Page:The Construction of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms.djvu/27



years ago (Reader, Lover of the Mathematics) my Father, of memory always to be revered, made public the use of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms; but, as he himself mentioned on the seventh and on the last pages of the Logarithms, he was decidedly against committing to types the theory and method of its creation, until he had ascertained the opinion and criticism on the Canon of those who are versed in this kind of learning.

But, since his departure from this life, it has been made plain to me by unmistakable proofs, that the most skilled in the mathematical sciences consider this new invention of very great importance, and that nothing more agreeable to them could happen, than if the construction of this Wonderful Canon, or at least so much as might suffice to explain it, go forth into the light for the public benefit.

Therefore, although it is very manifest to me that the Author had not put the finishing touch to this little treatise, yet I have done what in me lay to satisfy their most honourable request, and to afford some assistance to those especially who are weaker in such studies and are apt to stick on the very threshold.