[65] Pascal is said to have written his treatise on the cycloid from a religious motive. It was a common opinion in France that the study of natural sciences, especially of mathematics, led to infidelity. Accordingly Pascal, writing for geometricians and mathematicians, wished to show, by the solution, vainly sought before, of this problem, that the same man who wrote the Lettres à un Provincial could also instruct them in abstract science, and he published his treatise in the intervals of writing the Pensées. See Vie de Pascal, par sa sœur Mad. Perier, Pensées de Pascal, p. 13, ed. 1839.
[66] Hist. of England, vol. vii. ch. lxi. p. 292.
[67] Gresham Professor of Divinity, confirmed in his post by Cromwell.
[68] Thomas Sprat, D.D., Dean of Westminster, and afterwards Bishop of Rochester; was an active member of the Royal Society, and was educated at Wadham College with Sir C. Wren, whose intimate friend he was: born 1636; died 1713.
[69] Life of Dr. Barwick, p. 201.
[70] Afterwards Lord Clarendon.
[71] Life of Dr. Barwick, p. 424.
[72] Probably Bishop Juxon, more than once alluded to under this name in these letters.
[73] Life of Dr. Barwick, p. 437.
[74] Life of Dr. Barwick, p. 449.