presented  itself^  at  the  close  of 
ihe  year  1790.  His  nephew  Dr.  B.  S.  Barton^  to 
whom  he  was  attached  by  the  strongest  ties  of  friend* 
flhip^  then  held  the  Professorship  of  Botany  and  Na- 
tural History  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  :  but 
a  vacancy  being  at  that  time  expected  in  the  chair  of 
the  Materia  Medica,  which  branch  of  medicine  was 
then  taught  by  Dr.  Samuel  Powell  Griffitts,  Dr.  Rit- 
tenhouse  exerted  himself  to  obtain  that  appointment 
for  his  nephew ;  upon  whom  it  was  conferred  soon 
after^  in  conjunction  with  the  chair  he  already  occu- 
pied. 

With  a  view  to  the  gratification  of  his  anxious 
wishes^  in  the  attainment  of  this  object^  Dr.  Ritten- 
house  addressed  himself  personally  to  some  of  his  col- 
leagues in  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  University :  and 
to  Dr.  M^Kean,  president  of  that  board^  he  wrote  the 
following  lettei-^"^^  on  the  sulyect. 


(151)  The  original  letter  was  politely  presented  to  the  autho|P9 
hf  Ms  yenerable  friend,  the  profound  La^er  and  distinguish^ 
Patriot  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  On  that  occasion,  Governor 
M^Kean  expressed  himself  in  tcims  of  the  highest  respect  ind 
Undest  regard  for  the  memory  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  as  one  of  his 
friends,  whom,  while  living)  he  gl«atly  valued  for  his  talents  an4 
csteamcd  for  his  virtues. 


tt6  MEMOIBS  OF 

^'  Philadelphia,  Dec.  2eth,  ±799. 
<^Dear  Sir, 

^'  I  am  informed  that  Dr.  Gh*iffltts  intends  to  resign 
bis  Professorship  in  the  University,  sometime  this 
winter.  On  this  occasion,  I  beg  leave  to  recommend 
to  your  favourable  notice  my  nephew,  Dr.  Barton. 
He  certainly  has  abilities  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  be- 
Qseful  in  any  branch  of  medicine,  and  ambition  enough 
to  induce  him  to  make  the  greatest  exertions :  Besides^ 
the  Materia  Medica  seems  so  nearly  connected  with 
Botany  and  Natural  History,  his  favourite  studies, 
that  I  flatter  myself  he  will  be  successful  in  his  in- 
tended application  to  the  honourable  Board  of  Trus« 
tees ;  yet  I  am  certain  this  will  much  depend  on  yoor 
interest.  1  am,  Dear  Sir,  with  the  sincerest  affection 
and  esteem,  your  most  obedient  Servant, 

"  David  Rittenhouse^^**^ 

(Superscribed.) 
^^Hon.  Thomas  M'Kean,  LL.  D. 
Chief  Justice  of  Pennsylvania.'^ 


The  affectionate  regard  and  high  respect  which 
professor  Barton  viniformly  cherished  for  the  person 


.* 


,  (153)  Dr.  Rush  has  observed,  in  his  EtUogiumoTi  RittenhoosCy 
that  ^  There  was  no  affectation  of  singularity  in  any  thing  ho 
said  or  did.  Even  his  hand-writing/' said  he,  <<in  which  this 
weakness  so  frequently  discovers  itself,  was  simple  and  intelli- 
gible  at  first  sight,  to  all  who  saw  it."  As  a  specimen  of  thisy  a 
/ac  HmiU  of  the  letter  in  the  text  is  presented  to  the  reader. 


1 


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DAVID  BITTEVHOUSE.  487 

and  character  of  this  worthy  relative,— who^  on  all 
<M;casionS;  evinced  himself  to  be  his  sincere  friend,—- 
cannot  be  better  manifested,  than  by  citing  his  own 
words.  In  his  dedication  to  Dr.  Hittenhouse,  of  a 
dessertation,  entitled,  A  Memoir  concerning  the  fas- 
cinating  faculty  which  has  been  ascribed  to  the  Rattle^ 
Snake  and  other  American  Serpents,  is  this  passage 
— -^^  In  inscribing  this  Memoir  to  you,  dear  sir,  I  fol- 
low the  regular  course  of  my  feelings,  which,  when  I 
have  received  acts  of  friendship  or  kindness,  ever 
lead  me  to  acknowledge  them.  Whilst  your  example 
early  implanted  in  me  an  ardent  love  of  science,  the 
assistance  which  you  afforded  me,  by  removing  many 
of  ttie  obstacles  that  luive  opposed  my  advancement  in 
life,  has  enabled  me  to  devote  a  portion  of  my  time  to 
the  cultivation  of  science ;  and  thereby  to  increase  the 
quantity  of  my  happiness :''  This  was  written  just 
four  months  before  the  decease  of  our  Philosopher. 
And  in  a  subsequent  inscription  by  the  same  gentle- 
man,— that  of  his  JV*eir  Views  of  the  Origin  of  the 
Tribes  and  JVations  of  America, — dedicated  to  Mr. 
Jefferson,  and  dated  about  a  year  after  that  event, 
lie  says :  ^^  The  only  dedications  I  ever  wrote,  were 
to  two  persons^^^^  whom  I  greatly  esteemed  and  loved ; 
the  last,  to  a  common  friend,  whose  virtues  and  science 
endeared  him  to  his  country,  and  whose  removal  from 
us,  we  shall  long  have  reason  to  deplore.^^ 

(153)  The  first  of  these,  in  the  order  of  time,  was  his  eldest 
brother,  the  writer  of  these  memoirs ;  the  other  was  his  uncle^ 
Dr.  Rittenhousc. 


4M  MEMOIB8  OF 

Soon  after  Dr.  Priestley^s  arrival  in  Pe1lIl8yfvaBV^ 
our  Fbilosopher  became  personally  acquainted  with 
him,  and  presently  conceived  for  his  fellow -labourer 
in  science  a  sincere  esteem.  This  was  reciprocal ; 
and^  therefore,  while  the  celebrated  English  philoM^ 
pher  remained  in  Philadelphia,  and  also  when  he  oe- 
casionally  visited  that  city  after  his  removal  to  the 
town  of  Northumberland  on  the  Susquehanna,  he  paaa^ 
ed  much  of  his  time  in  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  family.  Be 
far  as  the  pursuits  of  these  gentlemen,  in  mattere  of 
science,  were  congenial — ^for,  in  some  respects  thiqr 
were  very  dissimilar, — their  opinions  appeared  to  har* 
monize  with  each  other  :  but,  how  far  their  sentineste 
accorded  on  other  subjects,  or  whether  at  allf  the 
Writer  cannot  undertake  to  pronounce ;  not  possess* 
ing  the  necessary  means  to  enable  him  to  do  so  with  a 
sufficient  degree  of  certainty.  Dr.  Rittenhouse'a  VBt^ 
tercourse  )vith  Dr.  Priestley,  either  personal  or  epis- 
tolary, was,  however,  of  sliort  duration  i  being  tersiK 
nated  by  the  death  of  the  fgrmer,  in  little  iQore  than 
two  years  after  the  latter  iirst  came  to  Philadelphiiu 
One  of  the  last  interviews  which  Dr.  Rittenhoast 
bad  wltl^  biis  friend  Priestley,  was  very  shortly  before 
our  philosopher's  death :  he  was  one  of  a  selec^t  fe« 
wbpm  thp  writer  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  at  Dr* 
flittcnhouse's,  to  dine,  pn  the  18th  of  M areb^  17&0. 

That  learned  and  eminent  foreigner, — for  Dr.  Priest- 
ley never  became  a  naturalized  citizen  of'  (he  United 


DAVID  RITTfiNHOUSE.  4A^ 

States^ — died  at  Northumberlatid  in  PenMylvatiia^  at 
an  advaaeed  age,  on  the  6th  day  of  February  ISCVl. 

The  scanty  remnant  of  life  that  yet  remained  to  the 
great  Ameriean  Astronomer  and  Mathematician^  was 
neither  nselessly^  nor  altogether  unpleasantly  employ- 
ed. In  this  interval  of  time^  short  as  it  was^  such  por- 
tions of  it  as  afforded  him  some  respite  from  sickness 
and  pain^  were  either  devoted  to  the  society  of  his  fa- 
mily and  friends^  or  occupied  in  study.  From  these 
sources  of  rational  enjoyment^  be  derived  much  com- 
fort ;  and  the  solace  he  drew  from  them^  was  greatly 
heightened  by  the  endearing  attentions^  which^  amidst 
the  rapid  decline  of  his  health  and  strength^  he  expe- 
rienced, in  an  eminent  degree,  in  the  bosom  of  his  af- 
fectionate family  and  some  surrounding  relatives.  He 
was  fully  sensible  of  the  approaching  crisis  of  his  dis- 
ease ;  and  he  appeared  to  be  quite  prepared  to  meet 
the  awful  stroke,  with  the  fortitude  which  a  retrospec- 
tive view  of  a  well-spent  life  would  naturally  inspire; 
at  well  as  with  the  resignation,  which  an  entire  confi- 
dence in  the  goodness,  the  wisdom,  and  the  mercy  of 
Ids  omnipotent  Creator,  taught  him  to  be  a  duty.  His 
elevated  conceptions  of  the  Deity,  together  with  his 
decided  belief  of  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  accord- 
ing  at  the  same  time  with  the  doctrines  of  a  pure  reli- 
l^n,  animated  him  with  the  stcdfast  hope  of  an  happy 
fhturity,  worthy  of  a  Christian  and  a  Philosopher. 
His  intimate  knowledge  of  the  sublimest  works  of  cre- 
ation, rendered  him  hi2;hly  sensible  of  the  wisdom  and 


140  MEMOIRS  OF 

power  of  the  Gb^at  Supreme;  while  that  knowledge^ 
aided  by  the  lights  furoished  by  the  Christian  dispen-' 
aation,  led  him  to  ascribe  suitable  attributes  to  the 
Author  of  Nature, — a  Being  infinitely  good^  as  well ' 
as  perfect :  for,  as  he  once  familiarly  expressed  him- 
self/^^  he  was  ^^  firmly  persuaded,  that  we  are  not  at 
the  disposal  of  a  Being,  who  has  the  least  tinctnre  of 
ill-nature,  or  requires  any  in  us.^'^"*^ 

(154)  In  a  letter  written  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton^  in  Sept. 
1755)  when  the  writer  was  little  more  than  twenty-three  years 
of  age. 

(155)  The  extract  from  a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends,  which 
fir.  Rush  has  quoted  in  his  Eulogmm  on  Rittenhouse,  fumishes 
additional  testimony,  if,  indeed,  any  were  wanting,  of  the  exalted 
sense  of  Divine  Goodness,  that  was  cnteiiftdned  by  our  pious 
philosopher:  "Give  me  leave,"  says  he,  "to  mention  two  or 
three  proofs  of  infinite  Goodness,  in  the  works  of  Creation.  The 
first  is,  possessing  goodness  in  ourselves.  Now  it  is  inconsistent 
with  all  just  reasoning  to  suppose,  that  there  is  any  thing  goody 
lovely  or  praiseworthy,  in  us,  which  b  not  possessed  in  an  infi- 
nitely higher  degree  by  that  Being  who  first  called  us  into  exist* 
ence.  In  the  next  place,  I  reckon  the  exquisite  and  innocent 
delight,  that  many  things  around  us  are  calculated  to  afibrd  us. 
In  this  light,  the  beauty  and  fragrance  of  a  single  rose  is  a  better 
argument  for  Divine  Goodness,  than  a  luxuriant  field  of  wheat. 
For,  if  we  can  suppose  that  we  were  created  by  a  malevolent 
Being,  with  a  design  to  torment  us  for  his  amusement,  he  must 
have  furnished  us  with  the  means  of  subsistence,  and  cither  have- 
made  our  condition  tolerable,  or  not  have  left  the  means  of  quit- 
ting it  at  pleasure,  in  our  own  power.  Such  being  my  opinions, 
you  will  not  wonder  at  my  fondness  for  what  Mr.  Addison  calls 
The  Fleaaurea  qf  Imagination :  they  are  all,  to  me,  so  many  de- 
monstrations of  Infinite  Goodness." 

That  such  were  also  the  sentiments  of  one  of  the  greatest 
philosophers  of  the  seventeenth  century^  a  man  alike  celebrated 


DAVID  RlTTEyROUSE.  441 

It  is  an  observation  of  a  jadioious  biographer^*  that 
^^  nothing  can  awaken  the  attention^  nothing  affbct 
the  heart  of  man,  more  strongly,  than  the  behaviour 
of  eminent  personages  in  their  last  moments ;  in  that 
only  scene  of  life  where  we  are  all  sure,  later  or  soon* 
er,  to  resemble  them.*^  The  writer  of  these  Memdn 
feels  a  sort  of  pensive  gratification^  in  having  it  in  hh 
power  to  announce  the  manner  in  which  the  great 
American  Astronomer  deported  himself,  during  the 
closing  scene  of  his  life  :  The  following  information 
on  this  head,  was  communicated  by  the  writer's  bro- 
ther. Professor  Barton,  the  deceased's  nephew  and 
friend, — for  some  years,  also,  his  family-physician; 
and  who,  in  his  medical  capacity,  attended  him  in  the 
whole  of  his  last  illness. 


^^  The  last  visit  I  ever  received  from  Mr.  Ritten- 
house  was  about  the  middle  of  June,  1796.  He  called  at 
my  humble  habitation  in  Fifth  street,  to  inquire  about 

as  a  profound  Mathematician,  and  a  learned  and  pious  Divine,  it 
apparent  from  the  following  passage,  in  the  first  of  Dr.  Barrow's 
two  Diacouraea  on  the  Goodneaa  qf  God. 

^  Every  pleasant  object  we  view,  every  sweet  and  savouiy 
morsel  we  taste,  every  fragrancy  we  smell,  every  harmony  we 
hear ;  the  wholesome,  the  cheering,  the  useful,  yea,  the  innocent 
and  inoffensive  qualities  of  every  thing  we  do  use  and  enjoy ,'* 
said  this  excellent  person,  ^are  so  many  conspicuous  arguments 
of  Divitie  Goodness." 

*  Mr.  Mallet,  in  his  Life  of  Lord  Chancellor  Bacon. 

3  K 


44^  MttMOlRS  OF 

my  liealth^  and  to  learn  from  me  the  result  of  the  ex- 
periments and  inqairies  in  wliich  he  knew  I  was^  at 
this  time  engaged^  concerning  the  mode  of  generation 
and  gestation  of  our  opossum^  an.  animal  to  whose 
economy  and  manners  he  had  himself  paid  some  at- 
tention^ and  whose  history  he  justly  considered  one  of 
the  most  interesting  in  the  whole  range  of  zoology. 

^^  It  was  on  this  occasion^  that  our  excellent  friend 
first  informed  me^  that  he  had  received  a  diploma  from 
the  Royal  Society.  He  observed^  with  a  tone  of 
Tcnce  and  with  a  certain  expression  of  countenance^ 
which  were  not  calculated  to  afford  me  any  pleasure^ 
^^  that  a  few  years  ago,  such  a  mark  of  respect  froBL 
that  illustrious  body  would  have  been  received  by  him 
with  pleasure  and  with  pride/^ 

^^In  fact^  Mr.  Rittenfaouse^  now  and  for  some  months 
past;  was  strongly  impressed  with  the  idea^  that  his 
career  of  usefulness  and  virtue  was  nearly  at  an  end. 
He  had  several  tipies^  during  the  preceding  part  of  the 
spring  and  summer,  intimated  to  me  (and  doubtless  to 
others  of  his  friends)  his  impressions  on  this  bead.  In 
what  precise  condition  of  his  system^  whether  physical 
pr  inteliectual,  these  impressions  were  founded^  I  have 
only  been  able  to  form  a  distant^  and  unsatisfact<nry 
conjecture. 

« 

^^  A  few  days  after  this  interview,  viz.  on  the  88d  of 
June,  J  was  sent  for  to  visit  Mr.  Rittenhouse.   I  found 


DAVID  RtTTEKHOUSE.  41)8 

him  in  his  garden^  where  he  loved  to  walk^  and  soon 
learned  that  he  laboured  under  a  severe  attack  of  cbo* 
lera^  accompanied^  however^  with  more  fever  than  we 
generally  find  with  this  disease ;  and  with  a  great  i&* 
crease  of  that  violent  pain  and  sense  of  oppression  at 
the  region  of  his  stomachy  to  which  he  had  been  sab- 
ject  for  at  least  thirty  years.  Notwithstanding  his  age^ 
the  debility  of  his  system^  and  the  unfavourable  state 
of  the  season^  I  ventured  to  flatter  myself^  that  the  at* 
tack  would  not  prove  mortal.  On  the  following  day^ 
however,  finding  him  no  better,  but  rather  worse,  lie- 
quested  permission  to  call  in  the  aid  of  another  phy- 
sician ;  and  having  mentioned  the  name  of  Dr.  Adam 
Kuhn,  that  gentleman  accordingly  visited  our  friend,  in 
company  with  me,  during  the  remainder  of  his  iUnest. 

'  His  febrile  symptoms  being  very  urgent,  it  was 
thought  necessary  to  bleed  our  patient ;  and  notwith*' 
Atan^ng   his  great  and  habitual  repugnance  to  the. 
practice  on  former  occasions,  he  nowreadily  consent- 
ed to  the  operation,  on  condition  that  I  would  perform 
it  myself.     The  blood  which  was  drawn,  exhibited  a 
pretty  strong  inflammatory  crust.;   and  the  opera-, 
tion  seemed  to  give  him  a  temporary  relief  from  Us . 
pain.  Soon  after  this,  his  strength  gradually  declined ; 
and  on  the  third  day  of  his  illness,  it  was  but  too  ob- 
vious,  that  our  illustrious  relative  was  soon  to.be  xph" 
rated  from  his  friends*    He  expired  without  a  stni^ 
gle,  and  in  the  calmest  manner,  ten  minutes  before 
two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Sunday  the  S6th,  in 


« 


4M  lliMOIBSOF 

iha  presence  of  his  youngest  daughter^  Mrs.  Waters^ 
Md  myself.  His  excellent  wife^  who  had  ever  been 
assiduous  in  her  attention  on  her  husband^  both  in 
sickness  and  in  healthy  had  retired  from  his  diam- 
ber  about  two  hours  before^  unable  to  support  the  aw* 
ful  scene  of  expiring  genius  and|Virtue. 

<f  There  can  be  no  doubt^  I  think^  that  Mr.  Ritten* 
house^  from  the  first  invasion  of  his  disease^  or  at  least 
£ram  the  day  when  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  or  room^ 
entertained  but  little  hopes  of  his  recovery.  He  sign- 
ed bis  will  in  my  presence.  He  discovered  no  mom 
solicitude  about  his  situation^  than  it  is  decorous  and 
proper-'in  every  good  or  great  man  to  feel^  when  in  a 
similar,  situation.  During  the  greater  part  of  bis  ill- 
ness^ he  manifested  the  most  happy  temperament  of 
mind  :  and  it  was  only  in  the  last  hour  or  two  of  his 
life^  that  his  powerful  intellects  were  disturbed  by  % 
mild  delirium.  About  eight  hours  before  he  died,  thn 
pain  in  the  region  of  his  stomach  being  unusually  ae- 
vere,  a  poultice  composed  of  meal  and  laudanum  was 
applied  to  the  part.  In  less  than  two  hours  after  the 
application,  I  called  to  see  him,  and  upon  asking  him 
if  he  did  not  feel  easier,  he  calmly  answered,  in  these 
memorable  words,  which  it  is  impossible  for  me  to  for- 
get,— ^for  Uiey  were  the  last  he  ever  distinctly  nttered, 
and  they  make  us  acquainted  with  the  two  most  im- 
portant features  in  his  religious  creed^^-^^  Tes,  yon 
have  made  the  way  to  God  easier !" 


UAVID  RlTTBKI&USt.  •IW 

^  Sach  were  the  dying  words^  as  it  were^  oiF  our  U«^ 
Ittstrious  relative  and  friend.  He  was  dear  to  us  both^ 
to  all  his  relatives  and  friends ;  and  to  his  conntry.  To 
me^  let  me  add^  he  was  peculiarly  dear.  The  most 
happy  and  profitable  hours  of  my  life  were  passed  ia 
the  society  of  this  virtaous  man.  I  followed  his  foot* 
steps  in  the  wildenT&ss  of  oar  country^  where  he  was 
the  first  to  carry  the  telescope^  and  to  mark  the  mo- 
tions and  positions  of  the  planets.  In  the  bosom  of 
his  family^  I  listened  to  his  lessons^  as  an  hamble  dis- 
ciple of  Socrates^  or  Plato.  Science  mixed  with  vir- 
tae  was  ev^  inculcated  from  his  lips. — But  to  me^ 
Mr.  Rittenhouse  was  more  than  a  friend  and  precep- 
tor. He  was  a  father  and  supporter.  He  laid  the 
foundation  of  what  little  prosperity  in  life  I  now^  or 
may  in  future^  enjoy :  and  if  it  shall  ever  be  my  for- 
tune^ either  by  my  labours  or  my  zeal^  to  advance  the 
progress  of  science^  or  to  refiect  any  honour  upon  my 
country^  I  should  be  the  most  ungrateful  of  men^  if  I 
did  not  acknowledge^  and  wish  it  to  be  known^  that  it 
was  David  Bittenuouse  who  enabled  me  to  be  use- 
ful.'^ 


Such  was  the  death  of  David  Bittenhouss^ — soon 
after  his  entrance  into  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age : 
— ^^  Thus^  with  a  heart  overflowing  with  love  to  his 
family^  friends^  country^  and  to  the  whole  world;  he 
peacefully  resigned  his  spirit  into  the  haqds  of  his 


446  MEMOIRS   OF 

Qoi^fKM)  Thas  did  his  immortal  soal  gently  pass 
away^  from  this  transitory  but  variegated  scene;  from 
a  theatre  of  mingled  afflictions  and  comforts^  of  priva* 
tions  and  enjoyments^  of  absolute  certainty  with  re- 
spect  to  the  non-continuance  of  this  state^  and  of  eqoal 
incertitude  as  to  our  possible  knowledge  of  the  term  of 
its  duration : — And  it  is  most  o^Tnflidently  believedf 
that  his  departed  spirit,  while  yet  hovering  on  the  coii- 
ftnes  of  time,  devoutly  relied  on  being  ^^ promoted  to  a 
more  exalted  rank  among  the  creatures  of  God.^^^^ 

(156)  Rush's  Eulog.  on  Ritt.  / 

(15/)  Ibid. 


fr  W- 


THE  CONCLUSION: 

COMPKEBENDtNO 

A  BETROSPECT  OF/THB  LIFB 


DAVID  BITTENHOUSB, 

ITITH 

A  DELINEATION  OF  HIS  CHABACTER. 


"  IT  has  been  the  fashion  of  late  years,"  says  fals 
eloqaent  Eulogist,"'  "  to  say  of  persons  who  faad.keen 
distiDguisbed  in  life, — when  they  left  the  world  in  a 
state  of  indifference  to  every  thing,  and  believing  and 
hoping  in  nothing, — that  they  died  like  Philosophers." 
AiTTENHOvsB  did  not,  indeed,  die  like  a  disciple  of 
that  new  philosophy,  referred  to  by  the  Eulo^t, — 
like  some  of  those  modern  pretenders  to  Uluminationy 
who  have  been  straggling  to  resuscitate  all  the  mad> 
dening  dreams  and  absurdities  of  the  Pyrrhonists  of 
old  :  His  last  hours  were  similar  to  those,  which  grac- 
ed the  departure  from  the  worlds  of  a  Kewton  and  a 
Boyle,  with  very  many  illustrions  ChrisUans  besides^ 
who  truly  deserved  the  name  of  Philosophers  ; — for,. 
*'  he  died  like  a  ChriBtian,  interested  in  the  welfare  of 

(I)  Rush's  Eulog.  on  Ritt. 


448  MBHOIBS  OP 

all  around  him — ^believing  in  the  resorrection^  and  ttie 
life  to  come^  and  hoping  for  happiness  from  every  at- 
tribute of  the  Deity/' ^^ 

By  his  last  will  and  testament^  which  was  not  exe- 
cuted till  the  day  preceding  his  deaths  Dr.  Ritten- 
house  disposed  of  his  estate  in  a  very  equitable  man- 
ner^ between  Mrs.  Rittenhouse  and  his  two  daughters^ 
besides  making  a  liberal  provision  for  an  amiable 
widowed  sister^  so  long  as  she  should  live. 

It  appears^  from  an  estimate  of  his  estate  made  by  him- 
self^ (and  supposed  to  have  been  drawn  up  about  a  year 


(2)  <<  Astronomy)  like  the  Christian  religion)  if  you  will  al- 
low me  Uie  comparison/'  said  our  philosopher,  ^  has  a  much 
greater  influence  on  our  knowledge  in  general)  and  perhaps  on 
our  manners  toO)  than  is  commonly  imagined.  Though  but  few 
men  are  its  particular  votaries,  yet  the  Light  it  affords  is  uniyer- 
sally  diffused  among  us;  and  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  diyeat  our- 
selves of  its  influence  so  far,  as  to  frame  any  competent  idea  of 
what  would  be  our  situation  without  it.''     See  Ritt.  Orat 

In  another  part  of  his  Oration  is  this  passage-—^  Our  Religion 
teaches  us  what  Philosophy  could  not  have  taught :  and  we  ought 
to  admire,  with  reverence,  the  great  things  it  has  pleased  Divine 
Providence  to  perform,  beyond  the  ordinary  course  of  nature,  for 
man)  who  iS)  undoubtedly)  the  most  noble  inhabitant  of  this 
flobO)"  Sec. 

And  in  addition  to  these  sentiments,  uttered  and  published  by 
our  philosopher  himself,  let  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Rush,  who 
had  long  and  intimately  known  him,  be  quoted,  from  the  learned 
professor's  Eulogium  :  <<  He  believed  in  the  Christian  Revelatioc/' 
says  the  Doctor ;  and  then  subjoins — ^^  Of  this  he  gave  many 
proofs;  not  only  in  the  conformity  of  his  life  to  the  precepts  of 
the  Gospel,  but  in  his  letters  and  conversation." 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  4^ 

before  his  death,)  that  all  the  property  he  ever  acquir- 
ed,  independently  of  his  patrimony,  which  he  valued 
at   one    thousand    pounds,   actually   cost  him  only 
13,529^.  :^'^    and  the  whole  of  his  estate  was  estimat- 
ed, at  the  time  of  his  dece^e,  at  scarcely  twenty  thou- 
sand pounds.     When  it  is  considered,  that  the  talents 
of  this  very  extraordinary  man  were  actively  and  in- 
dustriously employed  more  than  forty  years,  from  the 
time  he  attained  to  manhood,  during  many  years  of 
which  period,  he  was  engaged  in  various  public  oc- 
cupations,  and  some  of  them  lucrative ;  that  he  wag 
prudent  and  exact  in  all  his  transactions,  private  as 
well  as  public,  and  economical  in  his  dotifestic  expen- 
ditures ;   and  that  his  family  was  small  ;-^— when   all 
these  considerations  are  taken  into  view,  they  furnish 
matter  of  surprize  that  he  should  not  have  accumulated 
a  larger  fortune !     Indeed  the  moderate  amount  of  thei 
estate  he  left,  affords  reasonable  grounds  for  suppos- 
ing, that  he  devoted  more  of  his  property  to  purposes 
of  beneficence,  than  the  world  had  any  opportunity  of 
becoming  acquainted  with. 

Dr.  Rittenhouse  survired  both  his  sons-in-law ;  and 
their  widows^^^  are  his  only  remaining  children.    He 

(3)  Equivalent  to  S6,066|  American  or  Spanish  dollars: 

(4)  The  elder  of  these  ladies  became,  in  the  year  1788,  the 
second  wife  of  Jonathan  Dickinson  Sergeant,  Esq.  late  an  emi- 
nent lawyer  in  Philadelphia^  and  sometime  attorney-general  of 
Pennsylvania.  This  gentleman  was  one  of  the  five  pei^sons  dele- 
gated, on  the  20th  of  February,  1776,  by  the  convention  of  Nc^- 

3l 


41^  MEMOIRS  OF 

eonstitated  these  daughters^  with  Mrs.  RHtenhgase^ 
the  execQtriees  of  his  wilL 

The  remaias  of  our  philosopher  were  depositee!^ 
Agreeably  to  a  desire  he  had  expressed  long  before  his 
deaths  beneath  the  pavement  within  the  small  Obser- 
ratory  which  he  erected  many  years  before,  in  the  gar- 
den  adjoining  his  house;  and  over  the  body  was 
placed  a  plaid  slab  of  marble,  inscribed  only  with  his 
name,  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  his  age.     Althon^ 

Jersey  (where  he  then  resided,)  to  represent  that  colony  in  con- 
gfess :  his  colleagues  were,  the  late  governor  Livingston^  and 
John  de  Hart,  Richard  Smith,  and  John  Cooper,  Esquires.  Mr. 
Sergeant  died  of  the  yellow  fever  in  Philadelphia,  on  the  8th  of 
October,  1793 ;  after  having  been  many  weeks  actively  and  bene- 
volently employed,  with  a  few  other  gentlemen  of  humanity,  in 
the  prosecution  of  such  measiA'es,  as  the  sufferings  of  those  of 
the  citizens  who  had  not  fled,  and  the  general  welfare  of  the  citfy 
required,  at  that  calamitous  period.  He  left  issue  a  son  and  two 
daughters,  by  this  marriage,  besides  several  children  by  his  first 
wife. 

The  other  daughter  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  Was  married  in  the  year 
1790,  to  Nicholas  Baker  Waters,  M.  D.  of  Philadelphia,  a  young 
physician  of  respectable  talents  and  amiable  disposition.  Dr. 
Waters  died  of  a  pulmonary  disease,  in  August,  1794,  at  a  very 
early  age,  leaving  one  son,  an  only  child. 

0r.  Rittenhouse  liamed  his  second  daughter,  Esther,  in  com- 
pliment to  his  sister  Barton.  In  a  letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton, 
written  on  the  occasion  of  the  birth  of  this  younger  child,  he 
says— <<  To  me,  it  is  a  matter  of  indifference,  but  to  my  Eleanor 
it  was  a  great  disappointment,  to  have  a  girl,  having  promised 
herself  a  boy;  and  it  had  long  since  been  resolved  that  this  child» 
if  a  son,  should  be  called  Thomas,  after  yourself."  The  eldest 
dlnghter  was  named  Elizabeth,  after  his  own  mother. 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  491 

• 

it  was  intended  that  his  interment  should  be  attended 
by  his  family-connexions  alone, — in  consequence  of 
which;  no  other  persons  were  asked  to  the  funeral, — a 
•umerons  body  of  his  friends  voluntarily  presented 
themselves  on  the  occasion,  as  a  mark  of  their  respeet  ^ 
for  his  memory.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Green  was  one  of  the 
number ;  and  this  clergyman,  being  then  the  pastor  of 
the  congregation  in  which  the  deceased  had  often  at- 
tended divine  worship  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life^ 
delivered  a  short  but  appropriate  address  to  a  sur- 
rounding auditory  of  mourning  and  afflicted  friends. — 
^^  This^^  began  the  reverend  orator,  pointing  to  thci 
tomb  of  our  philosopher,  as  just  described, — ^^  Tk\» 
is,  emphatically,  tAe  Tonib  of  Genius  and  of  Science  I 
Their  child,  their  martyr,  is  here  deposited, — and 
their  friends  will  make  his  Eulogy,  in  tears.  I  stand 
not  here,  to  pronounce  it :  the  thought  that  engrosser 
my  mind,  is  this ; — how  much  more  clear  and  impres- 
sive must  be  the  views,  which  the  late  Spiritual  Inha- 
bitant of  that  lifeless  corpse  now  possesses  of  God, — 
of  his  infinite  existence,  of  his  adorable  attributes  and 
of  that  eternal  blaze  of  glory  which  emanates  from 
Him, — than  when  she  was  blinded  by  her  veil  of  flesh ! 
Accustomed,  as  she  was,  to  penetrate  far  into  the  uni- 
verse,—far  as  corporeal  or  mental  vision  here  can 
reach, — still,  what  new  and  extensive  scenes  of  won- 
der have  opened  on  her  eyes,  enlightened  and  invigo. 
rated  by  death !  The  Discoveries  of  Rittenhouse, 
since  be  died,  liave  already  been  more,  and  grea^ei^ 


iS&  UEMOIKS  Of 

thw  while  he  liveil.^'^     Yes ;  an^^  couUI  h^  addrcias  w 
from  the  splritufil  worlds  his  lauguage  would  be — 

<^  All,  all  on  Earth  is  shadow,  all  QejroDd  ^ 

Is  substance  ;  the  reverse  is  folly's  creed." 

Proceeding  with  a  fervid  expression  of  many  excellent 
and  pious  sentiments^  excited  by  the  occasion  and  well 
adapted  to  it^  the  orator  thus  concluded  : — ^^  Fillet^ 
with  these  reflections^  let  us  go  fro^l  this  Tpmb^  ^iqd 
resolve  to  aim  at  the  high  destiny  of  our  nature.  Right- 
ly aiming  ^t  this^  we  shaU  ^\i  up  life  w^th  usefulnesf 
and  djuty;  we  shall  bear  its  burdens  Mith  patience; 
and  we  shall  look  forward  to  its  close  with  pleasure : 
we  shall  consider  death  but  as  the  birth  of  a  new  and 


(5)  Dr.  Rush  has  very  beautifully  expressed  the  ssanfi  sen- 
timent, in  a  passage  of  his  Eulogium  on  our  philosopher.  After 
remarking,  that  his  bodily  iniirmities  <<  contributed  much  to  (he 
perfection  of  his  virtue,  by  producing  habitual  patience  ^d  re- 
signation to  the  ivill  of  heaven,  and  a  constant  eye  to  the  hour  of 
his  dissolution,'*  he  says :  ^<  It  was  a  window  through  which  he 
often  looked  with  pleasure  towards  a  place  of  existence,  where, 
from  the  increase  and  perfection  of  his  intuitive  iacultieS|  h^ 
yrould  probably  acquire  more  knowledge  in  an  hour,  than  he  had 
acquired  in  his  whole  life,  by  the  slow  operations  of  reason ;  and 
where,  from  the  greater  magnitude  and  extent  of  the  objects  of 
his  contemplation,  his  native  globe  would  appear  like  his  cradlei 
and  all  the  events  of  time,  like  the  amusements  of  his  infant 
years."  Such,  too,  must  have  been  the  ideas,  impressed  on  the 
mind  of  Rittenhouse  himself,  when,  in  the  morning  of  hit  life, 
he  imagined  the  angel  Gabriel  looking  down  from  the  seat  of 
perfect  knowledge,  and  viewing,  benignly,  far  from  beholdiojj 
with  a  smile  of  contempt,  the  efforts  of  Newton,  to  demonstrate 
the  actual  motion  of  our  earth,  w.  b. 


DAViD  RITTEKHOUSE.  452 

nobler  evisteace^ — ^as  a  dank  but  short  passage  to  the 
legiODS  of  eternal  day ;  and^  in  the  very  agony  of 
our  change^  we  may  exclaim  in  triumpb; — ^O  Deatb^ 
w^ere  is  tby  Sting !  O  Grave  where  b  thy  Victory  !' — 
Thanks  be  to  God !  who  giveth  us  the  victory^  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ," 

Dr.  Rittcnhouse  was^  in  his  stature^  somewhat  tall; 
in  his  person^  slender  and  straight;  and  although  his 
constitution  was  delicate^  his  bodily  frame  did  not  ap- 
pear to  have  been,  originally^  weak:  his  gait  was 
somewhat  quick,  and  his  movements  iji  general  were 
lively;  insomuch,  that  it  is  probable  be  possessed  a 
good  deal  of  corporeal  activity,  in  early  life. 

His  face  was  of  an  oval  form ;  his  complexion,  fair ; 
and  his  hair,  which  in  his  latter  years  became  thinned 
and  whitened,  was  brown.  All  his  features  were 
good :  his  forehead  was  high,  capacious  and  smooth ; 
his  eyes,  which  were  of  a  greyish  colour,  were  alike 
compressive  of  animation,  reflection  and  good  nature, 
and  well  placed  under  full,  arched  brows;  his  nose 
was  large,  handsome,  and  inclined  to  the  aquiline ;  his 
mouth  well-formed,  though  a  little  prominent,  and  con 
responding  with  the  general  character  of  the  face  |  and 
his  ehin,  broad  and  strong.  In  short,  his  whole  coun- 
tenance was  indicative  of  intelligence,  complacency 
and  goodness,  even  after  its  characteristic  marks  had 
l>cen  in  some  degree  impaired  by  sickness  and  years. 
Dr.  Hush  observes,  that  hip  countenance  was  too  re- 


HEHOIRS  OF 

markable  to  be  unnoticed!  ^^  It  dispUyed/^  Mysthe 
Doctor^  ^^such  a  mixture  of  contemplation^  benignity^ 
and  innocence^  that  it  was  easy  to  distinguish  his  per- 
son in  the  lai^gest  company^  by  a  previous  knowledge 
of  his  character/'^^^  Such  were^  upon  the  whole^  the 
figure  and  appearance  of  David  Rittenhouse ;  but  more 
particularly^  in  his  earlier  life :  and^  as  thus  described^ 
he  was  generally  considered  an  handsome  man. 

Many  indications  of  the  respect  and  esteem  entertain- 
ed  for  the  memory  of  this  distinguished  man^  appeared 
soon  after  his  death :  among  others  may  be  mentioned 
the  following. 

Mr.  Adet^  then  minister  plenipotentiary  from  ''  The 
French  Republic'^  to  the  United  States,  and  resident 
in  Philadelphia^  addressed  a  letter  on  the  subject  of 
Dr.  Rittenhouse^  under  the  date  of  ^^  19th  Meesidor^ 
the  4th  year  of  the  French  Republic'^  (answering  to 
4hc  7th  of  July,  1806,  of  the  Christian  Calendar,)  to 
thQ  writer  of  these  Memoirs.  This  gentleman — who 
was  represented  to  be  a  man  of  considerable  attain- 
ments in  science,  and  was  besides  a  member  of  tlie 
American  Philosophical  Society,  professed^  in  that 
letter,  a  great  desire  to  make  the  name  of  Mittenkoui 
known  in  his  country^ — ^for  so  he  expressed  himself) 
Aeaning,  for  that  purpose,  (as  he  said,)  to  transmit  ^^  to 
the  National  Institute  of  France  an  historical  notiee 

(6)  Sec  fulog.  Qp  jjittv 


])AYID  RiTTENHOUSE.  435 

of  bis  life  asd  labours.'^  UTitli  this  view^  he  aceompa- 
nied  his  letter  with  a  list  of  qaeries  (twenty-five  ia 
number^)  requesting  the  Memorialist  to  furnish  an- 
swers to  them ;  which  was  accordingly  done^  in  a  suc- 
cinct manner :  but  whether  the  information  the  an- 
swers contained  was  ever  applied  to  the  purpose  for 
which  the  querist  stated  them  to  be  designed^  the  an- 
swerer has  never  ascertained.  He  will,  however,  con- 
clude his  observations  on  this  part  of  his  subject,  with 
barely  remarking,  that  the  last  of  the  proposed  que- 
ries is  in  these  words ^^  How  did  he  bear  the  ap- 
proaches of  death  ? — did  he  die  like  a  Philosopher  ?^ 

It  is  a  matter  of  general  notoriety,  that  Thomas 
JTeffiBrson,  Esq.  of  Virginia,  (late  President  of  tho 
United  States,)  succeeded  Dr.  Hittenhouse  in  the 
Presidency  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society ; 
having  been  first  elected  to  that  station  on  the  6th  of 
January,  i797^  while  he  officiated  as  Secretary  of 
State,  and  during  his  residence  in  Philadelphia.  Of 
this  appointment,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  duly  notified,  by 
a  letter  addressed  to  him  by  the  Secretaries,  in  behalf 
of  the  society  :  and,  in  his  reply  to  that  communica- 
tion, the  president-elect  paid  a  just  tribute  of  respect 
to  the  character  of  his  great  and  virtuous  predecessor, 
in  these  concise  terms : — ^^  Permit  me  to  avail  myself 
of  this  opportunity  of  expressing  the  sincere  grief  I 
feel,  for  the  loss  of  our  beloved  Rittenhouse.  Genius^ 
science,  modesty,  purity  of  morals,  simplicity  of  man- 
ners, ntarked  him  as  one  of  nature's  best  samples  of 


•f96  MEMOIRS   OK 

(be  perfcclioii  sbc  can  cover  under  the  hatnau  form. 
Surely  no  society,  till  oui^s,  within  the  same  compAss 
of  time^^^  ever  had  (o  deploi-e  the  loss  of  two  such 
membei-s  as  Fkanklin  and  Rittemiiouse.'*" 

lu  England,  the  talents  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  were 
well  known,  and  his  worth  duly  appreciated*  Of  this. 
no  better  evidence  can  be  requii*ed,  than  the  sponta- 
neous admission  of  him,  by  the  Royal  Society  of  Lon- 
don, into  a  Fellowship  of  their  illustrious  body.     But, 

as  a  further  proof  of  the  high  respect  in  M'hich  his 
character  was  held  in  that  country,  the  obituary  no- 
tice of  liim,  which  appeared  in  the  European  •Maga- 
zine, (a  periodical  work  of  merit  and  taste.)  for  July, 
1 71)6,  is  inserted  in  the  Appendix. 

Besides  other  evidences  wliich  appeared,  soon  after 
the  decease  of  our  most  distinguished  philosopher,  de- 
monstrate the  higli  estimation  in  which  his  character 
was  held,  by  some  eminent  men  in  official  stations, 
several  private  gentlemen  of  worth  and  erudition,  have,' 
long  5^inco,  continued  to  manifest  a  latidable  disposition 
either  to  erect,  or  to  institute,  some  respectable  and 
suitable  memorial  in  honour  of  his  name  :  and  it  can 
feiearcely  be  doubted,  that  a  grateful  sense  of  his  ex-  * 

(7)  About  tMxnty-bix  years  and  an  half. — Dr.  Franklin  ivas 
l>icsidcnt  from  the  instiiuiioii  of  the  society,  in  Jan.  1769,  until 
his  death,  on  the  I7ih  of  April,  1790;  and  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  who 
succeeded  him  in  Jan.  179  U  contiijued  in  the  office  until  he  died, 
ihtt  26th  of  June.  \70C.  w.  n. 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  4B7 

empltry  virtaes^  his  transcendent  talents  and  impor- 
tant public  services,  will  yet  eflect  the  accomplish- 
ment of  some  such  patriotic  design.  An  honourable 
effort  of  this  kind  by  a  number  of  liberal  and  public 
spirited  gentlemen  of  the  county  of  Chester,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, has  recently  been  made :  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  failure  of  the  attempt,  it  is  due  to  the  merit  of 
those  individuals  who  were  most  zealous  in  their  en- 
deavours to  accomplish  the  object,  to  notice  their  be- 
nevolent intentions  on  the  occasion.  In  the  autumn  of 
4he  year  1811,  the  sum  of  nearly  eight  thousand  dol- 
lars was  subscribed^  towards  the  purpose  of  erecting 
mnd  endowing  an  Academy  within  the  borough  of 
West-Chester.  Doctor  William  Darlington,  with 
some  other  friends  of  literature  and  science  in  his 
neighbourhooil,  proposed  to  name  the  designed  insti- 
tution ^'  The  Rittenhouse  jSlcademy  :'^  but  as  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  similar  one,  in  a  distant  part  of  the 
same  county,  was  at  the  same  time  contemplated ;  and, 
as  the  subscriptions  to  that  proposed  to  be  established 
in  West-Chester,  were,  in  the  first  instance,  chiefly 
obtained  in  different  parts  of  the  county,  for  an  insti- 
tution then  proposed  to  be  called  '^  The  West-Cheater 
Academy'' — thus  locating  its  situation  exclusively  to 
that  borough  ;  it  was  not  deemed  expedient  to  vary 
the  chartered  name  of  this  Academy,  when  it  should 
be  incorporated,  from  the  one  by  which  it  was  original- 
ly designated. 


8  K 


458  MEMOIBS  OF 

Saeh  were  the  caases  of  the  disappointment,  in  re- 
lation to  the  proposed  Rittenhouse  Jicademy :  but  they 
are  evidently  sach  as  cannot  in  the  smallest  degree 
detract  from  the  meritorious  intentions  of  those  gentle- 
men,  who  were  desirous  of  giviog  the  institution,  in 
West-Chester,  that  respectable  name;  nor  are  they 
less  indicative  of  the  respect  wliich  was  intended  to 
be  shewn  to  the  memory  of  Rittenhouse. 

In  addition,  however,  to  the  evidence  which  has 
been  tendered  by  others  to  the  exalted  merits  of  our 
Philosopher,  the  memorialist  is  happy  in  having  an 
opportunity  to  introduce,  on  this  occasion,  the  testi- 
mony of  a  gentleman  who  was  very  long  and  inti- 
mately acquainted  with  Dr.  Rittenhouse — and,  conse- 
quently, well  knew  his  worth  as  a  man.  This  repre- 
sentation being  likewise  made  by  a  person  whose 
conspicuous  attainments  in  similar  departments  of  sci- 
ence, and  arduous  employments  in  practical  pursuits 
of  the  same  description,  render  him  eminently  qualified 
to  judge  of  his  deceased  friend's  talents,  he  is  by  these 
means  enabled  to  form  a  just  estimate  of  his  character. 
The  person  here  referred  to,  is  Andrew  Sllicott, 
Esq.  a  gentleman  with  whom  the  writer  of  these 
Memoirs  has  been  in  habits  of  intimacy  and  friendship, 
many  years.  The  information  on  this  subject,  com* 
municated  by  Mr.  Ellicott,  being  in  the  form  of  a  let- 
ter addressed  to  the  memorialist,  he  has  given  that 
commuuicalion  a  place  in  (he  Appendix. 


^ 


DAVID  RITTENHOUafi*  459 

'That  Dr.  Rittenlioase  had  failings,  cannot  be  ques- 
tioned ;  since,  to  possess  them,  is  the  lot  of  every  in- 
dividual of  oar  species.  But  his  foibles — of  whatever 
description  they  may  have  been— may  be  compared  to 
some  opaque  spots,  minute  in  size,  which  the  prying 
eye  of  the  astronomer  has  discovered  to  exist  even  on 
the  glorious  orb  of  the  Sun;  although  these  little 
macuUe  are  scarcely  discernible  by  the  generality  of 
observers,  by  reason  of  the  surrounding  splendour  of 
his  beams  :  so,  the  diminutive  failings  which  may  b^ 
supposed  to  have  existed  in  the  character  of  our  phi- 
losopliical  luminary,  were  rendered  almost  impercep- 
tible, by  the  resplendency  in  which  his  great  and  nu- 
merous virtues  were  enveloped.  It  was  said  of  that 
sublime  artist.  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds,  by  the  late  cele- 
brated Edmund  Burke,  that  he  did  ^^not  know  a  fault 
or  weakness  of  his,  that  he  did  not  convert  into  some- 
thing that  bordered  on  a  virtue,  instead  of  pushing  it 
to  the  confines  of  a  viccl"  ^'^  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  in  like 
manner,  was  perfectly  uncontaminated  by  any  vice; 
while  ''  his  virtues  furnish  the  most  shining  models 
for  imitation:'^  and,  in  regard  even  to  his  foibles, 
the  declaration  of  his  Eulogist,  just  quoted,  that  his 
virtues  ^^  were  never  obscured,  in  any  situation  or  stage 
of  his  life,  by  a  single  cloud  of  weakness  or  vice,"  ^ 
inay  be  fairly  received  in  the  same  liberal  sense,  as 

(8)  See  Mr.  Malone's  Account  of  the  Life  and  Writings  of  Sip 
Joshua  Reynolds,  prefixed  to  the  works  of  Sir  Joshua. 

(9^  See  Rush's  Eulpg:.  on  Ritt. 


k '.« 


40(1  VBMOIBS  OF 

Mr.  Barkers  expression  cDnceming  his  worthy  finHrf> 

Beynoldfl. 

• 

If  a  retrospect  be  now  taken  of  the  whole  life  of  o«r 
Philosopher^  in  whatever  points  of  view  it  nay  ba 
eontempiated^  the  following  characteristic  traits  will 
he  found  to  be  faithfully  delineated;  although  it  is  at 
Uie  same  time  acknowledged^  that  the  portrait  is  still 
too  incomplete  to  afford  a  perfect  resemblance  to  tha 
excellent  character  of  the  original. 

In  his  temper.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  naturally  placid 
and  good-humoured ;  yet  sometimes  grave,  and  indin* 
ed  to  pensiveness.  He  was  occasionally,  though  sel- 
dom, animated  by  a  considerable  degree  of  warmth  i 
but  he  did  not  suffer  himself  to  be  influenced,  on  any 
occasion,  by  impetuous  passions  ;  nor  did  any  man 
ever  possess  a  temper  more  placable.  His  general 
deportment  was  gentle,  unassuming  and  cheerful ;  such 
as  corresponded  with  his  modesty  of  disposition  and 
the  delicacy  of  his  feelings/^^  He  possessed  a  good 
share  of  constitutional  firmness  of  mind ;  and  was  seU 
dom  either  much  or  long  depressed,  by  such  misfor- 
tunes or  aflUctions  as  bore  chiefly  upon  himself :  stilly 
liowever,  the  great  benevolence  of  his  temper  rendered 
him  extremely  sensible  to  the  sufferings  of  others.  The 

(10)  <<  His  manners  were  civil  and  engaging,  to  such  a  dtegree^ 
that  he  seldom  passed  an  hour,  even  in  a  public  house  io  travel- 
ling through  our  country,  without  being  followed  by  the  good 
wishes  of  all  who  attended  upon  him.*'  Rush's  EiUo^um  on  Sitt 


DAVID  RITTBNHOUSE.  HH 

bodily  infirmities  of  raeh  as  eame  within  his  more  Im- 
Huediate  notice^  and  the  privations  occasioned  by  help* 
less  indigence^  mere  especially  of  aged  persons^  often 
experienced  in  him  a  consoling  friend  and  a  liberal 
benefactor ;  provided  they  appeared  to  be  objects  wor« 
thy  of  charitable  assistance.  Bnt  where  the  sofferinga 
or  wants  of  others  evidently  resulted  either  from  con- 
firmed  inebriety  or  other  vicious  habits^  or  from  in« 
dolence  or  censurable  improvidence,  be  wna  not  accus* 
iomed  to  extend  the  hand  of  cbaiitafale  bounty  widi 
the  same  cordiality.  His  means  of  affording  pecuni- 
ary assistance  to  such  of  his  fellow**ien  as  needed  it, 
were  circumscribed  by  bounds  of  moderate  extent:  ye^ 
in  proportion  to  his  resources,  his  acts  of  charity  were 
laudable  in  their  degree,  as  well  as  in  regard  to  tho 
objects  of  his  benevolence,  and  entirely  destitute  of  os- 
tentation :  they  were  dictated  both  by  the  humanity 
of  his  heart  and  a  sense  of  moral  c|uty. 

Notwithstanding  the  predominating  mildness  of  hL» 
disposition,  he  was  capable  of  being  roused  on  some 
occasions,  to  pretty  strong  emotions  of  indignation ;  and 
nothing  would  excite  these  feelings  in  his  mind  more 
readily,  or  in  a  higher  degree,  than  instances  of  great 
eraelty,  oppression  or  injustice,  whether  of  a  public  or 
private  nature.^^ 

(11)  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  brother  Benjamin,  in  a  written  com- 
mtinication  made  to  the  writer  of  these  memoirs  in  the  year  1796^ 
observes,  that  the  Doctor,  <^  when  in  health,  wa&  cheerful ;  and 
b|a  pas«ionS)  unless  they  were  excited  by  the.abuacs  and  knavery 


4»ftB  MEMOIRS  OP 

Hid  hmg  contiaued  habits  of  coniemplatioii  and  ita- 
djy  and  his  seclusion  from  the  busy  \vorld  until  the 
fall  meridian  of  life,  created  in  his  mind  a  fondness 
for  tranquillity.  This  disposition,  co-operating  with 
his  humanity  and  love  of  justice,  made  him  a  friend  to 
peace ;  insomuch,  that  he  deprecated  a  state  of  war- 
fare, even  in  cases  attended  by  colourable  pretexts  of 
right  and  expediency,  for  engaging  in  it  Heneey  iM 
could  not  refrain  from  attaching  to  the  late  warlike 
Sovereign  of  Prussia,  ^^the  mighty  Frederick/'  thcf 
appellation  of  ^'  Tyrant  of  the  North  and  Scourge  of 
Mankind  f^^^  believing,  as  he  did,  that  this  monarch 
was  more  influenced  by  an  unfeeling  personal  ambition 
and  thirst  of  military  fame,  than  either  by  the  justness 
of  his  cause  or  a  desire  to  promote  the  happiness  of  his 
subjects. 

With  such  feelings  and  such  views  of  the  subject  as 
these,  our  Philosopher  could  not  consider  that  as  a  jus- 
tiJElable  cause  of  war,  which  has  not  for  its  object,  either 
the  defence  of  a  country  against  an  hostile  invader,  or 
the  security  of  the  state  and  the  support  of  the  liber- 
ties of  the  people,  against  li-easonable  domestic  insur- 
rections/"^ 

•f  men,  either  in  public  or  private  life,  were  moderate :  but 
vhere  he  conceived  that  the  interest  or  liberties  of  his  country 
were  endangered,  he  would,  on  those  occasions,  express  himself 
with  great  warmth  and  asperity." 

(12)  See  tis  Oration. 

(13)  It  was  publicly  declared  by  the  same  acrimonious  writer 
irho  charged  Dr.  Rittenhouse  with  being  «n  atheist,  (namcfy, 


PAVID   RITTENUOUSfi.  4691 

His  habits  and  manners  were  such  as  comported 
with  the  honest  sincerity  of  his  heart,  the  amiable  sim* 
plicity  of  his  whole  character^^^  and  the  nature  of  hi^ 

Mr.  William  Cobbett,)  and  with  an  equal  disregard  of  truths  aa 
has  been  already  shewn,  that  the  Doctor  signed  '^  the  inflamma- 
tory Resolutions"  of  the  Democratic  Society  against  the  Excise- 
law,  which,  as  he  alleged,  produced  the  Western  Insurrection  in 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  year  1794.  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  it  is  well 
known,  did  not  even  attend  the  meetings  of  that  society.  This 
is  admitted  by  Mr.  Cobbett  himself,  in  the  following  invidious 
paragraph,  extracted  from  a  pamphlet  written  and  published  by 
tbe  late  William  L.  Smith,  Esq.  of  South-Carolina,  and  republish- 
ed by  Cobbett  in  his  own  work^ :  it  is  in  these  words-— <'  Ritten- 
house was  a  great  philosopher ;  but  the  only  proof  we  have  had 
of  his  political  talents,  was,  his  suiTering  himself  to  be  wheedled 
into  the  presidency  of  the  democratic  society  of  Philadelphia ;  % 
society  with  which  he  was  even  ashamed  to  associate,  though 
cajoled  and  flattered  into  the  loan  of  his  name." 

( 1 4)  The  memorialist  cannot  deprive  himself  of  the  gratifica- 
tion of  introducing,  on  the  present  occasion,  a  little  anecdote 
communicated  to  him  by  his  friend,  Francis  Johnston,  Esq.  cha^ 
racteristic  of  our  philosopher's  amiable  simplicity  and  benevolent 
disposition.  Circumstances  as  unimportant  in  themselves,  as 
the  one  here  related,  sometimes  make  us  acquainted  with  the 
true  character  of  individuals. 

