The meaing of mathematics in Against the Day.....

[Carvill, John]

<< This use of the word 'surely' is reminiscent of the use of the phrase 
'it is obvious that...' in mathematical writing, which typically 
appears, as every student of mathematics quickly learns, exactly when 
the claim being made is anything but obvious to the the reader. >>

I think you are putting too much of a spin on what I said. I'm sorry if you see negative connotations in my use of 'surely', I suppose it was shorthand for "all things considered" or something of that ilk. All I meant was that I would suggest ATD is a work of genius and I would see it as hard for anyone to argue otherwise. Even more so for the beauty and wonder clause.

<< I find lots of brilliant baubles strewn through AtD, but I do not find it a 
thing of beauty, wondrous or otherwise. >>

Each to his own of course, but I find more than enough beauty, in the first part of the book alone, to fire my sense of wonder.

<<... I do agree that AtD is the work of *a* genius >>

Cool. But that's not what I said. 

<<-- and I think that this is evident from the text itself, 
that to draw this conclusion does not require that one know anything 
about the writer or his other works -- but I do not find it to be a work 
of genius. >>

Out of interest, how do you rate Mason & Dixon?