THE PREFAC E. I Kind READER, Here present you with the fifth edition of my small Treatise of Arithmetic, which I have improved, and endeavoured to render as plain as time, room, and opportunity would admit of. For fuch of you, who have too much neglected this branch of education; and for others, who have neither time, nor opportunity, to apply to a proper mafter, the following work was chiefly defigned, and was at firft carried on no farther than the Rule of Three Direct: but 1 confidered with myself, that it might fall into the hands of many,. who would be glad to have a notion of Fractions. I have, therefore, to ferve you, treated upon most of the Rules of Arithmetic, and for the fake of those that live in the country in particular, I have given fome instructions A to to measure timber, or a common piece of ground; as alfo to guage a cafk, or piece of malt, and several other useful and practical examples, which, I am perfuaded; will be of fervice to you. One thing, which is feldom taken notice of in a Preface, I would have every one of you, that are learners, to obferve, and that is, That if, upon the trial of any fum, or queftion, you do not find it the fame as the anfwer, do not let that difcourage you; for if you examine your own work after you have done it, and are fo much mafter of the rules as to know when you are right, or wrong; you may conclude you are right, whatever answer you may find in my work, or any other Author's: but before you determine this, mind and be fure your own work is right. As to fuch of you that have little or no notion of figures, if you have a mind to learn, I am fenfible you may very easily do it, with little or no trouble; for I have taken the more pains, that you might have the less: and if it does but anfwer the end of inftructing fuch of you as are quite ignorant, and improving others that have already fome knowledge of figures, I fhall look back upon the the undertaking with pleasure, notwithstand ing thofe mean criticisms and remarks that may be made upon fuch overfights, which can hardly be avoided in a work of this fort. But every impartial reader will confider the nature and defign of the work: for 'tis the plan upon which it is built that is to be minded: if this be plain and easy (as I hope it is) there is no fear but the learner will find a fenfible fatisfaction, and the work be crowned with fuccefs. As for fuch Carpers that are refolved to amufe themfelves with the bone only, they are extremely welcome; but let them be civil, and not fnarl at those who would eat the flesh quietly. I am, TO THE PUBLIC. WE E whofe names are hereunto fubfcribed, having perused the plan of this little Treatife of Arithmetic, do allow the dialogues to be very well adapted to the purpose: and as the Rules and Examples are laid down in a natural, eafy, and familiar manner, we beg leave to recommend it, as the most useful and eafy Book for learners extant. Edmund Anguish, Accomptant George Coles, Ditto Mr. Coulthift, of the Academy, Prescot-street,, Henry Deacon, Accomptant Edward Griffiths, Ditto Samuel Hill, Philom. Thomas Humphreys, Writing-Mafter Thomas Hughes, Ditto Samuel Hornby, Ditto Timothy Langley, Accomptant Abraham Longden, Ditto Abraham De Lire, Philom. John |