Letters concerning the English Nation/Index

by Voltaire

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INDEX.

A.

Academy.. Design for establishing an Academy, for the Improvement of the English Tongue, p. 235. Reasons why that Design was laid aside, p. 236. Reflections on the French Academy, and on that of the Sciences, p. 237, 240. and of the Advantages which might accrue from the French Academy in France, p. 243.

Addison (Mr.) a considerable Fault in his beautiful Tragedy of Cato, p. 179. The high Esteem in which his Writings are had in England, p. 224, 225.

Ages (barbarous) the most useful Inventions have been discover'd in them, p. 241.

Altena. The Author's Justification of what he had advanc'd in his History of Charles XII. relating to the Burning of that City, p. 247, & seq.

Anaxagoras, his Opinion concerning the Nature of the Soul, p. 95.

Antonio, a ridiculous Character in one of Otway's Plays, p. 168.

Argonauts. Sir Isaac Newton fixes the Time of their Expedition, p. 164.

Aristotle. The only Reason why he had so many Commentators was, because he was unintelligible, p. 96.

Astronomy. The Use Sir Isaac Newton made of this Science in rectifying Chronology, p. 159.

Attraction. Sir Isaac Newton borrow'd his System of Attraction from the Lord Bacon, p. 91. Explication of that System, p. 127. & seq. Defence of the Term attraction, p. 137. & seq.

B.

Bacon (Lord) his Character and Elogium, p. 84, & seq. Curious Reflexions on his philosophical Discoveries and his Works, p. 91, & seq. His History of Henry VII. censur'd. p. 93.

Baptism. Idea which the Quakers entertain of that Institution, p. 4, 5.

Barclay (Robert); Author of the Apology for the Quakers, a Work in great Esteem, p. 7. he presents it to King Charles II, p. 22.

Bastille, Sir John Vanbrugh being in France was imprison'd in the Bastille, without knowing why, p. 187.

Bernard (St.) The singular Opinion of this Father with regard to the State of the Soul after Death, p. 96.

Bernoulli. Whether he invented the integral Calculation, p. 154.

Bibliotheque Raisone'e. An useful Journal, but not known in France, p. 245.

Bodies. Cause of their Density discover'd by Sir Isaac Newton, p. 146.

Bolingbroke (Viscount) consider'd as one of the Defenders of the Church of England, p. 36. An ingenious and noble Answer of that Lord, relating to the Duke of Marlborough, in the opposite Party, p. 86.

Brounker (Lord) squar'd the Hyperbola, p. 152.

C.

Charta Magna. A famous Edict which the English look upon as the Foundation of their Liberties, p. 64. Examination of that Charter, p. 65, & seq.

Chinese. The Practice of Inoculation has been among that People above two hundred Years, p. 82.

Chronology. The new Discoveries Sir Isaac Newton made in that Science, p. 156. Principles on which he establish'd them, p. 157, 159.

Cibber (Mr.) an English Poet, and an excellent Comedian, p. 190.

Circassians. The Inoculation of the Small Pox invented by that People. Reasons why this Custom is practis'd by them, p. 74, 75.

Clarke (Dr.) a famous Divine. A Stickler for Socinianism, p. 48. His Character, ibid. His Adherence to that Sett of People tho' prejudicial to his Fortune, p. 49.

Clergy. Their Authority in England, p. 37. Their Morals better than those of the French Clergy, p. 38. Most English Clergymen are Pedants, and not very amiable in Society, p. 39, 40. They fuddle themselves, which gives no Offence, ibid.

Colours. Different Colours of the Rays of Light, fix'd by Sir Isaac Newton, p. 145.

Comedies. The English have some very beautiful ones, but to taste 'em a Reader must understand their Tongue, they being very much disfigur'd in a Translation, p. 190.

Comets. Explain'd by Sir Isaac Newton, p. 190. Opinion of some other Philosophers, p. 134.

Commerce. Flourishing State of it in England, p. 69. Noble Simplicity of the rich Merchants in London, p. 72.

