ADVERTISEMENT. THE following Extracts are introduced as recommendatory of the design of the Literary and Scientific Class Book. In teaching the art of reading it is an obvious waste of the precious period, devoted to education, to confine the exercises in that art to mere combinations of words; or to compositions, the sole object of which is to prove the wit and genius of the writer;-to compositions which do not teach any thing, and which, after a volume of them has been perused and re-perused for years, leave the mind in a state of listless curiosity. In proof of the justice of this remark, we need only appeal to the feelings of those persons, who, while they were at school, read no other books than the selections published under the titles of Speakers, Readers, Extracts, and Beauties. As exercises in elocution, and as examples of elegant composition, such books cannot be sufficiently commended; but they are ill adapted to the more important objects of instruction, and with regard to the purposes of general knowledge, they bear the same relation that gilding bears to gold, or pastime to useful labour.-Rev. D. Blair. It is evident that want of time will prevent the great mass of mankind from pursuing a systematic course of education in all its details; a more summary and compendious method therefore must be pursued by them. The great majority must be content with never going beyond a certain point, and with reaching that point by the most expeditious route. A few, thus initiated in the truths of science, will no doubt push their attainments further; and for these the works in common use will suffice; but for the multitude it will be most essential that works should be prepared adapted to their circumstances...... It is not necessary that all who are taught or even a considerable proportion should go beyond the rudiments; but whoever feels within himself a desire and an aptitude to go further will do so,--and the chances of discovery, both in the arts and in science itself, will be thus indefinitely multiplied. EDINBURGH REVIEW, No. 81. PREFACE. THE Literary and Scientific Class Book, by the Rev. John Platts of Doncaster, England, was published in the beginning of the year 1821. "The grand object aimed at," he says in his Preface, " is, that while the pupil reads his daily lesson, he shall not only learn to pronounce words, but shall also treasure up a valuable stock of ideas, to enlarge his mind, to interest his heart, and to prepare him for his future scenes on the theatre of life." The plan and leading title of the above-mentioned publication have been adopted in the present work, and many of the lessons have been retained either in full, or in an abridged and altered form. The notes, appendix, and engravings, have been added; and such materials have been selected from other sources as were judged best adapted to improve the hearts and enlarge the minds of youth in this country. Most of the lessons have been selected with a particular reference to the instruction which they contain on important branches of knowledge. Although the work is designed for the higher classes, yet it is believed that all young persons, who are able to read with facility, and are acquainted with the rudiments of arithmetic and geography, may use it with advantage. The names of authors are given in many instances, but, in general, the quotations have been so much altered, or the same lesson taken from so many different sources, that it could not be done with convenience. The works consulted or from which extracts have been made, are noticed in the Appendix. A list of select books has been furnished for the use of those who wish to make further attainments. SELECT BOOKS. Locke's Conduct of the Understanding, 1 vol. 18mo. Kett's Elements of General Knowledge, 2 vols. 12mo. Legendre's Elements of Geometry, 8vo. Colburn's Introduction to Algebra upon the inductive me thod of Instruction, 1 vol. 12mo. Joyce's Familiar Introduction to the Arts and Sciences, 1 vol. 12mo. Systematic Education, or Elementary Instruction in the various departments of Literature and Science, by Rev. W. Shepherd, Rev. J. Joyce, and Rev. L. Carpenter, 2 vols. 8vo. Cavallo's Elements of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, by F. X. Brosius, 2 vols. 8vo. Nicholson's Operative Mechanic 8vo. Nicholson's Popular Elements of pure and mixed Mathematics, 8vo. Hutton's Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 4 vols. 8vo. Enfield's Institutes of Natural Philosophy, Theoretical and Practical, 4to. Ferguson's Lectures on select subjects in Mechanics, Optics, Astronomy, &c. edited by Dr. Brewster, 2 vols. 8vo. Ferguson's Astronomy, 2 vols. 8vo. edited by Dr. Brewster. Bonnycastle's Introduction to Astronomy, 1 vol. 8vo. Cotting's Introduction to Chemistry, 12mo. Henry's Elements of Chemistry, 2 vols. 8vo. Macneven's Tabular View of the Modern Nomenclature and System of Chemistry. Mackenzie's One Thousand Experiments in Chemistry, exhibiting the applications of Modern Chemistry to all branches of the useful arts, 8vo. Cleveland's Mineralogy and Geology, 2 vols. 8vo. |