"Reflections on the Decline of Science in England, and on Some of Its Causes" is a book written by Charles Babbage, a prominent English mathematician, philosopher, and inventor. The book addresses Babbage's concerns about the state of scientific research and development in England during that time. Babbage examines the factors he believed were contributing to the decline of scientific progress in his country. He criticizes the lack of support and funding for scientific endeavors, the absence of scientific societies and institutions, and the limited opportunities for scientific education and advancement. Babbage argues that the decline in scientific pursuits has adverse consequences for society as a whole. He asserts that scientific progress is essential for national prosperity, technological advancement, and intellectual growth. Babbage emphasizes the importance of nurturing a scientific culture and providing adequate resources and infrastructure to support scientific research. Furthermore, Babbage reflects on the broader implications of the decline of science in England. He explores the impact on various fields, including industry, agriculture, and the overall well-being of the nation. Babbage expresses his concerns about England's position in the global scientific community and the potential consequences of falling behind other nations in scientific achievements.

Charles Babbage was a key figure of a great era of British history. Best remembered for his pioneering Difference and Analytical Engines, forerunners of the modern computer, Babbage was also an active reformer of science and society.

It cannot have escaped the attention of those, whose acquirements enable them to judge, and who have had opportunities of examining the state of science in other countries, that in England, particularly with respect to the more difficult and abstract sciences, we are much below other nations, not merely of equal rank, but below several even of inferior power. That a country, eminently distinguished for its mechanical and manufacturing ingenuity, should be indifferent to the progress of inquiries which form the highest departments of that knowledge on whose more elementary truths its wealth and rank depend, is a fact which is well deserving the attention of those who shall inquire into the causes that influence the progress of nations...

Excerpt from Reflections on the Decline of Science in England, and on Some of Its Causes We have drawn largely, both in the present Essay, and in our article on hear, from the Annales de Chimie, and we take this only opportunity distinctly to acknowledge our Obligations to that most admirably conducted work. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

WHAT is there in a name? It is merely an empty basket, until you put something into it. My earliest visit to the Continent taught me the value of such a basket, filled with the name of my venerable friend the first Herschel, ere yet my younger friend his son, had adorned his distinguished patronymic with the additional laurels of his own well-earned fame.

A set of 11 volumes which contains all the known works of Charles Babbage, who has been described as the "pioneer of the computer". His mathematical, scientific and engineering work is highly significant for its original approach to problem-solving and is reset for today's reader.

Charles Babbage (1792–1871) articulated the principles behind modern computing machines. This compilation of his writings, plus those of several of his contemporaries, illuminates the early history of the calculator.