Those from whose pocket the salary is drawn, and by whose appointment the officer was made, have always a right to discuss the merits of their officers, and their modes of exercising the duties they are paid to perform.

I wish to God these calculations had been executed by steam.

For one person who is blessed with the power of invention, many will always be found who have the capacity of applying principles.

Remember that accumulated knowledge, like accumulated capital, increases at compound interest: but it differs from the accumulation of capital in this; that the increase of knowledge produces a more rapid rate of progress, whilst the accumulation of capital leads to a lower rate of interest. Capital thus checks it own accumulation: knowledge thus accelerates its own advance. Each generation, therefore, to deserve comparison with its predecessor, is bound to add much more largely to the common stock than that which it immediately succeeds.

The whole of the developments and operations of analysis are now capable of being executed by machinery ... As soon as an Analytical Engine exists, it will necessarily guide the future course of science.

A young man passes from our public schools to the universities, ignorant almost of the elements of every branch of useful knowledge.

You will be able to appreciate the influence of such an Engine on the future progress of science. I live in a country which is incapable of estimating it.