Ada, the Enchantress of Numbers:Poetical Science

by Toole, Betty Alexandra

  Yours ever

  A.A.L.

  Soon after she arrived at St James’ Square, Wheatsone came for a visit. The discussion during Wheatsone’s five-hour visit centered around the same topic as it had at Fyne Court: German Science. Prince Albert wanted to be head of a scientific and intellectual circle, and it would be quite natural that part of the focus be disseminating the information of the discoveries by first-rate German scientists to the British scientific community. Crosse had suggested this and Wheatstone amplified that suggestion. He thought Ada could be part of that process. Wheatstone said it should occur “in the natural course of things that if I can take a certain standing in the course of the next few years, the Prince would on some occasion speak to me about science, and that in that case; if I happily seize the moment, I may do for science an inestimable benefit; for that all the Prince wants is a sensible advisor & suggester, to indicate to him the channels for his exercising a scientific influence.”

  Babbage had suggested to Ada when she was writing the Notes that she show Prince Albert the preface which upset Ada since the preface was so critical of the British Government. This time Wheatstone suggested a more casual approach that would be of more interest to the Prince.

  Wheatstone was very supportive of Ada’s intellectual pursuits and they discussed at great length the direction she might take. Babbage’s subject wouldn’t work but German science seemed to fit. She suggested to her husband that John should come and stay with them because going to Fyne Court would not do. Even Wheatstone thought it the oddest, most uncomfortable house he had ever been in.

  The big news for Wheatstone, and for the advance of technology was the electric telegraph. Ada wrote William the “electric telegraph is laying down on our Southampton Rail, & by & bye Wheatstone says that we shall be able to send any message to Town for a shilling, & get an answer. There will be a secretary at the terminus to write down & dispatch notes to all parts of Town.”

  She then wrote how, “for instance, I might from Bridgewater the other day (had the telegraph reached to that station) have sent word in two seconds to London.

  ‘I shall arrive by the two o’clock Train, instead of the 12 o’clock. Send my carriage for the latter hour. A.A. L.’. . ...Think what a delight Wheatstone says that sometimes friends hold conversations from one terminus to the other; that one can send for anyone to speak to one. For instance, I might desire a tradesman to go directly to the Nine Elms’ Station, & might discuss an order with him about goods & c. Wonderful agent and invention!”

  Electric Telegraph

  Ada must have enjoyed reading the article in the Illustrated London News, January 1845, about Wheatstone’s telegraph and how helpful it was in solving a murder. So many exciting developments were occurring at the time, and Ada wanted to know about all of them. To pursue research about the latest scientific developments, she needed to have access to the latest scientific information, which was not readily available to a woman. Despite Mrs Somerville’s bust being on display at the Royal Society, Mrs Somerville had not been allowed into the library of that institution. Ada asked Greig to help her obtain permission.

  She went to London to discuss the matter with him only to have the discussion turn to her alleged amorous liaisons. She discovered that she was the subject of rumors, most likely dealing with her relationship with Frederick Knight; however, the rumors might have been prompted by her recent visit to the Crosse household. She complained to William that there was “a traitor” in the house spreading rumors about her.

  To Woronzoiv Greig

  Thursday, 5 December 1844

  St James’ Square

  Dear Mr Greig. I should have liked extremely to go to the Play tomorrow night with you, but I must leave Town tomorrow afternoon.

  I think you could do me a service, unless you see in it anything objectionable. Pray consider well over it: –

  When Lovelace became a member of the Royal Society several years ago, it was entirely on my account. But the inconvenience of my not being able to go there to look at particular Papers & c which I want, continually renders the advantages I might derive quite nugatory. – Could you ask the Secretary if I might go in now & then (of a morning of course) to hunt out the things I require, being censé to do so in L’s name & for him, tho’ it would be really for_myself? As you know the Secretary, you can judge if he is a discreet man, who would not talk about the thing or make it notorious; one who in short could understand why & how I want to get the entrée to their library in a quiet & unobtrusive manner.

  I assure you it would be to me an inestimable advantage. I suppose there are certain hours when I should not be liable to meet people there. Perhaps early in the mornings. . .

  But I really have become as much tied to a profession as you are. And so much the better for me, I always required this.

  I am trying to discover the Traitor. It is not because I think that particular instance of false report of much consequence to us, or that I am annoyed much at that one special thing having been promulgated. It is so absurd that it could not gain much currency.

  But it is of consequence to know who is the untrustworthy & malicious individual whom one ought on no account to harbour as a spy under our roof. –

  And if ever I discover for certain who it is, I shall tell him the above, the very first time we meet by accident (if it be 10 years hence); – doing so in my provokingly cool way, without feeling or temper; just fixing my great eyes on him, & saying my say in the most gentle way, taking care that several persons hear it. – No one could do this so well as I could, & it would be exceedingly amusing. My Mother quite chuckled over my notion.

  There is the advantage of being rather of a cold-blooded temperament. No insult, no impertinence, ever can excite me. So I can venture on what others must not trust themselves to attempt.

