FRKFACE.                                            IX

'intended Assistant, because the course jf Arithmetic is always the •'sum'1; ami therefore say, that some boys, lazily inclined, when thry sen ''another at i/'ork upon the same question, wul be apt to make his operation '•pass for their own. But these little forgeries are soon detected by the "diligence of the tutor: therefore as different questions to different boys "do not in the least promote their improvement, so neither do Uie ¦'questions hinder it. Neither is it in the power of any master, (in the "course of his business,) how full of spirit soever he may be, to frame " new questions at pleasure, in any rule ; but the same question will frequently occur in the same rule, notwithstanding his greatest care and "skill to the contrary."

"It may also be further objected, That to teach by a printed book, it "an argument of itjnoratwe and incapacity! which is no less trifling than " the former, lie, indeed (if any such there be) who is afraid his selio-"lars will improve too fast, will undoubtedly decry this method: but that " muster's ignorance can never be brought in question who can begin and "end it readily; and most certainly that scholar's non-improvement rail "be as little questioned who makes a much greater progress by tlu>, than "by the common method."

To enter into along detail of every rule would tire the reader, and swell the preface to an unusual length ; I shall, therefore, only give a general idea of the method of proceeding, and leave the rest to speak for itself; which, I hope, the kind reader will lind to answer the title, and the re commendation given it. As to the rules, they follow in the same manner as the table of contents specifies, and much in the same order as they are generally taught in schools. I have gone through the four fundamental rules of Integers first, before those of the several denominations, in order that they being well understood, the latter will be performed with much more ease and dispatch according to the rules shewn, than bv the customary method of dotting. In Multiplication, 1 have shewn both the beauty and use of that excellent rule, in resolving most questions that occur in merchandising, and have prefixed before reduction, several Bills of Parcels, which are applicable to real business. In working Interest by Decimals, I have added tables to ii:e rules, fur the readier calculation of annuities, &c, and have not only shewn the use, but the method ol making them. I have also added to tins edition a New livis fit ex trading the Cube Boot, being a much shorter way than any already pub iished: as likewise an Interest Table, calculated for the easier finding