Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-07-23
To Parents, Guardians, q Teachers,
JUST PUBLISHED,
BY COTTON .eJvD aS7,EWA RI
ALEXANDRIA,
M A " q RS

UNIVERSAL SPELLING-BOOK,
Accompanied by progressive series Of Easy
and Familiar Lessons.
Intended as an Introduction to the FIRST Ele-
ments OF the English Language.
FHEs AUTHORS PREEACE.
NOTWITHSTANDING the vah number Of initia-
in tory books for ehdrcn in the Nuriery, which have
Aeen writtea within thefe few years by rerons of di-
tnguhed abilities and anaoned with their names, 1t
,nusr still be allowed tha. there hes not appeared one
introduction TO Keadng for the general uie of ichoo
that RITES above the level of the uagar though popular
compilations Of Dyehe, Dwor.h and Fenning. The
has been attended to withaedalcus care
and writer's Of the FRI en,inenee have contributed TO
rear the fsric Of learnng while the foundation has al
mott invariably been nfered be laid by the mott tate
efs and Sgnorans worktnen The confequence has ire
uuently BEEN as might be expected from fuch aproce
dar. the tane has besnv tinted a. the very commence
ment and it has often proved more difficult to remove
crror than it would have colt pains to plant originally
the principles 6ftruth.
For the neglect we have alluded tos it would BE ina
possible to produce any consient reafcn Perhaps ae
pride of acknowledged literature could not socp 20 an
occupation repusd mean, that OF computing ppet-
hing Book Yet 10 lay The frs stone OF noble ecSee
has ever been task delegated te the most honorable
hands; and to fow the first seeds OF neiu learning IN
The raicent mind, an employment that cannot BE DIS.
graceful to the most iustrious talents Bishop Lowth
wrote an exeeent Engifl grammar, and ieyeral men
Of rank scrature have beace,sd the public by similar
productions yet it is IN vain that grarmars are writers
if has learned reads tits in vain that the saph
est diicovsrles made in any art or ieenee me
generality of the world are preeuded from protirg by
the for Of previous instruction in the FIRST PfiA
oiples with which they are connected.
The Editor eff the following sheets fully cenyhees
of the fodJ 81 his differences and the Justice OF his re-
marks, in whatever light his Prelant undertaking gay
be regarded Humble or degrading as it may appear to
thefe who perhaps have no higher pretensons than
hmfe he cannot thank thar labor dihonorable which
is fe nnanfes,ly beneficial TO the Ring generation nor
has he any rcaon to FEAR but that the candid and Judi
cious will appreciate hs motives and ms production as
they dsferue Our cntmens and our eoaduet are mere
uffacnced yearly Impressions than many seem wiag
TO allow. The streams will always Aow tinetured with
the natsre of its fource Aust nisxi humane pri
eipsa germ 81 knowledge early imbibed, Will DC per.
msnenl to the last The first books we reaa Can ne.
yer be forgotten, the principles they incaleatc cfa
dicated Hence, che profscusion ofsRs work. care
has make every lesson OF As lar ss
the nature and intention Of fhc plan wos low tend to
eonerefu purpoe ofn!ornat;on or instruction Even 10
the easy lessons, where tense was ni
ed to ange syllable is Aop5 forsethng will be iosnd
pleafe and to inpYore nor viii this be thougat ch'i
cult To tread in the steps OF Barbaus saiffs'' an
Edgcworth, Trimmer, Berquins and to aceon'smo.
date their labors the in hand only
acquired little taste and Judgment which any psren
long soserfant with ceucason and books ought 70 poi
fsfs,
in fort the Editor feels nsEed TO believe, MAT this
manual for carly youth will be found much bstter adapt
ed for the Purfcfs than any that has and in
conlesuence he anticipates the kind patronage Of Teach
efs in general 1t probably win tend to facilitate thes
labour rnihng fpbjcas mere agreeable g The pa
pill than the d-y inan;ty Of o books Of the kind; and
Il cannot faIto rebound 70 their credit ALTO, By givEg
ledge ss cs1id se crowded thin the limits prsribed.
Indeed il was remark Of the pubiiher, Go WHOM,
Brith youth Under angular obligations for fusni
ing them with many valuable opportunities Of improve
tors attention That Spelling Book frequently conis
tte the whole library poor child une whea chart.
typrtsa bbleinto his hands, it conequsnty oagk. to
CONTAIN as greas variety Of ulefs matter as the prit
vii permit Tke compilation has been formsd txiaiY
on this principle.
/ Weodsfsek, oet. aofd, iaca.