Extracts from "The Croker Papers" (1865)
Edited by Louis L. Jennings
Chapter IX Page 262
While dealing with the correspondence of this character it may be as well to introduce here a couple of letters concerning a mechanical device of which a good deal was heard some years ago, but which never answered to the expectations that were formed of it Babbage's "Calculating Machine".
1. Mr Peel to Mr Croker
Whitehall, March 6th 1823
My Dear Croker,
You recollect that a very worthy seafaring man declared that he had been intimate in his youth with Gulliver, and that he resided (I believe) in the neighbourhood of Blackwall. Davies Gilbert has produced another man who seems to be able to vouch at least for Laputa. Gilbert proposes that I should refer the enclosed to the Council of the Royal Society with the view of their making such a report as shall induce the House of Commons to construct at the public charge a scientific automaton, which, if it can calculate what Mr Babbage says it can, may be employed to the destruction of Hume. I presume you must at the Admiralty have heard of this proposal "Aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros, Aut aliquis latet error."
I should like a little previous consideration before I move in a thin house of country gentlemen, a large vote for the creation of a wooden man to calculate tables from the formula x2+x+41. I fancy Lethbridge's face on being called on to contribute.
Ever affectionately,
Rob. Peel.
2. Mr Croker to Mr Peel
March 21st 1823
My Dear Peel,
Mr. Babbage's invention is at first sight incredible, but if you will recollect those little numeral locks which one has seen in France, in which a series of numbers are written on a succession of wheels, you will have some idea of the first principle of the Machine which is very curious and ingenious and which not only will calculate all regular series but also arranges the types for printing all the figures. At present indeed it is more a matter of curiosity than use and I believe some good judges doubt whether it ever can be of any. But when I consider what has already been done by what are called Napier 's bones and Gunter's scale and the infinite and undiscovered variety of what may be called the mechanical powers of numbers I cannot but admire the probability that important consequences may be ultimately derived from Mr. Babbage's principle. As to Mr. Gilbert's proposition of having a new machine constructed I am rather inclined (with deference to his very superior judgement in such matters) to doubt whether that could be the most useful appl icat ion of further money towards the object at present.
I apprehend that Mr. Babbage's present machine which, however I have not seen answers the purposes which it is intended for sufficiently well and I rather think that a sum of money given to Mr. B to reward his ingenuity, encourage his zeal and repay his expenses would tend eventually to the perfection of his machine. It was proposed at the Board of Longitude to give him
£500 out of the sum placed at our disposal for the reward of inventions tending to facilitate the ascertaining the Longitude but the Board doubted that the invention was likely to be practically useful to a degree to justify a grant of this nature.
I think you can have no difficulty in referring the matter to the Committee of the Royal Society of which although unworthy I have the honor to be one which by the assistance of its scientific members will give you the best opinion as to the value of the invention and when that is obtained it may be considered whether another machine should be made at the public expense or whether Mr. Babbage should receive a reward either from Parliament or the Board of Longitude.
Yours Faithfully
J.W.C.
[John Wilson Croker]
References
Edited by Louis L. Jennings
Chapter IX Page 262
While dealing with the correspondence of this character it may be as well to introduce here a couple of letters concerning a mechanical device of which a good deal was heard some years ago, but which never answered to the expectations that were formed of it Babbage's "Calculating Machine".
1. Mr Peel to Mr Croker
Whitehall, March 6th 1823
My Dear Croker,
You recollect that a very worthy seafaring man declared that he had been intimate in his youth with Gulliver, and that he resided (I believe) in the neighbourhood of Blackwall. Davies Gilbert has produced another man who seems to be able to vouch at least for Laputa. Gilbert proposes that I should refer the enclosed to the Council of the Royal Society with the view of their making such a report as shall induce the House of Commons to construct at the public charge a scientific automaton, which, if it can calculate what Mr Babbage says it can, may be employed to the destruction of Hume. I presume you must at the Admiralty have heard of this proposal "Aut haec in nostros fabricata est machina muros, Aut aliquis latet error."
I should like a little previous consideration before I move in a thin house of country gentlemen, a large vote for the creation of a wooden man to calculate tables from the formula x2+x+41. I fancy Lethbridge's face on being called on to contribute.
Ever affectionately,
Rob. Peel.
2. Mr Croker to Mr Peel
March 21st 1823
My Dear Peel,
Mr. Babbage's invention is at first sight incredible, but if you will recollect those little numeral locks which one has seen in France, in which a series of numbers are written on a succession of wheels, you will have some idea of the first principle of the Machine which is very curious and ingenious and which not only will calculate all regular series but also arranges the types for printing all the figures. At present indeed it is more a matter of curiosity than use and I believe some good judges doubt whether it ever can be of any. But when I consider what has already been done by what are called Napier 's bones and Gunter's scale and the infinite and undiscovered variety of what may be called the mechanical powers of numbers I cannot but admire the probability that important consequences may be ultimately derived from Mr. Babbage's principle. As to Mr. Gilbert's proposition of having a new machine constructed I am rather inclined (with deference to his very superior judgement in such matters) to doubt whether that could be the most useful appl icat ion of further money towards the object at present.
I apprehend that Mr. Babbage's present machine which, however I have not seen answers the purposes which it is intended for sufficiently well and I rather think that a sum of money given to Mr. B to reward his ingenuity, encourage his zeal and repay his expenses would tend eventually to the perfection of his machine. It was proposed at the Board of Longitude to give him
£500 out of the sum placed at our disposal for the reward of inventions tending to facilitate the ascertaining the Longitude but the Board doubted that the invention was likely to be practically useful to a degree to justify a grant of this nature.
I think you can have no difficulty in referring the matter to the Committee of the Royal Society of which although unworthy I have the honor to be one which by the assistance of its scientific members will give you the best opinion as to the value of the invention and when that is obtained it may be considered whether another machine should be made at the public expense or whether Mr. Babbage should receive a reward either from Parliament or the Board of Longitude.
Yours Faithfully
J.W.C.
[John Wilson Croker]
References
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