The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-28
THE CURVES OF AUTHORS.
A Mathematical Discovery by Which
the BaeOnisn and Other Theo.
Fies May be Settled.

New York Times: The thirty-hlth
annual convention Of the American
Association for the Advancement OF
Science were enlivened on Thursday
last by a paper in which Prof. L. L.
Mendenhsll described the curious re-
cults OF sn examination OF authors vo-
cabularies. The true mathematician
reyels in curves. The pr ,iessor hi
found a new curve-the "Characierie-
tic curve OF composition" He found
II in this way: Taking passage OF
1000 or 10000 words nom some well
known writer, he indus counted
the words OF one letter, the words oil
two letters, and 30 on until the WORDS
were exhausted. Beginning with the
shortest words he drew from a siraight
base line line at right angles to 1t,
representing by its length the number
OF thoee words. Parallel to this
and at a certain distance from
this he drew another line, represent
ing BY its length, and upon the
same 8, ale as before, the number oil
words of two letters, and go on through
| the list. A line touching the unat-
tached ends OF all these lines is the
curve Of the author whose writings
are used. II rises from the l.ne repro /.
senting the longest words, turne and
twists through the intermediate re-
gion, and ends at the top OF the long
lines that mark the short words.
The profer1o has applied this meth
cd OF analysis to many authors and to
many passages taken from each OF
them. His researches prove, he Paye,
that each author has curve OF hie
own that Ia reproduced with Rstonish-
ing exactness whenever any part OF
his writings Is tested. One authors
curve differs from that OF another 80
clearly that the lines can always be
assigned to the persons whose pecul-
iarities they represent. An expert
could easily, for example, pick the
curve OF Tnackersy out OF bundle OF
curves az big as bale OF hay.
Surely some good will bs made OF
this discovery. Was Bacon the author
OF the writings known as Shakes
peare's plays? Let the curve OF Ba.
cons prose be drawn and compared
with the curve OF the immortal dramas
Here Is work for lgnatius Donnelly,
cropping for the cipher metssge which
he believes to be hidden in the folio.
Who wrote the Letters Of Juniusf Let
the curves of Sir Philip Francis and oil
the other alleged authors be calculAt-
cd and laid by the side OF the sinuouu
line yielded by the letters themselves.
And if anyone longs to know who con-
| .4..ok. Al, n oy,davnna aonn IN N N irAt ions
In the Sun that appear over the fam
ous signatures "Old Observer" "An
Old Democrat" "JeffersonisD," aud
the like, the curve OF these interesting
works can costly bo drawn, and il ne
find writings upon the editorial page
OF our contemporary that yield the
same line the problem will be solved
The professors discovery will be
great boon to Mn. Fila Wheeler viii
cox and Col. Joyce, and TO the numef
GUS authors OF beautiful Snow" apt
similar literary gems around whiel
war is still raging.
Every author will now be able t
calculate his own curve and have /
copyrighted. Some person can doubt
less be found who will range tn,
whole field OF literature for character
istic curves and publish them in
handy volume for the use OF student
and readers who are torn with curios
ity when they encounter an anony
nous novel. No longer will success
full author be able to befog the public
with stories to which his name is no
affixed. A short calculation and
glance at the pages Of Smiths "Bool
OF Authors Curves" will reveal hin
or tear away the disguise OF fantastic
pseudonym. Hobby riders who's
time hangs heavy on their hands viii
look for curiosities in the field which
Prof. Mendeuhall has thrown open
aud out OF the Congressional Record vii
dig curves OF ponderosity among whicl
those drawn from the remarks Of on
esteemed Senator, Mr.. Evarts, vii
easily take the prize. 1t is rich min
that was opened at Buffalo, aud it viii
be worked for the pleasure and benef
of mankind.