Commons (House of) It's Original is very obscure, p. 65. How its Authority was increas'd, p. 66.

Congreve. A famous English Poet. Author of some excellent Comedies. His Character, p. 188. His Discourse in a Visit which Mr. de Voltaire paid him, p. 189.

Courayer (Father) a learned French Monk. Has written on the Validity, of English Ordinations. Opinion entertain'd of his Work in France, and in England, p. 38. Of no Advantage to the English, ibid. nor to the Author.

Courtiers (French) Their Deities, p. 192.

Cromwell (Oliver). Persecutes the Quakers, because their Religion would not permit them to fight, p. 19.

D.

Delme' (Sir Peter) a rich English Merchant, owes his Riches to his Merit, p. 242.

Descartes. His Character. Epitome of his Life, Judgment on his Talents, on his Works, and his Progress in Philosophy, Geometry, &c. 113, & seq. Compar'd to Sir Isaac Newton, 112, 118. Sir Isaac destroy'd most of his Principles, p. 125.

Difference, a remarkable one between Tragedy and Comedy, p. 191.

Divines. A Sett of Men whose Character is not very amiable, and who do not confine themselves, enough to the Rules of their Profession, p. 102, 103. Much more dangerous to Mankind than Philosophers, p. 108.

Dominis (Antonio de) First explains the Causes of the Rainbow, p. 143.

Dryden, an excellent English Poet. His Character, p. 175. Translation of some beautiful Lines of his, ibid.

E.

Ecole des Femmes (School for married Women) a Comedy of Moliere imitated by Wycherley, and intitled by him the Country Wife, p. 186.

Effiat (Marquis of) An ingenious Compliment made by that Nobleman to the Lord Bacon, p. 85.

England. Is properly the Country of Sectarists, p. 34.

English Tongue. A Man must understand it to judge of the Merit of the Writers in that Language, p. 190.

Enthusiasm. Difficult to convince an Enthusiast by rational Arguments, p. 6.

Epitaph of Sir John Vanbrugh, p. 187.

Error of the English with regard to the Measure of the Earth, rectified by Sir Isaac Newton, p. 129.

Essence. That of Matter, according to Sir Isaac Newton does not consist merely in Extension; and that of the Soul is not Thought, according to Mr. Locke. Both differ in Opinion from Des Cartes, p. 111.

Eugene (Prince) borrows five Millions from some English Merchants, p. 70.

Exhange (Royal) A noble Idea of it. p. 44.

F.

Fleets. The English, in 1723, had three powerful ones at the same Time in different Parts of the World, p. 70.

Fleury (Cardinal) His Taste for Polite Literature, p. 255.

Fontenelle (Mr. de) Wrote the Elogium of Sir Isaac Newton. The English were displeas'd at his comparing Descartes to that Philosopher, p. 112. He has attacked the System of Attraction, p. 137.

Format. The only Frenchman in Des Carte's Time who understood his Geometry, p. 118.

Fox (George) Founder of Quakerism. His Character and Adventures, p. 19, & seq.

France (Civil Wars of) as bloody, and more fatal, than those of England, p. 56, 57.

French. The Idea they have of England, p. 55.

Frenchman. Des Cartes little esteem'd by several of the English, merely because he was a Frenchman, p. 112.

Froncine. Mistress to Des Cartes, by whom he had Child, p. 113.

G.

Galileo. Imprison'd in the Inquisition for having demonstrated the Earth's Motion, p. 115.

Generations. The Proportion of their Duration with that of the Reign of Kings, p. 157.

Geometry (Infinites in) sublime Discoveries made by Sir Isaac Newton in that Science, p. 151, & seq.

Gordon (Mr.) a very ingenious English Writer, known by several Works, p. 221.

Great Men. Answer to the Question, who is the greatest Man that ever liv'd? p. 83.

Government. Various Revolutions in Government in England, p. 59, & seq. In what Manner Subsidies are levied in that Country, p. 67, 68.

