Books

First Glasgow Jesuits edition; 4 vols, 8vo (240 x 145 mm); diagrams within the text, contemporary ownership inscription to the half title, light offsetting and occasional spotting; contemporary tan calf, spine elaborately gilt in compartments with the arms of Gonville & Caius College, black morocco labels, blind roll and gilt arms to boards, marbled endpapers and edges, joints just starting, some old repairs, excellent condition; 431, 320, 341, & 202pp. The highly regarded first Glasgow edition of the 'Jesuits' text. This set handsomely bound with the gilt arms of Gonville & Caius College, and the contemporary ownership inscription of John Spedding of Newcastle-on-Tyne (1806-1884), who earned his BA there in 1828. 'Another useful work, containing extended notes that expand the proofs and help make them intelligible, is the so-called "Jesuits edition", actually produced by two Minim fathers, Thomas le Seur and Fran�ois Jacquier (1739-1742, 1760, 1780-1785, 1822, 1833), of which the best edition is the one published in Glasgow in 1822 and in 1833, corrected by J.M.F. Wright, whose two-volume Commentary on Newton's "Principia" is also a useful work' (Newton, The Principia, edited by Cohen & Whitman, 1999, p. 294).

"The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," commonly known as "Principia," is a monumental scientific work by Sir Isaac Newton, first published in 1687. This magnum opus encompasses Newton's groundbreaking theories on mechanics, motion, and gravity, fundamentally altering scientific paradigms. Newton formulated three laws of motion, elucidating the relationships between force, mass, and acceleration. These laws laid the foundation for classical mechanics, outlining how objects move under the influence of external forces. The first law states that an object remains at rest or moves at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. The second law introduces the concept of force, asserting that force equals mass multiplied by acceleration (F = ma). The third law describes action and reaction, stating that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. However, Newton's most influential contribution was his law of universal gravitation. He proposed that every particle of matter attracts every other particle with a force proportional to their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between their centers. This law explained not only the motion of celestial bodies but also the falling of objects on Earth, unifying celestial and terrestrial mechanics. Newton's Principia revolutionized scientific thought by providing a mathematical framework to describe and predict the motion of objects in the universe. It presented a systematic approach to understanding natural phenomena, marking a departure from earlier qualitative explanations. Newton's work profoundly influenced subsequent scientific inquiry, serving as a cornerstone for further developments in physics and astronomy. Moreover, Principia's impact extended beyond the scientific community, inspiring advancements in various fields. Its emphasis on empirical evidence and mathematical rigor became a model for scientific investigation, fostering a culture of systematic observation and experimentation. The legacy of "The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" endures as one of the most influential scientific works in history, shaping the foundations of modern physics and serving as a testament to Newton's genius and contribution to humanity's understanding of the natural world.