D O C . 7 1 P R I N C E T O N L E C T U R E S 5 7 7
in the universe. This assumption involves a departure from Newton’s law of gravitation, but no other
argument leads to a similar conclusion, and so this is not a satisfactory solution.
“By making slight modifications in his general theory of relativity which do not change any of the
other conclusions drawn from it, Professor Einstein shows that a uniform distribution of water [mat-
ter] in the universe is possible only in space of constant curvature.” New York Times, 14 May 1921, p.
10.