A SHORT VIEW OF THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF THE Differential Calculus. BY THE REV. ARTHUR BROWNE, M.A. FELLOW OF ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. CAMBRIDGE: Printed by J. Smith, Printer to the University; PUBLISHED BY J. DEIGHTON & SONS, CAMBRIDGE, AND BY G. B. WHITTAKER, AVE-MARIA-LANE, LONDON; AND 1824 PREFACE. OBJECTIONS have frequently been raised against the study of Mathematics, as pursued at the University of Cambridge. It has been urged, that since the truths, which this study unfolds, have no relation to the concerns of common life; and, that since a knowledge of the abstract properties of Geometrical figures, and Analytical symbols, has no tendency to make us either wiser or better than we were before, Mathematics must of all subjects be least calculated to prepare the minds of students, for whatever station in life they may hereafter be called upon to fill. It has been insinuated, that while, amid the variety of learned professions, it would have been impossible to select a subject, equally adapted to the wants of every student, we have, with singular impartiality, selected one, which is perfectly useless to them all. These objections have derived additional force, from its being observed, that the three years, which are spent at Cambridge, are, as far as education is concerned, the three best years of our life; and, that many, when they have completed their career at the University, become so occupied in the duties and business of their station, as to have no leisure for more useful and important studies. In answer to these objections it has been stated, that those young men, who a |