Scene v.--Niemand and Minos are arguing for and against
Henrici's "Elementary Geometry."

_Minos_.--I haven't quite done with points yet. I find
an assertion that they never jump. Do you think that arises
from their having "position," which they feel might be
compromised by such conduct?

_Niemand_.--I cannot tell without hearing the passage
read.

_Minos_.--It is this: "A point, in changing its
position on a curve, passes in moving from one position to
another through all intermediate positions. It does not move
by jumps."

_Niemand_.--That is quite true.

_Minos_.--Tell me then--is every centre of gravity a
point?

_Niemand_.--Certainly.

_Minos_.--Let us now consider the centre of gravity of
a flea. Does it--

_Niemand (indignantly)_.--Another word, and I shall
vanish! I cannot waste a night on such trivialities.

_Minos_.--I can't resist giving you just _one_
more tit-bit--the definition of a square at page 123: "A
quadrilateral which is a kite, a symmetrical trapezium, and
a parallelogram is a square!" And now, farewell, Henrici:
"Euclid, with all thy faults, I love thee still!"

Again, from Act II., Scene vi.:--

_Niemand_.--He (Pierce, another "Modern Rival,") has a
definition of direction which will, I think, be new to you.
_(Reads.)_

"The _direction of a line_ in any part is the direction
of a point at that part from the next preceding point of the
line!"

_Minos_.--That sounds mysterious. Which way along a
line are "preceding" points to be found?

_Niemand_.--_Both ways._ He adds, directly
afterwards, "A line has two different directions," &c.

_Minos_.--So your definition needs a postscript.... But
there is yet another difficulty. How far from a point is the
"next" point?

_Niemand_.--At an infinitely small distance, of course.
You will find the matter fully discussed in my work on the
Infinitesimal Calculus.

_Minos_.--A most satisfactory answer for a teacher to
make to a pupil just beginning Geometry!

In Act IV. Euclid reappears to Minos, "followed by the ghosts of
Archimedes, Pythagoras, &c., who have come to see fair play." Euclid
thus sums up his case:--

"'The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,' and all respectable
ghosts ought to be going home. Let me carry with me the hope
that I have convinced y