Item 143 - Letter from Hugh James Rose

Hadleigh - Thanks WW for his book ['Astronomy and General Physics Considered with Reference to Natural Theology', 1833]: 'I could not at all excuse for the delight with which I have read and am reading it. That it will at once take its due place as one of the standards of English Literature, I cannot for a moment doubt. What qualities deserve such a position which are not found here? Range of knowledge coextensive with science itself - and in that range, a selection of details calculated at once to convince the understanding and gratify the imagination - true philosophy - all dogmatism avoided - all placed on solid foundations. And then the beauty, eloquence and ease of the style. I told you that your treatise on optics wanted close attention. This book commands close attention, but requires none that is painful - you have indeed been very kind to us poor ignoramuses. Yr. chapter on a Resisting Medium is a noble bit of eloquency - and your distinction between the Discoverers and the mere Mathematicians, with the reasons for it, as true as truth itself. This will at once put an end to all the talk on this subject because you allow what is to be allowed and vindicate science as she deserves. The way in which you speak of the non-importance of the opinions of mere mathematicians, coming from a person of your station in science is indeed very important'. HJR notes that WW has 'contented yourself and lightly (I think with asserting the strength of proof from contrivance to a contriver without arguing against the denial of that truth. Will you tell me where that is best done'.