While Newton was attending divine service in a winter morning, he had left in his study a favourite littledog called Diamond. Upon returning from chapelhe found that it had overturned a lighted taper onhis desk, which set fire to several papers on whichhe had recorded the results of some optical experiments.These papers are said to have contained thelabours of many years, and it has been stated thatwhen Mr. Newton perceived the magnitude of his loss,he exclaimed, " Oh, Diamond, Diamond, little do youknow the mischief you have done me!"

From The Life of Sir Isaac Newton by David Brewster.