Dissertation, decouverte, et demonstrations de la quadrature mathematique du cercle. Par M. de Faure, geometre. [_s. l._, probably Geneva] 1747, 8vo.
Analyse de la Quadrature du Cercle. Par M. de Faure, Gentilhomme Suisse. Hague, 1749,[323] 4to.
According to this octavo geometer and quarto gentleman, a diameter of 81 gives a circumference of 256. There is an amusing circumstance about the quarto which has been overlooked, if indeed the book has ever been {150} examined. John Bernoulli (the one of the day)[324] and Koenig[325] have both given an attestation: my mathematical readers may stare as they please, such is the fact. But, on examination, there will be reason to think the two sly Swiss played their countryman the same trick as the medical man played Miss Pickle, in the novel of that name. The lady only wanted to get his authority against sousing her little nephew, and said, "Pray, doctor, is it not both dangerous and cruel to be the means of letting a poor tender infant perish by sousing it in water as cold as ice?"--"Downright murder, I affirm," said the doctor; and certified accordingly. De Faure had built a tremendous scaffolding of equations, quite out of place, and feeling cock-sure that his solutions, if correct, would square the circle, applied to Bernoulli and Koenig--who after his tract of two years before, must have known what he was at--for their approbation of the solutions. And he got it, as follows, well guarded:
"Suivant les suppositions posees dans ce Memoire, il est si evident que t doit etre = 34, y = 1, et z = 1, que cela n'a besoin ni de preuve ni d'autorite pour etre reconnu par tout le monde.[326]
"a Basle le 7e Mai 1749. JEAN BERNOULLI."
"Je souscris au jugement de Mr. Bernoulli, en consequence de ces suppositions.[327]
"a la Haye le 21 Juin 1749. S. KOENIG."
On which de Faure remarks with triumph--as I have no doubt it was intended he should do--"il conste clairement par ma presente Analyse et Demonstration, qu'ils y ont deja {151} reconnu et approuve parfaitement que la quadrature du cercle est mathematiquement demontree."[328] It should seem that it is easier to square the circle than to get round a mathematician.
An attempt to demonstrate that all the Phenomena in Nature may be explained by two simple active principles, Attraction and Repulsion, wherein the attraction of Cohesion, Gravity and Magnetism are shown to be one the same. By Gowin Knight. London, 1748, 4to.
Dr. Knight[329] was Mr. Panizzi's[330] archetype, the first Principal Librarian of the British Museum. He was celebrated for his magnetical experiments. This work was long neglected; but is now recognized as of remarkable resemblance to modern speculations.
