Author: (Nieuwentyt, Bernard [1654-1718]; Keill, John [1671-1721]).
Title: ["Nouvel Usage Des Tables Des Sinus" by Bernard Nieuwentyt; and "Demonstration de Deux Theoremes" by John Keill] Published in: Journal Literaire de Septemb. & Octobre M. Dcc. XIV. Tome V.
Description: A la Haye [The Hague]: Chez T. Johnson, 1714. 1714. - Octavo, 6-1/8 inches high by 4 inches wide. Bound in vintage tan calf. The front cover is detached. The covers are heavily rubbed, scuffed and stained with wear to the edges and corners and the spine has perished and is thus mostly lacking. [iv], 456 & [12] pages, illustrated with 2 folding plates, including a large plate for an article on the Apotheosis of Homer, depicting a marble relief by Archelaus of Priene. There is some occasional light minor soiling and staining throughout. The top edge of the last of the index is creased and there is a short tear to the inner edge at the fold of the large folding plate. The frontispiece is lacking, else the book collates as complete.

First edition.

The "Journal Literaire" was published by Thomas Johnson, an Englishman who was living in The Hague. It was edited by Prosper Marchand [1678-1756]. among others.

Of note is the inclusion of the first publication of Bernard Nieuwentyt's "Nouvel Usage des Tables des Sinus: ou moyen de s'en servir sans qu'il soit necessaire de multiplier ou de diviser", illustrated with a folding plate illustrating the trigonometric aspects of sine & cosine functions. The article is signed "B.N."

The Dutch philosopher, mathematician and physician Bernard Nieuwentyt (1654-1718) was also a theologian and a magistrate who held office as mayor of Purmerend. A follower of Descartes, he opposed Spinoza and was involved in controversy with Liebniz regarding the foundations of infinitesimal calculus.

Also noteworthy is the inclusion of John Keill's article "Demonstration de deux Theoremes, qui peuvent servir a lever un grand nombre de difficultez dans la Phisique".

Here identified as a professor of astronomy, the Scottish mathematician, natural philosopher, and cryptographer John Keill (1671-1721) was a significant defender of Isaac Newton. Appointed a lecturer of experimental philosophy at Hart Hall, Keill lectured on Newton's laws of motion, the principles of hydrostatics and optics, and on light and colors. As an astronomer, he published an "Examination of Dr. Burnet's Theory of the Earth", taking to task Burnet, Descartes, Spinoza, Hobbes and Malebranche. Taking on the role of Newton's chief defender, he later became embroiled in the controversy regarding Leibniz's alleged plagiarisation of Newton's calculus. .

Keywords: SCIENCE; MATHEMATICS; BERNARD NIEUWENTYT; SINE; COSINE FUNCTIONS; ILLUSTRATED; ILLUSTRATIONS; 18TH CENTURY; FIRST EDITION; EIGHTEENTH CENTURY; 1ST EDITION; FOLDING PLATES; THE HAGUE; THOMAS JOHNSON; JOHN KEILL; NOUVEL USAGE DES TABLES DES SINUS: OU MOYEN

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