me as just the thing for our Academies From I. E. Hull, Esq. Principal of Au and Schools. I cheerfully concur in the favorable opinion expressed above. PIERPONT POTTER. County Supt, of Queens Co., N, Y. From President White, of Wabash Col lege. Indiana. Day's Algebra, for many years, has been deservedly held in the highest estimation. For imparting to the student a thorough knowledge of the science, and at the same time teaching him how to reason, it is unsurpassed by any other work with which I am acquainted. buro Lyceum. I cheerfully concur in the recommendation of Messrs. Hopkins and Rudd.Having used the work for nearly two terms in the Auburn Lyceum, of which I have the charge, I take pleasure in stating that it fully meets the high expectations which I had previously formed of its inerits I. E. HULL. Auburn, Feb. 6, 1844. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. From the New Englander of July, 1843. Nearly thirty years have elapsed since President Day, (then Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy.) first published his Introduction to Algebra.” It excelled all other treatises known to our Coi Thomson's Abridgment retains all the excellencies which so eminently charac terize the original, while the addition of a leges and Academies, in the clearness and large number of problems, the practical precision of its definitions and rules, in the questions at the foot of the page, the il-happy choice of examples and illusations, lustrations of compound division and the and in the exposition of such prmciples as Binomial Theorem, the classification of are not only important in themselves, but the changes in proportion, and the sum. have an additional value in their relation to ming up of the principles after they have the higher branches of Mathematics. This been separately illustrated, into a gene work being specially adapted to the methral rule, thus uniting the advantages of od of instruction in the American Colleges," the inductive and synthetic modes of it was a good idea to reduce it to such a form teaching, all combine to render the work as would render it suitable for scholars of the still better adapted to the wants and ca- primary schools, and the ordinary classes in pacities of the young. I heartily com. Academies. The editor, Mr. Thomson, was inend it to all who are desirous to see the well fitted for the undertaking, both by his principles of this interesting and useful taste for mathematical studies, and by much science presented in a thorough and at experience in teaching the elements of alge tractive manner, and who wish an easy bra to young learners. We have no doubt and lucid transition from the study of that all teachers who desire a treatise on arithmetic to the higher branches of this useful and interesting subject, more mathematics. CHARLES WHITE. concise and simple than " Day's Algebra," will find in this publication a book exactly adapted to their wants June 20, 1844. From William Hopkins, A. M., Principal of Auburn Academy. J. B. Thomson, Esq.,- Dear Sir: 1 have examined your abridgment of Day's Algebra with much care, and have been so well pleased with it, that i has been introduced into the Academy under ny charge. It is what was much needed in our Academies, and you have, as it seems to ine, succeeded admirably in the execution of your task. WM. HOPKINS. Very respectfully, &c. Auburn Female Seminary. Auburn, Feb. 6, 1814, From the Knickerbocker of October, 1843. Day's Algebra has sustained a high repu tation during a period of fourteen years; a fact sufficien ly evinced by the sale of more than forty large editions, In appropriate. ness of arrangement, perspicuity of expres sion, and adaptation to the purposes of instruction, whether public or private. it stands, we believe. unrivalled. The highest praise which can be bestowed on a school book, is, that it is its own teacher.' By commencing with points so simple that any child of ordinary ability ean comprehend them, and advancing step by step, remov ing every obstacle when it first presents itself. and conducting the student gradually into the more intricate parts of the science, the author makes him master of the subject, while he is yet scarcely aware of its difficul ties. The exactness of definition and clearness of illustration which characterise Mr. Thomson's Abridgment, together with the exclusion of the answers to the problems, a 11 course indispensable to an independant, scholar, are especially commendable. The most weighty objection to Day's Algebra, has been its paucity of examples. This des fect is remedied in the " Abridgment," the number of examples being nearly twice as great as in the original work. From the New York Tribune, June 12, 1943. Day's Algebra is by far the best work for beginners that has ever been published: and this abridgment serves to adapt it still more perfectly and completely to the wants and necessities of the young. The elements of mathematics are very clearly and plainly developed; the definitions are simple and comprehensive, and the problems well adapted to illustrate the principles taught.