You'll never make your way, sir,
Unless you drink—and drink your fill,—
At least a bottle a day, sir!"
Old times are changed, old manners gone!
There is a new Mathematical Society,[[791]] and I am, at this present writing (1866), its first President. We are very high in the newest developments, and bid fair to take a place among the scientific establishments. Benjamin Gompertz, who was President of the old Society when it expired, was the link between the old and new body: he was a member of ours at his death. But not a drop of liquor is seen at our meetings, except a decanter of water: all our heavy is a fermentation of symbols; and we do not draw it mild. There is no penny fine for reticence or occult science; and as to a song! not the ghost of a chance.
1826. The time may have come when the original documents connected with the discovery of Neptune may be worth revising. The following are extracts from the Athenæum of October 3 and October 17:
LE VERRIER'S[[792]] PLANET.
We have received, at the last moment before making up for press, the following letter from Sir John Herschel,[[793]]
in reference to the matter referred to in the communication from Mr. Hind[[794]] given below:
"Collingwood, Oct. 1.