A Treatise on the Principal Mathematical Instruments Employed in Surveying, Levelling, and Astronomy; Explaining Their Construction, Adjustments, and Use

This treatise was published 1836 and written by Frederick Walter Simms, British civil engineer of 19th century. The need for a work containing a short and popular description of the main instruments used in practical astronomy and geodesy has been felt for a long time, since the necessary information about such instruments can be obtained only by referring to various expensive publications that are not within the reach of many for whom such information very interesting and important. The original purpose of the author of this little treatise was to provide the young surveyor with a description of the tools necessary for his profession, and such a report on the method of checking and correcting their settings, since this would allow him to obtain the most accurate results from them. But the author found that without significantly increasing the size of the book, he could significantly increase its usefulness by including the most approved astronomical instruments in his plan so that amateur astronomers and travelers alike could have a manual with instructions at hand, so that they could use your tools to the maximum benefit. While preparing the second edition of the Treatise on Mathematical Instruments for publication, the author tried to make such additions and improvements that would make this book even more acceptable to the reader. To the survey instrument report, author has added a few notes on the use of the ground chain. To the alignment tools, the author has added an image and description of the modification of the spirit level of Mr. Gravatt, as well as new alignment staves; the article on alignment has also been revised, and the author hoped that the young newbie will find some useful practical information in it. The Appendix has added a report on various methods of copying, reducing or enlarging Plans, etc., including a description of the Pentagraph. Also report on the survey method for a railway or main road. Table 7 has been improved in structure and the last four tables have been added to this edition.