The construction of the wonderful canon of logarithms

I
TO THE READER STUDIOUS OF
THE MATHEMATICS,
GREETING.
EvERAL years ago {Reader, Lover of the Mathematics)
my Father, of memory always to be revered,
made public the use of the Wonderful
Canon of Logarithms ; but, as he himself m-entioned
on the seventh and on the last pages of the Logarithms,
he was decidedly against committing to types the
theory and m.ethod of its creation, until he had ascertained
the opinion and criticism on the Canon of those who are
versed in this kind of learning.
But, since his departure from, this life, it has been m,ade
plain to me by unmistakable proofs, that the most skilled
in the mathematical sciences consider this new invention of
very great importance, and that nothing more agreeable to
them could happen, than if the construction of this Wonderful
Canon, or at least so m,uch as m,ight suffice to explain
it, go forth into the light for the public benefit.
Therefore, although it is very manifest to m,e that the
Author had not put the finishing touch to this little treatise,
yet I have done what in me lay to satisfy their most
honourable request, and to afford some assistance to those
especially who are weaker in such studies and are apt to
stick on the very threshold.
A 2 Nor