The Construction of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms/Preface
THE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE
WONDERFUL CANON OF
LOGARITHMS;
And their relations to their own natural numbers;
WITH
An Appendix as to the making of another
and better kind of Logarithms.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
Propositions for the solution of Spherical Triangles by an
easier method: with Notes on them and on the above-mentioned Appendix by the learned Henry Briggs.
By the Author and Inventor, John Napier, Baron of
Merchiston, &c., in Scotland.
Printed by Andrew Hart,
OF EDINBURGH;
in the Year of our Lord, 1619.
Translated from Latin into English by William Rae Macdonald, 1888.
TO THE READER STUDIOUS OF
THE MATHEMATICS,
GREETING.
Everal 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.
Nor do I doubt, but that this posthumous work would have seen the light in a much more perfect and finished state, if God had granted a longer enjoyment of life to the Author, my most dearly loved father, in whom, by the opinion of the wisest men, among other illustrious gifts this showed itself pre-eminent, that the most difficult matters were unravelled by a sure and easy method, as well as in the fewest words.
You have then (kind Reader) in this little book most amply unfolded the theory of the construction of logarithms, there called by him artificial numbers, for he had this treatise written out beside him several years before the word Logarithm was invented,) in which their nature, characteristics, and various relations to their natural numbers, are clearly demonstrated.
It seemed desirable also to add to the theory an Appendix as to the construction of another and better kind of logarithms (mentioned by the Author in the preface to his Rabdologiæ) in which the logarithm of unity is 0.
After this follows the last fruit of his labours, pointing to the ultimate perfecting of his Logarithmic Trigonometry, namely certain very remarkable propositions for the resolu- tion of spherical triangles not quadrantal, without dividing them into quadrantal or rectangular triangles. These propositions, which are absolutely general, he had determined to reduce into order and successively to prove, had he not been snatched away from us by a too hasty death.
We have also taken care to have printed some Studies on the above-mentioned Propositions, and on the new kind of Logarithms, by that most excellent Mathematician Henry Briggs, public Professor at London, who for the singular friendship which subsisted between him and my father of illustrious memory, took upon himself, in the most willing spirit, the very heavy labour of computing this new Canon, the method of its creation and the explanation of its use being left to the Inventor, Now however, as he has been called away from this life, the burden of the whole business would appear to rest on the shoulders of the most learned Briggs, on whom, too, would appear by some chance to have fallen the task of adorning this Sparta.
Meanwhile (Reader) enjoy the fruits of these labours such as they are, and receive them in good part according to your culture.
Farewell,
Robert Napier, Son.
