Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-07-16
THE AUTHORS PREFACE.

Aro,rwI THIS rANDiNG the vae number of initia-
tory books for ehdrs1 in the Nurfery, which have
been wrstcn within thele few years by portions of diff
tinguied abilities and sanctioned with their names,
rusr still be allowed that there has appeared
Introduction TO Readiag Fer the general ule Of fchoos
that RITES above the level Of the vulgar thugh popular,
compilations of Dyche, Dilworth and FeHning. The
fupernruaurc has been attended to with dulcus care
and writers of the FRI eniincnce have contributed to
rear the fabric OF earping ale the toundation has at
noil invariably been fursd 70 be laid by the mott taee
lefs aud ignorant workmen. The conequence has fire.
uaently been as mighs be expected from 0ch proce
dare the rare has been tiased the very commence
n,ent and it has often proved more difficult
srror than it would have cot pains TO plant originally
the principles OF truth.
For riie neglect we have alluded to, would be ina
possible to produce any consistent reafon Perhaps the
pride Of acknowledged literature could hot stocP to an
occupation reputea 50 mean that OF compiling opel
hing Book Yet to lay the first stone of noble edles,
has ever been task delegated TO the most honorable
hands and 10 Tow the FIRST seeds of ueiu learning IN
she naicens mind employment that cannot be dis
graceful TO the most ilustrious talents Bishop Lowth
soee al excellent EngIh grammar, and ieveral men
ofrank in literature have bedetted the public by similar
soductions yet il IN vain that granlmars are written
no one has learned 10 read it is vain that the sub
est difeovexies made in any art or icsnec II the
generality Of the world prceuded rom Fronting by
sem, for of previous instruction in the hrse PrR'
oiples with which they are connected.
The Editor OF the following sheets is fully convinced
Of the fodity Of nserences and the justice OF his re-
marks whatever light his presnt undertaking may
be regarded Humble degrading as it may appear to
thefe who perhaps have no higher presensions than
Aimf he cannot think that labor diionor1bc, which
is 70 manfesly beneficial the rGng generatio0 MOI
has he any rcaon fear, but that the candid and JUDI
cous will appreciate his motives and bic production as
they derve, Our fentierrs and conduct are more
iuaeneed by early Impressions than many seem wiling
TO allow. The stream will always Cow cnctrred wlsh
che natsre Of It's fource. just maxim, humane pr'n
ciple, germ Of knowledge early imbbed, viii be per
nraenr to the last. The FIRST books we read can No.
YER be forgotten, the principles they ncu!eate era
Scated. Hence, in che prolecuon of this werk care
has been taken make every lesson essay rs tar as
the and intention Of the plan would allow tend 20
sone1efn pupofe oniorHation or instruction. Even an
the easy progressive lessons, where tense was limit
ed to fnge sylble,t hoped fomethng will be found
to peae and to improve Will this be thought d'l
cult To treadin the steps OF Barbaat, JauHret an
Edgewcstk, a Trimmer, Berquin, and to aecomnso.
date their a6arsto the benevolent design in hand, only
acquired srletaste and Judgment, which any perfon
}ong sonSerant @h esacaten and books ought TO pol
feis. I.
Ia Mort, the Eatc. keels inslredso believes caatth
manual for early youth viii be found much better adapt
cd rhe purpoie than any that has preceded it, and 10
eoniequense he anticipates the kind patronage of Teas
er in general Il probably will tend co facilitate thsi.
sbour BY fnrnihing fubeas agreeable 70 the pu
Pill than The dry inanty of mo hecks OF the kind; aHc
L cannot failto rebound to their credit alto, by giving
youfhan opportunity of gaining much general knew
ledge . cstd BE crowded thin the limits praerbed
Indeed Il was remark Of the psblihef, (ro whom
Rsitih youth are under angular obligations for furni
Ing them with many valuable opportunities Of improve
raenty when he earnsAy preaed this work On the I'd
tors attentions That spelling Book frequently epni
,tes The whole library Of apoof cha unle whes ehari
fvputsa bible into his Aand d 4 eonfsqssnsy ought
cptan as great variety Of afsfal matter as the pr
Ill psrmit." The cOnpiiatioa has ben f~wsS fgifl1
q tn priasipe.
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