1816.] Mathematical Sciences in Great Britain. 97 
some brilliant exceptions to this rule ; but of the whole number of 
wranglers who have left that University within the period to which 
our remarks are principally intended to apply, how few of them 
have we ever heard of afterwards in the pursuit of mathematical 
researches ! 
This will not be understood as contradictory to my former state- 
ment, viz. “that no subject is better calevlated to insure disinte- 
rested admirers.” The man who thus acquires his knawledge is 
not a mathematician; he is only a gatherer, “ a dealer in other 
men’s stuff,” and sees none of the beauties which incessantly pre- 
sent themselves to the mind of a mathematical investigator. After 
all, however, it must be admitted that the knowledge, though 
superficial, is very extensive that is necessary for passing the senate- 
house examination with that eclat which we have supposed; and 
many thus stored with the requisite materials would doubtless 
pursue the subject for the proper love of it, were not the science, 
from some of the causes to which | have alluded, fallen into disre- 
pute, and an idea gone abroad that we have no mathematicians of 
eminence, and that no distinction is to be reaped from the pursuit, 
Something like this not long ago attached to our military cha- 
racter ; our officers were labouring under the same disadvantageous 
comparison with respect to those of France as our mathematicians 
stilldo with regard to the same class of men in that country; and I 
have the patriotism (vanity if the reader pleases) to believe that, had 
our men of science but the same opportunity of displaying their 
powers as our soldiers have had, they would in no long time prove to 
the world that England can be pre-eminent as well in science as in 
war. 
There might require in the first instance the same indulgence in 
this case as in that: the first efforts might not be expected to be 
crowned with complete success. It was well remarked by one of 
our ministers in answer to certain observations against the first 
elevation of the Duke of Wellington after the battle of Talavera 
“ that it was necessary to woo Victory, who had long forsaken us, 
to our arms; and that, notwithstanding that battle might not be of 
the decided nature of many, yet there was displayed in it that talent 
and courage which would produce greater effect at some future- 
opportunity ;” that opportunity soon presented itself, and the effect 
was such as every Englishman feels proud of, and which he ought, 
in confidence of British talent and British nerve, to have antici- 
pated. ‘The same kind of tenderness may be necessary in deve- 
loping the dormant scientific, resources of the country. If talent 
be displayed, though it may not be directed in the first instance ta 
the most profound researches, it should be cherished and encou+ 
raged; aod we should soon find that science would recompénse 
these indulgences bestowed upon her votaries as liberally as Victory 
has done those conferred upon her’s, 
1 have now only one other observation to make, which is with 
reference to our reviewers, It is the undoubted duty of the editors 
pf these publications to protect every branch of literature and 
