cured Street's Caroline Tables, he proceeded in the study of the motions of the planets, and calculated an eclipse of the He showed this calculation to Mr. Halton, who was himself a good mathematician, and fortunately received from him both the advantage of personal encouragement, and the assistance of some of the best publications upon astronomical subjects. Upon this, Flamsteed prosecuted his studies with great vigour and success. In 1669 he calculated some remarkable eclipses of the fixed stars by the moon, and addressed them to lord Brouncker, the president of the Royal Society. His performance was read before that society, and was so highly approved as to obtain for him a letter of thanks for the communication.

From this time, he began to collect all the mathematical works which were published either at home or abroad. His father, observing that he was engaged in correspondence with many ingenious men, whom he had never seen, advised him, notwithstanding he had hitherto discountenanced his studies, to go to London, that he might become personally acquainted with his correspondents. He gladly embraced this offer. He immediately visited Oldenburgh, the secretary to the Royal Society, and Collins, one of the members.. They introduced him to sir Jonas Moore, from whom he received some valuable scientific instruments. At Cambridge also he visited some of the most celebrated men, and entered himself of Jesus college. In the spring of 1672, he translated into Latin and published a variety of extracts from Gascoigne's and Crabtree's Letters, and spent the remainder of the year in the successful prosecution of his astronomical studies. In 1673, he wrote a small tract in English, concerning the true and apparent diameters of all the planets, when at their nearest or remotest distances from the earth. He wrote, in the following year, an Ephemeris, in order to demonstrate the falsity of astrology, and the ignorance of those who pretended to have acquired a knowledge of this imaginary science. He also prepared a table of the rising and setting of the moon, together with the eclipses and apparent

Course

course of the moon among the planets and fixed stars. In the year 1674, in consequence of an intimation from sir Jonas Moore, that a true account of the tides would be acceptable to his majesty, (Charles II.) he composed a small ephemeris for the use of the king. It appears that sir Jonas Moore entertained the highest opinion of the talents of Mr. John Flamsteed; for what he collected from his discourse, he was in the habit of communicating to his friends about the court, to whom Flamsteed received from him the most flattering recommendation. He constructed for sir Jonas a barometer, and supplied him with a long series of observations upon the weather, and the mode in which this instrument indicated its approaching changes.

Having taken his degree of master of arts at Cambridge, he designed to enter into orders, and. to accept of a small living near Derby, which had been promised him by a friend of his father's. In the mean time, sir Jonas Moore, who had been informed of his intentions, succeeded in persuading him to reside with him in London; but in his resolution to take orders Flamsteed remained unchanged. In 1675, he was appointed astronomer to the king, with a salary of 100l. per annum. This circumstance, however, did not suspend his inclination for the church. He was afterwards ordained at Ely-house by bishop Gunning. the month of August 1675, the foundation was laid of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich. During this time, Flamsteed lodged in that neighbourhood, and continued his astronomical observations. His doctrine of the sphere was published in 1681, in a posthumous work of sir Jonas Moore, entitled A new System of Mathematics.

In

Although but moderately provided for, Mr. Flamsteed appears to have been perfectly satisfied with his situation. His greatest ambition was directed to the acquisition of knowledge, and the advancement of science. This reputation attracted the notice of the world, obtained for him the advantage of royal favour and protection, and procured him the friendship of sir Isaac Newton, Dr. Halley, Mr. Moli

b 4

neux,

neux, Dr. Wallis, Cassini, and many other illustrious persons. After being presented in 1681 to the living of Burstow, which he held till his death, he showed the same. assiduity for the improvement of astronomical science. Of this there is sufficient evidence in the many papers addressed by him to the secretaries of the Royal Society, many of which are published in the Philosophical Transactions.-His Historia Cœlestis Britannica was published in 1725, in three volumes folio, and dedicated by his widow to George I. A great part of this work was printed before his death, and the rest completed, except the prolegomena to the third volume. It is stated in the preface, that in 1704 he communicated an account of his collection of observations to the Royal Society, who were so highly pleased with it, that they recommended the work to prince George of Denmark. Several of the most distinguished members of the Royal Society were appointed by the prince to inspect Mr. Flamsteed's papers. Upon their report, the greater part was printed at the expense of the prince, and the remainder after Mr." Flamsteed's death. His name has been mentioned with the highest respect by many cotemporary writers of eminence; and in particular by Wotten and Dr. Keil.

