Ech. Harward liniy 10.26.36 Boston, May 20, 1812. "That, THE undersigned, your Committee appointed to examine the manuscript presented by Mr Lathrop, entitled, "A Compendious Treatise on the use of Globes, and of Maps; comprising the elements of Geography and Astronomy, a description of the Solar sytem, &c;" have attended to the duty of their appointment, and, beg leave to report, having given the subject a cursory review, they are convinced, that it is a work promising much usefulness as an elementary book, on those interesting and important sciences; they, therefore, recommend it to the particular attention and patronage of the associated instructors of youth in the town of Boston; all which is respectfully submitted by your humble servants. O. CARLETON, DANIEL STANIFORD. AT a regular Meeting of the Associated Instructors of the town of Boston, &c.-Voted, That the above report be accepted, and that the proposed work be warmly recommended to the public, and that we will exert our influence to procure its introduction into our respective seminaries. May 20, 1812. Attest, EBEN: PEMBERTON, President. A true Copy, EPHRAIM H. FARRAR, Secry. PREFACE. ALTHOUGH many works of standard excellence are extant on the use of the globes, and on the elements of geographical and astronomical knowledge, they are, in general, too expensive for introduction into the Schools and Academies of this country. Books of high reputation on these subjects, are composed in the form of Lectures, or Dissertations; and few can be found, in which the necessary definitions are sufficiently numerous, plain, and perspicuous for the assistance of the teacher, or the comprehension of the pupil. Besides, in works which are not especially confined to the principles of a single science, an abundance of matter is inserted, which is not only useless, but an incumbrance in the prosecution of a particular object of inquiry. The simple points on which the student wishes to fix his attention, are loosely scattered over the pages of a bulky volume, and are found with difficulty, amidst the theories and hypotheses, logical deductions, poeti 'cal embellishments, and moral reflections, with which most of our valuable and expensive publications abound. In the search after articles of elementary instruction, the moments which ought to be employed in treasuring them in the memory, are wasted; and the mind becomes fatigued by labours which yield not the expected profits and rewards of sedulous and welldirected exertion. On the other hand,most of the works, whose price is low enough to admit of their being studied as class books in our seminaries, are very defective, in many respects. To furnish a cheap and useful manual for the teacher, and for the pupil, has been my endeavour in the following Treatise. It has no claims to public confidence, but such as arise from the credit due to the authors, of whose labours I have availed myself in its compilation. As an Instructor of youth, I have long experienced the want of a concise and familiar introduction to the use of the globes, and of maps, as instruments of indispensable importance in the study of geography and astronomy. In the hope, that this attempt to supply my own need, may be servicable to gentlemen who are engaged in the tuition of youth, and to students in general, I have ventured to publish it in its present form. Should it prove useful—and not only lighten the labour, but facilitate the acquisition of instruction, I shall feel grateful to that Divine Being, who has enabled me to contribute even an humble mite towards enriching the minds of the rising generation. Salem-Street Academy. |