Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 58.djvu/364

Vince Fluids,’ ‘The Resistance of Bodies moving in Fluids,’ and on the ‘Variations of Refraction in the Earth's Atmosphere’ (ib. lxxxv. 24, lxxxviii. 1, lxxxix. 13).

In 1795 Vince combined with the Rev. James Wood [q. v.] to digest the substance of lectures delivered in the university into a series of four octavo volumes entitled ‘The Principles of Mathematical and Natural Philosophy’ (1793–9). The subjects treated by Vince were fluxions, hydrostatics, and astronomy. His ‘Treatise on Practical Astronomy’ (Cambridge, 1790, 4to), explaining the construction and use of instruments, paved the way for his magnum opus, ‘A Complete System of Astronomy,’ issued in three quarto volumes, 1797–1808, and in a second enlarged edition, 1814–23. This work, although no longer read, retains its monumental reputation; Professor John Playfair [q. v.] asserted in the ‘Edinburgh Review’ (June 1809) that the tables collected in the third volume marked ‘a great epoch in astronomical science.’

In 1796 Vince succeeded Antony Shepherd [q. v.] as Plumian professor of astronomy and experimental philosophy in the university of Cambridge, and held the post till his death at Ramsgate on 28 Nov. 1821. In 1780 he married Mary, daughter of Thomas Paris. By her he had one son, Samuel Berney Vince, who became vicar of Ringwood, Hampshire.

As a mathematician Vince was one of the last representatives of the English synthetical school. His scientific treatises are able, but inelegant. Many of them became university text-books and ran through several editions. Besides those already mentioned his most important works are: 1. ‘Elements of the Conic Sections,’ Cambridge, 1781, 8vo. 2. ‘The Credibility of Christianity Vindicated, in answer to Mr. Hume's Objections,’ Cambridge, 1798, 8vo; 2nd edit. 1809. 3. ‘A Treatise on Plane and Spherical Trigonometry,’ Cambridge, 1800, 8vo; 4th edit. 1821. 4. ‘Observations on the Hypotheses which have been assumed to account for the cause of Gravitation from Mechanical Principles,’ Cambridge, 1806, 8vo. 5. ‘A Confutation of Atheism from the Laws of the Heavenly Bodies,’ Cambridge, 1807, 8vo. 6. ‘Observations on Deism,’ London, 1845, 8vo; collated from his manuscripts by his son.

A portrait of Vince by Wageman was engraved by Cooper.

 VINCENT, AUGUSTINE (1584?–1626), herald, born presumably at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, about 1584, was third and youngest son of William Vincent (d. 1618) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Mabbott of Walgrave, merchant of the staple. He early obtained some post in the Tower, what post does not seem clear, for Noble can hardly be right in saying that he was clerk to Sir John Borough [q. v.], seeing that Borough was not appointed keeper of the records till 1623. Weever says that Vincent was at one time keeper himself. He certainly had access to the documents preserved in the Tower, and busied himself in making extracts from them. He became known as an antiquary, and on 22 Feb. 1615–6 was appointed by patent Rouge Rose pursuivant extraordinary. The College of Arms was at this time the scene of constant quarrels. Vincent was the friend of Camden, who in 1618 appointed him his deputy to visit Northamptonshire and Rutland, thereby annoying those of the opposite party, some of whom might justly feel that they were passed over in favour of a younger man. The practice of visitation by deputy was in 1619 the subject of a formal complaint on the part of Sir William Segar [q. v.], Garter, and Sir Richard St. George [q. v.], Norroy, to the earl marshal. Camden, however, was able to justify himself. Vincent was constituted Rouge Croix pursuivant by patent of 29 May 1621, and on 5 June 1624 he became Windsor herald. He died on 11 Jan. 1625–6, and was buried at the church of St. Benet, Paul's Wharf.

Vincent's only publication arose from his taking part on the side of Camden in the celebrated quarrel between Camden and Ralph or Raphe Brooke. Brooke's ‘Discoverie,’ his first printed denunciation of Camden, appeared in 1599; the fifth edition of Camden's ‘Britannia,’ containing a reply, in 1600; and Brooke's ‘Catalogue of Kings, Princes,’ continuing the squabble, in 1619 (2nd edition, enlarged, 1622). In reply to Brooke's ‘Catalogue’ Vincent produced his ‘Discoverie of Errours in the first edition of Catalogue of Nobility published by Ralfe Brooke, Yorke Herald … at the end whereof is annexed a Reveiw of a later edition by him Stolne into the World, 1621,’ London, 1622. This volume, like the first (but not the second) edition of Brooke's ‘Catalogue,’ was printed by William Jaggard. On the printer, Jaggard, Brooke had thrown the blame of some of the errors that disfigured the first edition