Comic Arithmetic

by Percival Leigh

EXPLANATION OF ARITHMETICAL SIGNS AND CHARACTERS.

EQUALITY.

"WHO ARE YOU?"

= Equality. The sign of equality: as, "A living beggar is better than a dead king;" or both being dead, are equal to each other.

— Minus, less. The sign of subtraction; as, for instance, an elopement to Gretna; or, a knocking-down argument by the way-side, — minus ticker. Take from — from take.

A PLURALIST.

+ Plus, or more. The sign of addition; as, 3 livings + to 1 = 4; or, 5 millions of new taxes + to 48 = 53.

THE SACRED HALTAR.

× Multiplied by. The sign of multiplication: as, "The sun breeds maggots in a dead dog."—See Shakspeare. Or, "Money makes money."—See Franklin. Or, Anti-Malthus.—See Ireland.

DIVIDING THE CHINESE, A CUTTING JOKE.

÷ Divided by. The sign of division. Example 1. The Whigs.—2. The Church. A house divided against itself. Division of property; the lion's share, &c.