CH. XIII] CALCULATING PRODIGIES * 269 



he did not specially cultivate this arithmetical power. It is 

 more difficult to say whether Carl Friedrich Gauss, 1777—1855, 

 should be reckoned among these calculating prodigies. He 

 had, when three years old, taught himself some arithmetical 

 processes, and astonished his father by correcting him in his 

 calculations of certain payments for overtime ; perhaps, however, 

 this is only evidence of the early age at which his consummate 

 abilities began to develop. Another remarkable case is that 

 of Richard Whately, 1787—1863, afterwards Archbishop of 

 Dublin. When he was between five or six years old he showed 

 considerable skill in mental arithmetic: it disappeared in about 

 three years. I soon, said he, "got to do the most difficult 

 sums, always in my head, for I knew nothing of figures beyond 

 numeration, nor had I any names for the different processes 

 I employed. But I believe my sums were chiefly in multi- 

 plication, division, and the rule of three... I did these sums 

 much quicker than any one could upon paper, and I never 

 remember committing the smallest error. I was engaged either 

 in calculating or in castle-building. . .morning, noon, and night. . . 

 When I went to school, at which time the passion was worn off, 

 I was a perfect dunce at ciphering, and so have continued ever 

 since." The archbishop's arithmetical powers were, however, 

 greater in after-life than he here allows. 



The performances of Zerah Golburn in London, in 1812, 

 were more remarkable. Colburn*, born in 1804, at Cabut, 

 Vermont, U.S.A., was the son of a small farmer. While still 

 less than six years old he showed extraordinary powers of mental 

 calculation, which were displayed in a tour in America. Two 

 years later he was brought to England, where he was repeatedly 

 examined by competent observers. He could instantly give 

 the product of two numbers each of four digits, but hesitated 

 if both numbers exceeded 10,000. Among questions asked 

 him at this time were to raise 8 to the 16th power; in a few 

 seconds he gave the answer 281,474,976,710,656, which is 

 correct. He was next asked to raise the numbers 2, 3, ...9 to 



* To the authorities mentioned by E. W. Scripture and F. D. Mitchell 

 ehould be added The Annual Register, London, 1812, p. 507 et seq. 



