Page:Memoirs of Sir Isaac Newton's life.djvu/17

2 well of mankind is always lookd upon as a commendable thing. the reader's mind is too much ingag'd, to discern the imperfections of the writer. & whilst we are paying a jut debt to their memory, we throw in an incitement to others, to merit in their turn. but the illutrious peronage here in ome ort again preented to the publick view, of all others commands a particular regard & veneration.

tho' my abilitys are much too inconiderable to make any elogium on o great a name, yet I have this ample excue in my favor, that it can need none. I only pretend to tell chiefly some private torys of his life, as they fell under my own cognizance; or what I learn'd from report of credit. but even thee have dignity enough to merit a remembrance. & I cannot but account it a very particular felicity in my own life, that it was connected with some part of his: & in having the opportunity of convering with him on many familiar occaions.

but what I chiefly aim at in this paper, is to recount omewhat of the juvenile part of his life. for which I had a fitting opportunity offerd me by my going to live at Grantham, jut before he dy'd; & jut before some of the oldest people in that