PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 52$ 



that he receive, to enter in his catalogue, and dispose in the proper repositories, 

 one copy of the books so read over, when presented to tlie library, well bound, 

 at the charge of the author or bookseller: that he give a civil and ready answer 

 to any studious persons, who may consult him about any problem, whether it be 

 already solved or not, that they may neither mispend their time on what has 

 been already done, nor be deterred from prosecuting inventions or new disco- 

 veries: that he receive, &c. as abov^e, all manuscripts that may be presented or 

 bequeathed to the library: that he keep up a constant literary correspondence 

 with learned foreigners of this kind, that he may not be ignorant of what books 

 are published in other countries : that he observe, among his countrymen, who 

 are the best cultivators of these arts: that he cultivate an acquaintance with all 

 such artists as excel in constructing mathematical contrivances and instruments 

 of all kinds : that, after a fair trial he give his testimony, both on speculative 

 knowledge and practical dexterity, to practical men of all kinds, that such as* 

 have occasion for this kind of men may not be imposed on by ignorant pre- 

 tenders. 



The catalogue will readily inform, among the vast multitude of books in the 

 world, which they are that belong only to this kind of study. The library will 

 exhibit a copy of every such book, and inform us where more copies may be had. 

 It will be also a kind of storehouse, both to natives and foreigners, whence they 

 may readily learn what helps that country can supply to these studies. 



Such then, in my opinion, is the readiest way of using the advantages we are 

 already possessed of. If more be wanting, it may be proper, by the aid of 

 skilful artists, 



III. That the three following new works be composed and published. 



1 . Mathematical Pandects, containing, as clearly, methodically, concisely, and 

 ingeniously, as it can be done, whatever may be collected, or deduced by way of 

 corollary, from mathematical books and discoveries made before our time ; quot- 

 ing the most ancient authors in which they are found, and noting in all follow- 

 ing authors where they have pilfered from others without acknowledgment; or, 

 which is worse, have arrogated to themselves the inventions of others. By this 

 means, that large library would be contracted into a much narrower compass, 

 to the great saving of labour, time, and expence, for those that come after. 



2. A Mathematical Compendium, containing, in a concise manual, all the 

 most useful tables, with precepts to show their application to the solution of 

 problems, either of pure mathematics, or applied to other subjects. Finally, 

 that we may not be always confined to books in this kind of learning, there 

 should be contrived, 



3. The Self-sufficient Mathematician, or an instruction to show how any ma- 

 voL. II. 3 Y 



