475 
of Edinburgh, Session 1865 - 66 . 
Hamilton’s other numerous publications, chiefly in scientific 
journals, such as the “ Transactions of the Hoyal Irish Academy,’’ 
the “Philosophical Magazine,” &c., are devoted to the most varied 
subjects. “Algebra as the Science of Pure Time,” “ Abel’s argu- 
ment as to the impossibility of solving the general equation of the 
fifth degree,” “Definite Integrals,” “Fluctuating Functions,” 
“Icosian Calculus,” &c., may be taken as examples. But, besides 
all this, he is understood to have left an immense store of manu- 
script investigations on subjects of the greatest importance, from 
which, it is to be hoped, copious selections will be published. 
Hamilton was scrupulous, almost to excess, as to the exactness and 
symmetry of everything he published ; and it may be that, among 
the investigations which he did not consider properly polished for 
the press, there are gems of even greater value than those which 
have seen the light. 
In a life of but sixty years such a mass of original work has not 
often been accomplished ; hut when we consider that Hamilton 
retained to the last his love for languages (especially Persian), that 
he was no mean poet, that he was one of the most copious of cor^ 
respondents, and that he willingly entered into the minutest 
details when applied to for explanations on subjects connected 
with his writings, we wonder how he found time for a mere 
fraction of what he has done. 
Sir John Herschel once wrote thus “ Here, whole branches of 
continental discovery are unstudied, and, indeed, almost unknown- 
even by name. It is vain to conceal the melancholy truth. We 
are fast dropping behind. In mathematics we have long since 
drawn the rein and given over a hopeless race, &c.” Hamilton, 
while second to none, was one of the earliest of that brilliant array 
of mathematicians who, since Herschel wrote, have removed this 
stigma, and well-nigh reversed the terms of his statement. 
Another was the late Professor Boole, who, though not a Fellow 
of this Society, claims notice in this address as having received our 
highest honour, the Keith Medal. Their death has made a gap in 
the ranks of British science which will not soon he filled ; and our 
sorrow is but increased by the recollection that they have been: 
removed in the full vigour of their intellect, and when their, 
passion for work was, if possible, stronger than ever. 
