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THE STUDY OF MATHEMATICS 



IN regard to every form of human activity it is neces- 

 sary that the question should be asked from time to 

 time, What is its purpose and ideal ? In what way does 

 it contribute to the beauty of human existence ? As 

 respects those pursuits which contribute only remotely, 

 by providing the mechanism of life, it is well to be 

 reminded that not the mere fact of living is to be desired, 

 but the art of living in the contemplation of great things. 

 Still more in regard to those avocations which have no 

 end outside themselves, which are to be justified, if at all, 

 as actually adding to the sum of the world's permanent 

 possessions, it is necessary to keep alive a knowledge of 

 their aims, a clear prefiguring vision of the temple in 

 which creative imagination is to be embodied. 



The fulfilment of this need, in what concerns the 

 studies forming the material upon which custom has 

 decided to train the youthful mind, is indeed sadly 

 remote so remote as to make the mere statement of 

 such a claim appear preposterous. Great men, fully 

 alive to the beauty of the contemplations to whose 

 service their lives are devoted, desiring that others may 

 share in their joys, persuade mankind to impart to the 

 successive generations the mechanical knowledge with- 

 out which it is impossible to cross the threshold. Dry 

 pedants possess themselves of the privilege of instilling 

 this knowledge : they forget that it is to serve but as a 



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