Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-11-05
To Parents, Guardians, & Teachers.
JUST PUBLISHED,
BIZ COTTON md STE M RI,
ALEXANDRIA,
M AV @ RS

UNIVERSAL SPELLING-BooK,
Accompanied by a progressive series Of Easy
and Familiar Lessons.
Intended as an Introduction to the first EIe-
inents Of the English Language.
TIE AUTHORS PREFACE.
= NOTWITHSTANDING the vaft number Of in.ia.
tory books for children in the Nuricry, hich have
been written within theie few years by pertens of diff
tinguifed abilities and fan&ioned With their names,
still be allowed, that thsre has appeared enc
introduction Reading, for the general re Of fchoos
that RITES above the level of the vulgar, though popular
compilations of Dychc, Dilworth and Fcnsing. The
upcrrueturs has been attended to with edulous care
ard writers of the frft enreuce have contributed to
the fabric OF learning, while the foundaton has al
hiea invariably been fuerea be laid, by thc o tafe
eis and ignorant workEien. The confeouerce has fire.
euenty been as might he expected from iuch proce
dsrc the tate has been tafcd the very commence.
and it has often proved merc difficult to rs:noye
error, than It would have cor pains to plan, originally
the principles of truth.
For the neglect kave alluded te il world BE irs
possible to produce any conssent realon Perhaps the
pride OF acknowledged literature could not socp
occupation reputcd means that of compiling Spell
ling Book Yet to lay the first stone of noble ed6e,
has ever been task delegated TO the most honorable
hands and to Tow the first seeds Of uefu learning in
the nacent mind employment that be dis
graceful TO the most pstriaas talents. Bishop Lowth
wrote an excellent Engliih grammar, and evcral men
of rank in literature have benefited the pubic by similar
productions yet it is in vain that gramars written.
It 70 one has learned to reas il vain tina, the sub-
est dcoycries made in any art or fcence if rhe
generality o. the world Yseeluded from proht;ng by
theul Tor want Of previous instruction in the first pfn
oiples with which t.,cy are connected
The Editor OF the following sheets fully copvncsS
of the ioty Of his differences and the jat;ce of hisrc
marks. IN whatever Light his preient undertaking may
thofe VINO, perhaps. have higher pretensons thar
hinie, he cannot think thar labor difhonorable whcig
is 70 ianlestiy beneficial the rifng generations no.
has ae any reaton fear, but that the candid and judi
cioas VIII appreciate his motives and his prodgctioa
theydclcrTe, Our fentinents and our conduct
influenced 81 early impressions than many ins
allow. The stream will always flow tinetared with
the natsre OF its fource. a JUST maxim, bumane prin
ciple, germ OF knowledge early imbbe6, Will be per
mfnenr TO the last. The first books read nc.
yer be forgotten the principles they ncnlcate era
deated Hence, ia the profecution of this work. care
has been takea make every lesson essay, as far as
the nature and intention ef the plan would allow tend to
eonaeaeful parpote Information instruction. Even N
the crc easy progressive lessons. where Tense was limit
ed to aingle sylablet hoped foncthng will be found
80 peae and to improve, nor viii this be thought diff
Gait tread in the sep. of garbser Tauffret, Az
Edgcworth, Trimmer, Eerqain. and to accommo.
date their labors to the benevolent design hard, only
acquired little taste AID Judgment which any peron
org conysrtaRt with eGucaton and books ought TO pot
iss
In foTt the Editor feels ucned to believe, that this
aRa for early yeuth will be oi!Ed ruch better adapt
cd FIR purpote thar sny that has preceded and
Comic qeeee he anticipate the Iind patronage of Teach
ess:q geiersi i pre5aby viii teneto facilitate aeis
abour by utniaing iuh;eols agreeable the pa
pit thar re ~ ranity Of n,ot books of the kind; and
cannot fail 70 rebound their credit aio By giving,
youtk ppor anirJ OF gaining as much genera know.
ledge IS cnad be crowded thin the limits pfsesisa
Indeei is;sgas remark Of the pubGler, 10 vhouts
Brir youth pa5er ingaar obligations for |nrnifa-
reat} ylsen ne earuefiy preiied this work tbs EG
t5f' sessaficn fhar s1eliag Book fscqw,tly eca.
tuse khe hee E.rary Of poor child, uaies whea ehasi
Ie so his haDds, & il conle queltly ought 20
e,,isa as efss variety OF uieut masteras the prie
wiipcssir. The eonasatioa has asen Termed thia'y
ca this principle.