Colonel  Johnston,  who  was  bred  a  scholar,  and  held  with  re* 
putation  the  rank  of  a  colonel  in  the  American  service  in  the  war 
of  the  revolution,  was,  at  an  early  period  of  his  life,  a  zealous 
admirer  of  the  character  of  Rittenhouse.  But  long  afterwards^ 
and  while  the  Doctor  officiated  as  state-treasurer,  that  gentleman 
held  the  next  great  office  in  the  financial  department  of  the  state. 
The  connexion  of  those  offices  occasioned  almost  daily  visits 
from  the  colonel  to  the  state -treasury,  and  intercourse  with  the 
treasurer  himself;  and  this  produced  a  reciprocal  friendship 
between  the  two  gentlemen.  "  For  a  time,"  says  Col.  Johnston, 
^  Dr.  Rittenhouse  managed  the  business  of  his  office  witli  the 
utmost  attention  and  assiduity :  but  his  aU  -capacious  mind  could 


4M  MBMOIRS  OF 

porsuifai  in  life.  He  loved  quiet  and  order,  and  |Nre- 
ferred  retirement  to  the  bustle  of  the  world :  and  theaa 
dispositions  endeared  to  bim  tbe  comforts  of  domestic 
society.  He  considered  ambition,  pomp  and  ostenta- 
^n^  as  being  generally  inconsistent  with  tme  hapjp- 
ness.  His  sentiments  respecting  luxury  are  expressed 
in  very  energetic  language,  in  his  Oration :  he  viewed 
it  as  the  constant  forerunner  of  tyranny ;  and  both,  as 
being,  eventually,  the  means  of  destroying  useful  sci- 
ence, thou^  professing  to  be  its  friends.  Yet  he  was 
far  from  being  inimical  to  that  mutual  ^^  exchange  of 
benefits/^^  which  is  effected  by  means  of  foreign  eom- 

no  longer  be  restrained  from  its  native  pursuits ;  his  money  and 
liis  counter,  therefore,  he  resigned  into  the  hands  of  his  belofed 
wife,  who,  although  possessed  of  all  the  feminine  ylrtues,  peiv 
formed  the  arduous  duties  of  the  ofiice  with  a  masculine  under- 

« 

standing,  with  accuracy  and  unwearied  attention.'* 

^^  My  intimacy  with  Dr.  Rittenhouse,*'  continues  the  colonelf 
"  introduced  between  us  a  concern  in  some  property,  in  the  western 
part  of  the  city,  which  often  induced  us  to  walk  out  together,  to 
Tisit  it.  That  part  of  ihe  property  which  laid  on  the  main  street, 
belonged  to  me;  and  being  more  exposed  to  the  depredations  of 
the  disorderly  people  who  then  inhabited  that  neighbourhood, 
was  consequently  often  injured  in  the  fences  or  board-inclosures. 
More  than  once,  I  have  seen  this  philosopher,  who  never  thought 
it  any  degradation  of  philosophy,  to  bow  at  the  shrine  of  friend- 
ship, marching  along  my  line  of  fence,  and  most  industriously, 
and  in  a  most  masterly  manner,  with  his  own  hammer  and  nails, 
mending  or  repairing  the  same." 

**  This  anecdote  I  mention  thus  particularly,"  adds  the  worthy 
colonel,  "  with  a  view  of  shewing,  that  in  addition  to  Dr.  Rittcn- 
house's  other  virtues,  humanity  and  friendship  were  leading 
traits  in  his  excellent  character." 

(15)  In  expressing  his  admii*ation  of  « that  dispositions  of  lands 
and  seas,  which  affords  a  communication  between  distant  rcr 


»AVID  RtTTENHOUSS.  4A9 

ttleree;  or  to  thone  intercoarsies  of  society,  which  aug- 
meQtoar  rational  enjoynents :  he  w&sj  in  tmih,  a  friend 
to  beneficial  tifade;  and  approved  of  those  ^^  social  re- 
flAfenrents,  Trhi6h  really  add  to  our  happiness,  and  in* 
dnee  us  with  gratitude  to  acknowledge  our  great  Cre- 
ator's goodness.^'^^^^  But  he  justly  distinguished  be* 
tween  tliat  sort  of  commerce  with  foreign  nations,  that 
conduces  to  the  well-being  of  mankind,  and  such  as  i$ 
obviously  immoral  in  itself,  or  deleterious  in  its  conse« 
quences.  Of  both  these  latter  descriptions,  he  consi- 
dered ihjA  slave-trade ;  a  traffic,  against  which  he  bore 
his  testimony  more  than  thirty-seven  years  ago :  and> 

gibns,  and  a  mutual  exchange  of  benefits,"  Dr.  Rittenhouab 
unquestionably  had  in  view  a  commercial,  as  well  as  social,  in- 
tercourse between  the  inhabitants  of  different  climes :  he  was  too 
enlightened  a  man,  not  to  have  been  aware  of  its  <<  benefits.^' 
<<A  civilized  nation,  without  commerce,"  (as  the  writer  of  these 
memoirs  had  occasion  to  observe  in  a  former  publication,*)  <<i9 
a  solecism  in  politics.  It  is  in  the  rudest  state  of  mankind,  onlf, 
that  a  people  can  exist,  without  any  communication  with  other 
societies  or  commercial  intercourse  among  themselves,  every 
one  supporting  himself  by  his  own  labour.  Indeed,  so  absolute 
a  state  of  nature  can  only  be  conceived ;  but  has  scarcely  existed 
in  reality.  The  wants,  the  fears,  the  weakness,  nay  the  very 
nature  of  man,  constitute  him  a  social  animal :  and,  in  the  very 
origin  of  society,  their  mutual  necessities,  with  the  various  ta- 
lents, means,  and  opportunities  of  individuals  for  supporting 
them,  must  have  produced  a  reciprocity  of  services,  and  an  occa^ 
aional  interchange  with  one  another  of  that  property,  which  paA 
had  acquired  by  his  own  exertions." 

(16)  See  his  Oratiop. 

*  The  true  interest  of  the  United  SUtes,  and  particularly  of  Peniuylvin^ 
cQQBidered :  publbhed  in  1786. 

3n 


406  MEMOIRS  OF 

as  Dr.  Bush  has  emphatically  observed  in  respect  to 
what  he  had  advanced  in  favour  of  Christianity, 
'<  the  single  testimony  of  David  Rittenhonse/*  on  the 
the  one  side^  ^^  outweighs  the  declamations  of  whole 
nations/'  on  the  other.  Commerce  of  an  injurious  na- 
ture^ he  viewed  to  be  such  as  ministers  more  to  the  de-' 
bauching  luxuries  of  mankind,  than  to  their  necessities^ 
eonveniencies  and  substantial  comforts. 

No  man  had  less  of  ^^  the  gloomy  spirit  of  misan- 
thropy," than  Dr.  Rittenhouse :  his  whole  life  evin- 
ced^ ^^  with  what  ardour/'  to  use  his  own  words^  *^hd 
wished  for  the  happiness  of  the  whole  race  of  man- 
kind.'^ And,  that  he  detested  penuriousness,  the 
contemptuous  mauner  in  which  he  has  treated  the 
character  of  the  miser,  in  his  Oration,  is  suflBcient  to 
testify.  A  manly  spirit  of  independence,  on  the  one 
hand,  and  a  disposition,  on  the  other,  to  partake  ra- 
tionally of  what  are  called  the  good  things  of  the 
world,  induced  him  to  pursue,  in  his  style  of  living, 
a  middle  course,  between  extreme  parsimony  and  a 
prodigality  equally  censurable.  He  was  therefore^  aa 
ecouomist.  ^^  His  economy,''  as  Dr.  Rush  has  justly 
remarked,  even  ^'  extended  to  a  wise  and  profitable 
use  of  his  time :"  for  he  was,  when  most  in  health,  an 
early  riser ;  and  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  reading 
and  other  studies,  when  not  otherwise  engaged  or  use- 
fiilly  employed.  So  inestimable  did  our  Philosophcyr 
deem  this  gift  of  heaven  to  man,  that,  says  his  Culo- 
gist,  he  observed  on  a  certain  occasion^  ^^  that  he  once 


DAVID  SfTTBNSOUSE.  407 

•tbought  health  the  greatest  blessing  in  the  ^orld^ 
but  he  now  thou^t  there  was  one  thing  of  much 
greater  value^  and  that  was  time/'^^^ 

Though  rather  plain  and  simple  than  otherwise^  in 
all  his  domestic  arrangements^  he  lived  well, — in  the 
common  acceptation  of  the  phrase.  Nor  was  he  in 
any  respect  deficient  in  that  decorum  in  his  personal 
appearance,  and  in  the  modest  appendages  of  his 
liousehold,  which  corresponded  with  his  character 
and  station  in  society.  There  was  not  the  least  affec- 
tation of  any  thing  like  parade  or  splendour,  in  his 
manner  of  living.  In  his  dress  he  was  remarkably 
neat,  correct  and  gentlemanlike :  his  house,  with  its 

(17)  In  the  year  1756,  he  made  an  eight-day  cloclc,  for  his  bro- 
ther in-law,  Mr.  Barton;  over  the  dial-plate  of  which,  was  en- 
graven this  mementory  motto— «-7Vm/teM  f^gi^  :  and  underneath, 
this  blunt  but  too  often  necessary  prcceptp— Go  about  your  bu^ 
neaa. 

On  one  description  of  the  continental  bills  of  ciedit,  issued 
hy  congress  during  the  American  war,  were  represented  a  sun* 
dial  and  a  meridian  sun  over  it :  above,  the  word  '^  Fugio ;"  and 
beneath^  these  words— "Mind  your  Bu  sine  ss.**  And  on  the  re- 
verse of  a  copper  one  cent  piece,  struck  in  the  year  1787,  in  pur- 
suance of  n  resolve  of  congress  of  the  6th  of  July  in  that  year,  are 
impressed  the  same  device  and  mottoes  as  those  last  mentioned ; 
corresponding  with  those  adopted  by  our  Philosopher,  when  only 
twenty-four  years  of  age :  a  circumstance  that  shews,  how  early 
in  life  he  had  formed  a  just  estimate  of  the  value  of  time. 

It  may  not  be  improper  here  to  observe,  that  the  various  de- 
vices affixed  to  the  continental  money,  as  it  was  called,  were 
much  admired  for  their  appropriate  significancy ;  and  that  they 
were  generally  supposed  to  be  the  production  of  the  late  ingeni- 
xjus  Judge  Hopkinson,  an  intimate  friend  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 


ffiS  uguowB  or 

funiitare  wen  of  a  eorrespondiqg  etyle  of  prapfiety; 
the  mansion  iteelf^  with  every  thing  appurtenant  to  it, 
seemed  to  denote  its  being  the  residenee  of  good  seua^ 
elegant  simplicity,  and  genuine  comfort. 

Neither  tlie  delicate  state  of  his  constitution,  nor  \m 
almost  unceasing  employment,  either  in  business  or 
study,  when  enjoying  his  ordinary  portion  of  health| 
permitted  Dr.  Rittenhouse  to  participate  in  the  socie^ 
of  his  friends,  at  his  table,  in  that  manner  which  an 
Jbospitable  disposition  and  a  desire  to  mingle  in  the 
conversation  of  estimable  men,  led  him  to  wish.    Tet 
ne  occasionally  had  a  very  few  friends  to  dine  with 
Aim  ;  and  on  those  occasions,  he  avoided  every  tlung 
that  could  bear  the  least  appearance  of  ostentation. 
H9  received,  however,  frequent  visits  in  the  eveningi 
jTrom  .persons  whom  he  respected  and  esteemed^ — k| 
Aher  time  of  taking  tea,  a  beverage  which  was  veFjr 
'grateful  to  him.     It  was  on  such  occasions,  more  par- 
fticukrly,  that  he  would  unbend ;  he  would  thea  b^ar 
*liis  part  in  reciprocations  of  amusement,  as  well  as  it* 
struction^l  'with  great  good  humour,  sometimes  even 
.pleasantly,  if  he  were  tolerably  well.     ^^  As  a  com- 
panion,'^ Says  Dr.  Rush,  ^'  he  instructed  opon  all  sub- 
jects :"  an  observation,  of  which  the  Writet  of  these 
^emoirs  has,  indeed,  very  often  experienced  the  cor* 

rectuess ;  and  there  have  been  few  men,  perhaps,  who 

.  •    •  • 

^ever  had  an  opportunity  of  knowing  his  communicative 

•disposition,  from  a  personal  acquaintance  with  him^ 

-that  have  not  been  either  gratified  or  improved  by  his 

conversations. 


DAVIB .  WfVBNHOUSE*  400 

fiot.tfae  ifUBde  causes  that  prevented  his  seeing  his 
iencL^  b^ondl  the  eirele  of  his  lamily-connpetionsy  at 
his  own  table^  mm  often  mm  Hffit  sociability  of  his  temper 
must  have  prompted  him  to  do^  imposed  on  him  the 
necessity  of  very  frequently  declining  the  acceptance 
of  invitations  from  others ;  more  especially^  for  large 
dining  parties^  and  companies  of  formal  visitors :  his 
ftiabits  of  great  temperance^  a  dislike  of  much  ceremo- 
nionsness,  and  an  economical  disposition  of  his  time^ 
were  further  inducements  to  his  declining^  very  gene- 
ndly^  such  invitations. 

In  domestic  life  his  whole  eonduet  was  perfectly 
exemplary.  No  man  was  ever  a  better  husband  or 
futher^  or  a  more  indulgent  master;  nor  was  there 
ever  a  kinder  relative.  He  educated  his  children  very 
liberally ;  and  in  the  society  of  these,  together  with 
his  wife,  a  woman  of  excellent  understanding,  he  en- 
joyed in  an  high  degree,  and  for  some  years,  the  de- 
lights of  a  rational  and  endearing  intercourse.  In  this 
little  family-society,  he  experienced  a  large  portion  of 
domestic  happiness,  no  otherwise  alloyed  than  by 
the  bodily  sufferings  he  occasionally  endured.  And^ 
as  Dr.  Rush  observes,^*^ — ^^  when  the  declining  state 
of  his  health  rendered  the  solitude  of  his  study  less 
agreeable  than  in  former  years,  he  passed  whole  even- 
ings in  reading  or  conversing,  with  his  wife  and  daugh- 
ters.''— '^  Happy  family!''  exclaims  his  Eulogist^ 
'^  so  much  and  so  long  blessed  with  such  a  head ! — 

(IS)  See  Eulo|f.  on  Ritt 


tffO  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  happier  stilly  to  have  possessed  dispositioiift  and 
knowledge  to  discern  and  love  his  exalted 'character, 
and  to  enjoy  his  instructing  conversation  !^ 

In  his  friendship^  as  in  all  his  social  affections,  ha 
was  perfectly  sincere ;  for,  his  ardent  love  of  tmth  led 
him  to  detest  every  species  of  dissimulation.  He  wtf 
warmly  attached  to  many  estimable  characters,  among 
those  with  whom  he  was  acquainted  ;  and  he  enjoyed| 
in  return,  their  friendship  and  respect :  besides  which, 
he  possessed  in  an  high  degree  the  esteem  of  all  his 
fellow-citizens,  to  whom  his  name  and  character  were 
well  known.  With  not  a  few  persons,  who  wete  ei- 
ther distinguished  by  literature  and  science,  or  by  in* 
gf  unity,  and  information  on  general  topics  or  particalar 
subjects  of  useful  knowledge,  he  was  in  habits  of  in- 
timacy :  iu  the  list  of  these,  might  be  placed  several 
of  the  most  eminent  and  dignified  characters  in  Ame* 
rica. 

Dr.  Rillenhouse's  epistolary  correspondence,  even 
with  his  personal  friends,  was  by  no  means  extensive : 
indeed  the  most  of  these,  after  his  removal  to  Phila- 
delphia, were  there  his  fellow-citizens.  His  almost 
incessant  employment,  either  in  public  or  private  busi- 
ness, occupied  his  time  so  fully  as  to  allow  him  little 
leisure,  when  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  $  and  sensi- 
ble of  the  repeated  inroads  which  the  privation  of  this 
blessing  made  on  his  profitable  time,  he  was  covetous 
of  every  hour,  in  which  his  industry  could  be  most  con- 
veniently as  well  as  usefjiUy  engaged.    .  He  therefore^ 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  47f 

like  the  eelebrated  Dr.  Bradley/^*'  published  little. 
Possibly^  too^  this  circumstance  in  relation  to  both 
these  great  astronomers^  may  have  been^  in  some  de- 
^ree^  occasioned  by  similar  motives,  a  natural  dif- 
fidence  in  their  own  faculties,  extraordinary  as  others 
knew  them  to  be.  The  English  philosopher  is  even 
said  to  have  been  apprehensive,  that  a  publication  of 
his  works  might  prove  injurious  to  his  reputation ; 
and,  therefore,  he  suppressed  many  of  his  papers : 
but  whether  our  astronomer  made  preparations  fqr 
publishing  any  large  systematic  work,  in  his  favourite 
science,  cannot  be  ascertained ;  the  probability  how- 
ever is,  that  he  did  not,  for  waut  of  time  and  health 
to  engage  in  such  an  undertaking. 

That  the  world  possess  so  few  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse's 
philosophical  papers,  is  a  matter  truly  to  be  regretted : 
because  records  extensively  promulgated,  of  the  re- 
sults of  his  numerous  and  laborious  researches,  con- 
cerning the  most  sublime  and  interesting  operations  of 
nature,  would,  beyond  any  doubt,  have  greatly  added 
te  the  stock  of  human  knowledge.  And  this  regret  is 
enhanced  by  the  reflexion,  that  if  the  government  of 
Pennsylvania  could  have  conveniently  pursued  the 
plan  proposed  to  them  by  the  Philosophical  Societv, 

(19)  An  eulogy  of  this  great  astronomer,  celebrated  for  his  dis- 
cOyery  of  the  aberration  and  nutation,  will  be  found  in  the  History 
of  the  French  Academy,  for  the  year  1762.  He  was  born  in 
1692;  and  died  at  Greenwich,  in  1762,  at  the  age  of  seventy 
vears. 


4ff%  MEMOIRS  OF 

IB  the  year  177ff  f^^  or^  had  that  or  somcf  aueb  mea^ 
rare  been  ad(^ted  eight  or  ten  years  afterward 
when  the  revolationary  war  interposed  no  impedineiil 
to  an  important  public  arrangement  of  that  nature  | 
the  world  wonld,  in  all  probability^  at  this  d4y  be  it 
the  possession  of  many  additional  productioiiti  of  hU 
vastly  comprehensive  genius.  His  astronoMical  dir 
coveries  and  other  fruits  of  his  prolific  mind^  recorded 
by  his  pen^  would  in  such  ease^  it  may  be  reasOnaUj 
presumed^  have  redounded  to  the  honour  of  hii  eottih 
try  and  the  benefit  of  mankind.  But^  that  an- AtilotMaB 
citizen  of  slender  fortune^  one  who  was  (to  nae  As 
strongly  expressive  terms  of  the  Philosophical  Socie*. 
ty^  on  the  occasion  just  mentioned^)  ^Mndebted  for 
bread  to  his  daily  toil/' — that  a  man^  thus  circum- 
stanced^ could  be  expected  to  contribute  a  large  por« 
tion  of  his  inestimable  time^  wholly  unrewarded^  eii 
ther  to  the  public  interests  or  the  acquisition  of  per- 
sonal fame^  would  be  an  impeachment  of  his  prudence. 
Dr.  Bittenhouse  was  not  gratuitously  furnished  with 
a  complete  Observatory  and  Astronomical  appara- 
tus ;^^^^   nor^  besides^  recompensed  by  a  liberal  cim<- 


(20)  See  the  Memorial  of  the  Society  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly, dated  the  6th  of  March,  1775 ;  introduced  in  the  foregoing 
pages. 

(31)  Observatories  are  indispensably  necessary  to  the  cultifa- 
tion  of  astronomical  science.  There  are  many  celebrated  insd* 
tutions  of  this  kind,  in  various  parts  of  Europe ;  and  of  these,  the 
British  isles  may  justly  boast  of  possessing  a  large  proportiofi 
in  number,  admirably  fitted  up  with  all  the  necessary  apparatus. 
Some  account  of  these  will  be  found  in  other  ports  of  this  work* 


DAVIB   RITTENHOUSE.  "-     478 

pensalioQ  from  the  pablic  purse;  in  order  that  he 
might  be  enabled  to  devote  himself  to  the  public  ser- 
vice^ in  scientific  pursuits :  Flamstead^  Halley^  Bliss^ 
Bradley  and  Maskelyne^  were  so  rewarded.  Each 
of  these  eminent  astronomers  held^  at  different  periods^ 
the  lucrative  and  honourable  place  of  Regius  Profes- 
^r^  or  Astronomer  Royal^  at  Greenwich.^''^ 

Besides  the  liberal  and  honourable  provision  made  for  eminent 
astronomers  in  Great-Britain,  many  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  the  same  class,  on  the  continent  of  Europe,  have  expe- 
rienced the  bounty  of  their  respective  princes  and  states.  Such, 
among  others,  were  the  celebrated  C.  Mayer,  Astronomer  to  the 
Elector  Palatine  and  duke  of  Bavaria,  at  Manheim ;  Zach,  Astro* 
nomer  to  the  Duke  of  Saxe-Gotha,  at  Gotha ;  and  Lalande,  Professor 
of  Astronomy  and  Inspector  of  the  College  of  France,  at  Paris. 
These  great  philosophers  have  had  splendid  astronomical  esta- 
blishments provided  for  them,  by  their  sovereigns ;  as  is  more 
particularly  noticed  in  other  parts  of  these  memoirs.  And  the 
extensive  work  of  Mr.  de  Zach,  entitled,  Taduia  Motuum  Soils 
nova  ct  correctly  £cc.  (a  large  quarto  volume  in  the  Latin  lan- 
guage,) was  printed  under  the  patronage  and  at  the  expense  of 
the  Duke  of  Saxe-Gotha,  in  the  year  1792,  and  distributed  gra- 
tis among  many  of  the  learned  of  the  old  and  new  world ;  an  ex- 
ample of  munificence  worthy  of  imitation  by  all  sovereign  princes 
and  states,  who  know  how  to  estimate,  as  they  deserve,  such  im- 
portantly useful  productions  of  men  eminent  in  science. 

The  time,  in  which  the  transcendent  talents  of  such  philoso- 
phers as  have  been  here  named,  was  employed,  together  with  the 
products  of  their  labours,  were  rightfully,  under  such  patronage, 
the  property  of  the  public ;  while  the  time  of  our  astronomer  was 
with  equal  justice  his  own,  and  consequently  the  fruits  of  his 
time,  genius,  and  labour,  were^  at  least  primarily,  due  to  himself 
and  his  family. 

(22)  The  famous  English  Observatory  near  Greenwich  Hos- 
pital, and  in  the  inmiediate  vicinity  of  the  town  of  Greenwich 

3  o 


47^  MEMOIRS  OF 

Nohnthstanding  Dr.  Rittenhoase's  published  writ- 
ings are^  for  the  reasons  that  have  been  assigned^  not 
very  extensive^  his  philosophical  publications  on  va- 
rious subjects,  chiefly  astronomical,  are  far  from  being 
inconsiderable  in  number ;  and  some  of  them  are  high- 
ly important,  while  others  discover  the  activity  and 
force  of  his  genius.^^  The  following  is  a  list  of  his 
papers  communicated  to  the  Am.  Philosophical  So- 
ciety^ and  published  in  their  Transactions ;  arranged 

in  Kent,  (erected,  on  a  commanding  eminence  one  hundred  and 
sixty  feet  above  the  level  of  the  river  Thames,  in  the  year  1676| 
by  order  of  King  Charles  II.)  is  still  called  Flamstead-House; 
Mr.  Flamstead  having  been  the  first  person  appointed  Regiut 
Professor  there. 

(23)  It  is  said  of  the  celebrated  Roger  Cotes,  by  his  friend  and 
patron,  the  learned  Dr.  Richard  Bentley,  in  his  inscription  upon 
the  tomb  of  that  great  philosopher,  at  Cambridge,  that— 

^*  Pauca  quidcm  Ingenii  sui  fiiffnora  reliquiiy 
"  Sed  egregkiy  aed  admiranda  ;" 

In  like  manner,  though  the  writings  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse  are  nei- 
ther numerous  nor  extensive,  some  of  his  works  are,  nevcrdic- 
less,  so  excellent  and  admirable  in  their  nature,  they  exhibit 
such  proofs  of  transcendent  genius,  that  they  will  immortalize 
his  name.  And,  as  Cotes  was  prematurely  taken  away  by  death} 
or,  as  expressed  in  his  epitaph, 

"  Immaturd  Morte  firare/itue  ;"— 

80,  the  actual  term  of  Rittenhouse's  life  may  be  considered  as 
having  been  much  shortened  by  sickness.  Franklin,  who  lived 
twenty  years  longer  than  our  astronomer,  published  little  in 
philosophy;  yet  this- circumstance  does  not  derogate  firom  Ua 
claims  to  the  character  of  »  philosopher. 


DAVID  RITTEKBOU^E.  ^^ 

aceordiDg  to  the  dates  at  which  they  were  severally 
read  ia  the  Society :  viz. 

1.  The  first  volume^  printed  in  the  year  1771 5**^ 
contains — ''  A  Description  of  a  new  Orrery ;  planned^ 
and  now  nearly  finished^  hy  David  Rittenhonse^  A. 
M.  of  Norriton^  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia  */'  com- 
municated by  Dr.  Smith.     Read^  March  SI.  I768. 

%.  ^^  Galcalation  of  the  Transit  of  Venus  over  the 
Sun^  as  it  is  to  happen^  Jnne  3d  1769^  in  Lat.  40^  N. 
Long.  5^  W.  from  Greenwich  :''  communicated  21st 
of  June^  1768. 

3.  An  Account  of  the  Transit  of  Mercury  over  the 
Sun^  Nov.  9.  1769^  as  observed  at  Norriton^  in  Penn- 
sylvania^ by  Dr.  Smithy  and  Messrs.  Lukens^  Bitten- 
house^  and  O.  Biddle^  the  committee  appointed  for 
that  purpose  by  the  Am.  Pbilos.  Society  :  drawn  up 
and  communicated^  by  direction  and  in  behalf  of  the 
committee^  by  Dr.  Smith — July  SO.  I769. 

4.  Observations  on  the  Comet  of  June  and  Jnly^ 
1770 ;  with  the  elements  of  its  motion  and  the  trajec- 
tory of  its  path ;  in  two  letters*  from  David  Ritten- 

(24)  A  second  edition  of  the  first  volume  was  published  in  the 
year  1789,  in  consequence  of  the  extraordinary  demand  for  that 
Kooky  by  reason  of  the  very  important  papers  respecting  the 
Transit  of  Venus,  contained  in  it. 


478  MEMOIRS    OF 

hcniMy  M.  A.  to  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Pror.  CoU. 

Pliilad.^^     Communicated,  Aug.  3.  1770. 

5.  An  easy  method  of  deducing  the  True  Time  of 
the  Sun's  passing  the  Meridian,  per  clock,  from  a 
comparison  of  four  equal  altitudes,  observed  on  two 
succeeding  days ;  by  David  Rittenhouse,  A.  M.^ 
Communicated  by  William  Smith,  D.  D.  Prov.  Coll. 
Philad.— Aug.  17-  1770. 

6.  Account  of  the  Terrestrial  Measurement  of  the 
difference  of  Longitude  between  the  Observatories  of 

(25)  Some  further  remarks  respecting  tlus  comet)  than  those 
contained  in  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  communication,  here  referred  tOy 
will  be  found  in  an  extract  which  has  already  been  given>  of  his 
letter  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,  under  the  date  of  July  SO,  1770. 

(26)  Mr.  Francis  de  Zach  (Astronomer  to  the  duke  of  Saxe- 
Gotha,)  in  the  explanation  and  use  of  his  table,  No.  38,  entilledf 
«  Corrcctio  horge  meridianse  prodeunlis  ex  altitudinibua  corrcs- 
jk>ndentibus  Solis,'*  says — **  Tradit  Clarissimus  Dav,  Rittkn* 
HOUSE,  in  Transactionibus  Americanis  (vol.  l.p.  155.  edit  3.)i 
Mcthodum  novum  corrcctionis  horae  meridianx,  absque  tabulis» 
ex  sol^  observauone  deducendae  ;  sed  requiruntar,  ad  hoc,  dtto* 
rum  dierum  subsequentium  altitudincs  quatuor  xquales :  id  est| 
sub  eadem  altitudine  man^  et  vcsperi  &ctse,  ad  assequendam  tx 
his,  correctiones  meridiei.  Regulae  Clariss.  Authoris  sunt  se- 
quentes :"  Mr.  dc  Zach  then  lays  down  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  Rules, 
which  will  be  found  in  the  Transactions  of  the  American  Philo* 
sophical  Society,  already  referred  to  ;  and  adds— (^  Exempla  hoc 
perspicuum  reddent :"  he  next  states  two  examples,  from  which 
he  deduces  proofs  of  the  accuracy  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  method. 
See  *<  Tabula  Motuum  SolUy  novx  et  correctly  ex  Theorid  Gnrp#- 
tatU  et  Observationibus  recentUsimia  erut€j  &c.  auetore  FrancUco 
de  Zach :"  printed  at  Gotha,  in  1792. 


DAVID  RITTBNIiOUSE.  467 

Norriton  and  Philadelphia;  ditiwii  up  by  the  Bey. 
Dr.  Smithy  in  behalf  of  Mr.  Lnkens^  Mr.  Rittenhonse 
and  himself^  the  committee  appointed  by  the  Am. 
Philos.  Society^  for  that  purpose^  agreeably  to  the  re- 
quest of  the  Astronomer-Boyal  of  England.  Dated^ 
Aug.  17.  1770. 

7.  The  second  volume^  printed  in  the  year  1786, 
contains — An  Explanation  of  an  Optical  deception. 
Read,  March  3.  1780. 

8.  An  Account  of  some  Experiments  on  Magnetism ; 
in  a  letter  from  Mr.  Rittenhonse  to  John  Page,  Esq. 
of  Williamsburgh.     Read,  Feb.  6.  1781. 

9.  A  letter  from  David  Rittenhonse,  Esq.  to  John 
Page,  Esq.  in  answer  to  one  from  Mr.  Page ;)  con- 
cerning a  remarkable  Meteor,  seen  in  Virginia  and 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  Slst  of  Oct.  1779.  Read,  May 
S.  1783.  (N.  B.  Mr.  Rittenhouse's  letter  is  dated 
Jan.  16.  1780.) 

10.  ^*  Observations  on  a  Comet  lately  discovered; 
communicated  by  David  Rittenhonse,  Esq.^^  Read, 
March  19.  1784. 


(37)  This  Comet  was  observed  by  John  Lukens,  Esq.  of  Philt« 
delphia,  on  the  20th  of  January,  1784.  This  respectable  practi* 
cal  astronomer  communicated  his  discovery  of  it  to  Dr.  Ritten* 


HjfS  MEMOIRS  OF 

.  11.  A  mbfir  Method  of  placing  the  Moridiaii  Mark; 
in  a  letter  to  the  Bev.  Dr.  Ewing^  Provost  of  the  Uoi- 
yersify.    Read^  November.  1786. 

.  18.  An  Optical  Problem^  proposed  by  Mr.  Hopkia* 
son^  and  solved  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse.  Read^  Feb.  17* 
1786.  (N.  B.  Mr.  Hopkinson's  letter  is  dated  March 
16^  1780  :  the  answer  is  without  date.) 

13.  Astronomical  Observations;  communicated  by 
Mr.  Rittenhouse.    Without  date.^**^ 

14.  The  third  volume^  printed  in  the  year  1793^  con- 
tains— An  Account  of  several  Houses^  in  Philadelphia, 
struck  with  Lightning  on  the  7th  of  June,  1789 ;  by 
Mr.  D.  Rittenhouse  and  Dr.  John  Jones.  Read^  Jaly 
17. 1789. 


house  the  next  day^  on  the  evening  of  which,  (<<  assisted  by  Mr. 
I^ukens  and  Mr.  Prior,")  he  ascertained  the  then  apparent  place 
of  this  comet  Dr  Rittenhouse's  communication  to  the  society, 
on  this  subject,  gives  also  the  apparent  place  of  the  comet  on  the 
17th  of  February,  being  the  last  time  the  weather  permitted  him 
to  see  it:  the  result  of  his  intermediate  observations  is  also  stated. 

(SS)  These  observations  were  made  in  Philadelphia,  by  Dr. 
Rittenhouse,  at  sundry  times  in  the  years  1784,  1785,  and  1785| 
on  the  new  planet,  or  Georgium  Sidus;  and  on  the  Transit  of 
Mercury  over  the  Sun's  disk,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1782. 
The  same  communication  also  states  the  geocentric  places  of  the 
Georgium  Sidus,  at  several  different  dates  between  the  lat  ot 
April,  1762,  and  the  14th  of  March,  1784,  both  included;  as 
observed  by  Mr.  James  Six^  at  the  city  of  Canterbury  in  Eng^ 
land. 


DAVn  RITTfcNHOUSE,  ^^ 

15.  An  Account  of  the  Effects  of  a  stroke  of  I^ght* 
ning  on  a  House  furnished  with  two  Conductors;  in  k 
letter  from  Messrs.  David  Rittenhouse  and  Francis 
Hopkiuson^  to  Mr.  R.  Patterson.  Read^  October  19. 
1790. 

16.  Astronomical  Observations  made  at  Philadel* 
phia :  viz.  of  a  Lunar  Eclipse^  on  the  2d  of  Novem- 
ber,  1789 ;  of  the  Transit  of  Mercury  over  the  Ban's 
disk^  on  the  fith  of  November^  1789;  of  an  Eclipse 
of  the  Moon^  on  the  S2d  of  October^  1790;  of  an 
Eclipse  of  the  Sun,  on  the  6th  of  November^  1790 ;  and 
of  an  Annular  Eclipse  of  the  Sun^  on  the  3d  of  April, 
1791  '/^^  with  an  Account  of  corresponding  Observa- 
tions of  the  two  first  of  these  Phaenomena^  made  at 
the  University  of  William  and  Mary  in  Yirginia,  by 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Madison ;  anil  of  the  second^  alone, 
made  at  Washington-College  in  Maryland^  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Smith :  communicated  by  D.  Rittenhouse* 
Read^  February  4.  1791. 

17-  A  Letter  from  Dr.  Rittenhouse  to  Mr.  Patter- 
son, relative  to  a  Method  of  finding  the  Sum  of  thck 

(29)  This  eclipse  was  observed  by  Andrew  Ellicotty  Esq.  at 
the  city  of  Washington,  as  follows;  viz. 


6>  39^  1^25^Annulus  completed^ 
43.  1 5,25  C  Do.  broken  (] 
55.  37,75JEnd  of  Eclipse.        \ 


6.     43.    15,25^     Do.        broken    >M.  Time. 


A  letter  from  the  celebrated  French  Astronomer,  Lalande, 
to  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  on  the  same  subject,  has  been  already 
given. 


4B0  MEMOIRS  OF 

geventJ  Powers  of  the  Sines^  &c.    Read^  May  18. 

18.  An  Account  of  a  Cornet^  (first  observed  by  Mr. 
Bittenhonse^  on  the  11th  of  January,  1793  :)  in  a  letter 
from  D.  Rittenhouse  to  Mr.  Patterson/*'>  Head,  Fc- 
braaiy  15.  1793. 

The  fourth  volume,  printed  in  the  year  1799,  (three 
years  after  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  death,)  contains — 

19.  A  paper, ''  On  the  Improvement  of  Time-keep- 
ers ;''  by  David  Rittenhoase,  LL.  D.  Pres.  Am.  Philos. 
Society.     Read,  November  7.  1794.^*^ 

(30)  In  this  letter,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  merely  informs  Mr.  Pattcr- 
S0D9  in  general  terms,  of  the  time  when  he  first  obsenred  this 
comet,  its  then  place,  and  its  course  through  several  of  the  con- 
stellations, until  the  8th  of  Fehruaiy ;  on  the  evening  of  which 
day,  he  saw  it  for  the  last  time.  It  is  presumed  that  Dr.  Ritten- 
house's state  of  health,  at  that  period,  would  not  admit  of  his 
making  more  definite  observations  on  this  comet. 

(31)  This  desideratum  in  astronomical  science  had  long  en- 
gaged Dr.  Rittenhouse's  attention ;  and  it  is  confidently  said  by 
one  of  his  intimate  friends,  that,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life, 
he  had  actually  written  much  on  the  subject  of  Pendulums ;  in- 
tended, probably,  for  publication.  But,  unfortunately,  the  ma- 
nuscript-book, which  contained  what  he  had  thus  written,  can 
not  now  be  found. 

In  the  paper  mentioned  in  the  text,  he  remarks,  that  ^  the 
invention  and  construction  of  time- keepers  may  be  reckoned 
among  the  most  successful  exertions  of  human  genius.  Pendu- 
lum-clocks especially,"  says  he,  <<  have  been  made  to  measure 
time  with  astonisliing  accuracy ;  and,  if  there  arc  still  some 


IIATIB  BITTENH0U8E.  481 

.  jM.  A  paper^  ^^On  the  Expansion  of  Wood  by 
Heat;''  in  a  letter  from  Darid  Rittenhoose,  LL.  D. 
Pres.  Am.  Piiilos.  Society.    Dated^  May  10. 1790. 

SI.  A  Method  of  raising  the  common  Logarithm  of 
any  number  immediately ;  by  D.  Rittenhouse^  LL.  D. 
Pres.  Am.  Philos.  Society.   Read^  August  IS.  1790. 


SS.  A  communication^  ^^  On  the  Mode  of 
ing  the  true  Place  of  a  Planet^  in  an  eliptical  Orbit> 
directly  from  the  mean  Anomaly  by  Converging  Se- 
ries ;"  by  David  Rittenhouse^  Pres.  Am.  Phil.  Soei^ 
ety.    Read^  February  0. 1796. 


This  last  communication  was  made  to  the  Society^ 
within  five  months  of  the  time  immediately  preceding 
Dr.  Rittenhouse's  death. 

causes  of  inequality  in  their  motionS)  the  united  efforts  of  me- 
chanisni)  philosophy  and  mathexnaticSf  will  probably,  in  timci 
remove  them." 

Indeed  no  man  has  done  more,  none  perhaps  so  much,  to- 
wards removing  the  imperfections  in  chronometers,  to  which 
he  alludes,  as  this  great  mechanician  himself.  His  admirable 
time-piece,  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Philosophical  Society  at 
Philadelphia,  constructed  by  him,  on  an  improved  plan  of  his 
own,  affords  ample  proof  of  the  *<  astonishing  accuracy"  (as  he 
expresses  it)  to  which  the  pendulum-chronometer  maybe  brought* 
A  description  of  the  mechanism  of  this  extremely  ^accurate 
time-piece,  as  well  as  of  the  principles  on  which  its  superior. 
correctness  depends,  is  inserted  in  the  Appendix. 

nS    P 


4i8IK  lUMOIBS  OP 

It  is  a  strong  evidence  not  only  of  our  Philoaopher'f 
uidustiy^  but  of  his  attaeliment  to  that  institution  id 
which  he  was  so  great  an  ornament,  that,  in  the  course 
of  the  twenty-six  years  during  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  it,  he  could  find  sufficient  leisure, — almost  con- 
stantly employed,  as  he  was,  in  important  public  ba* 
siness,  and  frequently  bereft  of  healthy — to  contribute 
so  many  valuable  papers  as  he  did,  to  the  too  scanty 
stock  of  its  published  Transactions.  Dr.  Franklin^ 
who  was  a  member  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  and 
their  president,  for  twenty-one  years,  furnished  them 
with  only  eight  communications  during  that  time :  and 
Mr.  Jefferson,  who  has  nominally  occupied  the  presi* 
dent's  chair^^^  in  the  same  Society  above  sixteen  years, 
has  favoured  them  with  only  two  or  three,  within  this 
period. 

Had  Dr.  Rittenhouse  enjoyed  leisure  to  write,  ther6 
are  sufficient  reasons  to  induce  a  belief,  that  his  com- 
positions would  have  been  highly  estimable ;  not  sole- 
ly for  the  subject  matter  of  them,  but  for  their  manner 
also.  It  is  true,  he  laboured  under  the  privations  of 
a  liberal  education  :  his  style  might  therefore^  perhaps, 
have  been  deficient  iu  some  of  the  ornamental  appen- 

(32)  The  appropriate  location  of  *<  The  American  Philosophi- 
cal Society"  is  the  city  of  «  Philadelphia,"  where  their  meeting 
must  be  held  in  conformity  to  their  charter.  Monticello,  Mr. 
Jefferson's  residence  Hn  Virginia,  is  situated  at  the  distance  of 
about  two  hundred  and  seventy  miles  from  the  capital  of  Penn* 
sylrania. 


dages  of  classical  learning.  Nevertheless^  the  native 
energy  of  his  mind^  the  clearness  of  his  perceptions, 
the  accuracy  with  which  he  employed  his  reasoning 
faculties^ — ^in  fine,  the  very  extraordinary  intellectual 
powers  he  displayed,  when  they  were  directed  to  the 
attainment  of  any  species  of  human  knowledge; — these 
would,  doubtless,  have  supplied  him  with  those  beau- 
ties of  language,  which  are  usually,  as  well  as  most 
readily,  derived  from  academic  instruction.  And  in 
addition  to  all  these,  the  snblimity  of  the  objects  which 
he  so  ardently  and  frequently  contemplated,  could 
scarcely  fail  to  have  communicated  to  his  literary  pro* 
ductions  a  due  portion  of  an  elevated  style,  when  treats 
ing  on  subjects  of  a  corresponding  character.  Dr. 
Rush,  in  noticing  the  address  delivered  by  Ritten- 
house  before  the  Philosophical  Society  in  the  year 
1775,  observes,  that  ^^  the  language  of  this  Oration  is 
dmple,  but^'  that  ^'  the  sentiments  contained  in  it  are 
ingenious,  original,  and  in  some  instances  sublime  :'^ 
in  another  place,  the  learned  Eulogist  styles  it  an 
^^  eloquent  performance.^^  It  is  presumed,  that  these 
jcharacteristic  features  of  that  little  work  are  not  un- 
aptly applied  ;  and  it  will  be  found,  on  perusal,  to  be 
also  strongly  tinctured,  throughout,  with  a  vein  of  ex- 
alted piety (^^ and  universal  benevolence. 


(33)  It  is  difficult  for  a  sound  and  contemplati?e  mind  to  form 
my  conception  of  the  character  of  a  philosopher,  according  to 
the  true  meaning  of  the  tenuy  more  especially  of  an  astronomer, 
of  a  man  observant  of  the  works  of  nature  and  acquainted  with 


4M  HBMOIRS  Of 

Dr.  BiitoiAoiise^  by  the  vigour  of  his  nind^  bf 

ikb  tnuiseeiideiit  powers  of  his  genius^  had  sarmoiuited 

her  kws ;  and  yet  wantuig  in  a  due  sense  of  religion.  And  hence 
Dr.  Young  has  declared,  that— > 

<<  An  undevout  Philesopher  b  mad.*' 

Instances)  however,  of  this  kind  of  maniai  are  known  to  have 
existed ;  produced  by  that  presumptuous  pride,  which  is  too  often 
engendered  by  a  sophistication  of  true  philosophy  with  the  wild 
fiudtasies  of  some  modem  metaphysical  sects,  affecting  extraonU* 
nary  illuminatiDn.  By  thus  engrafting  a  bad  scion  upon  a  good 
stock,  pernicious  fruit  is  propagated :  or,  to  drop  metaphorical 
allusions,  by  attempting  to  blend  into  one  sjrstem,  prineiples  le 
discoixlant  in  their  nature,  as  those  of  the  experimental  philose- 
pher  and  the  visionary  theorist  who  deals  in  abstract  specuiatuiDS 
and  reasonings  d  firioriy  the  appropriate  powers  of  the  mind  are 
weakened,  while  its  moral  faculty  is  at  the  skme  time,  and  by  the 
same  means,  greatly  deteriorated. 

An  extraordinary  but  deplorable  instance  of  this  kind  was  ex* 
hibitecl  to  the  world  by  the  justly  celebrated  astronomer  LalandiBt 
in  his  own  conduct  and  character,  towards  the  concluding  part , 
of  a  long  life.  These  are  so  well  portrayed  in  the  very  interest* 
ing  Letters  on  France  and  England,  published  in  The  American 
Review  of  History  and  Politickay  that  the  writer  of  the  present 
memoirs  cannot  forbear  presenting  to  his  reader  the  following 
extract  from  Letter  III. 

<<  Lalande,  if  not  the  most  profound  and  original,  was  certainly 
^e  most  learned  astronomer  of  France,  and  the  princ^ial  bene- 
fiictor  of  the  science  to  which  he  was  so  passionately  devoted. 
He  was  remarkable  for  the  most  egregious  vanity,  and  for  the. 
broadest  eccentricities  of  character,  and  almost  equally  eminent 
for  the  most  noble  virtues  of  the  heart.     By  a  very  singular 
perversion  of  intellect,  he  became  a  professed  atbeiat,  about  the 
commencement  of  the  revolution;  pronounced,  in  the  year  1793,. 
in  the  Pantheon,  a  discourse  against  the  existence  of  a  Godt ' 
with  the  red  cap  upon  his  head;  and  displayed^  on  this  aufajecti^ 
the  most  absolute  insanity,  during  the  rest  of  his  life.  This  mon- 


DAVni  1IITTEiraDUSE»  465 

the  disadvtntages  of  a  defective  edneation^  as  some 
few  other  great  men  have  done ;  bat  it  may  be  fairly 

6trou8  infiituatioii  betrayed  him  into  the  most  irhimsical  acts  of 
extravagance^  and  particularly  into  the  publication  of  a  Diction- 
ary  of  Atheists,  in  which  he  enregistered  not  only  many  of  <'  the 
illustrious  dead,"  but  a  great  number  of  hb  cotemporaries,  and 
among  these/ some  of  the  principal  dignitaries  of  the  empire. 

^  This  circumstance  led  to  an  occurrence  in  the  Institute, 
which  that  body  will  not  soon  forget.  At  an  extraordinary  sitting 
of  all  the  classes,  convoked  for  the  purpose,  when  Lalande  was 
present,  a  letter  from  the  Emperor  was  announced  and  read 
aloud,  in  which  it  was  declared,  that  Mr.  Lalande  had  fidlen  into 
a  state  of  dotage,  and  was  forbidden  to  publish,  thereafter,  any 
thing  under  his  own  name.  The  old  astronomer  rose  very  so- 
lemnly, bowed  low,  and  replied,  that  he  would  certainly  obey  the 
orders  of  his  majesty.  His  atheistical  absurdities  deserved,  no 
doubt,  to  be  repressed ;  but,  besides  the  singularity  of  this  form 
of  interdiction,  there  was  an  unnecessary  degree  of  severity  in  it, 
as  the  end  might  have  been  attained  without  so  public  a  humilia- 
tion. Lalande  was  notoriously  superannuated,  and  not  therefore 
a  &  object  for  this  species  of  punishment.  Some  consideration, 
moreover,  was  due  to  his  many  private  virtues,  to  his  rank  in  the 
scientific  world,  and  to  the  large  additions  which  he  had  made 
to  the  stock  of  human  knowledge.  His  atheistical  opinions  arose, 
not  from  any  moral  depravity,  but  from  a  positive  alienation  of 
mind  on  religious  topics.  He  was  not  the  less  conspicuous  for 
the  most  disinterested  generosity ;  for  warm  feelings  of  huma- 
nity ;  for  the  gentleness  of  his  manners ;  for  the  soundness  of  his 
opinions  on  questions  of  science,  and  for  a  certain  magnanimity 
with  regard  to  the  merits  of  his  rivals  and  detractors.  The  ex- 
travagance of  his  opinions  and  his  manners  during  his  dotage, 
rendered  him  an  object  of  almost  universal  derision  in  Paris,  and 
subjected  him  to  the  most  cruel  and  indecent  mockery.  It  be- 
eame  fashionable,  even  among  those  who  had  derived  their  know* 
ledge  from  his  lessons  and  experienced  his  bounty,  to  depreciate 
his  merits  both  as  an  astronomer  and  as  a  roan.  Lalande  had 
the  misfortune  of  living  to  see  a  maxim  verified  in  his  own  re- 
gard, which  has  been  exemplified  in  every  age  and  country,  that' 


486  IfEMOIRS  OF 

inferred  from  the  nature  of  things^  that^  had  not  that 
privation  existed  in  the  case  of  oar  Philosopher^  be 
would  have  shone  with  a  still  superior  lustre,  not 
merely  as  a  man  of  science^  but  as  a  literary  charae- 

ter.^ 


some  disciples  may  become  superiour  to  their  masters:  But  he 
was,  nevertheless,  at  all  times  among  the  luminaries  of  science ; 
and  to  him  astronomy  was  indebted  for  more  substantial  and  un* 
remitted  services,  than  to  any  one  of  his  cotemporaries.*' 

This  very  Mr.  Lalande,  in  the  preface  to  the  third  edition  of 
iua  inestimable  work  entitled  Mtronomie^  published  at  Paris  >o 
late  as  the  year  1792,  shews,  that  astronomy  furnishes  most  pow- 
erful proofs  of  the  being  of  a  God.  Yet  this  same  man,  in  one  year 
after,  when  in  his  <<  dotag^,*'  with  a  mind  enfeebled  by  age,  and 
corrupted  by  the  delusions  of  the  new  philosophy  of  his  country- 
men, became  an  object  of  ^  derision,''  and  of  *•*  mockery/'  even 
among  Frenchmen ;  for  his  absurdities,  and  his  endeavours  to  set 
himself  up  as  a  champion  of  atheism  !  Is  it  necessary  to  furnish 
the  rational  part  of  mankind  with  a  more  striking,  and  at  the  same 
time  a  more  lamentable  proof,  of  the  deleterious  effects  pro* 
duced  by  those  illusions,  which,  under  the  assumed  name  of 
"  Philosophy,"  have  been  conjured  up  by  some  modem  Theo- 
rists and  Political  Speculators  ?  Certainly,  it  is  not.  The  in- 
stance, here  adduced,  may  stand  as  a  monument  of  the  folly  and 
depravity  of  the  Philosophy  of  the  Gallican  School. 


(34)  "  If,"  (says  a  late  anonymous  writer,)  "  from  the  advan- 
tages of  sound  leamijig  to  the  state,  we  turn  to  its  influence  on 
the  characters  of  individuals,  we  will  find  its  effects  to  be  no  less 
striking.  We  will  find,  that  although,  without  much  learning, 
xpan  may  become  useful  and  respectable,  yet  that  he  cannoty 
without  it,  become  polished,  enlightened  and  great ;  he  cannot 
ascend  to  that  grade  in  the  scale  of  his  Creator's  works,  to  which 
his  powers  are  intended  to  exalt  him.  If  to  this  rule,  a  Frank- 
linj  a  Rittenhousc,  and  a  Washington  present  exceptions,  they 
are  to  regarded  as  mere  exceptions,  and  therefore  do  not 
amount  to  an  infraction  of  the  rule.     They  were  prodigies; 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  4lS7 

The  Writer  of  these  Memoirs  sincerely  regrets^  that 
he  differs  very  widely,  indeed,  on  this  head,  from  a 
gentleman  who  has,  himself,  been  distinguished  in 
the  literary  world  by  his  learning,  as  well  as  by  hig 
genius  and  science.  ^'  In  speaking  of  Mr.  Ritten- 
house,'^  says  his  eloquent  Eulogist,  ^^  it  has  been  com* 
mon  to  lament  his  want  of  what  is  called  a  liberal  edu- 
cation.'^— '^  Were  education  what  it  should  be,  in  oar 
public  seminaries,'^  continues  our  ingenious  Professor, 
'^  tliis  would  have  been  a  misfortune ;  but  conducted 
as  it  is  at  present,  agreeably  to  the  systems  adopted  in 
Europe  in  the  fifteenth  century,  I  am  disposed  to  be- 
lieve that  his  extensive  knowledge,  and  splendid  cha- 
racter, are  to  be  ascribed  chiefly  to  his  having  escaped 
the  pernicious  influence  of  monkish  learning  upon  his 
mind,  in  early  life.  Had  the  usual  forms  of  a  public 
education  in  the  United  States  been  imposed  upon  him ; 
instead  of  revolving  through  life  in  a  planetary  orbit, 
he  would  probably''  says  his  Eulogist  ^^  have  consumed 
the  force  of  his  genius  by  fluttering  around  the  blaze  of 
an  evening  taper :  Rittenhouse  the  Philosopher,  and  one 
of  the  luminaries  of  the  18th  century,  might  have  spent 
his  hours  of  study  in  composing  syllogisms,  or  in  mea- 
suring the  feet  of  Greek  and  Latin  poetry."  In  another 
part  of  his  Eulogium,  (wherein  he  notices  some  fine  and 
benevolent  reflections  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  arising  from  a 

which  necessarily  implies  a  departure  from,  and  an  ascendency 
ovfcr  common  principles."  See  an  Account  of  Dickinson  College^ 
Cariisiej  in  the  Port  FoHoj  for  March,  1811;  supposed  to  be  writ- 
ten by  Professor  Cooper 


488  MfillOIRS  OF 

ciMiteBpUtioii  of  particular  works  of  nature^)  Dr.  BasIi 
addresses  an  invocation  to  that  distinguished  class  of 
learned  men^  the  clergy^  in  terms  corresponding  with 
Ills  sentiments  just  quoted  : — ^^  If  such/'  says  he^  ^^  be 
the  pious  fruits  of  an  attentive  examination  of  the 
works  of  the  Creator^  cease,  ye  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel, to  defeat  the  design  of  your  benevolent  laboois. 
by  interposing  the  common  studies  of  the  schools,  be- 
tween our  globe  and  the  minds  of  young  people."^'^ 

(35)  Three  yean  before  Dr.  Rush  expressed  these  ojunionsr 
so  generally  un&TOurable  to  classical  learning  and  an  ^^rudtmlr 
education,  he  seems  to  have  thought  these  necessary  qualifica- 
tions for  a  phytidan  at  least.  In  his  Lecture  on  the  Character  of 
Da.  StdbnbaM)  deliyered  in  Dec.  1793,  is  diis  passage :  ^  Fh« 
the  short  records  of  hb  life^  which  have  been  published  by  the 
different  editors  of  his  works,  it  appears  that  his  education  in 
acadcnucal  learning  and  medicine,  was  perfectly  regular.  He 
became  a  scholar  at  Oxford,  and  a  doctor  of  medicine  at  the  uni- 
versity  of  Cambridge.  I  mention  these  facts,*'  adds  our  learned 
Professor,  <'  in  order  to  refute  an  opinion  which  has  been  Intro- 
duced by  some  lazy  and  illiterate  practitioners  of  physic,  that 
he  was  indebted  wholly  to  intuition  for  all  his  knowledge  ef  me- 
dicine. Men  may  become  wise  and  distinguished  by  medita- 
tion or  observation,  in  the  science  of  morals  and  religion ;  but 
education  and  study  are  absolutely  necessary  to  constitute  a  great 
phjrsician/' 

With  all  due  deference  to  the  abilities  and  judgment  of  the 
Professor,  the  Memorialist  presumes,  that  if  ^  education  and 
study  are  absolutely  necessary  to  constitute  a  great  physician," 
they  are  equally  requisite  in  the  formation  of  a  great  astfoae- 
mer :  because  a  knowledge  of  geometry  and  optics  can  no  more 
be  attained  by  intuition,  than  that  of  anatomy  and  the  materia 
medica;  yet  these  sciences  are,  respectively,  indispensable  in 
the  formation  of  the  two  characters,  to  which  they  scverallr 
relate. 


