This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ...justice no longer. His papers, refused a place at first in the London Philosophical Society's Transactions, made the fortune of a bookseller who published them in a separate work. The substance of them was translated into several of the languages of Europe, and in France the scientific men reproduced his ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 edition. Excerpt: ...justice no longer. His papers, refused a place at first in the London Philosophical Society's Transactions, made the fortune of a bookseller who published them in a separate work. The substance of them was translated into several of the languages of Europe, and in France the scientific men reproduced his experiments with the same results. Then the Philosophical Society in London published a summary of what was by this time in every scientific man's knowledge; thus giving at second-hand, what they might have had while fresh and novel. They also presented him with the Copley Medal for 1753, a mark of high respect, and gave him a still greater token of distinguished consideration, by election into their body without his request; excusing him the customary fees, which are very large, and giving him their Transactions, as from time to time they were published, gratis. By this his pleasure in philosophical pursuits was increased, and his usefulness greatly enhanced. About the same time he was complimented with honorary degrees, by Yale College and Harvard University. These were but the commencement of similar compliments, which were never bestowed where they were better deserved. In the same year (1753) he was appointed Postmaster General in America, jointly with Mr. William Hunter. While mindful of these high scientific employments and important offices, he was attentive to small things and small improvements. He correctly argues that "human felicity is produced, not so much by great pieces of good fortune, that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas! This sum...
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