Autograph Letter Signed ('John B. Inglis') from the book collector John Bellingham Inglis to Isaac Preston Cory of Caius College, Cambridge, about the superiority of his 'method of trisecting an angle' over that of 'Mr. Rowbotham' [John Rowbotham].

2pp., 12mo. 42 lines. Bifolium. Fair, on aged paper. Addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'I. P. Cory Esq'. The letter begins: 'A friend of mine Mr. Jackson having told Mr. Rowbotham [Ruskin's tutor John Rowbotham] that I had discovered a method of trisecting an angle that gentleman said he had done it himself, which I believe he has, upon the proposition you showed me - he says it was originally published by Professor Leslie'. Inglis considers that 'Mr. R. seems to have hit upon something he does not quite comprehend'. Rowbotham called upon Inglis the previous night '& showed me his diagram I happened to have one also upon a slate, made in consequence of the conversation I had with you some days since'. He feels that 'all that Mr. R cannot account for in his method is made clear in mine,but whether he sees through it or not I dont know'. Rowbotham 'is going to publish his in a periodical next month'. Cory will then see that 'it is quite a different method from the one I showed you on the 3d. instant at Sothebys & which I invented in the month of December last'. He showed his diagram to Rowbotham, 'but not the means by which I discovered the ratio contained in it'. Inglis must now 'be content to stand in the background', but considers it right 'to keep myself clear of any suspicion hereafter of having borrowed my discovery from Mr. R'. If Rowbotham 'fails in giving a good demonstration of his, there are many to whom it will readily suggest one'. Inglis believes he can 'both rectify his diagram & give a clear analysis of it'. Cory had graduated BA in 1824 as thirteenth wrangler.