THE
ROMANCE OF MATHEMATICS.
[iii]
THE
Romance of Mathematics:
BEING
THE ORIGINAL RESEARCHES
OF
IN
Polemical Science, with some Account of the Social
Properties of a Conic; Equations to Brain
Waves; Social Forces; and the Laws
of Political Motion.
BY
P. HAMPSON, M.A.,
ORIEL COLLEGE, OXFORD.
LONDON:
ELLIOT STOCK, 62, PATERNOSTER ROW.
1886.
[v]
INTRODUCTION.
The lectures, essays, and other matter contained in these pages have been discovered recently in a well-worn desk which was formerly the property of a Lady Professor of Girtham College; and as they contain some original thoughts and investigations, they have been considered worthy of publication.
How they came into the possession of the present writer it is not his intention to disclose; but inasmuch as they seemed to his unscientific mind to contain some important discoveries which might be useful to the world, he determined to investigate thoroughly the contents of the mysterious desk, and make the public acquainted with its profound treasures. He found some documents which did not refer exactly to the subject of ‘Polemical Mathematics;’ but knowing the truth of the Hindoo [vi] proverb, ‘The words of the wise are precious, and never to be disregarded,’ and feeling sure that this Lady Professor of Girtham College was entitled to that appellation, he ventured to include them in this volume, and felt confident that in so doing he would be carrying out the intention of the Authoress, had she expressed any wishes on the subject. In fact, as he valued the interests of the State and his own peace of mind, he dared not withhold any particle of that which he conceived would confer a lasting benefit on mankind.
Internal evidence seems to show that the earlier portion of the MS. was written during the period when the authoress was still in statu pupillari; but her learning was soon recognised by the Collegiate Authorities, and she was speedily elected to a Professorship. Her lectures were principally devoted to the abstruse subject of Scientific Politics, and are worthy of the attention of all those whose high duty it is to regulate the affairs of the State.
The Editor has been able to gather from [vii] the varied contents of the desk some details of the Author’s life, which increase the interest which her words excite; and he ventures to hope that the public will appreciate the wisdom which created such a profound impression upon those whose high privilege it was to hear the lectures for the first time in the Hall of Girtham College.
[ix]
CONTENTS.
| PAPER | PAGE | |
| I. | Some Remarks on Female Education: | |
| Cambridge Man’s Powers of Application.—TorturingIngenuity ofExaminers.—Slaying an Enemy.—‘Concentration.’—‘TangentialAction.’—‘Gravity’ | [1] | |
| II. | Lecture on the Theory ofBrain Waves and the Transmigrationand Potentialityof Mental Forces | [15] |
| III. | The Social Properties of a ConicSection, and the Theory ofPolemical Mathematics: | |
| ‘Circle.’—‘Parabola.’—‘Ellipse.’‘Eccentricity of Curves’ | [25] | |
| [x] IV. | The Social Properties of a ConicSection (continued): | |
| ‘Ellipse.’—Most favoured State.—AlarmingResult of Suppression ofHouse of Lords.—Analogies ofNature.—Directrix.—Contact ofCurves and States.—‘Hyperbola.’—Problems.—RadicalAxis and Patriotism.—Extensionof Franchise toWomen.—Correspondence | [39] | |
| V. | Social Forces, with some Accountof Polemical Kinematics: | |
| The Use of Imagination in ScientificDiscovery.—Kinetic and PotentialEnergy.—Social Statics andDynamics.—Attractive Forces.—Cohesion.—Formationof States.—Inertia.—Dr.Tyndall on SocialForces | [71] | |
| VI. | Social Forces (continued): PolemicalStatics and Dynamics: | |
| ‘Personal Equation.’—PublicOpinion, how calculated.—ImpulsiveForces.—Friction.—Progress | [89] | |
| [xi] VII. | Laws of Political Motion: | |
| M. Auguste Comte on PoliticalScience.—First Law of Motion.—TheBiology of Politics.—Stages ofGrowth and Decay of States.—Doctrineof Nationality.—Doctrine ofIndependence.—Law of Morality.—Ignoranceof Electors and Selfishnessof Statesmen opposed to Action ofLaw.—Final ‘Reign of Law’ | [101] | |
| VIII. | The Principle of Polemical Cohesion: | |
| Centralization.—Co-operation ofStates.—Marriage.—Trade Unions.—InternationalLaw | [115] | |
| Extracts from the Diary of theLady Professor | [125] | |
| Conclusion | [129] |