PREFACE.

xi

to the effectual assistance of a great number of mu-nicipal councils, mayors, prefects, and sub-prefects,equally friends to useful knowledge, ninety-eighttowns are endeavouring to rival each other in theirzeal for imparting the new instruction to the work-ing classes.”*

It is probable, that in each of these institutions, thiswork and the two excellent volumes on mechanics,which were afterwards published, form the bases ofthe lectures on the respective subjects. That theywill require some adaptation to the leading pursuitsof the particular places into which they may beintroduced, by extending the discussion of topics ofconsiderable local interest, and curtailing otherswhich may have but slight connection with the ope-rations of the inhabitants, need not be questioned.That they may, however, with the greatest advan-tage, be made the text books of the courses deliveredin this country, as well as in France , I have no hesi-tation in asserting; and no one, I think, can doubt,after perusing the following lessons, that if they wereillustrated, and occasionally expanded, with distinct-ness and intelligence, although nothing whatevershould be done in the way of adaptation or improve-ment, many important benefits must result to theattentive and competent student.

Where a professor, who is capable of preparingfor himself an elementary treatise, may undertakecourses of Geometry and Mechanics with a view totheir practical application, it is not my wish, or, I ven-

* Revue Encyclopedique, Livraison 97 e , page 61.