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7631. RITTENHOUSE (David), Astronomer.—[continued].

We have supposed Mr.
Rittenhouse second to no astronomer living;
that in genius he must be first, because he is
self-taught. As an artist, he has exhibited as
great a proof of mechanical genius as the world
has ever produced. He has not indeed made
a world; but he has by imitation approached
nearer its Maker, than has any man who has
lived from the creation to this day.—
Notes on Virginia. Washington ed. viii, 313. Ford ed., iii, 169.
(1782)