Ancient and Modern Learning.
181
Philosophical Transactions (d).(d) Num. 62, 63, 122. Vide Catalogue of Mr. Boyle's Works, at the End of the First Part of the Medicinal Experiments, Printed 1692. in Twelves. How far they may be relied upon appears from this; That though Hobbes and Linus have taken a great deal of Pains to destroy Mr. Boyle's Theory, yet they have had few or no Abettors: Whereas the Doctrine of the Weight and Spring of the Air, first made thorowly intelligible by Mr. Boyle, has universally gained Assent from Philosophers of all Nations who have, for these last Thirty Years, busied themselves about Natural Enquiries.
4. The Invention of Pendulum-Clocks ought here to be remembred, since from them it appears, that the Diurnal Motion of the Earth is not so exactly Periodical, as that a true Equation of Time can thereby be obtained; but by this Instrument, the Measure of the Variation being once adjusted, the true Time of the Earth's Diurnal Motion can, at all Seasons of the Year, be more exactly known. The Use of it in making of Astronomical Observations is also very obvious; for they could not anciently be so minute as they are at present, for want of such nice Sub-Divisions of an equable Motion as it affords. The Invention of this noble Instrument is attributed, by the Publisher ofthe
