The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-13
FUCLID's ELEMENTS, or Second Les

IL sons In Geometry, in the order Of Simsonls
and Playfairs editions, adapted TO the use OF adj
yanced learners and private students, by ID. McCur-
dy, author Of the "ChaTt of Geometry" and "Flrst
New York, publishers.
These works are designed 10 extend and facilitate
the study OF geometry in the schools. The chart
EXHIBITS the diagrams Of six books of Euclid, plane
tngonometry, 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 demonstra
uons and the book first above mentioned contains
the demonstrations complete, and is equivalent TO
Playfsir's Euclid.
The chart and first lessons present these elements
IN the only form 10 which they can be made a gen
eral basis OF school instruction; and such they ought
TO be, because they enter into all the affairs of men
either as a coadutOr Of every useful art or as a
model OF reasoning on every subject Of human
knowledge The plan here proposed will restrain
the skilfu geOmeter, when lie would run too far in
advance OF his pupils and the less proficient will
lind IN II no more than be reduced TO practice
namely, the readings and rectatons OF the PROPOSE
lions, which any reader may perform, and which
are TO be illustrated by drawing the appropriate di-
grams on states in the sand.
In the Grecisn schools geometry preceded arith-
metie and that with great propreyi for next 70 the
arts OF reading and writing which are but now
modes of receiving instruction. those properties OF
and experiment claim the first consideration. But
magnitude, figure and motion are the most imposing
properties Of things; and geometry presents these 10
miniature, or acts upon them in their natural forms
and dimensions, so that they furnish the most suit
able exercise for the juvenile mind. Geometry 10
called higher department ofiearning only for want
OF the proper distinction between the elements and
their application.
In slluson to the peculiarties Of the book first
above mentioned, II is unnecessary to be specific; IL
il believed to contain all the elements, and IL affords
no room for diluting the subject The order Of Eu-
cid has been preserved, because it has never been
eAceledj but the repedtons which swell other
editions, prrplex the learner, and defeat the end,
are here obTiated by the plan Of previous recl-
tauons. The demonstrations of the fifth book have
been simplfed exceedingly, not by the substitution
OF symbols for words, but by new definition Of
to- and slight alteration in the method Of compound
ing ratios. Nevertheless has been taken intro
duce nothing which could not be directly employed
IN drawing out the properties Of proportionals ac-
cOrdlng 10 the rgor Of the Euclidian geometry.
The change consists in fixing definitely the value Of
ratio according 10 It's general in the malhemat-
cs
There is a solemn voice in the natural truths Of
geometry which calls upon school officers, princi-
pals and teachers TO the seed to scatter il brOad
cast over this national husbandIy; that voice is
Temulous with the fears and hopes Of the future
harvest There il hand which points to the per-
durable maxim, "Whatsoever a man sows, that
shall he also reap II nation SOW the seed of er-
ror, its enclosures shall be neglected. and its paths
underlined; If the seed Of truths contained in ge
ometry, the laws Of nature in all her departments
will be respected, and the blessings of wise popu-
lar government will endure long as the sun and
moon.
Hundreds Of intelligent citizens have seen the
Chart Of Geometry and book Of First Lessons, and
accord to the system thr unqualified appreciation.
April 30-eo7t