A STORY OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3653, 26 December 1879, Page 4

A STORY OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

WHAT A KICK DID FOB HIM,

If wo would briDg before U3 Isaac Newton, now fairly started on his scientific career, we might imagine a quiet young man, not abovo middle height, of " most sedate and humble carriage, never seemingly angry, of profound thought, his countenance mild, pleaßatt, and comely," who would bo drawn from his chambers by none of tho recreations in which most young delight ; who seldom went out except to road his lectures ; whoso time was spent in mathematical calculations iwd in experiments in optics, chemistry, and alchouiy, whom student 3 described as " mighty famous for his learning, a most excellent philosopher and divine ;" to whoso rooms in college foreigners resortod, anxious to converse with the man of transcendant genius. Wo think of this young man as growing grey at thirty, so much absorbed in his studies that ho often forgot his meal?, or sat up all night when his chemical experiments required watching. When Isaac was twelve yeara old ho went to Grantbam to attend the Grammar- School, and boarded at the house of Mr Clark, on apothecary. At that time thore wns moro prospect of his making a good mechanic than a great scholar ; according to hisown account, given later, he was inattentive to his studies, and allowed his schoolfellows to outstrip him. But one day, when he was the last on the lowest form but one, whilo on hia way to school he was iickod in tho stomach by the boy who ranked noxt above him. Tho pain was severe, and although the smaller of the two, the future philpaopher after school challenged his assailant to fight. Encouraged by the schoolmaster's son, the two boys fought in earnest 5 spirit and agility mado up for Isaac's inferior stature, and his opponent cried " enough." The schoolmaster's son told Isaao that cowards must have their noses rubbed against a wall. This direction being complied with, the vanquished was left to his reflections, and the \ictor began to ask himself, " Why should I allow this boy to bo always above me ; am I not his superior mentally and morally, as well as physically ?" Then followed a prolonged intellectual struggle, in which Isaac, again victor, passed above his old adversary, and finally stood at the head of the school.

On one occasion he was approached by an agent who offered him a bribe of six thouBand pounds, which was refused. "There would be no dishonesty in taking it ; you do not understand your own interests," said the go-between. " I know well enough what my duty is, and no bribes shall corrupt me," was the reply. " But I come from a great duchess— you would not refuse so great a lady ; besides, she has power to advance the interests of those she chooses to favour," peraisted tho agent. " I desire you to tell the lady that if she were here herself and had mado me this offer, I would have desired her to go but of my house ; and bo I desire you, or you shall be turned out," Newton answered. Oh ! for a score or two of Isaac Newions in our country now. — Sunday Afternoon.