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GEOMETRY. 



Various are the opinions upon the best modes 

 of beginning to learn to draw : and it is by no 

 means easy to decide upon this point, as so much 

 must always depend upon the genius, turn of mind, 

 and opportunities of the student. But, for general 

 purposes, and when circumstances will admit of it, 

 we have no hesitation in recommending to begin 

 by the study of geometry and perspective. 



The' first forms the best introduction to a know- 

 ledge of form, by giving accurate ideas respecting 

 the most simple forms, of which all the others may 

 be considered as compounds : and the last is abso- 

 lutely necessary, not only to enable us to draw the 

 representations of regular objects, but even to see 

 them correctly : and it is certain that no one 

 unacquainted with its rules can ever attain the 

 power of drawing, without making the grossest 

 mistakes. 



Geometry is a branch of mathematics which 

 treats of the description and properties of magni- 

 tudes in general. 



Definitions or Ej^planations of Terms. 



1. A point has neither length, breadth, nor 

 thickness. From this definition it may easily be 

 understood that a mathematical point cannot be 

 seen nor felt ; it can only be imagined. What is 

 commonly called a point, as a small dot made with 

 a pencil or pen, or the point of a needle, is not in 

 reahty a mathematical point ; for however small 

 such a dot may be, yet, if it be examined with a 

 magnifying glass, it will be found to be an irregular 



