From the Preface to the Reader:
In this small Tract you'll find the whole Art of Surveying Land
Epitomized: The Rules and Methods here laid down in a plain and
familiar Manner, being such as are fittest for a Practiser's Use,
without an unnecessary Mixture of useless Curiosities and needless
Repetitions. And altho' Brevity be chiefly intended, yet nothing
is here omitted, but what might well enough be spared in a Treatise
that immediately relates to Practice.
Although
The Practical Surveyor was written over 275 years ago, there
is still much that will interest the modern reader. From a historical
perspective, these are the methods that were used when surveying
lands in Great Britain and early America. For the surveyor, there
are some techniques that are on the verge of being forgotten in
our electronic age, some of which still have utility in the field.
For someone without experience in surveying, this text is an excellent
introduction, as it explains the methods and instruments in a
plain and ready manner.
A set of modern
notes provides translations to the few Latin phrases found in
the book, some corrections to the original text, and commentary
on the accuracy of the methods. Additionally, updated astronomical
tables are provided for use in finding true north using Polaris.
There is also a list of all of the surveying instruments that
are mentioned in the text and a lexicon of words.
250
pages, Paperback, B&W, 6" x 9", © 2001
Order Number: VAP316............$14.95
