Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-29
CALCULATING MACHINE.

The 12Oth number of the Edinburgh Review
contains an article of IS pages on the apphca-
ton Of machinery to the calculation and print
ing of mathematical and astronomical tables
The inventor of this wonderful machinery,
which however is yet incomplete as to Its con-
structon, is MIR. Charles Babbage, Lucaslan
Professor in the University of Cambrldge,-the
chair formerly occupied by the immortal New
ton. The reviewer states that NOTWITHSTANDING
the interest with which this invention has oeen
regarded in every part of the world, it has ne
yer before been embodied in written, much
less in published form. He therefore takes
some credit to himself for being the first to make
the public acquainted with "the object, princl-
nile. and structure of piece OF machinery,
which. though at present unknown, except as
to few of its probable results, must, when COM
pleted produce important effects, not only on
the progress Of science but that of civilization"
He annears TO have entire confidence in its
eventual completion, and triumphant success
The delay which has been experienced in bring
ing il to its present state of advancement, he
thinks is by no means discouraging, when 1t is
considered that only the Improvements introdu-
ced into the steam-engine by the celebrated
Watt, occupied a period of not less than 20
years of his life, and involved an expenditure
of capital amounting to 100000.
The first part Of the article is taken up IN
showing the immense importance of any me-
thod by which numerical tables, absolute accu
rate in every individual copy, may be produced
with facility and cheapness. In illustration OF
this point allusion is made to the great number
and variety of tables which have been publish
ed in different countries, and the prevalence OF
errors to a greater or less extent in the best OF
them-even those on which national resources
have been prodgally expended. to which the
highest mathematical talent which the most en-
lehtened nations of the world could command,
has been unsparingy and Systematically direct
ed. catalogue Of Tables contained in the Ii
brary of one private individual IN England,
comprises no less than one hundred and forty
volumes, none Of which are duplicates. In for
ty of these volumes, taken at random, 1t was
found that the number of errors acknowledged
in the respective errata, amounted to above
three thousand and seven hundred! set OF
numerical tables prepared under the patronage
ofthe French Republic, and in which about 100 OF
the best mathematicanS in France were engag-
ed, occupied in manuscript seventeen folio vol
umes. The printing of them was commenced
by Didot and a small portion was actually
stereotyped, but never published Soon after
the commencement of the undertaking. the
sudden fall of the assigndis rendered it impos-
sible for Didot to fulfil his contract with the 60
vernment The work was accordingly aban-
doned, and has never since been resumed.
Under the next head, the reviewer explains
the mathematical principle on which the calcu-
lating machinery is founded, and the manner in
which this principle is brought into practical
operation, both in the process of calculating
and printing. This part of the article occupies
no less than 80 pages. or course it would be
idle. within the limits of newspaper paragraph,
to attempt an illustration of that which, in the
hands of an adept, requires the compass OF a
moderate volume. All we can say is, that the
starting point Of the invention was the discove-
rt, aHp nf nPrVad-
ing numerical Tables of every description; so
that by taking such principle as the basis of
the machinery, a corresponding degree Of gen.
crafty would be conferred upon its calculations.
The principle related by MIR. Babbage as the
basis of that part of the machinery which cal
culates, is the Method of Differences; and he
has in fact, says the reviewer actually thown this
mathematical principle into wheel-work. For
an explanation both Of the principle and the
machinery on which it is brought to bear, we
must refer the reader to the article itself The
nfallible printing selected, is by an appendage
10 the calculating machinery, which moves 81.
mutaneously with it, and punches in plate of
copper underneath the figures indicated by the
calculating part.
In the last part of the article, the reviewer in.
forms the public what is the actual state of the
machinery at the present time, and what pro-
gress has been made towards its completion.
Some idea of the extent of labor and thought
expended on its production, may be gathered
from the fact, that the drawings executed previ-
Gus to its construction, cover above thousand
square feet ofsurface, and that some ofthem are
of the most elaborate and complicated descrip-
ton. The calculating machinery, the reviewer
states, has now attained very advanced stage
towards completion. A portion OF it has been
put together and performs various calculations,
-affording practical demonstration that the
anticipatons of those under whose advice the
Government acted in encouraging the under
taking, were well founded.-N y. Jour- Com.
TO JoIJRNEYMEN CORDWAINERs