PREFACE, xl 
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 wn- 
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 by 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 
ceiving the explanation of any term, I refer simply to 
the paragraph where the explanation may be found. 
W. Hooker. 
New Haven, May, 1860. . 
