"In this small tract you'll find the whole Art of Surveying Land epitomized. The rules and methods here laid down in a plain and familiar manner, such as are fittest for a Practioner's use, without an unecessary mixture of useless curiosities and needless repitition. And although brevity be chiefly intended, yet nothing is here omitted, but what might be well enough be spared in a treatise that immediately relates to the Practice."
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From the Publisher
Samuel Wyld's classic tract on surveying was originally published in 1725. It ran through 7 editions over the course of 55 years and was widely distributed in England and America.
This reprint of the classic 1st edition includes comments by noted scholar David Manthey on the accuracy and methods used by Wyld, as well as updated astronomical tables, a summary of surveying instruments, and a lexicon.
About the Author
Samuel Wyld very likely was born in Lancashire, England sometime in the mid 1660s. In addition to being a noted Mason and a professional surveyor, Mr. Wyld also earned a modest livelihood from a small estate. Mr. Wyld trusted his fellow countrymen more than foreign surveyors, being more likely to rely on the work of Norwood than that of Riccoli and Girmaldi. He was one of the first surveyors to recognize the brilliance of instrument maker Jonathan Sisson, inventor of the modern theodolite, wye level, and stadia lines. It is only to be speculated that some of Mr. Sisson's success was due to his association with Wyld.
Inside This Book
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First Sentence
Showing how to make a Plott of a Piece of Land by the Plain Table, and caft up the Contents thereof. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Showing how to make a Plott of a Piece of Land by the Plain Table, and caft up the Contents thereof. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Paperback
In reading historical surveying works, the Practical Surveyor stands out as an useful guide and not a theoretical textbook. Although there is a slight amount of geometry in the beginning of the book, the bulk of the work relies
on basic math, without even the use of sines and cosines. Likewise, although a variety of surveying instruments are detailed, there are complete instructions for surveying with a chain only (which would work equally well with a measuring tape).
on basic math, without even the use of sines and cosines. Likewise, although a variety of surveying instruments are detailed, there are complete instructions for surveying with a chain only (which would work equally well with a measuring tape).
Modern electronic instruments have largely replaced old tools, and modern computers allow vastly more measurements to be used for improved precision and accuracy. While The Practical Surveyor won't supercede hiring a professional land surveyor, it is sufficient to teach a novice to confidently survey any plot of land.
The techniques for measuring with plane table, theodolite, or cirumferentor (staff compass) are as valid today as they were in 1725. Once measurements have been made, there are clear directions for drawing a map and calculating areas and other properties. An example is provided of a survey of a small farm, complete with field notes, a field book with all of the measurements, and a finished map.
Additional sections detail determining the difference in altitude between two locations, finding true north using either the sun or Polaris, coloring maps using watercolors with details on the specific pigment materials, surveying rivers and large towns, dividing land, and drawing perspective pictures with the aid of a theodolite. Mr. Wyld prefaces the work with a lively introduction.
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.
I have written brief notes to accompany the text. These are all at the back of the volume so as not to interfere with the original work. The notes include a few corrections to some errors in the book, a list of all of the tools and instruments used, and a glossary of words. I hope that these are of use.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
A great book! It's just what it calls itself: A practical guide. It skips the hard math and teaches you to use the instruments (which really haven't changed, except for computerized models) and draw maps. This isn't only quick-and-dirty surveying. You will learn to compensate for the curvature of the earth, find your position by the stars, convey water, draw objects in perspective...
Also gives historical insight into how and why land was used and subdivided, and rules of thumb that still affect modern land (why are roads and ditches the width they are? How are property boundaries placed, or re-discovered?)
If you want to learn to survey or are interested in historic land use, map-making or surveying, you need this book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.4 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A historical and useful manual on surveying
Feb 8 2002
By David Manthey
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
In reading historical surveying works, the Practical Surveyor stands out as an useful guide and not a theoretical textbook. Although there is a slight amount of geometry in the beginning of the book, the bulk of the work relies
on basic math, without even the use of sines and cosines. Likewise, although a variety of surveying instruments are detailed, there are complete instructions for surveying with a chain only (which would work equally well with a measuring tape).
on basic math, without even the use of sines and cosines. Likewise, although a variety of surveying instruments are detailed, there are complete instructions for surveying with a chain only (which would work equally well with a measuring tape).
Modern electronic instruments have largely replaced old tools, and modern computers allow vastly more measurements to be used for improved precision and accuracy. While The Practical Surveyor won't supercede hiring a professional land surveyor, it is sufficient to teach a novice to confidently survey any plot of land.
The techniques for measuring with plane table, theodolite, or cirumferentor (staff compass) are as valid today as they were in 1725. Once measurements have been made, there are clear directions for drawing a map and calculating areas and other properties. An example is provided of a survey of a small farm, complete with field notes, a field book with all of the measurements, and a finished map.
Additional sections detail determining the difference in altitude between two locations, finding true north using either the sun or Polaris, coloring maps using watercolors with details on the specific pigment materials, surveying rivers and large towns, dividing land, and drawing perspective pictures with the aid of a theodolite. Mr. Wyld prefaces the work with a lively introduction.
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.
I have written brief notes to accompany the text. These are all at the back of the volume so as not to interfere with the original work. The notes include a few corrections to some errors in the book, a list of all of the tools and instruments used, and a glossary of words. I hope that these are of use.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wyld-
Feb 7 2002
By A Customer
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
A great book! It's just what it calls itself: A practical guide. It skips the hard math and teaches you to use the instruments (which really haven't changed, except for computerized models) and draw maps. This isn't only quick-and-dirty surveying. You will learn to compensate for the curvature of the earth, find your position by the stars, convey water, draw objects in perspective...
Also gives historical insight into how and why land was used and subdivided, and rules of thumb that still affect modern land (why are roads and ditches the width they are? How are property boundaries placed, or re-discovered?)
If you want to learn to survey or are interested in historic land use, map-making or surveying, you need this book.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not For Everyone - A Valuable Historical Sourcework
Oct 24 2008
By Pam T
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
"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.
Written in archaic language, and about an arcane topic, this book won't be for many people. It remains, however, an important work, especially considering how few original copies remain. And this accounts for it's star rating.
Pam T.
mom and reviewer for PageInHistory.com
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.
Written in archaic language, and about an arcane topic, this book won't be for many people. It remains, however, an important work, especially considering how few original copies remain. And this accounts for it's star rating.
Pam T.
mom and reviewer for PageInHistory.com
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews
3.4 out of 5 stars
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