308 Review of the Cambridge Course of Mathematics, 



and these, we learn, are to be followed by others on the ap- 

 plied mathematics, making a complete course. 



A course of mathematical instruction, and, indeed, a 

 course of instruction of almost any other kind, may be con- 

 sidered in two points of view ; fir^t in relation to the devel- 

 opment of the faculties of the mind, and secondly, as fur- 

 nishing resuhs to be used for the practical purposes of life. 

 Each of these objects is important, and both ought to be 

 united, as far as possible, in a course of public instruction. 

 The practical purposes to which mathematical learning is 

 applied, are by no means few, nor of inconsiderable value. 

 Commercial and political arithmetic, have the most impor- 

 tant connexions with mercantile transactions, with practical 

 legislation, and with the science of government. Mathe- 

 matical principles form the basis of Geography, in deter- 

 mining the figure and dimensions of the earth, the situation 

 of places upon its surface, &.C.; of History, as connected 

 with the chronology of events, &:c. ; of Surveying, in which 

 boundaries are to be traced, estates, provinces, canals, &c. 

 laid out ; of Navigation, in which the course, latitude, lon- 

 gitude, &c. are to be determined ; of Architecture in which 

 the strength of timber, the pressure upon each part, the best 

 form of arches, &-c. are to be calculated ; of Mechanics, in 

 which the laws of motion, the composition of forces, the 

 structure and equilibrium of machines, Sec. are to be esti- 

 mated ; of the science of War, in the planning of fortifica- 

 tions, in the theory and practice of gunnery, he. ; of Op- 

 tics, in explaining the laws of vision, in the theory of col- 

 ours, and of the rainbow, and in the construction of optical 

 instruments, &;c. ; of Astronomy, in calculating the effects 

 of that most extensive of all principles with which we are 

 acquainted, the law of gravitation, upon the solar system, 

 &,c. ; of Music, in the propagation and comparison of 

 sounds, in the theory of tones as connected with vibrations, 

 &,c. ; of the crystallo-graphic part of Mineralogy ) of 

 Chemistry, especially in the doctrine of multiple propor- 

 tions ; and in fine, of a great part of the whole circle of arts 

 and sciences.* (Pres. Day's Algebra, p. 6.) 



But it is particularly with a view to the development of 

 the mental powers, that a course of mathematics is impor- 

 tant. Granting, if it is possible, that the Physician, the Di- 

 vine, the Advocate, or the Judge, may have forgotten eve- 



