PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. SINCE the last edition of this work was published, the question of the method of improving Geometrical Teaching has made great progress. The question having been once opened whether Euclid ought or ought not to be retained as a text-book, an Association was formed of mathematicians and mathematical masters in order to inquire into the matter carefully, and subject their own opinions to the criticism of one another. They at once saw the necessity of securing an approximate, if not an absolute, uniformity of sequence in the Theorems in the book or books to be substituted for Euclid. This is necessary to protect the public against Geometries written by totally incompetent persons, and to render possible the conducting of Examinations in Geometry. But the Association felt that it was not their business to publish such a book, and that their work would be accomplished by the publication of a Syllabus of Geometry. They therefore appointed a Sub-Committee, of which Prof. Hirst was the chairman, to draw up such a Syllabus, after receiving suggestions from all the members of the Association. The Syllabus is at present incomplete ; |