[ 2 3 ] 
This Inftrument hath the Advantage of our Digits 
in a great many Cafes. Firft, the Figures can be felt, 
fo may be ufed by a blind Man. If it had no other, 
this alone would be fufficient to gain it the Atten- 
tion of Mankind. 
Another Advantage from it is, that, when attain'd, 
this Method is much fwifcer than by our Digits, and 
lefs liable to Miftakes : It is likewise not fo burden- 
fome to the Memory in working the Rules of Arith- 
metic, as by our Digits, we being oblig'd to carry 
the Tens in the Mind from one Place to another, 
which are fet down by the Shwan-pan. One 
may work a whole Night, without confuting the 
Head, or affecting the Eyes in the lead. ' 
It may be of great Ufe to teach People the Power 
of Numbers, likewifeto examine Accompts by 5 for, 
as the Perfon will, by the Shwan party work it a 
quite different Way, it will ferve as if another Per- 
fon had gone thro’ the Accompt; if it proves right 
with the written one, they may reft aflured the Work 
is true. 
Ir may be a very pretty Lure to lead young People 
to apply their Minds to Numbers. 
The Inventor produced one of thefe Inftruments before the Society, and 
work’d feveral Queltions in Arithmetic upon it. It much refembles the 
■Abacus of the Ancients. 
C. M. 
VIII. 
