The mathematical principles of geography. Containing, I. An account of the various properties and affections of the earth and sea, with a description of the several parts thereof, and a table of the latitude and longitude of places, II. The use of the artificial or terrestrial globe, in solving problems, III. The principles of spherical and spheroidical sailing, with the solution of the several cases in numbers, by the common tables, according to the spheroidical figure of the earth / [William Emerson].

  • Emerson, William, 1701-1782.
Date:
1770
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The mathematical principles of geography. Containing, I. An account of the various properties and affections of the earth and sea, with a description of the several parts thereof, and a table of the latitude and longitude of places, II. The use of the artificial or terrestrial globe, in solving problems, III. The principles of spherical and spheroidical sailing, with the solution of the several cases in numbers, by the common tables, according to the spheroidical figure of the earth / [William Emerson]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE PREFACE. \ ■ JgJAFING treated of the world in its full extent under the title of Aflronomy, we come now to that Jingle part of it called the Earth, which is our defin'd habitation. This terrefirial globe on which we are feated, tho9 it feems large to us that live upon it, yet when compared to the magnitude of the hea¬ vens, is only like a point in it, being in a manner loft in that vafi fabric. But fmall as it is, it is of the greateft conference to us, for here we live and move and have our being, here our whole bufinefs and tranf- aElions are performed, here we muft abide, and can¬ not remove into another planet, nor have any commu¬ nication therewith, nor with the inhabitants thereof, if any fuch there be; nor can we tell what they are doing, no more than they know what we are about. All we can do is to remove from one place to another upon this little ball, and pafs from one region to ano¬ ther, and by this means we get acquaintance with our fellow-creatures on different parts of the globe, with whom we can converfe, carry on a trade, or tranfaEl any bufinefs, by which we make a fhift to get a living. And fnce we are confined to this globe, and are obliged to have various tranfaElions with others, both at home and abroad\ therefore Geography (which is the knowledge and defcription of the earth) becomes a ne- cejfary branch of knozvledge to us. For without it, we fioould be ignorant of the fituation of the Jeveral countries, with which we traffick, how they lye from one another, and the way thither.