Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from On the General Principles Analysis, Vol. 1: Being a Series of Original Investigations in Different Departments of Pure Mathematics
It seems to me to be a libel upon mathematical science to pronounce any of its departments to be inherently too difficult and recondite for the comprehension of a mind thus trained and prepared. Analysis is too frequently and too unjustly branded with this stigma, when the reproach more properly belongs to those who are the exponents of its doctrines. If superior clear ness and perspicuity can reasonably be looked for in any subject, surely that subject is mathematics: and yet no department of scientific research can be adduced which is enveloped in so much unnatural and repulsive Obscurity as the science of abstract analysis. Still, however, I must acknowledge, that this fault is not always without its advantages what is of easy attainment is Often undervalued; and, in the minds of some, the only way to enhance the estimate is to increase the difficulty of access. It was, no doubt, a conviction of this truth, that in?uenced Mr. Horner to invest his important discovery of the general solution of numerical equations, in the dress in which it appears in the 'transactions of the Royal Society.' With admirable tact and sagacity, he shrouded a very simple matter in a garb of transcen dental mystery; but, as soon as his primary Object was secured, the object, namely, of the early publication of his results, under the auspices of a learned body, he proceeded to strip the subject of its unnatural disguise, and to exhibit it in all its native simplicity.
From these introductory remarks, it will be perceived, that my object will be to convey the contents Of this volume to the reader with as little expenditure of thought and labour, on his part, as he can reasonably expect to incur in the perusal.
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