Having seen the the letter from our correspondent ‘Isaac Newton‘ published on 16th, April 1824, a gentleman from Newark queried various aspects of the scaling method. This discussion was to carry on for several weeks, which is understandable for such a complex calculation. Here is a modern method.
“To the Editor.
Newark, April 17th, 1824.
On taking up your paper, I perceive a plan is given, under the signature of Isaac Newton, of a convenient mode of altering a plan from any one scale to another. It certainly may prove very convenient, but there does not appear any necessity for the bisection of the base line of the parallelogram, and the erection of a perpendicular equal to the base. The point P may be assumed any where, either in the plan or out of the plan to be altered, and by drawing lines from P to any objects in the plan, and extending them, a new set of similar triangles may be formed about P, which is in fact altering a plan from any one scale to another.
Your’s Viator.*”
The Stamford Mercury, 23rd April, 1824.
*latin for traveller.