Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-10-21


THE AUTHORS PREEACE.
ATOTNIT rs LANDING the vaft number of initi.-
N tory books for children in the Nurtery which have
bcen written within thefc few years by rcrfons CT DIFF
tnphed abilities and fanaioned with their Names it
muir still be allowed, that there has appeared enc
introduction to Reading, for the general us Of thools
that rifles above the level Of the vulgar though popular
compilations Of Dyehe, Dilwcrth and Fenning. The
fuper,cfure has been attended to with fcduous care
and writer's of the fir eminenee have contributed to
rear the fabric OF learning, whie the foundation hss al
mott invariably been fcred be laid by the mot tate
lefsand gnorant worknaen. The ccnfequcnce has frc
queaty becn as might BE expected from duch procc
dure the raife has been afed at the very commence
nen and it has often proved more difficult
crrcr, thant would have colt pains to plans originally
the principles OF truth.
For ife neglect we have alluded to, It would be i'm
possible TO produce any consistent feacn. Perhaps the
pride Of Acknowledged literature could net stocp
scufation Iepnted mean, that OF compiling Spell
Ing pnak Yet to lay the first stone Of noble ediiiee
has heca task delegated the most honorable
hands and low the first seeas of uteu learning 10
the naeear mind is employment that cannot be dis.
graceful to the most iIstrious talents. Bishop Lowth
wrocc exec, ent Ergtfh grammar and fcveral men
Of rank in literature haze hcaefteJ the public by similar
produetiors yet il is il vain that gran,n,srsare written
if one has learned TO read it is vain that the subim
est eiscoveres made in any teiencc if the
Generosity Of the world preclgded from prchtug b.
them Tor want OF previous instruction in the first prin
oipes WIKI which they connected
The Editor oil the following sheets rs fully corvinesT
OF the iodY of his differences and the justice OF his re-
H.rks, IN whatever light his prelent undertaking may
be regarded. Humble degrading it may appear
thofc Who perhaps. have higher rretensicus thar
hirnfef he cannot think thar labor dhonorab|e, hich
is 70 manfcssiy beneficial the rifng generations nor
has he any reaonss fear, but that the candid arc judi
cions will appreciate hi, motives and his proGscton as
IL,
influenced by carly impressions than many willing
to allow. fhs stream will always flow tncpred with
the natare OF its fourcc. Just maxim, humane pr.
cipe, germ Of knowledge early n,bibed will be per
-arnear to the last he FIRST books we read can pc5
yer be forgotten the principles they incucate; era
cicated. f:Nce, IN the proecut9n OF this work, eirs
has been taken rake every lesson essay far
the nature and intention Of the plan would allow, tend
eoealeui paEpofe ofitlornation instruction Even in
the ore easy progressive lessons, where fense limit
edtn angc syllable, hoped fenething will be cund
to plea!e and to improve, viii this be thonght diff
cult To tread in the Steps q Barbaut, Jaufret, ar
Edgewc.ih, Trimmer, Berquin. and to accon,mo.
dste their abers the benevolent d.sgn IN hand, only
acquired little taste and Judgment, which pcyfon
soIg eeiveTfaat with education and books ough Il Pei
Ia hsrt the Editor feels nceed to believe, that this
raana for early youth y be found much better adapt
edsfr hs purposc THAI ANY that has preceded it and ia
cpnleaucaee he anticipates Inc KIND patronage OF Ieach
esn general Il probably will tend 10 facilitate fhcis
}honr BY 3ufnihng fubiss more agreeable to he pa
ri than ne dry iaanity of mot books of the kind and
cannot fail 70 rebound TO their credit alio Is yirg
youth IN orpoftunieyof gaining tuf hgenera kncw.
lcdgess eauld BE crewdsd within the lis pryfcried
ia1sel It was remark of he rushsr, 60 whom
Britif yputare andsr Angular tcs utnie,.
ing thrna with many valuable opportunities Of improve
Snent) whenfe ear,eay prtdcd this work on TIC EG
tar's attention !" hai Spelling Book ffcquefy
tntcs TIE whole library Of poor ehid, uajcs hen eha
ny pusa bible into his hands, il conieqiently cughto
tonrain great variety Of vfcfuf matter the pic
nil permit. The compilation has bssa forsfc Ii i
on his princip:ca,
III ecd4cek, Coz. 2oth, 1902.