98 
Report on Mr. Babbage’s fyc. 
[March 
which they are fitted together, the success of the undertaking would have been ha- 
zarded ; and they regard as extremely judicious, although of course very expensive, 
Mr. Babbage’s determination to admit of nothing but the very best and most finish- 
ed work in every part; a contrary course would have been false economy, and 
might have led to the loss of the whole capital expended on it. 
In the printing part less progress has been made in actual execution than in the 
calculating: the reason being, the greater difficulty of its contrivance; not for 
transferring the computations from the calculating part to the copper or other 
plate, ultimately destined to receive them, but for giving to the plate itself the num- 
ber and variety of movements which the forms adopted in printed tables may call 
for in practice. The movements necessary for effecting this, being entirely such, as 
might at any time he decided on, were purposely allowed to stand over till the 
more difficult parts should be fully developed. Taking the calculating and the 
printing part together, and regarding the tools and machinery already erected, as 
available for the performance of what remains, the Committee regard it as not impro- 
bable that three- fifths of the work may be already completed ; but they cannot be 
expected to state this with any degree of certainty. 
With regard to the expense incurred and likely to he incurred, Mr. Babbage states 
the sum already expended by him at ^*6,000 ; j(£lOOi> of which, he states to have 
been laid out in preliminary trials, which have not formed any object of enquiry 
with the Committee. Taking into consideration the extent of the work and draw- 
ings which they have examined, and judging entirely from the general knowledge 
of the cost of these and similar works, which the professional experience of several 
individuals of the Committee has enabled them to acquire, they are no way sur- 
prised at the outlay that is stated to have been incurred. With regard to the future 
cost, they have of course less means of judging than of the past, of which they see 
the results, aud the tools with which they were produced. A probable conjecture 
mightbe grounded on the proportion of fths assumed as the proportion of the work 
already done; hut this would require to he received with great latitude. Finally, 
taking into consideration all that has been already said, and relying not less on 
tlie talent and skill displayed by Mr. Babbage as a mechanician in the prosecution 
of this arduous undertaking for what remains, than on the matured and digested 
plan and admirable execution of wliat is accomplished, your Committee have no 
hesitation in giving it as their opinion, that “ in the present state of Mr. Bab- 
bage’s engine, they do regard it as likely to fulfil the expectations entertained of 
it by its inventor - .” 
(Signed) J. T. W. Hersciiel, Chairman. 
Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society , relating to the Report of the Commit- 
tee on Mr. Babbage's Calculating Machine. 
[February 12, 1829. 
The Report of the Committee appointed to consider the letter of Mr. Stewart, re- 
lative to Mr. Babbage’s Calculating Machine, was received and adopted. 
Resolved, That the thanks of the Council be given to the Committee for the pains 
they have bestowed upon the subject referred to them, and for their able report. 
Resolved, That the following answer be sent to Mr. Stewart, viz. 
The Council of the Royal Society, having taken into consideration Mr. Stewart’s 
letter, dated December 1828, requesting their opinion, “ Whether the progress 
made by Mr. Babbage, in the construction of his machine, confirms them in their 
former opinion, that it will ultimately prove adequate to the important objects 
which it was intended to attain,” appointed a Committee, consisting of the presi- 
dent and secretaries— Mr. Herschel, Mr. Warburton, Mr. F. Baily Mr Burton, 
comptroller of the mint, Mr. Brunei, F. R. S. civil engineer, Mr/Donkin civil 
engineer, Mr. Penn, and Mr. G. Rennie, F. R. S. civil engineers— from the result 
of whose examination of the drawings, the tools employed, and the work already 
executed, as detailed in the annexed report, tl.cy have not the slightest hesitation 
m pronouncing their decided opinion in the affirmative. 
The Council of the Royal Society cannot conclude without statin «■ their full con- 
currence m the report of their Committee, comprising, as it does among its mem- 
ers, several ot the first practical engineers and mechanicians in the country nor 
w.thout the expression of a hope that while Mr. Babbage's mind is intentlv occu- 
pied on an undertaking likely to do much honor to his country, he mav be relieved 
much as possible from all other sources of anxiety. Y> y 
