21 6 Mr. Gompertz’s analysis applicable to the 
to present to this profoundly learned Society, to offer my 
opinion on the rates of mortality ; but my object is to propose 
a plan of analysis and notation, which I conceive may be 
applied with utility to most problems likely to occur, and 
capable of suggesting a variety of new speculations in the 
pursuit of this science. Many accurate and ingenious men 
have occupied their hours in the improvement of this subject. 
Messrs. Morgan, Baily, and Milne, of the present age, are 
among the number of mathematicians to whom this depart- 
ment is greatly indebted ; the works of the former two gen- 
tlemen have been long before the public ; that of Mr. Milne, 
was not earlier than about the commencement of this year in 
my possession ; but I felt much gratified with the able man- 
ner in which he has treated his different subjects ; and par- 
ticularly pleased with his notation, in his sixth chapter, 
referring to the different orders of survivorship. 
I feel thankful for the information I have received from the 
labours of those who have preceded me ; and I hope that this 
sketch may be received as a wish to aid science, but not as 
a medium to censure those whose steps may sometimes have 
faltered in the paths to knowledge. To a true philoso- 
pher, it will ever be much more pleasing to grant even more 
praise than is actually due, than to pluck the laurel from the 
deserving brow. This is an observation which might fre- 
quently be addressed to authors, but I profess no particular 
point of application in my remark. 
Benjamin Gompertz. 
14 ib June , 1820. 
