Entered according to the act of Congress, in the year 1836, by JASON M. MAHAN, in the clerk's office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE.

The following work has been in contemplation for a long time. Several years' experience as a teacher confirmed me in the opinion, that a work of this kind would be serviceable, particularly to such as are to receive but a small proportion of schooling. Its utility must be obvious to every one who considers that the opportunity for improvement with many is limited; and that many of the treatises on Arithmetic, Mensuration, &c. are not altogether calculated to give that instruction in so short a time as one intended for business ought to receive.

In order that the pupil may acquire a competent knowledge of the different branches, in as short a time and at as little expense as possible, I have carefully excluded all irrelevant matter, and have given only what I deemed necessary to prepare him for business. One of the most difficult questions in each rule is wrought out at full length, and by comparing these with the rules, which are laid down in a plain and familiar manner, any person who has the least knowledge of figures, or inclination to learn, may understand them, either with or without the aid of a teacher; so that the work is not only adapted to private instruction, but also to the use of schools.

With these impressions, and hoping that the work may be useful, it is now offered to the public, by

The public's most humble servant,

JASON M. MAHAN.

New Italy, January 24, 1836.

TO SUBSCRIBERS.

The author tenders his most unfeigned thanks to the numerous subscribers to this work, for their very liberal patronage. The conditions of the prospectus are fulfilled in every particular on my part, consequently I expect it to escape without censure. I, however, regret that, through several unavoidable causes, the publication has been delayed to this time; yet I flatter myself that my subscribers will not be the means of subjecting me to loss and disadvantage, by refusing to receive the work, especially when they are informed that one of the causes of the delay was in consequence of being deceived in the quality of paper; and when they are further reminded that there was no specified time mentioned in the prospectus for the delivery of the work.

Your humble servant,

JASON M. MAHAN.

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