Abstract
PROF. TAIT, in his notice of Clifford's “Common Sense of the Exact Sciences” (NATURE, vol. xxxii. p. 124) has brought so prominently forward the statement made in Prof. Pearson's footnote—“the manuscript of the ‘Kinetic’ was left in a completed state,” that I think it is fitting I should somewhat anticipate what will ultimately be stated when the manuscript in my hands has been printed. All the manuscript bearing upon the “Dynamic,” after having, I think, passed under Mr. F. Pollock's eyes, was handed over to me, and with it Mrs. Clifford gave me, for use1, nine German text-books in case I should need them to fill up any gaps in the manuscript. It is needless to say that there have been “reasons” why this manuscript has not hitherto seen the light; suffice it now to say that the continuous portion has been received by Messrs. Macmillan, and the printing is to proceed forthwith. But of what does the continuous part consist? I have a draught before me of the work as originally contemplated by the author: Books i., ii., in., form the “Kinematic” Book iv., entitled “Forces,” is broken up into ten or eleven sections. It is this portion which is continuous, and which takes up about forty pages of manuscript. Book v. was to treat of “Stresses;” Book vi., of “Heat;” and Book vii., of “Waves and Vibrations.” Of these latter books I have only stray leaves here and there. It is said “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” I certainly do not propose to try to supplement Clifford's work, but what I do propose is to get out all the continuous part in continuation as approximately as I can of the “Kinematic” and to relegate the odds and ends to an appendix. If any mathematician thinks some other course preferable, I shall be glad to let him see the “slips,” and will hope to profit by his advice. I am in the receipt of letters from distinguished teachers which express a hope that the lectures I referred to (NATURE, vol. xxxii. p. 4) may see the light; but this point is still, I believe, under consideration.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
TUCKER, R. The Late Prof. Clifford's Kinetic. Nature 32, 147 (1885). https://doi.org/10.1038/032147b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/032147b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.