THE MARTYRS OF SCIENCE, OR THE LIVES OF GALILEO, TYCHO BRAHE, AND KEPLER.
BY
SIR DAVID BREWSTER, K.H. D.C.L., PRINCIPAL OF THE UNITED COLLEGE OF ST SALVATOR AND ST LEONARD, ST ANDREWS; FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON; VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE; AND MEMBER OF THE ACADEMIES OF ST PETERSBURG, STOCKHOLM, BERLIN, COPENHAGEN, GOTTINGEN, PHILADELPHIA, &c. &c.
LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1841.
G. S. TULLIS, PRINTER, CUPAR.
TO THE RIGHT HON. FRANCIS LORD GRAY, F.R.S., F.R.S.E.
MY LORD,
In submitting this volume to the public under your Lordship's auspices, I avail myself of the opportunity thus afforded me of expressing the deep sense which I entertain of the friendship and kindness with which your Lordship has so long honoured me.
Although in these days, when Science constitutes the power and wealth of nations, and encircles the domestic hearth with its most substantial comforts, there is no risk of its votaries being either persecuted or neglected, yet the countenance of those to whom Providence has given rank and station will ever be one of the most powerful incitements to scientific enterprise, as well as one of its most legitimate rewards. Next to the satisfaction of cultivating Science, and thus laying up the only earthly treasure which we can carry along with us into a better state, is that of having encouraged and assisted others in the same beneficent labours. That your Lordship may long continue to enjoy these sources of happiness is the earnest prayer of,
MY LORD,
Your Lordship's
Most faithful and obedient servant,
DAVID BREWSTER.
ST LEONARDS, ST ANDREWS,
October 12, 1840.
CONTENTS.
LIFE OF GALILEO.
Page. CHAPTER I. 1
Peculiar interest attached to his Life--His Birth--His early studies--His passion for Mathematics--His work on the Hydrostatic Balance--Appointed Lecturer on Mathematics at Pisa--His antipathy to the Philosophy of Aristotle--His contentions with the Aristotelians--Chosen Professor of Mathematics in Padua--Adopts the Copernican system, but still teaches the Ptolemaic doctrine--His alarming illness--He observes the new Star in 1604--His Magnetical experiments,