Page:Memoirs of Sir Isaac Newton's life.djvu/5

iii I have need enough of an apology, who dare to take in hand the present ubject. biography is a thing whwhich [sic] I have no claim to, and has only been well executed by the materly pen of a Plutarch. a candid reader will make great allowances in the case; in confidence of whwhich [sic] I undertook it. nor hall I eaily be excud from a hare of vanity, where I have o often brought my elf upon the carpet. but when tis conider'd; it will be found very necesary, to an intelligent reader. I think I need ay no more in jutification of it, than that what I ay is strictly true as far as my memory will erve me & as none of my countrymen have hitherto thought fit to give this important life to the publick, I flatter my self that what I have here done, tho' it cannot do jutice to the ubject, yet will give us a atifaction in many particulars worth knowing; by no means to be thrown into oblivion. & the very name of Newton is able to wipe out all faults; and indeed that was the ole incentive, that made me think of publishing it.