DAYID  RITTEKH0U8E.  469 

If^  indeed^  the  ^^  monkish  learning^'  of  the  fifteenth 
century  was  now  taught  among  us;  if  ^^ composing 

Stilly  adds  Dr.  Rush,  <<  It  is  true  Dr.  Sydenham  did  not  adopts 
or  follow,  the  errors  of  the  schools  in  which  he  had  been  educa- 
ted ;  but,  by  knowing  them  thoroughly,  he  was  able,  more  ea* 
si^,  to  examine  and  refute  them."  Here,  then,  is  an  admission, 
that  even  an  intimate  knowledge  of  such  errors  is  eminently 
useful,  by  enabling  a  man  of  a  sound  and  cultivated  mind  to  re- 
fute them :  for,  the  refutation  of  existing  errors,  affords  a  most 
important  aid  to  the  advancement  of  true  science. 

Sydenham,  it  appears,  received  his  collegiate  education  at 
both  the  English  universities.  It  may  not  therefore  be  improper, 
on  this  occasion,  to  introduce  a  quotation  from  an  invaluable  ele- 
'^  mentary  work  ;•  in  order  to  shew,  what  was  the  opinion  enter- 
tained by  a  learned  and  distinguished  German,  of  the  English 
Universities,— -on  the  models  of  which,  the  higher  seminaries  of 
learning  in  the  United  States  are  formed.  "  Of  all  the  Universi- 
ties of  Europe,'^  says  Baron  Bielfeld,  "  those  of  Oxford  and  Cam- 
bridge in  England  appear  at  present  to  approach  the  nearest  to 
perfection :  The  great  men  they  produce,  are  a  better  proof  than 
any  other  argument.!  We  could  wish,"  adds  this  highly  en- 
lightened foreigner,  '<  always  to  see  an  university  a  real  city  of 
learning,  a  place  consecrated  entirely  to  the  muses  and  their 
disciples ;  that  the  Greek  and  Latin  languages  were  there  pre- 
dominant; and  that  eveiy  thing  were  banished  from  thence, 
which  could  cause  the  least  dissipation  in  those  who  devote 
themselves  to  letters."  <<  The  man  who  confines  himself  to  his 
closet,"— says  our  author,  in  another  place,— >'  is  but  rarely 
visited  by  the  sciences,  the  arts  and  the  belles  Icttres :   to  ac- 


*  The  Elements  of  Unhrersal  Erudition,  containing  an  analytical  abrid|;^- 
aent  of  the  Sctencety  Polite  Arts,  and  Belles  Lettres ;  by  Baron  Bielfeld.    In 
three  8vo.  volumes ;  translated  from  a  Berlin  edition,  by  W.  Hooper,  M.  D.^ 
and  printed  in  London,  in  the  year  1770. 

f  The  three  great  Universities  of  England  and  Ireland  enjoy  the  right,  in 
addition  to  many  other  important  privileges,  of  sending,  each,  two  members 
to  represent  them  in  parliament  Would  to  heaven !  tliat  there  were  some- 
thing like  a  representation  of  the  interests  of  learning  and  science,  in  the  lo- 
giiUtive  hoditsk  of  our  own  country. 

3q 


490  MEMOIRS  OF 

syllogiginSf''  and  ^^  measariDg  the  feet  of  Greek  and 
Latin  poetry/*  were  now  the  sole  objects  of  acholaatie 
instruction  in  this  country ;  then  might  our  learned 
Professor  have  anathematized^  with  good  reason*  the 
system  of  teaching  in  our  Universities  and  Colleges. 
But  it  is  well  known,  that  the  Aristotelian  Philosoplqri 
and  what  is  denominated  the  Learning  of  the  Sehools^ 
has  been  gradually  declining  in  the  European  semi- 
naries of  learning,  in  the  course  of  the  last  two  centu- 
ries f^^  and  more  particularly  so,  in  the  great  schools 

quire  their  intimate  acquaintance,  he  must  seek  them  in  those 
places  where  Minerva,  Pallas,  Apollo,  and  the  Muses,  have  fix- 
ed their  residence.  Emulation,  that  strong  impulse  in  the  ca- 
reer of  all  our  pursuits,  should  constantly  attend  the  man  of  leCp 
ters  from  his  early  youth  to  the  last  period  of  bis  life ;  in  the 
school,  at  college,  at  the  university,  in  those  emplo]rments  to 
which  his  knowledge  may  lead  him,  or  in  those  academies  of 
science  to  which  he  may  be  admitted.  Emulation  is  an  anima- 
ting faculty,  that  results  from  society :  and  few  there  are,  to 
whom  nature  has  given  a  genius  sufficiently  strong  to  attain  an 
extensive  erudition  in  solitude ;  who  are  provided  with  wings 
that  can  bear  them,  without  guides,  without  models,  without 
companions  or  supports,  to  the  lofty  regions  of  the  empyrean.** 

(36)  Bacon  (the  celebrated  Viscount  of  St.  Albans  and  Baran 
of  Verulam)  published  his  great  philosophical  work,  the  Ao- 
vum  Organum^  in  the  year  1630.  The  learned  and  aagacioiis 
professor  Cooper  remarks,  that  "  Lord  Bacon''  (whom  the  ho- 
noui*able  Mr.  Walpole  considers  as  the  Prophet  of  the  Arts, 
which  Newton  came  to  reveal,)  ^  was  the  first  among  the  mo- 
dems, who  pointed  out  the  way  by  which  real  knowledge  was  to 
be  obtained,  and  turned  the  minds  of  the  learned  from  playing 
tricks  with  syllogisms,  and  the  legerdemain  of  words  without 
ideas;  and  taught  them  to  rest  theory  upon  the  basis  of  experi* 
ment  alone."  See  the  Introductory  Lecture  of  Thomas  Coopei^ 
Esq.  Professor  of  Chemistry  at  Carlisle  College,  PennsylvaniiL 


'  DAVn  BITTSNH0U8E.  Ml 

of  Britain  and  Ireland :  that  the  system  of  academic 
instruction^  deduced  from  the  visionary  theories  of  the 
philosophers  of  antiquity^  is  there,  as  well  as  here, 
nearly,  if  not  entirely  exploded.  It  is  true,  the  Greek 
and  Latin  tongnes  are  yet  taught  with  great  assiduity 
and  success^  in  the  British  Isles ;  as  they  have  hitherto 
been,  among  ourselves  :^^  and  it  is  confidently  hoped^ 
that  those  languages  will  long  continue  to  be  cultivated 
with  unabated  zeal,  in  this  country ;  whatever  may  be 
their  fate  on  the  European  continent,  where  it  is  said 
they  are  rapidly  declining,  along  with  other  branches 
of  useful  learning,  and  accompanied  by  an  evident  de- 
cay of  many  social  refinements.  Those  languages  are, 
ki  fact,  valuable  auxiliaries  in  the  attainment  of  many 
branches  of  useful  science,  and  have  ever  been  consi- 

(37)  The  Greek  and  LaUn  are  called  by  waf  of  pre-eininencei 
the  learned  languages.  Baron  Bielfeld  enumerates  the  advan- 
tages resulting  from  a  knowledge  of  the  former ;  among  which 
he  notices  that  important  one,  of  its  enabling  us  more  readily 
and  clearly  to  comprehend  the  meaning  of  that  almost  boundless 
list  of  terms  in  the  arts  and  sciences,  used  in  modern  languages 
"^d  styled  technical,  which  are  either  altogether  Grecian,  or  de- 
rived from  that  language.  He  then  makes  this  remark :  "  From 
all  that  has  been  said,  it  is  apparent  how  much  utility  attends  the 
study  of  the  Greek  tongue ;  and  how  much  reason  the  English 
have,  for  applying  themselves  to  it,  from  their  early  youth." 
"But,"  observes  this  learned  and  discriminating  writer,  "that 
which  has  given  the  Latin  an  advantage  over  the  Greek  itself, 
that  has  rendered  it  indispensable  to  every  man  of  letters,  and 
has  made  it  the  basis  of  erudition,  is,  that  during  the  middle  age, 
and  in  general  in  all  modem  times,  the  learned  of  all  Europe 
have  made  it  their  common  and  universal  language ;  so  that  the 
Latin  forms,  if  we  may  use  the  e3Epression>  the  natural  language 
of  the  sciences."    Elcm,  of  Univ.  Erud. 


Il 


40S  IfEMOIRS  OF 

dered  the  best  substratum  of  polite  learning 
ry  taste. 


A  man  may^  assuredly^  be  a  profound  astronomer ; 
he  may  be  eminently  skilled  in  other  branches  of  na- 
tural science^  or  in  the  doctrines  of  morals;  he  may 
be  well  versed  in  the  polite  arts ;  and  yet  may  not  un- 
derstand either  Greek  or  Latin.  Nevertheless,  an  in- 
timate and  classical  acquaintance  with  these  languages 
cannot  diminish  the  powers  of  his  mind,  or  render  hia 
less  capable  of  excelling  in  other  departments  of  hu- 
man knowledge.  Bacon,  Newton,  Boyle,  and  Mae- 
lauren,  with  a  multitpde  of  others,  the  most  distin* 
guished  for  genius,  science  and  learning,  received  an 
academical  education ;  they  were  masters  of  the  Ghreek 
and  Latin  languages ;  and  were  also  instructed^  with- 
out doubt,  even  in  the  formation  of  syllogisms  :^  yet 

(38)  Although  Mr.  T.  Cooper  (before  quoted)  admitS)  that 
the  "  strict  adherence  to  the  syllogistic  mode  of  reasoning/' 
that  which  he  calls  "  playing  tricks  with  syllogisms,"  together 
with  "  the  legerdemain  of  words  without  ideas,"  was  carried 
much  too  far  by  some  late  metaphysical  writers  of  eminence; 
yet  he  is  of  opinion,  that  <'  in  modern  times,  this  invention  of 
Aristotle  is  abandoned  more  than  it  deserves  to  be :  For,"  con- 
tinues Mr.  Cooper,  «'  no  man  can  so  skilfully  analyse  the  argu* 
ment  of  another,  as  one  who  is  well  acquainted  with  the  rules  oi 
scholastic  logic,  and  accustomed  to  apply  them.  Good  reason- 
era  there  are  and  will  be,  who  know  nothing  of  these  rules,  but 
better  reasoners  who  do." 

Mr.  Cooper  doubts,  whether  metaphysical  lectures  should  be 
delivered,  at  all,  in  colleges;  but  thinks,  that  if  metaphysics 
were  to  be  there  taught,  the  writings  of  Beattie,  Oswald  and 
Gregory,  would  be  unworthy  of  notice.    Much  as  the  Writer 


/ 


DAVID  RITTEKHOUSE.  483 

these  great  men  were  not  the  less  eminent  as  philoso- 
phers. It  is  to  be  presumed^  that^  while  at  their  seve- 

of  these  Memoirs  respects  the  talents  and  ingenuity  of  the 
learned  Professor  of  Chemistry,  he  can  by  no  means  concur  in 
this  opinion :  and  he  regrets,  that  he  feels  himself  obliged  to 
differ  still  more  widely,  from  a  gentleman  of  such  acknow- 
ledged abilities,  respecting  the  propriety  of  his  recommending 
to  youth  the  study  of  the  works  of  Hobbes,  Leibnitz  and  Collins. 

Now,  what  the  complexion  and  tendency  of  the  tenets  of 
Hobbes,  Leibnitz,  and  other  philosophers  of  the  same  class  are, 
may  be  learnt  from  the  following  passagesi  translated  from  a 
French  work,  entitled,  "  De  la  Philoaofihie  de  la  Aafurcy  ou 
TVaite  de  Morale  fiour  CEfiece  Humaine,  tire  de  la^Philoaofihie  et 
fonde  BUT  la  J^ature  »**  a  work  which,  though  anonymous  in  re- 
spect to  its  author,  had  passed  through  three  editions  in  the 
year  1777.     The  writer  thus  says : 

"  Of  what  importance  to  me  are  the  names  of  Cameades,  of 
Lysander,  of  Hobbes,  and  the  author  of  The  System  of  J^ature^ 
names  unhappily  celebrated,  which  the  apostle  of  the  moral  in* 
difference  of  human  actions  alleges  in  favour  of  this  atrocious 
extravagance  V*  (the  doctrines  of  Fatality,  Moral  Scepticism) 
Sec.)  "  Cameades  was  an  arrogant  Pyrrhonian,  who  doubted  of 
every  thing,  excepting  the  superiority  of  his  own  logic.  Hobbes 
had  the  audacity  to  write  a  book  agsdnst  the  everlasting  truths  of 
geometry.  Lysander,  the  enemy  of  the  liberty  of  Sparta,  and  the 
corrupter  of  the  oracles  of  Dclos  and  Ammon,  was  one  of  those 
spirits  of  spleen  and  filth,  who  strive  to  acquire  a  name  by  re- 
ducing wickedness  to  a  system.  As  for  the  anonymous  Writer, 
whose  licentious  pen  vents  so  much  blasphemy  on  Nature,  in 
disavowing  the  existence  of  God,  he  has  purchased  the  right  to 
deny  that  of  Morality.  He  is  equally  silly  with  Salmonius,  in 
bra\dng  the  thunderbolt  destined  to  stifle  the  stings  of  con- 
science." Speaking  of  Leibnitz,  in  another  place,  this  French 
Moralist  observes,  that  <*  the  Philosopher  of  Leipsick  made  of 
Hie  soul  a  monad,  and  explained  all  the  phaenomena  of  its  union 
irith  matter  by  a  pre-established  harmony.  One  portion  of  Eu- 
rope believed  him ;  because  he  set  up  a  new  system !  and  what 
is  it  but  a  metaphysical  theory,  without  system^''    And  again: 


494  MEMOIRS   OF 

nl  teliODli  and  colleges,  they  were  employed  in  acsqni- 
ring  the  more  solid  and  useful  parts  of  leartung ;  as 
well  as  the  ornamental  and  polite.  Both  are  tangbt 
in  all  the  higher  seminaries ;  and  to  the  Univergities 
of  the  United  States,  as  well  as  of  Europe^  are  attach- 
ed Professorships^^'^  for  such  instruction. 

The  able  and  learned  editor  of  ^<  The  American 
Beview  of  History  and  Politics'^^^^  remarks^  that,, 
'^  for  very  obvious  reasons  it  could  not  be  expectedf 
that  Philology  would  be  duly  appreciated^'or  cultivated 
to  any  extent,  by  the  American  public  in  generaL 
The  state  of  society  in  this  country,  so  admirable  un- 
der many  points  of  view,  renders  this  impossible.  We 
should  not  be  surprised  or  discouraged  at  a  general 

<<What  names  have  we  to  oppose  to  those  of  Descartes,  Leib- 
nitZ)  Pascal  and  Malbranch  ?  The  suffrage  of  Newtoit,  alone, 
is  sufficient  to  crush  their  Materialism ;  if,  in  the  humble  ma* 
terials  for  the  examination  of  human  reason,  the  suffrage  of  one 
great  man  is  competent  to  balance  a  syllogism." 

(39)  The  professorships,  all  well  supi)orted  and  endowed, 
which  are  established  at  Oxford  and  Cambridge,  (and,  probably, 
there  are  similar  institutions  in  the  universities  of  Scotland  and 
Ireland,)  are  in  the  following  departments  of  literature  and. 
science :  viz.  Divinity,  Hebrew,  Arabic,  Greek,  Modem  Lan- 
guages, History  (general,)  Modem  History,  Civil  Law,  Common 
Law,  Physic,  Anatomy,  Botany,  Chemistry,  Natural  Philosophy, 
Experimental  Philosophy,  Astronomy,  Mathematics,  Geometry, 
Moral  Philosophy,  Casuistry,  Music. 

(40)  See  the  editorial  review,  in  that  work,  of  an  "  HistorieiJ 
Report  upon  the  progress  of  History  and  ancient  Literatme, 
since  the  year  1789,  and  upon  their  actual  condition,"  Sec.  ^oL 
ill.  No  1. 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  4|9 

ignorance  of^  and  an  almost  nniversal  indilference 
about  the  learned  languages :  but  this  is  not  all ;  the 
public  feeling  is  not  confined  to  mere  apathy :  it  bor* 
ders  on  hostility.  Numbers  are  not  wanting,  personi 
even  of  influence  in  the  community,  who  indnrtrioasly 
proclaim,  not  simply  the  utter  insignificance^  bnt  tbe 
pernicious  tendency  of  classical  learning ;  and  who 
would  proscribe  it  as  idle  in  itself,  and  as  dangerous 
to  republicanism.  At  the  same  time,  our  progress  m 
this  pursuit  is  far  from  being  in  a  natural  ratio  with 
our  advi^nces  in  other  respects.  Philology  is  in  fact^ 
even  worse  than  stationary  among  us;  from  what 
cause,  whether  from  the  influence  of  the  extraordinary 
notions  just  mentioned^  or  from  the  absence  of  all  ex- 
ternal excitements^  we  will  not  now  pretend  to  deter- 
mine.^^ 

Should  these  judicious  remarks  of  the  respectable 
Reviewer  be  considered  as  containing  an  indirect  cen- 
sure on  such  ^^  persons  of  influence'^  as  he  may  be  sup- 
posed to  allude  to,  who  ^^  proclaim''  the  ^^  pernicious 
tendency  of  classical  learning, — it  is  much  to  be  la- 
mented by  the  friends  of  literature  and  science^  that 
there  should  be  any  just  grounds  for  its  support. 

Dr.  Rittenhouse  understood  the  Oerman^^*^  and  Low 
Dutch  languages,  well ;  and  had  acquired  a  sufficient 

(41)  In  the  year  1789,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  translated  from  the 
Cverman  of  Mr.  Lessing,  director  of  the  theatre  at  Hamburg,  a 
tragedy  called  Lucia  Samfison  $  which  translation  was  printed, 


f96  MEMOIRS  OF 

knowledge  of  the  French^  to  enable  him  to  compie* 
hend  astronomical  and  other  works  written  in  that 
tongue.  These  acquisitions^  it  has  been  observedi 
^^  served  the  valuable  purpose  of  conveying  to  him  the 
discoveries  of  foreign  nations^  and  thereby  enabled 
him  to  prosecute  his  studies  with  m>>re  advantage  in 
his  native  language/*^^^ 

But  these  were  not  the  whole  of  his  philological  at- 
tainments. By  the  dint  of  genius^  and  by  that  spirit 
of  perseverance  which  he  manifested  in  every  thing 
he  undertook^  he  overcame  in  a  great  degree  the 


cnlties  of  the  Latin  tongue/^^     This  he  did  for  the 


in  the  same  year,  by  Mr.  Charles  Cist,  of  PhiladelpUa.  In  the 
preface  to  it,  the  translator  says :— .SL-This  translation  was  attempt- 
ed at  tl\e  request  of  a  friend ;  and  the  many  virtuous  sentiments 
and  excellent  lessons  of  morality  it  contains,  will  apologize  for 
its  being  offered  to  the  public.  To  young  ladies  it  may  afTord 
useful  instruction,  and  will,  from  the  nature  of  the  distress,  be 
particularly  useful  to  them :  an  elegant  writer  well  acquunted 
with  the  human  heart,  has  observed,  that  the  affection  of  a  father 
to  his  daughter  unites  extreme  sensibility  with  the  utmost  deli- 
cacy;  and  this  sentiment  is,  no  doubt,  in  a  great  degree  recipro- 
cal." 

(42)  See  Dr.  Rush's  Eulog.  on  Ritt. 

(43)  The  memorialist  undertakes  to  say,  on  the  authority  of 
his  father  (the  late  Rev.  Mr.  Barton,)  that  our  philosopher  was 
sufficiently  well  versed  in  the  Latin,  to  have  read  Newton's 
Princifiia  in  that  language,  besides  studying  it  in  his  native 
tongue :  and  further,  that,  although  he  was  very  imperfectly  ac- 
quainted with  the  grammatical  construction  of  the  Greek  lan- 
guage, he  had  so  for  familiarized  himself  to  a  knowledge  of  its 
written  cliaracters  and  words,  as  enabled  him  to  consult  a  lexi- 
con ;  which  he  frequently  did,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  the 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  407 

Mme  valuable  purpose  that  he  had  iu  view^  iu  learning 
the  Gennan^  Low  Dutch  and  French. 

The  reading  of  our  Philosopher  was  extensive.  It 
embraced  every  department  of  polite  literature^  as  well 
as  many  branches  of  what  is  called^  by  way  of  dis- 
tinction^ useful  knowledge.  He  appears  to  have  been 
more  particularly  attached  to  history^  voyages  and 
travels,  and  to  the  poetick  muse  :^^^  but  the  drama,  in- 
genious productions  of  the  imagination,  and  other 
works  of  taste  and  fancy,  likewise  engaged  a  portion 
of  his  attention.^^^    Dr.  Rush  asserts,  that  he  had  ear- 

true  etymology  of  many  of  those  technical  terms,  derived  from 
the  Greek,  that  are  in  common  use  in  our  language,  particularly 
in  relation  to  his  favourite  sciences. 

(44)  In  Hill's  Life  of  Dr.  Barrow,  it  is  remarked,  that  this  great 
Mathematician  (as  well  as  learned  Divine)  <<  was  always  addicted 
to  poetry,  and  very  much  valued  that  part  of  it  which  consists 
of  description."  In  Hke  manner,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  delighted  ill 
poetic  effusions  of  genius  and  science.  His  Eulogist  observes^ 
that  ^  the  muse  of  Thomson  charmed  him  most :"  indeed,  an 
astronomer,  and  a  man  of  virtue  and  taste,  could  not  but  be 
charmed  by  the  chaste  and  glowing  descriptions  of  that  fascinate 
ing  poet,  blended,  as  they  are,  with  philosophical  reflections. 
Our  philosopher,  however,  greatly  admired  Milton  also :  so  that 
these  two  celebrated  votaries^ of  the  muses  seemed  to  be  his 
&vourites.  Why  should  not  these  partialities  of  Ritten- 
house be  noticed  ?— when  similar  observations  have  been  made 
respecting  the  characters  of  other  men,  eminent  in  science;  aS} 
for  example,  that  the  favourite  author  of  Erasmus  and  the 
younger  Scaliger,  was  Terence,  and  that  Grotius  was  an  admirer 
of  Terence,  Lucan  and  Horace. 

(45)  JVec  luaiate  fiudct^  is  an  observation  which  has,  in  parti- 
cular instances,  been  applied  to  the  occasional  conduct  and  dis- 

3  k 


4(98  IfEMOIRS  OF 

ly  and  deeply  stadied  most  of  the  different  systems  of 
theology.^'^^^  On  this  head^  no  further  informatioB 
can  be  given  by  the  writer  of  these  Memoirs  :  yet  he 
thinks  he  has  good  reason  for  believing^ — and  such  as 
are  independent  of  Dr.  Bittenhouse's  known  liberality, 
with  respect  to  various  modes  of  faith  and  worship,— 
that  he  never  gave  a  very  decided  preference  to  any 

position  of  some  of  the  wisest,  best,  and  even  gravest  characters. 
Dr.  Warton,  in  remarking  on  this  line  of  Mr.  Pope,  viz. 

«  Unthought-of  frailties  cheat  us  in  the  wise,"— 

says;  <*  Who  could  imagine  that  Locke  was  fond  of  romances; 
that  Newton  once  studied  astrology ;  that  Dr.  Clarke  valued  him-  | 
self  for  his  agility,  and  frequently  amused  himself,   in  a  piivate 
room  of  his  house,  in  leaping  over  the  tables  and  chairs ;  and  that 
our  author  himself  (Mr  Pope)  was  a  great  epicure." 

In  our  own  country,  the  sage  Franklin  abounded  in  anecdote 
and  humour,  and  thought  it  not  unwise  to  recreate  his  mind,  at 
times,  with  the  game  of  chess:  tlie  conversation  of  Judge  Hop- 
)dnson  was  replete  with  sprightly  wit,  and  he  admired  weU  writp 
ten  novels  of  no  immoral  tendency ;  as  did  also  the  late  Judge 
Wilson :  the  illustrious  Washington,  in  his  earlier  years,  en- 
joyed the  pleasures  of  the  festive  board,  in  the  society  of  men  of 
underst^ding  and  worth:  and  no  man  delighted  more  in  cheer- 
ful conversation,  and  in  reading  works  of  fancy  and  taste,  than  the 
philosophic  Ritienhouse.  The  almost  universal  tendency,  in 
persons  of  all  classes,  to  an  occasional  playfulness  of  temper, 
even  in  cases  which  may  sometimes  be  considered  as  bordering 
on  weakness,  has  given  tlie  force  of  a  maxim  to  the  obscrvatioii 
of  the  latinisis— .A^f7/xc;  omnibus  horis  aafiU,  Indeed,  as  a  biogra- 
pher of  the  celebrated  Or.  Clarke  has  remarked,  <'  to  be  capable 
of  drawing  amusement  from  trivial  circumstances,  indicates  a 
heart  at  ease,  and  may  generally  be  regarded  as  the  concomituK 
of  virtue." 

(46)  See  Dr.  Rush's  Eulog.  on  lUtt. 


1>AyiD  KITTENHOUSE.  40ft 

toe  regular  society  of  Christians^  over  others ;  he 
loved  that  sort  of  Christianity^  which  inculcates  sound 
morals :  his  charity^  in  regard  to  theological  opinions 
and  other  concerns  of  religioui  was  great ;  and  he  felt 
no  disposition  to  observe  any  thing  like  a  scrupulous 
adherence  to  such  tenets  or  rites^  as  he  deemed  less  es- 
sential to  the  well-being  of  mankind.  It  was,  in  fact^ 
the  liberal  manner  (and  this  alone)  in  which  he  some- 
times expressed  himself  on  subjects  of  this  nature^  in- 
fluenced by  sentiments  of  the  purest  benevolence,  that 
induced  some  persons  of  more  rigid  principles^  and 
perhaps  less  candour,  to  doubt  the  soundness  of  his 
faith  in  revealed  religion :  but  the  whole  tenor  of  his 
life,  and  the  religious  sentiments  he  had  publicly  and 
repeatedly  avowed,  shew  how  ill-founded  such  sus- 
picions were.^^^^    A  mind  so    contemplative  as  his'^ 

(47)  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  it  is  well  known,  was  thoroughly  per- 
suaded of  the  Truth  of  Revelation :  yet  he  did  not  escape  the 
imputation  of  being  an  Arian,  Mr.  Whiston  having  represented 
him  as  such.  It  is  equally  a  matter  of  notoriety,  that  similar 
epinions  have  prevailed  respecting  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  religious 
creed :  nay,  further,  that  doubts  were  entertained  by  some,  whe- 
ther he  believed  at  all  in  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
Christian  religion.  In  one  instance,  indeed,  a  virulent  party- 
writer*  had  the  hardiness,  one  might  say  folly,  to  proclaim  him 
an  '*  Atheist !''  The  publication  in  which  this  false  and  shame- 
ful accusation  was  made,  appeared  ^bout  the  time  of  Or.  Rit- 
tenhouse's  death,  and,  it  is  believed,  shortly  after  that  event 

As  a  Biographer  of  such  a  man  as  Rittcnhouse,  the  Author  of 
these  Memoirs  would  do  great  injustice  to  his  memory,  did  ha 
not  lay  before  his  readers,  in  a  full  and  undisguised  manner,  that 
sort  of  testimony  concerning  our  Philosopher's  religious  sentt- 

•  Mr.  William  Cohbctt. 


000  MEMOIRS  OF 

SO  devoted  to  the  parsnit  of  truth,  so  boandless  m  il9 
views,  and  so  ardently  attached  to  virtue,  wonid  na- 
turally lead  him  to  an  investigation  of  the  principles  of 
Christianity  ;  and  it  is  evident  from  some  passages  in 
his  Oration,  and  also  in  his  familiar  letters  to  Us 
friends,  that  he  believed  in  the  fundamental  articles  of 
the  Christian  faith,<^^>  however  he  may  have  doabted 

incnts,  which  It  is  presumed  will  eradicate  eyery  doubt  or  bus* 
picion,  that  has  heretofore  existed  in  the  minds  of  some,  on  the 
subject.  He  is  aware  of  the  influence,  which  the  opinions  of 
eminently  wise  and  good  men  (or,  of  such  sentiments  as  are 
sometimes  attributed  to  them,)  have,  in  their  operation  on  so- 
ciety ;  and,  in  every  point  of  view,  he  fully  estimates  the  impor- 
tance of  representing  them  to  the  world,  in  a  strict  conformitj 
to  truth. 

These  considerations  have  induced  the  Memorialist  to  devote 

a  larger  portion  of  his  work  to  an  elucidation  of  Dr.  Ritten- 

•  house's  real  opinions  on  the  all-important  subject  of  ReJigioDi 

than  he  should  have  thought  proper,  under  other  circumstancesy 

to  appropriate  to  that  part  of  his  character. 

Under  these  impressions,  then,  the  Memorialist  could  not 
think  it  consistent  with  his  duty,  to  withhold  from  the  public  a 
lctt<  r  addressed  to  him  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cathcart,  a  clergyman 
of  much  respectability  and  pastor  of  a  presbytcrian  congrega- 
tion in  the  borough  of  York.  This  letter  (which  will  be  found 
in  the  Appendix)  contains  what  may  be  fairly  deemed  conclu- 
sive evidence,  even  if  such  had  been  before  wanting,  that  Dr. 
Rittcnhouse  was  ^  a  firm  Belie*,  er  in  Christianity.'*  Bishop 
AVhite  had  communicated  to  the  Memorialist,  in  conversationi 
the  interesting  facts  stated  ifi  Mr.  Cathcart's  letter ;  the  know- 
ledge  of  which,  the  Bishop  had  derived,  verbally,  from  that  gen* 
tleman :  his  letter  was  written  in  answer  to  one  which  the  Me- 
morialist addressed  to  him,  on  the  occasion,  at  the  instance  of 
the  Right  Rev.  Prelate. 

(48)  «  Astronomy,  like  the  Christian  religion,  if  you  will  al- 
low me  the  comparison,"  said  our  Philosopher,  <^  has  a  much 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  ffOI 

iMpeeting  some  of  the  more  abstract  and  less  impor* 
tant  tenets  of  the  ehnrch. 


As  Dr.  Rittenhouse  never  attached  himself  to  the 
distinguishing  dogmas  of  any  one  sect  of  Christians ; 
80^  on  the  authority  of  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Me- 
morialist by  Mr.  B.  Rittenhouse^  soon  after  his  bro- 
ttier'sdecease^  it  may  be  asserted^  that  our  Philosopher 
^'  was  never  joined  in  communion  with  any  particular 
religious  society ;  though  he  esteemed  good  men  of 
all  sects.^'  In  his  youth^  it  is  probable  he  was  bred  a 
Baptist ;  the  sect  to  which  his  father  (and^  it  is  believ- 
ed, his  mother  also,)  belonged  :  at  subsequent  periods^ 
he  entertained  favourable  opinions  of  the  church  of 
England,  and  of  the  principles  of  the  quakers  (so  call- 
greater  influence  cm  our  knowledge  in  general,  and  perhaps  on 
our  manners  too,  than  is  commonly  imagined.  Though  but  few 
men  are  its  particular  votaries,  yet  the  light  it  affords  is  univer- 
«dly  diffused  among  us ;  and  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  divest  our- 
aelyes  of  its  influence  so  far,  as  to  frame  any  competent  idea  of 
what  would  be  our  situation  without  it"    See  RUt.  Orat. 

In  another  part  of  his  Oration,  is  this  passage :  ^  Our  Reli- 
gion teaches  us  what  Philosophy  could  not  have  taught :  and  wc 
ought  to  admire,  with  reverence,  the  great  things  it  has  pleased 
Divine  Providence  to  perform,  beyond  the  ordinary  course  of 
nature,  lor  man,  who  is,  undoubtedly,  the  most  noble  inhabitant 
of  this  globe :"  Sec. 

And  in  addition  to  these  sentiments,  uttered  and  published  by 
onr  Philosopher  himself^  let  the  testimony  of  Dr.  Rush,  who  liait 
long  and  intimately  known  him,  be  quoted  from  the  learned  Pro- 
fessor's Eulogium.  <<He  believed  in  the  Cl)ri»ti;>n  RcvJaiimi," 
nysthe  Doctor:  and  then  subjoins,  ^0(  thi»  he  gave  muny 
proofs;  not  only  in  the  conformity  of  hi»  life  to  t)i<;  |iiT/;^|;f:i  of 
the  Crospel,  but  in  hia  letters  and  ronversation  " 


MS  MEMOIRS  or 

ed.)  In  some  of  the  latter  years  of  his  life^  lie  aftA 
bis  family  pretty  frequently  attended  divine  service  in 
a  presby  terian  congregation^  of  which  a  very  respecta- 
ble and  worthy  gentleman  then  was  the  pastor  and 
until  very  lately  continued  to  officiate  as  such^^^  That 
chnrch  is  situated  in  the  same  street  wherein  Dr.  Rii- 
tenhouse  dwelt ;  and  its  then  minister  was  one  of  many 
clergymen^  belonging  to  different  churches^  whom  he 
personally  esteemed. 


Some  of  his  letters  to  his  confidential  friends  k^uij^ 
nevertheless^  that  he  by  no  means  embraced  some  of 
the  doctrines  of  Calvinism  :  nor  did  he,  probably^  ap- 
prove of  others^  in  their  more  rigid  interpretation.^**^  In 

(49)  The  Rev.  Ashbel  Green,  D.  D.  This  gentleman  succeed* 
ed  the  Rev.  Or.  Sproat,  an  aged  clergyman,  of  amiable  disposi- 
tion and  unaffected  piety,  for  whose  character  our  Philosopher 
entertained  a  great  esteemi  and,  during  the  latter  part  of  whose 
ministry  in  that  church,  he  first  attended  it  Dr.  Green  has 
lately  become  President  of  the  College  of  New-Jersey,  in  con- 
sequence of  the  resignation  of  the  learned  and  eloquent  Samuel 
Stanhope  Smith}  D.  O. 

(50)  The  following  extract  of  a  letter,  which  Professor  Rosii 
was  so  obliging  as  to  address  to  the  writer  of  these  memoirSf  id 
the  spring  of  the  year  1812,  in  answer  to  some  questions  pro- 
posed by  the  memorialist,  favours  the  presumption,  that  our  phi- 
losopher in  some  points  dissented  from  the  opinions  of  very  re* 
spectable  Calvinistic  Divines,  on  the  subject  of  religion.  « I  un- 
derstood from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Green,"  says  the  learned  ProfessoTi 
that  his  late  colleague,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sproat,  had  informed  hinh 
that  in  a  visit  he  once  paid  to  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  they  were  led  ac- 
cidentally  to  converse  upon  a  religious  subject,  on  which  they 
held  different  opinions.     Dr.  Sproat,  in  defending  his  opinions,. 


DAVID  KITTENHOUSE.  008 

•lie  of  those  letters^  addressed  to  the  Bey.  Mr.  Bar- 
ton,  (an  EpiscopaUan,  of  the  English  church,)  from 
Philadelphia,  so  early  as  September,  i7^6f  he  wrote 
thus  :  ^^  I  have  been  here  several  days,  and  am  fatigu« 
ed  and  somewhat  indisposed.  You  know  my  spirits 
are  never  verj  high,  and  will  therefore  expect  a  me- 

qvoted  several  texts  of  scripture ;  but  observed,  after  doing  so  ; 
^Perhaps,  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  you  do  not  admit  of  the  validity  of 
arguments  derived  from  the  bible."  "  Pardon  me,  Sir,"  (sadd 
Mr.  Rittenhouse,)  «<  I  admit  the  divine  authority  of  the  contents 
of  that  book."  Another  &ct  stated  by  Dr.  Rush,  at  the  same 
time,  and  which  was  also  communicated  to  the  memorialist,  by 
a  very  near  and  dear  friend  of  the  deceased,  is  thus  related  by 
the  Doctor:  ^His  late  worthy  companion,  Mrs.  Rittenhouse,  in- 
formed me,  that  the  last  sourse  from  whence  he  derived  intellec- 
tual and  moral  pleasure,  was  Dr.  Price's  excellent  sermon  upon 
the  Goodness  of  God^  which  she  read  to  him,  at  his  request,  on 
the  two  successive  days  before  he  died."  It  may  not  be  thought 
unworthy  of  being  remarked  on  this  occasion,  that  Mr.  T.  Dob- 
son,  of  Philadelphia,  republished  Price's  Sermons,  in  the  year 
1788,  and  that  Mrs.  Rittenhouse's  name  appears  in  the  list  of 
subscribers  to  that  edition. 

In  Dr.  Rush's  letter,  just  quoted,  he  introduces  the  subject  in 
these  terms.  <<  In  answer  to  your  question,  relative  to  the  reli- 
gious opinions  of  your  late  uncle  and  my  excellent  friend.  Dr. 
Rittenhouse,  I  am  happy  in  being  able  to  inform  you,  that  I  have 
no  doubt  of  his  having  been  a  sincere  believer  in  the  most  essential 
doctrines  of  the  Christian  religion :  the  ground  upon  which  I 
formed  this  opinion,  were  derived  not  only  from  many  incidental 
remarks  in  its  &vour,  that  fell  from  him  in  our  conversations 
upon  other  subjects,  but  from  the  testimony  of  persons  upon 
whose  correctness  I  have  the  fullest  reliance." 

Upon  the  whole  it  appears,  that  although  our  philosopher  was, 
most  probably,  not  strictly  Calvinistical  in  his  religious  creed, 
he  was  nevertheless  a  pious  man,  and  a  sincere  Christian  in  the 
fundamental  articles  of  his  faith. 


904  MEMOimS  OF 

Imneholy  letter  from  me  at  present    I  should  be  g^ 
of  opportunities  to  reeeive  letters  from  you^and  to  write 
to  you  oftener : — ^indeed,  I  am  desirous  of  dioclosii^ 
to  you  some  of  my  most  serious  thoughts."     It  caa 
scarcely  be  doubted^  from  the  complexion  of  this  para- 
gnph  and  the  character  of  the  person  to  whom  ov 
then  young  philosopher  was  writing,  that  these  '^  most 
serious  thoughts,"  which  he  wished  so  much  to  dis- 
close to  his  clerical  friend,  related  to  some  points  in 
divinity.    After  subjoining,  in  the  same  letter,  mim 
reflexions,  of  such  a  cast  as  shew  that  him  BfintB 
were  depressed  by  fatigue  and  indisposition,  as  was 
usually  the  case  with  him,  he  proceeded  thus :  ^^  I  as* 
sure  you,  notwithstsnding,  I  am  no  misanthrope;  bat 
think  good  society  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  of  life. 
Whatever  is  said  of  original  sin,  the  depravity  of  our 
nature,  and  our  propensity  to  all  evil ;  thoogh  men  are 
said  to  be  wolves  to  men ;  yet,  I  think,  I  can  see  abun- 
dance of  goodness  in  human  nature,  with  which  1  am 
enamoured.    I  would  sooner  give  up  my  interest  in  a 
future  state,  than  be  divested  of  humanity ; — I  mean, 
that  good- will  which  I  have  to  the  species,  although 
one  half  of  them  are  said  to  be  fools,  and  almost  the 
other  half  knaves.   Indeed  I  am  firmly  persuaded  that 
we  are  not  at  the  disposal  of  a  Being  who  has  the 
least  tincture  of  ill-nature,  or  requires  any  in  us.    Yoir 
will  laugh  at  this  grave  philosophy,  or  my  writing  to 
you. on  a  subject  you  have  thought  of  a  thousand  times. 
But,  can  any  thing  that  is  serious,  be  ridiculous  ?  Shall 
we  suppose  Gabriel  smiling  at  Newton,  for  labouring 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  006 

to  demonstrate  whether  the  earth  moves  or  not^  be- 
cause  the  former  plainly  sees  it  move  ?'^ 


extract  (the  latter  part  of  which  constitutes  a 
vote  to  Dr.  Rush's  Eulogium,)  expresses,  in  the  con* 
eluding  sentence,  a  beautiful  and  apt  allusion,  in  re* 
ference  to  the  subject.  It  likewise  contains  a  finely- 
turned  compliment  to  the  superior  knowledge  he  pre- 
sumed Mr.  Barton  to  possess,  on  theological  subjects  $ 
without  its  seeming  to  have  been  intended,  that  it 
should  comprehend  himself  also,— otherwise  than  as 
he  might  be  considered,  for  a  moment,  to  be  personat- 
ing that  branch  of  science  which  he  most  assiduously 
cultivated.  The  compliment,  so  far  as  it  appeared  to 
apply  to  himself,  was  unquestionably  due  to  him ;  but 
inn  modesty  would  have  forbidden  his  using  it,  even 
to  a  brother-in-law,  could  he  have  imagined  at  the 
instaDt  of  penning  it,  that  a  portion  of  it  might  be  re- 
ferred to  himself,  personally. 

The  whole  scope  of  the  passage,  just  quoted, 
^'  shews,"  however,  as  his  Eulogist  has  observed,  ^^  bow 
early  and  deeply  the  principles  of  universal  benevo- 
lence were  fixed  in  his  mind.''  And  in  his  Oration, 
composed  when  he  was  in  the  full  meridian  of  life, 
our  Philosopher  has  plainly  indicated,  that  the  same 
philanthropic  spirit,  that  species  of  benevolence  which 
is  the  basis  of  true  religion,  and  that  warmed  his  youth- 
ful breast,  continued  to  animate  it  with  unabated  ferven- 
cy :  ^^That  Being,"  said  he,  "before  whose  piercing 

3  n 


000  MEMOIRS  OF 

eje  all  the  intricate  foldiogs  and  datk  reeessea  of  te 
humaa  heart  become  expanded  and  iUumioated^i  ii 
my  witness,  with  what  sincerity,  with  what  ardoar^  I 
wish  for  the  happiness  of  the  whole  race  of  mankind; 
how  mnch  I  admire  that  disposition  of  lands  and  8ea% 
which  affords  a  commanication  between  distant*  m- 
gions,  and  a  mntual  exchange  of  benefits ;  how  sin- 
cerely I  approve  of  those  social  refinements  which  ra* 
ally  add  to  our  happiness,  and  induce  ns  with  g^* 
tnde  to  acknowledge  our  great  Creator's  goodness; 
how  I  delight  in  a  participation  of  the  discoveries  made 
firom  time  to  time  in  nature's  works,  by  our  philos^ 
phic  brethren  in  Europe." 

In^^e  opinion  of  our  Philosopher,  ^^  every  enlarge- 
ment of  ofur  faculties,  every  new  happiness  conferred 
upon  us,  every  step  we  advance  towards  the  perfection 
of  the  Divinity,  will  very  probably  render  us  more  and 
more  sensible  of  his  inexhaustible  stores  of  communi- 
cable bliss,  and  of  his  inaccessible  perfections."*"^  He 
supposed,  that,  even  in  this  world,   ^^  wherein  we  are 

(51)  Dr.  Rittenhouse  had  no  more  faith  in  the  noUon  enter- 
tained by  some  visionary  men,  of  the  attainment  of  the  perfectioa 
of  virtue,  in  this  life,  than  he  had  in  the  fantastic  opiniony  main- 
tained also  by  some,  of  the  perfectibility  of  human  reason.  He 
supposed  that  we  are  capable,  by  a  progressive  <'  enlargement  of 
6ur  &culties,''  to  <<  advance  tov/ards  the  perfection  of  the  Divi- 
nity;'* not  like  those  pretenders  to  philosophy^  who,  as  Mr.  Vol- 
taire expresses  it,  <<  took  it  into  their  heads,  by  the  example  of 
Descartes,  to  put  themselves  into  God's  place,  and  create  a 
world  with  a  word !"  Our  philosopher  knew,  that  pure  virtue  and 
perfkct  reason  do  not  belong  to  human  nature. 


DAVID   RITTENHOUSE.  007 

•nly  pecmitted  ^  to  hk^  about  us  and  to  die^^  there  in 
ample  provision  made  for  employing  every  faculty  of 
the  fanman  mind;  even  allowing  its  powers  to  be  eon* 
4  stantly  enlarged  through  an  endless  repetition  of  ages  ;'^ 
.but  admitting,  at  the  same  time,  ^^  that  there  is  nothing 
in  it  capable  of  satisfying  us.'^ 

Similar  indications  of  his  extensive  benevolence^  and 
of  the  high  sense  he  entertained  of  the  dignity  of  hu- 
man nature,  as  well  as  of  the  attributes  of  the  Deity, 
are  found  evjery  where  in  his  writings;  and  the  ^^  ele- 
gant and  pious  extract"  (as  it  is  termed  by  Dr.  Rttsb> 
in  his  Eulogium,)  from  a  letter  to  one  of  his  friends^ 
quoted  in  another  place,  affords  a  striking  instance  of 
the  prevalence  of  that  disposition  in  the  towering  mind 
of  Rittenhouse. 

If  ^^  he  believed  political^  as  well  as  moral,  evil,  to 
be  intruders  into  the  society  of  men,"^^^  he  was  certain- 
ly too  well  acquainted  with  the  moral  constitution  of 
man  and  the  evident  nature  of  humanity,  to  suppose, 
^'  that  a  time  would  come,  when  every  part  of  our  globe 
would  echo  back  the  heavenly  proclamation  of  univer- 
sal peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  man.'^'^^  Possess- 
ing a  most  benevolent  disposition,  he  did  believe,  ^Uhat 
a  conduct  in  this  life,  depending  on  our  choice,  will 
stamp  our  characters  for  ages  yet  to  come."  He  was 
so  far  from  expecting  any  thing  like  perfectibilily  hero, 

(52)  Dr.  Rush's  Eulogium 

(53)  Ibid. 


906  MEMOIRS   OF 

that  he  thought^  that  man  as  a  free  i^nt,  in  darkenlBg 
bis  fiibculties  by  an  nnwortby  application  of  them  here 
OB  earth,  might  ^<  degrade  himself  to  some  inferior  rank 
of  being/'  hereafter;  while,  on  the  other  hand,  by  ^<  the 
exercise  of  virtue,  and  a  rational  employment  of  those 
talents  we  are  entrusted  with,'' — ^*  we  shall,  in  a  few 
years,  be  promoted  to  a  more  exalted  rank  among  the 
creatures  of^GKnl — have  our  understandings  greatly 
enlarged— be  enabled  to  follow  Truth  in  all  her  laby- 
rinths,  with  an  higher  relish  and  more  facility ;  and 
thus  lay  the  foundation  for  an  eternal  improvement  in 
knowledge  and  happiness."     Our  Philosopher  ac- 
knowledged, that  he  was  ^^  not  one  of  those  sanguine 
spirits  who  seem  to  think,  that,  when  the  withered 
hand  of  death  hath  drawn  up  the  curtain  of  etemify, 
almost  all  distance  between  the  creature  and  the  crea^ 
tor,  between  finite  and  infinite,  will  be  annihilated  :"^'^ 
Yet,  the  Writer  of  these  Memoirs  has  no  hesitation  in 
expressing  an  opinion,  with  which  a  long  and  intimate 
acquaintance  with  Dr.  Ritteubouse  has  forcibly  im- 
pressed his  own  mind ;  that  this  virtuous  man  was  in- 
clined to  believe,  or  rather,  actually  did  believe,  (with 
the  distinguished  author  of  the  Dissertation  on  the 
Prophecies,  )^''^  in  a  final  restitution  of  all  things  to 
harmony  and  happiness  in  another  state  of  existence. 


,(54)  This  quotation  and  the  other  passages,  before  which  in- 
verted  commas  are  placed  in  the  margin,  in  the  two  last  pam* 
graphs  of  the  text,  are  extracted  from  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  Oration* 


(55)  Dr.  Thomas  Newton,  Bishop  of  Bristol 


The  leaned  Eolopflker 
preMAt  btogra^r  Im  abeedy  m 
Bich  iBteiest  and  pkasiiiey  (i 
pointed  M  mfortoBate  as  to  he  caoipclkd  to 
fron  Um,)  has  remarked,  that  Dr.  Billi  ahiMi 
well  aequaiDted  with  practieal  Betaphjiics.^     He 
had,  withoot  doobt^  attentiYely  stadied  thoae  hnBckn, 
at  least,  of  this  aeaeiice,  which  eahtaee  Baral  phih 
sephy,  eonneeted,  as  it  is,  with  a  istiail  syihfli  ef 
aatural  religion :  prohably,  too,  he  had  iBfeatigated 
its  more  abstruse  and  less  useful  dcpailmeato :  and, 
perhaps,  he  had  also  directed  Us  all'hiquriti?e  miad. 
in  some  degree,  to  a  contemplatioB  of  those  meaial 
vagaries  of  the  modem  philosophy,  as  it  is  termed, 
which  neither  sobserve  the  purposes  of  ethies  or  of 
natoral  theolc^ :  a  system,  if  it  desenre  that  appel- 
lation, made  op  of  such  iocoogmoos  materials,  such 
visionary  notions,  as  by  their  falsity  alooe,  iodepea- 
dently  of  their  mischievoas  operation  in  sod^,  seem 
calculated  to  dishonour  the  name  of  philosophy,  aad 
to  depreciate  the  hi^ly  meritorious  services  rendered 
to  mankind  by  the  votaries  of  true  science.    If,  how* 
ever,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  ever  did  condescend  to  employ 
any  considerable  portion  of  his  valnaUe   tiaM,  in 
making  himself  acquainted  with  the  delusive  prtnei- 
ples  of  this  multifarious  sect  of  pseudo-philosophers, 
it  has  been  already  manifested  with  what  sentiments 
of  disapprobation,  if  not  of  abliorrence,  he  regarded 
their  doctrines.^^ 

Md  sloqasm  dMoftf  sCkcr  td^ 
ootkiu%  «f  titfeii  «fl  <t^. 


010  HBMOIRS  OF 

It  being  presumed,  therefore,  timt  our  Philosopber 
was,  in  the  words  of  his  Eulogist,  ^^  well  ftcqaahited 
with  pmctical  metaphysics,'^  an  inference  may  theaes 
he  fairly  made,  that,  with  respect  to  metaphysical  de- 
ductions, ^^  he  conid  use  them,''  as  has  been  said  «( 

class  above  referred  to,  contrasted  with  doctrines  fimnded  in 
truth,  and  the  awful  gloom,  destitute  of  every  ray  of  consolatioiif 
that  must  necessarily  accompany  their  reflections  upon  theb 
own  principles,  addresses  to  them  this  short  but  serious  iafoA- 
tion :  *^  When  these  things  are  fairly  weighed,  as  in  nature  they 
exist,  I  call  on  you,  nay  I  challenge  you,  ye  boasting  pluloso* 
phists!  to  comfort  yourselves,  and  be  easy  under  your  dreary 
doctrine,  or  notion  of  being  safe  after  death,  in  a  state  of  annihi- 
lation or  future  nothingness !  I  call  on  you,  ye  wise  Illuminati! 
of  upstart  name,  to  weigh  these  things  seriously ;  and  try  wbe* 
ther  you  can  comfort  yourselves,  and  remcdn  easy,  in  consider^ 
ing,  and  striving  to  make  others  consider.  Death,  as  <mly  an 
*<  everlasting  Sleep,"  from  which  they  will  never  be  awakenedi 
nor  their  ashes  disturbed  I"  See  Sermon  V.  in  The  JVorkt  rf 
IVilliam  Smithy  D.  D.  late  PfOvoai  of  the  College  and  Jicademuf^ 
PhUadelfihia. 

In  no  instance  have  the  impious  and  absurd  doctrines  of  the 
^<  Philosophists'*  and  the  ^<  Illuminati,"  of  our  times,  been  car- 
ried to  such  a  height  of  extravagance,  as  by  the  revoludonists  of 
modem  France.  These  infatuated  people  undertook,  in  the  year 
1793,  to  abolish  by  Law,  a  Futurity  of  Existence;  having  then 
decreed,  that  no  such  state  existed !  They  also  decreed,  that  in 
every  cemetery  there  should  be  erected  a  figure  representing 
Sleep,  pointing  towards  the  tombs;  and  this  Sleep  of  Death,  the 
decree  declared  to  be  eternal  I !  It  is  to  this  sort  of  wickedness 
and  folly  that  an  allusion  is  made,  in  the  foregoing  quotation; 
as  well  as  in  the  following  lines,  copied  from  the  Pur%uit9  of 
Literature : 

"  Systems  which  laugh  to  scorn  th'avenging  rod, 
And  hurl  defiance  at  the  throne  of  God  ; 
Shake  pestilence  abroad  with  maddening  sweep. 
And  grant  no  pausei«-but  evsrlasting  Sleep!" 


JO  AVID  BITT£KH0U8£.  911 

Maclaurin,  ^^^with  as  mueh  subtlety  and  force  as  any 
man  living;  but'*^ — also  like  that  celebrated  pbiloso- 
pher — '^  be  cbose  rather,  in  his  conversation  as  well 
as  his  writings,  to  bring  the  matter  to  a  short  issue,  in 
liis  own  way.''  Certain  it  is,  however,  that  Dr.  Bit- 
tenhouse  reprobated,  as  did  his  eminent  predecessor 
just  named>  that  subtile,  vague  and  inconclusive  kind' 
of  ratiocination,  the  mode  of  reasoning,  in  matters  of 
ibstract  science,  from  causes  to  effects,^*^^  which  so 

(57)  <<  Let  others  creep  by  timid  steps,  and  slow, 
On  plain  experience,  lay  foundations  low ; 
By  common  sense,  to  common  knowledge  bred^ 
And  lost  to  nature's  cause  through  nature  led : 
All-seeing  in  thy  mists,  we  want  no  guide. 
Mother  of  Arrogance  and  source  of  pride  I 
We  nobly  take  the  high  priori  road, 
And  reason  downward,  till  we  doubt  of  God." 

\  Pofic'9  Dunciady  b.  IV.  1. 455. 

The  following  observation,  in  the  form  of  a  note,  is  referred 
to,  from  the  lines  above  quoted,  in  a  work  which  contains  that 
extract,  viz.  <^  Those,  who,  from  the  effects  in  this  visible  world, 
deduce  the  eternal  power  and  Godhead  of  the  first  cause,  though 
they  caiinot  attain  to  an  adequate  idea  of  the  Deity,  yet  discover 
so  much  of  him,  as  enables  them  to  sec  the  end  of  their  creation 
and  the  means  of  their  happiness :  whereas  they  who  take  <<  the 
high  priori  road,"  as  Hobbes,  Spinoza,  Descartes,  and  some  bet* 
ter  reasoners,  for  one  that  goes  right,  ten  lose  themselves  in 
«  mists,"  or  ramble  after  visions,  which  deprive  them  of  all  sight 
of  their  end,  and  mislead  them  in  the  choice  of  wrong  metos." 

Mr.  Pope  had  put  the  above  poetical  lines  into  the  mouth  of 
one  of  his  Dunces,  wh^n  addressing  himself  to  the  goddess 
Dullness.  And  as  the  great  Dr.  Samuel  Clarke  had  previously 
endeavoured  to  .shew,*  that  the  Being  of  a  God  may  be  demon- 

*  In  his  work  entillcd,  '*  A  Discourse  concerning^  the  Being  and  Attribute 
of  a  God,  the  Obligations  of  Natural  Religion,  and  tbe  truth  and  certainty  of 
the  Christian  Itevelation ;  in  answer  to  Mr.  Hobbes*  Spinoza,  the  Author  of 
Mie  Oracles  of  Season,  and  other  denicrs  of  Mgtf^Md  revealed  Reli^u!* 


AtS  ■«  -HIUIOIBfl  OV 

uioeh  elurauturize  that  "cobweb  philoiiopliy,"'*.! 

wbicb  the  maHx  nf  mere  tnetapbysieal  systems  is  mftde 
up.  Ritlunlmuse  was  a  practical  pbiloHOpher :  be 
lield  in  contempt  ttie  obscurity  of  mysticism,  in  every 
object  of  rational  enquiry;  viewing  it  as  beings  nU 
ways,  either  tbe  parent  or  the  otT-^pHng  of  error.  Hf 
loved  <' sober  certainly/'"*'  in  pbilo^opby;  and  there, 
fore  be  pursued  Truth,  in  all  his  scientific  rcsearchen, 
in  that  practical  and  rational  mode  of  philosophizing 
which  he  deemed  conformable  tu  tbe  nature  of  Imth 
U«elf,  and  best  adapted  to  the  construction  and  facol- 
lieaoTthe  buoum  miod/''^' 


What  was  the  general  bias  of  T)r.   Riltcnhouse's 
opinions  on  the   subject  of  government,  no  one  who 


titrated  by  arguments  deduced  a  /irhri,  the   Doci 

himself  to  be  struck  at,  among  those  "better  rcasoners"  alluded 

to,  in  the  note  abo\c  mcntioiicd. 

