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SALEM TOWN, LL. D., AND NELSON M. HOLBROOK, A. M

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY OLIVER ELLSWORTH,

No. 73 CORNHILL.

HARVARD COLLECT

AU 15 1940 /

AR

Sheld's Fund

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC.

Educ T 758.64.863

The authors of Town and Holbrook's Progressive Series of Text Books, having improved the Fourth Reader of the Series, by the addition of over FIFTY PAGES OF NEW AND CHOICE SELECTIONS, the Publisher would now announce that A CAREFULLY REVISED, ENLARGED, AND GREATLY IMPROVED EDITION of their Progressive Fifth or Elocutionary Reader has been issued, containing OVER ONE HUNDRED PAGES OF NEW SELECTIONS for reading and declamation.

The best talent in the country having been employed the public may rest assured that no similar work in use compares with it, in its practical, comprehensive, and philosophical system of elocutionary rules; in its varied and peculiarly appropriate selections, with biographical and explanatory notes; in its happy adaptation to all schools requiring a thorough and practical Elocutionary Reader, or a book furnishing the choicest specimens of English and American Literature.

The Progressive Intermediate Reader, a sequel to the Second Reader, an la new number of the Series, has just been issued, and furnishes additional reading matter for classes in Primary and Intermediate Schools. Nearly all the pieces are new, many of them being original, or written expressly for this book.

The Primer, and the First, Second, and Third Readers have received many new and beautiful illustrations, and other necessary improvements, thus making them without a rival, and as perfect as the practical experience of the authors, aided by the kind suggestions of our best teachers, will admit.

While the selections in the entire series are unquestionably more practical, and better adapted than any other to discipline the vocal organs and secure an easy and natural expression of the sentiment, it is also believed that no similar series contains facts, truths, and sentiments more worthy to be treasured in the memory, or better adapted to inspire a love for whatever is excellent and praiseworthy.

The Publisher would also announce the issue of the Progressive Speller in a new, cheap, and durable form, making it the cheapest as well as the best in the market.

The guardians of our Public Schools may be assured that the authors of the Progressive Series, who have ever been foremost in furnishing the most approved system of text-books, will endeavor to hold that honorable position, by promptly making, from time to time, such improvements in their books as our schools may require and experience sugge

OLIVER ELLSWORTH.

AUGUST 1, 1864.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

NELSON M. HOLBROOK,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

PRINTED BY GEORGE C. RAND & AVERY.

PREFACE.

SINCE Elocutionary Readers have been somewhat multiplied, several of which are truly meritorious, it might, by some, be thought unnecessary to add another to the list. The reasons, however, the authors would assign in justification of themselves, and as an apology to the public for presenting this work, are as follows:

1st. In most of the clocutionary works which the authors have seen, it appears to them there is a want of close connection in what should be treated consecutively under the same head.

2d. Notwithstanding the more important elocutionary principles are found in nearly all works prepared with any good degree of ability, and designed for instruction in reading and oratory, yet it will be found on examination, that those principles, rules, and notes, are so commingled in their detail, as in many instances rather to perplex the learner, than to give him clear perceptions of each point distinctively.

3d. In a majority of works of this character, even when the rules may be considered good, the examples and exercises for their illustration are so few, so brief, and so disconnectedly arranged, that the student often fails to be permanently benefited by the use of them. He neither gains a clear understanding of the author's views, nor so far perfects himself in the knowledge of elocutionary principles and their proper application, as to enable him, thereafter, readily and understandingly, to make a practical use of the same in his miscellaneous readings.

The authors of this work believe the best method for the acquisition of knowledge in any branch, is fully to master each point as taken up, before attempting any thing further; otherwise, whatever is attempted, will be but imperfectly understood, and little or no substantial benefit will be gained.

One prominent object, therefore, in bringing out this work, was to treat each elocutionary principle as taken up, in the order of its consecative parts, so far as the nature of the case would admit, subjoining examples, illustrations, and exercises, of sufficient length and numbor, te insure, if possible, a clear comprehension of all the parts as a

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