[v]
INTRODUCTION.
The lectures, essays, and other mattercontained in these pages have been discoveredrecently in a well-worn desk whichwas formerly the property of a Lady Professorof Girtham College; and as theycontain some original thoughts and investigations,they have been consideredworthy of publication.
How they came into the possession ofthe present writer it is not his intention todisclose; but inasmuch as they seemed tohis unscientific mind to contain some importantdiscoveries which might be useful tothe world, he determined to investigatethoroughly the contents of the mysteriousdesk, and make the public acquainted withits profound treasures. He found somedocuments which did not refer exactly tothe subject of ‘Polemical Mathematics;’but knowing the truth of the Hindoo[vi] proverb, ‘The words of the wise areprecious, and never to be disregarded,’and feeling sure that this Lady Professorof Girtham College was entitled to thatappellation, he ventured to include themin this volume, and felt confident that inso doing he would be carrying out theintention of the Authoress, had she expressedany wishes on the subject. Infact, as he valued the interests of the Stateand his own peace of mind, he dared notwithhold any particle of that which heconceived would confer a lasting benefiton mankind.
Internal evidence seems to show thatthe earlier portion of the MS. was writtenduring the period when the authoress wasstill in statu pupillari; but her learningwas soon recognised by the CollegiateAuthorities, and she was speedily electedto a Professorship. Her lectures wereprincipally devoted to the abstruse subjectof Scientific Politics, and are worthy of theattention of all those whose high duty it isto regulate the affairs of the State.
The Editor has been able to gather from[vii] the varied contents of the desk somedetails of the Author’s life, which increasethe interest which her words excite; andhe ventures to hope that the public willappreciate the wisdom which created sucha profound impression upon those whosehigh privilege it was to hear the lecturesfor the first time in the Hall of GirthamCollege.
[ix]
CONTENTS.
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