The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-05-23

meet on the second Wednesday in March,
1870
In the evening, the members attended
supper at the Hibernian Hall, provided by
the Charlestonians.
REYNOLDS New P1cToRIAL READER FOR
SCHOOLS AND FAAIILIEs-in four numbers
Columbia, S. c.: Dufie e Chapman.
We have examined with some care the
three first numbers of the above series OF
school readers, edited by Professor Dr. Rey-
nolds, of the University of South Carolina,
and published. by Messrs. Duffie & Chap
man, in Columbia, and we can conscien-
tiously say that they are by far the best
readers which have lately come under our
notice. Tho style of elementary readers
should be simple, and, above all, correct so
that the pupil may easily understand and
remember what he reads, and become ac-
customed to employ himself correct Ian
guage. The subjects of the lessons should
be both interesting and instructive, in order
to command the attention, and at the same
time add to the knowledge, of the little stu
dent. They should have healthy moral
tone, without any Of that mandy -pamby,
milk k-and-water "piety" with which similar
productions are so frequently inundated
They should, whenever they touch upon re-
ligion, do so with q view to awakening and
strengthening the child's love and gratitude
rather than excite his fears of an angry De-
ity. who las We once read in a school read
er,) punished little Peter, wicked boy that
would not say his prayers. by letting" him
fall down stairs and break his Leg because
the very first thing h . did in the morning
was to jump into his clothes, and look after
his puppies. DR.. Reynolds readers possess
all the above mentioned good qualities in
an eminent degree; the little Stories which
the second and third numbers contain, are
told IN correct, clear, easy flowing language
they arc not only entertaining. but incul-
cate sound, moral and religious instruction,
which will impress itself upon the ohild's
heart. The lessons on natural history are
interesting and instructive, while the poetry
with which the volumes are interspersed is
selected with taste, and adapted to child's
comprehension.
Besides, the editor has. with excellent
judgment, arranged his series of readers on
true philosophic principle, according to
| which the perception and memory, the
imagination, understanding and reason are
successively developed. The four readers
will, therefore, not only in style, but also
in the matter of which they treat, form q
series in the real sense OF the word.
We OF South Carolina have hitherto
talked great deal about the necessity OF
encouraging home enterprise. The editor
aud publishers of these readers, all home
bred men, have offered us a good opportu-
nifty to show that we do not intend merely
to talk, but also to act in this allimportant
matter. 1t is the highest time that we
should, to man, encourage home schools,
home colleges, home universities and home
made books, if we will not entirely abandon
our highest interests to the management of
strangers, if we desire to preserve of the
good old times whatever was really good,
great and noble in them. Let us hope,
then, that Professor Reynolds readers
will be introduced into every school and
house of our State where there are chill
dren to be taught. There is neither reason
nor excuse why this should not be done,
for the books are good books, as good and
better than others which come to us from
more distant quarters. Charleston Courier.