[Stereotype Edition.] INTRODUCTION ای TO THE ENGLISH READER: OR, A SELECTION OF PIECES, IN PROSE AND POETRY; CALCULATED TO IMPROVE THE YOUNGER CLASSES OF LEARNERS IN READING; AND TO IMBUE THEIR MINDS WITH THE LOVE OF VIRTUE. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, RULES AND OBSERVATIONS FOR ASSISTING CHILDREN TO READ WITH FROM THE LAST ENGLISH EDITION. 1 By LINDLEY MURRAY, AUTHOR OF AN ENGLISH GRAMMAR, &C. &C. • 141 NEW-YORK: PRINTED AND SOLD BY COLLINS AND CO. NO. 189 PEARL-STREET. 1816. Stereotyped by B. & J. Collins. तेह PREFACE. "THE English Reader" and "The Sequel" to that per formance, having met with a favourable reception from the public, the compiler has been induced to prepare a small volume, on a similar plan, for the use of children who have made but little progress in reading. It has been his aim to form a compilation, which would properly conduct the young learner from the Spelling-book to the "English Reader:" and in prosecuting this design, he has been particularly careful to select such pieces as are adapted to the understanding, and pleasing to the taste, of children. A work calculated for different classes of young readers, should contain pieces suited, in point of language and matter, to their various ages and capacities. The compiler, in conformity with this idea, has endeavoured to arrange the materials of each chapter so as to form an easy gradation, which may be adapted to the different progress of the learners. Judicious teachers will know how to apply this arrangement to the years and abilities of their pupils. Care has been taken to render the language of all the pieces correct and perspicuous; that the young learner may improve in style as well as in reading, and insensibly acquire a taste for accurate composition,-To imbue the tender mind with the love of virtue and goodness, is an especial object of the present work: and with this view, the pieces have been scrupulously selected; and, where necessary, purified from every word and sentiment that could offend the most delicate mind. As a work tending to season the minds of children with piety and virtue, and to improve them in reading, language, Xand sentiment, the compiler hopes it will prove a suitable Introduction to the "English Reader," and other publica V |