Comptometer
a calculating machine that is operated by a key-board in the manner of a typewriter. It consists of a box entirely inclosing the mechanism, with the operating keys projecting from the box in typewriter fashion. Along the front edge of the box are openings in which numbers appear, and above these openings are pointers. The keys are 72 in number, and each has two figures painted on it. One is a large black figure and the other a small red one. The black ones indicate the keys that are to be struck in addition and multiplication, and the red ones those to be struck in division and subtraction. The successful operation of the machine depends upon the practice of the operator in the same manner that efficiency of the typewriter depends upon the amount of practice that the operator has had. No proficiency in mathematics is required on the part of the operator; anyone skilled in handling the keys can rattle away at the comptometer as confidently as if he were writing letters on a typewriter, and all the time be adding up large sums or dividing millions by thousands without any of the laborious thinking usually required of the mathematician, the bookkeeper and the accountant. COMPULSORY MILITARY SERV- See MILITARY ORGANIZATION, ICE. UNITED STATES.
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Comstock
GEORGE CARY, an American astronomer, born in Madison, Wisc., in 1855. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1877. After studying law he was admitted to the bar, but never engaged in active practice. He was assistant engineer of the United States Lake Survey from 1874 to 1878. He was later assistant engineer on the improvement of the Mississippi river; assistant astronomer at the Washburn Observatory; and computer in the Nautical Almanac Office. From 1885 to 1887 he was professor of mathematics and astronomy at the Ohio State University. From the latter year he was full professor and director of the Washburn Observatory. In 1906 he was created dean of the Graduate School of the University of Wisconsin. He was a member of many learned societies. His writings include "Method of Least Squares" (1890); "Text-Book of Astronomy" (1900); "Field Astronomy for Engineers" (1902); and "The Summer Line as an Aid to Navigation" (1919).
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Comstock Lode
a large and extremely rich metallic lode in the W. part of Nevada, on the E. slope of the Virginia Mountains. To it belong the Big Bonanza and other mines, which have yielded gold and silver to the value of over $300,000,000.
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Comte
AUGUSTE (kônt), a noted French philosopher, founder of the Positive Philosophy; born in Montpellier, Jan. 19, 1798. On leaving college he be came acquainted with Saint-Simon, and joined the band of brilliant disciples that distinguished social reformer had gathered around him. On the death of its founder, in 1825, Comte deserted the Saint-Simonian school to found one of his own; and during the next 20 years devoted himself to the elaboration of an original system of scientific thought- Positive Philosophy. In his view the problem for philosophy is to ascertain the positive and verifiable basis of all knowledge, science, and religion of the whole intellectual, moral, and religious world of man. In working out this problem Comte studied the basis of the State or civil society and set forth his conclusions in "The Positive Polity." He bases the law of morals or of conduct on the "social feeling" or altruism. The central fact of religion and the one object of religious worship is Humanity conceived personality. He contemplated the as a constitution of a priesthood whose authority was to have as wide a reach as the authority of the popes in mediæval times. His "Positive Philosophy," "Positivist Catechism," and "Positive Polity," have been translated into English. He died in Paris, Sept. 5, 1857.
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Conan Mac Morna
- A figure in the Ossianic cycle of Irish legend, described as scoffing and deriding all that was high and noble. One day while hunting, he and others of the Fians, entered a magnificent palace which they found empty and began to feast. It soon became apparent, however, that the palace was enchanted, and the walls shrank to the size of a fox's hole. Conan seemed to be unaware of the danger and continued to eat; but two of the Fians pulled him off his chair, to which some of his skin stuck. To soothe the pain a black sheep-skin was placed on his back, on to which it grew, and he wore it till he died.
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Conary Mor
- A legendary High King of Ireland . It is said that his great-grandfather destroyed the Fairy Mound of Bri-Leith, and thus brought down ill-fate upon Conary Mor. When a child he left his three foster-brothers on the Plains of Liffey, and followed a flock of beautiful birds down to the shore. These were transformed into armed men, who told him that they belonged to his father and were his kin. His geise (or taboo) was made known to him. and later he was proclaimed King of Erin. His reign was good, happy and prosperous, until the Danaan folk lured him to the breaking of his geise. It is told how Conary, dying of thirst after battle, sent his warrior Mac Cecht to bring him water. Mac Cecht had much difficulty in obtaining this, and on his return found that Conary had been beheaded the water, however, was raised to the mouth of the bodyless head-which, it is said, thanked Mac Cecht for his deed.
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Conaty
THOMAS JAMES, an American clergyman; born in Ireland, at Aug. 1, 1847. He was graduated at Montreal Theological School and ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1872, and from 1880 to 1897 was pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart and from 1893 to 1897 president of the Catholic Summer School. In 1896 he was made rector of the Catholic University of America, in Washington, D. C., and on Nov. 24, 1901, he was consecrated titular bishop of Samos. He became bishop of Monterey and Los Angeles, 1903. He was author of "New Testament Studies," etc. He died on Sept. 18, 1915.
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