Molyneux, William (1656-1698)

Dioptrica Nova, A Treatise of Dioptricks in Two Parts

London

Printed for Benj. Tooke

1692

"In what a miserable condition do we count those, in whom it hath pleased the great Contriver of the Eyes and Sight, to shut those two little Windows of the Soul?"

Were there no farther Use of Dioptricks than the Invention of Spectacles for the Help of defective Eyes; whether they be those of old Men, or those of pur-blind Men; I should think the Advantage that Mankind receives thereby, inferiour to no other Benefit whatsoever, not absolutely requisite to the support of Life. For as the Sight is the most noble and extensive of all our Senses; as we make the most frequent and constant use of our Eyes in all the actions and concerns of human Life; surely that Instrument that relieves the Eyes when decay'd, and supplies their Defects, rendring them useful, when otherwise almost useless, must needs, of all others, be esteemed of the greatest Advantage. In what a miserable condition do we count those, in whom it hath pleased the great Contriver of the Eyes and Sight, to shut those two little Windows of the Soul? And we may imagine, that they, in whom these Lights are but partly obscured, do in some measure partake of the Misery of the blind. How melancholy is the condition of him, who only enjoys the Sight of what is immediately about him? With what Disadvantage is he ingaged in most of the Concerns of human Life? Reading is to him troublesome, War more than ordinary dangerous, Trade and Commerce toilsome and unpleasant. And so likewise, on the other hand; How forlorn would the latter part of most Mens Lives prove, unless Spectacles were at hand to help our Eyes, and a little form'd piece of Glass supply'd the Decays of Nature? The curious Mechanick, engaged in any minute Works, could no longer follow his Trade than till the 50th. or 60th. Year of his Age: The Scholar no longer converse with his Books, or with an absent Friend in a Letter. All after would be melancholy Idleness, or he must content himself to use an other Man's Eyes for every Line. Thus forlorn was the state of most old Men, and many young, before this admirable Invention; which, on this very account, can never be prized too highly. (II, iii, pp. 207-8)

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Reading

William Molyneux, Dioptrica Nova, A treatise of Dioptricks in Two Parts: Wherein the Various Effects and Appearances of Spherick Glasses, both Convex and Concave, Single and Combined, in Telescopes and Microscopes, Together with their Usefulness in Many Concerns of Humane Life, are Explained (London: Benjamin Tooke, 1692).

Reading a copy at the Folger Library, text from EEBO-TCP <Link>

05/15/2013