70[v]
HAD not a motive more prevalent than Cuſtom induced me to
ſay ſomething by way of Preface to the Performance which
I herewith offer to the Public, the difficulty I find in doing it with
propriety, would have determined me to remain entirely ſilent.
ſay ſomething by way of Preface to the Performance which
I herewith offer to the Public, the difficulty I find in doing it with
propriety, would have determined me to remain entirely ſilent.
The ſubject has employed the Pen of one of the ableſt Geometers
of the laſt Century; it may therefore ſeem very preſumptuous, in
me at leaſt, who am but young in theſe matters, to attempt it after
him. To obviate, if poſſible, this Cenſure is my only intention
here; and I hope I ſhall not be deemed impertinent, if I attempt to
ſhew wherein I apprehend I have come nearer to the great original
than he hath done.
of the laſt Century; it may therefore ſeem very preſumptuous, in
me at leaſt, who am but young in theſe matters, to attempt it after
him. To obviate, if poſſible, this Cenſure is my only intention
here; and I hope I ſhall not be deemed impertinent, if I attempt to
ſhew wherein I apprehend I have come nearer to the great original
than he hath done.