Christian Huygens and the Development of Science in the Seventeenth Century

Abstract

FOR many the most fascinating period in the history of science is the second half of the seventeenth century, the time when the foundations for the vast structures of to-day were laid with extraordinary sureness, solidity and speed. Newton, of course, was the supreme figure, a genius whose pre-eminence has been emphatically avowed by all men of science who have closely studied his achievement. The age was, however, rich in figures of outstanding gifts and accomplishment, and among them Christian Huygens holds a foremost place. He was, incidentally, one of the few to whom Newton paid generous tribute. Pemberton records : "But Sir Isaac Newton has several times particularly recommended to me Huygens's stile and manner. He thought him the most elegant of any mathematical writer of modern times, and the most just imitator of the antients . . .", the "antients" for whom Newton always expressed the greatest admiration. In the "Principia" he refers to "Sir Christopher Wren, Dr. Wallis and Mr. Huygens, the greatest Geometers of our time", and, acknowledging the gift of a copy of the "Horologium Oscillatorium", he writes "... Mr. Huygens's kind present, which I viewed with great satisfaction, finding it full of very subtle and useful speculations very worthy of the author. I am glad, that we are to expect another discourse of the Vis Centrifuga." Dr. A. E. Bell, whose book is before us, quotes the familiar "What Mr. Huygens has published since about centrifugal force I suppose he had before me", and adds "wrote Newton with some chagrin", which seems to be a quite unjustifiable comment.

Christian Huygens and the Development of Science in the Seventeenth Century

By Dr. A. E. Bell. Pp. 220 + 7 plates. (London: Edward Arnold and Co., 1947.) 18s. net.