A general Idea of Physics, and an Explanation of the most remarkable Hypotheses concerning Light and Colours Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.1 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Translation as interpretation THE very same Reason that led me every Day to a Concert of Music, a gay and elegant Entertainment, a Ball, or the Theatre, induced me to write an Account of the Manner in which I passed my Time last Summer in the Country with the Marchioness of E---, and has … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.2 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Desire, Editorial responsibility The little Peninsula of Sirmione, (the Country of the polite Catullus) and those Mountains which have so often repeated the fine Verses of Fracastorius, two remarkable Points (if I may use the Expression) in the poetical Geography, formed a distant Prospect t… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.3 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, God, Intellectual discipline To the Charms of Wit, and the most polite Imagination she joined an uncommon Strength of Judgement, and to the most refined Sentiments a learned Curiosity. Superior to the rest of her Sex, without being solicitous to appear so, she could talk of Ornament and … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.4 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Affects, Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility When impertinent Visitors gave us some Respite from Play, that Relief and Plague of Society, we passed some part of the Day in reading ancient and modern Authors contrary to the Opinion of that Monarch who preferred old Books like old Friends. Our principal r… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.5 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Friendship, Intellectual discipline In one of these Digressions I spoke of the Force and Advantages of English Poetry, which gave her a strong Inclination to be acquainted with it, imagining that a Nation, on whom Minerva had lavished her Favours in so profuse a Manner, could not be destitute o… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.6 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Force, Intellectual discipline As I desired nothing more than to give Pleasure to a Person who continually afforded so much to me, I was extremely sorry that I could trace her only a very low and imperfect Idea of Dryden's harmonious Copiousness, Waller's Softness, Prior's various and easy… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.7 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Desire, Editorial responsibility While in more lengthen'd Notes and slow The deep Majestic solemn Organs blow Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.8 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Translation as interpretation Mentre con tarde ed allungate NoteIl profundo, Solenne, e MaestosoOrgano Soffla Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.9 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Translation as interpretation she interrupted me, and could not enough admire the Propriety of these Epithets, which (added she) describe that Instrument in such a Manner that I really hear it play. I cannot tell whether you hear it too, but I think I may reasonably conclude it from a cer… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.10 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Ether and field, Family Now we are speaking of Epithets, is not the sevenfold Light, which I read of some Time ago, (replied the Marchioness) in an Ode made in Honour of the philosophical Lady of Bologna, some Chinese Hieroglyphic? at least it is so to me and many others whom I have… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.11 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Desire, Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline The sevenfold Light Whence ev'ry pleasing Charm of colour springs, And forms the gay variety of things Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.12 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intelligible forms, Intellectual discipline O dell, aurataLuce SettempliceI varioardenti, e misti almi Colori Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.13 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Translation as interpretation If you knew the Force of this Epithet, you would see a Newtonian Picture instead of a Chinese Hieroglyphic, though perhaps a little too philosophical for Poetry. What (answered she, interrupting me with an Air of Surprize) you understand this Passage as well,… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.14 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Aporia, Desire, Editorial responsibility No, no, said she, we will finish that another Time, and for the present we will act contrary to the Theatre, but without forgetting the Catastrophe, or finding myself in as much Ignorance as ever Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.15 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Human wisdom, Intellectual discipline Being willing to give her some Idea of the System to which these Verses refer, and thinking that the Marchioness would for once be like other Ladies, who are often desirous of seeming to understand what they are not supposed to have the least Notion of, I tol… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.16 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Desire, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field You will not be satisfied, answered I, unless I make you a Comment at least as long as that of the Malmantile, which, I observed to you the other Day, seemed to be dictated by the agreeable Mathanasius who was formerly the Moliere of the Commentators; at leas… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.17 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Desire, Editorial responsibility It signified nothing for me to plead Incapacity and many other Excuses, which are made use of on the like Occasions, and which occurred to me upon this. The Marchioness insisted upon seeing my Newtonian Picture as she called it. I begged she would at least ha… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.18 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Steadfast patience Thus I was absolutely obliged to begin, but the Difficulty was how to do it; for she had not the least Notion of Physics, which it was necessary to give her a general Idea of, before I proceeded to a Discourse upon Light and the Newtonian System. At last, aft… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.19 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Necessity It is natural to suppose that after Society was so well established among Mankind, that some of them had nothing to do (which I look upon as the Epocha of its Perfection) these Persons either from that Curiosity, which we naturally have about those Things tha… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.20 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Faith I am pleased, replied the Marchioness, that Poetry and Natural Philosophy have one common Date; since for that Reason you will not perhaps think this Transition so strange, that we have made from one to t'other upon my Account. The Transition, (answered I) th… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.21 