Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

then multiplied this product twice by the number 15, which produced the same result.". On another occasion, his highness the Duke of Gloucester asked him the product of 21,734 multiplied by 543: he immediately replied 11,801,562: but, upon some remark being made on the subject, the child said that he had, in his own mind, multiplied 65202 by 181. Now, although in the first instance it must be evident to every mathematician that 4395 is equal to 293 x 15, and consequently that (4395)2= (293) × (15)2; and further that in the second case 543 is equal to 181 x 3, and consequently that 21734 × (181 × 3)=(21734 x 3) x 181; yet, it is not the less remarkable that this combination should be immediately perceived by the child, and we cannot the less admire his ingenuity in thus seizing instantly the easiest method of solving the question proposed to him.

It must be evident from what has here been stated, that the singular faculty which this child possesses is not altogether dependent upon his memory. In the multiplication of numbers and in the raising of powers, he is doubtless considerably assisted by that remarkable quality of the mind: and in this respect he might be considered as bearing some resemblance (if the difference of age did not prevent the justness of the comparison) to the celebrated JEDEDIAH BUXTON, and other persons of similar note. But in the extraction of the roots of numbers, and in determining their factors (if any,) it is clear, to all those who witness the astonishing quickness and accuracy of this child, that the memory has little or nothing to do with the process. And in this particular point consists the remarkable difference between the present and all former instances of an apparently similar kind.

It has been recorded as an astonishing effort of memory that the celebrated EULER (who, in the science of analysis, might vie even with NEWTON himself,) could remember the first six powers of every number under 100. This, probably, must be taken with some restrictions; but, if true to the fullest extent, it is not more astonishing than the efforts of this child: with this additional circumstance in favour of the latter, that he is capable of verifying, in a very few seconds, every figure which he may have occasion for.

We may be permitted to hope and expect that those wonderful talents, which are so conspicuous at this early age, may by a suitable education be considerably improved and extended: and that some new light will eventually be thrown upon those subjects, for the elucidation of which his mind appears to be peculiarly formed by nature, since he enters into the world with all those powers and faculties which are not even attainable by the most eminent at a more advanced period of life. Every mathe

matician must be aware of the important advantages which have sometimes been derived from the most simple and trifling circumstances; the full effect of which has not always been evident at first sight. To mention one singular instance of this kind. The very simple improvement of expressing the powers and roots of quantities by means of indices, introduced a new and general arithmetic of exponents: and this algorithm of pow ers led the way to the invention of logarithms, by means of which, all arithmetical computations are so much facilitated and abridged. Perhaps this child possesses a knowledge of some more important properties connected with this subject; and although he is incapable at present of giving any satisfactory account of the state of his mind, or of communicating to others the knowledge which it is so evident he does possess, yet there is every reason to believe that when his mind is more cultivated and his ideas more expanded, he will be able not only to divulge the mode by which he at present operates, but also to point out some new sources of information on this interesting subject.

The case is certainly one of great novelty and importance: and every literary character and every friend to science must be anxious to see the experiment fairly tried as to the effect which a suitable education may produce on a mind constituted as his appears to be. With this view a number of gentleman have taken the child under their patronage, and have formed themselves into a Committee for the purpose of superintending his education. Application has been made to a gentleman of science, well known for his mathematical abilities, who has consented to take the child under his immediate tuition: the Committee therefore propose to withdraw him, for the present, from public exhibition, in order that he may fully devote himself to his studies. But whether they shall be able wholly to accomplish the object they have in view, will depend upon the assistance which they may receive from the public: and they take this opportunity of inviting the friends of science to support a plan which promises to be attended with so many advantages.

THE DRAMA..

In the following account of the opening of the splendid New Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, there is such a whimsical display of national and individual character, that we cannot refrain from laying it entire before our readers. The managers, it seems, had offered a prize for the best poetical address that should be presented, to be delivered on the occasion. About a hundred candidates offered, and the prize was adjudged to Lord Byron,* the illustrious author of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage, and other poems. A great clamour ensued among the rival candidates; the judges were accused of partiality; the "irritable tribe," of Grub Street flew to arms, and a terrible scene of ink shed was anticipated. Dr. Busby, of musical renown, seems openly to have taken the field; and, with a gallantry and hardihood, seldom witnessed among the timid sons of song, has stood forth the champion and eulogist of his own Muse. The scene as described, would make an admirable companion picture to Hogarth's enraged musician.

[From the European Magazine, for October, 1812.]

FIRST APPEARANCE OF MR. GEORGE FREDERICK BUSBY.

