Selections from the most approved authors, designed for Exercises in Reading, Singing, Parsing, Hermeneutics, Rhetoric and Punctuation; Be it remembered, That on the sixteenth day of May, in the fifty-third year of L. S. the Independence of the United States of America, Joseph Emerson, of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Author and Compiler, in the words following, to wit: "The Poetic Reader, containing selections from the most approved authors, designed for exercises in Reading, Singing, Parsing, Hermeneutics, Rhetoric and Punctuation; to which are prefixed, directions for reading. By Joseph Emerson, Principal of the Female Seminary, Wethersfield." In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled, "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned."-And also to the act, entitled, "An act supplementary to an act, entitled 'An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.” CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, CHARLES A. INGERSOLL, Clerk of the District of Connecticut. NOTICE. The reader is requested to make the following corrections, In No. 11, line 19, after in insert the; in No. 14, line 22, erase every. INTRODUCTION. Poetry and music are nearly allied. They agree in their grand effects; and when properly united, the effect of each is heightened by the other. The praise due to one, may be generally claimed by the other. Music and poetry are reckoned among the fine arts. Nothing can better deserve the name. No art is better suited to call forth the finest feelings of sensibility, to kindle and cherish the tender, delicate, thrilling emotions of taste, or to impart refinement, elegance and elevation to our blest faculties. But this is not their highest, much less, their only praise. They are useful arts, and of these among the most useful. If rightly employed, they are peculiarly fitted to mend the heart; to render the lessens of wisdom doubly efficacious; to excite, increase and prolong every holy affection; to bring down heaven to earth; to raise the soul to heaven. For this, they were destined by the Author of nature; and for this, they have been used from the beginning of time. Of the life-giving oracles, much was written in poetry, and much designed to be sung. By these sacred songs, the inhabitants of Zion, in every age, have been consoled and cheered, and borne upward in their course to glory. Many ten thousands, besides the sweet psalmist of Israel, have confidently appealed to the Searcher of hearts, "Thy statutes have been my songs in the days of my pilgrimage," giving glory to Him, "that giv. eth songs in their night." The contemner of sacred song is the despiser of angels and of heaven. When the foundations of the earth were laid, the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion, with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads. Singing seems to be in a great measure, the business of heaven. The trophies of almighty Grace are a blessed company of musicians, a continually increasing choir, shouting forth the praises of Immanuel, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests únto God and his Father, to him, be glory and dominion forever and ever. While we seem listening to their exalted and ever rising strains, how can we but exclaim, "I would begin the music here?" And here the music we may begin. A few notes we may catch, imperfect indeed; but a few notes we may catch, of that enrapturing song. And here the music we must begin, or never join the chorus of the skies. We must at least, begin to sing in spirit, if not in words; and in heart, unite with those, who thus show forth the praises of Him, who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. How important, that all who are sufficiently gifted with musical powers, should here commence the heavenly art, that they may thus edify themselves and their fellow travellers to glory! How desirable, that from every religious assembly, every school, every collection, gathered together in the name of the Lord, even though but two or three in number-how desirable, that the incense of praise, kindled by the voice of melody, should be wafted to heaven! Are you unwilling to make the attempt, without a bright prospect of excelling? Are you willing to do nothing, if you cannot do more than others? How little would be done, if all should adopt such a principle. What if every star, except the very brightest, or those of the first magnitude, should fall from the spiritual firmament? If you have but one talent, must you needs hide it in a napkin? Should you not be very thankful for one talent; and if possible, make it ten? Would you not rather be a door-keeper in the house of the Lord, than to reign in the tents of wickedness?-to be the least in heaven, than the greatest on earth? But how does it appear, that you cannot excel? If you make the very utmost efforts, with ardent prayer and humble trust, how much better may God do for you, than you have dared to hope? How many has he placed among the chief singers, and long honored as the edifiers of his people, who once felt that their powers were nothing! Some have contended, that all should sing -that all have been furnished with such musical talents, as might be improved, and used for the benefit of themselves and others. If this opinion is not perfectly correct, it is doubtless ten times nearer the truth, than the common opinion, that comparatively few can |