I have now, however, been induced by the recommendation
of several educational friends, to increase its utility by pub-
lishing it in connexion with a CLASS BOOK ON Reading.*
The great number of excellent Reading Books which have
been published of late years, seems to render a new one on
the subject uncalled for, and unnecessary; but I have long
been of opinion, that in almost all of these class books there
is a great deficiency in LITERARY SELECTIONS. That Com-
pilations of this kind (particularly when they are intended
for the use of the children in Popular or National Schools)
should contain as much information as possible on scientific
and useful subjects is certainly very desirable; but still the
literature of our language should have its due place in
them;t or at least, there should be, in addition to them,
some other class books to supply this deficiency. With this
view I have compiled the present volume; and should I be
spared, it is probable that I may at no very distant period
bring out an additional one, to which I shall prefix a short
Introduction to English Literature. In the meantime, a
glance over the Contents of this volume will show that it
contains a far greater portion of the literature of our
language than its size would seem to indicate. Besides, the
EXERCISES ON READING, which are not specified in the
Contents, will be found to contain a copious selection of the
choicest and most beautiful specimens of our best and most
approved writers. These exercises extend from page 170
to page 232.
R. S.
have already a placed before them all the words in the language of diffi-
cult or irregular pronunciation. I have also furnished them with
practical rules for the pronunciation of such words; and in this Intro-
duction I have shown them, how even a defective articulation may, in
most cases, be remedied."
INTRODUCTION.
Rules for Reading, founded on the Inflections of the Voice-Archbishop
Whately's Views on the Subject-His Rule for Good Reading-Ex-
tract from the Compiler's Outline of the Method of Teaching in the
National Model Schools-Extracts from Sheridan's Introduction to the
Art of Speaking-Dr. Franklin's Views on the Subject-Extracts from
the most eminent Works on the Subject, British, American, and French-
Practical Suggestions for Beginners-Short Directions for Young Read-
ers-Accent and Emphasis-Walker's "Inflections of the Voice" Ana-
lyzed and Explained-General Rules and Examples-The Series and
its Varieties The Parenthesis, and Parenthetic Clauses-The Climax-
Rhetorical Punctuation-Directions for Reading Verse-Modulation
of the Voice-The Passions-Sheridan's Art of Speaking,
SELECTIONS FROM SHERIDAN'S ART OF SPEAKING.
Page
Page
83 Satirical Description of Character, 108
85 Vexation-Pertness-Cringing,
110
86 Polite Conversation,
88 Anger-Reconciliation,
112
114
118
•
120
89 Inculcating, Commanding, &c., .
90 Complaint-Supplicating,
Exhortation to Courage, &c.,
92 Blunt Reproof-Warning,
91
124
129
94 Consultation,
135
A Love-sick Shepherd's Complaint, 93 Reflection on Lost Happiness, &c. 133
Authority and Forbidding,
Contempt of Common Objects,
Horrors of War,
95 Fierceness-Desperation,=
98 Consideration, Dissuasion,
Description, Sublime and Terrible, 99 Anger-Threatening,
Conjugal Affection with Distress, 100 Deprecation--Surprise,"
Mournful Description,
103 Doubting, Vexation, &c.,
Asking-Reproof-Approbation, 106 Plotting-Cruelty-Horror,
The Present Condition of Man vindicated,
On Happiness,
Polonius's Advice to his Son,
Industry,
The Dying Christian to his Soul,
Hymn to the Creator,
Missionary Hymn,
Heaven,
Destruction of Sennacherib,
On Female Oratory,
Awkwardness in Company,
Receipt to make an Epic Poem,
On Cruelty to Animals,
The Common Lot,
Address to the Ocean,
The Field of Waterloo,
The Plain of Marathon,
The Dying Gladiator,
The Arab Maid's Song,
Ode to Eloquence,
Hope at the Close of Life,
What constitutes a State?
My Mind to me a Kingdom is,
The Cataract of Lodore,
Extracts from the Bard,
Elegy written in a Country Churchyard,
Lochiel's Warning,
427 Brougham on Negro Slavery,
Mirror,
Goldsmith,
399
Washington Irving, 401
Cowper,
Colman,
403
From a Speech of Lord Chatham,
Flood and Grattan,
Burke's Panegyric on the Elo-
quence of Sheridan,
Ibid.
New Mon. Mag..
Southey,
Blackwood's Mag.
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