The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-14
u the Union.
ny JOSIAH HoLBR ook.


About FIVE hundred years before Christ, hundred
oxen were sacrificed commemorate the discovery OF
pncipe combining the properties OF the triangle and
nusre The sacrifice OF q hundred oxen is called hec
,omb The proposition presenting this principle is
hence called the "HeCAroAI PaosLEM" II IL also called
The "CARrrxrERs THEoaEM" from the tact that carpen-
srs make special Of il in squaring their bun -
ngs and determining many other points about their wos
constantly brought into by architects engineers
Surveyors navigators and numerous other classes ofbusi
ness men In colleges this principle is known by the title
Aurs BRrDor grounded the superstition that the stu
len, who gets well by satisfactory demonstration
las proved himself be not quite the mos, stupid animal
n the world II is also known amongst students b.
the somewhat more genteel title "OLD FoRTY-srv-
nrH" being the foriyseventh proposition OF the hrsi
book OF Euclid. CD 81 t#s#a -.
II the principle referred to warranted hecaiomb for
is commemoration at the time OF s discovery, il must
this age OF the world at least deserve place sub
eel Of instruction in course OF practical business educa
ton stl
II squares be drawn on the three sides OF any right
nsed rangle the square upoR the longest side il in all
prsceiv equal in surface TO the sum OF the squares
the other sides This presents the proposition,
md embraces the principle referred TO- The longest side
in all cases, opposite the right angle The two sides
obtaining the right angle may be equal. or they may
y infinitely The varatioa does not affect the princi-
A always with the proviso that the figure contain one
lsht angle.
To illustrate by particular suppose the side OPP
oNe the right angle is ten inches those containing the
sh, angle are esht and six inches The square OF the
sn, will OF course contain hundred square inches
Suaes of the latter will contain sixty -four and thirty
w square inches the also hundred. This
aows precisely the plan Of carpenters in squarpg their
baidings By measuring from a side eight
~ and the other six feet, the distance between the
utreme points Of the two lines will be made precisely
,n feet-no more. no less, IL the building be exactly
puae The length OF braces rafters, and other parts
buildings required by the general plan. may also he de-
rmned with perfect exactness by the "OLp FoRrY-
,uEurH"
As great ~ is the importance Of this principle 10 va
nous departments OF science and to almost every useful
u in college course single mode only Of demonsra-
ing il 10 frequently adopted. and that abstraction In
school in Washington the same principle is shown by
eight different illustrations all PRACTICAL prepared by the
hands Of The pupils and capable OF being seen By the
whole a, all times when in their seats
ErpERrMEsrs--A boy in New York got passion for
mining with FIRE engines apparently beyond all restraint
greatly affecting his mother, and alarming Der for his
ssy friend Of the boy suggested to the mother her
.ding him in practical illustrations Of nechanism-the
*ca'omb problem, and many others. She availed her
si OF the suggestion and in few days to her great
Pleasure, she found her intent upon bis work a.
siake notice OF engines, their rafting By their
nor. Some OF the work made by him and others was
nM the request OF agent OF the British and Foreign
Sos Society," to the city Of Mexico which the reverend
'ntleman soop after visited These specimens brought
nrsurn several packages, containing variety Of the
'ak Of the young Mexican Indiana,