Vlll PREFACE. 



bearing such striking characters of unlimited 

 power and matchless wisdom. 



Pursuant to these ideas 1 have divided the 

 following work into easy lessons of various 

 lengths, as the nature of the respective sub- 

 jects would admit ; and have interspersed 

 them with moral reflections, in prose and 

 verse, in order to alleviate the mind of the 

 student, and to lead him, by imperceptible 

 degrees, to reflect seriously on the several 

 objects around him. To the honour of our 

 British Poets, it must be acknowledged, I 

 was seldom at a loss for an Extract suitable 

 to my purpose ; and if my acquaintance with 

 their works had been more extensive, I be- 

 lieve there would have been no occasion for 

 those two or three little original pieces, which 

 make so dim an appearance in such brilliant 

 company. 



These Lessons may with propriety be in- 

 troduced into Schools to be read before the 

 master in greater or less proportions, as may 

 be thought most proper : in which case they 

 will answer a double purpose, improving 

 the Pupil in the Art of Reading, while they 



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