he science of
numbers, the following becomes the method of stating the question:--

Given that there is a door which may or may not be shut on quitting an
apartment, let it be shewn by the rules of arithmetic whether it would
be preferable to shut the said door or leave it open. Write down, first,
the arguments for not shutting, according to their supposed value; then
do the same for the arguments _per contra_; lastly, sum up both, and
strike the balance. Thus--

FOR NOT SHUTTING.

Because the door is apt to slam,
which would be exceedingly
unpleasant, and might suggest the idea
that you went out in a passion--valued as . . . 4

If it did not slam, it might still make
a creaking noise--valued as . . . . . . . . . . 2

Supposing it to make no noise at all,
the impression is conveyed that you are
going away never to return, whereas you
have no such intention, . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Chances of your causing a noise to disturb
the company on opening the door when you
return, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Probable loss of character by conveying
the notion, that you are peremptory and
abrupt in manners, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Giving the parties remaining the option
of shutting, or not, as suits their fancy, . . 2

That by leaving the door open, you do not
commit yourself to a determinate act, . . . . . 2
--
16

FOR SHUTTING.

That a cold wind may not blow into the room;
but this not probable, for it will be easy
for those remaining in the apartment to rise
and shut the door themselves, . . . . . . . . . 1

That by a faint possibility you may give
offence by leaving the door open, . . . . . . . 1

That you may prevent persons outside overhearing
what is said; this of small account, for people
should not speak about things they do not wish
to be repeated, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
--
3

Deducting 3 from 16, 13 remain. Result--balance of 13-19ths in favour of
not shutting the door. Nothing, therefore, could be more clearly
demonstrated than that the Scotch are strongly justified in leaving the
door open when they quit an apartment. Doubts, indeed, may be
entertained as to the values arbitrarily put on the respectiv