Samuel Wyld

The Practical Surveyor by Samuel Wyld might best be thought of as the Practical Surveying for Dummies of it's time. Wyld writes in his preface that “[I]n Handling this, I have not chose the most Accurate Method I could think of, but rather the most Plain and Simple, as being most Agreeable to the Conception of a Stranger to the Art, to whom nothing can be too plain.” Which is to say that the book is a hands-on guide for laymen and not a formal textbook for would-be professionals.

This volume comes to us essentially as Wyld intended. The contributing editor, David Manthey's idea was to preserve the book with all of it's original character. He writes: The text is identical to the 1725 first edition. It has been re-typeset for clarity using the original font, spelling, and punctuation. The long-S (which looks like an 'f' to modern readers) is used as per the original. The book includes reproductions of the original figures from six copperplates, all of the original advertisements, and all of the original woodcut illustrations.

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The Practical Surveyor by Samuel Wyld might best be thought of as the Practical Surveying for Dummies of it's time. Wyld writes in his preface that “[I]n Handling this, I have not chose the most Accurate Method I could think of, but rather the most Plain and Simple, as being most Agreeable to the Conception of a Stranger to the Art, to whom nothing can be too plain.” Which is to say that the book is a hands-on guide for laymen and not a formal textbook for would-be professionals.

This volume comes to us essentially as Wyld intended. The contributing editor, David Manthey's idea was to preserve the book with all of it's original character. He writes: The text is identical to the 1725 first edition. It has been re-typeset for clarity using the original font, spelling, and punctuation. The long-S (which looks like an 'f' to modern readers) is used as per the original. The book includes reproductions of the original figures from six copperplates, all of the original advertisements, and all of the original woodcut illustrations.

And indeed, "The Practical Surveyor" is not a cheap photocopy effort. It is a well done reproduction and Manthey has done little to alter it, with the following exceptions. He gives us translations of any Latin phrases. And he converted the original fold-out tables into a single page format.

Who Might Enjoy This Book?

Let me say from the beginning that Wyld's book is not going to be for everyone. It is, after all, a book on surveying, surveying equipment, mathematics, and drawing. And if the subject weren't limiting enough, there is the archaic syntax and spelling to boggle modern readers. Now personally, I found that, after awhile, I fell into the rhythm of the work and the long-S became invisible. But I don't know that everyone is willing to stick with it long enough for that fluency to happen. Still...

I would think that historians and history buffs would find this book a valuable primary source as it discusses the lovely archaic instruments (some of which have ceased to be known by even professionals in the field), methodology, and “practices” from a period Point of View.

Similarly, I think there are some Mathematicians, and those that just enjoy playing around with numbers and drawings, that might like to take a look at this book as the math, which is principally geometry and algebra, exhibits a classic eloquence.

On a practical basis, this book might appeal to the modern do-it-yourself landowner. I think that if you bypass the geometry at the beginning of the book, that the simple math that is required in the rest should be sufficient to aid the average person in actually drawing a map of their property-- and give them the tools to lay out flower beds, gardens, bridges, lily ponds, and what-not.

Overall, a nicely done book that unfortunately won't have a very broad audience. David Manthey and Invisible College Press should be commended for saving Wyld's obscure text for future generations.

Pam T. for http://www.PageInHistory.com… (altro)