Mathematical Treasure: Henry Walrond’s Arithmetical Tables

This 1663 publication of Arithmetical Tables was one of many brief tracts that appeared in England in the 17th century as a new awareness of number and its uses was being popularized. The booklet explains the four basic operations and their relationships in computing with various denominations of currency. The author, Henry Walrond, claims to be a gentleman, which was then an important social distinction within British society. Besides having the financial freedom to avoid working with his hands, our British gentleman has had some formal education, which he is willing to share for a price. His blatant plea for patronage makes it unlikely he was either the Henry Walrond who served in the government of Barbados in the 1600s or the Henry Walrond who belonged to the peerage during this time period.

Again in his preface, the author claims his position as a gentleman and goes on to explain his writing of this pamphlet.

Walrond’s initial discussion on the operation of addition illustrates the presentation style he followed throughout the work.

A full digitization has been provided by the University of Michigan to HathiTrust.

Index to Mathematical Treasures