H.

Halley (Dr.) His Opinion with regard to the Comet in 1680, p. 134.

Hamburgh. Complaints of the Inhabitants of that City, against some Particulars in the History of Charles XII. p. 246.

Hatred (reciprocal) of the Episcoparians and Presbyterians in England, much like that of the Jansenists and Jesuits, but with this Difference, that the former observe a better Decorum, p. 44.

Historians. The English wanting in good ones, p. 220.

Holland. Des Cartes was persecuted in that Country, because no one understood his Philosophy, p. 114.

Holland (North) Des Cartes withdrew to it, in order to cultivate his Philosophy, p. 115.

Hopkins (Sir Richard.) The prodigious Advantages he reap'd by Arithmetick, p. 242.

Hyperbola. Squar'd by Lord Brounker, p. 152.

Hypparchus. A Greek Philosophet. His Astronomical Observations, p. 160.

Hudibras. A famous Poem written by Butler. Judgment of that Work, p. 212, 213.

I.

Impulsion. A Term as little understood in Philosophy as that of Attraction, pag. 138.

Infinites in Geometry. Carried by Sir Isaac Newton to a wonderful Length, p. 152, & seq.

Inoculation. An artificial Method of communicating the Small-Pox, first brought from Asia. Origin of this Invention; Curious Relation how it was first introduc'd in England, p. 78. Effect it had in that Country, p. 79. Great Benefit it might produce in other Countries, especially in France, p. 81. The Chinese are said to have practis'd it for a long Course of Years, p. 82.

Inventions. Several great Men have disputed for the Honour of various Inventions, p. 154.

L.

Leibnitz. Whether he invented Fluxions, p. 154.

Lewenhoeck. His Dispute with Hartsoecher, p. 155.

Liberty. Idoliz'd so much by the English, that they are even jealous of that of other Nations, p. 55. Foundation of their Liberties, p. 64. These examin'd, p. 65. & seq.

Locke (Mr) His Character, p. 94. Idea of his Philosophy, p. 98, & seq. He is accus'd of a Design to destroy Religion, p. 101.

Longitude. Reward promis'd in England to the Man who shall discover it, p. 224.

Lully. Despis'd by the ignorant Musicians in Italy, but admir'd by those of the greatest Abilities, p. 190.

M.

Machines. Whether Animals are mere Machines? The Author's Argument against that Opinion, p. 105.

Majesty. The People of England have the Epithet Majesty bestow'd upon them by one of their Members of Parliament, p. 51.

Malbranche (Father). Esteem'd by the Quakers, and consider'd by them as a Favourer of their Principles, p. 15.

Matter. The Essence of Matter, according to Sir Isaac Newton, consists in Solidity and Extension, p. 111.

Measure of the Circumference of the terrestrial Globe, p. 131.

Merchants (English) Their Riches and Generosity, p. 70. The greatest Noblemen don't think Trade derogatory to their Titles. Examples of this, p. 71.

Milton. A Daughter of that immortal Poet reliev'd from the Extremes of Misery by the Liberality of Queen Caroline, p. 79.

Misantrope of Moliere, imitated by Wycherley in his Comedy call'd the Plain-Dealer, p. 182.

Montague (Lady Wortley.) The English are obliged to that Lady for introducing the Practice of Inoculation among them. Her Elogium, p. 78.

Muralt (Mr. de) in his Letters on the English and French Nations, did not expatiate enough on English Comedies, p. 181.

N.

Newton (Sir Isaac) a Favourer of the Socinian Principles, p. 48. In the Opinion of some People, the greatest Man that ever liv'd, p. 83. His Philosophy quite different from that of Des Cartes, p. 111. The most curious and most considerable of his Principles explain'd, from p. 122, to p. 165. He has obtain'd a kind of universal Monarchy over the Sciences, p. 164.

O.

Oldfield (Mrs.) a celebrated English Actress. Her very honourable Interment, p. 227.

