RECOMMENDATIONS. DARTMOUTH UNIVERSITY, 1786. Arthe request of Nicolas Pike, Esq. we have inspected his System of Arithmetick, which we cheerfully recommend to the publick, as easy, accurate, and complete. And we apprehend there is no treatise of the kind extant, from which so great utility may arise to Schools. B. WOODWARD, Math. and Phil. Prof. I do most sincerely concur in the preceding recommendation. J. WHEELOCK, President of the University. PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, 1785. WHOEVER may have the perusal of this treatise on Arithmetick may naturally conclude I might have spared myself the trouble of giving it this recommendation, as the work will speak more for itself than the most elaborate recommendation from my pen can speak for it. But as I have always been much delighted with the contemplation of mathematical subjects, and at the same time fully sensible of the utility of a work of this nature, I was willing to render every assistance in my power to bring it to the publick view: And should the student read it with the same pleasure with which I perused the sheets before they went to the press, I am persuaded he will not fail of reaping that benefit from it which he may expect, or wish for, to satisfy his curiosity in a subject of this nature. The author, in treating on numbers, has done it with so much perspicuity and singular address, that I am convinced the study thereof will become more a pleasure than a task. The arrangement of the work, and the method by which he leads the tyro into the first principles of numbers, are novelties I have not met with in any book I have seen. Wingate, Hutton, Ward, Hill, and many other authors whose names might be adduced, if necessary, have claimed a considerable share of merit ; but when brought into a comparative point of view with this treatise, they are inadequate and defective. This volume contains, besides what is useful and necessary in the common affairs of life, a great fund for amusement and entertainment. The Mechanick will find in it much more than he may have occasion for; the Lawyer, Merchant and Mathematician, will find an ample field for the exercise of their genius; and I am well assured it may be read to great advantage by students of every class, from the lowest school to the University. More than this need not be said by me, and to have said less, would be keeping back a tribute justly due to the merit of this work. BENJAMIN WEST. UNIVERSITY IN CAMBRIDGE, 1786. HAVING, by the desire of Nicolas Pike, Esq. inspected the following volume in manuscript, we beg leave to acquaint the publick, that in our opinion it is a work well executed, and contains a complete system of Arithmetick. The rules are plain, and the demonstrations perspicuous and satisfactory; and we esteem it the best calculated, of any single piece we have met with, to lead youth, by natural and easy gradations, into a methodical and thorough acquaintance with the science of figures. Persons of all descriptions may find in it every thing, respecting numbers, necessary to their business; and not only so, but if they have a speculative turn, and mathematical taste, may meet with much for their entertainment at a leisure hour. We are happy to see so useful an American production, which, if it should meet with the encouragement it deserves, among the inhabitants of the United States, will save much money in the country, which would otherwise be sent to Europe, for publications of this kind. We heartily recommend it to schools, and to the community at large, and wish that the industry and skill of the Author may be rewarded, for so beneficial a work, by meeting with the general approbation and encouragement of the publick. JOSEPH WILLARD, D. D. President of the University. E. WIGGLESWORTH, S. T. P. Hollis. S. WILLIAMS, L. L. D. Math. et Phil. Nat. Prof. Hollis. YALE COLLEGE, 1786. UPON examining Mr. Pike's System of Arithmetick and Geometry, in manuscript, I find it to be a work of such mathematical ingenuity, that I esteem myself honoured in joining with the Rev. President Willard, and other learned gentlemen, in recommending it to the publick as a production of genius, interspersed with originality in this part of learning, and as a book, suitable to be taught in schools: of utility to the merchant, and well adapted even for the University instruction. I consider it of such merit, as that it will probably gain a very general reception and use throughout the republick of letters. EZRA STILES, President. BOSTON, 1786. FROM the known character of the Gentlemen who have recommended Mr. Pike's System of Arithmetick, there can be no room to doubt, that it is a valuable performance; and will be, if published, a very useful one. I therefore wish him success in its publication. JAMES BOWDOIN. UNION COLLEGE, OCT. 10, 1822. PIKE'S ARITHMETICK is too well known and too highly appreciated to require any