46 ?REFACE. stops of comma, Polon, and period, with the marks or the ten figures, &c. till they grow up tobe fit for a fuller acquaintance with all these things. But, I think, the second part of a spelling-book would bemuch better composed of lessons forchildren of various kinds : Wherein there should be not ohly such praxes on the words of different syllables, as Mr. Dyche has framed, but several easy portions of scripture collected out of the Psalms, and Proverbs, and the New Testament, as well' as other little composures, that might teach them duty and behaviour towards God and man, abroad and at home. Then I would place some pagesof short sentences, to discourage the vices towhich children. are most addicted: Then a catalogue of common English proverbs : After this, some of the more difficult parts of the scrip- ture, with proper names in it, choosing out such verses, as may, at the same time, entertain the child withsome agreeable notices of sacred history. Next .to this might be added some well -chosen, short; and useful stories, that may entice the young learner to the pleasure of reading; somethingof the history of mankind, a short account of England, or the common affairs of our nation : And the world will forgive me, if .I should say, let a few pieces of poesy be added ; and let the verse be of various kinds, to acquaint the learner with all sorts of subjects and manners of writing, that he may know how to read them when they are put into his hand, And if the author would add proper short prayers and graces for children,..he has my hearty appro- Lation. After all, it would not be amiss if a leaf or two were employed in showing the child how to read written letters, by a plate of writing in the secretary and the round-hand graven on purpose ; as well as theLord's- :prayer, or creed, or some such short specimen, repeated in the Roman, the Italian, the Old English, and the written letters. I should rejoice to see á good spelling -book framed according to this model. Then, if I might be thought worthy to give advice to the teachers; I would persuade them to follow this method, namely, Let the children learn to know the letters, and a great partof the single syllables, as they are ranked in spelling-books, beforethey read any thing else ; and be sure that they are well taught to give the full force and sound of the vowelsand consonants, of they are variously joined. Then let them have two sorts of tasks appointed every day, one in the tables, or catalogues of words ín the first part, and one in the lessons of the second part. Thus they would learn at the same time something valuable and useful in life, as well as the art of reading. And by this means also the child would have some variety in his learning, to render it more pleasant. Thebook that I have written is supposed at least to follow the first read-. ing of such a spelling-book ; or, which is all one, to bewritten for those who are a littleacquainted with reading : For the art of reading is bestbegun like the art of speaking', and that is, by rote; though it is best improved and perfected by rules. The manner in which I would advise the perusal of this little book, so far as is necessary for children, should be this: When they give their spel- ling books a second reading, or, for want of that, when -they begin their bible, let them also begin such parts as their master shall choose out of this b Kok: And thus theyshould have two sorts of lessons every day again; and by the one they would learnrules which theyshould carefully put inpractice in the ether, Bat my chief hope is to improve the knowledge of persons advances
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=