190 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



arithmetical operations are amazingly simplified. To the mathe- 

 matician the logarithm means infinitely more ; for it has a far- 

 reaching significance in algebra, and is constantly turning up in 

 all kinds of mathematical analysis, like the head of King Charles 

 in Mr. Dick's disquisitions. It also marks the beginning of an 

 epoch of scientific development, in which with ever-increasing 

 accuracy man has commandeered the hidden forces of Nature to 

 his will. 



Directly and indirectly Napier's discovery of the logarithmic 

 function and his invention of the logarithm of calculation has 

 indeed had a profound influence on scientific thought and 

 method. Many of the lines of this influence were shown in the 

 exhibition of books, instruments, and models which constituted 

 the most popular feature of the Congress. A Handbook to the 

 Exhibition was issued by the Committee, with E. M. Horsburgh 

 as editor-in-chief. It was presented to all members of the 

 Congress, and was indispensable as a guide to the exhibits. It 

 has been widely recognised as a book of unique interest and 

 permanent value. 1 What do we not find within the compass of 

 its three hundred odd pages ? Calculating machines of every 

 type are explained in word and illustrated in picture. These 

 range through all stages of complexity from Napier's " Bones " 

 and the Abacus of the East to modern arithmometers and 

 comptometers, planimeters and integraphs, harmonic analysers 

 and tide-predictors. Even calculating prodigies find a place 

 within its pages. 



This handbook was placed in the hands of the visitors on the 

 opening day and could not of course give any account of the Pro- 

 ceedings of the Congress. These however will ere long be set 

 forth in the Memorial Volume of the Napier Tercentenary. 2 



As secretary of the Congress and editor of this Memorial 

 Volume I have had and continue to have the privilege and 

 honour of being in close touch with those who have enriched it 

 by their contributions. The majority of these contributions 

 were communicated in whole or in abstract to the Congress, a 

 few, in the enforced absence of their authors, being taken as read. 

 The contributions fall naturally into two main groups, namely, 



1 Copies may still be obtained through G. Bell & Sons, York House, 

 Portugal Street, London, W.C. 



3 Non-Members of the Tercentenary Celebration may order copies through 

 Longmans, Green & Co., Paternoster Row, London. 



