Vlll PREFACE. 



controversial matter. But I venture to advise the 

 reader, that, even if prejudiced against the preten- 

 sions, or, it may be, against the practical conclusions, 

 of the Political Economists, he should not turn from 

 the subject of Adam Smith; and that, even though 

 averse to geometrical studies, he should not be scared 

 by the mathematical discussions connected with 

 D'Alembert. For he will find that the subjects on 

 which the great and well-established fame of Smith 

 is founded have not been treated with any of the 

 prejudices wherewith the Political Economists have 

 been charged; and he will also experience no diffi- 

 culty in apprehending the truths which it is the prin- 

 cipal purpose of DAlembert's Life to recommend, in 

 so far as regards the important subject of mathema- 

 tical pursuits, and the gratification which they are 

 fitted to bestow. This last hope is one which I have 

 peculiarly at heart. Nor do I think that I should 

 have been induced to undertake the labour of these 

 two volumes by any other consideration than the 

 desire of recommending the study of the mathematics 

 in both the great branches of the Greek Geometry 

 and the modern Analysis recommending it by a 

 contemplation of such lives as those of Simson and 

 D'Alembert. 



Chateau Eleanor-Louise, Provence, 

 5th January, 1846 



