198 MEMOIR OF AUGUSTUS DE MORGAN. 



1846. np the stones. Besides, I've read in the Evenings at Home that 

 there is something in the ground which draws the stones. I am 

 quite sure they would fall. Now, is there anything else you 

 want to be a little more convinced of ? 



Q. How many do 7 and 3 make ? 



A. Why, 10, to be sure. 



Q. At the North Pole as well as here ? 



A. Yes, of course. 



Q. Which are you most sure of, that the pebbles fall to the 

 ground a,t the North Pole, or that 7 and 3 make 10 ? 



A. I am quite as sure of both. 



Q. Can you imagine a pebble falling upwards ? 



A. No, it's impossible. Perhaps the birds might take them 

 tip in their beaks, but even then they wouldn't go up of them- 

 selves. They would be held up. 



Q. Well, but can't you think of their falling up ? 



A. Oh yes, I can fancy three thousand of them going up if 

 you like, and talking to each other too, but it's an impossible 

 thing, I know. 



Q. Can you imagine 7 and 3 making 12 at the Pole ? 



A. (Decided hesitation.) No, I don't think I can. No, it 

 can't be ; there aren't enough. 



Here her mother came into the room. As long as the ques- 

 tions were challenges from me it was all defiance and certainty, 

 but the moment Mrs. De M. appeared she ran up to her and 

 said, ' What do you think papa has been saying ? He says the 

 stones at the North Pole don't fall to the ground. Now isn't it 

 very likely they fall just as they do here and everywhere ? ' But 

 she did not mention the 7 and 3=12 question, nor appeal to her 

 mother about it. I remain, dear sir, 



Yours very truly, 



A. DE MORGAN. 



To Rev. Dr. Whewell. 



Cam den Street, Camden Town, 



Oct. 26, 1846. 



MY DEAR SIR, I have intended for some days to be at you 

 once more in enunciation, on the remaining point of your letter. 

 But I have been hindered by the necessity of looking sharply at 

 the proofs of an account of Newton, which will appear shortly. 

 In this matter I am the avvocato del diavolo, as he is called, who 

 is the ex-offirio opponent at Rome of canonisation. There is 



