The American First Class Book, Or, Exercises in Reading and Recitation

in withdrawing some passages from their original connexion, and bringing others into immediate contar which were originally separate, and in connecting them by a phrase or a fue of my own-my answer is, first, that I have in no instance wantonly sacrificed or maimed the beautiful ontspring of their imagination; and, secondly, my reason, for the violence that in any case has been offered them, was my wish to crowd as many of them as I could into the narrow space within which I am restricted, and so to group them that they might do all possible good in their present service, and thus reflect all possible honor upon their parents. When I have been compelled to amputate, I have conscientir asly endeavored to retrench only those members of the body which seemed to be more feeble," that upon the others might be bestowed the "more abundant honor." If I have broken off the legs and arms of the Farnese Hercules, it was that I might the better display the breadth of his shoulders, and the spaciousness of his chest."

Without attempting to furnish schools with what might be denominated a pronouncing reader, I have, in many instances, indicated the proper pronunciation, either by such accents, attached to the words in the text as are generally understood, or, where these accents were insufficient, by a note at the foot of the page. This has been done only in words of which a vicious pronunciation has obtained in some parts of the country, and even these I have not uniformly or constantly marked; supposing it sufficient to have called the attention of teachers, once or twice, to any particular word. When the pronunciation of an English word is given, it is that of Walker. In orthography, the same standard has been followed, with perhaps one or two deviations upon the authority of Johnson.

In regard to errata, whether in respect to the real words of the author, the spelling, or the punctuation, it is hoped that there will be no great cause of complaint. In many instances, in the lessons from Shakspeare especially, I have restored the genuine reading of the author, which has been corrupted in many other compilations. The punctuation too, which when incorrect, so constantly misleads the learner, and embarrasses the learned, has been an object of assiduous care. Should any one be curious to compare particular pieces in this compilation, especially those from Shakspeare, with the same in other school-books, he will probably feel that it is but just, before condemning this for differing from them, either in the reading or the punctuation, to refer to some good edition of the author, for satisfaction as to his words and then, by a careful comparison of the different modes of pointing, to judge which of them best discovers his meaning.

Such as I have been able to make the book, in respect to its arrangement, accuracy, and general character, it goes forth into the world without any letters of recommendation. The truth is, I have asked none for it. If it is a good book, the public understands its own interests too well to let it die. If it is not a good one, no recommendations can keep it alive. I have made it, in the hope that it might be an acceptable offering to schools, especially those of this city, in which there are many children who are the objects of my pastoral care. In regard to them, and the young in general, the book will fulfil my hopes, if, while it helps them on towards the end of their scholastic labors the general improvement of their minds,-it shall enable them better to understand and discharge their duties in life, and lead them to contemplate with pleasure and religious reverence, the character of the Great Author of their being, as discovered in his works, his providence, and his word; and thus help them to attain the end of their Christian faith,-the salvation of their souls.

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