recommendation; and by furnishing an edition of that work, in which common language is substituted for algebraic signs, Professor Dewey has conferred a favour on those who may wish to acquire or teach ArithmeJack without Algebra; by whom it is presumed this edition will be patronised. E. NOTT, President. SCHENECTADY, OCT. 16, 1822. MR. WM. S. PARKER, I HAVE for many years been fully acquainted with Pike's System of Arithmetick, and am persuaded of its excellence; I do not know of any treatise of more practical utility; the arrangements of its parts is natural, its rules are plain and easily understood and applied, and it contains all that is of any importance to the Mercantile or Scientific Arithmetician. To those who have not the elementary knowledge of Algebra, the translation of the Algebraic expression into plain Arithmetical language must be very acceptable and profitable. This improvement, together with the notes and emendations of Professor Dewey, cannot fail to ensure the public confidence and patronage. A hand so able as his, cannot touch without improving an elementary treatise, and wherever he is known, his name must be a sufficient credential. Wishing you all success, and abundant remuneration for your labours, 1 am, Sir, your friend and servant. T. M'AULEY, S. T. D. Late Professor of Mathematicks, Union College. AMHERST, MASS. FEB. 9, 1822. I HAVE long been acquainted with Pike's Arithmetick, and think it the best of any extant, for those who wish to acquire a thorough knowledge of Arithmetick as a science and an art. The plan of improvement adopted and pursued by Professor DEWEY, in the present edition, is, in my opinion, such as to render the work more perfect and more useful. By supplying defects, omitting redundancies, and illustrating what was obscure, he has given to the present edition a superior value. I cheerfully recommend the work to the patronage of the publick, and especially to the patronage of the Instructors of youth in Academies and Schools, as combining more excellencies than any other Arithmetick now in use. ZEPH. SWIFT MOORE, President of the Collegiate Institution, at Amherst, Mass. LENOX, MS. APRIL 20, 1822. HAVE seen Pike's Arithmetick revised by Mr. Professor DEWEY of Williams College. I entirely approve of all the alterations, additions, and illustrations. I cannot but believe, that the work thus presented to the public, will be superior to any thing of the kind extant. While it initiates the scholar into the theory of this science, it is distinguished for a happy conciseness lucid method, and graceful simplicity, which cannot fail to make it a valuable companion for the Merchant, Mechanick, or Farmer. LEVI GLEZEN, Preceptor of Lenox Academy. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Benedict, Tutor of Williams College, to the Publisher, dated Mr. PARKER, WILLIAMS COLLEGE, January 2, 1822. "From the experience which I have had in instructing youth, I have had occasion to acquaint myself with many, if not most of the Systems of Arithmetick in use in this country. I can therefore speak with some more confidence than I otherwise should from having proved their excellences and defects by actual trial of them. It is most certain that as a complete System of this important part of education, the work under consideration stands preeminent. It is impossible that Arithmetick should be so treated of, as not to leave much to be done by the instructor. Still, as I think, Pike's System will enable the teacher to benefit his scholars, to give them sound theoretical and practical knowledge in this branch, to induce them to think and reason closely, and increase their power of arithmetical invention, far more than any one within the compass of my knowledge. Excellent as it was when it came from its author, it had its defects. By the revision of it by Lord, little else was done than to change the sterling to federal notation. Much remained to be done. In some parts, Mr. Pike had been needlessly minute, and loaded the work with a multiplicity of rules on one subject, which the accountant could not but make for himself, as occasion demanded, with perfect ease. Though his illustrations and demonstrations are usually very good, in some cases they were obscure; and in some parts, as for instance that of interest, there was a great deficiency. I have examined the work with Mr. Dewey's corrections, with considerable care. He has bestowed great labour upon it, and I think to excellent purpose. It is still Pike's Arithmetick; but altogether more perfect than it was before. I do believe that as a complete System, it may be pronounced superior to any one ever published. I most earnestly wish you success in its publication; and I feel a confidence that good judges will not hesitate on perusing it, to give it an unqualified recommendation." Yours respectfully, GEORGE W. BENEDICT. The Method of making Taxes, in a Note - |