PREFACE. XI 



heard at such a time as will allow a sufficient interval 

 for the study of the lesson. The benefit of this plan 

 consists in making reading a more intelligent and in- 

 teresting exercise than it commonly is, for it is thus 

 necessarily the distinct object to have the pupils un- 

 derstand what they read. In regard to this I would 

 remark, that text-books on almost every branch should 

 be so constructed, both as to arrangement and style, 

 that they can be used in the way indicated. Let 

 me not be understood to mean that I would discard 

 "reading-books" altogether, but I would not have 

 reading taught solely oy them. 



I have subjoined to this book a full index, and also 

 a glossary upon a new plan. Technical terms I have 

 made it a point to explain whenever they are first in- 

 troduced ; and therefore, in the Glossary, instead of 

 giving the explanation of any term, I refer simply tc 

 the paragraph where the explanation may be found. 



W. HOOKER. 



HAVEN, May, I860. 



