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from the theorem of Cotes. Maclaurin’s theorem is: ‘ If 
any transversal be drawn through a fixed point 0, in the 
plane of a curve of the n order, so as to meet the curve in 
n points, the tangents drawn at these points will cut off upon 
any fixed right line passing through o, segments OT), OT2... 
oT,, the sum of whose reciprocals is constant.” 
The following is a more general theorem for plane curves : 
“If any two transversals be drawn through a fixed point o, 
in the plane of a curve of the n' order, so that one meets the 
curve in n points M,, My..+Mn; and the other in n points M’,, 
M’9,..-M’,3 the right lines MyM’j; MgM’,)..+MnM‘n; will cut 
off, upon any fixed right line passing through 0, segments OT), 
OTs, ++. OT;, the sum of whose reciprocals is constant.” 
And we have an analogous one for surfaces: ‘‘ If any 
three transversals be drawn through a fixed point o, the first 
meeting a surface of the n order in n points, My) M2, «++ Mn 5 the 
second meeting it inM’\, M’s,...M’n3 the thirdin m”;, Mg, ... 
Mn’; the planes M\M’\M“2, M2M’.M"s, - - « M,M’,M”,, will cut off; 
upon any fixed right line passing through 0, segments, the sum 
of whose reciprocals is constant. 
The Rev. Dr. Drummond read a paper on the authorship 
of the poem entitled «* The Exile of Erin.” 
This subject was taken up in consequence of a provincial 
newspaper having been sent to Sir William Hamilton, accom- 
panied by a letter setting forth the claims of George Nugent 
Reynolds, Esq., to the authorship of that poem, and request- 
ing that the matter might be brought under the consideration 
of the Royal Irish Academy. This task was at first declined, 
as unworthy of serious attention ; but the claims of Reynolds 
continuing to be urged in several publications, and Thomas 
Campbell, the reputed author, represented as a plagiarist, 
Dr. Drummond, lest the silence of the Academy should 
be construed into an admission of the validity of Reynolds’ 
