[24]. Short on ‘Serson’s Horizontal Top.’ Phil. Trans. xlvii. 352.
CHAPTER IX.
Trap and Ball.--Gifts from the Vicar.--An Antiquarian History of the Ball.--The See-saw.--The Mechanical Powers.--The Swing.--The Doctrine of Oscillation.--Galileo’s Discovery.--The Pendulum.--An interesting letter.--Mr. Seymour and the Vicar visit Major Snapwell.
Mr. Seymour, having observed his children busily engaged at the game of Trap and Ball, determined, as usual, to make it subservient to scientific instruction. With this view he hastily sketched a diagram, and proceeded with it to the scene of sport.
“Now, Tom, let me see how far you have profited by our late conversation. I have some questions to ask you about the action of your Trap and Ball,” said his father.
“I do not suppose there is much philosophy in the game,” observed Tom.
“Of that we shall judge presently.--Can you tell me the direction which the ball takes after it flies from the spoon of the Trap, in consequence of the blow of the bat upon the trigger?”
“It flies upwards, to be sure, and allows me to strike it with my bat,” answered the boy.