78 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



" Au embodying of the science of operations constructed with peculiar 



reference to abstract number as the subject of those operations."^ 

 " A machine for weaving algebraical patterns.'" 



These four statements show clearly that an Analytical Machine " does 

 not occupy common ground with mere ' calculating machines.' It holds a 

 position wholly its own." 



In order to prevent misconception, I must state that my work was not 

 based on Babbage's results — indeed, until after the completion of the first 

 design of my machine, I had no knowledge of his prior efforts in the same 

 direction. On the other hand, I have since been greatly assisted in the more 

 advanced stages of the problem by, and have received valuable suggestions 

 from, the writings of that accomplished scholar. Tliere is in some respects 

 a great resemblance between Babbage's Analytical Engine and the macliine 

 which I have designed — a resemblance which is not, in my opinion, due 

 wholly to chance, but in a great measure to the nature of the investigations, 

 which tend to lead to those conclusions on which the resemblance depends. 

 This resemblance is almost entirely confined to the more general, abstract, or 

 mathematical side of the question ; while the contrast between the proposed 

 structure of the two projected machines could scarcely be more marked. 



It is unnecessary for me to prove the possibility of designing a machine 

 capable of automatically solving all problems which can be solved by 

 numbers. The principles on which an Analytical Machine may rest " have 

 been examined, admitted, recorded, and demonstrated."' I would refer those 

 who desire information thereon to the Countess of Lovelace's translation of au 

 article on Babbage's Engine, which, together with copious notes by the 

 translator, appears in E. Taylor's " Scientific Memoirs," vol. iii.; to Babbage's 

 own work, " Passages from the Life of a Philosopher " ; and to the Report of 

 the British Association for the year 1878, p. 92. These papers furnish a 

 complete demonstration that the whole of the developments and operations 

 of analysis are capable of being executed by machinery. 



Notwithstanding the complete and masterly treatment of the question to 

 be found in the papers mentioned, it will be necessary for me briefly to 

 outline the principles on which an Analytical Machine is based, in order 

 that my subsequent remarks may be understood. 



An Analytical Machine must liave some means of storing the numerical 

 data of the problem to be solved, and the figures produced at eacli successive 



1 R. Taylor's "Scientific Memoirs," 1843, vol. iii., p. 69i. 



- loc. cit., p. 696. 



' C. Babbage : " Passages from the Life of a Philosopher," p. 450, 