-We commend this abridgment to the attention of teachers. There is no reason why Algebra should not be much more generally taught than it is at present; it is minently useful and this work will greatly facilitate its introduction even into our common schools throughout the country. under the most favorable auspices; for it is sanctioned by the authority of President Day, and thrown upon the patronage of a commuuity in which the merits of Day.s Algebra are highly appreciated. Notwith standing the well-known popularity of this work, we were not prepared for the au nouncement, that "during the last fourteen years more than forty large editions have been called for." For the purposes of elementary education we regard the Abridgment as far superior to the original; for while it retains the exactness of definition, and clearn. ss of illustration, which characterize that work, it as a decided advantage by a change in the arrangement of certain sections, and the addition of a very large number of examples. Commencing with the most simple points, the author conduc's the student so gradually into the more difficult portions of the subJeet, that, before he is aware of it, he has completely mastered the grand principles of the science. We cordially commend it to the examination of those who feel an interest in the advancement of this study among our youth, and wish it an equal share of patronage with its successful predecessor. Boston Atlas, duly 8, 1843, We have examined an abridgment of Day's Elements of Algebra. by James B. Thomson, A. M., and have been convinced that it is by far the best work for begin ners that has ever been published. Christian Intelligencer, June 17, 1843. Day's Algebra has been found to be the best work for beginners that has been pubJished and this abridgment, while due regard is had to preserve the theorems in their fulness, serves to adapt it still more suitably to the necessities of the student. The Elements of Mathematics are clearly developed; the definitions are simple and comprehensive. We have hastily glanced over the work. and feel satisfied that some Albany Evening Journal:July 11, 1843. of the most abstruse cases in the science The merits of Day's Algebra, as a text have been brought within the reach of ordi-book for Academies and Colleges, are too nary capacities. The Problems are well calculated to exercise the student in the principles of the science. We commend This abridgment to the attention of teachers, and indulge the hope that our common schools will hail its introduction as a work eminently useful. Baptist Advocate, June 22, 1843. Day's Algebra has been long and favor ably known in our schools and college's. It is simple in arrangement and abounds in explanations, so that few students have difficulty in progressing intelligently through the elementary parts of a science which. without very perspicuous explanations. is likely to appear abstruse. The principal objection to Day has been the paucity of examples. This deficiency has been sup plied by Mr Thomson, who, in connection with President Day, has prepared the pres ent edition for the press It contains 252 pages, and cannot fail to give satisfaction to those teachers and scholais who use it. Christian Advocate and Journal, June 28. '43. Speaking of the "abridgment" the editor says: The work has issued from the press, well known to require a studied eulogy. In order. however, to adapt the work to the use of schools and young beginners, it has been deemed expedient to make an abridg ment. Mr. James B. Thomson, who was applied to by Mr. Day to do this, has ac complished his task in the most satisfactory inanner. The abridgment, which has just been published, is a capital elementary work and cannot fail to come into general use. The publishers. Durrie & Peck, of New Haven, have brought out the work in excellent style. Albany Argus, July 12, 1843. The introduction to Algebra, by President Day, of Yale College, which has long been the text book for students in that institution; and has stood the test of some thirty years as a work of great excellence. is too well appreciated to need commendation_now. An abridgment of the work is now before us. designed to adapt it to the capacities of the young and the method of instruction in schools and academies. This labor has been performed at the request, and we presume, under the supervision of President Day, by Mr. Jas. B. Thomson, with eminent fidelity to the spirit and character of the original. The abridgment presents the science in a simple and attractive form-multiplying the nuniber and adding to the variety of the problems, and omiting only the more abstruse parts The book is well worth the attention of all concerned in the education of youth. New England Puritan, July 14. 