Opticks. Sir Isaac Newton's wonderful Discoveries in that Science, p. 142. His Method on this Occasion, p. 145, & seq.

Ordinations (English) defended by Father Courayer, The Obligations the English have to him for this Work, p. 38.

Otway. Ridiculously imitated some of Shakespear's Faults, p. 168.

Oxford (late Earl of) consider'd as the Defender of the Church of England, p. 36. Favours the Design of founding an Academy. p. 235.

P.

Parliament (of Great-Britain) compar'd with the ancient Romans, p. 52. The Parallel examin'd, ibid. and p. 53. Reflexions on the English Liberties and the Authority of Parliaments, p. 53, 54, & seq.

Peers. The Bulwark of the English Monarchs, against the formidable Authority of the Commons, p. 66. Few Peers have Estates in those Countries whence they take their Titles, ibid.

Pen (William) Head of the Quakers in America, p. 24. Pensilvania so call'd from him, p. 28. His Travels and Adventures. Amiable Government settled by him among his Followers, p. 28, 29. His Death. Accus'd of being a Jesuit. Justifies himself, p. 30, 31, & seq.

Philosophy. The prodigious Improvements Lord Bacon made in it, p. 88. as also Des Cartes, p. 120. and Sir Isaac Newton, p. 117.

Picart (Mr.) The Advantage his Calculation was to Sir Isaac Newton's System, p. 129.

Pope (Mr.) one of the greatest Poets of the English Nation. His Character, p. 215. Translation of some beautiful Lines from his Rape of the Lock, p. 216. He is the English Boileau, p. 236. The high regard shown him in England, p. 226.

Popes. Anciently Tyrants in England, p. 61, 62.

Pox (Small) given in Inoculation. Curious Account of that Practice, p. 73, & seq. Havock it made in Paris in 1723, p. 81.

Presbyterianism the most considerable Sect after the Church of England, p. 43.

Presbyterians. Character of those in England, p. 41. Difference between the Episcopal Clergy, and those of the Church of Scotland, p. 42.

Prior (Mr.) an English Poet of distinguish'd Merit, p. 211. has a very considerable Employment bestow'd upon him, p. 225.

Prynne (Mr.) a Fanatic, p. 228. His Arguments against publick Spectacles, p. 229.

Q.

Quakers. Conversation of the Author with an old Quaker of very good Sense, p. 2. Opinion of the Quakers with regard to Baptism, p. 4, 5. Their Meetings, p. 12, 13. Have neither Priests nor Ministers, p. 13. Origin of the Quakers, p. 17. Persecuted upon the first Establishment of their Doctrine, p. 19, & seq. They settle in America and particularly in Pensilvania, p. 28. Their Number decreases daily in England. Reasons of it. p. 33.

Quality: (English) fond of, and cherish, the Polite Arts, p. 209.

Queen Caroline. Her Elogium. She protects the Sciences, p. 79.

R.

Rays. Difference in the Rays of which Light is compos'd, according to Sir Isaac Newton's System, p. 145.

Religions, (Plurality of) these very necessary, and of Advantage to the Happiness and Prosperity of the English, p. 45.

Retz (Cardinal de) His Character, p. 56.

Revenue (yearly.) A great Number of Commoners in England, have two hundred thousand Livres per Annum, p. 68.

Revolution. A singular one of the Earth newly discover'd, p. 159.

Richey, (Mr.) a Gentleman of Hamburgh, complains to the Author of some Particulars in the History of Charles XII, p. 246.

Rochester (Earl of) His Elogium, p. 197. A beautiful Passage from his Satyr against Man, imitated by our Author, p. 202.

Romans. A Parallel between that People and the English, p. 52.

Rousseau (the Poet) his Zeal for Religion, p. 253.

Ruscomb. A Town in Berkshire, where William Pen died, p. 33.

S.

Sects. English properly the Country of them, p. 34. Philosophers will never form religious Sects, because they are not enthusiastically inclined, p. 107.

