Genre:

Letter, Drollery, Serial

Subjects:

Scientific Practitioners, Physics, Discovery, Serendipity, Gravity, History of Science

    Argues that Isaac Newton would never have 'made his grand discovery' without being drunk. Believes that as Newton sat in his orchard he saw an apple fall and was struck with the 'nascent idea'. He then 'called for another bottle,—and then for another; and when the philosopher had pondered upon the apple, had worked his analogies, and had drunk a third bottle,—he was convinced, that not only had the apple spun as it fell, but that the whole world turned round'. Advises his son to 'get drunk' to 'prove the centre of gravity'.