Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-07-31
NEW school. BOOKS.

We have had the pleasure Of an interview with the
intelligent Author Of a new School Book, which in
our Judgment supplies what has long been great de-
sideratum for Common Schools. 1t is entitled
THE GOVERNMENTAL INSTRUCTOR, o. Jrief and
comprehensive rier of The Government of L s.
anil the State Governments: in Easy Lessons for
the use Of Schools
The plan of this work will be readily inferred from its
title and its usefulness viii be readily admitted 1t is
n rcproach to us, living under n form of Government
which is reared upon and has its only defence and
support in the INTELLIGENCE of the people, that the
knowledge contained in this little work should not be
as common and universal almosta jas the air we breathe.
And it is a matter for wondernen that School Book
adapted to import this knowledge, by easy and am'-
liar lessons in elementary schools, should no,
have been demanded long before Most certain it is
that an acquaintance with the organism OF our ma
tona and state Governments, would be supposed to b"
among the first lessons that an American father, proud
of the Institutions of his Country, and DESTROYS TO secure
their pcrctuitv would wish to have taught to his chill
lrcn But the trouble is that the tdthcrs Mcrselres
of the present day are 10 very great extent, without
this knowledge. and a consequence its essential in
portance fails to be Mt once appreciated by them Mr.
SnuRrtErF Uhc author of the work before us Is quite
too modest when he says in his preface
" II will be generally admitted that many children
i'm obscure life leave our Common Schools and enter
work shops or seek employment upon farms, with bu,
limited ideas ofthc general organisation Of the Ma
ti0ndI dHd state G0cerHHeats.
1t slouid he 'gcneraly admitted for it it is True
that many grown-up MEN, in anything bnt Obscure
life have rc,g Limited ideas OF the general organza-
ton of our National and State Governments We
say this is "c and one Of the best steps towards re-
formation OF the evil is perceive and admit it, The
"Idcas in questions got by reading and study, not
by nature or intuition, yet the reading and study OF
such topics seems by common to have been le t
to tn, Statesman or the Politician At the bottom OF
each p1g, OF Mr. SnuRrLErrs book is series OF qnes
t9as designed tor the Teacher, and to be answered
by the pupil We select at random from pages $50.
, How are representatives. and direct appor-
toned 20
How are these numbers dctcrmincdl"
Are rcprc- natives and taxes dependent upon each
! other J"
Arr there any persons in the L. s who taxed
Are any representatives. allowed for the fractional
numbers 2"
t How are vacancies in the House fledl"
What part does the House take IN mlpeaclnnent>.
r And we usk how many adult males in any given
community answer all Of these questions! We
Il believe not 10 per- rent
The "Goycnmental Instructor" is well designed to
remove this deficiency in valuable political information
= in our Schools lisa volume of lSJ pages and it,
= price 81. cts brings it within the reach of all W.,
= 5eiiere it will command tha appreciation OF excel
lent State Superintendent. Il contains. in addition to-
, IA simple and Ineligible analysis of the constitution OF
l. tn /. Soi the powers It possesses and the rights II
srcurcc-ln account fthr Legislative organization of
= the several States and Territories ami much other val
= liable matter. We hope it may BE- adopted Gle
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