The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-15
EUCLID's ELEMENTS, os second Les

IL sons In Geometry, in the order of SimsoD's
and Playfairs edluons, adapted 10 the use Of adj
yanced learners and private Students by ID. McCuT-
dy, author Of the "Chart Of Geometry" and First
Lessons" Collins, Brother & 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
trlgonomery, and the quadratuTe of the circle on a
large scale, mounted in two parts, as map. The
DOCK called First Lessons contains the entire text
with references TO the proofs used in the demonsra
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 gen.
eral basis of school instruction; and such thew Dug
TO be, because they enter into all the affairs Of men,
either as coadJutor Of every useful art or as
model Of reasoning on every subject Of human
knowledge. The plan here proposed will restrain
the skllful geOmeter when he would run too far in
advance Of his pupils; and the less proficient will
find IN II no more than be reduced to practice
namely, the readings and Rotations Of the PROPOSE.
tons, 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 Grecisn schools geometry preceded arith-
mehc, and that with great proprety; 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 the most imposing
properties OF things and geometry presents these
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 learning only for want
Of the proper distinction between the elements and
their application.
In allusion to the peculiarities Of the book first
above meDtloned ia N IN hA aneche.
10 believed to contain all the elements, and II affords
no room for diuting the subject. The order Of Eu-
cid has been preserved, because 1t has never been
excelled; but the repetidons which swell other
editions, perplex the learner, and defeat the end
are here ObViated by the plan Of previous reel.
| tauOns. The demonstrations Of the fifth book have
been simplifed exceedingly, not by the substitution
| Of symbols for words, but by new definition of ra-
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 proportionas ac-
cOrdng 20 the rigor Of the Euclldian geometry
The change consists in fixing definitely the value Of
ratio according 10 It's general use in the mathemat
| les.
There is a solemn voice in the natural truths oil
geometry which calls upon school officers, prlnc.
pals, and teachers SOW the seed to scatter il broad
cast over this national husbandry; that voice is
tremulous with the fears and hopes Of the future
harvest lhere Is a mana Whlch points 10 the per
durable maxim, Whatsoever a man sows, thai
shall he also reap" If a nation SOW the seed of err
ror, It's enclosures shall be neglected. and its paths
undehned If the seed of truths as contained in ge
omery, 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