so Mathematics. [Chap. \1, 



mention are those of Slierwin, Sharpe, Gardner, 

 and Taylor^ of Great Britain ; of Vega, of 

 Germany; and of Callet, and de Lalande, of 

 France. 



To give an account, in detail, of the various in- 

 ventions and improvements which have taken phice 

 with respect to Mathematical Instruments, during 

 the last age, would exceed the hmits assigned to 

 the present review. Some of these have been al- 

 ready mentioned in another picice ; and many 

 more will readily occur to every reader, whose 

 mind is conversant with objects of this nature. It 

 is sufficient to say that they are numerous and 

 important. The accuracy of construction, the 

 elegance of workmanship, and the ease and expe- 

 dition of manufacture which modern artists have 

 attained, are equally wonderful, and honourable to 

 the century under consideration. 



The science of mathematics has been but little 

 cultivated in the United States during the period 

 under review. They, indeed, have been by 

 no means deficient in the production of mathe- 

 matical genius s but the state of society, and the 

 particular situation of most of those who might 

 have distinguished themselves in this department 

 of knowledge, have prevented that devotedness 

 to the higher brandies of mathematics which is 

 necessary to the attainment of excellence, or to 

 accomplish in:provements. Still, however, some 

 small productions of this kind, occasionally laid be- 

 fore the public in the Transactions of their Ic^arned 

 societies, aflbrd a very respectable specimen of 



