Newton's Table of Leases

Extract

By this I do not mean what is usually called Newton's Table, but something which has a better right. First, however, I will speak of the table which, having Newton's certificate of accuracy, is (or was) usually called by his name.

Mr. Edleston, Fellow of Trinity College, in making researches for his biography of Newton, found out the author of the old table. His name was Mabbot, and he was manciple (mancipium) or caterer of King's College. Mabbot published his table in 1686, with the well-known attestation of Newton opposite to the titlepage. There seems to have been a special reason for procuring this certificate. The church lessors were beginning to open their eyes to the leniency of their terms, and Mabbot's tables were certainly intended both to urge them to raise their fines, &c., and to point out the proper way of doing it. Subsequent editions of these tables had attached to them the well-known letter which pointed out the advantage under which the tenant was living. As it was natural that the lessees should oppose the new scheme, and they would probably question its accuracy, it seems that Newton was applied to for the testimonial which, as is well known, he gave.