AFTER the play on Wednesday night, October 14, 1812, one of the most singular scenes occurred that we ever witnessed in a theatre, on or off the stage. The curtain had scarcely descended, when a Gentleman who was in the pit, close to the stage, rose and addressed the audience with great earnestness. We were at too great a distance to hear him distinctly. We understood him to request their attention to that which he had to state, and he was confident that when they were in possession of the circumstances which he wished to unfold, his conduct would cease to create surprise. He was still endeavouring to speak when the curtain was again drawn up, which is now necessary (in the absence of the stage doors,) when the play of the next day is announced. Holland advanced to give out the play, and appeared quite confounded to find another in possession of the house. The unknown seemed to insist upon his right to precedence, and exerted himself to the utmost to obtain a hearing before another was permitted to speak. Holland came forward, and it was difficult to determine which was most confused, the Gentleman in the pit, or the Actor on the stage. The audience, as is usual whenever a theatrical dispute arises, took different parts in the controversy, and some were clamorous that the one should be listened to, and some that the other should be heard. Holland now appeared to recover from his surprise, and reflecting that it was not of the greatest importance that what he had to say should be heard, announced the play in the midst of the tumult, and retired. The Gentleman again endeavoured

* For this address see the poetical department.
Y

VOL. I. New Series.

to make himself heard, but without success.-The cries of "Hear!" "Silence!" &c., which burst from all parts of the theatre, completely overpowered his efforts, and we could not catch a single word. He then displayed a paper, which it was understood he wished to read. The audience now intimated a wish that he would get on the stage, and with this wish, often repeated, he at length complied. On making his first appearance on these boards, he met with "the usual indulgence," and was loudly applauded. He walked nearly across the stage, and made a most profound bow to the audience, and was about to speak, when Mr. Raymond entered from behind. He advanced to the front of the stage, and made a stand very near the unknown, and both stood bowing to the audience for some time; both then attempted to address the audience, and the audience, tired of addresses, hissed both. Mutually disappointed in this, they now addressed each other, and, from the manner in which this conference commenced, with profound bowing to each other, it was supposed by part of the audience that they were about to rehearse the first scene in Tom Thumb. Both again attempted to speak, without being heard. The voice of the audience seemed in favour of the unknown-and Mr. Raymond perceiving this, at length intimated, “ that if it was the wish of the house to hear that gentleman, he (Mr. R.) would give place to him." This was followed by applause, and Mr. Raymond made his exit. The gentleman once more endeavoured to make himself heard, but without effect; though, from his earnest manner, and impassioned gestures, many were as anxious to hear him, as he was to be heard. Silence, however, could not be obtained, and the utmost confusion prevailed in the theatre, some calling to him to "go on," and others to "go off." Matters stood thus when Mr. Raymond entered again. He remained on the stage but a very few moments, and, after exchanging a few words with the unknown, retired. The latter made a new appeal to the audience, which was not more fortunate than his former effort and clasping his hands with vexation, he seemed at a loss what step to take, when the entrance of two suspicious characters (their first appearance on this stage) attracted his attention. These persons, who like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, were sent for, like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, crossed Hamlet (the unknown) "to get the wind of him." One of them now approached him, and made some pointed observations as we guess, from his pointing to one corner of the stage. This not being properly attended to, he rudely seized the Gentleman, who, endeavouring to regain his former station in the pit, found his retreat cut off by the suspicious character, who, as well as the first, proved to be a Police Officer. These persons bore him

[ocr errors]

from the stage in custody, amidst a tumult of hisses, mingled with expressions of approbation.

The farce of The Bee Hive commenced, and Mr. Penson, who, as Mingle, first came forward, met with so rude a reception, that he was obliged to retreat. After a pause of a minute or two, he again made his appearance, and the storm again rose so high, that it was impossible for him to proceed in his part. He now appealed to the audience, stated himself to be placed in a very awkward situation, and solicited their indulgence. This had not the effect of appeasing the assembly, and he again left the stage.

Mr. Raymond once more came forward, and was allowed to speak, an indulgence of which he availed himself in the following manner:

.

"Ladies and Gentlemen,—I wish most respectfully to ask what is your wish?"

"Explanation."-"Bring forward the man."-" Why did you seize him?" and a hundred other exclamations burst at once from the audience.

Mr. Raymond then went on-" An unknown person has this night attempted to disturb your entertainment

[ocr errors]

Here he was interrupted by several persons in the pit, who contended that the person was not unknown, and that he had not attempted to disturb the entertainment of the audience.

Mr. Raymond mentioned, that he had disturbed the audience, stated it to be his duty to prevent any disturbance, and appealed to the house if it was regular for any person to leave another part of the house, and come on the stage to address them.

The farce was then resumed, but experienced great opposition at first; this, however, soon died away, and the evening's performance met with no other interruption.

We understand that the Gentleman who attempted to address the audience, was George Frederic Busby, Esq. The subject of his intended appeal was, we believe, to vindicate the TALENT of the country from the odium cast upon it by the choice of the existing Address. This object he intended to effect by the recitation of MONOLOGUE, previously seen by the Committee of Drury Lane, written by his father, Dr. Busby.

The Rivals and Turn Out were performed on Thursday. The comedy went off with great applause, and we were much rejoiced to see our old favourite Bannister in Acres. The company, altogether, may be considered very strong in Comedy and Opera; the Managers, we know, are determined to spare no expense in engaging the most eminent talents, and we hope their laudable zeal will be seconded by public encouragement.

« AnteriorContinuar »