a very imperfect Meaſure of our Globe, and depended on the uncertain Suppoſition of Mariners, who computed a Degree to contain but ſixty Engliſh Miles, whereas it conſiſts in reality of near ſeventy. As this falſe Computation did not agree with the Concluſions which Sir Iſaac intended to draw from them, he laid aſide this Purſuit. A half-learn'd Philoſopher, remarkable only for his Vanity, would have made the Meaſure of the Earth agree, any how, with his Syſtem: Sir Iſaac, however, choſe rather to quit the Reſearches he was then engag'd in. But after Mr. Picart had meaſur'd the Earth exactly, by tracing that Meridian, which redounds ſo much to the Honour of the French, Sir Iſaac Newton reſum'd his former Reflexions, and found his Account in Mr. Picart's Calculation.
A Circumſtance which has always appear'd wonderful to me, is, that ſuch ſublime Diſcoveries ſhould have been made by the ſole Aſſiſtance of a Quadrant and a little Arithmetic.
