The Principles Example

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8

The first figure on this plate is an O, or a Circle with a dot in the middle, marked No 1. The second is a Square with a dot in the middle, marked No 2. The third is a Triangle with a dot in the middle, marked No 3. The fourth consists of two long perpendicular and parallel lines, marked No 4. The fifth consists of two much shorter lines, perpendicular and parallel, marked No 5. The sixth consists of two longer and closer lines, perpendicular and parallel, marked No 6. The seventh consists of two lines, as short as those of No 5, but further apart, perpendicular and parallel, marked No 7. The eighth is a Circle with a straight line passing through the middle, marked No 8. The ninth is a Square with a perpendicular and a horizontal line equally dividing it through the middle, marked No 9. The tenth is an equilateral Triangle with a perpendicular line cutting it in half from top to bottom, and a horizontal line cutting across it, marked No 10. The figures presented here to the young students will not seem difficult to imitate, as they are already practiced at drawing lines. However, to ensure that none of them become discouraged from learning them properly, it should be promised that once they can trace them accurately, they will be given something more delightful to copy, which will bring them great pleasure.

Third Lesson

After making the students fully understand what a Circle, a Square, and a Triangle are, as indicated in the previous lesson, they are taught to draw them as well as they can using the Compass and the Ruler. The first is used to form Circles, and the latter to draw all kinds of straight lines, whether perpendicular, oblique, or horizontal. It is promised to the one who performs this the best a print or some other small token of recognition. This encourages them to compete with each other and to engage in friendly banter.