Although the Royal Society could boast of having among its members many of the most illustrious characters of this and of foreign countries, yet, with the exception of the im mortal Newton, it would be difficult to fix upon any individual of this institution more distinguished for profound and universal knowledge than sir Christopher Wren. We have before paid to his genius a transient tribute of respect; but his great and diversified talents fully justify a more ample statement of his claims to public admiration. His biographers represent that, at a very early age, he discovered an extraordinary inclination for learning, and in particular for mathematics. At about fourteen years of age, he was sent to Oxford, where his rapid acquisition of mathematical knowledge not only excited astonishment, but procured him very great distinction. He took a bachelor's degree at eighteen, and before he had completed his twentieth

year he

was

was elected a fellow of All-Souls college. Soon after, he became a member of the learned and ingenious society which was then established at Oxford for the improvement of natural and experimental philosophy. In 1657, being then only twenty-five years of age, he was chosen professor of astronomy in Gresham college. The following year he read a description of the different phases of Saturn, and also communicated to Dr. Wallis some very ingenious cycloidal demonstrations. It is about this time that he solved the problem proposed by Pascal to all the English mathematicians, and returned another, solved likewise by himself, of which the French mathematicians never gave any solution. Sir Christopher Wren held the appointment of professor of astronomy at Gresham college only till the year 1661, when he was chosen Savilian professor in the room of Dr. Seth Ward.

Among his numerous and eminent accomplishments, he had acquired in the reign of Charles II. so much skill in architecture, that his majesty thought proper to order him to assist sir John Denham, surveyor-general of his majesty's works. In 1663, he was chosen fellow of the Royal Society, being one of the members first appointed by the council after the grant of their charter. The contributions of sir Christopher to the scientific transactions of the society were many, and of considerable importance. He constructed a lunar globe, which represented not only the spots upon the surface, but the hills, eminences, and cavities; it was also calculated to exhibit all the menstrual phases of the moon. It appears that he formed this globe, at the express desire of Charles II., to whom he presented it with an appropriate Latin inscription. In 1665, he went to France, to survey all the important architectural monuments in Paris, and to examine what was most remarkable in every branch of mechanics. Upon his return, he was appointed architect and one of the commissioners to repair St. Paul's cathedral. A contest arose with respect to the plan upon which this was to be executed. The fire of London terminated the dispute, and entirely destroyed the mutilated cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren pre

sented

sented to his majesty a plan for the rebuilding of the city. Like Mr. Hooke's, it was approved, but remained unexecuted. Upon the decease of sir John Denham, in March 1668, he succeeded him in the office of surveyor-general of his majesty's works, and in the following year he constructed that beautiful monument of finished architecture, the Theatre, at Oxford. The dreadful conflagration of the city of London gave him many opportunities of exercising his architectural talents. Beside the works of the crown, St. Paul's cathedral, the parochial churches, and other public structures which had been destroyed by this dreadful calamity, were rebuilt from his designs, and under his immediate direction. Constant attention to these important objects made it necessary for him to resign his Savilian professorship in 1673. It was upon his suggestion that Greenwich was fixed upon for the erection of the royal observatory, to which, as we have before seen, Mr. Flamsteed was first appointed his majesty's professor. In 1680, he had the distinguished honour of being elected president of the Royal Society; he was afterwards appointed architect and commissioner of Chelsea college, and principal officer of the works in the castle of Windsor.

The architectural monuments of sir Christopher Wren exceed sixty, of the first importance and magnitude. The Monument, Trinity college library, Greenwich hospital, St. Mary-le-Bow, St. Stephen Walbrook, and St. Paul's cathedral, are considered as structures of very superior excellence. The church of St. Stephen has been reputed his master-piece. It displays the most beautiful architectural symmetry, and is supposed, in taste and proportion, to vie with the most celebrated edifices of which Italy can boast. It appears singular that this exquisite specimen of architecture should have been so much overlooked; and foreigners have justly questioned the judgment of a nation that has hitherto placed so little value upon so much perfection.

Although the constitution of sir Christopher Wren was far from being robust, yet, by temperance and skilful management,