I have reflected on your idea of
wooden or ivory diagrams, for the geometrical demonstrations. I should
think wood as good as ivory; and that in this case, it might add to the
improvement of the young gentlemen, that they should make the figures
themselves. Being furnished by a workman with a piece of vineer, no
other tool than a penknife and a wooden rule would be necessary. Perhaps
pasteboards, or common cards, might be still more convenient. The
difficulty is, how to reconcile figures which must have a very sensible
breadth, to our ideas of a mathematical line, which, as it has neither
breadth nor thickness, will revolt more at these, than at simple lines
drawn on paper or slate. If, after reflecting on this proposition, you
would prefer having them made here, lay your commands on me, and they
shall be executed.
I return you a thousand thanks for your goodness to my nephew. After my
debt to you for whatever I am myself, it is increasing it too much,
to interest yourself for his future fortune. But I know that to you, a
consciousness of doing good is a luxury ineffable.
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