﻿REVIEWS. 



Surveying and Levelling Instruments Theoretically and Practically Described: 

 for Construction, Qualities, Selection, Preservation, Adjustments, and Uses; 

 with Other Apparatus and Appliances Used by Civil Engineers and Surveyors 

 in the Field. By William Ford Stanley. Cloth; 372 illustrations in the 

 text. Pp. xv+562. Price, 7s. 6d. London: E. & F. N. Spon. 1901. 



This is perhaps the only hook in the English language, with the ex- 

 ception of surveying text-books and trade catalogues, which treats of 

 the manufacture, use, and adjustment of mathematical instruments. For 

 the purposes for which it is intended it is more valuable than either 

 of the above classes, being far more comprehensive than text-books and 

 more impartial than catalogues. 



With an experience of about fifty years in the manufacture of scien- 

 tific instruments, the author must certainly be well qualified to treat of 

 his subject, both from the practical and the theoretical standpoint, but 

 in regard to its impartiality, the book is perhaps open to criticism. It 

 is not surprising when we consider that all engineers have habits of 

 their own, that the author should have his own prejudices, and quite 

 natural that they should be favorable to instruments of his own manu- 

 facture. It is not intended to convey the impression that the book is 

 merely an elaborate exposition of the author's manufactures, a sort of 

 catalogue in text-book form. It is far more than that, for other systems 

 and other makes are frequently mentioned and compared; simply, that 

 the author dwells longest on his own and does not devote as much space- 

 to other instruments, with which the American engineer at least, is more 

 familiar. Yet, if this is a fault, it must be considered a pardonable one, 

 for it would be plainly impracticable to describe in detail all the dif- 

 ferent kinds of surveying instruments which are in use in different 

 countries, so if the author must choose, he selects those with which he 

 is most familiar. 



The book is of value not only to those interested in the manufacture 

 of surveying instruments, but especially to men in the field who in 

 emergencies may be compelled to make their own repairs. It contains 

 much useful information and many practical hints on the preservation, 

 testing and repair of instruments which can be found in no other book. 

 Older men as well as the less experienced will therefore find it useful for 

 reference. 



M. G. 

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