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THE
ROMANCE OF MATHEMATICS.
The
Romance of Mathematics:
BEING
THE ORIGINAL RESEARCHES
OF
A LADY PROFESSOR OF GIRTHAM COLLEGE
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.
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
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 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.