(53)  Sec  Km.  Oral. 

(55)  Ibid. 

(60)  "Other  sydttnis  oi'  Fhilobophy  have  cvci'  fouml  it  neces- 
sary to  conceal  their  weakness  ami  iiicoiisisieiicy,  under  the  veil 
of  unintelligible  (crnib  and  phrases,  lo  iviiich  no  two  mortals, 
perhaps,  ever  affixed  llie  same  incaning.  Bui  the  philosophy  of 
Newton  disdains  lo  make  use  of  such  subterfuges;  it  is  not  re- 
duced to  the  necessity  of  using  ihcm,  because  it  pretends  rot 
to  be  of  nature's  privy  council,  or  to  have  access  to  her  most 
inscrutable  mysteries;  but,  to  attend  carefully  to  her  works,  to 
discover  the  immediate  causes  of  visible  effects,  to  trace  those 
causes  to  others  more  general  and  simple,  advancing  by  slow 
and  sure  steps  towards  the  Great  First  Cause  of  all  things,"  Ritfc 
Oral. 


DAVID  EITT£iniOtJSl.  MS 

knew  him  could  doubt;  and  they  are  likewicie  dedo- 
cible^  not  only  from  hia  writings^  but  from  the  nnifoim 
Murse  of  his  public  and  official  conduct*  He  was^  in 
fact^  from  the  dawn  of  the  Aiilerican  contooversy  with 
the  government  of  the  mother-country  to  the  year  17709 
a  whig,  in  his  political  principles.  From  the  com-^ 
mencement  of  hostilities  hi  that  year^  his  fselings^  as  a 
native  of  America^  prejudiced  Imn  sttongly  against  the 
•dministration  of  the  British  ^emment;  and  the 
prejudices  thus  iftibibed^  were  transferred^  soon  aller^ 
from  those  men  who  administered  that  government—- 
as  well  as  their  measures^  to  the  nature  and  form  of 
the  government  itself.  And  ftnaUy,  oh  the  establish- 
ment  of  the  national  independence  of  the  United  States^ 
in  1770^  his  opinions  settled  dowti^  v^  decidedly,  in 
favour  of  the  governmental  system  of  a  representative 
and  elective  republic. 

But,  until  the  arrival  of  tliat  important  epocha,  wheft 
thirteen  North- American  colonies  of  Great  Britain  80- 
lemnly  announced  to  the  world  thdr  separati«i  from 
the  parent-state,  Bittenhouse  thought  and  acted|  in  te* 
lation  to  political  affairs,  pretty  much  as  his  country- 
men  did.  ^'  Previous  to  tlie  American  revolution,'^  at 
BAmsay  the  historian  has  remarked,  ^^  the  inhahitanii 
of  the  British  colonies  were  universally  kyal :''  and 
another  American  writrn^*^  of  respectability  has  cor- 
respondeutly  observed,  that  tlie  proceedingp  of  tha 
first  congress  were  ^^  cool,  deliberate  and  loyal,  thouf^ 

(61)  Dr.  Morsci  tlicGcograkplier. 

3t 


« 


ril-ti  *    UCMOIBS  OP. 

iiiarlced  with  unanimity  and  firmness' 
luiiitlhs  elu[it>uil,  after  Llie.  apjipa)  to  artns  uas  actually 
iiiaile,  lii-Jurc  Uic  strong  attachment  toihe  mutlicr-coui 
try,  which  the  Amurican  colunisUi  hail  always  mw 
tutted,  geucrally  subsided.  Itut,  after  thti  middle  i 
the  year  177>'>;  "  tlie  prejudices  in  favour  u[  a  couucx- 
iuu  with  Kuglaod  aud  of  the  KligUsh  conBlilutiuD/' 
(to  use  the  words  of  Chief- Justice  MarsliaU,'**' )  "  gra- 
■lually,  but  rapidly  wore  off;  aud  wei'e  succeeded  by 
1  (-[lublicou  principles,  aud  wiiilic«  for  iudepeudeace." 

BucU  then,  it  is  confidently  believed,  was  Ibe  pro. 
greas  of  political  sentimenls  iii  their  operation  upon 
the  mind  of  Riltenhon^i'.  in  common  willi'  a  Vav^v.  raa- 
jorily  of  the  American  piioplc. 


The  information  must  therefore  have  lieen  wliolly 
erroneous,  upon  which  l)r.  Rush  was  induced  tu 
ground  his  assertion,  that  "  the  year  of  tlie  declaration 
of  Independence,  whicli  changed  our  royal  govern- 
ments into  republics,  produced  no  change  in  his  (llil- 
tcnhonsc's)  political  opinions, — for,"'  cuntinnes  tlie 
Doctor,  "  lie  had  been  educated  a  republican  by  his 
father."'  The  very  reason  which  the  able  and  zealous 
Eulogist  has  here  assigned  ft)r  Dr.  Riitcnhoiise's  po- 
litical principles  having  undergone  no  change  in  con- 
sequence of  tile  American  revolution,  being  predicated 
npon  au  assumed  but  mislakcn  fact,  it  serves  to  inva- 

:-::}  Stc  his  /.;/>  0/  Gci'-gc  n-(ijv.'.^i--. 


lidate  that  allegatioD :  aaii  it  mwtM  wftrer  Ime  Van 

made,  liad  not  Dr.  Rush  Wea  kd  mim  Ike  cnv  tj 

misinfonBalioo  on  the  nAjccL 

were  penonally  acqnaiirtrd  wiik  • 

ther^  (Mr.  Matthias  BiHrnh— frj 

that  the  old  gentlemaB 

nnoffending  principlea  and  cosdoet :  flnt 

very  little,  if  at  all,  with  pohGc  aCurvr  wmi  tbi.  al- 

thongh  a  man  of  good  jodgaent, 

his  attention  to  political 

on  the  science  of  goremaeaL  He  was  m  ttA  a 

man,  of  great  indostrj^  plaia  wummen  wmd  wHOifti 

ous  temper;  and  he  uniform] j  app^rcd  \immX 

peaceable  and  faithful  subject 

which  he  lived  seventy- three  jeais^  nntil  177^'  On  flie 

other  hand^  the  theory  of  yntimmoA  was  a  fldyoet 

npon  which  the  mm  had^  donb<le«y  tiiwijglrt  a^Ml  rea4 

much.    It  cannot,  ihenfoity  he  rammMj  M^clnfed^ 

that  Dr.  Rittenhonse  was  ^  edneafed  a  refcilkan  Ijr 

his  father.^ 

It  is  asked  :  ^^How  coold  he  (RittesbMi^;  Iieki4f 
the  beanty  and  harmony  of  the  oniverse  as  flue  reoab 
of  universal  and  mntoal  depeadance^  and  n^t  mimU 
that  Heaven  intended  Rulers  to  be  dependant  fijMm 
those,  for  whose  benefit,  alone,  all  p^emmeirt  i^hoold 
exist?  To  suppose  the  eontnrj/^  it  is  addrd^  ^wm$UI 
be  to  deny  unity  and  system  in  the  plans  of  tb#$  (;/eat 
Creator  of  all  things.'^>     But,  with  ail  doe  d«fereae« 

(63)  See  the  Eulo^um  on  RittsolKMiftc, 


019  UOIOIRS  OF 

to  tfae  genius  and  talcnU  of  tbe  luglily  respccUblo  ^n- 
tleoun  here  quoted,  the  writer  cannot  persaatle  bin- 

self,  that  our  Astronomer  could  have  drawn  Buch  in- 
ferences as  the  results  of  analogical  reasoning,  fruu 
the  beauty  and  harmony  of  the  Universe,  as  those 
which  the  foregoing  extract  would  seem  to  iinpntc  tu 
him.  For,  who  are  those,  *'  for  whose  benefit,  alone, 
all  government  should  exist  ?''  The  People  :  Andiu 
such  ft  republic  as  the  United  States — where  thero 
caanot  exist,  coitstiiutiovallg,  "  a  privileged  order  at 
men" — the  Rulers  arc,  surely,  a  part  of  the  People. 
Wh»t,  then,  is  tbe  nature  of  this  mutuality  of  depeo- 
dence  between  Uulcra  and  People  ?  If  goTcmmeDt 
should  ciList  for  the  heiieilt  of  the  People,  (hat  is,  all 
the  members  of  the  comniuuity,  as  most  assuredly  it 
ought  to  do;  (hcti  it  should  be  conducted  for  the  be- 
nefit of  the  Rulers,  as  well  as  of  those  who  are  ruled ; 
the  former  beiug  a  component  part  of  the  entire  com- 
munify.  under  the  cumprcheubiv:-.  ileuominationof  the 
People.  Tt  is  therefore  coiicuivpd,  that,  on  republican 
pi'ineiples,  the  l*eoplc  »iid  their  Rulers  cannot  be  so 
contradifttingiiishi^d  as  si-piiiate  bodies  of  men,  as  (hat 
the  former,  alone,  should  be  dependant  on  the  latter; 
but  that  there  oughtlo  be  between  thcni.  as  conslitiiting 
jointly  and  colleetivcly  the  People,  (hat  "mulual  de- 
pendance.-' of  which  (be  ingenious  Kuloglst  speaks; 
otherwisej  a  piiviles;ed  order  of  men  must  be  consider- 
"d  .IS  actually  Pxl<;iiiig  amoii'^  u«.  Yef,  even  in  the 
moaarchicil  lejjublic  of  Grtiit  Brifaiu/'""  the  business 

(64)  The  names  oniiniiTily  used  to  itiBliitguish  tliin(;&,  do  not 
j.;way3  truly  denote  -.he  n-yM-n  of  !>■«  things  they  arc  designed 


DAVlp  RITTj^HpUSE.  4^17 

iff  gpvenimei»t  is  not  wholly  ^^  Umit^d^'  U>  ^^  a  privi- 
leged  (^er  of  men  :''^^  Oao  brweb  af  the  le^Utive 
|H>dy  is  popular ;  wi  jom  branchy  i^lao^  of  the  juduual 
departmeat  of  that  governmenti  the  ioftitutioa  of  ju« 
rieB,  is  purely  repabUcno* 

The  learned  professor^  here  referred  to^  is  neverthe* 
less  an  highly  estimable  citizen  of  the  American  Be« 

to  sig^y:  and  it  is  very  evident,  that  any  misappUcatian  of  a 
name,  to  which  a  specific  meaning  baa  been  appropriated)  can* 
not  alter  or  otherwise  affect  the  easeace  or  inherent  quali^  of 
the  thing  itself  to  which  it  is  wrongly  applied. 

A  nation  may  be  a  republic,  notwithstanding  its  chief  eacAcu- 
tive  magistrate  be  denominated  a  king.  A  kingly  government 
may  be  essentially  republican,  provided  the  people  be  govepied 
by  known  laws,  and  their  king  be  limited  in  bis  prerogativoi  by 
the  constitution  of  the  state ;  not  such  a  monarch  as  is  vested 
with  uncontrouled  power.  In  this  sense,  the  British  govefa- 
ment  may,  as  some  modem  writers  have  ^ewn,  be  called  a  com-^ 
monwealtb,  or  r^pi^bUc :  and  under  a  similar  impression.  Sir 
Thomas  Smith,  even  in  the  reign  of  so  rigid  a  prince  as  Henry 
VIII.  wrote  his  book  Be  Rejiublicd  AngHcani.  The  reppblic  of 
Poland  vras  long  governed  by  elective  kings;  and  Shakespeare, 
(nay,  even  the  leveller  Godwin,*)  appears  to  have  cooaidertd 
Monarch,  King  and  President,  as  synonymous  terms. 

(6S)  ^  It  belongt  to  laoDarQbiiM,"  says  Dr.  Ruah,  <<  to  limit  the 
business  of  govemxa^))t  to  a  privilcge4  order  of  men**'    Sa^ 

Eulog. 

*  The  MeBu>riaUst  pan  truly  sty*  with  the  author  of  the  Pwnuiu  ^  JMerth 
pfirt:^^^  1  have  f^ven  tome  attentioii  to  lAr.  Godwin's  work  on  Potitieal  /Mt 
Ha,  aa  conoeiving  it  to  be  the  ixide  of  inipfoved  aioteii  ethicty  monitor,  and 
legislaUpn.  I  confess  I  looked  pot  fiir  the  9c|>^|)lic  of  Plato,  or  even  for  the 
Oceana  of  Harrington ;  but  for  something  di(ferent  from  them  all.  I  looked, 
indeed,  for  a  superttruciiire  raiie4  on  the  revolutionary  ground  of  Equality, 
watered  with  the  GuiUotine ;  and  such  I  found  it."  See  Punuitt  ofUtfrature, 
pia).  the  thjr4,  nets  p.  Qi^  the  lerenth  iond.  edit. 


Diti  HKUOIBS  OP 

[iiiblic,  as  bia  numerous  and  impoHant  public  scrvii 
fuHy  evince.  In  his  *'  Address  lo  Uic  People  of  Ihe 
United  States,"  published  shortly  before  the  sitting  oC 
the  Federal  Convention,  be  has  pointed  out  two  "«■ 
rors  or  prejudices  on  the  subject  of  government  in  Anfl 
rica,  which,"  a»  he  very  justly  observes,  "lead  lo  tbs 
most  dangerous  coiisequcncps."  The  correctness  of 
bis  sentiments  on  Ibc  subject  of  those  errors,  docs  bim 
honour  :  such  of  his  observations  as  arc  more  parlicn. 
larly  applicable  to  the  present  subject,  arc  conlaiu 
in  the  foUowiog  passages. 


1i 


"It  is  often  said,  that '  the  sovereign  power  and  aU 
olbcr  power  is  seated  in  the  people'  This  idea  is  un- 
happily  expressed.  Jt  should  be — 'all  power  is  deriv- 
ed fioin  the  people.'  They  possess  it  nu!y  on  tbc 
days  of  their  cleeliojis.  After  this,  it  is  llm  property 
of  their  Rulers  ;  nor  can  llicy  exercise  or  resume  it, 
unless  it  is  abused.  It  is  of  importance  to  circulate 
this  idea,  as  it  lends  fo  order  and  i^ood  gnvcrnnient.'' 
And  again  ; 

'■'The  people  (if  Amciiea  have  mistaken  the  mean- 
iiig  of  the  word  Sovereignty  :  hence,  each  State  pre- 
tends to  be  sovereign.  In  Europe,  it  is  applied  only 
to  those  stales,  wliidi  possess  the  power  of  making 
war  and  peace,  of  furming  Ireaties,  and  the  like.  As 
this  power  belongs  only  to  Congress,  tbey  are  the  only 
Kovereiga  [lowcr  in  the  United  Slates."' 


DAVID  BITTENHOUSE.  919 

The  Memorialist  is  persuaded^  that  Dr.  Ritten- 
tenhouse  woald  have  fully  concurred  in  this  construc- 
tion of  the  nature  of  sovereignty^  in  an  elective  govern- 
ment :  and  he  has  been  the  more  diffuse  on  this  sub- 
ject^ in  order  both  to  prevent  and  remove^  as  much  as 
possible^  any  misconceptions  respecting  the  political 
opinions  of  our  Philosopher. 

An  unostentatious  simplicity  and  strict  integrity^ 
with  a  due  proportion  of  dignity  and  firmness^  in  the 
administration  of  the  public  affairs ;  a  judicious  eco- 
nomy^ in  the  management  and  expenditure  of  the  pub- 
lic revenues ;  a  zealous  attention  to  the  public  inte- 
rests and  the  happiness  of  the  people ;  a  wise  and 
faithful  administration  of  justice  among  the  various 
members  of  the  community^   without  any  invidious 
distinctions ;  a  strict  observance  of  good  £aith^  in  all 
relations  with  foreign  states ;  a  sincere  attachment  to 
peace,  with  its  concomitant  blessings^    and  conse- 
quently, an  abhorrence  of  unnecessary  wars,  whether 
provoked,  or  undertaken,  by  means  of  the  cupidity  or 
the  ambition  of  rulers ;  these  have  been  usually  con- 
sidered, in  theory,  as  characteristics  of  republican 
governments.    Greatly  is  it  to  be  desired,  that  they 
may  always  prove  to  be  so,  in  fact. 

That  both  the  Bittenhouses,  father  and  son,  should 
be  attached  to  an  order  of  things  in  the  common- 
wealth, established  and  conducted  on  the  principles 
just  mentioned,  may  be  readily  conceived  from  a 


5£0  iiErfofK?  or 

knowledge  of  their  chaniPteM.  To  a  ^Vnleib  of  d\-il 
polity,  prodactire  of  Bnch  siibslsntial  benefiU  to  al! 
those  under  Hs  immediate  operation,  Dr.  Biltenboaif 
^rould  naturilly  have  been  inclined :  his  habits,  man- 
ners and  principles,  would  so  dispose  him.  Hence, 
after  hairing  Indalgcd,  for  a  moment,  the  pleasing  but 
fanciful  bypotbcsis,  that  if  (he  inhabitant*  of  the  o(h« 
planets  resemble  man  in  their  faculties  and  affections : 
if,  like  him,  tbey  were  created  liable  to  fall,  Ihoagh 
some  of  them  might  be  presumed  to  retain  their  on- 
t;ma1  rectitude ;  be  proceeds  with  supposing,  "thai 
tlicy  are  irise  enotigh  to  govern  IhemselTCS  accordbig 
In  tlie  dictates  of  that  reason  which  God  faaa  g^ven 
llicm,  in  sncb  manner  ns  to  consult  thoir  own  and 
each  olber's  bappuiess,  upon  all  occasion''.  Bat  if, 
■nn  the  contrary,'''  said  he,  *' they  have  found  it  ne- 
cessary to  erect  artificial  fabrics  of  government,  let  us 
not  suppose  (bey  have  dune  it  with  so  little  skill,  and 
at  such  an  enormous  expenre,  as  (o  render  them  a 
misfortune,  instead  of  a  blessing.  We  will  hope,'' 
conlinnes  the  philanthropic  Kittenbouse,  "that  their 
statesmen  are  patriots,  and  tliat  their  kings,  if  (hat 
order  of  beings  has  found  admiKance  there,  bare  (be 
feelings  of  humanity."  He  next  deplores,  in  terms 
which  evince  the  strength  of  his  feelings  on  the  occa- 
sion, the  folly  as  well  as  iniquity  of  holding  the  Afri. 
cans  in  bondage  among  us;  national  rapacity;  tlip 
Bcourges  of  war,  then  recently  inflicted  on  the  north 
of  Knrcpe;  and.  finally,  he  denrecft)**?   in  very  im- 


DAVID  RITT£NH0U8S.  5%i 

pressive  language^  the  inroai4^of  ^^  luxury^  and  her 
contant  follower^  tyranny.^^^**^ 

Dr.  Hittenhouse  having  entertained  such  senti- 
ments as  these^  at  the  time  he  penned  his  Oration^ 
and  it  will  be  recollected^  that  this  was  only  two  or 
three  months  before  hostilities  had  actually  taken 
place  between  Great-Britain  and  her  North- Americab 
Colonies^  he  was  naturally  enough  induced  to  be- 
lieve^ that  many  of  the  political  evils  which  were^ 
about  that  period^  experienced  in  civil  society  by  a 
large  portion  of  mankind^  arose  from  the  nature  of 
their  respective  governments.  And^  the  principal 
states  of  Europe^  with  the  exception  of  the  Dutch 
commonwealth^  were  then  governed  under  the  mo- 
narchical form. 

In  the  American  continental  colonies  of  Ghreat- 
Britain^  generally,  it  was  the  prevalent  opinion  of  the 
people  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  that 
the  grievances  complained  of  by  the  colonists,  ori^- 
nated,  almost  as  a  matter  of  necessity,  from  the  mo- 
narchical spirit  of  the  mother-country :  consequently, 
many  of  those  great  public  evils  which  sprung  from 
the  genius,  habits  and  pursuits,  of  the  people  them- 
selves, in  the  great  monarchies  of  the  old  world,  were 
generally  attributed  to  some  peculiar  vices  inherent  in 
that  species  of  government.     It  was  the  universality, 

."66)  Sec  Ritt.  Orat.  before  the  Am.  Philos.  Soc  in  1775. 

3u 


532  MEMOinS  ov 

almost,  of  tbe»te  opiuioos^  which  soon  aft«r  obiuocil 
I  In  oughoat  the  Uditi'd  Colonics,  that  produced  a  de- 
Irrmination  in  the  people  to  estabHih.  Tor  ttiumselvesr 
I  *'l>ublic(in  forms  of  government,  as  iiidepentlent  states. 
SiR-li  were  ficcoi'dinsly  established;  and  Lhc  Ameri- 
can people  have  long  cxperieuced  their  effieieaey  in 
pioiiioting  (he  prosppcily  of  the  country. 

Sliould  it,  Hevertlielesfi,  unfortunately  happen  atauy 
Ciiture  perioii,  that  the  now  existing  national  coOitiW- 
liiin  should,  hy  any  means,  be  perverted  from  its  ori- 
ginal design;  should  a  system  of  government  so  well 
pifinncd — "in  order  to  form  a  nioi-c  perfect  uoion,  es- 
tiililish  justice,  insure  domestic,  trantjuillily,  provide 
fur  (lie  conimoii  iltlViiri-,  anil  f^ecnrc  tlu;  blessings  of 
lilx'ily  to  (iiirt-clves  and  ouf  posterity  ;"'■"''  sliould  this 
Meil-ili'fiiK'i!  Ctiartfr  of  Amcritaii  freL-doni,  liy  means 
of  mal-iuiininistmlton  or  iitherwise.  eventually  frus. 
trate  tlic  patriotic  intentions  of  its  illustrious  frame rs  : 
then,  indeed,  will  llic  iioldcst  eftbrt  ever  made  by  any 
pcoph-  to  institute  a  rational  system  of  free  govern- 
ment, bla^t  the  best  lio|)es  of  the  advocates  of  rcpubli- 
catiisjii.  In  such  e\oiit — which,  may  heaven  avert! 
tlie  offen  inioted  couplet  "onld  be  too  fatally  vcrifieil, 
wlieiciii  the  poet  ^ays  : 

-I-'oi-  tonus  of  govcnuiiciiL  let  foois  contest; 
WlKiic'ci-  ib  hcst  iidminibter'd,  is  best.'*') 

Popt's  lU^cu  :;•  M,i::. 


(57)  See  llic  0 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUSE.  dS3 

Dr.  RiUenhouse  was,  uadoubtedly,  among  those 
who  eatertained  the  most  sanguiae  expectations,  that 
the  political  institutions  in  the  United  States,  formed 
as  they  are  according  to  the  republican  model,  would 
tend  to  meliorate  the  condition  of  the  people,  and 
^^  promote  the  general  welfare.^^  He  may  at  some 
time  have  even  ^^  believed  political,  as  well  as  moral 
evil,  to  be  intruders  into  the   society   of    men.^'^*^^ 

(68)  Mr.  Pope  was  not  singular  in  the  opinion  here  express- 
ed :  one  of  the  most  iUustrious  legislators  and  best  practical 
statesmen  the  world  has  ever  known,  appears  to  have  entertain- 
ed the  same  sentiment,  when  he  penned  the  following  passages : 
they  are  extracted  from  the  Frame  of  Government  originally  de- 
signed by  William  Penn,  for  Pennsylvania :  published  in  the 
year  1682. 

"  Any  government  is  free  to  the  people  under  it  (whatever  be 
the  frame,)  where  the  laws  rule  and  the  people  are  a  party  to 
those  laws ;  and  more  than  this  is  tyranny,  oligarchy,  and  confu* 
sion." 

"  There  is  hardly  one  frame  of  government  in  the  world  so 
ill  designed  by  its  first  founders,  that,  in  good  hands,  would  not 
do  well  enough ;  and  story  tells  us,  the  best,  in  ill  ones,  can  do 
nothing  that  is  great  or  good,"  « I  know,"  continues  Penn, 
«  some  say,  Let  us  have  good  laws,  and  no  matter  for  the  men 
that  execute  them :  but  let  them  consider,  that  though  good  laws 
do  well,  good  men  do  better:  for  good  laws  may  want  good 
men,  and  be  abolished  or  evaded  by  ill  men ;  but  good  men  will 
never  want  good  laws,  nor  suffer  ill  ones.  It  is  here,  good  laws 
have  some  awe  upon  ill  ministers  \  but  that  is  where  they  have 
not  power  to  escape  or  abolish  them,  and  the  people  are  generally 
wise  and  good :  but  a  loose  and  depraved  people  (which  is  to  be 
the  question)  love  laws  and  an  administration  like  themselves. 
That,  therefore,  which  makes  a  good  constitution,  must  keep  it, 
viz.  men  of  wisdom  and  virtue ;  qualities  that,  because  they  de- 
scend not  with  worldly  inheritances,  must  be  carefully  propa- 
gated by  a  virtuous  education  of  youth.'* 


(69)  See  I^^iili^s  Eulog.  on  Ritt. 


SM  MEMOIRS  OF 

Bot  some  'passages  in  his  Oration  plainly  shew,  Uiat, 
as  has  been  already  observed,  he  had  no  faith  in  the 
perfectibility  of  haman  reason,^**^  in  this  life.  He  was 
also  too  soand  a  philosopher  not  to  know^  that  if^  by 
the  best  roles  of  philosophical  ratiocination,  many  well 
known  phenomena  in  the  natural  world  conld  not  be 
reached,  with  respect  to  their  nature  and  causes^  in 
such  manner  as  to  render  these  susceptible  of  demon- 
strative proof, — nothing  like  certainty  in  the  result, 
much  less  perfection,  could  be  calculated  on,  in  put- 
ting the  theories  of  a  science,  such  as  government,  to 
the  test  of  experiment. 

(70)  About  the  middle  of  January,   1813,  the   Memorialift 
passed  a  very  pleasant  evening,  in  company  with  an  agreeable 
party  of  frieijds,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Rush.     Among  varioas 
subjects,  which  were  then  discussed  with  much  ingenuity  and 
good  humour,  Redhefer's  pretended  discovery  of  what  is  called 
the  Perpetual  Motion,  a  thing  which  had  then,  very  recentlyi 
attracted  a  good  deal  of  the  public  attention,  was  brought  upon 
the  tapes:  when  Dr.  Rush,  addressing  himself  to  the  Writer, 
who  had  just  expressed  his  opinion  decidedly  agidnst  the  pro- 
jector's theory,  as  being  utterly  incompatible  with  established 
principles  of  physics  and  well-known  laws  of  the  material  world, 
said  quite  emphatically ;  ^  Sir,  I  entirely  agree   with  you  :  and 
let  me  observe,  there  are  four  things,  concerning  which  I  have 
alwa3rs  been  completely  sceptical,  as  I  am  sure  your  good  uncle* 
also  was ;  that  is  to  say,  the  perfectibility  of  human  reason ;  the 
possibility  of  transmuting  base  metals  into  silver  and  gold;  a 
panacea,  in  the  healing  art;  and  a  power,  in  any  mortal,  to  p^vc 
perpetuity  of  motion  to  matter."     These  were,  substantially,  the 
sentiments  expressed  by  Dr.  Rush,  on  the  occasion ;  and  the 
Writer  believes  he  is  pretty  accurate  in  bis  recollection  of  the 
very  words  which  the  Doctor  used. 

*  Dr.  Rittenhoase. 


DAVID  RITTfiNHOUSE.  ffS$ 

If  it  be  asked :  ^  Where  are  the  Works  of  Ritf^n. 
house  ?^  a  ready  and  satisfactory  answer  to  the  ques- 
tion is  at  hand.  Althoagh  he  published  no  ponder- 
ous volumes^  he  has  left  behind  him  great  and  honour- 
able memorials  of  his  genius^  his  seienee  and  his  skill ; 
Bueh  as  will  long  remain^  as  Monuments  of  the  ex- 
traordinary extent  of  his  practical  usefulness  in  his 

* 

day^  and  of  his  well-earned  fkme.  ^^  He  has  not  in- 
deed made  a  world^^^  as  Mr.  Jefferson^  in  speaking  of 
his  Orrery^  emphatically  expresses  himself;  ^^  but  he 
has^  by  imitation^  approached  nearer  its  Maker^  than 
any  man  who  has  lived  from  the  creation  to  this 
day.^^^^  As  long,  too,  as  the  geographical  bounda- 
ries of  Pennsylvania,  connected  in  part  with  those  of 
the  neighbouring  states,  shall  continue  to  define  the  re- 
spective jurisdictions  of  their  local  sovereignties  and 
rights,  considered  as  members  of  a  great  confede- 
rated nation ;  so  long  will  they  serve  to  distinguish 
the  name  of  Rittenhouse.^^^  ^^y?  some  of  the  rivers 
and  canals,  even  some  principal  roads,  in  the  country 
of  his  nativity,  bear  testimony  to  his  talents,  hb  pub- 

(71)  See  JVotes  on  Virginia » 

ft 

(72)  All  the  boundary-lines^  mentioned  above,  were  determin- 
ed by  astronomical  observations.  The  manner  in  which  the 
work  was  performed,  with  an  account  of  the  instruments  used 
on  those  occasions,  will  be  found  in  the  fourth  volume  of  the 
Transactions  of  the  American  Philosophical  Society.  Some  of 
Dr.  Rittenhouse's  associates,  in  those  arduous  undertakings 
were  men  of  high  reputation  in  the  same  departments  of  science; 
but  his  talents  were  principally  relied  on. 


L 


:ii6  MEMOIRS  or 

lirT  spirit  Slid  liH  industry.  Hts  iorentions  and  im- 
provementx,  in  varioux  specimeDg  of  meehaiiistnt  tM- 
reived  and  cxecutiril  hy  liimseir,  fully  maDirest,  thai, 
"  as  an  artist,  he  has  c\hihitc<l  an  great  x  proof  of  mc- 
rhanical  genius  as  the  world  has  ever  produced.""^' 
A.nd,  as  a  man  of  extensive  and  profound  science,  faif 
various  pliilosop hi cal  papers,  hut  morcPsjKciall;;  tlio§e 
ivlating  to  his  astronomical  observations,  justifj  Mr. 
JeHersou's  remark,  that  he  was  "second  to  no  Astro- 
nomer living," — that  he  was,  **  in  genius  tlic  flrst^  be- 
cause self-tanght."™ 

Such,  then,  were  the  "  Works"  of  this  truly  grMt 
man.  And  it  appears  that  they  were,  in  general,  not 
only  arduous  in  their  execution,  and  Iiighly  l)t  ntficial 
in  ihoii-  uses  and  effects;  but  tliat  tlicy  were  likewise 
the  productions  of  a  lofty,  penetrating  and  active  ge- 
nius, great  knowledge  and  skill,  and  (lie  most  indefa- 
tigable perseverance."" 

(73)  Sec  .^',;cs  '.Ji   r,r^,„,a. 

(ri)  Ibid. 

(75)  II  win,  perjMjis,  Imvt  occLUTtd  lo  y[.,^  r,  jtlcr,  thu;  U'- 
sides  such  of  ihe  works  of  Dr,  Riucnhuusc,  us  are  referred  to 
in  tlie  text,  in  bouie  of  ivhicli,  the  blended  efTcrts  of  genius,  plii- 
losopliical  science  and  mechmiiciil  skill,  wore  equally  conspicu- 
ous, lie  put  the  Mint  into  operation.  In  the  language  of  his 
worthy  successor  in  the  direction  of  that  institution,  "  his  loltv 
and  correct  mind,  capable  alike  of  ascending  to  the  subliuics't 
hciglits  of  science,  and  of  condescending  to  regulate  the  minute 
Tnovenicnts  oi  meclianical  machinery,  organized  the  Mint,  ;tnd 
treated   the  workmen  and   (he  apparatus."     His  ajjcncy  in  di- 


DAVID  RITTENUOUSE.  S27 

Bat  though  Dr.  Hittenhouse  published  no  great  sys- 
tematic literary  work^  he  communicated  to  others  by 
his  conversation^  and  by  such  of  his  writings  as  have 
been  given  to  the  worlds  much  valuable  philosophical 
information.  He  instructed^  liberally^  such  persons 
as  were  desirous  of  acquiring  knowledge  from  a  social 
intercourse  with  him.  The  elevated  station  his  cha- 
racter maintained^  both  for  wisdom  and  integrity^  ex- 
hibited him  to  his  cotemporaries  as  an  example  worthy 
of  being  imitated  :^^^^  and  thus,  in  reality,  his  high  re- 
putation operated  as  a  powerful  incitement  upon  many 
of  his  countrymen,  to  pursue  similar  objects  of  science, 
inspiring  them  with  a  taste  to  cultivate  the  true  philo- 
sophy. 

The  reputation  of  this' distinguished  man,  as  a  ma- 
thematician and  astronomer,  was  pre-eminently  great, 
in  every  civilized  part  of  the  western  world.  Per- 
haps no  man's  philosophical  talents  were  ever  held  in 

recting  the  construction,  and  arranging  the  operative  depart- 
ments, of  this  important  establishment,  though  less  indicative  of 
extraordinary  mechanical  genius  than  many  of  his  other  works, 
\  was  nevertheless  an  arduous  undertaking :  it  was  conducted,  as 
Mr.  De  Saussure  very  justly  observed,  <<  amidst  complicated 
difficulties,  from  which  the  roost  persevering  minds  might  have 
shrunk  without  dishonour." 

(76)  Dr.  Rush,  in  his  Eulogium  on  Rittenhouse,  has  introdu- 
ced a  short  invocation,  which  aptly  applies  in  this  place :  it  is  in 
these  words ;  ^  Come,  and  learn  by  his  example  to  be  good,  as 
well  as  great.  His  virtues  furnish  the  most  shining  models  for 
your  imitation ;  for  they  were  never  obscured  by  a  single  cloud 
of  weakness  or  vice." 


3^  MBJioiKS  or 

iiigber  utinuLtion,  nor  more  deMrredly  so,  by  thoMi 
({ualifled  to  form  a  proper  judgment  of  tbein,  wherever 
his  name  wax  known;  not  excepting  Ibose  of  NewUm 
iiimself.  His  celebrity  was  far  from  being  confiuul 
witbin  the  limits  of  his  native  toontry :  bis  Onvrjf 
M'itb  the  proceeding!!  and  results  of  the  Observation  uf 
tliat  pIi«nomenon  wbicli  so  greatly  interested  Ibe  prio- 
cipal  astronomers  of  botb  hemisplieres,  (be  Transit  of 
Venus  in  I769,  had  rendered  bim  justly  celebratKd  in 
Europe  as  well  as  America,  as  a  pbilosopber  of  tbe 
highest  grade,  at  the  age  of  thirty-seven  years. 

Tbe  peculiar  circumstances  of  bis  Life,  which  have 
lieen  amply  detailed  in  these  Memoirs,  were  of  such  a 

iiafiire  as  to  prccluile  bim,  in  a  great  measure,  from  op- 
portunities of  carrying  on  a  correspondence  with  men 
of  science  and  letters,  abroad  :  the  extremely  deficate. 
and  oflcQtimes  intUm  state  of  his  general  health,  in 
addition  to  his  numerous  avocations,  bis  long  coDtiou 
>^d,  various,  anil  important  employments  in  the  public 
service,  left  him  little  leisure  for  literary  pursuits  of 
any  kind.  Indeed,  uotliing  less  lha.ii  the  wonderful 
energy  <if  liis  mind,  and  his  extraordinary  industr}. 
cowld  have  enabled  him  (0  write  as  mnch  as  he  ha-^ 
done.'"' 

(77)  Mr.  Cliicl  Jusiii.>;  Mai-aliall  makes  an  oliscrvatton,  in  re- 
lercncc  to  Gcnciiil  Wasliingtori)  whicii  applies  with  equal  force 
to  Dr.  Rittenhouse.  "  To  eaiimatf  rightly  his  wortli,  wo  must 
contemplate  his  difliculties  :  vc  must  examine  the  means  placed 
in  Ills  hands,  and  ihc  use  lit-  niuJi;  ui'  diosc  means."  Prcf.  i' 
Marshall's  i/e  cf  1' .,■,.//,-,■  iff 


DAVID  RITT£NHOUSE.  5S9 

Dr.  Rittenhouse  never  attempted  to  amnsA  the  world 
with  any  hypothetical  system  of  philosophy^  or  with 
opinions^  merely  speculative^  on  any  subject.  The 
great  objects  of  his  pursuits^  through  life^  were  Cer- 
tainty and  Truth :  hence^  he  never  advanced  an  opi- 
nion^ concerning  any  thing  whatever^  which  he  did 
not  consider  as  being  either  susceptible  of  verification 
by  experiment  and  the  evidence  of  our  senses^  or^ 
where  the  nature  of  the  subject  did  not  admit  of  such 
proof,  capable  of  being  tested  by  the  soundest  princi- 
ples of  human  reason.  Yet,  though  this  profound  in- 
vestigator of  nature  viewed  ^^  sober  certainty^'  as  the 
great  desideratum  in  philosophy,  he  was  by  no  means 
a  dogmatist ;  even  with  respect  to  that  portion  of  natu- 
ral science  which  is  capable  of  demonstration.  Not- 
withstanding the  opinion  he  entertained  of  the  vast 
extent  to  which  the  faculties  of  the  mind  may  be  en- 
larged by  a  proper  improvement  of  them,  he  was  fully 
aware  that  its  powers  are  limited.  Like  his  great  pre- 
decessor, Maclaurin,  '^  the  farther  he  advanced  in  the 
knowledge  of  geometry  and  of  nature,  the  greater  his 
aversion  grew  to  perfect  systems,  hypotheses,  and  dog- 
matizing :  without  peevishly  despising  the  attainments 
we  can  arrive  at,  or  the  uses  to  which  they  serve,  he 
saw  there  lay  infinitely  more  beyond  our  reach.'^  Like 
him,  also,  he  considered  ^^  our  highest  discoveries  as 
being  but  a  dawn  of  knowledge,  suited  to  our  circum- 
stances and  wants  in  this  life ;  which,  however,  we 
ought  thankfully  to  acquiesce  in,  for  the  present,  in 
hopes  that  it  will  be  improved  in  a  happier  and  more 

8x 


:}m  MEMOIRS  OF 

jii^rfeet  rtate.'""'    RUicnhonse  never  suppoaod,  thttf 
(ill  use  llie  words  of  Maclauriu's  biogmpher^Oj  "  *•*- 

{ 7g)  Mr.  Maclaurin  having  noticed  that  the  Author  of  Nkture 
ii  i7>  iiuidc  it  impossible  for  us  to  have  nay  communication)  from 
il.i.  Ciirth,  with  thy  other  great  bodies  of  the  miiversc,  in  trot 
present  state;  and  after  remarking  on  some  phBcnomena in  the 
l>lduetar]r  system,  makes  the  following  just  rcBectionsi  whick 
<.ijT  respond  with  thost;  expressed  by  Dr.  Rittcnhouse,  in  the  con- 
cniding  pages  of  his  Oration: — '-  I'l-om  hence,  as  vrcll  a$  from 
(111  state  of  the  moral  world  and  many  other  considerutionsi  we 
■M  f  induced  to  believe,  that  our  present  state  would  be  Tcry  im- 
pLi'lect  without  a  ^ubsctiucnt  one ;  wherein  our  vicw»  of  nature, 
:iiii!  of  its  great  Author,  may  be  more  clear  and  aatisfcictory.  It 
(Ions  not  appearto  be  suitable  to  the  wisdom  that  stunas  thtvugfa- 
out  all  nature,  to  suppose  that  we  should  see  >o  fart  and  have 
uwi-  curiosity  so  much  raised  concerning  the  works  of  God,  onlf 
lol)i:  iJis.'.p]triinttd  in  the  cntl.  As  man  is  unJoubledlj-  the  chief 
being  iipoii  this  globe,  and  this  globe  may  be  no  less  considera- 
ble, in  liic  most  valuable  respects,  than  any  other  in  the  solar 
tystcm,  and  this  system,  foe  ought  we  know,  not  inferior  to  any 
Otlu'iiii  the  iiiiivtranl  system;  so,  if  we  should  suppose  man  to 
perish,  witliou;  ever  Lirrivlng  at  a  more  complete  knowledge  of 
nature,  llian  the  very  imperfect  one  he  attains  in  his  present 
suue ;  by  iuialogy,  or  partly  of  reuson,  we  might  conclude,  that 
the  like  desires  Houhl  he  frustrated  in  the  inhabitants  of  all  the 
other  planets  and  systems;  and  that  the  beautiful  scheme  of  na- 
ture would  never  be  unfolded,  but  iu  an  exceedingly  imperfect 
maMner,  i-,;  ..ny  of  them.  This,  therefore,  naturally  leads  US  to 
consider  our  pj-esent  state  as  only  the  dawn  or  beginning  of  our 
Lxi'^iciicf,  and  as  a  slate  of  preparation  or  probation  for  farther 
adv.iju  viiicnt:  w  hit  h  appears  to  have  been  the  opinion  of  the  most 
jttt.icious  pliiiosophers  of  old.  And  whoever  attentively  consi- 
di  rs  the  constitution  of  hum-.in  nature,  jiariicularly  the  desires 
and  passions  of  men,  which  appear  greatly  superior  to  theiP 
present  objects,  will  easily  be  persuaded  iliat  man  was  designed 
for  higher  views  ihan  of  this  life.  Surely,  it  is  in  His  power  to 
grant  us  a  Far  greater  improvement  of  the  faculties  wc  already 
possess,  or  even  to  endow  us  with  new  faculties,  of  which,  at 


DAVID  RITT£XUeU8£.  dSi 

cause  demonstrative  evidence  is  the  most  perfect^  it 
should  be— *as9  by  some^  it  has  been — taken  for  grant- 
ed^ there  is  no  other."  On  the  contrary,  our  philoso- 
pher believed  that  there  are  many  truths,  natural  as 
well  as  moral,  which  are  beyond  the  reach  of  demon- 
stration ;  consequently,  not  to  be  rejected,  solely  by 
reason  of  their  insusceptibility  of  this  kind  of  proof. 
Hence,  in  his  Oration  he  says,  ^^  Our  Religion  teaches 
us  what  Philosophy  could  not  have  taught ;  and  we 
ought  to  admire,  with  reverence,  the  great  things  it 
has  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  perform,  beyond  the 
ordinary  course  of  nature,  for  man,  who  is  undoubted- 
ly the  most  noble  inhabitant  of  this  globe.  But,"  con- 
tinues this  truly  good  man,  ^^  neither  Religion  nor 
Philosophy  forbid  us  to  believe,  that  infinite  Wisdom 
and  Power,  prompted  by  infinite  Groodness,  may, 
throughout  the  vast  extent  of  creation  and  duration, 
have  frequently  interposed  in  a  manner  quite  incom- 
prehensible to  us,  when  it  became  necessary  to  the 
happiness  of  created  beings  of  some  other  rank  or  de- 
j;ree." 

this  time,  we  have  no  idea,  for  penetrating  farther  into  the 
scheme  of  nature,  and  approaching  nearer  to  Himself,  the  First 
and  Supreme  Cause." 

The  striking  coincidence  of  the  foregoing  sentiments,  witli 
those  expressed  hy  Dr.  Rittenhouse ;  in  addition  to  the  sublimity 
of  the  conceptions ;  the  cogency  of  the  argument;  and  the  weight 
of  the  concurring  opinions  of  two  so  great  astronomers  and  ma- 
thematicians, on  a  subject  of  such  high  importance  to  mankind ; 
all  plead  an  apology  for  the  length  of  this  extract,  from  Maclau- 
Tin's  Account  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton's  Philosophical  Discoveries, 


(79)  Patrick  Murdoch,  M.  A.  F.  R.  S. 


Snch  were  tliP.  pious  rcfleelions  of  a  Ohrlstian 

losopher;  the  sublime  sentiments  of  Ui  eminestly  i 
tiiiguisbed  Astronomer. 


ai8bc4^_ 


SbonM  it  be  enqaind :  Wbat  was  (he  gysteai  of 
losophy,  to  which  Dr.  Riltciibuuse  ndhemit? 
such  a  <juestion  can  scarcely  be  anlicipnted,  after  what 
lias  been  already  said  ;  the  answer  may  be  fnmial 
ill  a  few  words;  He  was  a  tborougb  and  zealous 
ciple  of  the  Newtonian  school.  He  early  embi 
and  perseveringly  cultivated,  "  the  Philosophy  ef 
Kewton;"  which  ■■  disdain;;  to  make  ase  of  snbterfn- 
i^ps,',  which  "  is  not  rednced  to  the  necessity  of  using 
them.,  because  it  pretends  not  to  be  of  nature's  priiy 
council;''  while  "  other  systems  of  philosophy  have 
ever  found  it  necessary  to  conceal  their  weakness  and 
ini:onsi-st(  iK-y,  under  tlie  veil  of  nniutclUgible  terms 
and  phrases,  to  which  no  two  mortals  perhaps  ever 
affixed  tlic  same  meaning.*-'''™* 


(i;0)  The  wordb  bctwci  ii  invfi-ttil  coiniims,  in  ihe  above  para- 
gi-apli,  arc  qiio-LCil  from  Kuteiihoust's  Oration. 

Noiivithstaiiiiiii;;;  the  fanciful  theories  introduced  into  physics 
by  Dcscjrtcs,  toiiceniing  his  malrria  sublilin  and  vomers,  and 
1  /li/imm,  wliich  wurc  prostrated  by  the  general 


;idopiioii  of  the  Nenicniiaii  system,  tlic  impi-o 
been  made  in  the  muthetnutical  ^c 
of  physics,  by  ilic  C^ancsiiui  sysu- 
in  the  species  of  pliibsophy  \vl 
philosophy  of  IJescartcs,  crronc' 
particiil.irs,  it  «  us  found  to  be,  tri 


leiits    thai  hn:\ 
iiid  some  other  branches 
I,  produced  a  great  rcvoliitirin 
:h  till  tlicn  prcviiiled.     The 
IS  iiiid  dcreciivo  as,   in  soinc 
iiphpd,  by  its  superior  energy, 
I'ecblc  systems  of  the  schools.     The  peripi- 
1  lud  revived  in  Europe,  after  site  emerged 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  588 

With  Newton,  too,  onr  Philosopher  entertained  the 
most  exalted  conceptions  of  the  Deity.  He  did  not 
imagine,  as  his  illustrious  predecessor  was  unjustly 
charged  with  having  done,  that  infinite  space  is  an  at- 
tribute of  the  Deity ;  that  He  is  present  in  all  parts  of 
space,  by  diffusion  :^^^^  but,  like  that  great  man,  he  did 
believe,  that  the  Deity  endures  from  eternity  to  eter- 
nity, and  is  present  from  infinity  to  infinity ;  yet  that 
He  is  not  eternity  or  infinity,  space  or  duration.  For, 
says  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  ^'  Nothing  can  better  demon- 

from  the  barbarism  and  gloom  that  succeeded  the  final  declen- 
sion of  the  Roman  empirC)  continued  from  that  period  to  be  the 
prevailing  philosophy ;  and  tinctured,  also,  the  whole  mass  of 
the  scholastic  theology :  but  the  systems  of  Descartes  first  dissi- 
pated most  of  the  useless  subtleties  of  the  schoolmen ;  while  the 
truths  brought  to  light  by  the  philosophy  of  Newton,  still  further 
exposed  their  absurdities.  According  to  Dr.  Reid  (in  his  jS«- 
taya  on  the  intellectual  and  active  fiowere  of  Man^  even  the  most 
useful  and  intelligible  parts  of  the  writings  of  Aristotle  himself 
had,  among  them,  become  neglected ;  and  philosophy  was  re- 
duced to  an  art  of  speaking  learnedly  and  disputing  subtilelyf 
without  producing  any  invention  of  utility  in  the  affairs  of  hu- 
man life.  ^  It  was,"  to  use  the  language  of  Dr.  Reid,  fruitful  in 
words,  but  barren  of  works;  and  admirably  contrived  for  drawing 
a  veil  over  human  ignorance,  and  putting  a  stop  to  the  prog^ss 
of  knowledge,  by  filling  men  with  a  conceit  that  they  knew  every 
thing.  It  was  very  fruitful  also  in  controversies ;  but,  for  the 
most  part,  they  were  controversies  about  words,  or  things  above 
the  reach  of  the  human  faculties.'' 

(81)  The  celebrated  Dr.  Samuel  Johnson  has  remarked,  that 
'*  Leibnitz  persisted  in  affirming  that  Newton  called  Space, 
Cen8oriumJ\fumini8^  notwithstanding  he  was  corrected,  and  desired 
to  observe  that  Newton's  words  were.  Quasi  Censorium  NuminU. 
See  Boswell'a  Journal  <^  a  Tour  to  the  Hebrides. 


fi^  MEHOIRS   ur 

etnUe  the  immediate  preseoce  of  the  Deity  i 
part  of  space,  whether  vacaat  or  occupieil  by  mntter, 
than  AstroDomy  does.  It  was  from  an  ANtmnomcf 
St.  Paol  quoted  that  exalted  expression,  so  often  since 
repeated,  "In  God  we  live,  and  move,  and  have  our 
being.'""'  ^ 

The  terms  of  profound  veneration,  in  which  ot^ 
Philosopher  spoke,  on  all  occasions,  of  the  character 
of  Newton,  demonstrate  most  clearly  hU  complete  aod 
iindeviating  attachment  to  the  Principles  of  thai  asto- 
iiiBhing  man.'"'  Indeed,  he  appears  to  have  takeo  bin 
as  his  model ;  and,  certainly,  he  resembled  him  much, 
in  many  points  of  cliaracter.  Parallels  have  often 
been  drawn  between  distinguished  men  ;  and  in  com- 
paratively a  few  iuslanccs,  a  strong  resemblance  has 
been  discovered,  in  &ome  prominent  features  of  cha- 
racter, between  two  or  more  persons.  Vet  the  iufiaite 
variety  of  talent,  that  appears  throughout  the  human 
race;  the  almost  iiicrcdihle  diflerence  in  the  grades  of 
intellectual  endowment,  distniguishlng  the  sons  of  men 
from  each  other;  and  the  adventitious  ciicumstauces 


(82)  Tliis  concise,  j-ct  lieautifiil  anJ  CNpressivc  sentence,  is 
contained  in  St.  Paul's  address  to  the  Athenians,  cited  in  the  I'th 
chapter  of  the  Acts  or  the  Apostles, 

(83)  A  strong  proof  of  this  veneration  will  be  found  in  Dr. 
Rittenhouse's  Oriiiioii,  wherein  ho  expresses  himself  in  these 
remarkable  words:—"  U  was,  I  make  no  doubt,  by  a  particular 
appointment  of  Providence,  lliat  at  this  time  the  imnional  New- 
ton appeared." 


wfmgmmamamm 


DAVID  RITTENWUSE.  SS9 

peculiar  to  each  individual^  which  either  direct  or  con- 
troul  his  conduct^  and  aeem  to  mark  his  destiny  in  life; 
all  these^  taken  together^  produce  such  an  endless  di* 
versity  of  character  in  the  species^  as  to  render  it  ini« 
practicable^  if  not  absolutely  impossible^  to  find  any 
two  men  who  greatly  resemble  each  other  in  many 
particulars. 

There  are^  nevertheless^  so  many  circumstances 
founded  on  natural  causes^  that  indicate  an  extraordi- 
nary similitude  in  the  genius^  disposition  and  princi- 
ples of  Rittenhouse^  and  his  great  Prototype ;  so  many^ 
moreover^  of  a  singular  nature^  connected  with  eventi 
purely  adventitious^  wherein  the  condition^  occupa»» 
tions  and  pursuits  of  these  philosophers^  with  other 
eventual  relations  depending  wholly  on  accident^  re- 
sembled each  other ;  that  an  interesting  parallel^  be- 
tween them^  might  be  attempted  with  no  incoiisidera- 
ble  sliare  of  success. 

In  the  course  of  these  Memoirs^  the  Biographer  of 
RiTTENHOusE  has  endeavoured  to  furnish  a  faithful 
representation  of  the  Philosopher  and  of  the  Man« 
He  was  desirous  of  delineating  his  true  character^  in 
both  points  of  view ;  that  the  world  may  be  enabled 
to  make  a  just  estimate  of  the  genius^  the  principles, 
and  the  conduct  of  a  person^  so  celebrated  in  name. 
But^  in  order  that  the  more  correct  judgment  might  be 
formed  of  his  virtues  and  talents^  and  of  the  services 
he  has  rendered  to  society^  it  became  necessaiy  to  de« 


536  MEMOIKS  OP 

scribe  the  spliere  in  wliich  be  mored:  so  tta,  at  least, 
AS  to  present  to  view  occasional  skr4clica  bf  thn  com- 
piexJOQ  or  the  Times  in  wtiicli  he  lived,  and  of  some 
of  the  morii  prominent  Characters  who  were  hU  com- 
patriots. The  Memorialist  bae  therefore  conveyed  to 
tlie  mind  of  bis  reader  some  idea  of  the  moral,  politi- 
cii],  and  literary  state  of  society,  more  particularly  in 
tliB  country  of  our  Philosopher'H  residence,  tvitbin  llie 
same  period.  This  rendered  it  proper  to  notice  the 
rise,  nature,  and  progress  of  certain  Instituliona,  upon 
which  science  and  the  ai-ts,  with  many  of  the  beneflts 
of  civil  polity,  greatly  depend;  such  as  tend  to  diffusa 
useful  knowledge  throughout  the  community,  to  pro- 
mote the  general  weal,  and  to  meliorate  the  condition 
of  the  great  family  of  maukind. 

It  has  been  already  observed,  that  every  individual 
in  soLicty  is  more  or  less  elosely  connected  with  it,  in 
various  ways  :  and  it  is  obvious,  tliat  an  eminent  ci- 
tizen, one,  especially,  standing  in  relations  of  a  pub- 
lic nature  in  the  community  of  which  he  is  a  mem- 
ber, usually  has  bis  history  and  character  so  inter- 
woven with  tliose  of  bis  own  times,  that  it  is  difficult 
to  understand  the  former  thorouglily,  without  pos- 
sessing a  competent  knowledge  of  the  latter.  The 
Life  of  such  a  man  as  llirTKXiiOLSi::  could  not, 
therefore,  in  many  respects,  be  eillicr  well  comprc- 
bendcd  or  duly  estimated,  unless  tlicre  had  been  con- 
nected with  it  some  account  of  men  and  things,  to 
whieb  bis  private  pursuits  and  public  employments 
were,  directly  or  indirectly,  related. 


