On January 20th, 1808, the second master of the old Academy writes to the Secretary to the Admiralty expressing his surprise and disappointment at not being appointed first master under the new régime; and, by way of setting forth how much he is losing, mentions that he has found that the salary and emoluments of his office amounted to about 200 guineas annually. As his salary was £100 a year, the Secretary is down upon him at once; he turns down the corner of the letter, and writes thereon: “Direct him to state in what manner his emoluments arise to make them, with his salary, equal to 200 guineas per annum.”
The unfortunate master is thus compelled to enter upon an analysis of his “emoluments,” which in truth is somewhat lame and inconclusive: he makes the most, however, of his “commodious apartment, free from rates and taxes, with a very productive garden,” free water and fuel, etc., but is obliged finally to complete the total by acknowledging the acceptance of “presents from the friends and relatives of the scholars for his general care and attention.”
It is to be hoped that his “apartment” was more “commodious” relatively than that of another master for whom quarters were subsequently provided under the new scheme, and who writes to the Admiralty that he has seen the plan approved, and perceives that one sitting-room, one sleeping-room, and a closet has been provided for each assistant: “Now, I would with the greatest respect submit to your Lordships’ consideration,” he plaintively continues, “whether this is sufficient to accommodate myself, wife, servant, three sons and a daughter, with every expectation of a still larger family!”
There is no evidence extant as to whether their Lordships attempted any solution of this problem.
As might be expected, Professor Inman lost no time in drawing up a very complete and elaborate plan of study.
The preliminary examination required a knowledge of the first four rules of arithmetic, reduction, and rule of three; to write English with facility from dictation; construction of English sentences; and the definitions, etc., at the beginning of Simpson’s Euclid.
The students were divided into six classes, new-comers being placed according to their acquirements.
First half-year; or 6th class.
First four books of Euclid, first four rules of algebra and simple equations, the doctrine of proportion, arithmetic, to vulgar and decimal fractions, general grammar, reading in English, French, or Latin, writing, drawing, fencing, dancing.
Second half-year, or 5th class.
Sixth book of Euclid, plane and spherical trigonometry, application of plane trigonometry to surveying, a few propositions in perspective, more complicated simple equations, quadratics, extraction of square and cube roots, leading points of sacred and profane history.
Third half year, or 4th class.
Principles of astronomy, figure and dimensions of the earth, artificial division of the globe by lines and circles, application of trigonometry to the art of navigation and to simple and easy problems in nautical astronomy, the use of instruments generally employed in navigation, nature and construction of logarithms and their application, reading, chiefly in the history and the laws of England, principles of the British Constitution.
Fourth half-year, or 3rd class.
The more difficult parts of astronomy and its application to navigation, observations for latitude and longitude, natural and political geography, prevailing winds and currents.
Fifth half year, or 2nd class.
Fortification, doctrine of projectiles and its application to gunnery, principles of flexions, and application to the measurements of surfaces and solids, generation of various curves, resistance of moving bodies, mechanics, hydrostatics, optics, naval history and nautical discoveries.
Sixth half-year, or 1st class.
More difficult problems in astronomy, motions of heavenly bodies, tides, lunar irregularities, the Principia and other parts of “Newton’s Philosophy,” to those sufficiently advanced.
This, together with fortnightly lessons in seamanship, weekly lessons in ship construction, an occasional cruise round the Isle of Wight in a small vessel, and practical gunnery, forms a pretty full programme, and argues a somewhat optimistic and enthusiastic view of the capacities of his pupils on the part of the learned Professor.
An examination was to be held every six months, and the best and second students were to receive respectively a gold and silver medal.