MD3PAD 220-222
Toby G Levy
tobylevy at juno.com
Thu Mar 30 04:53:59 CST 2006
Dixon remembers various things about Emerson. How he loved to
watch vortices in flowing water. Emerson's first book was on "fluxions,"
a branch of differential calculus concerned chiefly with the study of
the rate of change of function and which dealt extensively with
vortices.
Emerson was much shorter than Dixon. He thought of wind as a
kind of lateral gravity. All of his science increased his clarity of the
way in which Emerson viewed God.
After completing his studies with Emerson, Dixon was asked by
Emerson to tell him his aim in life. Dixon said he wanted to be a
surveyor. Emerson calls him a fool, but Dixon remains firm in his
conviction that it is a good career choice. He reminds Emerson that he
has said that Dixon's destiny was to "inscribe the Earth."
Dixon makes it clear that he would like to continue to study
under Emerson but Emerson sends him out to make his mark in the world.
Now, after returning to England from witnessing the Transit of
Venus, Dixon is visiting Emerson at Emerson's house.
The dapper Fr Maire says he must reluctantly return to his
teaching position at St. Omer. Dixon makes a smart comment and Emerson
directs him to show some respect and Dixon replies that he has the
greatest respect for the writings of Fr Maire. Dixon praises his ability
to do mathematics while on horseback, as described in a poem by the
eminent mathematician, Fr Boscovich.
Toby
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