DAVID  RITTENHOUSE.  587 

111  whatever  light,  then^  a  retrospective  view  of  Dr. 
RiTTENHOusB^s  character  may  be  taken,  it  will  be 
found  to  present  a  model  worthy  of  imitation.  The 
mild  and  amiable  virtues  of  domestic  life,  and  similar 
dispositions  in  the  intercourses  of  private  society,  de- 
corated his  whole  deportment,  as  a  man  and  as  a  citi- 
zen ;  the  more  stern  qualities  of  the  patriot  equally 
distinguished  him  as  the  friend  of  his  native  coantry> 
in  all  his  public  relations ;  while  the  principles  of 
genuine  philanthrophy  impressed  his  heart  with  feel- 
ings of  the  most  extended  benevolence.  In  all  these 
respects,  nevertheless,  some  have  equalled^  though 
few,  if  any,  have  surpassed  him.  But  when^  united  to 
virtues  and  dispositibns,  such  as  these,  the  powerful 
genius,  the  extensive  philosophical  talents  and  attain- 
ments, the  self-acquired  and  extraordinary  mechanical 
skill  of  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  shall  also  have  been  con- 
sidered ;  it  will  be  acknowledged,  that  the  Memoirs 
of  his  Life,  commemorate  a  Man  truly  great.  They 
recal  to  his  surviving  countrymen,  and  to  their  pos- 
terity, a  remembrance  of  his  excellence  and  useful- 
ness ;  presenting  to  them  such  a  specimen  of  worth 
and  abilities,  as  is  highly  deserving  of  being  emulated. 
At  the  same  time,  they  exhibit  to  the  world  a  faithful 
portrait  of  a  Man,  whose  character  had  early  acquired 
the  well-earned  respect  of  the  wise  and  good  in  other 
nations.  During  his  life,  the  name  of  Rittenhouse 
received  due  homage  from  some  of  the  most  illustrious 
Philosophers  of  Europe.  In  his  own  country,  that 
name  (Tannot  cease  to  be  venerated,  so  long  as  genius, 

3  Y 


MEMOIRS    OK 


science,  and  virtue,  shall  be  heUI  i 
(ton  lo  which  they  aris  entitled. 


the  liigb  OB^ni' 


It  has  been  observed  by  a  noblr.  aiitboi'"'  of  Uie  pre- 
sent day,  *'  that  the  dccltnu  of  public  spirit  iu  matlen 
••f  Taste,  is  a  certain  indicalian  of  political  decay.'' 
'I'o  whatever  degree  the  justness  of  this  ob«en'atioB 
may  extend,  it  will  apply  still  more  forcibly  to  any 
eountry,  wherein  a  disregard,  consequently  a  declen- 
sion of  Icaroiug,  science  and  moral  virtue,  is  perceiv- 
ed. RiTTKNHOUSE  Uved  in  an  eventful  age.  Durios 
a  long  period  of  hie  life,  he  witne-ssed  a  compttntir* 
simplicity  of  manners  and  much  integrity  of  charscler, 
»mtiii;;  his  nmiiliyiiu'ri.  Tie  Iielield  u  [iroyres^iie 
conrsf  of  useful  kiiowlLMli:;o.  niid  iiu  afhan^i'  in  tlios>: 
arl-  juiil  rclincmcnl!)  nf  polished  si)cie(\ ,  \^  iiiuli  minis 
(i'r;is  \M.'il  tolhe  rational  (.'tijDymi'iits  as  In  the  LHHiveiii- 
iiK'c^  iif  l.uni:iii  liiV, :  and  these  he  saw  :iL-cuiiiiiaiiicti 
h\  i\\:-ii):[  every  spixiL's  uf  [niMic.  iiii|in)vcitit;iit-.  i)rii- 
ti.^H.  a  liV  Uie  liljei-il  spirit. .r  (he  |)ef.plo  and  fo-un  il 
ti--  [!ir  li:iii:;n  seriiii>  i}r  l!i('  ;;ovefiiinciit.  Our  Pliii-i- 
■•.'|,l.;'i-  IiiM-i'if.  en  I'-:;  Jill- twenty  years  heTore  his  lU'aih. 
Ill  -v.'nl;i:!i;  i-i  llie  r.i,,iil  (iioi^ifss  Lis  (.'(iiintrymen  hnii 
ll(!ii  riviili'.  iii  :iiiiiii,-L  cvi'ry  spi^cies  of  '.(icial  I'ciini 
jiieii:-;.  iii.i;Ic  iW:.-,  i-;'Ui;ui;  :  ••  W  v  liavL'  iiiiule  iiio--  -iir 
ji,i-ir,<:.  !  ;i;it1  il;r,  '-t  .-^ili!  lunK'.iiirai.  a(h  arie.os  ii.wariU 


DAVID  RITTENH0U8E.  030 

ed  even  at  that  time^  what  he  always  most  earnestly 
deprecated^  that  Luxnry  would^  ere  long^  follow  in 
the  train  of  an  highly  cultivated  state  of  manners  and 
too  sumptnous  a  style  of  living  :  for^  hcconsidered  an 
excess  of  snch  refinements  as  leading  to  that  depravity 
of  morals  which  often  accompanies  <^  Luxury/'  and^ 
as  he  has  expressed  it^  ^^  her  constant  follower^  Ty- 
ranny/' 

The  gloomy  anticipations^  which  he  sometimes  en- 
tertained^  of  a  future  depression  of  the  interests  of 
learning  in  his  native  country^  from  such  causes,  he 
lived  not  to  see  realized.     There  is,  indeed,  ground 
on  which  a  reasonable  hope  may  be  founded,  that, 
notwithstanding  the  operation  of  some  inauspicious  cir- 
cumstances, in  these  times,  occasioned  by  the  present 
distracted  state  of  the  political  world,  literature,  sci- 
ence and  the  arts,  will  yet  be  successfully  cultivated 
in  the  United  States  of  America.     Dr.  Rittenhouse 
had  the  good  fortune  to  live  in  an  age  when  virtue  and 
talents  were  honoured;  when  abilities  to  serve  the 
country,  and  an  honest  attachment  to  its  best  interests, 
were  the  surest  passports  to  the  public  confidence  and 
esteem.     In  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  it  was  a  source 
of  great  gratification  to  him  to  know  that  his  country 
was  prosperous ;  it  being  then  in  the  full  enjoyment 
of  all  the  arts  of  peace,  and  other  blessings  of  a  well- 
ordered  society.     He  was  greatly  respected  and  es- 
teemed  by  his   illustrious  compatriot,  Washington; 
whose  magnanimity  taught  him  to  spurn  with  disdain 


"•"iMoyalltistoanl 
lis  person  or  cbmcm 
tbe  highest  esUmalion  : 
•jMRw^lureof  Ihepi 

Some  years  after  thi 
■'  was  juilgeil  cxpedie 
remains  from  tlieir  first  | 
Ikej  were  mxonJinglj.  re 
•netery  adjoining  the  P 
■treet,  Pliiladelphia,  no, 
Mr.  Sergeant.  Tlic  gra. 
Astronomer  is  enclosed, 
thus  inscribed  ; 

IN  10 

DAVID  EI 

BORN  AP 
DIED  Jin 

HaMWAn   n 


UAVID  KITTENUOUSE.  641 

But^  although  do  costly  tomb  contains  the  ashes  of 
this  eminently-distinguished  Man ;  although  no  sculp- 
tured cenotaph,  in  any  part  of  his  country,  blazons 
his  genius  or  records  his  fame ;  and  notwithstanding 
the  chisel  of  the  statuary  has  never  been  employed  in 
obedience  to  the  public  voice,  to  produce  a  permanent 
resemblance  of  his  countenance  and  figure ;  yet  a  mo- 
nument of  more  durable  nature  than  any  of  these,  con- 
secrates his  virtues,  his  talents,  and  his  usefulness. 
A  grateful  remembrance  of  his  modest  worth  is  en- 
shrined in  the  hearts  of  the  wise  and  the  good  of  his 
own  age  and  country ;  and  the  name  of  D avid  Ritten- 
H0U8E  will  be  every  where  perpetuated  with  venera- 
tion and  renown,  among  the  sons  of  science  and  the 
benefactors  of  mankind. 


/ 


/ 


944  APPENDIX 

The  order  I  shall  observe  in  the  following  discourse,  is  this : 
In  the  Erst  place  I  shall  give  a  very  short  account  of  the  rise  and 
progress  of  astronomy,  then  take  notice  of  some  of  the  most  im- 
portant discoveries  that  have  been  made  in  this  science,  and  con- 
clude with  pointing  out  a  few  of  its  defects  at  the  present  time. 

As,  on  this  occasion,  it  is  not  necessary  to  treat  ray  subject  in 
a  strictly  scientific  way,  I  shall  hazard  some  conjectures  of  my 
own ;  which,  if  they  have  but  novelty  to  recommend  them,  may 
perhaps  be  more  acceptable  than  retailing  the  conjectures  of 
others. 

The  first  rise  of  astronomy,  like  the  beginnings  of  other 
sciences,  is  lost  in  the  obscurity  of  ancient  times.  Some  have 
attributed  its  origin  to  that  strong  propensity  mankind  have  dis- 
covered, in  all  ages,  for  prying  into  futurity ;  supposing  that 
f  astronomy  was  cultivated  only  as  subservient  to  judicial  astrology. 
Others  with  more  reason  suppose  astrology  to  have  been  the- 
spurious  offspring  of  astronomy ;  a  supposition  that  does  but  add 
one  more  to  the  many  instances  of  human  depravity,  which  can 
convert  the  best  things  to  the  worst  purposes. 

The  honour  of  first  cultivating  astronomy  has  been  ascribed  to 
the  Chaldeans,  the  Egyptians,  the  Arabians,  and  likewise  to  the 
Chinese  ;*  amongst  whom,  it  is  pretended,  astronomical  oJMer-; 
vations  are  to  be  found  of  almost  as  early  a  date  as  the  iRbd. 
But  little  credit  is  given  to  these  reports  of  the  Jesuits,  who  it  is 
thought  were  imposed  on  by  the  natives ;  or  else  perhaps  from 
motives  of  vanity,  they  have  departed  a  little  from  truth,  in  their 
accounts  of  a  country  and  people  among  whom  they  were  the 
chief  European  travellers. 

Not  to  mention  the  prodigious  number  of  years  in  which  it  is 
said  the  Chaldeans  observed  the  heavens,  I  pass  on  to  what  car- 
ries the  appearance  of  more  probability  ;t    the  report  that  when 


*  Tbe  retder  wUl  find  •  rtrj  leuncd  and  intereitiiif  dinertation  on  the  tstronoiBj  of  theie 
aodothernationsofiatiqQity,  inLaltnde's  ifitrMMmir,  Ut.  Uu    W.B. 

t  Our  ontor  might  well  pa«  on,  wtthoat  noddng  more  psnieabrly  the  (hboloat  aanatt  oTdMi 
Chalrieang.  they  anigncd  to  the  reigiis  of  their  ten  dymnies,  439  fhrnnand  jtnn:  and  Lalaade 
ohterres,  that  thil  number,  433,  angmented  by  two  or  by  four  nooghu,  frequently  oecun  in  anti* 
quicy.  This  prodigioas  iramber  of  years  expreaaes,  aecording  to  thr  notions  of  the  inhafaitanti  of 
India,  the  duration  of  the  life  of  a  fymbolieaJ  cow  :  in  the  first  age,  this  cuw,  serving  as  a  v^ucla 
for  innocence  and  virtue,  advances  niih  a  firm  step  upon  the  earth,  supported  by  her  four  feet; 
in  the  seeood,  or  silver  age  she  heeomea  somewhat  enfeebled,  and  whDu  014  only  three  feet ; 
during  the  hnzen,  or  third  age,  she  is  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  walldog  on  two ;  finally,  duriag 
the  iron  age,  Uie  drags  herself  along ;  and,  after  having  hMt,  successively,  all  her  legs,  she 
rt>coven  them  in  the  sacceedjK  P<^ri«d,  all  of  them  hciog  reptodoced  fan  the  saae  older. 


AN 
DELIVERED 

THE  AMERICAN  i 

BKLD  J 
FOB  PBOMOn 

BY  DAVID  ^ 

< 

ft>  ae  ndeptef  of  the  thima 
JBwUt*!*.  to  wbom  Oa  I 
^^^^VQOit  in  •cicDCfi  kAd  I 
.■p«l«S  OrUion  ii  ioKribed  i 

,  .JHPnUe  Mmni,  the  Author. 


GlKTLKlCKtr, 

IT  -Wu  not  witkout  bein 
the  undertaking,  that  I  fiiw 
quett  of  severt!  gentieneh  i 
and  to  lolicit  your  attentio 
might  indeed  render  both  ei 
A«tronomy.  But  the  earne. 
thinj  towards  the  imDroTem. 


A7P£ND1X.  M0 

Alexander  took  Babyl6n,  astronomical  obfservations  for  one  thoil- 
sfand  nine  hundred  years  before  that  time  were  found  there,  and 
sent  from  thence  to  Aristotle.  But  we  cannot  suppose  those  ob* 
servations  to  have  been  of  much  value ;  for  we  do  not  iind  that 
any  use  was  ever  after  made  of  them.* 

The  Egyptians  too,  we  arc  told,  had  observations  of  the  stars 
for  one  thousand  frve  hundred  years  before  the  Christian  era. 

The  Brunini  Unis  mako  up  their  Ikbuloui  chronologieal  iccount  of  the  afs  of  the  world ; 

Vi/. 

The  duration  oftbcfir»t  age,  ,  .  .  1,738,000  yeen 

Thetecood  .  .  .  .         ,  1,396,000    do. 

The  third 864,000    do. 

The  fourth  will  eontiiiue  .  .  432.000    do. 


Making:  the  total  duration  of  the  world  .  4,330,000  jrean. 

Mt*.  Lalande  remarlu,  that  these  four  agvn  have  a  relation  to  the  numberf  4,3,3,1,  which  teeA 
to  anmnuice  some  other  thing*  than  an  historical  diviaon.  llierelhre,  to  give  thb  ihhtikrat 
duration  of  the  world  tome  serobhiuce  of  truth.  Mr.  Baillyt  rejects,  in  the  first  place,  the  foarth 
afre*  of  which,  at  present,  (that  it,  when  Lalandtr  wroteO  only  4887  years  httve  passed :  the  reridM 
of  this  duration  eould iKK be  eoondtrcd  by  Baflly  nsany  tidiif  nore  ibiii  n  renifiet  and  §a  Mr 
the  three  first  ages,  he  takes  the  yean  for  day* ;  in  order  to  shew,  that,  in  renlity,  they  ri  rlrnaid 
by  days,  before  they  eoropiited  by  solar  years.  By  these  means,  Bailiy  has  reduced  the  pretoidoM 
of  tlie  people  of  India  to  Ifl^OOO  years ;  and  he  identifies  this  ralealttioli  fbr  the  ladbini  with  flint 
of  the  Persians,  who  give,  likewise,  13.000  years  for  the  darrtk>n  of  the  worht.  The  aeeordaaee 
thus  produced  in  the  two  chronolugirs,  seemed  to  Bailiy  to  strengthen  the  authenticity  of  th« 
rceltal;  and  makes  it  appear,  that  these  notions  prevailed  alilce  among  the  Bigyptians  and  ihh 
Chinese. 

Such  are  the  data,  such  the  cakolatioiu,  and  such  the  reasoning  of  Mr.  Bailiy,  on  this  sofcgcet  I 

Bo^ithoi^  Mr.  Lalande  haa  notked  the  retrograde  series  of  the  pragresshre  mimlitei 
fl,)8,3 J^  the  Asiatic  account  of  the  age  of  the  world,  a  lund  of  mysterions  eoustitution  of  tlw 
amount  of  the  yean,  in  the  sereral  ages  which  make  op  the  entire  sum  of  iti  dnratioii,  seemi  to 
have  escaped  the  observation  of  that  aeute  phifosopher ;  and  probabfy  the  same  eireumstance 
passed  also  unnoticed  by  Mr.  Bailiy ;  it  may  be  considered  as  a  sp<.-cies  of  chronological  oftroe^ 
dttbrot  engendered  in  the  prolific  brain  of  some  eastern  iihilosopher  :  the  following  is  the  dream- 
stance  here  meant.  It  will  be  perceived,  in  the  first  place,  that  the  arrangemrnt  of  the  numcifMl 
figures,  in  making  up  the  years  allotted  lo  the  fourth  age  of  the  wurki,  is  apparently  artificial, 
and  therefore,  probably,  altogether  krbitrar)-.  It  will  then  be  seen,  that  the  number  of  years  in  the 
third  age  is  double  the  amount  of  those  in  the  fourth  ;  that  those  in  the  second  is  made  op  by 
adding  together  the  years  in  the  fourth  and  third  ages ;  and,  that  those  in  the  first  age  are  coniti- 
totM  by  an  addition  of  the  ntimber  of  years  in  the  fourth  and  second  aget.  This  being  the  fbct, 
it  doea  not  seem  to  bear  out  Mr.  BaiOy,  in  his  hypothesis,  and  the  calculations  fbonded  on  it.  W.  B. 

•  Labinde  observe*  that  Mr.  Bailiy  has  gone  back,  in  liis  astronomical  researches,  to  the  fim 
naditioiM  of  an  antedehirian  people,  among  whom  thetv  remained  scarcely  any  traces  of  such 
knowledge  i  and  that  he  has  presented  ot,  in  hts  work,  with  ingeiuous  conjectures  and  probabili* 
ties ;  or,  more  properly,  appearaneei  of  tiuth,  (**  vrmisemblables,'*)  written  with  many  chaiaaa  of 
extensire  information.  But,  aeeonling  lo  Mr.  Lalaiile  himseli;  nil  the  ancient  astronomy  dawtt 
to  the  time  of  ChstMi,  whidi  was  about  fourteen  centuries  befbre  the  Christian  era,  may  wUk 
probabifity  be  redoeed  to  the  examinmg  of  the  rising  of  some  stars  at  difieresit  times  of  the  jmnv 
and  the  phases  of  the  moon  ;  since,  long  afler  that  period,  as  this  great  astronomer  feniark<|  the 
ChaUeans  and  Egyptians  yet  knew  notlung  of  either  the  duration  or  the  inequalities  of  the  planar 
tvy  novementi.    W.  B. 

t  Mr.  Baitly  was  the  author  of  a  HU(»rt/  otAneUni  and  modern  A**ronomy,  H:i  Etsau  tniAr 
Thtdrg  tf  JuiAter**  MatetiUtt,  which  is  said  to  be  a  valatiib*  treatise,  wrs  |>ublidhcd  in  the  yeat 
1786.  Both  works  are  in  the  French  language,  and  were  printed  in  France. 

3z  ^ 


iyt6 


APPENDIX. 


What  they  verc,  ii  not  koown ;  but  probubly  ihc  sstronom;  &f 
those  a^s  consisted  in  little  more  than  remarks  on  the  rising 
anil  setting  of  the  fijtcd  stars,  as  they  were  fouod  to  com&pand 
w  iiii  the  aeasona  of  the  year  ;•  and,  perhaps,  forming  them  into 
coiislelUtions.  That  this  was  done  early,  appeurs  rrom  the  book 
of  Job,  which  has  by  some  been  attributed  to  Mo*e>>  who  >»  said 
lo  liAve  been  learned  in  the  sciences  of  Egypt. t  "  C«pit  thou 
biiKl  the  sweet  influences  of  Pleiades,  or  loose  the  baiitla  of 
Ov'wn  ?  Canst  thou  bring  forth  Mazcarotb  in  his  season,  or  canst 
ihnuguide  Arcturus  with  his  sons?"  Perhaps  too,  some  occounl 
inii^Ut  be  kept  of  eclipses  of  the  sun  and  moon,  as  they  happened, 
M  iiliout  pretending  to  predict  them  for  the  future.  These  eclipses 
ari'  thought  by  some  to  have  been  foretold  by  the  Jcnisli  pro- 
plK:ls  in  a  supCMUtural  way. 

As  to  the  Arabians,  though  some  have  supposed  them  th«  firtt 
inii'iitorB  of  astronomy,  encouraged  to  coiitemplale  Uic  hc&tcu 
by  the  happy  temperature  of  their  clinwte,  and  the  aenaaif  of 
ihcir  skies,  which  iheir  manner  of  life  must  likewUe  have  coH- 
Iriljiilcti  to  render  more  particularly  the  object  of  their  attention  ; 
yet  it  is  snii!,  [intliliij;  ol'  certainly  can  now  be  found  to  induct-  us 
to  think  Ihty  hjd  any  knowltdgc  of  this  science  umongst  ilicm 
before  ihcy  kariiL-d  it  from  the  wrilin?;s  of  I'tokiiiy,  who  flourish- 
ed one  hundred  iuid  forty  years  after  the  birth  of  Christ.      _ 

But  noiwilhstiinding  the  preti:nsions  of  oilier  nations,  smce  U 
was  the  Greeks  who  improved  geometry,  probably  from  its  first 
rudiments,  into  a  noble  and  most  useful  science;  and  since  iro 
cannot  conceive  iliat  astronomy  should  make  uny  coiisiderdbk 
progress  without  geometry,  it  is  to  thcin  wc  appear  indebted  fc: 


Hi',tijdind  ]lai,.trMfi"  Ht-n-  t4Hifin[mvutii:,,  tir.  ol  Jiiiir,  HQiimbnl  nrijly  4t  ih'Bmni(Mir 
dial  ilia  my.  bligiitniiii-i-i-jiiii[ifibiriin:ilitfChti,fi>iii-n,  mcnrioii  u-v4^iilij|' (Lb  raii,ii-U4fiai 
■IKJ,  inxHIglbr  t<'>l,()ii.'[1irar.iliillli.'ll)Vlr.;  hihI  il  ii  luliciil  b)  Mr.  LiknitF.  llul  La  C«d 
niat  nyiiLiclnaimiioiiiLi'  rivirAmi/un,  <,.b>c  io>Lcii:vi»i  Mania  Ihi'llrid.i.  ihi-  nm.:^ 
ibrltiillVli»il,««'piloiin>]i]iiiF>»Imrl.a,it>iii  nil.  !:■,  ili.-  IiDiuwt  nJlrd  ibii  vwn.iij 

llii.>.^  Ill- ilitrrtiline  fuu.  Tl.in-  i-  i...l  Ilir-  l.iil  rewmWni.H..  vl..l.'..T.  ri,  ilir  l«..t. 
MliLiiunsnli.chhaiebwBincmUin.iI.  in  il»  ^.i,;,.iil,<>hiwiui...>Th,.]  bcir     Hiim.i.  'hiD 


-.<fV, 


APPENDIX,  S47 

the  foundations  of  a  science,  that  (to  speak  without  a  metaphor) 
has  in  latter  ages  reached  the  astonishingly  distant  heavens. 

Amongst  the  Greeks,  Hipparchus*  deserves  particular  notioe ; 
b^  an  improvement  of  whose  labours  Ptolemy  formed  that  system 
of  astronomy  which  appears  to  have  been  the  only  one  studied  for 
ages  after,  and  particularly  (as  was  said  before)  by  the  Arabians; 
who  made  some  improvements  of  their  own,  and,  if  not  the  in- 
ventors, were  at  least  the  preservers  of  astronomy.  For  yrith 
them  it  took  refuge,  during  those  ages  of  ignorance  which  in- 
volved Europe,  after  an  inundation  of  northern  people  had  svral- 
lowed  up  the  Roman  empire ;  where  the  universally  prevailing 
corruption  of  manners,  and  false  taste,  were  become  as  un&vour- 
able  to  the  cause  of  science,  as  the  ravages  of  the  Barbarians 
themselves. 

From  this  time,  we  meet  with  little  account  of  astronomical 
learning  in  Europef  until  Regiomontanus,^  and  some  others^ 
revived  it  in  the  fifteenth  century;  and  soon  afterwards  appeared 
the  celebrated  Copemicus,$  whose  vast  genius,  assisted  by  such 
lights  as  the  remains  of  antiquity  afforded  him,  explained  the  true' 
system  of  the  universe,  as  at  present  understood.  To  the  objec- 
tion of  the  Aristotelians,  that  the  sun  could  not  be  the  centre  of 


*  IfiMirdiat  (of  KioM,  io  Bithynb J  was  •  rtrj  eelebrttcd  mathefiMitieitn  tati  utnaamtt 
of  antii|Qit7.  Mr.  liahmdr  itTtei  him  the  raott  bboriuw  and  moit  uitdliK«|it  aatfOBomcr  of 
antiquity,  of  whom  we  h«ve  any  record ;  and  asaerts,  that  the  true  Mtronomy  which  has  coiae 
down  to  US,  originated  with  him.  He  divided  the  heavens  into  forty-eight  (Mme  say  forty -mne) 
comu>Uation»,  and  assigned  names  to  tha  stars.  He  is  also  said  to  have  determined  btitude  tad 
longitude,  and  to  have  computed  the  bttter  ftnm  the  Canaries ;  and  he  is  supposed  to  be  the  flm 
who,  after  Thales,  calcubted  eclipses  with  some  degree  ofaeeoraey ;  but  he  makes  no  mentiofl  of 
eoiitcu     Uipparehus  died  one  hundred  and  twenty  five  jears  belhre  the  Christian  «*nu    W.  B. 

t  Friar  Bacon  is  said  to  have  been  almost  the  only  astronomer  of  his  age ;  he  informs  us  that 
there  were  then  but  four  persnu  in  Europe  who  had  made  any  considerable  proficiency  in  the 
mathematics. 

t  Rrgiomontanns  was  bom  in  the  year  1436,  at  Knenigsherg,  a  town  of  Franeonia,  sul^jeet  la 
the  IwKise  of  Saxe- Weimar.  His  real  name  was  John  MUller :  but  he  assumed  the  name  of  Regfo* 
montanus  fiora  that  of  the  place  of  his  nativity,  which  signifies  Reghu  Mmu. 

This  astronomert  who  was  greatly  edebcated  in  his  time,  was  the  first,  according  to  Lalaada^' 
who  calculated  good  Almanacks ;  whieh  he  had  composed  for  thirty  snccetsive  yean ;  via.  flroat 
1470  to  1506.  In  these  (which  wereall  pablished  at  Nnremberg  in  U74,  two  yean  before  his  deathj 
he  announced  the  daily  kmgitodes  of  the  planets,  their  htitades,  their  aspects,  and  foretold  all  the 
eclipses  of  the  sun  and  moon ;  and  thcK  ephemerides  were  icceired  with  uncommon  interert  by 
all  natkntt.  Alter  noticing  these,  Lalande  mentkms  the  ephemcndes  which  are  published  amw* 
any  at  Bologna,  Vienna,  Berlin,  wa^  Milan  ;  but  he  pronoonees  the  Nautirat  AUnanark^  of  Lon. 
don,  to  be  the  most  perfect  ephemeiis  that  was  ever  poUbhed.  Regfomontanus  eompiied  sevcfal 
other  works,  which  greatly  promoted  his  reputation.    He  died  in  1476,  at  the  age  of  forty  yean. 

W.B. 

\  See  some  interesting  partieulan  respecting  this  great  man.  in  Lord  Bachau*a  account  of  the 
Tomb  of  Copemicut,  and  in  the  note  thereto,  inserted  in  the  Appendix.    W.  B. 


:-ifi 


APPENUIX. 


>!><  ndriti,  because  all  bodies  tended  ta  the  eirib,  Copcmicni  n- 
plicil,  that  probubly  there  was  nothinc  pccoliar  to  tlie  euth  la 
(his  rcBpect ;  thai  ihe  ]>4nt>  of  tlic  aun,  moon  ancl  start,  lUceviw 
ti'uikd  To  each  otber,  und  that  their  spberical  figure  ww  preserv- 
ed imidsl  their  variou*  molio.i*  liy  ihix  power;  «n  auswer  th>« 
\riii  a[  ihik  day  be  allowed  to  contain  Kumid  philD4oplir.  And 
vlicn  it  was  further  ubjccicd  To  hinii  that,  Eiccordiog  to  bis  tya- 
tern.  Venui  aud  Mercury  ou(;ht  to  appear  homed  like  the  moon, 
in  pdnicular  simations;  he  answered  as  if  Inspired  by  the  sfnnt 
of  piopliecy,  and  long  before  the  invention  of  telescopes,  by  which 
alone  his  prediction  could  bo  verified,  "That  «o  ihejr  would  one 
d.;  t>e  found  to  appear." 

Next  fellows  the  nobte  Tycho,'  who  wiih  (pvat  labour  and 
pel  severance,  brought  the  art  of  observing  tlic  heaTOttftloa  de- 
grte  of  accuracy  unknown  to  the  ancivnti ;  tliougb  la  dteory  be 
mangled  the  bcauiifu!  system  of  Copernicus      The  « 
Kepler,  too,  (whose  fondness  ffir  analogies  fretjuentlf  Ii 
astray,  yet  sometimes  happily  conducted  him  to  Imp* 
did   noLiblc  scrvir.P!.   IC.   aMrouoiny:    .ind  rrom  tli 
len  luvc  appeared  air 


the  prescnc,  so  mjtiy  jjic 
ml  nations  of  Europe,  rivdiinsj  cjch  otiicr  in  the 
astronomy,   that   I    should    nvspuss  on   yimr  p.LtiiMi 
enumcvHtc  ihcni.      I  shuti  thevilbic  ]>i'ocecil  to  nhiu 
in  the  second  pkcc,  and  lake  notice  of  soine  of  the  i 

Astronomy,  like  (he  Christian  reli;jiiiii,  if  you  w 
the  comparison,  has  a  much  grcalvir  inilnenee  on  ou 
in  general,  and  perhaps  on  our  manners  too,  than  i 


ivemciiiof 
«-iTe  I  to 


ll  allo»-  me 
knowiedge 
I  comnionlv 


<;  tnn  Hftr:  ibe.'itHrlial  T]ctia,  Hi 


iLiiJt»d«ii>nilj.i)lriil:  ^.rid.Mc. 


APPENDIX.  540 

imagined  Though  but  few  men  are  its  particular  votaries,  yet 
the  light  it  affords  is  universally  diffused  amongst  us;  and  it  is 
difficult  for  us  to  divest  ourselves  of  its  influence  so  fiu*,  as  to 
frame  any  competent  idea  of  what  would  be  our  situation  without 
it.*  Utterly  ignorant  of  the  heavens,  our  curiosity  would  be 
confined  solely  to  the  earth,  which  we  should  naturally  suppose 
a  vast  extended  plain ;  but  whether  of  infinite  extent  or  bounded, 
and  if  bounded,  in  what  manner,  would  be  questions  admitting  of 
a  thousand  conjectures,  and  none  of  them  at  all  satisfactory. 

The  first  discovery  then,  which  paved  the  way  for  others  more 
curious,  seems  to  have  been  the  circular  figure  of  the  earth,  in- 
fisrred  from  observing  the  meridian  altitudes  of  the  sun  and  stars 
to  be  different  in  distant  places.  This  conclusion  would  probably 
not  be  immediately  drawn,  but  the  appearance  accounted  for,  by 
the  rectifimear  motion  of  the  traveller ;  and  then  a  change  in  the 
^iparent  situations  of  the  heavenly  bodies  would  only  argue  their 
nearness  to  the  ea^h :  and  thus  would  the  observation  contribut« 
to  establish  error,  instead  of  promoting  truth,  which  has  been 
the  misfortune  of  many  an  experiment.  It  would  require  some 
flMil  in  geometry,  as  well  as  practice  in  observing  angles,  to  de* 
ilQQStrate  the  spherical  figure  of  the  earth  from  such  observft^ 
tions.t 

But  this  difficulty  being  surmounted,  and  the  true  figure  of  the 
earth  discovered,  a  free  space  would  now  be  granted  for  the  sun, 

Evtdencet  ^Vat.  ami  Rn.  Relifimn^  *  tod  tjui  if  t  (reat  dnl  to  s^y,  that  the  girnentlity,  errn  oC 
t|«  OMtaeat  ami  iDott  rul^r  and  ignoMUit  people,**  (amoiig  Chmt(ausO  **  hare  traer  and  worthkr 
luAioM  qT  Qod,more  Jmt  m^  Ui;hca|iprtheBiioB$.«MiecBiiiw  h»atuthiiic»  mA  ifMfcctioa»  « 
deeper  tense  of  the  dlftenmce  of  goud  and  eril,  a  fwater  n-gaid  to  moral  obligatioiM  and  to  A* 
plain  and  more  nrccsmrj  dntiet  of  lifr,  aud  «  mocv  firm  and  unirenil  e«peetatioa  of  a  Siuve 
lOMaof  revMid*  and  panUmcBti,  ihtn,  iu  tny  beaihi« eoimcry.  wytoaMdembb aiinJkr «r 
men  w*rt  ^rttni  to  have  had.** 

In  Kke  manner.  Archdeacon  Fklry  (in  his  Firw  tf  the  Evidences  •fCkrUtiamty)  ohMnrct  r* 
**Ch^ianity,  m  erayeMmtiy  in  nhichUbprofrMcd.  hMohttuncdaaeMiUe,  alihmii^witft 
eomplrte  influence,  upon  the  j^hfie  Judf  meat  of  ifMnali.  And  thii  it  Tety  impoitant.  For  villi* 
oat  the  oecaiional  correction  which  pobBe  opinion  reccivei,  by  idhiing  to  tome  flaed  ttandafd 
of  roonKty.  no  man  can  (bretdl  into  what  extnTaeaneei  it  might  wander.**  *  From  the  flnt  peae* 
rml  notifieation  of  Chrittianity  tp  the  pcctent  day,**  sap  the  same  infcvioas  writrr,  **  there  havn 
bemineTeryig«>many  minioai,  whose  oamcf  were  never  heard  of;  made  better  hy  it,  not  only 
in  thdr  conduct,  bat  in  their  ditpositioni;  and  happier,  not  so  modi  in  their  external  circ«iM> 
stanvea,  as  fai  that  which  Is  inter  pracTdla^  in  that  which  alone  deaerrrs  the  name  oT  happineN, 
the  tranquillity  and  consolation  of  their  thoughts.  It  has  been,  since  Ks  commeneenurnt,  the 
author  of  happincts  and  rirtue  lo  millioiu  and  millions  of  the  human  race.**  He  then  asks :  **  Who 
is  there,  that  would  not  wiA  his  son  to  be  a  Christian  ?**  W.  B. 

t  Some  of  the  commentators  inform  us,  that  Mahomet  taaght  thatMhe  earth  is  supported  by 
the  tip  of  the  horn  of  a  prodigious  ot,  ib  bo  atands  on  a  hofe  white  atone  ,*  and  that  it  is  the  little 
tnd  almost  una\-uitlable  tuolions  nf  thi^  ot  ^hicb  prodtiee  earthquakes. 


£rdO  AFP£NDI3(. 

moon,  and  stars  to  perform  their  diurnal  motions  on  all  side&  df 
it ;  unless  perhaps  at  its  extremities  to  the  north  and  south  ;  where 
something  would  he  thought  necessary  to  serve  as  an  axis  for  the 
heavens  to  revolve  on.  This  Mr.  Grants  in  lus  very  entertaining 
history  of  Greenland  informs  us,  is  agreeahle  to  the  philosophy 
of  that  country,  with  this  difference  perhaps,  that  the  high  lati- 
tude of  the  Greenlander  makes  him  conclude  one  pole  only,  ne- 
cessary :  He  therefore  supposes  a  vast  mountain  situate  in  the  ut- 
most extremity  of  Greenland,  whose  pointed  apex  supports  the 
canopy  of  heaven,  and  whereon  it  revolves  Urith  hut  little  fric- 
tion. 

A  free  space  around  the  earth  being  granted,  our  infant  astro- 
nomer would  be  at  liberty  to  consider  the  diurnal  motions  of  the 
stars  as  performed  in  intire  circles,  having  one  commofc  axis  of 
rotation.  And  by  considering  their  daily  anticipation  in  rising 
and  setting,  together  with  the  sun's  annual  rising  and  felling  in 
its  noon  day  height,  swiftest  about  the  middle  space,  and  station- 
ary for  some  time  when  highest  and  lowest,  he  would  be  led  to 
explain  the  whole  by  attributing  a  slow  motion  to  the  sun,  contrary 
to  the  diurnal  motion,  along  a  g^reat  circle  dividing  the  heavens 
into  two  equal  parts,  but  obliquely  situated-  with  respect  to  the' 
diurnal  motion.  By  a  like  attention  to  the  moon's  progress  the 
Zodiac  would  be  formed,  and  divided  into  its  several  constella- 
tions or  other  convenient  divisions. 

The  next  step  that  astronomy  advanced,  I  conceive,  must  hav^ 
been  in  the  discovery  attributed  to  Pythagoras;*  who  it  is  said 
first  found  out  that  Hesperus  and  Phosphorus,  or  the  Evening 
and  Morning  Star,  were  the  same.  The  superior  brightness  of 
this  planet,  and  the  swiftness  of  its  motion,  probably  first  attract- 
ed the  notice  of  the  inquisitive :  and  one  wandering  star  being 
discovered,  more  would  naturally  be  looked  for.  The  splendor 
of  Jupiter,  the  very  changeable  appearance  of  Mars,  and  the  glit- 
tering of  Mercury  by  day  light,  would  distinguish  them.     And 

*  PTthagoraa,  who  was  one  of  the  most  eelebrated  among  the  Otcdk  philoiophett,  in  the 
knowledge  and  study  of  the  hcarens,  was  bom  ahout  540  ynn  before  the  Christian  enu  It  it 
b^ered  that  he  was  the  first  who  made  mention  of  the  obUqaity  of  the  ecliptk,  and  oT  the  anfin 
which  this  clrde  makes  with  the  equator ;  although  Pliny  attributes  this  diseortry  to  Anaiiman- 
der,  whose  binh  was  seventy  yeut  earlier.  Among  the  remarkable  things  whidi  Pythagoras 
taoi^t  his  disciples,  «ras  the  doctrine  that  fire,  or  heat,  occupied  the  centre  of  the  worid ;  it  is 
supposed  he  meant  to  say,  that  the  nm  is  |daced  in  the  resitie  of  the  planetety  synem,  and  that 
theeardneroiTeianNuidhim,  fike  the  other  |4aneti.  Healniaidntainedcachtttrtobeiwoxld; 
andthattheiewDridfvcRdBiiiitanedhinMheRilipaeeorfaiflnheextait.   W.9* 


APPENDllt.  551 

lastly,  Saturn  would  be  discovered  by  a  close  attention  to  the 
Jheavens.  But  how  often  would  the  curious  eye  be  directed  in 
vaiuy  to  the  regions  of  the  north  and  south,  before  there  was  rea- 
«on  to  conclude  that  the  orbits  of  all  the  planets  lay  nearly  in  the 
same  plane ;  and  that  they  hi4  but  narrow  limits  assigned  them 
in  the  visible  heavens. 

From  a  careful  attendance  to  those  newly  discovered  celestial 
travellers,  and  their  various  motions,  direct  and  retrograde,  the 
great  discovery  arose,  that  the  sun  is  the  centre  of  their  motions; 
and  that  by  attributing  a  similar  motion  to  the  earth,  and  suppos- 
ing the  sun  to  be  at  rest,  all  the  phenomena  will  be  solved. 
Hence  a  hint  was  taken  that  opened  a  new  and  surprizing  scene. 
The  earth  might  be  similar  to  them  in  other  respects.  The  pla- 
nets too  might  be  habitable  worlds.  One  cannot  help  greatly 
admiring  the  sagacity  of  minds,  that  first  formed  conclusions  so 
very  far  from  being  obvious ;  as  well  as  the  inde&tigable  industry 
of  astronomers,  who  originally  framed  rules  for  predicting 
eclipses  of  sun  and  moon,  which  is  said  to  have  been  done  as 
early  as  the  time  of  Thales  ;*  and  must  have  proved  of  singular 
service  to  emancipate  mankind  from  a  thousand  superstitious  fears 
and  notions,  which  jugling  impostors  (the  growth  of  all  ages  and 
countries)  would  not  fail  to  turn  to  their  own  advantage. 

For  two  or  three  centuries  before  and  after  the  beginning  of 
the  Christian  era,  astronomy  appears  to  have  been  held  in  consi- 
derable repute ;  yet  very  few  discoveries  of  any  consequence 
were  made,  during  that  period,  and  many  ages  following. 


•  Thaka,  «lk»  died  ibMt  fire  wntariet  nd  ni  btlf  bcfiire  theChrfititB  ei*,  in  tte  i 
sixth  year  of  bit  Mg^f  fint  taught  the  Greeki  the  cauie  of  eclipies.  He  km  w  the  ipheriMl 
I'omi  of  the  t«rth ;  he  dtttingaidied  the  zones  of  the  eaith  bj  the  mean  of  the  tropieks  and  the 
pokr  catelct ;  and  he  tienied  of  an  obliqae  ciicle  or  lodbc^  of  •  meridian  whkh  imeneeti  all 
thete  circln  ft  extending  north  and  loath,  and  of  the  magnitude  of  the  apparent  diameter  of 
theiuo. 

BerodotiM,  Cieero,  and  PUny,  aMert,  as  b  nocieed  hj  Mr.  Lalandei  that  Thaki  hnd  pwdiettd 
to  the  loniant  a  total  eeUpie  of  the  tun,  which  took  plaee  dining  the  %rar  between  the  LftUana 
and  the  Bfedet.  Bat  the  manner  in  which  Herodotoi  (who  fired  about  one  centurj,  calj,  aft« 
the  time  of  Thalet)  spealu  of  tlib  predietion,  b  w  vagoe,  that  one  findatoaedifleniCf  inbn> 
lievini;  that  it  was  a  &et.  If  it  were  true,  myi  Labuide,  that  Thalea  had  aetnally  Ibietoll  Wk 
•eclipw  of  tlie  san«  it  conM  be  no  otlierwite,  than  by  meaiu  of  the  geneni  period  of  eighteoi 
jcari,  of  which  he  would  hare  ae^oirtd  a  knowledge  from  the  Egyptians  or  the  ChaUcam  t  te 
the  period  had  not  yet  arrircd,  when  cclipica  eould  bo  prognoiticaicd  by  an  enct  calcntotJOB  of 
the  motion  of  the  moon.   W.B. 


t  But.  according  to  nuftenoy,  he  was  bom  in  the  flrit  year  of  the  35th  Olympind,  and  diai 
the  first  year  of  the  #Sd,  those  periods  corresponfing,  respectivHy,  frith  the  yean  640  and  §79, 
B.C.;  andif  lo^  he  lived  only  sixty-eight  years. 


Ji.iJe  JCPPKNUU. 

The  ancietiis  ncrc  not  wanting  in  their  endeavours  ta  find  oot 
thf  true  dimensions  of  the  planetnjr  SfStom.  Thty  invemel 
several  very  ingenious  methods  for  the  piir|KMe  ;  but  none  nf  tliem 
ivere  at  all  e(|nal,  in  pnint  "f  accuracy,  tn  the  difficulty  of  ibe 
]iroblcm.  They  were  therefore  obltged  in  re«  tothfied  widi 
supposing  the  heavenly  bodies  much  neiircr  to  the  earth  tJttli  in 
r.ict  they  are,  and  consequently  much  less  in  proportion  ta  it. 
Add  to  this,  that  having  found  the  earth  honoured  with  ■»  adeud- 
;int,  while  thejr  could  discover  none  belon^ng  to  any  of  the 
other  planets,  (Ar^  supposed  it  of  far  ^eater  importance  in  the 
Solar  System  than  it  appears  to  u*  to  be  :  And  the  more  pnOM 
is  due  to  those  few,  who  nererthelesB  conceived  rightly  of  il> 
ictaiion  to  the  whole. 

Tycho  took  incredible  pains  to  discover  the  parallax  of  Man' 
111  opposition  ;  the  very  best  thing  he  could  have  attempted  in 
urdcr  to  determine  the  distances  and  magnitudes  of  the  sun  and 
planets.  But  telescopes  and  micrometers  were  not  yet  iarsnted! 
'^o  that  not  being  able  to  conclude  any  thin^  satisfactory  from  his 
own  observaiioiis,  lie  left  ilic  sun's  pnrallax  as  he  founrf  it  -ici- 
tied  by  Ptolemy,  about  twenty  limes  too  (;real.  And  even  after 
!ic  had  reduced  to  rule  the  refraction  of  the  atmosphere,  and  ap- 
nlicd  it  to  :istrononiical  observations,  rather  than  shock  his  ima- 
sjiiiaiioM  by  increasing  Ihc  sun's  distance,  already  too  great  for 
hia  hypothesis,  he  chose  to  attribute  a  greater  refraction  to  the 
sun's  ligiit,  than  Chat  of  the  stars,  altogether  contrary  to  reason  \ 
that  so  an  excess  of  parallax  might  be  balanced  by  an  excess  of 
refraction.  Thus  when  we  willingly  give  room  to  one  error, 
wc  run  the  risk  of  having  a  whole  troop  of  its  relations  quar- 
tered upon  us.  Uut  Kepler  afterwards,  on  looking  over  Ty- 
cho's  observations,  found  that  he  might  safely  reduce  the  sun's 
parallax  to  one  minute;  which  was  no  inconsiderable  appi'oacli 
to  the  truth.  Alhazcn,'  an  Arabian,  had  some  time  before,  dis- 
covered the  refraction  of  light  in  passing  through  air ;  of  which 
the  ancients  seem  lo  have  been  entirely  isfnorant.  They  were 
indeed  very  sensible  of  the  errors  it  occasioned  in  tiicir  ci^kstiiil 


APPENDIX.  938 

measures ;  but  thejr,  vrith  great  modesty,  attributed  theia  to  the 
imperfections  of  their  instruments  or  observations. 

I  must  not  omit)  in  honour  of  Tycho,  to  observe  that  he  first 
proved)  by  accurate  observations)  that  the  comets  are  not  me- 
teors floating  in  our  atmosphere,  as  Aristotle)*  that  tyrant  in 
Philosophy)  had  determined  them  to  be,  but  prodigious  bodies 
at  a  vast  distance  from  us  in  the  planetary  regions ;  a  discovery 
the  lateness  of  which  we  must  regret)  for  if  it  had  been  made  by 
the  ancients,  that  part  of  Astronomy  (and  perhaps  every  other, 
in  consequence  of  the  superior  attention  paid  to  it),  would  have 
been  in  fax  greater  perfection  than  it  is  at  this  day. 

I  had  almost  forgot  to  take  notice  of  one  important  discovery 
made  in  the  early  times  of  Astronomy,  the  precession  of  the  equi- 
noxes. An  ancient  astronomer,  called  Timocharis,  observed  an 
appulse  of  the  Moon  to  the  Virgin's  Spike,  about  280  years  be- 
fore the  birth  of  Christ.  He  thence  took  occasion  to  determino 
the  place  of  this  star,  as  accurately  as  possible ;  probably  with 
a  view  of  perfecting  the  lunar  theory.  About  four  hundred 
years  afterwards,  Ptolemy,  comparing  the  place  of  the  same  star, 
as  he  then  found  it,  with  its  situation  determined  by  Timocha- 
ris,t  concluded  the  precession  to  be  at  the  rate  of  one  degree 
in  an  hundred  years;  but  later  astronomers  have  found  it 
swifter. 

Whatever  other  purposes  this  great  law  may  answer,  it  will 
produce  an  amazing  change  in  the  appearance  of  the  heavens; 
and  so  contribute  to  that  endless  variety  which  obtains  through- 
out the  works  of  Nature.  The  seven  stars  that  now  adorn  our 
winter  skies,  will  take  their  turn  to  shine  in  summer.  Sinus, 
that  now  shines  with  unrivalled  lustre,  amongst  the  gems  of 
heaven,  will  sink  below  our  horizon,  and  rise  no  more  for  very 
many  ages  1  Orion  too,  will  disappear,  and  no  longer  afford  our 
posterity  a  glimpse  of  glories  beyond  the  skies !  glittering  Ca- 
pella,  that  now  passes  to  the  north  of  our  zenith,  will  nearly  d6- 


*  Aristotle,  m  tlMMgh  he  bid  been  of  the  nee  oTtbe  OttonsiMi  tboocht  be  couUboCi 
except  be  first  kflkd  all  bis  btctbivn.    Insomuch  as  be  never  nameth  or  mentioneth  an  wuckmH 
author  or  opiiiknit  but  to  confute  or  reprore.   Bactm.  Advancement, 

t  Timocharis  of  Alexandria  end<«Tourcd,  with  Aristilhii,  a  phllosopber  of  the  same  scbao^ 
to  determine  the  phioes  of  the  dilTerentstan  in  the  heaTen«,and  to  trace  the  course  of  thf  planet^. 
Or.  Lempriens  pbwes  him  804  jeart  bt-fore  Chritt ;  and  the  Abb6  Bar^deny  hM  inserted  hi* 
nameinthelistof  iUuttrioQsnen,  who  flourished  in  the  fourth  century  before  dK  Cbristian  era : 
bt*  probablr  lired  some  time  after  the  commenctroent  of  that  ccatoiT.    W.  n. 

4  V 


elP 


534  ArPEKBHE. 

KCiibe  the  equator:"  And  Lyra,  one  of  tfcc  brlgfiieBt  ia  tlw 
I  ens,  will  become  our  Polar  Stnr;  Whilst  the  present  Pole 
Slur,  on  Mcount  of  its  hiimhlc  appearance,  »ball  pMs  unb««dc<i , 
ami  all  iu  Jong  coniinucij  faithful  servicca  shftll  be  forgoiteo! 
All  ihesc  chsnges,  and  nxaiiy  ollicre,  will  certainly  follow  from 
thr  precesMOQ  of  ihc  equinoxva;  the  caiiBC  of  vrbtch  motioD  irat 
so  happily  discovered  and  dcmonaiialed  by  the  immortal  Keir- 
to(i;  A  portion  of  whose  honors  was  ncverUicle^s  iiUCrceplwl 
by  the  prior  sagacity  of  Kepltr,  to  nltom  I  relum. 

Kepler's  love  of  harmony  tsncouraged  him  to  coolinue  Ws 
[nii'suits,  in  spite  of  the  most  mortifying  (liKapptMntinentSi  until 
he  discovered  that  admirable  relaiion  which  subsists  between 
the  periodic  times  of  the  primary  planets,  utid  their  di»UQCC» 
fr'iin  the  sun;  (he  a(]tiares  of  the  former  bein^  u  the  cubes  of 
the  latter.  This  discovery  was  of  great  importance  to  the  per- 
fection of  Astronomy  ;  because  the  periods  of  tlio  planets  Km 
inore  easily  found  by  observation,  and  from  them  their  scTcnl 
rrlalivc  distances  may  be  determined  with  great  aretimry  by 
this  nilc.  He  likewise-  found  from  observation,  that  the  piancE?. 
do  not  move  in  circles,  but  in  clijiseR,  liaviiig  the  sun  in  one 
focus.  But  the  causes  lay  hid  from  liirn,  and  it  was  left  as  the 
glory  of  Sir  lsu;ie,  to  demonstrate  that  both  these  things  must 
necessarily  follow  from  one  simple  principle,  ivhich  almost 
every  thing  in  this  science  tends  lo  prove  does  really  obtain  in 
Nature :  I  mean,  that  the  planets  are  retained  in  their  orbits  by 
forces  directed  to  the  sun ;  which  forces  decrease  as  the  squares 
of  their  distances  cncrcasc, 

Kepler  also  discovered  that  the  planets  do  not  move  equally 
in  their  orbits,  hut  sometimes  swifter,  sometimes  slower;  and 
that  not  irrcgtilarly.  but  according  to  this  certain  rule  ;  That  in 
equal  times,  iheartjs  described  by  lines  drawn  from  the  planet 
lo  the  sun'scentrc.  arc  equal.  This,  Sir  Isaac  likewise  demon- 
strated must  follciw,  if  the  planet  be  retained  in  its  orbit  by 
forces  directed  to  the  sun,  and  varying  with  the  distance  in  ani 
manner  whatsoever.  These  three  discoveries  of  Kepler,  after- 
wards demonstrated  by  Newton,  arc  ibe  foimdation  of  all  accu- 
racy in  astronomical  calcuiaticnst 


APPENDIX.  000 

We  now  come  to  that  great  discovery^  which  lay  concealed 
from  the  moftt  ftubtle  and  penetrating  geniuses  amongst  mankindf 
until  these  latter  ages;  which  so  prodigiously  enlarged  the 
fields  of  astronomy!  and  with  such  rapidity  handed  down  one 
curiosity  after  another,  from  the  heavens  to  astonished  mortals, 
that  no  one  capsble  of  raising  his  eyes  and  thoughts  from  the 
ground  he  trod  on,  could  forbear  turning  his  attention,  in  some 
degree,  to  the  subject  that  engages  us  this  evening. 

Gkdileo,  as  he  himself  acknowledges,  was  not  the  first  inven- 
tor of  the  telescope,  but  he  was  the  first  that  knew  how  to  make 
a  proper  use  of  it.*  If  we  consider  that  convex  and  concave 
lenses  had  been  in  use  for  some  centuries,  we  shall  think  it 
probable  that  several  persons  might  have  chanced  to  combine 
them  together,  so  as  to  TOAgniiy  distant  objects;  but  that  the 
small  advantage  apparently  resulting  from  such  a  discovery, 

ptecmm  of  DewATtM  in  o|»tieki^  of  Newton  in  pkytirlo^  and  m  a  hw^twr  (*  i^firfaif iQ  te 
astrononj. 

John  Kepler,  for  iltti  was  tlw  name  oTtbatikiaoMaaiheaiatieian,  wat  bom  at  Wiel,  in  tlie 
dnebj  oT  WirteinkMir«  in  tke  year  1S71 ;  and  ihe  Abbi  Ddapotte  wyi,  hii  ftmily  wat  ittnitnont. 
UediedatBatkboOtinlOSO.    W.  B. 

*  TW  trae  itt?entionor  ibe  ttlcieapa  cannot  be  carried  back  to  an  earlier  date  than  tha  be- 
finninf  oftbeteventeentbecntury.  Johannet  Bapcirta  Porta,  a  Neapolitan,  in  hii  Nafttiiaf  Iftptr, 
wbicb  was  paMhhfd  in  the  year  lt99,  «yi,  **  Si  ttirmmque  (lenum  emKOvam  a  ewtivexmn)  rmi 
cw^tiMrt  mivtrii^  tt  ImfpEavna  H  pfxima  m^rnn  tt  dare  vUkkAt  .•**  and  he  b  Mid  to  baTo  made 
a  tdewope,  aceordtofty,  abont  the  year  1M4.  Bat  Porta  it  repwwnted  a*  havinfp  maJr  tbii  d»> 
eovery  tiidi  as  it  wa%  by  aeddcnt ;  and,  as  not  weD  nndcntanding  tbe  proper  ose  of  hk  own 


to  Baton  BieUeMtt  bowenr,  tdeseopes  werefint  eonstractcd  a  long  time  aftei;  in 
Holland  ;  some  say,  by  John  lippenheim.  a  spectacle-niaki^  at  Middelboarg  in  Zealand ;  othcn, 
by  Jimcs  Mrtiaa,  brother  to  the  ceMmtcd  prefcswf  Adrian  Metios,  of  Fianeker.  Although  the 
faiTcntion  of  this  instrument,  of  indisprtuahle  use  in  astronomy,  is  sometioses  attrlbnttd  to  the 
great  Galileo,  he  has  himself  admowle>!g.  d,  in  his  trratise,  entiUed  Vvmciu»  SUeritu,  that  be 
took  the  hint  Amn  a  report  of  a  German  hafing  infenieri  an  instrament,  by  means  of  whiri^ 
and  with  the  assistance  of  certain  glasws,  doiant  obieets  might  be  distinguitihcd  as  clearly  as  those 
tbatweicnear.  This  is  precisely  what  Porta  had  mentioneil  in  hb  book,  in  lf89 ;  and  tbeivtee, 
if  Galileo  had  not  referred  to  a  German,  be  might  be  supposed  to  have  had  in  his  riew  the  Ncn> 
pofitaa's  eonception  of  a  telescope,  anrKmneed  long  before  such  aninsCnunent  was  piapcilji  eon* 
stmeted. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  merit  of  Porta's  <fiseoTery,  or  the  ptetcnsiosu  of  Lippcnhdm. 
the^fieeiatle-maker.  and  Mrtina.  Peter  Bot»l  (in  his  trsntise  De  ven  Trietew^  invemtrt)  is  of  the 
opinion  that  Zachariah  Johnson,  who.  like  Lippenheim,  %ras  a  spcctaefe-omker,  and  in  the  same 
city,  made  this  discovery  by  chinee,  about  the  year  1500;  that  Lippenheim  imitated  him,  after 
making nnmerottsesperiments;  and  that  he insdiictcd  Ketios.  There  aire  others,  whohavebcen 
considered  as  having  tod  soaae  sort  of  claim  to  (Ins  important  invention ;  among  whom  were  a  Mr. 
Digget,  of  England,  and  a  M.  Hardy,  of  Fkance,  both  towards  the  eomraeneemcnt  of  tbe  seven- 
teenth century 

Ii  is  certain,  however,  that  GaTdeo  in  Italy,  (who  died  in  IA4S,  aged  srventy-eight  yesrv)  and, 
according  to  Bielfrld,  Simon  Bianns  in  Germany,  wen  the  first  thnt  applied  the  tdeieope  fo  tbe 
.aontrmplatioa  of  cdotial  ol^jectk    W.  B. 

t  Eiem.  rfUniv.  EruL  b.i.  ch.  49. 