  Yours ever

  A.A. Lovelace

  Ada had hardly begun her scientific endeavors when once again she became ill, this time with a very specific complaint. Dr Locock did a complete_ “examination internally” finding Ada in a “most sad state, requiring great care.” Mr Taylor, another physician, “says it is unlikely the Abscess will close for some time . . . It is a sad nuisance to have a great sore under one, – & it is tender, & crippling; but it seems like a perfect case, compared with the past. –.” Though Ada tried to be brave it was a very serious ailment that would have prevented her from having an amorous affair with John Crosse or anyone. It certainly affected her study of mathematics because she wrote De Morgan’s wife Sophia that “I have been utterly unable to think even of my Studies”. She concluded: “I am so thankful at the alarm about adding to my family being a false one; that I don’t the least mind all I have suffered. I think anything better than that.”

  Poetical Science

  Ada was not sure of where her scientific activity would lead. She did keep up with the latest scientific developments at this time, and like most of us today was impressed by the rapid rate of change. Her ill health over-shadowed her great ambition.

  Many of the illustrations in this book came from The Illustrated London News, which contained not only the latest news but beautiful engravings.

  Illustrated London News

  19

  Vestiges, Obedient with Safety, Poetical Science

  [1845-1846]

  Ada continued to turn to Woronzow Greig as her confidant, but sometimes it backfired. Just as Ada in her Notes used both analytical and metaphysical approaches, she used the same strategy in her attempt to explain to Greig how he had come to a mistaken conclusion about her personal life. She accused him of taking a momentary attitude, a biopsy, and extrapolating it to her overall state of mind. He was taking her attitude out of context. Her warning about the dangers of erroneous conclusions can be applied to scientific as well as general information. Not only is analysis important, but it is necessary to make sure that conclusions are drawn on the whole picture, and not a skewed sample. She tried to put her own life into pr
oper perspective.

  Ada’s feelings towards her husband vacillated. After ten years of marriage, she was satisfied with her lot, but she had some misgivings. When she was under the influence of laudanum, she thought William was an angel, but in reality she was not at all sure she could “feel him to her mind,” or understand his persona.

  To Woronzow Greig

  Friday, 7 January [1845]

  Ockham

  My Dear Greig. . . I suppose you received my letter from Esher, of Tuesday last.–

  Now you are going, I dare say, to think me a strange unaccountable mysterious being, in what I am going to say; which is that I must beg you to believe, that you have no data whatever for forming any complete or true judgement of either me or my position. – I must entreat you not to torment yourself, or to expend on me a sympathy which I assure you is not needed. My own ideas of matrimony, & of the matrimonial institution altogether, are very peculiar; & as I do not explain what these are, you cannot form any just idea how far I am to be pitied or not.

  No man would suit me as a husband; & tho’ some might be a shade or two less personally repugnant to me than others, yet in the social point of view I enjoy as it is more liberty (which is as necessary to me, as it is to some species of birds, who pine & die if confined) than most men might allow me; – (altho’ there are some who would be as liberal, but in this country they are the minority). I am therefore entirely satisfied; inconsistent as this declaration may seem with some things that I said before. –

  You will do me the favor to suspend all opinions of my case & position for some years longer. – If you do otherwise, you cannot avoid falling into serious error. My character & feelings are but partially known to you. I have a peculiar dislike to making myself a topic of conversation & discussion, consequently I seldom open out at all, (& completely never). –

  Some years hence it is not impossible that you may see many points you do not & can not at present penetrate . . . I daresay that you will fancy, even now, that you perfectly understand me, & all I say. – I simply warn you that you had better wait before you are sure of it. You will find me well & in good spirits when you come. You will see L [Lovelace] too, happy & satisfied as ever & I suspect you will leave us feeling pretty well satisfied yourself. –

  All this is very incomprehensible I know, & must seem to you queer & inconsistent. No possible solution you can think of, can be a true one. Ainsi Monsieur, ne vous tormentez pas. It is all in vain. I am a Fairy you know; & there is no other way of settling the question. I don’t want a mortal husband & he is a bit of an earthly clay now & then; but however I am his fairy guardian for his life, & must mind my business. And then I have my own fairy resources, which none can judge of.

  Now, my good friend, pray be quiet and comfortable & think nothing more disturbing to you about me than that I am incomprehensible, & must be left to make myself happy in my own quiet & peculiar way. Yours ever A.A.L. . .

  To Woronzoiv Greig

  Tuesday, 4 February [1845]

  Esher

  My Dear Greig. I write from my mother’s. I had your most kind letter this morning. . .

  Had you not touched on one terrible chord the other evening, you would have had no hint from me of my life-less life. That chord was simply your allusion to comfort in little kindly offices, in matrimonial life, especially in illness. –

  It seemed to me so cruel & dreadful a satire, that much was revealed by me before I knew what I was about hardly. I hope you will not renew the subject with me. No good can come of it; & much pain would come of it.

