The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-14
EUcLD,s ELEMENTS, or second Les

II sons In Geometry, in the order Of Slmson 3
and Playfairs editions adapted to the use OF adj
vaneed learners and private students, by d. McCur-
dy, author Of the "Chan Of Geometry" and First
Lessons" Collins, Brother d Co., 254 Pearl street,
New York, publishers.
These works are designed to extend and facilitate
the study OF geometry in the schools. The chart
exhibits the diagrams Of six books OF Euclid, plane
tngonomeIry, and the quadrature Of the circle on
large scale, mounted IN two parts, as a map. The
book called FIRST Lessons contains the entire text,
with references TO the proofs used in the denonstra
tons; and the book first above mentioned contains
The demonstrations complete, and is equivalent TO
Playfair's Euclid.
The chart and first lessons present these elements
IN the only form IN which they can be made gem
era basis of school instruction; and such they ought
10 be, because they enter into all the affairs Of men
either as coadjutor Of every useful art or as a
model of reasoning on every subject of human
knowledge. The plan here proposed will restrain
the skllfu geometer, when he would run too far in
advance Of his pupils; and the less proficient will
find IN II no more than can be reduced to practice
namely, the readings and Rotations OF the PROPOSE
lions, which any reader may perform, and which
are to be Illustrated by drawing the appropriate d.
agrams on states or in the sand.
In the Grecan schools geometry preceded arith'
mec, and that with great proprey; for, next 70 the
arts Of reading and writing, which are but new
HlOutS VI receiving INSTRUCTION, lnOSc pTOpcINcs "
things which are the first subjects OF observation
and experiment claim the first consideration Blu
magnitude, figure, and motion the most imposing
properties of things and geometry presents these II
miniature, acts upon them in their natural forms
and dimensions, so that they furnish the most suit
able exercise for the juvenile mind. Geometry Ii
called higher department Of learning only for wan
of the proper distinction between the elements anc
their application.
In allusioa IN the ueetliarilisa of the hook fra
above mentioned, il Is unnecessary to be specific: II
is believed to contain all the elements and il affords
no room for dluting the subject. The order Of Eu
cid has been preserved, because II has never beer
eAcelledi but the repeutions which swell othel
editions, perplex the learner, and defeat the end
are here ObVlated by the plan Of previous reel
tatIOns. The demonstrations Of the fifth book have
been smplked exceedingly, not by the substitution
Of symbols for words, but by new definition Of IA
TO, and slight alte ration in the method Of compound
ing ratios Nevertheless, care has been taken TO intro
duce nothing which could not be directly employed
~ drawing out the properties of prOpOTtIOnals nc
cordng 10 the ngor Of the EuclIdlan geometry
The change consists IN fixing definitely the value o.
ratio according to its general use in the mathemat
les.
There is Il solemn voice IN the natural truths o
geometry which calls upon school officers, primer
pals and teachers TO SOW the seed to scatter il broad
cast over this national husbandry; that voice II
tremulous with the fears and hopes Of the futur,
harvest. There is a hand which points to the per
durable maxim, Whatsoever a man sows, tina
shall he also reap" If a nation SOW the seed Of er
ror, its enclosures shall be neglected and its path
undefned # the seed Of truths as contained IN ge
ometry, the laws Of nature IN all her department.
will be respected, and the blessings of wise popu
lar government will endure as long as the sun anC
moon
Hundreds of intelligent citizens have seen the
Chart Of Geometry and book of First Lessons, and
accord to the system thir unqualified appreciation.
April 3O-eo7t