The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-10-15
Anecdotes of Sir Isaac Newton.

Another character now appears on tho
stage, or rather in the witness-box, who
was emiuently capable from his peculiar
habits AMI pursuits The individual in
question is Humphry Newton, who is
described as " of Grantham, and prob.
ably, was one of the many poor relations
who often experienced the generosity of
their distinguished kinsman. AT any
rate he was an inmate in NewtoD's
rooms but whether as a sizcr or aca.
demical servitor, or as q simple assistant
and amanuensis, does not appear. At
all events, in 1853, be commenced iesi
dence and entered on his duties, aud he
has left behind him some highly curious
and characteristic records of his employ
or or tutor. They are delivered in a
quaint, simple, and desultory style, and
in the same form We will present few
particulars to our readers. Thus as to
Newton's personal appearance aud man
nets
His carriage was very meek. sedate
and humble never emingly angry, of
profound thought, his countenauce mild,
pleasant. and comcly. cannot say |
ever saw him laugh but once, which was
at that passage which DR.. Stukcly men
toned in his letter land
which is described thus J Twas upon
accasions of asking friend, to whom he
had lent Euclid to read, what progress
he had made in his author. and how he
liked him lie answered, by desiring to
know what use and benefit in lfo that
study would be to him, upon which Sir
Isaac was very merry"
Again Newton
always kept close to his studies,
very rarely went visiting, and had as
few visitors. excepting two or three per-
sons, Mr.. Ellis. Mr.. Laughton, Of Trini-
ty. and Mr.. Nigani, chemist, in whose
society no took much delight and pleas
ore at an evening when he came to wait
upon him. never knew him to take
any recreation or pastime, either in rid
ing out to take the air Walking bowling
or any other exercise whatever, thinking
all hours lost that were not spent in his
stndics, to which he kept SO close that
he s4ldom left bis chamber except at
term time, when he read in the schools,
as being LIcasianus professor, whero SO
few went to hear him, and fewer that
understood him. that oft-timcs he did in
manner. for want of hearers read to
the walls" Foreigners he
received with a great deal of freedom,
candor, and respect. When invited TO
q treat, which was very seldom, he used
to return it very handsomely, and with
much satisfaction to himself s. intent,
so serious upon his studies that he ate
very spsringly, nay, oft.timcs he has for
got to eat at all SO that, going iuto his
chamber, l hvae found his mess nntouch
cd, of which, when have reminded him
he would rorly Have ! and then,
making to the table, would eat bit or
two standing for | caunot say | ever
saw him sit at table by himself. At
some seldom entertainments tic masters
of college were chiefly his guests"
i can not say | ever saw him
drink either wine, ale, or beer, excepting
at meals, and then but very sparingly.
lie very rarely went to dine in the hall,
except on some public days; and then,
if he has not been minded, would go
very carelessly with shoes down at heal,
stockings uuticl, surplice on, aud his
hair scarcely combci." "lle
very seldom went to the chapel that be.
ing the time he chiefly took his rcprse,
and as for The afternoon, his earncit aud
ipdefatigable studies retained him, 81
that be scarcely knew the house Of
prayer Very frequently, on Sunlayh he
went to ST. Mary's church, especially in
the forcroon "Iu his cham
Der he walked so very much that you
might have thought him to be educated
at Athens among the Arstoteliau scot"
In further proof of his absence of
mind We have the odditional testimony
of DIR. Stukely:
when he had friends TO entertain, il
he went into his study to fetch u bottle
of wine, there was danger of his forget
ting them. He would sometimes put on
his surpice to 60 to St Mary's church.
When he was going homa to Colster-
worth from Grantham, he once led his
horse up Spittlegate Hill at the town
end. When he designed to remount his
horse had slipped his bri1dle and gone
away without his perceiving it, aud he
mad only tho bride in his hand all the
! while"
Humphrey Newton continues
He very seldom sat 10y
the fire in bis bed chamber. excepting
that long frosty wintor u6S3~i) which
made him creep to it against his will. |
believe he grudged the short time he
spent in eating and sleeping
In morning he seemed to be as much
refreshed aith his few hours sleep as
though lie had taken whole nights
rest. He kept neither dog
nor cat in hi, chamber, which made well
for the old woman his bed maker she
faring much the better for it-for in
morning she has sometimes found both
dinner and supper scarcely tasted of,
which the OLD woman has very pleasant
ly aud mumpiugly gone away with,
In winter time he was lover
of apples, and sometimes at night would
eat small roasted ounce
As for his private prayers | can say
nothing of them. l am apt to believe
that his intense studies deprived him Of
the better part. His behavior was mild