The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-05-13
EDUCATION.


Extracts from review of The Franklin
Primer, The Improved Reader, and The Gen
eral Glass Book, in the Christian Examiner
and General Review, March, 1929, published
in Boston, Liverpool, and London.
/ "Such book" as the Primer, followed by
others adapted to the progressive improvement
of the understanding, may well supersede the
various spelling books which have been so long
used, and which have so long abused the inno-
cent child, with their fearful and interminabe
array of words, no less repulsive from their
length, than from the utter worthlessness of a
great portion of them
"In the Improved Reader, the author keeps
his plan steadily in view. 1t provides for an
easy transition from the greatest possible sim
plicity Of language and thought contained in
the Primer, to what requires little more ad-
vancement of intellect. Still, however, no
steps are leaped over, and nothing is left unex-
planned 1t proceeds from the well known 10
what is less known, from shorter and more COM
mon words, to those which are longer and less
familiar; presenting a few new words in each
successive lesson, which are intelligibly defin-
ed. One other circumstance is worth mention
ing namely, the three artificial marks for the
infections of voice, of more value than would
readily be conceived by one who has not attend
ed to the subject"
"The General Glass Book, besides the in
structions given concerning photography ard
pronunciation, consists principally Of exercists
in reading, chiefly in prose, on a great variety
of useful subjects, instructive in their chara-
ter, plain in. style, not soaring into the regions
| of fancy or of fiction"
what has SO generally been made task
( and loathsome one he (the author) has con-
verified into a pleasure and pastime. Every
thing is done to encourage the Learner and
encouragement seems TO be all that is wanting
in beginning to learn, in the first step; of the
infant pupil. lie has enough of curiosity and
desire, if they are properly met by the parent
or teacher; and ne will advance inconparably
faster in this way, than by given task, en-
forced against his will
" Beside the pleasure which proceeds from
understanding the lessons which are read, by
which the feeling of a disgusting task is re-
moved, actual improvement in the manner of
reading is an all important effect of the plan
adopted by the author"
"The author of the books, which we take
pleasure in noticing, and in asking for them the
attention of our readers, does not claim the
praise OF originality but he has carried for
ward his plan of facle instruction more com
pletely than is done in any similar books in our
language, which have come to our knowledge
1t is subject not unworthy the attention of
great and good men; subject which has been
strangely neglected, certainly in our own couE-
try" 49,
I'VE should be carried too far for our limits
were we here to give our views Of the facilities
and improvements which are still to be desired
In various branches of study, and must content
ourselves with tn, expression of our good wish.
es to the author IF the little books before us,
and of our hopes, that they may operate a
change in our common schools, as salutary as
his most sangune desires and expectations may
lead him to predict
"REFoRM." MAJOR Henry Lee of Vir-
ginia, has been appointed by the President
Consul General to Algiers Salary $4,000.
What we have before said we now re-
peat-that we have no wish to irrtate the
public mind respecting the present Admin
lstration, or to deceive the people as to its
measures. We are, indeed, we'll apprised
that the great body of our fellow citizens
demand the same candor and forbearance
they in vain asked for Mr.. Adams. But when
such persons as the one named at the head
OF this article, are placed in highly respon-
slble and lucrative situations-sent, even, 10
represent our national character abroad? the
public Press would fail greatly of its duty,
by passing the matter over in silence. The
History of this Henry Lee, so far as it is
proper that it should be now known, we un-
dcrstand to be as follows He early married
a lady of family and fortune, in Virginia,
and assumed kind of guardianship over a
younger sister Of his wife, who was also pos
'sesSed of no inconsiderable wealth. In a few
years he expended his wife's estate by dis
sipation-squandered that of his ward, which
he held in trust-became the despoiler of
her honor, and ruined her happiness and
hopes for ever. This revolving conduct, we
are we'll assured, was attended with such
aggravated circumstances, as would cause
shudder by the bare recital. Some years
after, we believe in 1926, this Lee was
found engaged in the General Post office
at Washington, for.w what purposes, and bv
whose instigation, we may feel compelled
to intimate more clearly hereafter.) Incl
dentally, Lees name was mentioned be-
fore a number of gentlemen, when John
Randolph denounced him as a renegade.
and declared that he was Justly held TO be
SO infamous, in Virginia, that it was dis
grace to any Administration to employ him.
when these facts came to Postmaster Gen
eral Mclean, Lee was dismissed. Not
long after, this man went to Nashville, Ten
nessee, where he was some time en- gagged
in writing against the past Administration,
under the direction of certain gentlemen
who bore the significant appellation of
Embarrassing Committee"
This Lee is a brilliant writer, and without
doubt has done his part in achieving the
election of General Jackson. But reward
ing such abandoned profigates from the
public purse, and for such service, is what
no honest man can defend. Viewed in any
light, this appointment reflects disgrace
upon the constituted authorities of the re-
public, and is direct insult to every honest
freeman.-Vermont American.
MECHANICAL TRIFLING, Boverick uho