204 MEMOIR OF AUGUSTUS UE MORGAN. 



1848. sometimes carried further than they go, out of mere bravado) 

 is a study for the psychologist. I shall forward a statement to 

 Sir W. Hamilton. 



Pray when within two years have yon mentioned Lacroix ? 



However, since you know him. which I didn't, yon now know 

 that he has a memory. 



And what makes you say that I never read any papers but 

 those of a mathematician ? Mathematica ! quoth he are you a 

 mathematician ? and did I not read all the we-should-gladly- 

 forget-them-if-you-would-let-us articles, which procured you the 

 memorable rebuke (which you will never get over) with which 

 I have headed this letter ? 



And as to preventions, was I not talking of a Frenchman ? 

 and if he had described himself, would he not have used the 

 word ? And did I not get the word from Panizzi, and was I not 

 assured of an Italian borrowing a Frenchman's phrase who 

 deniges of it ? Yours truly, 



A. DE MORGAN. 



To Capt. Smyth. 



7 Camden Street, Dec. 19, 1848. 



MY DEAR CAPTAIN SMYTH, Pray what is the matter with 

 yon ? Pray write and say yon are quite well ; but mind, I 

 detest lying of all things, so be snre yon speak the truth. 



I took a solitary glass of porter yesterday to your recovery, 

 for I did not choose to admit any of the profane dogs about me 

 to the ordinance, which is quite above their appreciation. 



Airy gave ns a very good telegraph lecture. I mean on 

 telegraph, not by telegraph. But time may come when we 

 shall sit down in our own room and hear him lecture from 

 Greenwich. 1 



Seriously, let me know how you are. With kind regards to 

 all, I am yours truly, 



A. DE MORGAN. 



To Sir John Herschel. 



March 18, 1849. 



1849. MY DEAR SIR JOHN, Sir H. N. is as correct as his authori- 



ties. Censorinus, who gives the most distinct account, says that 



1 I do not suppose the writer had the smallest conception of the 

 wonderful literalness with which his prediction would be fulfilled. It 

 must be remembered that the telephone was not even dreamed of 

 thirty -three years ago. S. E. DE M. 



