[28b]  I owe this information to the kindness of my friend, Professor Tait of Edinburgh.  He further informs me that “of late years the calculating machine of M. Scheutz has been employed in the production of many valuable tables almost hopelessly beyond the power of mere mental calculation;” and that a very simple and ingenious machine, known as the Arithmomètre of M. Thomas, is to be found in the office of almost every engineer and actuary.

[29a]  Letter to M. Ribeyre, Œuvres, t. iv.

[29b]  The illustrious Italian was then advanced in years.  He died in January 1642.

Œuvres, t. iv. pp. 160,161.

Sir D. Brewster, in an article on Pascal’s Writings and Discoveries in North Brit. Rev., Aug. 1844.  Sir David’s account is almost literally translated from M. Périer’s letter to Pascal, of date September 22, 1648, and embodied in Pascal’s “Récit de la grande Expérience de l’Équilibre des Liqueurs,” first published in 1648.

[39a]  Cousin, Jacqueline Pascal, p. 94.