The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-06

LNUCLID'S ELEMENTS, or second Les
II sons Ia Geometry, in the order Of Simson's
and Play lars editions, adapted 10 the use OF adj
yaneed learners and private students, by ID. Mecur-
dy, author OF the "Chan Of Geometry" and "Firsi
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
rigonomeiry, and the quadrature Of the circle on
large scale, mounted IN two parts, a map, The
book called First Lessons contains the entire text
with references 10 the proofs used in the demonsra
lonsi and the book first above mentioned contains
the demonstrations complete and is equivalent 10
Playfair's Euclid.
The chart and first lessons present these elements
in the only form in which they can be made a gen
era basis Of school instruction; and such they ought
TO be, because they enter into all the affairs Of men,
either as a coadjutor Of every useful art or as q
model OF reasoning on every subject Of human
knowledge. The plan here proposed will restrain
the skilful geometer when he would run too far in
advance Of his pupils; and the less proficient will
find in II no moro than be reduced 10 practice
namely, the readings and Rotations Of the PROPOSE
tons, which any reader may perform, and which
TO be illustrated by drawing the appropriate di-
az rams on states or in the sand.
In the Grecian schools geometry preceded arith-
metic and that with great proprey; for next TO the
arts OF reading and writing which are but new
modes OF receiving instruction, those properties Of
things which are the first subjects Of observation
and experiment claim the first consideration. But
magnitude, figure, and motion are the most imposing
properties Of things and geometry presents these in
miniature, or acts upon them In their natural forms
and dimensions, that they furnish the most suit
able exercise for the juvenile mind. Geometry is
called higher department OF learnng only for want
CT the proper distinction between the elements and
their application. ....... ......
In aliusion to the peculiarites Of the book first
above mentioned i is unnecessary to be specific: IL
is believed 10 contain all the elements and IL affords
no room for diluting the subject The order Of Eu-
cid has been preserved, because Il has never been
exeelled; but the repetitions which swell other
editions, perplex the learner, and defeat the end,
are here obviated by the plan of previous reel
tations. The demonstrations Of the hith book have
been simplhed exceedingly, not by the substitution
Of symbols for words, but by new definition Of ra-
ito, and slight alteration in the method OF compound
ing ratios. Nevertheless care has been taken TO intro
duce nothing which could not be directly employed
in drawing out the properties Of proportionas ac-
cording TO the Tigor Of the Euclidian geometry.
The change consists in fixing definitely the value Of
ratio according to It's general use in the maihema-
les. .. ....
There is solemn voice in the natural truths Of
geometry which calls upon school officers, princi-
pals, and teachers TO the seed scatter broad
cast over this national husbandry; that voice il
tremulous with the fears and hopes OF the future
harvest. There ia a hand which points TO the per-
durable maxim, whatsoever man sows, that
shall he also reap" III nation the seed Of err
ror, its enclosures shall be neglected. and its paths
undehned the seed Of truths as contained in ge.
omeuy, the laws Of nature in all her departments
will be respected, and the blessings of wise popu
lar government will endure as 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 thir unqualified appreciation.
April 30-eo7t .... ..