6;76  UPPEVDIX. 

either  on  flcconntof  the  badness  or  the  glasses  or  ihft  ttti ddlM- 
ncsa  of  the  person  in  whose  hands  tliey  were,  occasioned  it  to  be 

mi^lccted. 

Hut  Cbliico,  by  great  care  in  perfecting  his  telescope,  Anil  by 
iipplying  a  judicious  eye,  happily  succeeded  i  and  with  s  tele< 
scope  niagnifying  but  thirty  limes,  discovcfcd  the  moon  to  be  a 
scilirt  globe,  diversified  with  prodigious  mountains  and  vaJlies, 
likf  our  earth;  but  without  seas  or  atmosphere.  The  sun's 
Imght  disk,  he  found  frequently  shaded  with  spots,  aad  by  their 
ai'piirent  motions  proved  it  to  be  the  surface  of  a  globci  i»»oIt- 
in,;  on  iia  axis  in  about  fi»e  and  twenty  days.  Thi»  U  seems 
w;is  a  mortifying  discovery  to  the  followers  of  Aristo^Je;  who 
held  the  sun  to  he  pci-fect  without  spot  or  bletuisb.*  Some  of 
ilium,  it  is  said,  insisted  that  it  was  but  an  illusion  of  the  tele- 
scope and  absolutely  refused  to  look  through  ona,  lest  the  te«i- 
mony  of  their  senses  should  prove  too  powcrfiil  ibr  their  pre- 
judices. 

dalilco  likcAvise  flisrovcrL-d   the   four  :,Uencl.,nts  <A  J-ujltcr, 
commonly  culled  his  : 
p!e;ise  that   great  onii 
For   lij-  this  iiddilion    i 
their  C:rc;Llor   liud   not 

numbers  and  proportions,  *vhich  lie  had  inui.incd.  l-d  > 
blush  at  this  rcmurkiibic  instance  of  philosfipliical  wejl 
hut  ndinirc  the  candour  of  the  man  who  confessed  it 

Galileo  not  only  liiscovcrcd  these  moons  of  Jupiter,  bu 
gcsied  their  use  in  (kterniining  the  lonjjilufic  of  places  i 
earth;  which  has  since  been  so  happily  put  in  practice 
Fonlenelle  docs  not  hcsitLitc  to  aflinn,  tiiai  tlicj-  arc  of  mo 


H.  lUylf  cilli  liii  loGK  an 
he  wLvkm  tiT  hi,  woriii :"  and  tBys,  CurTlitr  ^  **  n>"ill  ^K  ma  rvi-ri' 
i4ri<  whu  hiisw  vhni  ptirUiwtihy  ii.  IliIIiiJiU^I  AmfitrWi  auEhnnr 
r  irliooh,  Tnr  lerfnl    pi^  Ihal.  wlim  ■  diaputsilf  ituottfl  ■  fhiiu^r 

lii.ownii.s-    IV.  U. 
■rrtrirrtW.    w.  n. 


ateili 

cs:t    Which  at 

first 

rlid 

not 

It 

mcnt 
o  th^ 

of  his 
numb  I. 

ige,  the  sagacio 
r  of  tl.e  planets 

us  K 
he 

P 

paid 

that   ve 

ncraiion 

to  c 

rlai 

my 

u 

APPENDIX.  507 

to  Geography  and  Navigation,*  than  our  own  moon.  He  disco- 
vered  the  phases  of  Mars  and  Venus ;  that  the  former  appears 
sometimes  round  and  sometimes  gibbous,  and  that  the  latter 
puts  on  the  shapes  of  our  moon :  And  from  this  discovery,  he 
proved  to  a  demonstration,  the  truth  of  the  Copemican  System.f 
Nor  did  that  wonderful  ring,  which  surrounds  Saturn's  body, 
without  touching  it,  and  which  we  know  nothing  in  nature  simi* 
Jar  to,  escape  his  notice ;  though  his  telescope  did  not  magnify 
sufficiently  to  give  him  a  true  idea  of  its  figure. 

Amongst  the  fixed  stars  too,  Galileo  pursued  his  enquiries. 
The  Milky-Way,  which  had  so  greatly  puzzled  the  ancient  Phi- 
losophers, and  which  Aristotle  imagined  to  be  vapours  risen  to 
an  extraordinary  height,  he  found  to  consist  of  an  innumerable 
multitude  of  small  stars;  whose  light  appears  indistinct  andcoor 
founded  together  to  the  naked  eye.  And  in  every  part  of  the 
heavens,  his  telescope  shewed  him  abundance  of  stars,  not  visi- 
ble without  it.     In  short,  with  such  unabated  ardour  did  this 

*  Although  both  G«ognipby  and  NaTifitkm  teve  beco  wondeifiilljr  improved  bf  th«  importMl 
diieoTrriet  made  by  tbo  modenit  in  aitronoroy,  they  have,  nerertbelctt,  derived  the  taioK  esMii- 
cial  aid  firoa  the  appKeathm  of  the  Compatt  to  their  parpoiet. 

The  invention  of  thii  inttnunenC,  which  ii  of  faMtiipeniibYe  utility,  it  almoiC  nniTenB% 
aieribed  to  Fbvio  Gioia,  a  native  of  Aroalfl  in  the  kingdom  of  Naples.  He  is  calkd,  by  soase 
wrifien,  Flaviode  MelA,  (by  whieh  b  meant,  FbiTioor  Amalfl,  this  town  being  the  place  of  his 
nativity  0  and  his  invention  oT  the  Compass  is  plaecd  in  the  year  130t.  But  it  is  afllnaed  by 
others,  that  Paulus  Venetui  bsooght  ihe  Compass  first  mto  Italy  flom  China,  In  the  year  IMO. 
The  Chbiese  Compass,  however,  whatever  may  be  Its  antsqaity,  appears  to  have  been  a  very 
imperft^t  instmment.  compared  with  the  modem  Mariner's  Compass ;  and,  more  especiall]b 
with  the  Azimuth  Compass,  as  improved  by  Dr.  Knight  and  Mr.  Smeaton.  The  Chinese  Compass^ 
now  used,  is  reprrsented  as  bfing  nothing  more  than  a  aiagnetia  needle  kept  floating,  by  metBS 
i>r  a  pieee  of  cotfc,  on  the  surfiMe  of  water,  in  a  white  clnna  waiu  vessel,  divided  at  botlon  into 
tiventy  four  points. 

It  b  woT^  of  observation,  that  the  TrenA  have  laid  claim  to  the  fanrentioii  Of  the  Compns, 
npon  no  better  foundation  than  die  circumitanre  c€  a  ^fieurth-tyi  being  ahvays  plaoed  at  tba 
north  point  of  the  chard  ;  ^Ithoiigh  it  bknown,  that  Gioia  decorated  the  notth  end  of  the  needle 
with  that  flower  in  coraplimmt  to  his  own  sovcreiiTn,  who  bore  it  in  bn  amM,  as  being  descended 
from  the  royal  houie  of  France.  **  It  hath  been  ot)(  n.*'  says  Dr.  Ilobertson4  **  the  fate  of  thooe 
illustrious  beneCic^ors  of  maitkind,  who  have  enriched  science  and  improved  the  arts  by  their 
inventions,  to  derive  more  reputat'on  than  benefit  from  Ihe  happy  eflbrts  of  thdr  genius.  Bat," 
Mmtinoes  thb  eminent  historian,  "  the  lot  of  Gioia  has  been  still  more  crad ;  throng  the  faHt< 
f  cntion  or  ignorance  of  contemporary  historians,  he  has  bren  deflrauded  even  of  the  fhme  to 
Mhich  he  had  such  a  Just  titl<r.  We  receive  flrom  them  no  infimindoii  with  respect  to  hb  peolies* 
sion,  hb  character,  the  piecbe  time  when  he  asade  thb  important  discovery,  and  the  aceUmits 
and  enquiries  which  W  to  it :  the  knowledyie  of  thb  event,  though  productive  of  greater  eflbets 
Than  any  recordrd  in  the  annals  of  ilie  human  race,  is  transmitted  to  us  without  any  .of  dmsr 
rircnmttances  wh'.ch  can  gratify  the  curiosity  that  it  naturally  awakens.**     W.  B. 

t  Gafrfeo  Galilei  was  a  ttmiuous  deftrndcr  of  the  system  of  Copernicus ;  fbr  which  he  sras 
'condemned  by  the  inquisition,  in  the  year  1635,  under  Pope  VrtMUi  VIII.  This  citraocdinnry 
man  was  a  native  of  Florence,  and  born  i»  156L    He  <fied  in  2043,  sgcd  seventy  eight  yean. 

xr.B 

t  Hilt  of  America,  vol.  i.  U  i. 


058  ATFENDIX* 

great  man  range  through  the  fields  ef  Astronomy,  that  he  seem- 
ed  to  leave  nothing  for  others  to  glean  after  him. 

Nevertheless,  by  prodigiously  entreating  the  magnifying 
powers  of  their  telescopes,  his  followers  made  several  great  dis- 
coveries ;  some  of  which  I  shall  briefly  mention.  Mercury  was 
found  to  become  bisected,  and  homed  near  its  inferior  conjunc- 
tion, as  well  as  Venus.  Spots  were  discovered  in  Mars,  and 
fiom  their  apparent  motion,  the  time  of  his  revolution  on  an  axis 
nearly  perpendicular  to  its  orbit,  was  determined.  A  sort  of 
belts  or  girdles,  of  a  varisble  or  fluctuating  nature,  were  found' 
to  surround  Jupiter,  and  likewise  certain  spots  on  his  sur&ce, 
whence  he  was  concluded  to  make  one  revolution  in  about  ten 
hours  on  his  axis ;  which  is  likewise  nearly  perpendicular  to 
hb  orbit.  Five*  moons  or  satellites  were  found  to  attend  Sa- 
turn, which  Galileo's  telescope,  on  account  of  their  prodigious 
distance,  could  not  reach  :t  And  the  form  of  his  ring  was  found 
to  be  a  thin  circular  plane,  so  situated  as  not  to  be  &r  from  pa- 
rallel to  the  plane  of  our  equator ;  and  always  remaining  parallel 
to  itself.  This  ring,  as  well  as  Saturn,  evidently  derives  its 
light  from  the  sim,  as  appears  by  the  shadows  they  mutually  cast 
on  each  other. 

Besides  several  other  remarkable  appearances,  which  Huge- 
niusl  discovered  amongst  the  fixed  stars,  there  is  one  in  Orion*s 
Sword,  which,  I  will  venture  to  say,  whoever  shall  attentively 
view,  with  a  good  telescope  and  experienced  eye,  will  not  find 
bis  curiosity  disapp(unt^d.  <<  Seven  small  stars,  (says  he,)  of 
which  three  are  very  close  together,  seemed  to  shine  through  a 
cloud,  so  that  a  space  round  them  appeared  much  brighter  thati 

*n hM  been  rfnce ateertBined  that  Sttara  bu  wven  MteOltei,  m  b more  pudralulj 001* 
lioiMd  in  the  nilNtqiMnt  note.    W.  B. 

t  It  WW  aboat  lix  yean  after  the  delirery  of  this  otation,  (m.  on  the  13tfa  of  Mtech,  17tl  J 
IhttBemheldkeofcredtheOeorKittmSUiM.  And  nearij  eight  yean  aad  an  half  after  thblfait 
dtaeovery,  he  made  two  ochen :  an  the  S8th  of  AogiM,  1789,  he  was  enaUrd  to  aaaettain.  hf 
Meant  of  hk  telaeope  oT  forty  ftet  focal  length,  that  Saturn  hat  a  tixih  tateffite;  and,  on  the 
ITlhof  September  fldlowing,  he  Aond  that  he  hat  a  termth.  Thr  iiai  rifhlaiiidaiUTOan 
hmanee  made  tereial  important  diNovcriei,  ITint,  imder  the  ttheial  patronage  of  hwaorawign, 
Withe  great  Benchrl  nceeeded,  hy  hit  extraordinary  tkiU  and  indnttry^  the  nakiBf  of  fcty 
hifeis^eruiB,  fai  eonftmetmg  tdeteopet,  whkh,  in  the  wordt  of  the  learned  Mr.  Vmee,  *-haTe 
opened  new  Tiewi  of  the  heavenii  and  penetrated  into  the  depths  of  the  wmene ;  unlbUinQ^ 
leenet  whieh  excite  no  teat  oar  wonder  than  oar  admimtJOQ.** 

Many  naponant  diseoveriet  (tome  of  which  are  noticed  in  the  ffbrogoing  paget  of  these 
nenoini)  have  been  made  by  other  cttfawnt  attrotomers,  tince  ihedateofOr.  KiilHihoaseH  Ora- 
tion i  tome  of  them,  indeed,  tinee  hit  decease ;  among  whirh  are  the  ditcowifat  of  three 
planelt.    W.B. 

t  Theeelcbmed  Haygat,  who>  in  hb  Latin  worti,  it  styled  Hitftiriitf.    W.B. 


APPENDIX.  Qfift 

any  other  part  of  heaven,  which  being  very  serene  and  black 
looked  here  as  if  there  was  an  opening,  through  which  one  had 
a  prospect  into  a  much  brighter  region."  Here  some  have  sup- 
posed old  night  to  be  entirely  dispossessed,  and  that  perpetual 
daylight  shines  amongst  numberless  worlds  without  interrup- 
tion. 

This  is  a  short  account  of  the  discoveries  made  with  the  te« 
lescope.  Well  might  Hugenius  congratulate  the  age  he  lived 
in,  on  such  a  great  acquisition  of  knowledge :  And  recollecting 
.those  great  men,  Copernicus,  Regiomontanus,  and  Tycho,  so 
lately  excluded  from  it  by  death,  what  an  immense  treasure,  says 
he,  would  they  have  given  for  it.  Those  ancient  philosophers 
too,  Pythagoras,  Democritus,  Anaxagoras,  Philolaus,  Plato,  Hip* 
parchus ;  would  they  not  have  travelled  over  all  the  countries  ' 
of  the  world,  for  the  sake  of  knowing  such  secrets  of  nature^ 
and  of  enjoying  such  sights  as  these  ? 

Thus  have  we  seen  the  materials  collected,  which  were  to 
compose  the  magnificent  edifice  of  astronomical  Philosophy  i 
collected,  indeed,  with  infinite  labour  and  industry,  by  a  few  vo- 
lunteers in  the  service  of  human  knowledge,  and  with  an  ardour 
not  to  be  abated  by  the  weaknesses  of  human  nature,  or  the  threat- 
ened loss  of  sight,  one  of  the  greatest  of  bodily  misfortunes  1  It 
was  now  time  for  the  great  master-builder  to  appear,  who  was  to 
rear  up  this  whole  splendid  group  of  materials  into  due  order 
and  proporuon.  And  it  was,  I  make  no  doubt,  by  a  particular 
appointment  of  Providence,  that  at  this  time  the  immortal  New- 
ton- appeared.  Much  had  been  done  preparatory  to  this  great 
work  by  others,  without  which  if  he  had  succeeded,  we  should 
have  been  ready  to  pronounce  him  something  more  than  human. 
The  doctrine  of  atoms  had  been  taught  by  some  of  the  ancients^ 
Kepler  had  suspected  that  the  planets  gravitated  tovrards  each 
other,  particularly  the  earth  and  moon ;  and  that  their  motion 
prevented  their  foiling  together:  and  Galileo  first  of  all  ap- 
plied geometrical  reasoning  to  the  motion  of  projectiles.  But 
the  solid  spheres  of  the  ancients,  or  the  vortices  of  Oes  Cartes,^ 

*  Among  thi*  many  eaunait  aacronomen  in  thetiitrentb  and  wventeenth  centarin,  roemiiMi* 
n\  by  Mr.  LalanUe,  in  hn  AMMnrnme^  wiiJi  intrmtms  partiealan  conevrning  moai  of  iheai.  the 
only  notice  Iir  ilierc  taket  of  hb  inguiioai  coootryauin,  who  codeaToored  to  ritahBth  the  theoqr 
of  VorticM  whieh  be  had  prq|eetcd,  b  hi  tbne  words:  *  Deacartct  (RirB^)  mk co  Tooraine  ea 
159A,  mort  4  Sfockhvim  en  l<i5<'.  Sa  fie  a  M'  Itxi^  Tort  au  bnf  par  BaiOct,  k  Plim,  it^i,  in 
ilV    W.  B. 


t 


f. 


960  APPENllIX. 

vere  still  found  ticcessaiy  to  explain  tlie  planetary  motions ;  or 
if  Kepler  had  discarded  them,  it  was  only  to  substitute  some- 
^ing  else  in  their  stead,  by  no  means  sufficient  to  account  for 
those  grand  movements  of  nature.     It  was  Newton  alone  that 
extended  the  simple  principle  of  gravity,  under  certain  just  re- 
gulations, and  the  laws  of  motion,  whether  rectilinear  or  circu- 
lar,  which  constantly  take  place  on  the  surfietce  of  this  globe, 
throughout  every  part  of  the  solar  system ;  and  from  thencet  by 
the  assistance  of  a  sublime  geometry,  deduced  the  planetary 
motions,  with  the  strictest  conformity  to  nature  and  observa-. 
tion. 

Other  systems  of  Philosophy  have  been  spun  out  of  the  fer- 
tile brain  of  some  great  genius  or  other ;  and  for  want  of  a  foun- 
^dation  in  nature,  have  had  their  rise  and  fedl,  succeeding  each 
other  by  turns.  But  this  will  be  durable  as  science,  and  can 
never  sink  into  neglect,  until  <<  universal  darkness  buries  all.*' 

Other  systems  of  Philosophy  have  ever  found  it  necessary  to 
conceal  their  weakness,  and  inconsistency,  under  the  veil  of  un- 
intelligible terms*  and  phrases,  to  which  no  two  mortals  per- 
haps ever  affixed  the  same  meamng  :  But  the  Philosophy  of 
Newton  disdains  to  make  use  of  such  subterfuges ;  it  is  not 
reduced  to  the  necessity  of  using  them,  because  it  pretends  not 
to  be  of  nature's  privy  council,  or  to  have  free  access  to  her 
most  inscrutable  mysteries;  but  to  attend  carefully  to  her  works, 
to  discover  the  immediate  causes  of  visible  effects,  to  trace 
those  causes  to  others  more  general  and  simple,  advancing  by 
slow  and  sure  steps  towards  the  great  First  Cause  of  all  things. 
.  And  now  the  Astronomy  of  our  planetary  system  seemed  corn- 
pleated*  The  telescope  had  discovered  all  the  globes  whereof 
it  is  composed,  at  least  as  far  as  we  yet  know.  Newton  with 
more  than  mortal  sagacity  had  discovered  those  laws  by  which 
all  their  various,  yet  regular,  motions  are  governed,  and  reduc- 
ed them  to  the  most  beautiful  simplicity :  laws  to  which  not 
only  their  great  and  obvious  variety  of  motions  are  conformliblc, 
but  e?en  their  minute  irregularities ;  and  not  only  planets  but 
comets  likewise.     The  busy  mind  of  man,  never  satiated  with 


*The  philotophy  of  Aristotle  retained  terms  so  rerj  obscure,  that  it  leema  dw  Deril  hkMelf 
dUI  not  ondersuiid,  or  at  least  could  not  explain  tbeia ;  ochcrwise  we  can  hanBy  sappiMe,  ckat, 
wkan  the  good  patriarch  of  Venice  had  sammooed  his  aitewiaacclte  this  very  parpoie,  hcvouU 
Safe  been  ID  nidgaa  to  pat  him  aif  with  aaMaia»iMitnnlyngV^\fH^fl^^f  H^>«tentote-  Sec 
Bayie,  im  Art,  Barhart, 


APPENDIX.  661 

knowledge,  now  extended  its  views  further,  and  made  use  of 
every  expedient  that  suggested  itself,  to  find  the  relation  that 
this  system  of  worlds  bears  to  the  whole  visible  creation.  In- 
struments were  made  with  all  possible  accuracy,  and  the  most 
skilful  observers  applied  themselves  with  great  diligence  to  dis- 
cover an  annual  parallax,  from  which  the  distances  of  the  fixed 
stars  would  be  known.  They  found  unexpected  irregularities, 
and  might  have  been  long  perplexed  with  them  to  little  purpose, 
had  not  Dr.  Bradley  happily  accounted  for  them,  by  shewing 
that  light  from  the  heavenly  bodies  strikes  the  eye  with  a  veloci- 
ty and  direction,  compounded  of  the  proper  velocity  and  direc- 
tion of  lights  and  of  the  eye^  as  carried  about  with  the  earth  in  its 
orbit;  compared  to  which,  tlie  diurnal  motion  and  all  other  ac- 
cidental motions  of  the  eye,  arc  quite  inconsiderable.  Thus,  in- 
stead of  what  he  aimed  at,  he  discovered  something  still  more 
curious,  the  real  velocity  of  light,  in  a  way  entirely  new  and  im- 
thought  of. 

All  Astronomical  knowledge  being  conveyed  to  us  from  the 
remotest  distances,  by  that  subtle,  swift  and  universal  messenger 
of  intelligence,  Light;  it  was  natural  for  the  curious  to  en- 
quire into  its  properties,  and  particularly  to  endeavour  to  know 
>vith  what  velocity  it  proceeds,  in  its  immeasurable  journeys. 
Experimental  Philosophy,  accustomed  to  conquer  every  difficul- 
ty, undertook  the  arduous  problem ;  but  confessed  herself  un- 
equal to  the  task.*  Here,  Astronomy  itself  revealed  the  secret ; 
first  in  the  discovery  of  Rocmer,  who  found  that  the  farther  Ju- 
piter is  distant  from  us,  the  later  the  light  of  his  satellites  always 
readies  us  ;  and  afterwards  in  this  of  Dr.  Bradley,  informed  us, 
that  light  proceeds  from  the  sun  to  us  in  about  eight  minutes  of 
time.f 

•  AllwVmi^  to  thtf  experimentt  mnA^  in  France,  Tor  dcCormining  tbe  velocity  of  fight ;  wUd^ 
tlinugk  uiMUi-L-t^stal,  dihcuver«d  a  iiohlf  |ihiloM>pbioal  Bpiri^ 

t  Thh  i}rucii;;»uiM  wlurity  of  light  can  be  uo  argument  againit  itt  materiality,  aa  will  appear 
firom  the  fuUowiiig  conuderation*.  'ilie  gieatett  vcloetty  which  we  ean  oommumcate  to  may  body, 
ii  that  or  a  canium-hall,  impelled  by  gun-powder ;  thii  may  be  at  the  rate  oT  aboat  20  milea 
in  a  minute  ol  time,  llie  pbuet  Saturn  moves  about  360  miJei  in  a  miontc^  that  ii  18  timea 
swifter  than  a  eaiinoa*faall ;  and  the  comet  of  16S0,  in  it*  perihelion,  auVed  fear  56.66  timea 
•wifter  than  Salum,  or  090.5  timet  iwifier  than  a  caHnonball.  Now  these  are  .material  bodiet, 
Aioving  with  rery  vlirioutt  and  all  of  them  exceeding!)  great  rvlocitiet;  and  no  reaion  appcan 
why  the  last  mt-ntiont  d  relocity  shuuld  be  the  utmost hu/it,  beyond  which/ialure  canjiot  proceed; 
or  that  tome  other  body  may  not  move  7  or  8  hundred  timet  twifter  than  a  comet,  mt  l^iht  it  found 
to  do. 

'rhat  the  different  itriangihiliiy  of  the  rays  of  light,  on  which  their  colours  depend,  ariiei 
from  theii  different  velocities,  teemtio  natural  a  cuDjccturet  that  it  hat  perhaps  occancd  to 

4  b 


5t>-i 


APPENmS. 


As  ihe  upparchl  mtnion  of  the  fixed  stavi,  nvising  fconi  thii 
t.iiise,  waa  observed  to  comiik-ic  the  iniirc  circle  of  il»  chwKes 
ill  ilic  space  of  a  year,  it  was  for  ftome  time  auppoacd  to  aiise 
hoiii  an  annual  parallax,  notwiihscuiding  its  inconsistency  bi 
(iilitr  resiMscls  with  such  a  supposition.  But  thi*  obstacle  bc- 
ifij;  removed,  there  foUoweil  the  discovery  of  another  apparent 
nioiion  in  tlic  heavens,  arising  from  the  nutatiou  of  the  carcli'a 
a\isi  the  peri  oil  v»  here  of  is  about  nineteen  years.  Had  it  not 
t"-i  n  so  very  different  from  Ihc  period  of  the  fonnor,  the  causes 
ul  both  must  have  been  almost  inexplicable.  Thi*  latter  dis- 
ci n  try  is  an  instance  of  the  superior  advantages  of  accHraie  irt). 
SLivation:  For  it  was  well  known  that  such  a  nuiatian  muM 
i.i;,c  place  from  the  principles  of  the  Newtonian  Philosophy  i 
yi  i  a  celebrated  astronomer  had  concluded  from  hypothetical 
rL-iisoning,  that  its  quantity  must  be  perfectly  insensible. 

The  way  being  cleared  thus  tar.  Dr.  Bradley  assures  us,  fram 
his  moat  accurate  observations,  that  the  annual  paralUx  cannot 
I  Kceed  two  seconds,  he  thinks  not  one;  and  W«  hate  the  best 


i-of  t 


Mh'ii 


of  the 


.cd,  iliaii  oiii;   soi^oad  doos  lo  (he  r 
one  to  2l1i),(hi0.     I'roclJLjiiiusty  riil-iI 


liEtil  riiouKli  lu  ttlKlcr  il  I'iiiliL.-.      I  I„t.i:.., 

bt  rlirciw.i  l.y  thu  nrnction  of  JiipiWr'i  It 
v.l'..iiy  ..r  Ihc  nrib  in  it<  nibii,  cuiu.'i»i  ;i 


iiiiiiiT.  foimih 


APPENDIX.  563 

bibly  their  distances  from  each  other  are  no  less,  the  Newtonian 
Philosophy  will  furnish  us  with  a  reason  for  it :  That  the  several 
systems  may  be  sufficiently  removed  from  each  othei^s  attraction, 
which  we  arc  very  certain  must  require  an  immense  distance ; 
especially  if  we  consider  that  the  cometic  part,  of  our  system  at 
least,  appears  to  be  the  most  considerable  though  so  little  known 
to  us.  The  dimensions  of  the  several  parts  of  the  planetary  sys- 
tem, had  been  determined  near  the  truth  by  the  astronomers  of 
the  last  age,  from  the  parallax  of  Mars.  But  from  that  rare  phe- 
nomenon the  transit  of  Venus  over  tlie  sun's  disk,  which  has 
twice  happened  within  a  few  years  past,  the  sun's  parallax  is 
now  known  beyond  dispute  to  be  8  seconds  and  an  half,  nearly; 
and  consequently,  the  sun's  distance  almost  12,009  diameters  of 
•  the  eartli. 

If  from  the  distances  of  the  several  planets,  and  their  apparent 
diameters  taken  wi^  that  excellent  instrument,  the  micrometer, 
we  compare  their  several  magnitudes,  we  shall  find  the  Moon, 
Mercury,  and  Mars,  to  be  much  less  than  our  Earth,  Venus  a 
little  less,  but  Saturn  many  hundred  times  greater,  and  Jupiter 
above  one  l^ousand  times.  This  prodigious  globe,  placed  at  such 
a  vast  distance  from  the  other  planets,  that  the  force  of  its  at- 
traction might  the  less  disturb  their  motions,  is  far  more  bulky 
and  ponderous  than  all  the  other  planets  taken  together.  But 
even  Jupiter,  with  all  his  fellows  of  our  system,  are  as  nothing 
compared  to  that  amazing  mass  of  matter  the  Sun.  How  much 
are  we  then  indebted  to  Astronomy,  for  correcting  our  ideas  of 
the  visible  creation !  Wanting  its  instruction,  we  should  infalli- 
bly have  supposed  the  earth  by  far  the  most  important  body  in 
the  universe,  both  for  mag^tude  and  use.  The  sun  and  moon 
would  have  been  thought  two  little  bodies  nearly  equal  in  size, 
though  different  in  lustre,  created  solely  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
lightening the  earth  ;  and  the  fixed  stars,  so  many  sparks  of  fire, 
placed  in  the  concave  vault  of  heaven,  to  adorn  it,  and  afford  us 
a  glimmering  light  in  the  absence  of  the  sun  and  moon. 

But  how  does  Astronomy  change  the  scene  !— Take  the  mi- 
ser from  the  earth,  if  it  be  possible  to  disengage  him  ;  he  whose 
nightly  rest  has  been  long  broken  by  the  loss  of  a  single  foot  of 
it,  useless  perhaps  to  him  ;  and  remove  him  to  the  planet  Mars, 
one  of  the  least  distant  from  us :  Persuade  the  ambitious  mo- 
narch to  accompany  him,  who  has  sacrificed  the  lives  of  thou- 


-4 
p 


884.  f  APPENDIX. 

sands  of  his  subjects  to  an  imaginary  property  in  certain  small 
portions  of  the  earth  ;  and  now  point  it  out  to  them,  y^ith  all  its 
kingdoms  and  wealth,  a  glittering  star  "  close  by  the  moon,"  the 
latter  scarce  visible  and  the  former  less  bright  than  our  Evening 
Star : — Would  they  not  turn  away  their  disgusted  sight  from  it, 
as  not  thinking  it  worth  their  smallest  attention,  and  look  for 
consolation  in  the  gloomy  regions  of  Mars  ?* 

But  dropping  the  company  of ^11  those,  whether  kings  or  mi- 
sers, whose  minds  and  bodies  are  equally  affected  by  gravitation, 
let  us  proceed  to  the  orb  of  Jupiter  ;  the  Earth  and  all  the  in- 
ferior planets  will  vanish,  lost  in  the  sun's  bright  rays,  and  Sa- 
turn only  remain :  He  too  sometimes  so  diminished  in  lustre,  as 
not  to  be  easily  discovered.  But  a  new  and  beautiful  system  will 
arise.  The  four  moons  of  Jupiter  will  become  very  conspicuous ; 
some  of  them  perhaps  appearing  larger,  others  smaller  than  our 
moon  ;  and  all  of  them  performing  their  revolutions  with  incre- 
dible swiftness,  and  the  most  bAiutiful  regularity : — varying 
their  phases  foom  full  to  new  and  Horn  new  to  full,  and  frequent- 
ly eclipsing  the  sun  and  each  other,  at  least  to  the  equatoiial 
parts  of  Jupiter ;  and  almost  in  every  revolution  suffering  eclip- 
ses themselves  by  falling  into  Jupiter's  shadow  ;  excepting  that 
the  outermost  w^ill  seem,  like  a  traveller  fond  of  the  sun-beams, 
cautiously  to  avoid  the  shadow  for  whole  years  together.  Sin^c 
we  are  advanced  so  fur,  if  not  tired  of  the  journey,  let  us  pro- 
ceed a  step  further  ;  it  is  but  400  millions  of  miles  to  the  globe 
of  Saturn.  Here  again  all  will  be  lost,  but  Jupiter  itself.  The 
Sun  will  put  on  something  of  a  stai-likc  appearance,  but  with 
excessive  brightness.  The  fivef  satellites  of  Saturn  will  ex- 
hibit appearances  similar  to  those  of  Jupiter,  but  they  will  very 
rarely  eclipse  the  Sun,  or  suffer  eclipses  themselves.  The  par- 
ticular phaenomcna  of  Saturn's  ring,  we  cannot  explain,  unless 
wc  knew  the  time  and  plane  of  Saturn's  revolution  on  his  axis. 
But  this  we  know,  that  it  must  sometimes  appear,  by  night,  like 
a  prodigious  luminous  arch,  almost  equal  to  one  quarter  of  the 
heavens ;  and  at  other  times,  dark,  so  as  to  aflbrd  no  light  itself, 
but  to  intercept  tlie  light  of  every  star  beyond  it,  by  night,  and  of 
the  sun  itself  by  day.     And  to  conclude,  if  borne  on  the  wings 

•  Man  appetn  to  be  tuntNindcd  by  a  vcrj-  gretr  and  <lenfo  atmotphere. 

t  Dr.  Henehcl  dtKorered.  in  i»*e  year  1789,  (fourteen  y«*n  af.«  r  the  ilelirery  of  ihi*  Oration  ) 
two«cter  nieifilei  «f  Satftro.    Tbcte  are  the  ionermoK  oi'  hii  .'now)  seren  teciRMliirT  pUneti. 

W.  B. 


APPENDIX,  665 

of  u  comet  we  should  travel  with  it  to  the  remotest  part  of  its 
orbit ;  our  whole  planetary  system  would  disappear,  and  the  sun 
become  a  star,  only  more  refulgent  than  Sirius  perhaps,  because 
less  distant. 

The  opinion  of  the  earth's  rotation  on  its  axis  was  once  violent- 
ly opposed,  from  a  notion  of  its  dangerous  tendency  with  respect 
to  the  interests  of  religion  :*  But,  as  truth  is  always  consistent 
with  itself,  so  many  new  proofs  were  furnished  from  time  to  time 
by  new  discoveries,  that  a  mistaken  interpretation  of  some  pas- 
sages in  the  bible  was  compelled  to  give  way  to  the  force  of  as- 
tronomical evidence.  The  doctrine  of  a  plurality  of  worlds,  is 
inseparable  from  the  principles  of  Astronomy  ;  but  this  doctrine 
is  still  thought,  by  some  pious  persons,  and  by  many  more  I  feari 
who  do  not  deserve  that  title,  to  militate  against  the  truths  asserted 
by  the  Christian  religion.  If  I  may  be  allowed  to  give  my  opinion 
on  a  matter  of  such  importance,  I  must  confess  that  I  think  upon 
a  proper  examination  the  apparent  inconsistency  will  vanish.^ 
Our  religion  teaches  us  what  philosophy  could  not  have  taught ;  I 
and  we  ought  to  admire  with  reverence  the  great  things  it  has 
pleased  divine  Providence  to  perform,  beyond  the  ordinary  course 
of  JVaturey  for  man,  who  is  undoubtedly  the  most  noble  inhabi- 
tant of  this  globe.  But  neither  religion  nor  philosophy  forbids 
us  to  believe  that  infinite  wisdom  and  power,  prompted  by  infi- 
nite goodness,  may  throughout  the  vast  extent  of  creation  and 
duration,  have  frequently  interposed  in  a  manner  quite  incom- 
prehensible to  us,  when  it  became  necessary  to  the  happiness 
of  created  beings  of  some  other  rank  or  degree. 

How  far  indeed  the  inhabitants  of  the  other  planets  may  re- 
semble man,'  wc  cannot  pretend  to  say.  If  like  him  they  were  . 
created  liable  to  fall,  yet  some,  if  not  all  of  them,  may  still  retain 
their  original  rectitude.  We  will  hope  they  do  :  the  thought 
is  comfortable. — Cease,  Galileo,  to  improve  thy  optic  tube :  and' 
thou,  great  Newton,  forbear  thy  ardent  search  into  the  distant 
mysteries  of  nature :  lest  ye  make  unwelcome  discoveries.  De- 
prive us  not  of  the  pleasure  of  believing  that  yonder  radiant  orbs^ 
traversing  in  silent  majesty  the  etherial  regions,  are  the  pcacc- 

•  la  745,  Virgilu*,  bbhop  of  Saltxburg.  hftvioi:  pQlOirly  aiterted  in  Mine  ol  hit  tfrmoni,  thit 
Uiere  were  tniipodei,  he  wai  charged  ^ith  heresy,  l»y  Boni&ce.  bishop  of  Mentz,  tnd  cited  to 
a|»iA»  before  the  Pope,  who  recommended  the  hearing  of  the  c«nie  to  UiUo,  King  of  Bohemia, 
and  at  the  tame  ume  wrote  to  him  in  fJivour  of  Boni&ce.  The  event  wai,  the  bUhop  of  Salix- 
b*irg  lost  hU  caa««>,  and  wu  cvuiUmiicd  for  berery. 


666  APPENDIX. 

ful  seats  of  innocence  and  bliss:  where  neither  natural  nor 
moral  evil  h^s  ever  yet  intruded  ;  where  to  enjoy  with  gratitude 
and  adoration  the  creator's  bounty,  is  the  business  of  existence. 
If  their  inhabitants  resemble  man  in  their  faculties  and  affec« 
tions,  let  us  suppose  that  they  are  wise  enough  to  govern  them- 
selves according  to  the  dictates  of  that  reason  their  creator  has 
given  them,  in  such  manner  as  to  consult  their  own  and  each 
other's  true  happiness,  on  all  occasions.  But  if,  on  the  contrary, 
they  have  found  it  necessary  to  erect  artificial  fabrics  ofjg^vem- 
ment,let  us  not  suppose  that  they  have  done  it  with  solKtle  skill, 
and  at  such  an  enormous  expence,  as  must  render  them  a  mis- 
fortune instead  of  a  blessing.  .We  will  hope  that  their  states- 
men are  patriots,  and  that  their  kings,  if  that  order  of  beings  has 
found  admittance  there,  have  the  feelings  of  humanity  .*«Happy 
people  I  and  perhaps  more  happy  ^till,  that  all  communication 
with  us  is  denied.  We  have  neither  corrupted  you  with  our 
vices,  nor  injured  you  by  violence.  None  of  your  sons  and 
daughters,  degraded  from  their  native  dignity,  have  been  doom- 
ed to  endless  slavery  by  us  in  America,  merely  because  their  bo- 
dies may  be  disposed  to  reflect  or  absorb  the  rays  of  light,  in  a 
way  different  from  ours.  Even  you,  inhabitants  of  the  moon, 
situated  in -'our  very  neighbourhood,  are  effectually  secured, 
alike  from  the  rapacious  hand  of  the  haughty  Spaniard,  and  of  the 
unfeeling  British  nabob.  Even  British  thunder  impelled  by 
British  thirst  of  gain,  cannot  reach  you  :  And  the  utmost  efforts 
of  the  mighty  Frederick,  that  tyrant  of  the  north  and  scourge  of 
mankind,  if  aimed  to  disturb  your  peace,  becomes  inconceivably 
ridiculous  and  impotent. 

Pardon  these  reflections  ;  they  rise  not  from  the  gloomy  spi- 
rit of  misanthropy.  That  being,  before  whose  piercing  eye  all 
the  intricate  foldings  and  dark  recesses  of  the  human  heart  be- 
come expanded  and  illuminated,  is  my  witness  with  what  since- 
rity, with  what  ardor,  I  wish  for  the  happiness  of  the  whole  race 
of  mankind  :  how  much  I  admire  that  disposition  of  lands  and 
seas,  which  affords  a  communication  between  distant  regions, 
and  a  mutual  exchange  of  benefits:*   how  sincerely  I  approve 

*  It  has  been  ihcwn,  in  «  preccdaif^  note,  how  much  the  meam  of  eomtnimicfttiiig  between 
dhtant  rrgkmt,  Kpanited  by  teas,  were  facilitaied  hy  tlie  ditcoveiy  and  uw  of  the  Cofupan :  but 
those  means  have  been  siill  further  ami  ^-ery  ifreatly  improTcd.  since  the  introdoctioo  of  the  use 
of  the  (Quadrant  at  tea,  especially  thtt  called  Hadley^s  quadrant. 

l  he  true  inTentar  of  die  refleetin^  quadrant  was  Dr.  Hobert  Hook,  a  rery  bifenioQY  Eni^Uh 
ttathcmatidan  awl  philoiopber,  who  4icd  io  the  faar  170S,  at  the  age  of  lixtrKvtA  yean.    Ihis 


APPENDIX.  567 

of  those  social  refinements  which  really  add  to  our  happiness, 
and  induce  us  with  gratitude  to  acknowledge  our  great  Creator's 

ioitruinent,  now  commonly  styled  HadleyV  was  afterwiids  rendered  much  more  complete  thia 
Dr.  Hook*i  inyention  had  made  it,  by  Sir  Isaac  Newton:  but  our  modem  artists,  more  skilftil 
than  those  of  former  timer,  as  Mr.  Lalande  has  ohserred,  hare  proAted  of  the  ideas  of  the  great 
Newtun  himself,  on  the  sabject ;  and  among  the  later  improvers  of  the  Sea  (Quadrant,  or  Octant, ' 
b  Mr.  Hadtey,  whose  name  the  instrument  usually  bears. 

It  would,  however,  be  doing  an  act  of  injustice  to  the  rodrndry  of  an  Ameriean  who  potieMed 
an  extraordinary  genius,  to  omit,  in  ihe  course  of  these  memoirs,  some  notice  of  his  merits  in 
relation  to  this  matter.  Mr.  Thomas  Godfrey,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  is  said  to  have  tuned 
his  attention  to  this  sutuect,  so  early  as  the  year  1730 ;  and  in  the  Transactions  of  the  Royal  So- 
ciety of  London,  No.  435,  will  be  found,  an  **  Account  of  Mr,  Thmnat  CHifrey*t  Imprwvement  •/ 
DtnisU  Quadrant  trontferredto  the  Mariner**  £oir,^  drawn  np  by  James  Logan,  Eaq.  (brmerly  of 
Philadrlphia,  a  gentleman  of  extensive  learning,  and  a  very  eminent  mathematktan.  Mr.  God- 
fiey  is  stated  to  have  "*  sent  the  instrument  (which  he  had  contracted)  to  be  trikd  at  sea  by  an 
acquaintance  of  his,  an  ing^ious  navigator,  in  a  voyage  to  Jamaica,  who  shewed  it  to  a  captmn 
of  a  ship  there,  just  going  for  Kngland  ;  by  which  means,  it  came  to  the  knowledge  of  Mr.  Had- 
ley,  though  perhaps  without  his  heiug  tu.d  the  n^me  of  the  real  inventor.**  [See  The  American 
Magazine^  for  July  1753.]  In  a  letter,  dated  at  Philadelphia  the  2i\h  of  May,  1732,  Mr.  Logan, 
who  very  ably  as  well  as  meritoriously  patronized  Godfrey,  communicated  to  the  celebrated  0r. 
KdiMund  Halley  a  def ailed  ac^nt  Vtd  dt^ription  of  the  impravat  SeapQuadrant  coostnictcd  by 
that  ingenioas  citizen  of  America,  of  which  his  patron  confidently  believed  him  to  be  the  original 
inventor.  On  the  ^8ih  of  June,  1734,  a  further  account  of  Godfrey's  invention  was  drawn  up  by 
Mr.  Logan,  and  subseribed  with  his  name ;  which,  it  is  presumed,  waa  also  cummimkated  to  the 
Royal  Society :  and  on  the  9  ih  of  November,  in  the  same  year,  Mr.  Godfrey  transmitted  an  ae> 
count  of  it,  draughted  and  signed  by  himself,  to  the  same  learned  body.  The  whole  of  these 
interesting  letters,  wiib  some  accompanying  observations  on  the  subject,  are  published  in  the 
valuable  Matiasine  ju*t  referred  to,  and  in  the  one  fur  the  succeeding  month. 

In  the  Transac^ns  of  the  Royal  Society,  fur  the  months  of  October,  November  and  Decem- 
ber, 1731,  No.  421,  is  contained  a  Proposal,  by  Dr.  Edmund  Halley.  for  finding  the  longitude  at 
sea,  within  a  degree  or  twenty  leagues,  &c.  In  the  conclusion  of  this  paper.  Dr.  HaOey,  in 
speaking  of  Juhn  Hadley,  Etq.  VP.R.S.  (**  to  whom,"'  as  he  observes,  **  we  are  highly  obliged  for 
his  having  perfected  and  brought  into  common  use  the  reflecting  telescope,*')  sayt— He  **  has  been 
pleased  to  communicate  his  most  ingenious  instrument  for  taking  the  angles  by  rejkethtn^  (re> 
ferring,  here,  to  the  Philus.  Trans.  No.  420 ;)  "*  it  is  more  than  probable  that  the  same  may  be 
applied  to  taking  ang^  at  aea^  with  the  desired  accuracy.** 

Ill  Mr.  Logan's  account  of  Mr.  Godfrey's  invention,  dated  June  28,  1734,  he  says  ;  **  Ta  now 
four  years  since  lliorosis  Godfrey  hit  on  thi«  improvement ;  for,  his  account  of  it,  bid  before  the 
(Royal)  Society  last  winter,  in  which  he  mentioned  two  years,  was  wrote  ui  1732;  and  in  the 
tame  year,  1730,  after  he  waa  satisfied  in  this,  be  applied  himself  to  think  of  the  other,  viz.  the 
.re/letting  inHrmnenf,  hy  tpeatlumaftr  a  hdp  in  the  case  9/  lungiiudet  though  *tis  also  usefhl  in 
taking  altitudes :  and  one  of  these,  as  has  been  abundantly  proved  by  the  maker,  and  those  who 
had  it  with  them,  was  taken  to  sea  and  there  used  in  observing  the  latitudes  the  winter  of  that 
year,  and  brought  back  again  to  Philadelphia  before  the  end  of  Febnutry  1730—1,  and  wu  in 
my  keeping  some  months  immediately  after.** 

In  Mr.  Logan*s  prior  letter  to  Dr.  Halley  (dated  May  25,  1732,)  be  says,  that  about  eighleca 
mgntht  bt  fore,  Godfrey  toU  him,  **he  had  for  sotoe  time  before  been  thinking  of  an  instnimcnt 
fbr  taking  the  distances  of  stars  by  refleeting  specuhimi,  which  he  believed  might  be  of  aerviae 
**atsca;'*  and  that,  soon  after,  Godfkvy  shewed  him  an  instrument,  which  be  had  proeaitd  to  he 
made,  for  the  purpose.  Thus,  the  time  to  which  Mr.  Logan  refers  OodfVey*s  communication  of 
his  improvement  to  hnn,  would  make  its  date  to  be  about  the  month  of  November,  1730. 

In  the  Rev.  Mr.  Vince's  great  vroik,  entitled,  A  Comptete  System  9/ Astronomy,  (and  contained 
in  **  A  Treatise  on  Practical  Astronomy,**  at  the  end  of  the  aeeond  volume  of  that  wovkj  is  an 
entire  chapter  on  *'  Hadlej^s  Quadrant  ;**  giving  a  pastieular  description  of  the  instrument,  with 
rules  for  the  eomputations  from  the  ohservatioits  and  illustrations  of  them  by  examples.  In  thIa 
Ti^tise,  the  author  says,  that  the  instrument  took  its  name  from  the  **  inventor,**  John  Hadley, 
1:U<|.  and  observes,  that  not  only  the  science  of  navigation  is  greatly  indebted  to  this  **  incooipari* 


568  APPKNDTX. 

goodness  :— how  I  dcUght  in  a  participation  of  the  discoveries 
made  from  time  to  time  in  nature's  works,  by  our  Pliilosophic 
brethren  in  Europe. 

But  when  I  conbidcr,  that  luxury  and  her  constant  follower 
tyranny f  "who  have  long  since  laid  in  the  dust,  never  to  rise  again, 
the  glories  of  Asia,  are  now  advancing  like  a  torrent  irresistible, 
whose  weight  no  human  force  can  stem,  and  have  neai3y  com- 
pleted their  conquest  of  Europe  ;  luxury  and  tyranny,  who  by  a 
vile  affectation  of  virtues  they  know  not,  pretend  at  first  to  be 
the  patrons  of  science  and  philosophy,  but  at  length  fail  not  ef- 
fectually to  destroy  them ;  agitated  I  say  by  these  reflections,  I 
am  ready  to  wish — vain  wish !  that  natui;e  would  raise  her  ever- 
lasting bars  between  the  new  and  old  world  ;  and  make  a  voyage 
to  Europe  as  impracticable  as  one  to  the  moon.  I  confess  in- 
deed, that  by  our  connections  with  Europe  we  have  made  most 
surprising,  I  had  almost  said  unnatural,  advances  towards  the 
meridian  of  glory  ;  but  by  those  connections  too,  in  all  probabi- 
lity, our  fall  will  be  premature.     May  tlie   God  of  knowledge 

fale  instrument,**  but  such  are  its  varioui  uses  in  astronomy,  that  it  m»j  not  iroproperif  be  called 
**  a  portable  observatory.**  Mr.  Vinee  furiherobterres,  tiiat  in  the  year  1742,  about  ten  yvars  after 
Mr.  Hadley^  invention  (fur  to  l^e  styles  it)  was  publi»bed,  a  paper  in  Sir  Isaac  Newtun^  own  1uum1> 
writing  was  found  among  Dr.  Halley*s  pHpers,  after  the  Doctor's  death,  containing  a  figure  and 
description  of  an  instminent  (referring  to  Philts.  Trausactionty  No.  465,7  not  much  (SAerent  in  its 
•  principle  from  this  of  Hadley.  He  adds,  that  as  Dr.  Halley  was  aJire  when  Mr.  HadleyVi  insini- 
ntent  was  shewn  to  the  Ro}  al  Society,  ami  he  took  no  notice  of  dtis  paper  of  Sir  Isaac  Newton,  it 
is-prohable  he  did  not  know  there  was  such  an  one.  In  another  part  of  Ins  work  (under  the  bead 
of  The  History  of  Aitronomij^  \oI.  ii.  p.  290.)  Mr.  Vince  asserts,  that  the  first  person  who  formed 
the  idea  of  niajking  a  Quadrant  to  uke  anglet  by  reflection,  was  Robert  Hook ;  and  he  was  bora 
in  1635.  On  the  whote,  however,  the  le^mtd  author  draws  this  conclusion  ^-^Bolh  Sir  Isaae 
Ncwtun  and  Mr.  Hadtey  thei-efure  stem  entitled  to  ihi»  invention.^ 

Mr.  Lalande,  speaking  of  this  imtruineut,  says  :  Le  Qaartier  de  Reflexion,  extoit^  en  1731 
par  Hadlt'y,  a  donfi6  un  moyol  iiicile  de  mesurer  les  distances  sur  mer,  4  une  minute  pcii^  austi 
bien  deteroiiner  le  lieu  de  la  Lune  en  mer.**    See  hu  AHronomtc,  vol.  iii.  p.  654. 

From  these  facts,  and  a  careful  examination  of  the  pa(>ers  themselves,  here  quoted  and  referred 
to,  the  scientific  reader  will  be  enabled  to  decide  upon  the  true  merits  of  the  oontroveny  that  has 
to  long  subsisted,  coucemiog  the  respective  clainu  of  Godfrey  and  of  Hadley,  to  the  iaveiuioA 
of  the  instrument  that  bears  the  name  of  the  latter. 

Before  this  subject  is  dismissed,  however,  it  will  not  be  deemed  improper  to  add,  that  the  late 
Dr.  John  Ewing  communicated  to  the  Am.  Philosophical  Society  an  account  of  an  Improvement 
in  the  construction  of  (what  he  terms)  *  Godfrey's  double  reflectuig  Quadrant,**  which  he  had 
discovered  in  the  spring  or  summer  of  the  year  1707 :  this  will  be  found  in  the  first  volume  of  the 
Society's  Transactions.  In  the  eondusion  of  this  eommimication,  Dr.  Ewing  lays :— *  This  im* 
provement  of  an  instrument,  which  was  first  invented  and  constructed  by  Mr.  Godfiry  of  thii 
city,  and  which  I  do  not  hesitate  to  call  the  most  useful  of  all  astronomical  iiutromentt  that  the 
world  ever  knew,  I  hope  will  make  it  still  more  serviceable  to  mankind.** 

This  communicatkm  to  the  Society  by  Dr.  Ewing,  v»-as  made  in  the  year  1770.  In  one  eon- 
cemipg  the  comet  of  that  year,  and  made  by  Dr.  RittenhoUte  about  the  same  time,  the  iuktns- 
ment  to  which  Dr.  £wing*s  improvement  applies,  is  ealltd  Hadl'  >'s  q*u'ii-.iu: :  but  perhaps  Dr. 
Eittenhutise  so  named  it,  in  conformity  to  common  usage. 


^. 


APPENDIX.  569 

Inspire  us  with  wisdom  to  prevent  it :  let  our  harbours,  our 
doors,  our  hearts,  be  shut  against  luxury.  But  I  return  to  my 
subject,  and  will  no  longer  indulge  these  melancholy  thoughts. 

Some  have  observed,  that  the  wonderful  discoveries  of  the 
microscope  ought  to  go  hand  in  hand  with  those  of  the  teles- 
cope ;  lest  whilst  wc  contemplate  the  many  instances  of  the 
wisdom  and  power  of  divine  Providence,  displayed  in  the  great 
works  of  creation,  we  should  be  tempted  to  conclude  that  man, 
and  other  less  important  beings  of  this  lower  world,  did  not 
claim  its  attention.  But  I  will  venture  to  afHrm,  without  at  all 
derogating  from  tlie  merits  of  those  who  have  so  greatly  oblig- 
ed the  world  with  the  success  of  their  microscopical  enquiries, 
that  no  such  danger  is  to  be  apprehended.  Nothing  can  better 
demonstrate  the  immediate  presence  of  the  Deity  in  every  part 
of  space,  whether  vacant  or  occupied  by  matter,  than  astronomy 
does.  It  was  from  an  astronomer  St.  Paul  quoted  that  exalted 
expression,  so  often  since  repeated ;  "  In  God  we  iivcy  and  move^ 
and  have  our  being**  His  divine  energy  supports  that  univer- 
sal substratum  on  which  all  corporal  substances  subsist,  that 
the  laws  of  motion  arc  derived  from,  and  that  wings  light  with 
angelic  swiftness. 

If  the  time  would  permit,  how  agreeable  the  task  to  dwell  on 
the  praises  of  Astronomy :  to  consider  its  happy  effects  as  a 
science,  on  the  human  mind.  Let  the  sceptical  writers  forbear 
to  lavish  encomiums  on  their  cobweb  Philosophy,  liable  to  be 
broken  by  the  smallest  incident  in  nature.  They  tell  us  it  is 
of  great  service  to  mankind,  in  banishing  bigotry  and  supersti- 
tion from  amongst  us.  Is  not  this  effectually  done  by  Astro- 
nomy ?  The  direct  tendency  of  this  science  is  to  dilate  the 
heart  with  universal  benevolence,  and  to  enlarge  its  views.  But 
then  it  does  this  without  propagating  a  single  point  of  doctrine 
contrary  to  common  sense,  or  the  most  cultivated  reason.  It 
flatters  no  fashionable  princely  vice,  or  national  depravity.  It 
encourages  not  the  libertine  by  relaxing  any  of  the  precepts  of 
morality ;  nor  does  it  attempt  to  undermine  the  foundations  of 
religion.  It  denies  none  of  those  attributes,  which  the  wisest 
and  best  of  mankind,  have  in  all  ages  ascribed  to  the  Deity : 
Nor  does  it  degrade  the  human  mind  from  that  dignity,  which 
is  ever  necessary  to  make  it  contemplate  itself  with  compla« 
rency.     None  of  these  things  does  Astronomy  pretend  to ;  and 

-l  r. 


570  APPENDIX. 

if  these  things  merit  the  aim  of  Philosophy,  and  the  encourage- 
ment of  a  people,  then  let  scepticism  flourish,  and  Astronomy 
lie  neglected;  then  let  the  names  of  Berkeley,  and  Hume, 
become  immortal,  and  that  of  Newton  be  lost  in  oblivion. 

I  shall  conclude  this  part  of  my  discourse  with  the  words  of 
Dr.  Barrow— It  is  to  Astronomy  we  owe  "  that  we  compre- 
hend the  huge  fabric  of  the  universe,  admire  and  contemplate 
the  wonderful  beauty  of  the  divine  workmanship,  and  so  leam 
the  invincible  force  and  sagacity  of  our  own  minds,  as  to  ac- 
knowledge the  blessings  of  heaven  with  a  pious  affection." 