  Do not think this unkind. I appreciate and understand all you feel, as well, as well as all you express. My existence is one continuous & unbroken series of small disappointments; – & has long been so. –

  I must be at work again, I have been too idle lately. It never does for me to repose upon existence, or to have time for remembering myself & feelings. That is a fact.

  I hope to live to make L – happier than I have done. It is not his fault that to me he is nothing whatever, but one who has given me a certain social position. . . He does all that his perceptions can enable him to do. He is a good & just man. He is a son to me. I have tried my very best to feel him to my mind. But it has been a hopeless case; & the less it is dwelt on, the better.

  I drive it from my mind for months often. I have passed thro’ some dreadful feelings at times. You don’t know half, nor ever must. I have resources as you say; & I shall do well enough. I begin however of late to grow unambitious, & very indifferent to everything. – Were it not for the necessity of allowing myself no time for thought, I doubt if I should work much. But I must. –

  Unfortunately, every year adds to my utter want of pleasure in my children. They are to me irksome duties, & nothing more. Poor things! I am sorry for them. They will at least find me a harmless and inoffensive parent, if nothing more. –

  You will see me often gay & conversible as ever. –

  I am no worse off than others. So do not unduly pity me. –

  All are more or less miserable. I believe.

  Ever yours,

  A.A.L.

  To Woronzow Greig

  Sunday, 9 February 1845

  Ockham

  My Dear Greig. I really think you are angry with me, or at least half angry. Now I hope this is not so. – As to some of the points you now insist on, (such as that I do not know myself, & c), my assertions & convictions that I do, can have no weight with you. Therefore I feel it is useless & nugatory to express any such to you. –

  We must leave all to time to unravel. You are a wise man, & will be ready & content to do so. –

  I am sorry you think me so “changeable.” – That impression is a good deal caused by your seeing only so limited a part, of me & my life & habits. The whole (could you see & know it) would appear to you all one & of a piece.

  But I know I cannot convey to you any conviction of this being really so. Thus I must be content to seem as your eyes alone see me; – a Will-o-the-Wisp, or any strange unenviable kind of a non-descript creature! –

  Only I do hope you are not angry. Certainly I am feeling better in health than when you were here. So far, you perhaps judge correctly. –

  Yours ever

  A.A. Lovelace

  In August 1845 Ada wrote her accountant Mr Wharton. The letter gives a clear account of where her money went. She sent him bills for the writing master, the bookseller, the shoemaker and the dentist. She asked that two other booksellers be paid as well. In addition she was paying for part of the tuition for the Welsh harpist studying at the Royal Academy. She estimated that the bills should not exceed £325. Some of the expenses were to be paid by her husband and she would ask him for that money. She signed her letter using her full name: Augusta Ada Lovelace, something she rarely did.

  Ada was forced to face her financial problems. It is easy to assume that since Ada was a countess, the wife of a man with estates in Surrey and Somerset, and the daughter of a woman of enormous wealth, money would not be an issue. That assumption is wrong.

  Her marriage settlement gave William one-half of the legacy she would inherit when her mother died. In exchange for that, from 1835, William gave her £300 a year discretionary income. To put that amount of money in perspective, Carpenter had received £400 per annum. Lady Byron’s annual income at this time was £7000, and examination of Lady Byron’s bank books reveals that she never gave Ada more than an occasional £30 to £50 a year from the time Ada married.

  To find the truth about Ada’s economic situation, I examined the bank books for many years. From the £300 Ada received from William, her expenditures were consistent. She bought books, which were quite expensive at the time, and dresses for social occasions. She paid for the dentist, the children’s riding masters, and the tuition for the Welsh boy at the Royal Academy.

  In addition to her financial troubles, Ada had to address the educational future of the children. Difficulties with the children’s education loomed
again. Dr Carpenter left in bitterness when neither Lady Byron nor William met his housing needs. Miss Cooper stayed on, but the children began to take up more time, and other arrangements had to be made. Lady Byron took Ralph to Esher to live with her and hired Mr Herford to tutor him. Ada evidently had a change of heart about Robert Crosse because she suggested him, but Mr Herford was hired. Annabella joined her brother at Esher but did not stay long, and Byron was sent off to Dr and Mrs King.

  Ada headed to Brighton, thought about these issues, and decided to face all her problems as squarely as she could. Her health was a major concern--especially the influence the drugs the doctors had prescribed were having on her state of mind. From Brighton she wrote her mother that her illnesses were due to “3 extravagant agents:-1. extravagant stimulating 2. extravagant dosing 3.. extravagant exercise. Though exercise was the least pernicious.”

  Everything was up in the air, especially her intention to be a “professional.” Ada’s intellectual endeavors were relegated to helping John Crosse with an article he was writing for Molesworth’s journal, The Westminster Review. The article was about a book called Vestiges, which Ada had discussed with Crosse when she was at Broomfield, and many of Ada’s ideas were incorporated into the article. Ada continued to follow the latest scientific developments, asking Babbage about Faraday’s latest discovery. In September 1845, Faraday had demonstrated that when a light is passed through a special kind of heavy glass, between the poles of a powerful magnet, the plane of polarization of light is twisted.