The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-02-06
To be sold at Public AWCtiOn,
Smiths Practical and Mental
arithmetic.

EUST published, PRACTICAL and MEN
oD TAI ARITHMETIC on a new plan, in
which Mental Arithmetic is combined with the
use of the slate containing a complete system
for all practical purposes being in dollars and
cents Second Edition, revised and enlarged,
with exercises for the slate to which is added,
a Practical System of Book keeping. By ROs-
WELL c. SMITH.
The publishers particularly invite the atten-
ton of teachers to this work, in the belief that
it is great and important improvement in the
art of teaching Arithmetic. 1t is the produc-
ton of an experienced and accomplished instruc-
tor of youth, who has availed himself of obser-
vations made in long course of experience.
Every part of this work has been carefully
adapted to the business of teaching, and every
page has been tested, by the use of the work
in the authors school,
The design of the author has been to instruct
the learner in the principles and practice of
Arithmetic This he has endeavored to do by
slow gradations, beginning with the simplest
ideas, and gradually ascending in the scale of
knowledge, till the pupil is master of the whole
field of Arithmetical combinations.
fundamental principle of the work is to
present no difficulty which the learner is unable
of himself to surmount. In accordance with
this maxim, the first 90 pages contain no rules
examples so simple, that children years old
will readily comprehend them. These illus
trate the principle of Addition, after which the
Table is inserted, followed by intellectual ex-
ercises, explanatory gifts practical utility. The
remaining Tables of Simple Subtraction, Null
DUPLICATION and Division, are exemplifed in a
similar manner.
Thus, by a mere mental process, the pupil is
effectualy taught the ground rules of Arithme-
tic and this may be accomplished without any
other assistance than the book, and the opera
tions of his own mind.
The pupil, on this plan, is required to think );
and having become familiar with the individ-
ual operations required to solve series of arth-
metical questions, these operations are then
summed up, and stated in the form of rule
This rule he is then required to commit to
memory; not, however, without having been
previously Intercepted, to be assured of his
complete comprehension of the same
These hints will serve to exhibit some of the
general Characteristic features Of the work. 1t
contains many things that are neao, and cannot
fail to be deemed great improvements. The
following are few, viz The mode OF quest
ioning Indirect .4nSDerS, calculated to secure
the advantage of systems containing no an
swers, and essentially lessen the burthen of the
teacher the rule for calculating interest for
days.
1t is thought by competent judges to embrace
all that is valuable in the two popular systems,
by mental process and the use ofthe slate Its
simplicity, and the facility with which the pupil
makes himself master of it, might be deemed
by some fault, did not the frequent complaints
made by children, that " it makes their heads
ache with hlnkiRg,' refute this objection.
On the whole, the work is believed 10 be
better calculated than any other system. TO ex-
cite mental exerton, and gain a thorough
knowledge of the theory and practice of Arth-
metic and, as SUCH the public are respectfully
invited to examine it. Copies will be pratuit-
ously furnished for that purpose.
u Published and for sale by RICHARD
SON & LORD, and s. G. GOODRICH. Bos-
TON and by DORR 81 ROWLAND and
CLARENDON HARRIS, WORCESTER.
January 90 a.