Shakespear. The first Poet who made the English Theatre conspicuous, p. 166. His Character, ibid. The high Esteem the English have for his Writings productive of ill Effects, p. 167, & seq. Part of the famous Speech in Hamlet translated into French, p. 173, &c.

Socinians. Who compose that Sect in England, p. 46. Sir Isaac Newton and Dr. Clarke favour'd their Opinions, p. 48. Reflections on the State of that Sect, p. 49.

Sorin (Mr.) censures the System of Attraction, p. 137.

Soubise (Prince of) dies of the Small-Pox in the Flower of his Youth, p. 81.

Soul. The Ancients ignorant of the Nature of the Soul. Opinions of the Fathers, of the Schoolmen, and of the modern Philosophers, p. 95, & seq.

Spectacles (Publick Shews). Forbid on Sundays in England, and also Cards and all other kind of Diversions, p. 43.

Steele (Sir Richard) Author, of several fine Comedies, p. 190.

Steinbok (Count of) one of the Swedish Generals forms a Resolution to burn Altena, p. 246.

Subsidies. How levied in Great-Britain, p. 67, 68.

Swift (Dean) His Character and Elogium. Compar'd to Rabelais, p. 213, & seq.

T.

Telescopes. One of a new kind invented by Sir Isaac Newton, p. 150.

Theatres. The English had these before the French, p. 166.

Thee and Thou. The Quakers always use those Particles in speaking. Justification of that Form of Speech, p. 8. Examples of a Discourse of this kind address'd to Charles II, p. 22.

Thuanus. A judicious Author even in his style, p. 93.

Tories. A powerful Party in England, the Counter-part to the Whigs, p. 36.

Translation. Several Passages of the most famous English Poets translated by Mr. de Voltaire. One of Shakespear, p. 171. of Dryden, p. 176. of the Earl of Rochester, p. 200. of Waller, p. 206. of Mr. Pope, p. 216. of the Lord ——, p. 195. Qualities necessary to form a good Translation, p. 175.

Tragedies. Reflexions on the State of Tragedy in England, p. 177, & seq.

V.

Vanbrugh (Sir John) Author of several good Comedies, and an Architect. His Character and Epitaph, p. 187. was imprison'd in the Bastile, p. 188.

Villequier. (Duke of) Dies in the Flower of his Youth, p. 81.

Voiture. Judgment on that Author, p. 204, 205.

W.

Waller (Mr.) an English Poet. His Character and Elogium, p. 204. Translation of Part of his Poem on Cromwell's Death, p. 206. His ingenious Reply to Charles II, p. 208.

Wallis. (Dr.) His Progress in Infinites, p. 152.

Warbeck (Perkin) a famous Impostor in the Reign of Henry VII.

Welling (Count of) the Swedish General, forms a Resolution to burn Altena, p. 246.

Whigs. A considerable Party in England, opponents of the Tories, p. 36.

Whiston (Mr.) His Notion with regard to the Deluge, p. 135.

Wycherley (Mr.) Author of several excellent Comedies. A great Imitator of Moliere, particularly in his Plain-Dealer, p. 182. Plot of that Comedy, and of another entitled the Country Wife, p. 183, 186. This Poet in great Favour with the celebrated Mistress of Charles II, p. 182.

ERRATA.

PAGE 36. Line 16. for abridging it, read abridging its Power. p. 39. l. 1. f. at a Time of Life, r. in an Age. ib. l. 22. f. sable mix'd kind of mortal, r. mix'd Being. p. 47. l. 12. dele handsome and. p. 64. l. 23. f. the, r. that. p. 72. l. 12. f. need not, r. cannot. p. 97. l. 14. r. Des Cartes born not, to discover the Errors of Antiquity, but to substitute his own in the Room of them. p. 103. l. 12. before what, put of. p. 117. l. 7. f. new, r. two. p. 145 l. 12. before white, put the. p. 177. l. 24. f. gleam, r. gloom. p. 247. l. 6. before the Journal, put the rest of the Journal.