The Philosophy of Arithmetic; Exhibiting a Progressive View of the Theory and Practice of Calculation, with an Enlarged Table of the Products of Numbers Under One Hundred.

LESLIE, John.

Published by Edinburgh: printed by Abernethy & Walker for Archibald Constable and Company; Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London, 1817

About this Item

First edition of the Scottish mathematician's guide to the history and theory of arithmetic. Leslie's objective was to demonstrate the deductive method of mathematics and thus "to train the young student to the invaluable habit of close and patient investigation" (Preface). It was this emphasis on rational inference that led Leslie to argue that arithmetic was a vital part of liberal education. John Leslie (1766-1832) is best known for his research into heat and for his invention of Leslie's cube, an apparatus used to measure variation in thermal radiation. He was chair of mathematics, and later of natural philosophy, at the University of Edinburgh, and was the author of numerous textbooks. His academic career was blighted by controversy over his atheistic views. "Suspicious of learned societies as incorporated juntas, Leslie was never a fellow of the Royal Society of London which had rejected an early paper of his; elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1807 he took no part in its affairs; but he did prize his election in 1820 as a corresponding member of the Institute of France. Though subsequently distinguished pupils attended Leslie's lectures, his idiosyncrasies precluded any of them from becoming a disciple" (ODNB). Provenance: the front pastedown with presentation label of University College, London awarding this copy to Benjamin Kisch (1842-1919) in 1860 as a prize for mathematics examinations. Kisch was a founding member of the London Mathematical Society in 1865, and presented papers on numerous topics including combination theory. Octavo (215 x 133 mm). Large folding table frontispiece, numerous diagrams within text. Contemporary dark blue polished calf, spine lettered and ruled in gilt, scrollwork tooling in gilt to compartments between raised bands, red morocco label, double fillet border with floral cornerpieces and supralibros of University College, London in gilt to covers, board edges and turn-ins tooled in gilt, marbled endpapers and edges, blue silk bookmarker. Two relevant early 20th-century newspaper clippings on the origin of numerals pasted to front free endpaper. Handsomely bound and expertly refurbished, corners rubbed, contents sporadically browned and foxed, particularly to gathering F, early ownership signature erased from title page with subsequent discreet paper repairs resulting in marginal brown stain of first two gatherings, short closed tear at gutter of table as often, occasional neat pencil annotations signifying close reading: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 164280

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Philosophy of Arithmetic; Exhibiting a Progressive View of the Theory and Practice of Calculation, with an Enlarged Table of the Products of Numbers Under One Hundred.
• Publisher: Edinburgh: printed by Abernethy & Walker for Archibald Constable and Company; Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London, 1817
• Edition: 1st Edition