Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1807-08-14
To Parents, Guardians, & Teachers
JUST PUBLISHED,
BY COTTON IND S7EN-A RI,
ALEXANDRIA,,
M A V.O RS

UNIVERSAL SRELLING-BooK,
Accompanied by a progressive series ot.Easy
and Familiar Lessons.
Intended as an Introduction to theShrst Ele-
ments of the English Language.
THE AUTHORS PREF.dCE.
n TOTWITHS rANDINS the vaG number Of initia-
IN tory books for children in the Nurlery which have
teen written within hefe few years byperfons of diff
tpguihed abilities and fauctoned with their names, il
n,usr still be allowed, that there has not appeared
Introduction to Reading for the general ue of fhoos,
hat RITES above the level of the vulgar though popular
compilations Of nyehe, Dilwcrth and Fenping. The
fuperaiufure has been attended with eduleps care
and writers of the r eminenes nave oontribnied 10
rear the fabric oil learning, while tie foundaton has at
mott invariably been fnfered to be laid by the mott tate
LET'S and ignorant workmeA The coniequenee has ire
quentIy been as might be expected from zach prooe
dare the rate has been ate at the very commences.
ent and ii has often proved more difficult TO remove
error, thanit would have colt pains to plant originally
the principles OF truth.
For the neglect we have alluded to- it would re INA.
possible to produce any consistent reaoa Perhaps ths
pride Of acknowledged literature could nc. steep TO an
occupation rcputed mean, that of compiling spell
ling Book Yet to lay the st stone OF noble edhee,
has been task delegated TO the most honoraDe
hands and To fow the first seeds OF uetu learning IN
he naicent mind, is al employment that cannot &c ois
.rote an excellent Engif grammar, and everai hlea
OF rank in literature have benefited the public BY similar
productions vet is in that gramrars are writer's
If no one has learned to read it is IN vain that the subi
est difcsveries made in any art or cienes IL the
generality of the werd prcc'uded from protitng by
hen for of previous instruction IN the trst Pri
oiples with which they connected
The Editor of the following sheets is fully conyinoed
of the oidy of his differences and the Justice OF MS re-
marks. in whatever light his preert undertaking may
be regarded Humble degrading as It may appear TO
hofe who, perhaps, have no higher pretensions than
himielf he cannot think that labor danorable which
is 70 manifesily beneficial the rng gener alton; nor
has he any rcaio to fear but that the candid and Judi
will appreciate his motives and his production as
they de(srve Our fennenss and our conduct arc mse
Influenced by carly Impressions than mary seem wing
to allow The stream will always flow tiscturcd with
the of its ouree. just maxim, humane pras
cipe, germ Of knowledge early inbibed, will be per.
nrnent to the last. The iEee books read can ne.
be forgotten, the principles they nculeate era
dcated Hence, in The proecution OF this work, care
has been taken make every lesson or essay as Tar as
the and intention Of the plan would allow tend to
eoneaefu purpce ofnlornasion instruction. Even IN
the easy progressive lessons where Tense was limit
edta ugle sylabe is hoped fonething will be found
to peae and to improves viii ts be thought 9th
cul. To tread in the steps Of Barbaut, aure IN
Edgewor;h, Trimmer: Berqun, and 20 aceommo
dsttheir abors The benevolent design in hand, Only
org eonyerant with cGucation and books ought pof
fefs.
In hcrt the Editor feels inclined believe chat this
manual for early youth will be foad mach better adapt
ed for the purpofe than any thar has preceded in
coneeuence he anticps.este kind patronage of Teach
ersin general probably will tend to facilitate the
labou-, by furnishing futjses agreeable tothe pu
pill than the dry inapey Of mott books of the kind;
cannot fato redeund co their credit ac, BY giving
youth opportunity of gaining much general know
ledge ceuld be crowded thin the limits prerihed
ritih youth under Gng.ar obligations for fHpial
ing theI.with many valuable opportunities Of improve
naent3 when he earneaiy preaed this work the Ed
tors attention Tha. Spelling Book frequently copei
ttestc whole library Of poor child unles when char
putsa bble into his hands, & it eongeqaenty ought
vii permit" The compilation ha. besn formed asitl
/ on this principle,
| MpeAetock. Oct. 2Gih. 1902.