Mr Barlow.—If there are fourteen grains in one heap, and twenty-five in the other, how many grains are there in all? or, how many do fourteen and twenty-five make?
Tommy was unable to answer, and Mr Barlow proposed the same question to Harry, who answered, that, together, they made thirty-nine. "Again," said Mr Barlow, "I will put the two heaps together, and then how many will there
be?"
Tommy.—Thirty-nine.
Mr Barlow.—Now, look, I have just taken away nineteen from the number; how many, do you think, remain?
Tommy.—I will count them.
Mr Barlow.—And cannot you tell without counting? How many are there, Harry?
Harry.—Twenty, sir.
Mr Barlow.—All this is properly the art of arithmetic, which is the same as that of counting, only it is done in a much shorter and easier way, without the trouble of having the things always before you. Thus, for instance, if you wanted to know how many barley-corns were in this sack, you would perhaps be a week in counting the whole number.
Tommy.—Indeed, I believe I should.