I  now  come,  in  the  last  place,  to  point  out  some  of  the  dc- 
\fect8  of  Astronomy  at  this  day.  Which  I  am  induced  to  under- 
take by  the  hopes  I  entertain  that  some  of  those  defects  may  be 
removed  under  the  auspicesx)f  this  society,  and  of  you  my  fellow 
citizens,  who  have  so  zealously  promoted  its  institution.  "  The 
advantages  arising  from  Astronomy,  the  pleasure  attending  the 
study  of  it,  the  care  with  which  it  was  cultivated  by  many  great 
men  among  the  ancients,  and  the  extraordinary  attention  paid  to 
it  in  Europe  by  the  present  age,"  all  contribute  to  recommend 
it  to  your  protection,  under  which  we  have  the  best  reason  to 
expect  that  it  will  flourish. 

The  mildness  of  our  climate  and  the  serenity  of  our  atmos- 
phere, perhaps  not  inferior  to  that  of  Italy,  and  likewise  our 
distant  situation  fi*om  the  principal  observatories  in  the  world 
(whence  many  curious  phaenomena  must  be  visible  here  thai 
arc  not  likely  to  be  observed  any  where  else)  arc  so  many  cir- 
cumstances greatly  in  our  favour. 

And  I  trust  there  will  not  be  wanting  men  of  genius,  to 
arise  in  this  new  world,  whose  talents  may  be  particularly  adapt- 
ed to  astronomical  enquiries.  Indeed  I  am  persuaded  that  na- 
ture is  by  no  means  so  nigardly  in  producing  them,  as  we  are 
apt  to  imagine.  Some  arc  never  tempted  forth  from  obscurity, 
some  are  untimely  snatched  away  by  death,  a  striking  instance 
whereof  we  have  in  Horrox  ;  and  many  are  accidentally  led  to 
other  pursuits. 

The  Astronomy  of  comets  is  still  in  its  infancy ;  not  that  the 
attention  of  the  learned  and  ingenious  has  at  all  been  wanting 
for  more  than  a  century  past ;  but  because  it  will  necessarily 
require  many  ages  to  bring  it  to  perfection.  I  wish  we  were  in 
a  condition  to  promote  it  in  some  degree,  by  carefully  observing 


APPENDIX.  571 

such  comets  as  may  appear.  As  yet  we  scarce  dare  affirm  that 
any  one  has  or  will  return  a  second  time.  It  has  never,  that  I 
know  of,  been  certainly  proved  by  observation,  that  a  comet  has 
descended  within  a  parabolic  orbit,  and  until  that  is  done  we 
have  only  a  coincidence  of  periods  and  orbits  (none  of  which 
have  been  very  precise)  to  depend  on  for  their  return.  Far  less 
are  astronomers  able  to  determine  the  changes  that  may,  and 
probably  do,  happen  in  their  orbits*  and  velocities  in  every  pe- 
riod, so  as  to  predict  their  nearer  or  more  remote  approach  to 
the  earth  or  any  planet.  Whether  their  business  be  to  repair 
or  destroy,  whether  they  are  worlds  yet  in  formation  or  once 
habitable  worlds  in  ruins  ;  whether  they  are  at  present  habitable 
and  regular  attendants  of  our  Sun  only,  or  whether  they  arc  the 
vast  links  that  connect  the  distant  parts  of  creation  by  surround- 
ing more  suns  that  one,  we  know  not. 

If  we  descend  to  the  Planetary  System,  there  are  still  many 
things  wanting  to  compleat  Astronomy. 

The  orbits  of  the  primary  planets  have  at  one  time  been  sup- 
posed moveable  with  various  irregularities,  at  other  times  fixed 
and  permanent.  It  seems  now  generally  granted,  that  according 
to  the  theory  of  gravity  they  must  change  their  situations ;  yet 
not  long  since,  some  great  astronomers  warmly  contended  that 
this  change  was  altogether  insensible. 

According  to  the  best  tables  we  now  have,  the  planes  of  the 
orbits  of  Jupiter,  the  Earth  and  Mercury  are  immoveable,  though 
the  orbits  themselves  have  a  progressive  motion  in  their  planes. 
On  the  contrary,  the  poles  of  the  orbits  of  Saturn,  Mars  and 
Venus  are  supposed  to  revolve  about  the  poles  of  the  earth's 
orbit,  with  such  velocities  as  at  present  nearly  reconcile  calcula- 
tion to  appeavanccs.  But  there  is  good  reason  to  apprehend  that 
such  a  supposition  is  not  true  in  fact,  and  a  mistake  in  this  mat- 
ter will  have  some  important  consequences.  More  probable  is 
it,  that  the  poles  of  the  orbits  of  ail  the  planets,  the  earth  not  ex- 
cepted, revolve  about  some  common  centre.  The  several  quan- 
tities of  these  motions,  I  am  confident,  are  to  be  had  from  obser- 
vation, and  not  from  theory  alone.  If  such  a  motion  of  the  earth's 
orbit  be  admitted,  it  will  account  for  the  diminutionf  of  the  ob- 

*  This  1  know  has  been  prttemlcd  to.  But  it  b  easy  to  make  geometrical  conelunont  come  one 
as  wc  woald  have  them,  when  tliu  data  tlicy  are  louDded  on,  are  so  uneertain  that  ve  nay  chiua 
•hero  at  suits  our  purpose. 

t  This  circumstance  vemdi  gradoany  to  lenen  the  Tarlety  oT  the  i 


;i72  ArrENDix. 

iKpiity  of  the  ecliptic,  wliich  seems  now  ineontcstiWe ; 
ill  Mliaicver  manner  we  divide  the  forces  producing  ioch  motion. 
iiiii'nigst  the  two  superior  planets  and  Venus,  or  cTcn  araoogt! 
:ill  of  ihciti.  And  I  should  suspect  the  further  diminution  rf 
(iliUquUy,  from  this  cause,  will  amount  to  nboui  one  degree  ind 
;ii.  iialf. 

Hut  as  Astronomy  now  stands,  it  seems  doubtful  whether  thb 
ilijjigc  is  owing  to  s  deviation  in  the  diumul  or  annual  motion 
ol  I  lie  earth;  which  introduces  a  very  disagreeahle  uncertain- 
ly  in  conclusions  drawn  from  some  nice  imd  useful  observa- 


Thc  Lunar  Astronomy  has  been  brought  so  mtich  nearer  to 
1> 'liicuon,  by  the  celebi-atrd  Maveb,'  than  could  have  been  cs- 
pi  ctcd,that  I  shall  mention  no  deficiency  initi  but  this.  We  do 
imi  certainly  know  whether  that  apparent  accelcnriton  of  ihw 
iiuiun'M  motion,  which  Mayer  with  other  great  Astronomers  haa 
iiihuitted,  ought  10  be  attribtited  lo  a  real  increwe  of  velocity  in 
the  ni.Km.orlt.  ;i.lii,.ii,u'.ionof  llic  n^rfh-s 'lliininl  mntion.  Iflo 
the  lt,i-]ii.-r.  lilt- ih'stnicli.in  ol  !lli^  litLumliiUn-il  sliipviido'is  f..- 
bric.  Ill  ..y  iVdiii  i!k-i.cc  lie  |n-c<lirlr(l  «ilh  iiioir  i-.n,iiiny  ihuii 
n.-iM  .■i,v'<KlK-r::p].c:,ruiiro  in  NiiUirc:  Bin  il'lo  tliu  l;.U<;r.  it  iii:.y 
b,   |..vuily  :,iK.u:^',fd  for,  by   Dr.    ilallcy''^  iiii;cnii>us  Iiypoihc^^ti 

CI) ;i;,;;   Liii-   oliin~i-   of  v.irialion   in   tlif    iniignetictil  needle. 

TliL-  Doctor  siipiWM-,  tin:  i>\tcin:il  crust  ',v  sbi-11  uf  tlic  carUi  to 
.■onl.a.i  ;i  imdciis  clit,:i,  jifd  from  it,  ;.nil  lliul  tlif  impulse  whicli 
fivM  i.,i:s(il  iliu  iliAini^l  n.cAiiJii,  v^is  ijviii  to  the  ixiunwl  pa;!*, 
;iiul  iioin  liu-iin-  iii  tiuu-  coniivniiiir;.'<:il  lo  l!ic  im-xnu!  nucleus, 
by  iiif.uis  c!  i,ii  iiiiericiiin;;  I'.uid  ;  but  not  bO  i^-.  ptriVct'.y  t^ 
'■([luil  the  »(l(Hi[y  of  llic  !,upcvfni:il  pL.^ts  of  llic  ijiobe.  Wlitr.iri 
i-  -Mil  foUov.  thai  thi'  .■Mcnuil  shell  of  ilie  curtli  is  >-.ill  comniu- 
iru-.:.iiii!;iiio;ioii  to tlie  iiiteiiiui  pLLrts, and  losins;  inolion  ilitifpro- 
poiiioiiubly.  The  ditirniil  motion  nuist  thcrrfure become  slower 
iiiid  slo'.ver,  III  c-.n  iiever  be  rttjrdn!,  iiv  ibis  cmisc, beyond  c-:  ■ 


APPENDIX.  673 

the  moon  always  turns  the  same  side  to  us  ?  or,  which  is  the 
same  thing,  How  comes  the  moon's  rotation  on  her  axis,  and  her 
monthly  revolution  about  the  earth,  to  be  performed  in  the  same 
time  ?  None  I  believe  will  suppose  it  to  be  accidental,  nor  will 
the  astronomer  be  easily  satisfied  with  a  final  cause.  Was  it 
not  originally  brought  about  by  a  natural  cause  which  still  sub- 
sists ?  Can  the  attraction  of  any  foreign  body  change  a  rotatory 
motion  into  a  libratory  one,  and  a  libratory  motion  into  rest,  in 
spaces  so  very  free  from  all  resistance  as  those  wherein  the 
planets  move  f  There  are  other  defects  in  Astronomy  that  are 
purely  optical.  Removing  of  those,  depends  on  the  further  im- 
provement of  telescopes,  or  rather  on  the  more  judicious  use  of 
them,  at  times  and  places  the  most  favourable. 

In  speaking  of  telescopic  discoveries  I  purposely  reserved 
those  made  on  Venus  for  this  place,  because  they  are  still  uncer- 
tain. Burratini  in  Poland  first  discovered  spots  in  Venus,  then 
Cassini  in  Italy  ;  and  afterwards  Bianchini  got  a  sight  of  them. 
But  from  all  their  observations  it  is  uncertain,  whether  Venus 
revolves  on  its  axis  once  in  23  hours,  or  once  in  24  days.  Per- 
haps it  does  neither.  Nor  is  their  determination  of  the  axis'  si- 
tuation much  more  satisfactory.  These  spots  on  Venus  are  not 
to  be  seen  but  through  an  excellent  telescope  and  a  pure  atmos- 
phere. 

In  the  year  1672  and  1676  Cassini  saw  a  small  star  near  Venus, 
which  he  thought  might  be  a  satellite  attending  on  her.  It  ap- 
peared to  have  the  same  phase  with  Venus.  In  1740  Mr  Short 
with  a  telescope  of  1 6  inches  saw  a  small  star  at  the  distance  of 
ten  minutes  from  Venus,  which  from  its  apparent  shape  he  like- 
wise thought  might  be  a  satellite.  And  in  1761  Mr.  MontaignCi 
in  France,  saw  what  he  took  to  be  the  satellite  of  Venus,  on  the 
3d,  4th,  7th  and  1 1th  of  May.*  But  whether  Venus  has  a  satel- 
lite or  not,  must  still  be  left  amongst  the  doubtful  things  of  As- 
tronomy. 

The  spots  on  the  sun,  and  those  on  the  surfaces  of  several 
planets,  have  been  many  years  observed  without  our  approach- 
ing any  nearer  towards  discovering  their  nature  and  cause.  Dr. 
Wilson  of  Glasgow,  has  lately  succeeded  in  advancing  one  step 


%lnnfAtut9mmmmM1ku4»tar,'mwmtk  i  !■■   ira»a>ifhtbe«a»lyBiiilrtimferilwnari 
panaTafCTalaciaaabaaCfbaplMKC.    TMi  I  mt^ttgd  f  Uf  hmm  ftm  aaw  wMi  the  i*awi 
•WrvstiaMorMooiaifar.    BocAeiiaMtart 


III  leostt  with  tcspeci  to  Uiosc  of  the  mn.    He  has  pror«d  (mn 

tilisL-ni^tiun  that  iliusv  apota  urc  vast  cavities,  who^  bottoms  lb 
l.ii  belgwtUe  general  surface  of  the  Bun,iuv<l  »ltoito  sloping  sidM 
lonii  the  border  which  wc  generally  sec  surrounding  them,  il 
1  should  venture  to  add  one  conjecture  of  luy  own,  to  those  «r 
tUis  ingenious  gcntlciTian>  I  would  suppose  ihai  U^o&e  prodigiotu 
( .ivitics  in  the  surface  of  the  sun,  some  of  ih<;m  capable  of  con- 
1  lining  tutLf  Dur  earth,  are  not  repeatedly  formed  by  unaccountable 
i.^lilosions  of  a  Bcmifluid  subslunce,  but  permitncitt  and  &olid, 
likr.  ihc  cavities  within  the  moon.  And  that  it  Is  the  dark  mav- 
itr  Kumetjmcs  lodging  in  them,  that  distinguishes  them,  and  b 
<'iily  accidental. 

The  diurnal  rotiilions  of  Saluni  and  Mei-cury  arc  yet  unkotnni ; 
tiui  when  furtlier  impioremciitH  shall  be  roadi-  in  tbc  art  of  usin)^ 
ii  luscopes.  this  circumstance  will  hardly  escape  the  Ttgiiance  of 
•i^ironomera. 

These  are  a  few  of  the  many  things  thaC  on  Mill  1^  to  (he      | 
iiiiluslry  of  the  inij^cnioua  in  this  science. 

IiL;i  il  M  lii|.li<r  aii.l  ii.on-  siil);iiiiL-  di  =  c«vrnui  air  in.-.  ic=vi -.- 
-■dlnrus  ill  ;,  liniii-.:  ibiil  iii'>rc  iK'ifLCt  stulc  ;  if  Astronoiiiy  Uull 
ai;.,iii  liiv.ik  ilii.M'  iiniii-,  Ili.il  ii'.v.-  .-.tcm  to  oiifmu  ii,  :uiil  cxp.v 
tiaic  fr<-.ly  in  iliv  supfnoi'  njcMul  fji-lds  ;  \y\y.\i  uuuziii.:,'  -li^- 
con  rits  ;ii.iy  1 1  t  lie-  ni.iik  ;iiiniii;;.-.l  iliu  fixed  bt.iri  :  That  !;r,ind 
pha:rir,i,uti',ii  liu-  Milky-W.iy  svvms  lo  tie  the  lIui-  llni-  v:\\\  ,»n 
dny  guiili;  lis,  Miliiiius  of  snuii  si  ns  compose  it,  and  niaiiv 
more  Uniiht  i.iich  lit- in  .mil  m^ir  I',  tji.\n  in  oil. cr  puns  of  licvcii. 
Is  not  this  ;i  slronp;  iicliraUoii  Ih.il  liii.i  usI^Miialiiiij;  sysu-m  ol 
voi'Ids  beyond  v.orlds    iimuinti^ililt,  is  imt  ;ilikc  i'L-;tcndtJ  CVC17 

Wiiy,  but  COIllilKd  bl'MVlCIl   two  pLirLlllcJ   plullCS.  of  ,J,,,,;rt/. .v.-.  :,'„':. 

llioii-li  not  .-Jh  -.  uxtmt  '.  Or  i-.i-ht-r,  is  iiol  th<!  Milky- ^V:vy  :, 
vt  in  ol  a  cloii'r  U-\Lnri-,  luniiiii:,;    through    tills   part  of  the  nu- 

Mncill  ;iiul  smail  by  -real,  M.-.tiriLd  :,[!bv,-„Li,.-c,,  sucii  .:s  ^y..^  diilyi 
liimdlc.  Imvi-  Ul-ci  Ib-.nghl  ronilK)s.  il  .j|  iiiipciU'trahli-  p:.vu'jcs 
in  ^cUl.d  conuar  r.„n  a;;.iin  il  h  .s  s -crnvd  nr.:rL,',..iy  10  snp. 
V0..1:  tliL-ni  M  u  iii^i..ui,.  IVcm    c.icli  oil;cr,   w\  l;cpt  \:\   \h.\v   i-c  - 

'.oUk-  >.\:-i.„{  ilu  1.  iiLirl.s  ilem-.'  some. '^i' I.  no  suLw  ri.^iso.i. 
iiiLvc  (■oiR-lndod  tliMi  iiu.'.i(.i'  con-.isis  of  imiivisible  points  ciuUicd 


APPENDIX.  075 

with  certaiD  powers.  Let  us  compare  these  smflller  portions  of 
it  with  that  great  aggregate  of  matter  which  is  the  object  of  As- 
tronomy ;  Light  will  then  appear  to  have  as  free  passage  through 
a  piece  of  glass,  as  the  comets  have  in  the  planetary  regions; 
and  several  other  new  considerations  will  arise. 

If  instead  o£  dfsctnding  we  a«r^;2c/ the  scale.  If  we  consider 
that  infinite  variety  which  obtains  in  those  parts  of  nature  with 
which  we  are  most  intimate  :  how  one  order  of  most  curiously 
organized  bodies,  infinitely  diversified  in  other  respects,  all  agree 
in  being  fixed  to  the  earth,  and  i*eceiving  nourishment  from 
thence  :  how  another  order  have  spontaneous  motion,  and  seek 
their  food  on  different  parts  of  the  earth,  whilst  by  gravity  they 
are  confined  to  its  surface,  but  in  other  respects  diversified  like 
the  former.  How  a  third  float  in,  and  below  the  surface  of,  a 
dense  fluid,  of  equal  weight  with  their  bodies,  which  would 
soon  prove  fatal  to  both  the  others :  And  a  fourth  consisting  of 
a  vast  variety  too,  have  this  property  in  common,  that  by  a  pecu- 
liar mechanism  of  their  bodies,  they  can  sour  to  great  heights 
above  the  earth,  and  quickly  transport  themselves  to  distant  re- 
gions in  a  fluid  so  rare  as  to  be  scarcely  sensible  to  us.  But 
not  to  pursue  this  boundless  subject  any  further,  I  say,  when  wo 
consider  this  great  variety  so  obvious  on  our  globe,  and  ever 
connected  by  some  d^ree  of  uniformity,  we  shall  find  sufficient 
reason  to  conclude,  that  the  visible  creation,  consisting  of  re- 
volving worlds  and  central  suns,  even  including  all  those  that 
arc  beyond  the  reach  of  human  eye  and  telescope,  is  but  an  in* 
considerable  part  of  the  whole.  Many  other  and  very  various 
orders  of  things  unknown  to,  and  inconceivable  by  us,  may,  and 
probably  do  exist,  in  the  unlimited  regions  of  space.  And  all 
yonder  stars  innumerable,  with  their  dependencies,  may  perhaps 
compose  but  the  leaf  of  a  flower  in  the  Creator's  garden,  or  a 
single  pillar  in  the  immense  building  of  the  Divine  Architect. 

Here  is  ample  provision  made  foi>  the  all-grasping  mind  of 
man  I  ^ ; 

If  it  shall  please  that  Almighty  Power  who  hath  placed  us  in 
a  world,  wherein  we  are  only  permitted  ^<  to  look  about  un  and  to 
die  ;'*  should  it  please  him  to  indulge  us  with  existence  through- 
out that  half  of  eternity  which  still  remains  unspent ;  and  to 
conduct  us  through  the  several  stages  of  his  works  ;  here  is  am- 
ple provision  made  for  employing  every  faculty  of  the  human 


r,-g  APPENDIX. 

mind,  c<cn  allowing  its  powers  to  be  con»tUiUy  enlarged  thruagH 
un  ciidleu  repetition  of  agca.  Let  us  not  complain  oT  Uie  TUUIf 
of  this  world,  that  there  is  nothing  in  It  capable  of  satisfying  ti> : 
h^ippy  in  those  wants,  bappy  in  tho»e  reillciiit  deurck.  forcTCf  b 
suLcession  to  be  gratified ;  happy  in  &  coaiinual  approftcb  to  the 
Uiiiy. 

t  must  confess  tbat  I  am  not  one  of  those  suutguiiic  apiritt 
Hhii  aecm  to  think,  that  when  the  withered  huid  of  death  halh 
ili;i\vn  up  the  curtain  of  cteraiiy.  almotl  all  diaituicc  brtveen  tbc 
trtature  and  creator,  between  finite  and  infinite)  will  be  uinihi- 
Liicd.  Every  enlargement  of  our  faculties,  every  new  happbets 
cuurerrcd upon  us,  cveiy  step  wc  advance  towards  the  pcrfcctiom 
ul  (he  divinity,  will  very  probably  render  ui  mara  and  more  ko- 
bililc  of  his  incxhaufltit>lc  stores  of  communicable  bliss,  tod  othis 
ii Inaccessible  perfections. 

Were  we  even  assui-cd  that  we  shall  perish  like  the  fiewcn 
or  the  gardni,  how  careful  would  a  wise  man  be  to  presem  a 
i^oni  conscience,  during  the  short  period  of  liia  existence;  I»- 

pride  ;uul  !;l'>iy,  and  ;ibsuluiily  iitctssiiiy  lo  liia  pii-si-m  hapjii- 
nc^s;  ln-<:ji!sc  tliis  would  iiisiiru  lu  Kiiii  at  the  apiH'Jiicli  of  ilcalh. 
tilt;  sootliiu;;  rcflL-ction,  liiat  lie  w.is  going  K)  restore,  jiuiv  anil 
uiicoiTiiiUcd,  that  i!lo]>  <jf  diiiniiy  witliio  lum,  tu  iIil'  origi\r,;i 
octaii  IViJJii  M  liuii'.c  it  nas  separalcil.  IIov.-  iiiutli  nvoiT  atixiouslj 
caiiliil  ou;;lit  v.i;  tii  he,  il"  «t  bilii.vc,  us  piAit-rruI  iiri;uint-iil- 
coiiijn;!  113  Lu  behcM:,  dint  a  CL-nJuti  in  this  liii;  depend iiiv^  o:i 
our  mm  clioicc,  uill  stamp  ou:'  clinractcrs  Tor  a:^cs  yet  to  conic- 
Wliu  i::iii  endure  the  thouglit  of  darkciii:),i^  his  taculiies  by  i;:i 
UDwoilby  jpplic^'.tiun  of  tluui  )ii:rc  on  eanli,  ami  dL-t;radirii;  iuni- 
scli  to  some  inlViior  rank  of  beiDj,  wlicrein  he  may  ini.l  bot!. 
his  power  iind  iiiclinaliun  to  obtain  wisdom  ;ind  exercise  i  ii  lue, 
exceedingly  diminished;  On  the  other  b.mii.  if  tli,\t  humble 
udtnii-ation  uiid  gratitude,  wliich  sotnelitncs  lises  in  our  niiniK 
when  vi:  contein])late  the  poiver,  ivisdoin  iind  goodness  of  ilic 
Deily,  lonslitules  by  far  the  most  sublimely  liappy  moments  (■! 
our  li\ts,  und  probably  M  iil  forever  coiiliiiue  to  do  =0,  iherf  can- 
nol  be  J  stronger  incitemeiil  10  thj  f  xercise  of  virtue  and  a  r,i 
liojiul  iiiiployiTier.t  of  those  talents  we  are  enfusted  with,  tiian 
10  coiisider  lliat  by  these  means  ivc  -JiM  in  a  lew  years  be  pro 
laoted  to  ;i  more  e.\i.ltcd  rujik  amongst  the  creatures  of  God,  hav. 


APPENDIX.  377 

our  understandings  greatly  enlarged,  be  enabled  to  follow  truth 
in  all  her  labyrinths  with  a  higher  relish  and  more  facility,  and 
thus  lay  the  foundation  of  an  eternal  improvement  in  knowledge 
and  happiness. 


[translated  from  the  latin  original.J 
To  the  illustrious  and  celebrated  Society  0/ Sciences f  at  Fhiladelfihift^ 

Christian  Mater,  Astronomer  to  the  most  serene  Princei 
the  Elector  Palatine,  wisheth  prosperity. 

I  have  concluded  on  due  reflection,  that  the  opportunity  of 
writing,  afforded  me  by  the  eminent  IVlr.  Ferdinando  Farmer^ 
ought  the  less  to  be  neglected,  as  by  this  means  I  might  make 
some  small  return  for  the  honour  which  the  illustrious  Society 
conferred  on  me,  when  they  enrolled  me  in  the  list  of  their 
members. 

I  learnt  with  great  pleasure,  by  a  work  printed  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  transmitted  to  me  about  three  years  since,  that  even 
there  Astronomy  is  cultivated.  That  book,  together  with  my 
own  astronomical  papers,  having  been  destroyed  by  an  unfortu- 
nate fire  about  two  v^s  ago,  I  have  been  induced  to  address 
something  to  your  mustrious  Society,  concerning  some  of  my 
new  discoveries  in  the  heavens. 

I  occupy  a  new  Observatory  at  Manheim,  accommodated  to 
all  astronomical  purposes :  nor  is  it  deficient  in  any  of  the  most 
valuable  London-made  instruments.  Among  these,  the  one 
which  principally  excels,  is  a  mural  quadrant  of  brass,  of  eight 
feet  radius,  made  by  that  celebrated  artist  Bird,  in  the  year  1776; 
fitted  with  an  achromatic  telescope,  and  firmly  afH\ed  to  a  wall> 
in  the  meridian ;  which  I  use  daily,  when  the  weather  permits. 
I  observed,  nearly  two  years  since,  that,  among  the  fixed  stars, 
many  of  them  from  the  first  to  the  sixth  degree  of  magnitude, 
other  small  attendant  stars  (or  .satellites)  were  distinguishable : 
some  of  which,  by  reason  of  their  steady  and  dim  light,  rcscmblo 
an  order  of  planets,  while  others  do  not  exceed  the  smallncss  of 
the  telescopic  size.  The  circumstance  which  principally  ex- 
cited my  surprize,  is,  that  I  found  none  of  those  little  attendant 
stars,  a  very  few  only  excepted,  contained  in  any  known  cata- 


ii*8  Al-PKNUIX. 

loi;uc  i  aUiaugh  I  could  ctcarljr  dUcovcr  ttiat  their  uw,  far  Uir 
[iiujiosc  of  determining  the  proper  motion  of  the  fixetl  ttan,  a 
\  ny  obtiouP't'oi-  where  the  difference  of  right  aaccnwiB  nnd 
drclinBtion,  of  a  few  seconds  at  moU,  is  found  between  the 
blighter  fixed  star  mid  its  altcndonti  the  lapse  of  titne  could 
ii.urceljr  giro  aiiy  other  variation  to  the  fixed  slar,thui  to  iuta- 
ti'llito:  from  what  caubc  soever  that  variatton  n»r  arise,  mbo- 
ilicr  from  the  precession  of  till!  ctiuinoxcs,  the  mriotioa  in  the 
oKliquitjr  of  the  ecliptic,  the  dcviution  of  Uic  instrumcnuor  from 
tlic  aberration  of  light  or  the  nutalioo,  or  from  any  other  cautc 
u  liLitCTcri  which  ma;  depend  on  the  mutable  state  of  the  txmo- 
s|>bcre  or  the  latitude  of  places,  the  lact  is  cvidcnti  that  tvttj 
•  liiingB  of  situation,  ob&ervcd.  between  tlic  fixed  star  «nd  its  »a- 
ullitc,  affords  tho  nuMt  ccrluin  proof  of  its  actua]  motioDi  whc- 
ihii'  this  be  referred  to  the  fixed  star  or  its  aatollite. 

I  knew  that  Ualley.  the  celebrated  English  aslroiKwucr,  was 
:iic  first,  who,  in  the  year  1719,  from  an  actual  comparison  of 
t'lamstead's  observations  with  those  of  Ptolemy,  respecting  some 
U.W  Tixetl  stars,  SyriiiR,  ArcUirus.aiid  Aklc!>ii-aii,  discoverer]  tha' 
iIrsc  sli.r<i  moved,  wiih  a  ni.nioii  jKCiiliiLr  tothcmschcs:  Bui  1 
knew  at  tlie  sann;  time,  lluit  in  riamsltad's  Reiiisli  Cflestial 
llisioiy,  so  long  iigi.  ;is  ilic  yvM  ir.90,  the  name  of  aiicnd;iin  (•■■: 
.al.aiiU')  was  asstin.ed  l.y  I'l.Liiisleud;  Miw.u  tbiU  ^'fcnl  man  \i.<i 
•nil  even  llioii;-;lit  ol'  llic  iirii[>Li-  nintion  of  thf  t'i\cd  sLi;'>. 

Oilici' a^iruiioni.rs,  siiicf  Uic;  lime  ol'  llullcv,  so  far  as  Viu  > 
1  ;;jiirmid  llie  j)i'u[)ei-  nicjiioii  ul"  llic  fiKtil  stars,  liavc  follows 
U;e  I  liilUi.ui  mcUiid,  lii  a  cdniparisnii  of  llieir  own  oiiservaUO:!- 
ivilli  iliDse  of  tliu  ancients.     Tbis  nieihod  requires  long  and  1.. 


■  '{  llic  lii-trtniLt 
I,  is  nut  llic  cas 

.if  the  varialio 
;r  liscd  star,  ii 
,  ciilur  of  the  t 
■ii,-e  i;  is.  tiiat, 

two  hundred  . 
in  lUu  same  p., 
-iv-c  fixed  suirs: 


i;'.y. 


s  of  ill, 


of  the 

m^ofih<-an< 


y  before   o 
lUiiii-ated  li 


APPENDIX.  379 

Maskelyne,  who  assures  me  they  prove  highly  acceptable  to 
him. 

From  amongst  many  of  my  observations,  I  transmit  to  your 
illustrious  society  a  few,  by  way  of  specimen  ;  the  correspond- 
ing observations  to  which,  I  find  in  the  Britannic  Celestial  His- 
tory  of  Flamstead ;  whence  at  the  same  time  it  is  obvious,  that 
observations  of  this  kind  are  eminently  useful,  for  the  purpose 
of  discovering  the  proper  motion  of  such  stars. 

[The  Table,  containing  the  Observations  here  referred  to,  will 
be  found  in  the  second  volume  of  the  Society's  Transactions, 
annexed  to  Mr.  Mayer's  communication:  he  then  proceeds 
thus,  referring  to  that  Table.] 

The  first  and  second  left-hand  column  of  the  following  Table 
are  easily  understood,  from  the  title.  The  third  column  shews 
the  difference  of  right  ascension,  in  mean  time,  between  the  star 
and  its  satellite :  The  attendant,  preceding  the  fixed  star,  is  set 
down  in  the  first  place,  in  the  table  ;  the  attendant,  following,  is 
placed  after  its  fixed  star.  The  fourth  column  notes  the  differ- 
ence between  the  fixed  star  and  its  attendant,  as  I  have  observed 
it  at  Manheim.  The  letter  A  denotes,  that  the  attendant  is  to 
the  southward ;  letter  B  more  northward.  The  following  co- 
lumns contain  the  observations  of  the  same  star,  made  by  Flam- 
stead. 

It  appears  from  tM^wholc  of  the  observations,  that,  of  all  the 
stars,  Arcturus  is  cai*ried  with  the  greatest  celerity,  by  his  own 
motion,  westward;  since  the  same  attendant,  which  in  Flamstead's 
time, on  the  14th  of  February,  1 690,  preceded  Arcturus  S"  in  time, 
now  enters  the  meridian  6^^  after  him.  From  the  diminished  dif- 
ference also,  of  declination  between  Arcturus  and  his  attendant, 
it  is  evident,  that  Arcturus  progresses  annually,  by  his  own  ap- 
propriate motion,  nearly  2"  in  a  circular  course,  towards  the 
south.  From  this  it  clearly  results,  that  the  declination  of  the 
attendant,  as  observed  by  me,  reduced  to  the  parallel  of  Green-* 
wich,  produces  the  same  altitude  of  the  Greenwich  pole,  as  that 
deduced  from  Flamstead's  observation ;  but  not  so,  the  decliiui» 
tion  of  Arcturus,  observed  at  the  present  day,  even  with  the 
aberration  and  nutation  corrected. 

A  similar  investigation  may  be  made,  with  respect  to  the 
other  fixed  stars  and  their  attendants ;  and,  from  the  comparison 
already  begun  with  other  fixed  stars,  it  maybe ascertauicd  whe- 


tSU  AWESDIX 

lici   an  appropriuu  nouon  is  to  be  ftttribnicd  to  tlio  &xed  uir 
•V  its  alteudiUlt,  or  to  both. 

All  my  obBervaiioiiB  are  made  in  at  meridieoal  plane  with  ■ 
niiral  quwlrant,  ut  Manhcim,  in  hia  S«i«ne  Highneu  the  ElM* 
or  I'utalinc's  new  Observatory,  creeled  for  me  :  iu  longHude^ 
B.L^^t  from  Greenwich,  i»  nearly  3V  6",  in  Umc  ;  it»  liititude, 
u»rly  49"  37'  50". 

It  will  give  me  very  grcst  plcasitre,  if  1  ahull  l0»m  thai  these 
jb^crvatioDsof  mine  do  not  prove  unacceptable  to  ytitir  Jllus- 
ii'ious  society  :  to  whoab  goodncis  1  most  respectfully  ctKntnend 
myself;  being  ever  the  very  dcTolcd  admirer  and  huiaUc  6c»- 
viiiil  of  your  iUu»trioUii  and  celebrnted  Society. 

Chkibti&k  Mavck, 
Aaironomcr  to  his  Serene  Highnens  the  Elector 
Palatine  and  Duke  of  Bsvuiii- 
M.iiihrim,  tn  Germany,  jt/irii  i4,  1773. 


Sir, 


riiUadc'.lih 


,    .luff,,, 


20.'/i. 


I  am  (lirccltil  lij-  ihc  I'liilosaphical  Society  to  al:know■lc^ll^^; 
your  ktlCL-  of  tlit  :4tli  of  Apfil,  177H,  and  lo  return  you  thcli 
thanks  for  comniiiiiicating  the  Observations  it  contains,  wishin;; 
j'ou  success  in  fiinlicr  prosecuting  so  curious  a  Discoverv- 
Thcy  likewise  cmbrucc  this  occasion  to  replace  the  volume  of 
their  Trafisaciions  Mhirh  shared  the  late  of  youi'  more  valuable 
papers. 

This  country  having  hcin  tlit-  i.iat  of  war,  our  meetings  liave 
been  interriij>ti-d  for  two  years  past,  and  tlic  pnlilicallon  of  ;; 
second  volume  thereby  prcitntcd;  but  as  tlie  Society  is  again 
revived,  and  wc  have  materials  for  the  purpose,  it  will  not  bu 
much  longer  delayed. 

You  will  please  to  accept,  by  this  conveyance,  a  discourse  de- 
livered some  years  ago  before  llic  Philosophical  Society,  which 
I  the  father  present  you  villi,  because  I,  therein,  gave  my  opi- 
nion that  the  fixed  stars  afiorded  the  most  spacious  field  for  the 
industry  of  future  AKtroiwniers,  ;;iid   tspr'^ssei!  my  hopes  th,'' 


APPENDIX.  681 

the  noblest  mysteries  would  sometime  be  unfolded  in  those  im« 
mensely  distant  regions.*  Your  excellent  discovery  has  proved 
that  passage  to  be  well  founded,  and  I  shall  be  happy  in  hearing 
£u*ther  from  you  on  this  subject.  It  is  unnecessary  for  me  to 
suggest  to  you  a  comparison  between  the  many  Observations 
you  have  made,  in  order  to  determine  whether  the  several 
clianges  observed  will  agree  with  any  imagined  motion  of  our 
system.  Those  you  have  communicated  seem  to  favour  such  a 
supposition.  I  am,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and  humble  ser- 
vant. 

David  Rittenhouse,  Vicc'PrcMcnt, 


Some  Remarka  of  Mr.  RUtcnhousCy  on  the  famoua  Problem  of 

Archimede8*\ 

To  the  Printers  of  the  Pennsylvania  Gazette. 

Philadelphia^  Oct.  Sth.  1767. 
Gentlemen, 

In  your  paper.  No.  2017,  an  ingenious  gentleman  who  signs 
himself  T.  T.  has  favoured  the  public  with  remarks  upon 
that  celebrated  saying  of  the  famous  Syracusean  geometrician : 
^<  Give  me  a  place  to  stand  on,  and  I  will  move  the  Earth.'* 
When  these  remarks  appeared,  I  was  engaged  in  matters  that 
would  not  allow  me  to  pay  that  attention  to  them,  which  they 
deserved.  The  justice,  however,  due  to  Archimedes,  and  the 
respect  I  bear  for  that  truly  great  man's  memory,  oblige  me 
now  (though  late)  to  offer  my  sentiments  upon  this  interesting 
subject. 

I  readily  agree  with  your  sensible  correspondent,  as  to  the 
conclusion  he  has  drawn  from  the  principles  whereon  he  seems 
to  have  founded  his  calculation,  without  being  at  the  trouble  to 
examine  his  numbers.  All  that  I  propose  is,  to  place  this 
grand  mechanical  problem  in  another  light,  wherein  it  will  ap- 
pear more  feasible. 

If  a  ball  of  earth,  weighing  200  pounds,  were  left  at  liberty 

near  the  surface  of  this  globe,  it  would  descend,  by  its  own  gra- 
vity, about  15  feet  in  one  second  of  time,  and  about  20  miles  in 
80  seconds:  And  if,  as  this  gentleman  supposes,  there  are 
about  3000  trillions  of  such  balls  in  the  whole  Earth.— the  Earth, 


*  Sre  page  3iO  of  the  foregoing  Memoin. 
t  Sec  page  15 1  of  the  forcgoiog  MesDoki. 


S8S  APPENDIX. 

by  their  mutual  attractions,  in  80  seconds  of  time,  will  more 
toward  the  ball  ,,3,,,,,,,^,^  of  an  inch;  and  if  the  same  force 
were  to  act  continually  for  105  years,  it  would  move  about  one 
inch.  Therefore,  the  force  wherewith  a  man  acts,  when  he 
lifts  a  weight  of  200  pounds,  if  applied  without  intermission  for 
the  space  of  105  years,  is  sufficient,  without  any  machinery,  to 
move  the  Earth  one  inch  in  that  time  ;*  and  it  must,  from  the 
velocity  received  by  that  force  alone,  continue  for  ever  after  to 
move  at  the  rate  of  one  inch  in  «bout  50  years. 

A  Mecbakic. 


Letter  from  Mr,  Rittenhouac^  to  the  Rev.  Mr,  Barton, 

JVorritony  July  20M.  1768. 

Dear  Brother, 

In  Hall  and  Sellers'  paper  of  last  Thursday,  we  have  some 
curious  remarks  on  an  Essay  for  finding  the  Longitude,  lately 
published  in  the  Pennsylvania  Chronicle,  and  which  I  had  before 
seen  in  the  London  papers. 

The  first  remark  is  no  doubt  just,  and  is  perhaps  the  only  one 
made,  which  Mr.  Wood's  essay  gave  just  occasion  for ;  how  ho 
could  commit  such  a  mistake,  is  not  easy  to  conceive.  But  the 
remarker  immediately  charges  him  with  another :  for  he  tells  us, 
that  he  (Mr.  Wood  I  suppose)  says,  that  Mr.  Harrison's  Ma- 
chines were  finished  about  Christmas  1765  ;  whereas  his  father 
(whether  Wood's  father  or  Harrison's,  is  not  clear,)  miade  three, 
which  the  remarker  saw  in  motion  about  1 8  years  since.  He 
then  proceeds  to  assure  us,  (by  the  spirit  of  prophecy  I  presuipc, 
at  least  I  cannot  conceive  how  he  could  come  by  this  piece  of 
knowledge  in  a  natural  way,)  that  neither  the  father  or  his  son 
will  ever  be  able  to  finish  their  machines. 

A  machine,  says  the  remarker,  to  measure  the  mean  motion, 
will  be  far  preferable  to  any  other  method  yet  proposed ;  and  im- 
mediately afterwards  he  confesses,  he  cannot  conceive  tliat  a 
true  meridian  can  be  found  at  sea,  to  several  minutes.  Now 
this  "  uncertain  error"  must  certainly  afi*ect  any  other  machine 
for  that  purpose,  as  well  as  Wood's  Sand-Glass,  and  exceed 
the  error  occasioned  by  turning  the  glass  somewhat  quicker  at 

*  Mr.  T.  T.  proceeding^  on  a  different  tuppoiiuon,  hit  computed  twenty-seren  tfllioni  of  yetn 
aecesstry  fox  Uiat  purpose. 


APPENDIX.  583 

one  time  than  another.  Besides,  it  would  not  be  easy  to  shew> 
vrhy  a  machine  to  measure  the  Earth's  mean  motion  on  its  axis, 
with  respect  to  the  Sun,  will  be  preferable  to  one  that  will  mea- 
sure the  ELarth's  true  motion  on  its  axis,  with  respect  to  the  fix- 
ed Stars. 

I  would  not  be  thought  to  recommend  Wood's  project.  He 
himself  takes  notice  of  two  disadvantages  attending  it,  viz.  the 
wearing  of  the  orifice  through  which  the  sand  passes,  and  the 
sand  itself  becoming  polished  in  time,  so  as  to  run  more  freely ; 
to  which  if  we  add,  that  perhaps  it  may  be  greatly  affected  by 
heat  and  cold,  there  seems  to  be  but  little  probability  of  its  use- 
fulness. Nor  do  I  see  how  it  can  even  have  the  merit  of  being 
new :  for  the  scheme  itself,  with  all  the  remarker's  objections 
that  have  any  weight  in  them,  must  readily  occur  to  every  per- 
son that  thinks  at  all  on  the  subject.  I  shall  only  observe,  that  it 
appears  doubtful  to  me,  whether  the  remarker  does  not  equally 
deserve  the  censure  he  so  freely  bestows  on  Mr.  Woods— <<  His 
works  are  full  of  errors,  and  his  writings  of  contradictions.'* 

I  remain  your  affectionate  brother. 

David  Rittenhouse. 


Dr.  Rittcnhouse*8  Chronometer. 

The  construction  of  this  Time«piece  is  thus  described  by  Mr. 
Henry  Voight,  chief  coiner  in  the  Mint,  heretofore  an  eminent 
clock  and  watch  maker  in  Philadelphia ;  an  artist  of  great  inge- 
nuity, and  well  known  for  the  excellence  of  his  workmanship. 
The  description  is  given  in  Mr.  Voight's  own  words. 

<^  The  Clock  which  Dr.  Rittenhouse  made  use  of  in  his  Ob- 
servatory was  a  construction  of  his  own.  It  had  but  three  wheels 
in  its  movement,  of  high  numbers.  Only  one  pinion,  without  a 
wheel,  driven  by  the  main  wheel ;  whose  axis  goes  through  the 
front  plate,  that  carried  the  dial-work ;  and  thb  wheel*  has  a  per- 
petual rochet.f  The  seconds  are  eccentric,  as  in  the  conmion 
clocks. 

•  **  Ttie  main-whc^l,  which  it  fixed  on  the  faarrel  on  which  the  cmtpjt  n.ns."    Mr.  Vrighe. 
t  *'  A  perpetual  rochet  it  a  spring  l}'ing  between  the  niainwhc«l,  and  a  plate  which  '» to  high 
ill  diameter  at  to  be  nearly  of  a  hi-isht  with  the  bottom  of  the  main  wheel  teeth,  and  if  cut  i^illi 


684*  APPENDIX. 

^  <<  The  pallet-wheel  moves  outside  of  the  back-plate,  and  the 
pallets  are  fastened  to  the  rod  of  the  pendalnm,  which  has  dou- 
ble suspending  springs  fixed  in  a  cross-bar,  to  which  the  rod  is 
rivetted  in  the  middle.  These  springs  are  suspended  as  in  com- 
mon ;  but  they  are  not  so  long  as  in  general,  and  have  only  one- 
and-an-half  inch  free  action,  which  keeps  the  pendulum  very 
steady  in  its  vibrations. 

<<  On  the  rod  of  the  pendulum  there  is  fixed  a  glass  tube,  of 
the  thickness  of  a  strong  thermometer-tube,  and  is  in  the  whole 
as  long  as  the  rod :  but  it  is  bent,  about  one-third  upwards ;  like 
a  barometer,  but  longer ;  and  upon  that  end,  on  the  top,  the  tube 
is  as  wide  agun  as  it  is  below,  for  about  one-and-an  half  inch  in 
length :  the  other  two-thirds  of  the  length  is  filled  with  si»rits 
of  wine ;  and  at  this  end,  the  tube  is  hermetically  sealed.  The 
shorter  part  is  filled  with  mercury,  so  high  as  to  fill  the  widest 
part  of  it,  about  half  an  inch^  and  is  not  sealed  but  remains  open. 
The  bend  is  close  together,  and  there  is  no  more  space  between 
the  tubes  than  three-eighths  of  an  inch. 

<<  This  tube  is  fastened  to  the  pendulum-rod  with  common 
sewing-thread,  and  rests  upon  two  pins  fixed  in  the  bob  of  the 
pendulum,  as  high  up  as  possible.  The  bob  has  no  slide,  but  is 
immoveable ;  and  the  regulation  of  the  pendulum  is  performed 
by  adding  to,  or  diminishing  the  mercury,  in  the  part  where  the 
tube  is  widest." 


fine  teeth  «n  roand,  in  the  shape  of  ft  Sue  nw.  A  click  on  an  nut  bfiscd  lulwteii  the  tvo 
flrame-plafes,  with  a  weak  ipring  that  forces  thii  click  into  the  fine  nwteeth,  which  kee^  tbe 
plate  fhnn  moving  backwardi  when  the  dock  it  wincltng  up.  This  fine  ^odle^«H»eel  if  fixed  on 
the  barrel'arboiir  or  axii,  the  wme  as  the  main>whreL  The  baivil-rochet  eomei  doie  mgtrn^ 
the  plate  of  the  fine  rochet,  which  has  a  click  screwed  on  the  fhiot,  corresponding  with  the  taar> 
rrl-rochet,  and  a  spring  abore  that  rochet*s  click*  which  forces  that  cli&  into  the  barrdrachet^s 
teeth :  it  is  thb  that  makes  the  clatteriog  noise,  whieh  is  heard  when  a  dock  it  winding  np :  There 
is  a  middling  strong  spring  placed  between  two  arms  of  the  cross  of  the  main- wheel,  bent  fike  the 
•pace  of  the  two  arms  between  ithich  it  acts ;  and  this  spring  b  as  btoad  at  the  thidoM  sa  of  the 
erots^rms.  One  end  of  that  sprhig  b  (kstened  to  the  innde  of  the  fine  roche^pl«te :  the  other  aid 
lies  on  the  other  croaa-arm,  and  acts  on  ^t  Eke  a  gim-lork  mainspiing  on  tbe  cock-tmnbler. 
Whf^n  the  clock  or  time  b  set  a  going,  and  the  maintaming  power  or  weight  of  the  fvsee  or  har> 
rrl,  thb  power  will  mbe  that  spring  so  far  as  to  resist  the  maintahiing  power,  and  beeomet  tOh 
tiomry  as  long  as  the  time>pieee  b  going ;  and  when  it  b  woand  iip^  thb  apring  in  thn  nain* 
wheel  cross  will  expand  itself,  pren  on  the  rrotsHirra,  and  force  that  wheel  forward,  with  nearly 
the  same  power  at  the  nuiintahung  power  woold  gtre:  the  click  fbr  the  flne-teethed  mchet  fiilU 
into  one  of  those  fine  teeth,  and  keeps  that  rodiet  steady,  withont  baring  the  least  oMCion,  as 
long  as  the  winding  np  of  the  clock  continnet;  and  by  ibis  means  a  time>piecc  can  loac  no  time 
in  winding  up:  hence  it  b  called  a  perpetual  rochet ;  which  requires  the  most  accurate 
(hip,  in  its  comtruciion.'*  Mr,  Voigkt, 


In  addltkMl  to  the  foregoing  description  of  the  mechanism  of 
this  Tirae-piece,  obiigingly  furnished  to  the  Writer  of  thest 
Memoirs  bf  Mr.  Voight,  he  has  been  likewise  favoured  by  Ro« 
bett  Patterson^  Esq.  director  of  the  mint,  with  the  following 
mccount  of  the  same  extremely  accurate  instrument,  which  wlil 
greatly  assist  the  reader  in  understanding  the  principles  on 
which  it  is  constructed. 

^  In  the  Astronomical  Clock  made  by  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  and 
how  in  the  Hail  of  the  Philosophical  Society,  I  do  not  know,'* 
•ays  Mr.  Patterson,  ^  that  there  is  any  thing  peculiar,  which  re^ 
quires  mentioning,  except  the  pendulum ;  especially  the  appa- 
ratus for  counteracting  the  effects  of  change  of  temperature. 

M  For  this  purpose,  there  is  fastened  on  the  pendulum-rod 
(which  IS  of  iron  or  steel)  a  glass  tube  of  about  thirty -six  inches 
long ;  bent  in  the  middle  into  two  parallel  branches,  at  the  dia* 
tance  of  about  an  inch  from  each  other ;  the  bend  being  placed 
downwards,  immediately  above  the  bob  of  the  pendulum.  Tho 
tube  b  open  at  one  end,  and  close  at  the  other :  the  arm  which 
is  close  at  top  is  filled,  within  about  two  inches  of  the  lower  end 
or  bend,  with  alcohol,  and  the  rest  of  the  tube,  within  about  oiM 
half  of  an  inch  of  the  upper  extremity  or  open  end,  with  mer- 
cury ;  a  few  inches  of  the  tube,  at  this  extremity,  being  about 
twice  the  width  of  the  rest  of  the  tube* 

^<  Now,  when  the  heat  of  the  air  encreases,  it  will  expand  the 
pendulum-rod ;  and  would  thus  lower  the  centre  of  oscillationt 
and  cause  the  clock  to  go  slower :  but  this  effect  is  completely 
counteracted,  by  the  expansion  of  the  alcohol  chiefly,  and  of  the 
mercury  in  part;  which  equally  raises  the  centre  of  oscillation  j 
and  thus  preserves  an  equable  motion  in  all  the  variable  tempo* 
ratures  of  the  atmosphere.'* 


DeicH/ition  qfan  Hygrometer  ;  Jirat  contrived  and  u$ed  by  Df* 

Rittenhou4€^  about  the  year  1782.* 

The  essential  part  of  this  Hygrometer  consists  of  two  very 
thin  strips  of  wood,  about  a  foot  long  and  half  an  inch  broad, 


•  This  dc»eri|rtion  ii  drawo  ap  from  two  ie{Mirate  accounts  of  the  inftrament,  vUh 

the  Writer  of  these  Meoiulrs  was  ohii};(n|rly  AjruUheJ,  in  uriiuis,  by  Kobm  Pftltcnoa  and  |1« 
\ktt  Dtvid  Ritu-nhouse  Wiiten,  Esquiru,  of  PhiUdriphm.  Mr.  FMtrrsoo  nwmioQt,  that  k«. 
recollects  his  havios  x^n  the  Hygrometer  lo  described,  in  Dr.  Rittcnhoinc**  Ohmtatmy,  ahftt 
thirty  ft*B  »B0. 

4  E 


686  i^PPENDIX. 

glued  together,  in  such  a  manner  that  the  grain  or  fibres  of  th& 
one  shall  be  at  right  angles  with  the  other ;  so  that  when  this 
compound  strip  was  placed  in  erect  position,  the  grain  of  one 
of  the  piec  es  of  wood  would  have  a  vertical,  and  that  of  the  other 
an  horizoiJtal  position.  One  end  of  this  simply  omstructed  in* 
Btrumeut  is  to  be  made  fast  to  a  wall,  or  plane  board,  with  the 
edge  outward,  and  the  other  end  is  to  be  at  liberty  to  move. 

I'hen,  as  moisture  has  little  or  no  effect  on  the  length  of  a 
piece  of  wood,  or  in  the  direction  of  its  fibres,  but  a  very  sensi- 
ble one  on  its  breadth,  or  transverse  direction,  especially  when 
thin,  it  follows,  that  on  any  increase  of  moisture  in  the  air,  this 
Hygrometer  becomes  bent  into-  a  curve,  convex  on  the  ude  of 
the  transverse  fibres ;  and  vice  versd.  The  degrees,  from  the 
greatest  dryness  to  the  greatest  moisture,  arc  to  be  marked  on  a 
curve  drawn  on  the  board  or  wall,  described  by  the  motion  of  the 
free  end  of  the  Hygrometer ;  and  an  index,  attached  to  the  mov- 
ing end  of  it,  will  point  out,  on  this  graduated  arch,  the  existing 
state  of  the  atmosphere  at  the  moment,  in  relation  to  its  condi* 
lion  of  moisture  or  dryness:  The  relative  degree  of  either,  on 
the  smallest  change  from  the  one  to  the  other,  will  be  indicated 
with  much  precision  ;  and,  probably,  with  much  more  uniformity 
and  truth,  in  the  results  of  long-continued  observations,  than  can 
be  attained  to  by  the  use  of  Hygrometers  constructed  of  metalv 
or  any  other  substance  than  wood**' 


•  Tbe  second  Tolame  oT  the  TnoMetioM4f  tlK  Araerkam  PfetoBpfaieal  Bociet; 
letter,  writurD  on  the  13th  of  November,  1780,  hy  Dr.  BciyAinio  FnuJcfin,  ihcA  in  Tnmttt  <■> 
Mr.  Naime,  of  London  :  but  it  was  nut  communicatrd  to  the  Sodety,  untilJannary,  178ft» 

In  that  letter.  Dr.  Franklin  raggeati  t«  Mr.  Nairae  (an  emine«n|itieiu,  mmI  MMlheHatifli 
inttrument  rasiker,}  thp  idea  of  im  Hygro.neter  mad-  of  wood ;  in  prderenee  to  metalKiie  kh 
•triiment$.  for  the  purpote  of  dit cbVering  !*  the  different  degrees  of  humiditj  in  the  air  «f  dHb> 
rent  countriet  ;**— an  idea  which  oceurred  to  the  Doctor,  in  ctMueqneBea  of  n 
'stance,  memioned  in  his  letter. 

Dr.  Franklin  suppowd  **  a  q^iek  sensibility  of  the  iiutromentt  to  he  rather  a 
to  it:  '*  since,**  sayi  he,  **  to  diaw  the  desired  conclusions  from  it,  a  constant  and  ficqncnt 
Tationday  and  nighi,  in  each  countiy— when  the  design  is,  to  discover  the  different  degrees  of 
humidity  in  the  air  of  difTerent  countries— will  he  necessary  for  a  year  or  yean,  and  the  mean  af 
each  different  set  of  observations  is  to  be  fbiind  and  determined."—**  For  iheae  reaion^^  aon* 
tmues  the  l!K)etor,  **  I  apprehv  nd  that  a  subttance  which,  though  capable  of  being  distended' by 
ttioiiture  and  cofiiracted  by  dryneas.  it  so  dow  in  neeeiviag  and  parting  with  its  humidicy  that 
the  frequent  changes  in  the  atmosphere  affect  it  sensibly,  and  whteh  therefore  shouhl,  gmdnally, 
tike  nearly  the  medium  of  all  those  changes  and  preserve  it  eonstantly,  wooU  he  the  most  pro- 
per subsunee,  of  which  to  make  an  Hyg^roroeter:**— -and  he  believes  ^psstf  moAafnny  waotf  to  ht 
that  substance.  Ii.  the  conaluding  part  of  this  letter.  I>r.  Franldin  sUp  to  Ks  concspondent : 
**  I  would  beg  leave  to  recommend  to  you— thar  you  wouM  taken  number  of  pieces  ofthta  doaeat 
itod  finest  grained  mahogany  that  3rou  can  meet  with ;  phme  them  to  the  thiuBess  of  nbont  a 
ll^  and  the  width  of  abont  two  inehn  across  the  grain,  and  fix  each  of  the  pieaet  io  soase  Ibp 
Hwuumt  Ukatynt|cnetniiive,Lwhidiwi8pen8itthciatocoiitiictaiNldUaii^nidirilabc^ 


APPBHDIX.  06^ 

Mtronomkal  ObBervatwnaymade  in  the  yeara  1776)  1777  and  17/8, 
at  PhUadelfifmi  by  thh  Rev.  Dr.  IV,  SmUhj  and  David  fxitten- 
houtCy  John  Lukensj  and  Owen  Biddle^  EaquireB  :  coftied  from  « 
manuscr^t  account  of  tho$e  Ob8ervation9f  drawn  ufi  by  Dr. 
Smiths  never  before  fiubllMhed. 

