Page:Complete Works of Lewis Carroll.djvu/1141



"Accommodated: That is, when a man is, as they say, accommodated: or when a man is—being—whereby—he may be thought to be accommodated; which is an excellent thing!"

(Written in 1868 as a letter suggesting, half-humorously, half-seriously, new means for mathematical research.)

DEAR SENIOR CENSOR:

In a desultory conversation on a point connected with the dinner at our high table, you incidentally remarked to me that lobster-sauce, "though a necessary adjunct to turbot, was not entirely wholesome."

It is entirely unwholesome. I never ask for it without reluctance: I never take a second spoonful without a feeling of apprehension on the subject of possible nightmare. This naturally brings me to the subject of Mathematics, and of the accommodation provided by the University for carrying on the calculations necessary in that important branch of Science.

As Members of Convocation are called upon (whether personally, or, as is less exasperating, by letter) to consider the offer of the Clarendon Trustees, as well as every other subject of human, or inhuman, interest, capable of consideration, it has occurred to me to suggest for your consideration how desirable roofed buildings are for carrying on mathematical calculations: in fact, the variable