1843. Mr. Thomson was requested by President Day to undertake the work of abridging his Algebra; and bringing to the task his mature knowledge of the subject, he has produced a work which will probably be very extensively adopted into the schools and academies of our country. It is one of the principal excellences of this work. that it never uses one principle in the explana tion of another, till that principle itself has been explained. After the principles have been separately explained and illustrated, they are summed up in the form of a general rule; and thus the inductive and synthetic modes of reasoning are admirably combined in the work. Geneva Advertiser, July 28, 1843. From the examination we have been able to give Thomson's Abridgment," of Day's Algebra, we are prepared to recommend it highly to teachers and pupils of common and select schools, as a valuable auxiliary to beginners in the higher branch of mathe matics upon which it treats. The original work of President Day, has long been a deserved favorite with those engaged in education. In thus abridgment, the contents of the larger work are well arranged and elucidated and explained by simple defini nitions and well adapted problems, admirably suited to the wants and necessities of the young mathematician. The object sought for has been to produce a work of smaller extent, yet fuller in explanation, more explicit and simple in definition and more copious in example; and this object has been happily attained. Beyond its intrinsic and apparent merits. it is supported by the good wor! of those whose favor has worth It has been prepared under the authority and with the confidence of President Day himself. Utica Gazette, July 23, 1843. proof of the mathematical abilities, he brought to the task. We cheerfully recommend the work to the attention of the teachers of the schools for which it is intended. Rochester Advertiser, Aug. 8, 1843. The title of the work will sufficiently in dicate its character; yet it may not be out of the way to state that the Abridgment is warmly commended by President Day, au thor of the original work, as also by a long array of the most prominent Teachers in the country. Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, Aug.12, 1843 Public opinion has been so long and au thoritatively expressed in regard to the merits of President Day's Algebra. that it is almost unnecessary to say a single word in its favor. It has for many years been used as a text book in the colleges and schools, and has every where been received as one of the best works extant on the subject. It is. however, a more elaborate treatise than was required for use in our ordi. nary schools and academies, and for that purpose the abridgment is designed to sup ply its place. In a notice to the public, President Day expresses his satisfaction with the manner in which Mr Thomson has executed his task, and also bears testi mony to that gentleman's mathematical talents and attainments, and his practical knowledge derived from several years' experience as a teacher. Extract from Alonzo Beebe, Esq. Dear Sir,-At a Convention of the Town Superintendents of Ontario County, N. Y., it was voted to recommend your Abridg ment of Day's Algebra to the common schools of the County. Previous to the Convention I chanced to meet with a copy, and was most favorably impressed with the plan, the plainness, and the perspicuity of the work. Very respectfully yours. From H. R. Hoisington. Principal of Batticutta Seminary, Ceylon I have perused Thomson's Abridgment of Day's Algebra with care and with much In a notice of Thomson's Abridgment of pleasure. It seems to me to combine, in a Day, the ed or remarks: The design of singular degree, the excellencies of being the author was to produce a book adapted clear, simple ad scientific, and admirably to the capacities of the young. and the meth-adapted to the use for which it is designed. ed of instruction in schools and academies. In this he has been very successful, if we may believe the very strong recommendations of those best qualified to judge. The fact that Mr. Thomson was selected by Pres. Day, to make the abridgment is sufficient It is well suited to meet our wants in Ceylon, and I shall be glad to introduce it at once into the Seminary at Batticotta, of which I have the charge. H. R. HOISINGTON. West Hartford, April 20, 1814 OF GEOMETRY: ON THE BASIS OF DR. BREWSTER'S LEGENDRE. TO WHICH IS ADDED A BOOK ON PROPORTION; WITH NOTES AND ILLUSTRATIONS: ADAPTED TO THE IMPROVED METHODS OF INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. BY JAMES B THOMSON, A. M. EDITOR OF THE ABRIDGMENT OF DAY'S ALGEBRA NEW HAVEN: DURRIE AND PECK. PHILADELPHIA: SMITH AND PECK. 1844. N. B. This work forms one of the series of DAY and THOMSON'S Elementary Course of Mathematics for Schools and Academies. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, BY JAMES B. THOMSON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. STEREOTYPED BY |