Cunningham, J. [b. 1779] — CYPHERING BOOK. December 1st 1794

(n. p.): , 1794. Modern brown calf spine over marbled paper boards. Title leaf [tipped in on a stub], then 34 leaves with mss ink entries, with different situations explained, such as Inverse Proportion, The Single Rule, Compound Interest, Fellowship, and Rule Of Third etc. ~ 50 leaves of blank paper follow. Paper watermarked with heraldic lion over a bell [posited as Gravell ARMS 217.1]. 8-1/4" x 6-3/8". Binding - Nr Fine. Paper, age-toned, with sporadic spots of foxing. Entries clear & legible, Very Good. â€oeA cyphering book has been defined as a handwritten manuscript that focused on mathematical content and had the following four properties: either the contents were written by a student or by a teacher who wished to use it as a model that could be followed by students preparing their own cyphering books. All entries, including handwriting and illustrations, were in ink, with headings being presented in calligraphic style. Rules, cases, problems, and solutions to exercises associated with a well-defined progression of mathematical (usually arithmetic) topics were recorded in the book.The content reflected the expectation that, normally, children would not begin to prepare cyphering books before they were ten years of age.”.