The course of geometry here referred to was given to pupils in George Heriot's School in the session preceding that in which they should begin the usual systematic study of geometry. The chief object of the course was to furnish their minds with a number of geometrical ideas before they should meet with these ideas as treated by Euclid. Subsidiary ends were also kept in view—such as to get them to make neat and accurate figures, and to enable them to solve various practical problems of construction and measurement.