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Anger, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field After this, the Revolutions of States, the rude and uncultivated Manners of the People, the Temper of Nations, and the Profession of those, among whom Philosophy had formerly flourished, did not a little retard its Progress. From the Indian Traditions which t… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.22 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Death, Editorial responsibility Philosophy after this, together with Luxury, Riches, and Corruption, was transported from Asia to Rome. It could make but little Progress among a People who cultivated hardly any other Art but those of pardoning the vanquished, and depressing the proud. In th… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.23 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Anger, Care of the soul, Civil war Religion at this Time was more than ever united with Philosophy, which could not fail to produce the utmost Confusion in the one, and Ignorance in the other, since both their Nature and End are extremely different Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.24 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Human wisdom, Intellectual discipline A Chaos of vain and useless Disputes, a Chain of unintelligible Definitions, a blind Zeal for wrangling, and a still blinder Devotion for Aristotle whom they called by Way of Distinction, the Philosopher, or a second Nature, and above all a certain Jargon of … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.25 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Education This obstinate Veneration for the Antients, which for a long while passed among the Philosophers as hereditary from one Generation to another, was the Cause that the Knowledge of Physics made little or no Progress till the last Age. At length among some few o… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.26 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Anger, Care of the soul, Courage I think it not improper to call this Man the Czar, Peter the Great, in Natural Philosophy; each of them had to do with a Nation of pretty near the same Character. No one People ever used such Endeavours for Knowledge, as the Muscovites did to know nothing. Th… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.27 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Anger, Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility And it indeed had this Effect; so that these Moderns too began to have Expositors, and Followers as obstinate and zealous as those of the Antients had been before; and these made themselves the more ridiculous by laughing at the same Fault in others. But it w… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.28 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Holiness In order then to avoid these sorrowful Reflexions, said the Marchioness, it is necessary for those, who would form a Sysstem in any Thing, to be careful first to take Notice of all that is observable in it, that it may not be exposed to the Mercy and Insults … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.29 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Family, Intelligible forms This Profession indeed is not so pompous as that of those who will build you a World in the twinkling of an Eye; but on the other Hand it has this Advantage, that it is able to make good its Promises, which is as great an Obligation upon a Philosopher, as a M… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.30 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Dukkha, Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline I, who am a Woman, replied the Marchioness, confess that I love those who have the Courage to venture upon grand and difficult Enterprises. Is not this the Reason why we interest ourselves so much in the Adventures of Heroes? The Courage of those philosophica… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.31 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Courage, Editorial responsibility I might gravely ask you too (that you may see how many things I spare you the Trouble of considering at once) Whether Light, or its Spirit, be the Soul that Plato places between Nature and Ideas, to connect the sensible and intellectual World? and Whether it … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.32 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field I see, said the Marchioness, that Philosophers are to be dealt with in a very circumspect manner, who know how to improve every thing to their own Advantage. You act just like Tyrants, who think they confer a great Favour on any one, whom they have not injure… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.33 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline, Justice Let us see, answered I, whether you can understand the Doctrines of some among the Ancients who were more prudent and humane than the rest. These labour'd to explain every thing by a Vacuum, and the Motion and Figure of certain very little Particles, which th… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.34 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field For, in the first place, they tell us, that the Rarity and incredible Smallness of these little Particles that proceed from the Sun (which Sun they make to be of a dense and close Matter as you will see hereafter) in a very long course of Years will produce o… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.35 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Intellectual discipline Have not you some Inclination, answered I, to the learned Melancholy of the Inhabitants of Dean Swift's flying Island? Who in the most Poetical Allegories has given us the most philosophical Satyr upon Mankind. This Island, which, in the Language of the Count… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.36 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Fear, Freedom As to the Flapper, answered she, I have nothing to do with that, especially when I am with you. But do you not think that there is some Reason for me to be frightened at the terrible Threatning of a perpetual Night? Ought you not rather to think yourself obli… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.37 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field And I hope there will be no need at present to trouble any Philosopher, much less a superior Being Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.38 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Hope, Intellectual discipline I wish, answered I, that your Fears may never extend to any thing farther than Philosophy, and that your Beauty, as it has many other Qualities in common with the Sun, may have a common Duration with him. But I am extremely glad that since I have delivered yo… Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.39 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Care of the soul, Editorial responsibility, Ether and field And these Dispositions, at the Approach of Light, will again make the Colours Mezzotintos and Chiaro Oscuros, appear upon the Canvas, and restore to your Sight a commanding Beauty, a Flight of Pillars, a verdant Meadow, or the opening Blushes of the Morning. … Algarotti’s Sir Isaac Newton’s Philosophy Explained for the Use of the Ladies, Translated by Elizabeth Carter 1.40 Francesco Algarotti Modern era English Editorial responsibility, Ether and field, Intelligible forms 