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; 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."

*It is a matter of record that all my little works on Education, were

originally written to supply wants which I had observed in the Irish

National Schools.

See in connexion with these observations, note page 233.

In the Introduction to the English Dictionary.

CONTENTS.

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,

PART FIRST.

SELECTIONS FROM SHERIDAN'S ART OF SPEAKING.

Historical Narration,

Simple Narration,

Arguing-Moral Certainty,

Reproof of a Flatterer,

Contempt of Pride,

Petitioning with Humour,

Petitioning with Dejection,

Discoursing-Information,

Authority and Forbidding,

Contempt of Common Objects,

Horrors of War,

Page

Pige

9-82

Page

83 Satirical Description of Character, 108

Vexation-Pertness-Cringing,

85

86 Polite Conversation,

88 Anger-Reconciliation,

89 Inculcating, Commanding, &c., .

90 Complaint-Supplicating,

91 Exhortation to Courage, &c.,

92 Blunt Reproof-Warning,

110

112

114

118

120

124

129

A Love-sick Shepherd's Complaint, 93 Reflection on Lost Happiness, &c. 133

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,

135

136

138

141

142

142

144

On the Swiftness of Time,

Discontent the Common Lot of all Mankind,

The Present Life with reference to a Future State,

On the Knowledge of the World,

The Planetary and Terrestrial Worlds,

The Pleasures of Science,

Dependence on Providence,

Advice to a Reckless Youth,

Real Nobility,

The God of Nature,

Aspirations after the Infinite,

Human Life,

The Present Condition of Man vindicated,

On Happiness,

Ibid.

328

Bacon,

330

Addison,

331

Polonius's Advice to his Son,

Industry,

Southey,

357

RELIGIOUS OR DEVOTIONAL READINGS.

Exhortation to Youth to cultivate a Devotional Spirit, Taylor,

358

On the Creation of the World,

On our Saviour's Preaching,

God the Author of Nature,

439

440

443

PROMISCUOUS

From Speeches of Lord Mansfield,
Walpole in Reproof of Pitt,
Pitt's Reply,

Hamlet to the Players,

SPEECHES AND DIALOGUES FROM SHAKSPEARE.

436 Gloucester to the Nobles,

Henry V. and Lord Chief Justice,

Description of an Apothecary,

The World compared to a Stage,

Orlando and Adam,

Cassius inciting Brutus to conspire, 437

Brutus on the Death of Cæsar,

Antony's Oration,

Quarrel between Brutus and

Cassius,

447

448

450

450

451

Richmond encouraging hisSoldiers, 453

PIECES.

454

455

456

458

458

459

461

462

Shakspeare,

463

Description of Queen Mab,

Prologue to the Tragedy of Cato,

Cato's Soliloquy,

Il Penseroso,

L'Allegro,

Alexander's Feast,

Extracts from the Bard,

Elegy written in a Country Churchyard,

Lochiel's Warning,

On Slavery,

Ye Mariners of England,

The Battle of Hohenlinden,

The Burial of Sir John Moore,

On Cruelty to Animals,

The Common Lot,

Address to the Ocean,

Byron,

495

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,

Jones,

Marlow,

Southey,

Ibid.

497