CHAP. II.
HISTORICAL NOTICES.
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Another well-known ancient philosopher says: “ Alstusmaris accedere et reciprocare maxime est, pluribus quidemmodis accidit verurn causa in sole lunaque.” 1 Kepler clearlyindicated the principle of gravitation being concerned 2 , anopinion which Galileo strongly dissented from. 3 Wallis, in1666, also published a tidal theory. 4 Before Sir Isaac Newton turned his attention to this subject, the explanations givenwere at best but vague surmises; “ to him was reserved theglory of discovering the true theory of these most remarkablephenomena, and of tracing, in all its details, the operation ofthe cause which produces them.”
■ Bialogki.