ASTaONOHICAL  OBSBRYATIONS)  1776. 

This  year  exhibiting  little  else  but  scenes  of  confusion  and 
distress  amidst  the  calamities  of  an  unhappy  war>  scarce  any  at- 
tention was  paid)  by  the  members  of  the  American  Philosophical 
Society,  to  astronomical  or  any  other  literary  subjects.  It  was 
agreed,  however,  by  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Mr.  Lukcns  and  myself^ 
to  look  out  whether  Mercury  would  touch  the  Sun's  disc  the  2d 
of  November  this  year ;  as  a  very  small  difference  of  latitude 
from  what  the  Tables  give,  would  have  carried  the  planet  clear 
of  the  Sun :  but,  from  our  observation  of  the  transit  of  this  pla* 
net,  in  1769,  we  had  reason  to  expect  it  would  pass  further  on 
the  Sun,  than  Halley's  Catalogue  gives  it. 

The  following  were  the  observations  made,  viz. 

Nov.  2d,  1776.  I  got  re^dy  the  two  f  reflector  with  the  largest 
objeqt-glass,  and  shortest  eye- tube,  magnifying  about  95  times. 

At  A,^  per  clock — No  appearance  of  the  planet  on  the  Sun,  and 
did  not  expect  it  until  about  half  an  hour  past  4 ;  but  as  Mr. 
Lukens  and  Mr.  Rittenhouse  had  not  yet  come  to  me  in  the  col- 
lege, I  sent  to  hasten  them. 

At  4^  5'  per  clock— -took  my  eye  from  the  tube  to  adjust  it, 
and  fix  the  smoked  glass,  to  give  clearer  vision,  the  atmosphere 
being  hazy.  Having  fixed  the  smoked  glass  in  the  proper  place^ 
so  as  to  prevent  its  sliding  or  falling  with  its  own  weight,  and 
before  I  had  applied  my  eye  to  the  telescope  again,  Mr.  Ritten- 
house came  in ;  and  I  desired  him  to  see  if  the  focus  and  dark 
glass  were  all  suitable  to  his  eye,  as  they  were  to  mine.  I  had 
been  about  41  employed  in  this  adjustment. 


Kosilile  dfgreet,  bj  a  moretble  hand  apon  a  Badced  scale,  the  otbcrwite  leu  tniibla  somite 
afsttrh  coDtraetkm  aad  dtlttatkm.* 

Heaee  it  ■ppeirt,  ihat  FVauklm  ■nd  Rittailioiue  coneeiml  an  idea  of  the  «id«  kind,  neailf 
aft  tie  aaott  tine:  biU  that  ilM>kttcramried  hit  inrentioaimopiaetaw.ilifee  or  fbnr  yean  facftve 
te  theoTf  of  tie  Ormer,  founded  on  oaiUar  prineiplefl.  had  been  annouMed  to  t|^ . 
IHNib«tMHiiMeTfd,wisiMdelmo«BtoaBf  odkrpenMil«ilftr.Iltini^  W.B*. 


At  4^  9^,  Mr.  Rittenhouse  having  put  his  eye  to  the  tube,  im- 
niBdiately 'Called  out,  that  he  saw  the  planet  on  the  Sun. 

At  4^  \9f  per  clock,  we  judged  $  had  entered  one-third  of  his 
diameter  on  the  San. 

At  4^  17' J  we  clearlj  no,ted  the  internal  contact  of  the  limbs. 

At  4^  45^9  we  judged  the  least  distance  tf  the  nearest  limbs  to 
be  rather  more  than  one  diameter  of  $ ;  or  that  the  distance  of 
the  limbs  was  Xtf.  We  did  not  apply  the  micrometer  to  make 
any  measures ;  as  we  presumed  that  we  could  judge  the  distance 
as  accurately  by  the  eye,  as  it  could  be  measured,  on  account  of 
the  haziness  of  the  atmosphere  and  the  small  altitude  of  the  Sun. 
We  kept  viewing  the  planet  till  sun-set,  the  distance  of  the 
Hmbs  continuing  so  nearly  the  same,  that  we  could  scarce  per- 
ceive any  diminution  thereof;  though  we  were  sure  also,  that 
it  did  increase  above  10".* 

The  following  were  the  Observations  made  for  ascertaomnf 
the  Going  of  the  Clock,  by  William  Smith. 


Equal  Altitudes, 
d    h     '      "        h 

Nov.  3  9   14     9     2 
15  44     2 


37  12  >  O  onMerid.  per  clock  >  "»    '     '^ 
35  35 5      or  mean  noon  ^  il  55  40 

Equat.  Correspond.  Alt.  + 1 4.4 

■^^■■■^■— — • 
Correct  Noon  per  Clock  U  55  S4.4 

4  9  32  48         20  56"|  Mean  Noon,  or  Q  on>  , ,  -.  -^ 

84  33         19  13  I      Merid  per  Clock     J  **  ^^  *' 
36  14         17  31  I  Equat.  of  equal  Alti->  ,  .^^ 

ST  20         16  23  f    tudes  C        '*''^' 

14  39  I  

40  54     2  12  53  J  Correct  Noon  per  Clock   11  57    6.8 

7  8  51     9  9  29]  MeanNoonl  12   0  19 

52  37  8     0  I  per  Clock  I  Equat  Eq. Alt.  +12 

54     I     3     6  37J     12  0   19     J  

Cor.  Noon    12    0  3! 
per  clock 

•Iaat»likaAtlie9iIirol.ori«|iiide%  AtirmrnnkO  tOASkd,  •  Pntt^tt  Ot  Mertwt  mr  h 
Stfcft;  cttfeutiipwr  tnit  tkete*  par  let  nmneOet  nUa/'  tht  txtaac  oTtbtt  plaae^  abofc  icftcici 
to.  ii  thus  let  down  bj  Lfthiide,  ftt  Paik  (  ris. 


Mid.  MflM  Tli_. 

in6.  Nov.  2.  9kl0'7\   7.11*>3'3e»^    9k49'53^     (i^S&4^.  15*43*.  A 

tr.  m 


M9nmn%. 


rCT  AoKfUknt  Jftdrtt^ 


»  Q  WeU  Uab  on  MeiU. 
East  Limb  on     do. 


h      r      IT 

13  0  36 
IS  3  58 


Centre     12  1  44 
Correct  Noon  per  Clook. 


4M^4  to  Gidng  <if  Qiock. 


Nc^.  3d,  at  Noon 
Clock  ak>wer  than  Q 
Q  faster  than  mean  time 


4     5.6 


16  11     ^^^^*^3^  8^^*^8  ^f  the  Clock 
I      OYOr  »Maii  or  eywa/ time. 


Clock  faster  than  m.  time     1 8    5.4 


J 


4th, 
Clock  slower  than  Q 
O  &ster  than  mean  time 


3  53.3 
16    9     VFrom3dto4th 


1    10.4 


Clock  faster  than  m.  time  13  15.8 

rth 
Clock  faster  than  Q  0  31 

O  fiEUiter  than  mean  time  16  00 

Clock  faster  than  m.  time  16  31 

8th 
Clock  faster  than  Q  i  ^^ 

O  faster  than  mean  time  15  56 


From  4th  to  7th  at  >  .        . 
a  mean  per  day3 


Clock  fiister  than  m.  time     IT  40 


»From  7th  to  8tl\       19 


Thus  the  Clock  gains  at  a 
mean,  per  day,  1'  8^ 


Whence,  Nov.  3d,  at  noon,  the  Clock  was  lO'  57*^  faster  than 
mean  time,  gaining  68^  per  day;  and  4^  17'  gains  13^,  wherefore 
at  the  internal  contact,  the  Clock  was  1 1'  9^  faster  than  mean 
time. 

Whence  the  contact  was  at  4^  5^  51^^  mean  time ;  or  4^  21'  3* 
apparent  time. 

EclifiMC  of  the  Suth  January  9M,  1 777. 

The  Gregorian  Reflector,  with  the  magnifying  power  of  95, 
was  made  use  of  for  this  Obseryation ;  which,  as  well  as  the  Ob- 


I     1, 


scope  io  the  best  < 
The  same  was  i 

the  equal  altitude 
Mr.  Rittenhoust 

■errs  the  beginnin 

both  of  us  to  the  si 
The  clock,  at  nc 

Beginning  of  U 
End  of  the  sant 

N.  B.  The  clock 
it  waa  supposed,  to 
set  a  going  again  b 
was  set  with  the  cl 
she  lost  no  time.  S 
by  the  meridian  ma 
shaken  with  the  sto 
equal  altitudes  take: 
The  annexed  mic 
log  the  quantity  o; 
Uore  would  Iiave  be 
tar  about  an  hour  aft 
again  a  little  before  i 


APPENDIX.  691 

Continuation  oftht  ObMcrvationg /or  adjuMtinf^  the  Clock. 

Jan.  1 1th.  O's  W.  limb  on  Merid.  >  ^ 

£.  limb  on      do.      5 

Centre  on       do. 
Whence  clock  £eister  than  mean  time  0  1'  46^^  per  merid.  mar^. 

Equal  Altitudet. 
h    '      " 
20th.     9  37  20         59  491 

39  1        58    6  iMeannoon  per  clock  12  18  34 

40  41      3  56  26j 

^l8t    W.  limb  on  Merid.     12  20    3 
£.  limb  on     do.  22  22 


Centre  on       do.        12  21  12.5 

Eq.  Alt. 
22d.      9  14  10     3  31   10     Mean  noon  per  clock  12  22  50 

■ 

RcUfiBe  of  the  Sun^  June  24,  1778:  Observed  by  D.  jRittenhoute^ 
John  Lukensj  Owen  Biddle^  and  William  Smithy  at  the  College 
qf  Philadelphia. 

The  morning  being  very  cloudy^  the  beginning  of  the  eclipse 
-iras  not  seen. 

At  10^  7'  40^'  per  clocki  the  following  micrometer-measure  of 
the  enlightened  parts  was  taken,  while  the  Sun  appeared  for  a 
few  minutes  between  clouds,  viz.  lin.  9-10M«.  13*500/A«.  =b  16' 

23^ 

1 1''  6'  57*^  per  clock,  end  of  eclipse  distinctly  seen,  the  Sun 
having  shone  clearly  for  several  minutes,  the  clouds  now  wholly 
dispersing,  and  the  remainder  of  the  day  continuing  clear. 

Observations  upon  the  Clock. 

27th.  O  on  meridian  per  clock  11  54  50 

O's  app.  time  of  passing  meridian      12     2  33.5 


Clock  slow  of  app.  time  0    7  43.5 

July  2d.     O  <>^  meridian  per  clock  1154  5Q.5- 

O  's  app.  time  oi  passing  meridian        12     3  33 

Clock  slow  of  app.  time  0     8  42.5 

•  TlM«lciiteti0M  trefcere  watttiiqr»  in  i>r.  StriA^lCnii 


fragment :  cofiied  from  a  looitt  9crafi  qf  futfier,  containing^ 
in  the  hand-writing  of  the  late  Dr.  RUtenhmue^  all  but  the 
three  last  verses ;  which  have  been  now  addedy  by  a  lady. 

First  Zsphtr. 

Why,  amidst  these  blooming  roaes» 
Idly  fluttering,  dost  thou  stay  ? 
Come  with  me  to  yonder  yalley. 
There  we'll  spend  the  cheefful  daf . 

There,  in  purest  crjrstal  fountafatt 
Spordve,  bathe  the  am'rous  madds  ; 
Where  tall  willows,  on  the  margin, 
Form  the  closest  deepest  shades. 

Secovd  Zkphtr. 

No,  with  thee  I  will  not  wander; 
To  the  vale  alone  repair  : 
Fan  the  nymphs  you  so  admire ; 
A  sweeter  task  employs  my  care. 

Here,  in  the  bosom  of  these  roses, 
I  cool  my  wbgs  in  pearly  dew, 
As  I  lightly  skim  them  over, 
Gathering  all  their  fragrance  too. 

Pl&ST  ZEPBTft. 

Your  wings  in  dew  of  roses  steep'd 
With  all  their  grateful  fragrance  stor'd  ;— 
Can  you  find  employment  sweeter, 
Than  y<Mider  cheerful  nymphs  afford  ? 

Second  Zeprtb. 

Yes,  in  this  path,  along  the  mounts 
Each  rosy  mom  a  maid  appears, 
To  yon  lonely  cot  advancing, 
A  basket  on  her  arm  she  bears. 


APPEXDIX*  608 

Two  tender  infants,  atid  their  motheri 
Are  by  her  constant  bounty  fed : 
A  helpless  widow,  there  residing! 
From  her  receives  her  daily  bread. 

See !  where  she  comes,— of  all  the  graces, 
The  youngest  and  the  fairest  too ; 
Her  cheeks,  with  sweetest  blushes  glowulg, 
Are  moist'ned  with  the  morning  dew. 

I  haste,  with  frag^nt  airs,  so  cooling, 
To  fan  her  tender  glowing  cheeky— 
And  kiss  the  pearly  drops,  while  blling 
From  her  blue  eyes,  so  chaste  and  meek.* 

First  Zsphtr. 

Yes !  much  more  pleasing  is  your  task ; 
I  would  imbrue  my  wings  in  dew, 
And  bear  the  fragrance  of  these  flowers, 
Melinda  to  refresh,  like  you. 

But  see !  she  breaks  through  yonder  grove. 
Refulgent  as  a  summer's  mom ; 
Her  step  is  grace^— her  lip  of  rose 
The  smiles  of  modest  worth  adorn. 

I 

Like  you,  transported,  let  me  fan  her ; 
Like  you,  admire  the  bounteous  maid : 
For,  sure,  a  fairer  face  I  never 
Spread  forth  my  cooling  wings  to  aid. 


Difiloma, 

Prae^es  et  Professores  Collegii,  scu  Universitatis,  Gulielxz 
ET  MARiiE,  omnibus  at  quos  prxsentes  literse  pervenerlnt, 
Salutem./— Cum  cum  in   fincm  gradus   academic!   majoribUs 

*  HerePr.RiKcahwitrHfiragMcntfndi;  Tke  icntindcr  of  ike  Tcniftcttte  li  cwtiiiocd  ky 

luiotherlnB^ 

4f 


004!  APPRNDIX. 

nostris  prudenter  instkuti  fuerint,  ut  viri  optime  mcriti,  sea  in 
gremio  nostrx  matris  educati,  scu  aliundi  bonamm  artium  dis- 
ciplinis  eniditi,  istis  insignibus  a  literatorum  Tulgo  secemercn- 
tur  ;  sciatis,  quod  nos,  ea  sola  qus  possumus  ^ik,  gradu  Artium 
Magistri  libenter  studios€que  concesso,  testamur  quanti  facimus 
Davidem  Rittenhou9£  FhiloMO/ihorum  Princ^itmy  qui  ingenio 
nativo  Machinam  ccleberrimamy  motus  et  phaeQomeiia  coelestium 
xnanifcstius  exhibcnteni)  commentus  est :— ^Idcirco,  in  solenni 
convocatione,  tricessimo  die  decembris,  Anno  Domini millesimo 
scptingentesimo  octogesimo  quarto,  habito,  conspirantihui  om- 
nium suffragiisy  eundem  virum  cgregiumy  David£m  Rittek- 
HOUSE,  Jirtium  AlagUtrum  creavimus  ct  constituimus.-*In  cu- 
jus  rei  testimonium,  sigillum  Universitatis,  quo  in  hac  parte 
utimur,  praesentibus  apponi  fecimus.  Datum  in  domo  nostrx 
convocationis,  anno  domini,  die  et  mense,  prsdictis. 

J.  Madison,  Praeses,  et  prof.  Ma.  and  Nat.  Phil.  G.  Wythe, 
Leg.  et  Polit.  Prof«  Robkrtus  AmdrewS)  Math.  Prof.  Ca- 
KOLU&  Bellini,  Neot  Ling.  ProC 


Praeses  ct  Curatores  CoHegii  Neo-Ca^satiensis,  omnibus  lias 
Literas  lecturis,  plurtmam  Satutem. 

Quandoquidem  aequum  sit  et  ratione  prorsus,  consentaneum, 
ut  ii  qui  labore  et  studio  bonaa  didicerunt  artes  prxmia  suis 
meritis  digna  referant  ut  et  ipsis  bend  snt,  et  aliorum  provoceter 
industria. 

Quando  etiam  hue  potissimum  spectant  amplissima  ilia  jura 
nostro  Collegio  publico  Diplomate  collata.  Quumque  clarissi- 
mus  vir  David  Rittenhouss  sit  nontantum  Moribus  inculpa- 
tus  et  Ingenio  insignis,  sed  et  sibi  tantam  in  Artibus  liberalibus 
cognitionem  Industria  laudabili  acquisivit,  ut  summos  Honores 
Acadcmicos  probe  mereatur. 

Idcirco  notum  sit  omnibus,  quod  nos,  Senatus-consulto  Aca- 
d^mico  nee  non  Facultatis  Artium  decreto,  supradictum  Davi- 
dem Rittenhouse  Titulo  Graduque  Doctoris  in  Leoibus 
adoinandumi  el  dehinc  pro  Adepto  et  Doctore  habendum  toIu- 


APP£NDIX.  S9S 

mus;  cujuB)  haec  Membrana,  Sigillo    nostri  CoHegil  rata  et^ 
Chirographis  nostris  munita,  Testimonio  sic 

Datum  Aulae  Nas9ovicx9  Pridie  Calcndas  Octobris  Anno 
MDCCLXXXIX. 

Joannes  Witherspoov,  Prxses.  Joannes  Rodgers,  Joannes 
Bayardy  Joannes  WoodhuU)  Guls.  Paterson,  Isaacus  Snowdent 
Jacobus  Boyd)  Joannes  Bcatty,  Guliel.  M.  Tcnnent,  Andreas 
Hunter,  Curatores. 


^1n  English  Obituary  JVbtice  of  Dr,  Rittenhouae  :  Extracted  from 
the  Eurofiean  Magazine ^  for  July^  1796* 

In  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  died  David  Ritten- 
HousE,  The  American  Philosopher.  His  history  is  curious, 
from  the  admiration  in  which  his  character  was  held. 

Rittenhouse  was  a  native  of  America ;  and,  in  the  early  part 
of  his  life,  he  mingled  the  pursuits  of  science  with  the  active 
employments  of  a  farmer  and  watch-maker.*  In  1769,  he  was 
Invited  by  the  American  Philosophical  Society  to  join  a  num- 
ber of  gentlemen  who  were  then  occupied  in  making  some  as- 
tronomical observations,  when  he  particularly  distinguished 
himself  by  the  accuracy  of  his  calculations  and  the  comprehen- 
sion of  his  mind.  He  afterwards  constructed  an  observatorj^t 
which  he  superintended  in  person,  and  which  was  the  source  of 
many  important  discoveries,  as  well  as  greatly  tending  to  the 
diffusion  of  knowledge  in  the  western  world.  During  the 
American  war,  he  was  an  active  assertor  of  the  cause  of  inde- 
pendence. Since  the  establishment  of  the  peace,  he  succes- 
sively filled  the  ofEces  of  Treasurer  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 

*  He  never  proleiied  the  business  oToMkinf  witches :  the  first  mechtniod  oecapatjoii  he  ■» 
nimrd  wm  thxt  oft  elock-maker,  ui  employaieiit  he  porsaed  muuj  jmn,  ia  the  cwfier  |Mft  of 
his  life.    W.B. 

t  Ilavhig,  in  the  preceding  note,  Adverted  to  the  unimporiftnt  error  in  the  text,  wherein  our 
Fhilotopher  is  stated  to  have  pnrtni^  the  etnploTment  of  •  watrb>maker,  instead  of  that  of  a 
.  eiock*malier;  it  beeomea  necvMarj-  to  notice,  io  this  place,  another  mistalio,  though  likcwiae  Uk 
incoiuiderable  one,  into  «hirh  tho  liberal  and  candid  writer  of  the  article,  above  quoted,  has  been 
led.  I>r.  Rlttrnhmne**  ObMTvatorj,  at  Norriton'-4he  phiee  of  his  original  residence  and  the  seat 
or  his  farm-houK'~«as  crcticd  />;tw  to  the  cclcbraicd  '*  Astronomical  Observations**  made  by 
bias,  la  the  year  1769 ;  wtiich  were  tliose  relating  to  the  Tnuitit  of  Veuos  ovcx  the  Son*!  disk,  on 
the  3d  oCJuTf*  in  that  yoar.    W.  B. 


5y8  ArPESDix. 

and  Director  of  the  Nauona!  Mint ;  in  botb  of  which  ca|nciriet, 
lie  was  alike  dislinguished  for  strength  of  jiidgmcnt  and  inte- 
grity of  h^art.  He  succeeded  the  illusiriouK  Frankliu  in  tha 
cfTicc  of  President  of  the  Philosophical  Society;  a  siriutiDn 
icljieli  the  bent  of  hia  mind  and  the  course  of  hit  studies  hud 
rendered  lum  emincnllf  qualified  to  fill:  and  towards  l/ic  cloie 
oi  his  days,  he  retired  from  public  life  to  the  enjoyment  of  do- 
mestic happiness;  when  he  formed  a  circle  of  private  friendc, 
who  will  continue  to  admire  his  Virtues  as  a  Man,  white  tlie 
V.  odd  will  applaud  his  Talents  as  a  PhiloMpher- 


l  filer  Jnm  the  Rru.  Mr.  CfH/ienri,  to  the   Wrtirr  «/"  thtH 

Mrmt>1rt. 

ror^  IStH.A^v.  uia. 
Dear  Sir, 

The  followinjj  is  a  statement  of  the  conversation  which 
took  place  lictwccn  Drs.  Sprout  ;iii(i  RiiU-nhotnL-,  iiu'iitiuncd  b-. 
ine  to  bishop  White-. 

At  a  time  when  Dr.  liittciihmisc  w.is  confined  by  si^kIl..■^^ 
to  his  room,  or  perhaps  to  his  bcit,"  he  sent  for  rlii!  Rev.  Di-. 
Kpmat  to  visit  him.  The  Doctor  was  someuhal  surpi-i-,cd,  on 
rcceiviiijj  the  mcssajjc  :  but  iv.i  lie  had  made  it  an  uniform  rule 
to  visit  all  who  sent  for  him,  he  expressed  his  surprise  at  being 
sent  for;  obscrvinj;,  iliat  he  could  offer  no  comfort  or  conaob- 
tion  to  any  jierson,  who  was  not  a  Uelievcr  in  the  Chiistiaii  Re- 
liijion.  On  licariny  ibis  declaration,  Dr.  Rittenhousc  imme- 
diately asked,  if  Dr.  Sproat  consUlcrcd  hini  amoni;  the  number 
of  such?  To  which  the  Doctor  answered;  thai  the  world  had 
generally  classed  him  with  ihem.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  on  heariii^r 
thi.!,  willi  ?;re,it  mildness  :iiul  a  smile  on  his  counienunce.  rc- 
plii\I,  lliat  the  opiiiion  i-{  ;he  world  was  sometimes  wronij  ;  aiK', 
;.s  i;  reminded  himself,  he  conki  with  truth  declare,  that  ever 
cilice  he  bad  examined  Chritliaiii!v  ami  thought  upon  the  sub- 
ject, ho  was  a  firm  believer  in  it;  ;md,  that  he  expeetetl  salva- 
tion oitl-j  m  the  way  and  manner,  ar,  proijoaeil  in  tlie  tiospel. 


APP£NDIX.  097 

The  above  is  the  Bubatance  of  what  Dr.  Sproat  mentioned  to 
jny&elf ;  and  I  might  add,  that  when  the  good  old  man  told  it* 
his  eyes  overflowed  with  tears  of  joy.  It  gives  me  pleasure  to 
be  able  to  furnish  you  with  this  satisfactory  proof  of  Dr.  Ritten- 
house's  faith ;  and  which  I  once  introduced  into  a  sermon  preach- 
ed in  the  city,  as  justice  due  to  the  character  of  the  deceasedi 
and  who  had  been  triumphantly  claimed  by  the  Infidels.  I  am 
happy  to  find  tliat  you  are  engaged  in  the  laudable  business  of 
of  writing  the  I^ife  of  that  wortliy  Man.     Yours^  respectfully, 

Robert  Catqcart. 
William  Barton,  Esquinf. 


Charactbr  of  Dr.  Rittenhovse  : 

Communicated  to  the  Author  of  the  Memoirs  of  hia  Lifeyin  a  letter 

from  Andrew  Ellicotty  Esq, 

Lancaster^  December  30th.  1812« 
Dear  Sir, 

I  felt  no  small  degree  of  pleasure  and  satisfaction,  on  un- 
derstanding that  you  are  about  publishing  Memoirs  of  the  life 
of  Dr.  Rittenhouse ;  knowing,  from  your  connexion,  and  intima- 
cy with  him  for  many  years,  you  have  it  in  your  power  to  deli- 
neate, and  transmit  his  true  character  and  a  knowledge  of  his 
rare  virtues  to  posterity,  with  as  much,  if  not  more  accuracy  than 
any  other  person.  As  I  also  have  had  the  pleasure  and  advan- 
tage of  Dr.  Rittenhouse's  acquaintance  and  friendship,  I  re- 
quest you  to  accept  of  the  following  short  sketch  of  his  character, 
as  a  small  testimony  of  my  esteem  for  him  when  living,  and  of 
my  veneration  for  his  memory,  now  he  is  no  more.  I  am,  dear 
Sir,  your  sincere  friend, 

Andrew  Ellicott. 
William  Barton,  Esq. 

I  became  acquainted  with  the  late  Dr.  Rittenhouse,  in  the 
sixteenth  year  of  my  age,  being  first  introduced  to  him,  after  he 
removed  to  the  city  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  late  Joseph  Gallo* 


^ 


508  AFPfiNUX 

wayi  Eiq*  tnd  nj  Father ;  both  of  whom  were  aincerely  attached 
to  hioQ}  not  only  on  account  of  his  Bciendfic  talenta  and  acquire- 
meotSi  but  for  his  public  and  private  Tirtues.  From  that  period, 
to  the  end  of  his  life^  we  enjoyed  an  uninterrupted  friendship. 

In  my  scientific  pursuits,  I  was  frequently  aided  by  him ; 
particularly,  in  tliat  part  which  relates  to  Aslronomyi  with  which 
he  was  better  acqufdntcd,  both  in  theory  and  pracUce,  than  any 
other  person  in  this  country ;  and  when  he  ceased  to  calculate 
the  Almanacks  for  the  middle  states,  at  his  request  I  continued 
them  several  years. 

In  the  years  1784  and  1785,  Dr.  Rittenhouse  and  myself 
were  engaged  in  determining  the  boundaries  between  this  com- 
monwealth and  the  state  of  Virginia;  and  in  the  year  1786,  in 
determining  the  boundary  between  this  commonwealth  and  the 
state  of  New-York.  In  those  arduous  employments,  I  had  many 
opportunities  sf  witnessing  his  address  in  orercoming  the  nu- 
merous difficulties  we  necessarily  had  to  encounter,  in  the  then 
wilderness,  in  which  our  operations  were  performed. 

As  a  gentleman  of  general  science.  Dr.  Rittenhouse  would 
have  held  a  respectable  rank  in  any  country  ;  but  as  a  Mechanist 
and  Astronomer,  he  has  had  but  few  equals.  It  has  been  fre- 
quently askedy— why  he  has  not  left  more  evidences  of  his  ta- 
lents, for  the  use  of  posterity  ?  In  answer  to  this  question,  it  is 
to  be  observed,  that  almost  from  his  childhood,  he  had  a  com- 
plaint in  his  breast ;  which  increased  so  much  with  his  age,  that 
for  the  last  fifteen  years  of  his  life, — and  in  which  he  had  the 
most  leisure  for  coi^position, — ^it  was  painful  for  him  to  support 
the  position  a  person  must  occupy,  when  writing.  This  circum- 
stance I  have  frequently  heard  him  lament,  in  a  feeling  manner ; 
as  it  prevented  liim  from  answering  letters  with  promptitude, 
and  writing  to  his  friends  as  often  as  he  wished. 

Though  Dr.  Rittenhouse  had  not  the  advantage  of  a  liberal 
education,  he  wrote  not  only  correctly  but  with  ease :  he  made 
himself  master  of  the  Gei'man  language,  to  which  he  was  par- 
tial :  and  of  the  French,  so  far  as  to  read  the  scientific  works  in 
that  tongue,  with  facility. 

As  an  Husband,  and  a  Father,  he  might  be  taken  as  an  ex- 
ample  and  a  pattern.  In  the  most  virtuous  community  that  ever 
existed.    He  was  a  good  Citizen^— and  warm  and  sincere  in  his 


APPENDIX.  699 

friendships ;  and  though  reserved  in  large  mixed  companies,  he 
was  cheerful  and  communicative,  when  in  a  small  circle  of  his 
friends.  His  mind  appeared  formed  for  contemplation,  and 
therefore  not  calculated  for  the  noisy  and  busy  scenes  of  this 
world  :  from  this  placid  turn  of  mind,  he  had  a  singular  antipa- 
thy to  all  mobs  and  riots ;  and  I  recollect  to  have  heard  him. 
speak  of  the  riots  of  the  Paxton-boys,  (as  they  were  called,)  with 
greater  acrimony  than  on  any  other  occasion,— more  than  twenty 
years  after  they  happened.  Being  a  philanthropbt  by  nature, 
he  wished  the  happiness  and  welfare  of  the  wjiole  human  race ; 
and  viewed  slavery,  in  all  its  forms,  with  feelings  of  horrour : 
from  this  attachment  to  the  happiness,  the  rights,  and  the  liberty 
of  his  fellow-creatures,  he  was  led  to  take  an  active  and  useful 
part  in  favour  of  our  revolution,  which  separated  the  colonies 
(now  the  United  States,)  from  the  mother-country. 

His  contemplative  mind  naturally  carried  him  to  piety ;  but 
his  liberality  was  so  great,  that  he  did  not  appear  to  give  a  very 
decided  preference  to  any  one  of  the  sects  into  which  Christiani- 
ty is  divided :  he  practised  the  morality  of  a  sincere  Christian, 
without  troublmg  himself  about  the  dogmas  of  the  different 
churches. 

His  manners  were  plain  and  unassuming,  though  not  without 
a  sufficient  share  of  dignity;  and,  from  a  consciousness  of  his 
own  talents,  he  did  not  envy  those  of  others. 

It  has  too  frequc;ntly  hap  pened,  for  the  honour  of  science  and 
literature,  that  men  of  great  and  comnuoiding  talents,  have  been 
obstinately  dogmatical,  and  impatient  of  contradiction  ;*-of  those 
blemishes.  Dr.  Rittenhouie  had  not  the  least  tincture. 

To  conclude^— if  Dr.  Rittenhouse  was  not  the  greatest  man 
oT  the  age,  his  character  has  fewer  blemishes  in  it ;  and,  if  his 
talents  were  not  of  that  kind  which  are  usually  considered  the 
most  brillianty  they  were— like  those  of  WASHiKOTOif— of  tho 
most  ^olid  and  u^rfiU  order. 


600  APPENDIX. 

Some  fiarticuloTB  amcemmg  the  ReMencey  the  Tomby  k^c.  of  Co* 
fiemicus  :  communicated  to  the  late  Dr.  Rittenhofuaey  Frcs. 
A.  P.  S.  by  the  Earl  of  Buchan. 

**  In  the  year  1777,"  says  his  Lordship,  ^  my  learned  friend 
John  Bemouilli,  of  Berlin,  on  one  of  his  tours  having  happened 
to  meet  with  the  Bishop  of  Warmia,*  in  the  Abbey  of  Oliva, 
near  Dantzic,  was  informed  by  that  prelate,  that  he  had  the  plea- 
sure to  discover,  in  the  Cathedral  of  Frauenburg,  the  Tomb  of 
Copernicus,  so  long  fruitlessly  sought  for. 

<(  In  the  year  1778,  Mr.  Bemouilli  having  occasion  to  pass 
through  Frauenburg,  on  his  road  to  St  Petersburg,  did  not  £adl 
to  visit  the  Cathedral,  and  explore  the  Monument  of  Coperni- 
cus. Acqusdnted  with  no  one  in  the  place,  he  was  yet  lucky 
enough  to  meet  with  a  Canon,  in  the  street,  whose  countenance 
invited  him  to  accost  him  on  this  subject,  and  who  proved  very 
attentive  to  his  researches.  He  informed  him,  that  as  for  the 
Ashes  of  Copernicus,  they  were  mingled  in  the  charnel-house 
with  the  bones  of  the  fraternity  of  the  Canons ;  but  that,  for  the 
Tombstone  of  the  Philosopher,  it  was  no  more  than  a  tablet  of 
marble,  simple,  as  the  mode  was  of  his  days,  and  had  no  other 
inscription  than  these  words— Nic.  Copernicus,  Thor:— -That 
this  tablet  had  remained  hidden  for  some  time,  in  rubbish  ;  and 
when  recovered,  was  placed  in  the  chapter-house,  till  a  more 
suitable  place  should  be  destined  for  it  Mr.  Bemouilli  ex- 
presses his  regret  to  me,  that  he  had  not  urged  the  Canon  to  in- 
dulge him  with  a  sight  of  this  Stone ;  and  to  look  for  a  further 
inscription,  to  support  tlie  assertion  of  Gassendi,  who  mentions 
(page  325),  That  the  Bishop  Martin  Cromer,  an  eminent  Po- 
lish historian,  caused  a  mural  marble  monument  to  be  inscribed 


*  An  ancle  of  Copenikus  was  Riahop  oT  fVamda^  (In  Eiadand,  •  Utcte  yrorinee  of  PobadO 
•nd  gave  him  «  caoooiy  in  his  cathednl  of  Fnwenberg,  m  city  in  dacal  ProMia,  ncotted  on  the 
Frisehe  Hafij  at  the  mouth  of  the  Vistub :  it  was  tl^icre  he  begau  to  devote  hJiMeir  to  attronoay, 
at  the  age  of  twenty^igfat  yean.  His  great  work,  De  RevhOionibut  OrUwn  CaiuHmm^  w 
completed  about  the  year  1530 :  but  his  apprehensions  of  meeting  with  persecution  from  the  bb> 
gottAMl  ignortnce  of  the  age,  in  consequence  of  the  system  he  therein  promulgated,  deterred  him 
iVom  publishing  it  until  thirteen  years  afcer  (hat  period;  and  it  b supposed  that  the  agitaiioii  of 
his  mind,  occasioned  by  iu  appearance  in  ihe  worki,  prudueed  the  sudden  effttiioa  of  Uood,  which 
icrminated  his  life  on  the  2401  day  of  May,  in  tlie  j  ear  1543.    W.  B. 


APPENDIX,  601 

and  erected  to  the  memory  of  Copernicus,  with  the  following  in- 
scription t 

D.  O.  M. 

It  n.  NICOLAO  COPERNICO, 
Torunensi,  Artium  ct 

Medicinae  Doctori, 

Canonico  Warmiensi, 

Praesenti  Astrologo,  et 

Ejus  Discipline 

Instauratori ; 

Martinus  Cromrrus, 

Episcopus  Wamiicnsis, 

Honoris,  et  ad  Posteritatem 

Memorix,  Caus^,  posuit; 

M.  D.  L.  X.  X.  X.  I. 

'<  Gasscndi  adds,  that  this  Monument  was  not  erected  until 
thirty-six  years  after  the  death  of  Copernicus,  which  does  not 
agree  with  this  date  of  1581. 

<<  The  good  Canon  informed  Bemouilli,  that  he  was  lodged 
in  the  apartment  of  Copernicus,  of  which  he  was  very  proud  ; 
and  invited  the  Prussian  Philosopher  to  visit  him  in  that  place, 
which  he  accordingly  did ;  and  was  shewn  by  the  Canon  another 
place,  above  the  Dormitories,  which  had  been  used  by  Coper- 
nicus as  his  study  and  observatory,  in  which  t  he  Canon  had  a 
portrait  of  that  eminent  man,  conc<jming  the  original  of  which 
he  would  not  say.  This  little  Observatory  had  an  extensive 
view ;  but  when  Copernicus  had  occasion  for  one  more  exten- 
sive, he  was  wont  to  observe  on  the  gallery  of  the  steeple,  which 
communicates  with  this  place. 

"  Charmed  with  these  classic  footsteps,  Bemouilli  forgot  to 
look  at  the  Monument  on  the  chapter-house,  above  mentioned. 
In  a  repository  adjoining  •to  the  Cathedral,  the  Canon  shewed 
Bemouilli  the  remains  of  a  hydraulic  machine  said  to  have  been 
invented  and  used  by  Copernicus.  The  construction  seemed 
interesting,  but  in  great  disrepair ;  and  Bemouilli  had  not  lei- 
sure to  examine  it  particularly.  The  use  of  the  machine  was  to 
force  and  convey  water  into  the  most  elevated  apartments  of  the 
house  of  the  Canons,  who  arc  now  under  the  necessity  of  hav- 
ing it  fetched  from  a  distance,  from  the  lower  Town." 

4  o 


is  a  Chronostick 

p.  u*r. 

cX  ho( 
Ingenli 

**  In  the  aboTo 
Print  of  Copefnici 
there  u  a  print  ol 
hangs  in  what  the 
preaentB  him  kn< 
and  below  this  poi 

NOQ 

Venii 
InCi 


Nicolas  Coperoi 

matico,  nc  tanti  vi 

memorial  hoc  moo 

Mort,  Van 


Nicolaus  Copernict 
"This  Moiiumci 


APPEKDIX,  608 

"  Upon  the  whole,"  concludes  Lord  Buchan,  **  it  appears  the 
likeness  I  send,  of  Cofiemicus^  is  most  to  be  depended  on;  and^ 
as  such,  I  flatter  myself  it  will  be  an  Heir-loom  to  infant  America! 
Concerning  Napier,  it  is  needless  for  me  to  enlarge ;  the 
learned  Dr.  Minlo  having  enabled  me  to  do  justice  to  his  me- 
mory." 


Although  the  following  particulars  respecting  Dr.  Rittenhouse 
were  not  communicated  by  the  writer.  Professor  Barton,  until 
it  was  too  late  to  give  them  a  place  in  the  body  of  the  work, 
the  Author  nevertheless  is  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of  pre- 
senting to  the  public,  even  at  the  close  of  his  book,  the  inte- 
resting circumstances  this  communication  contains. 

As  Optics  were  one  of  his  favourite  studies,  so  he  at  one  time 
contemplated  a  course  of  public,  and  I  think  popular,  lectures 
on  this  beautiful  and  important  branch  of  physics.  On  this  sub- 
ject he  mentioned  to  me  his  intention  in  the  winter  of  1785  1 786. 
The  enthusiasm,  indeed,  with  which  he  developed  his  design, 
and  I  may  add  the  warmth  of  zeal  with  which  his  manner  at  the 
time  inspired  me,  I  can  never  forget.  And,  indeed,  I  caimot  but 
regret,  that  our  excellent  friend  never  mada  his  appearance  in 
publick,  as  a  lecturer.  As  such,  he  would,  unquestionably, 
have  greatly  advanced  the  love  and  the  knowledge  of  natural 
philosophy  in  the  United-States.  He  may,  perhaps,  liave  wanted 
some  of  the  qualifications  of  a  popular  teacher.  He  would 
not  have  aspired  to  finished  eloquence  of  style:  to  the  elo- 
quence of  gesture  and  of  manner,  he  was  still  more  a  stran- 
ger. But  tlicre  is  an  eloquence  of  physiognomy,  which  Mr. 
Rittenhouse  most  eminently  possessed.  The  modesty  and  ame- 
nity of  his  manner  would  have  effected  much,  whether  his  au- 
dience had  been  a  class  of  philosophers,  or  an  assembly  of  la- 
dies. Of  his  own  discoveries,  and  opinions,  and  tlicories,  he 
would  have  always  spoken  with  that  sweet  and  modest  reserve, 
for  which  he  was  ever  disiuiguished.  He  would  have  dwelt 
with  the  most  generous  and  ample  enthusiasm  upon  the  great 
<liscovcrics  of  Newton;  and  if,  at  any  time,  he  could  have  for- 
gotten that  impartial  conduct,  which  it  is  the  duty  of  the  histo- 
rian of  a  science  to  observcj  it  would  have  been  when  he  might 


mortal  Brit 

tioos  lo  so, 

firm  coDvlc 

shaken:  anc 

\iapee  whkb 

awcp  to  aoa 

<""ged  again! 

It  has  bcei 

CUDS  in  gent 

martt,  if  I  mi 

teohouse.     J^ 

confident  thai 

intercourse  w 

"d  i   I  am  con 

his  life,  our  fi- 

many  boolcB,  a 

wg  to  another 

to  philosophy  1 

Bullory.     I  hai 

reading  was,  in 

fy  of  constiiuti 

to  any  one  kind 

I  seen  him  lay  i 

;hc  circumscrib 

physical  state  i 


APPENDIX.  600 

which  he  read  partly  in  the  original,  and  paitly  through  the  me- 
dium of  translation.  And  although,  within  the  period  of  .mf 
better  acquaintance  with  him,  his  reading  I  have  s»aid,  was  not 
intense,  he  suffered  no  important  discovery  in  philosophy  to  es- 
cape his  notice.  Although  his  own  library  was  small,  he  had 
ample  opportunities,  through  the  medium  of  the  valuable  library 
belonging  to  the  Philosophical  Society,  and  other  collections  in 
Philadelphia,  of  observing  the  progress  of  his  favourite  studies 
in  Europe.  He  took  much  interest  in  the  discoveries  of  Mr* 
Herschel,  whose  papers  he  eagerly  read  as  they  arrived  from 
Europe:  and  I  well  remember  the  time  (in  1785)  when  he  was 
engaged  in  reading  Scheel's  work  on  Fire,  which  had  recently 
appeared,  in  an  English  dress.  He  then  assured  me,  that  some 
of  this  great  Swedish  philosopher's  notions  concerning  the  na- 
ture and  the  laws  of  heat,  had  long  before  suggested  themselves 
to  his  mind. 

The  chemical  discoveries  of  Crawford  and  Priestley  solicited 
some  of  Mr.  Rittcnhouse's  attention,  about  the  year  1785-1786, 
and  for  some  time  after.  The  brilliant  discoveries  of  Priestley, 
in  particular,  were  not  unknown  to  him.  Upon  the  arrival  of 
this  illustrious  philosopher  in  Philadelphia,  in  17.)4,  Mr.  Rittcn- 
house  stood  foremost  among  the  members  of  the  Philosophical 
Society  in  publicly  welcoming  the  exiled  philosopher  to  the 
country  which  he  had  chosen  as  the  asylum  of  his  declining 
years;  and  in  expressing  his  high  sense  of  his  estimable  charac- 
ter, and  of  the  vast  accessions  which  he  had  brought  to  science. 
1  often  met  Dr.  Priestley  at  the  house  of  our  friend.  Their  re- 
gard for  each  other  was  mutual.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  their 
immediate  intercourse  with  each  other  could  not  be  more  fre- 
quent. Priestley  had  unfortunately  chosen  the  wilderness,  in* 
stead  of  the  capital  or  its  vicinity,  as  his  place  of  residence :  and 
Hittenhouse,  alas  1  did  not  live  two  years  after  the  arrival  of 
Priestley  in  America. 

On  the  death  of  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  Dr.  Priestley  wrote  me  a 
letter  of  condolence  on  the  great  loss  which  the  publick  had  sus- 
tained ;  on  the  irreparable  loss  which  I,  in  puiticular,  had  sufTer- 
ed.  When  the  Doctor  afterwards  rcturiicd  from  Northumber- 
land to  Philadelphia,  he  discovered  much  solicitu<le  to  know 
from  me  Mr.  RittephHJB^||)jjgioiu  sentiments,  and  tiie  man- 
ner and  cu cumsiaQMri^^^HHMHHfee  evinced  no  small  mi- 


APPENDIX.  607 

other  books  which  I  could  mention,  I  well  recollect  that  he 
read  the  Thoughts  of  the  celebrated  French  philosopher  Pas- 
call  :  and  he  acknowledged,  that  he  read  them  with  pleasure. 
But  that  pleasure,  he  observed  to  me,  was  diminished,  when 
he  Icained,  what  was  often  the  state  of  Pascall's  mind :— «  state 
of  melancholy  and.  gloom :  and  sometimes  even  of  mental  de- 
rangement. At  the  time  of  his  death,  the  American  Philosopher 
was  engaged  in  the  perusal  of  Mosheim's  Ecclesiastical  JEUs- 
tory :  and  he  had  just  before  finished  the  perusal  of  the  Medi' 
tations  of  the  Emperor  Marcus  Antoninus ;  that  excellent  worky 
replete  with  the  sublimest  morality,  and  with  much  of  a  sublime 
religion. 

About  three  weeks  before  his  death,  I  had  put  into  his  hands 
the  first  volume  of  Dr.  Ferguson's  Klementa  of  Moral  and  Po» 
Utical  Science.  I  took  the  liberty  of  particularly  directing  his  at- 
tention to  the  last  chapter  of  the  volume :  the  chapter  on  the  fu- 
ture state.  He  read  it  with  so  much  satisfaction,  that  he  after- 
wanls  sent  it  to  his  elder  daughter,  with  a  request  that  she 
would  peruse  it. 

The  benevolent  dispositions  of  our  friend  were  well  known  to 
you.  You  have,  doubtless,  done  justice  to  this  portion  of  his 
character ;  yet  permit  me  to  mention  a  few  detached  facts,  which 
have  came  under  my  own  immediate  notice,  and  the  relation  of 
which  may  serve  to  augment  even  your  respect  and  veneration 
for  Mr.  Rittenhouse. 

The  year  1793  is  memorable  in  the  history  of  Philadelphia* 
During  the  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever,  in  the  summer  of  that 
year,  Mr.  Riltcnhousc  wrote  to  me  a  note  requesting  me  to  visit 
a  number  of  poor  people,  in  his  vicinity,  labouring  under  the 
malignant  fever ;  and  making  it  a  condition  of  my  attendance 
upon  them,  that  I  should  charge  him  for  my  services- 

In  the  month  of  March  of  the  same  year,  I  had  a  good  deal  of 
conversation  with  Mr.  Rittenhouse,  on  tlie  subject  of  penal  laws. 
He  did  not  think  that  the  late  judge  Bradford,  whose  essay  on  this 
subject  he  greatly  admired,  and  recommended  to  my  perusal, 
was  too  lenient  in  his  views  of  the  subject.  He  observed,  tliat 
although  he  had  often  served  on  juries,  he  thanked  God,  that  he 
,  never  had  in  any  case  where  life  and  (ic.th  were  immediately 
involved ;  observing,  that  his  conscience  would  ever  reproach 


ApPEiirftix.  609 

Letter  from  Lady  Juliana  Penn  to  the  Eev*  Peter  MUer^  Efihrattu 

Scfitr.  29th.  1774. 
Sir,  ' 

Your  very  respectable  character  would  make  me  ashamed  to 
address  you  with  words  merely  of  form.  I  hope  therefore  you 
will  not  suspect  me  of  using  any  such,  when  I  assure  you  I  re- 
ceived the  £givour  of  your  letter  with  very  great  pleasure.  And 
permit  me,  sir,  to  join  the  thanks  I  owe  to  those  worthy  women, 
the  holy  sisters  at  Ephrata,  with  those  I  now  present  to  you,  for 
the  good  opinion  you,  and  they,  are  pleased  to  have  of  me.  I 
claim  only  that  of  re^>ecting  merit,  where  I  find  it ;  and  of  wish- 
ing an  increase  in  the  world,  of  that  piety  tx>  the  Almighty,  and 
peace  to  our  fellow-creatures,  that  I  am  convinced  is  in  your 
hearts :  and,  therefore,  do  me  the  justice  to  believe,  you  have 
my  wishes  of  prosperity  here,  and  happiness,  hereafter. 

I  did  not  receive  the  precious  stone,  you  were  so  good  to  send 
me,  till  yesterday.  I  am  most  extremely  obliged  to  you  for  it. 
It  deserves  to  be  particularly  distinguished  on  its  own,  as  well  as 
the  giver's  accoimt  I  shall  keep  it  with  a  grateful  remembrance 
of  my  obligations  to  you. 

Mr.  Penn,  as  well  as  myself,  were  much  obliged  to  you  for  re- 
marking to  us,  that  the  paper  you  wrote  on,  was  the  manufac-. 
ture  of  Ephrata :  It  had,  on  that  account,  great  merit  to  us  ;  and 
he  has  desired  our  friend,  Mr.  Barton,  to  send  him  some  speci- 
mens of  the  occupation  of  some  of  your  society.  He  bids  me 
say,  that  he  rejoices  to  hear  of  your  and  their  welfare. 

It  is  I  that  should  beg  pardon  for  interrupting  your  quiet,  and 

profitable  mcim^^s,  by  an  intercourse  so  little  beneficial  as  mine; 

but  trust  your  benevolence  will  indulge  this  satisfaction  to  one 

who  wishes  to  assure  you,  sir,  that  she  is,  with  sincere  regard, 

your  obliged  and  faithful  well-wisher, 

Juliana  Penn. 

Mr.  Peter  Milleb,  President  of  the  Cloister  at  Ephrata. 


4  II 


ijHttrfnm  Gentnd  Watt&^mto  the  WrUtr^  tktue  Memoin. 
Mount  FefHon,  Sefl.  ftk.  I^aa. 

Sir, 

At  the  same  time  I  announce  to  jrou  the  receipt  of  yvHt 
«bllg^g  letter  of  the  38th  of  last  month,  which  covered  an  In- 
^^ous  Cuftf  on  Heraldry,  I  have  to  acknowledge  wj  obliga- 
tlotts  for  the  sentimenta  your  partiality  hai  been  indulgent  enough 
to  form  of  me,  and  my  thanks  for  the  terms  in  which  your  ur- 
tmhy  has  been  pleased  to  express  them. 

Imperfectly  acquainted  with  the  subject)  u  I  profess  myteff 
lb  be ;  and  persuaded  of  your  skill,  as  I  am ;  it  is  &r  from  m^ 
design  to  intimate  an  opinign,  that  Heraldry,  Coat-Armour,  kc. 
itiight  not  be  rendered  conducive  to  pubUc  and  private  uses,  with 
Vif~OT,  that  they  can  have  any  tendency  la^iendly  to  the  fivmf 
tfilrU  tif  Refmiltcanitm :  on  the  contrary,  a  difTerent  conclasion  la 
deduciUe  foom  the  practice  of  Congress  and  the  States;  all  of 
iRfhich  have  established  some  kind  of -AwoHaf  Dtnrfrrc,  to  authen- 
Mcate  their  official  instruments.  But,  sir,  you  must  be  seDSibla* 
that  political  sentiments  are  very  various  among  the  people  in 
ttie  several  states ;  and  that  a  formidable  oppositim  to  what  ap- 
pears to  be  the  prevailing  sense  of  the  Union,  is  but  just  declin' 
iUg  into  peaceable  acquiescence.  While,  therefore,  the  minds  of 
K  certain  portion  of  the  community  (possibly  from  turbulent  or 
llnister  views)  are,  or  affect  to  be,  haunted  with  the  very  afiectn 
^tnnoTHirjon  ;— while  they  are  indefatigably  striving  to  makk 
tiie  credulity  of  the  less-informed  part  of  the  citiiena  subservient 
to  their  schemes,  in  believing  that  the  propoKd  General  Goverih 
ment  is  pregnant  with  the  seeds  of  Discrimination,  Oligarchy 
tnd  Despotism ; — while  they  are  clamouiously  endeavouring  tft 
propagate  an  idea,  that  those  whom  they  wish,  invidiously,  to  de- 
signate by  the  name  of  the  "  well-bom,"  are  mediutingin  th» 
firat  instance  to  distinguish  themselves  from  their  compatrioti, 
aAd  to  wrest  the  dearest  privileges  from  the  bulk  of  the  people ; 
and  while  the  apprehensions  of  tome,  who  have  demonstrated 
themselves  the  sincere,  but  too  jealous.  Friends  of  Liberty,  are 
feelingly  alive  to  the  efiects  of  the  actual  Revolution  and  too  much 
inclined  to  coincide  with  the  prejudices  ^wve  described,— it 
might  not  perhaps  be  advisable  to  stir  any  question  thut  would 
tend  to  reanimate  the  dybg  embers  of  Csctioo,  or  btow  tlie  dor- 


APPENDIX.  61S 

Hu*  government  Nor  could  we  hope  the  evil  impression  woul4 
be  sufficiently  removed,  should  your  Account,  and  Illustrations^ 
be  found  adequate  to  produce  conviction  on  candid  and  unpre- 
judiced minds. 

For  myself^  I  can  readily  acquit  you  of  having  any  design  of 
facilitating  the  setting  up  an  ^'  Order  of  Nobility:"*!  do  not  doubt 
the  rectitude  of  your  intentions.  But,  under  the  existing  cir« 
cumstances,  I  would  willingly  decline  the  honour  you  have  Iof 
tended  me,  by  your  polite  Inscription  ;  if  there  should  be  any 
danger  of  giving  serious  pretext  (however  ill-founded  in  reality) 
for  producing  or  confirming  jealousy  and  dissention,  in  a  single 
instance;  when  harmony  and  accommodation  are  most  essen«- 
tially  requisite  to  our  public  prosperity^— perhaps^  to  our  nar 
tional  existence. 

My  remarks,  you  will  please  to  observe,  go  only  to  the  ex« 
pediency,  not  to  the  merits  of  the  proposition :  what  may  be  ne- 
cessary and  proper  hereafter,  I  hold  myself  incompetent  to  de- 
cide ;  as  I  am  but  a  private  citizen.  You  may,  however,  rest 
satisfied,  that  your  composition  is  calculated  to  give  favourable 
impressions  of  the  science,  candour  and  ingenuity,  with  which 
you  have  handled  the  subject ;  and  that,  in  all  personal  conside- 
rations, I  remain  with  great  esteem,  Sir,  your  most  obedient  and 
tnost  humble  servant, 

G®.  Washington* 
Wm.  Baeton,  Esq. 


Dr.  Benjamin  Rush, 

The  foregoing  Memoirs  were  entirely  completed  and  prepa- 
red for  the  press,  before  the  decease  of  this  Professor  occurred; 
as  is  mentioned  in  the  preface. 

Benjamin  Rush  was  bom  in  the  county  of  Philadelphia,  on 
the  twenty-fourth  day  of  December,  1745,  O.  S.  Having  gra- 
duated in  the  Arts  at  Princeton  College,  in  the  autumn  of  the 
year  1760,  and  afterwards  studied  medicine  under  the  direction 
of  the  late  John  Redman,  M  D.  of  Philadelphia,  he  completed 
his  medical  education  at  the  University  of  Edinburgh ;  where  he 
received  the  degree  of  Doctor  in  Medicine,  in  the  spring  of  1768. 
Returning  to  Philadelphia  in  the  summer  of  1769,  he  was,  on  the 


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