PASSAGES

FROM

THE LIFE OF A PHILOSOPHER.

BY

CHARLES BABBAGE, ESQ., M.A.,

F.R.S., F.R.S.E., F.R.A.S., F. STAT. 8., HON. M.R.I.A., M.C.P.S.,

COMMANDER OF THE ITALIAN ORDER OF ST. MAURICE AND ST. LAZARUS,
INST. IMP. (ACAD. MORAL.) PARIS CORR., ACAD. AMER. ART. ET SC, BOSTON, REG. CECON. BORUSS.,
PHYS. HIST. NAT. GENEV., ACAD. REG. MONAC., HAFN., MASSIL., ET DIVION, SOCIUS.
ACAD. IMP. ET REG. PETROP., NEAP., BRUX., PATAV., GEORG. FLOREN, LYNCEI ROM., MUT., PHILOMATH.
PARIS, SOC. CORR., ETC.

"I'm a philosopher. Confound them all--

Birds, beasts, and men; but no, not womankind.”—Don Juan.

"I now gave my mind to philosophy: the great object of my ambition was to make out a
complete system of the universe, including and comprehending the origin, causes, consequences, and
termination of all things. Instead of countenance, encouragement, and applause, which I should
have received from every one who has the true dignity of an oyster at heart, I was exposed to
calumny and misrepresentation. While engaged in my great work on the universe, some even went
so far as to accuse me of infidelity;-such is the malignity of oysters."-" Autobiography of an
Oyster" deciphered by the aid of photography in the shell of a philosopher of that race,-recently
scolloped.

LONDON:

LONGMAN, GREEN, LONGMAN, ROBERTS, & GREEN.

1864.

[The right of Translation is reserved.]

37-9-45 00

Dunning
Weil

7-6.45
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DEDICATION.

TO VICTOR EMMANUEL II., KING OF ITALY.

SIRE,

IN dedicating this volume to your Majesty, I am also doing an act of justice to the memory of your illustrious father.

In 1840, the King, Charles Albert, invited the learned of Italy to assemble in his capital. At the request of her most gifted Analyst, I brought with me the drawings and explanations of the Analytical Engine. These were thoroughly examined and their truth acknowledged by Italy's choicest

sons.

To the King, your father, I am indebted for the first public and official acknowledgment of this invention.

I am happy in thus expressing my deep sense of that obligation to his son, the Sovereign of united Italy, the country of Archimedes and of Galileo.

I am, Sire,

With the highest respect,

Your Majesty's faithful Servant,

CHARLES BABBAGE.