An essay on the usefulness of mathematical learning, in a letter from a gentleman in the City to his friend in Oxford / [Anon].

  • Arbuthnot, John, 1667-1735.
Date:
1701
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the usefulness of mathematical learning, in a letter from a gentleman in the City to his friend in Oxford / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    In all Ages and Countries, where Learning hath prevailed, the Mathe¬ matical Sciences have been looked upon as the nioft confiderable branch of it. The very name mdfycj? implies no lefs i by which they were called either for their excellency, or becaule of all the Sciences they were firft taught, or becaule they were judg’d to comprehend 7m™ m ma- S-yjuato. And amongft thole, that are commonly reckoned to be the leven Li¬ beral Arts, four are Mathematical, to wit, Arithmetic^ Mufic\, Geometry, and AJlronomy. But notwithftanding their Excellency and Reputation, they have not been taught nor ftudy’d lb univerfally, as lome of the reft; which I take to have pro¬ ceeded from the following caufes: The averfion of the greatefi part of Mankind to ferious attention and clofe arguing; Their not comprehending fufficiently the necejfity or great ujefulnefs of theje in other parts of Learning; An Opinion that this fludy re¬ quires a particular Genius and turn of Heady which fen? are fo happy as to he Born with; And the want of Publicly Encouragement, and able Majlers. For thele, and perhaps fbme other reafons, this ftudy hath been generally