528 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO 1 68 1-2. 



now extant for attaining that knowledge? 3d, What order is to be employed in 

 using those helps? Therefore this monitor should contain as follows: 



I. A clear and easy discourse on the limits or extent of the mathematical arts, 

 and of the benefits that may accrue, not only to those who study them, but also 

 to the nation to which they belong. 2. A catalogue of mathematicians, and of 

 their works; which may exhibit, 1st, A synopsis of all kinds of mathematical 

 books, both in print and in libraries in MS. proper numbers of reference being 

 affixed to every kind. 2d, A chronological catalogue of all celebrated mathe- 

 maticians, according to the order of the years in which they flourished, with 

 the dates of their works. 3d, A catalogue of the same works, according to the 

 order of the years in which they were printed in any language ; adding also the 

 names of all the mathematical books published that year, in any country or any 

 language : exhibiting the form and the quantity of each volume ; placing the 

 year before the title, and after the title the year in which it was last printed, with 

 the number referring to the synopsis given in the first page of the catalogue. 



3. An advice to the studious, concerning the best books of every kind; in 

 what order and method to be read, what parts to be selected, what to be omitted, 

 and how to retain every thing in memory. 



4. An exhortation to all persons of wealth, leisure, and genius, for the pur- 

 suit of these studies: that having regard to the great benefits derived from hence, 

 both to themselves and others ; as well as to the pure and sincere pleasure arising 

 from the search of hidden truths, and the solution of difficult problems ; that 

 they may seriously apply themselves to the advancement of science; and the 

 rather as more expeditious methods are now discovered than were formerly 

 known, by the saving of much labour, time, and expence. Then an exhorta- 

 tion to all such as are distinguished for setting a right value on these studies, as 

 well for power as wealth, that they may become patrons to such ingenious men, 

 by proposing handsome rewards, to encourage them to complete their useful dis- 

 coveries. Lastly, to all princes and people, who may procure great benefit to 

 their estates, by giving the utmost encouragement to the cultivators of such arts. 



For this end it will be very proper, 



II. That a public library be founded, furnished with all the books above- 

 mentioned, and with one instrument of every kind yet invented; having also 

 an endowment sufficient for the purchase of all mathematical books as they are 

 annually published, and for the maintenance of a librarian; whose duty it 

 may be, to read over all the books published in his own country, suppressing 

 such as are useless or erroneous, and admonishing authors not to publish only 

 such things as are already known and treated of by others : that he also show his 

 approbation of useful inventions, and recommend the inventors to proper patrons: 



