The leading objects aimed at in the preparation of the School and Family Series of Readers have been, Ist. To prepare a Series that shall furnish all possible means which books can afford for correct and successful instruction in the "art of reading," and, especially, for the formation of Correct Habits of Reading at the very beginning of the pupil's course. Connected with these objects, the plan of the lessons in the early Readers involves, more than in any other series, the constant Cultivation of the Perceptive Faculties, as being those which are first and prominently called into exercise in the Natural Order of Development. 2d. To impart, as far as may be consistent with giving prominence to the rhetoric of reading, as great an amount and variety of Interesting and Useful Information as possible. To this end the author has aimed to popularize, to the capacities of children, many of the Higher English Branches of study, especially the Natural Sciences and the Departments of Animal Life; and, in order to impart interest and give variety to these subjects, he has sought to throw around them all the charms which poetry, and vivid description, and incident, and anecdote, and the best illustrations can lend. This plan, which is fully carried out in the Higher Readers, aims at Important Educational Results, far beyond the design of ordinary reading-books. We ask the attention of all who are interested in the subject of Popular Education-as all should be-to the following considerations: It is well known that it is utterly impossible to introduce at all, as subjects of study and recitation, into our Common or Public Schools, or, to any great extent, into our Academies and Seminaries, what are usually called the Higher English Branches of study, such as Human Physiology and Health, Natural Philosophy, and the various Departments of Natural History and Natural Science, including such subjects as Animal and Vegetable Life, Physical Geography, Geology, Astronomy, etc.; and yet all of these subjects contain many things of great utility which children can understand, and which they will be deeply interested in, if presented in a proper manner. All of these subjects, indeed, treat of matters of every-day life which are constantly falling under the observation of children, such as their own bodies, their curious structure, and their conditions of health and disease; the plants and flowers which they meet with by the way-side; the pebbles which they gather from the brook; the animals they see; the birds to whose music they listen; the insects whose curious forms and habits they notice; even the stars which they gaze at with childish wonder; the actions of their own minds; and the questions of right and duty which even children are daily discussing. Although it has long been customary to cloak all these common things under the garb of "Science," and debar a knowledge of them from all but the favored, liberally-educated few, yet these are the very subjects which all ought to have, and may easily have, some knowledge of: they are subjects which every intelligent parent who does his duty frequently talks about to his children, and some familiarity with which forms one of the marked distinctions between the children of intelligent and those of ignorant families. If we would make our schools real nurseries of intelligence, we must make them conform more to the character of intelligent families; and if we would impart some knowledge of the subjects here referred to-if we would open their beauties and treasures to all the children in our schools, and instruct the teachers in them also, and thereby incite to a More Liberal and far more Extended Mental Culture, it must be done through the medium of the reading-books, which all use. That Willson's Readers subserve this end, has been, we believe, conclusively proved. For testimonials, etc., please address HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, Or, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NEW YORK. A. C. STOCKIN, 135 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, Agent for the Introduction of Harper & Brothers' Text-Books. First Lessons in Numbers, in their Natural Order: First, Visible Objects: Second, Concrete Numbers; Third, Abstract Numbers. By JOHN H. FRENCH, LL.D. Handsomely Illustrated. 16mo, 40 cents. This little book is copiously illustrated with new and original Pictures-not mere counters—in which interesting Visible Objects are first used to illustrate the lessons; then similar examples are given in Concrete Numbers, in which the combinations are associated with the names of familiar objects not in sight; and, finally, Abstract Numbers are used: so that the child proceeds, systematically, from the less to the greater-from the simple to the complex-in the Natural Order of Mental Development, viz., First, Perception (Visible Objects); Second, Conception (Concrete Numbers); Third, Abstraction (Abstract Numbers). The Pictures are also intended to cultivate the taste of the child and impart useful knowledge; and the Examples contain much valuable information upon the various occupations, trades, and branches of business, that can not fail to enlist the interest of children in the study of the book, and give it increased practical value in the work of Education. Elementary Arithmetic for the Slate, in which Methods and Rules are based upon Principles established by Induction. By JOHN H. FRENCH, LL.D. Handsomely Illustrated. 16mo, 50 cents. The object of this book, designed especially for beginners in Written Arithmetic, is twofold, viz., First, To give to young learners a good foundation for the study of the Science of Numbers, by basing all Methods of Operation upon Principles; and, Second, To give them as much knowledge as possible of the business affairs of life, by the introduction of business transactions, stated in correct business language. In the general arrangement of the work, and also in its details, the fact has never been lost sight of that only a small portion of all the children who commence the study of Arithmetic go through their text-book, and that a child should be taught first that which it is most desirable and important for him to know; so that whenever he leaves school the knowledge he has acquired will be of practical value to him in after life. This book is not made of clippings and extracts from other books of the Series, but is an elementary work adapted to the wants of beginners in the study of Slate Arithmetic. Mental Arithmetic, in which Combinations of Numbers, Solutions of Problems, and Principles of Arithmetical Analysis are based upon the Laws of Mental Development. By JOHN H. FRENCH, LL.D. Handsomely Illustrated. 16mo. In this book are recognized, for the first time by any author, the following facts: 1. The memory is developed at an earlier age than is the ability to reason logically. Hence the study and practice of combinations of numbers naturally precedes that of formulated solutions of problems and logical analyses of processes. 2. The proper study of mental arithmetic will produce scholars who are correct in computations and logical in reasoning. 3. The study strengthens the mental faculties, both in the power to combine rapidly and to reason correctly. Hence problems should increase in difficulty, and solutions and analyses should gradually become more general and comprehensive. These features of the book, with its practical problems (all of which are new), will commend it to the favorable consideration of teachers and friends of Education. Common School Arithmetic for the Slate. By JOHN H. FRENCH, LL.D. Handsomely Illustrated. 12mo, $1 00. This book furnishes a complete course of study in the subject of Written or Slate Arithmetic for Common Schools, and other schools using but one text-book. The attention of live, progress- ' ive teachers is especially invited to the many new and valuable features of this work. The radical changes from the stereotyped plan of other works upon the same subject are the result of long experience, extended observation, careful study, and a thorough acquaintance both with schools and business; and they are destined to work a change in methods of teaching that shall result in making (what all previous methods have failed to do) good, practical Arithmeticians. Academic Arithmetic. (In Press.) For farther information, please address HARPER & BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NEW YORK. Or, A. C. STOCKIN, 135 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, Combining Symmetrical Penmanship with Marginal Drawing Lessons. taining the first Six Numbers, now ready. "I believe a child will learn both to draw and write sooner, and with more ease, than he will learn writing alone."-HORACE MANN. CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES: I. Of the Symmetrical Penmanship. 1. It is easily acquired and rapidly written. 2. Every letter is symmetrical, being formed on geometrical principles, and of unvarying proportions. All letters of the same class are of the same height or length, the spacing is of the same width throughout, and the shading is uniform. 3. In the first four Numbers the height of all letters is indicated by the horizontal ruling; and oblique lines are printed on the pages as guides to uniformity of slope and spacing. 4. In the first two Numbers of the series white copies on tinted ground-in addition to the usual copies at the tops of the pages-are introduced, for tracing with pen or pencil. 5. All the small letters are introduced in the first book, and the capitals in the second; but, that the pupil may become proficient in forming plain letters before attempting the ornamental, only one style of each is presented in the first four books. 6. Every new copy introduces a new element, principle, rule, or illustration. Every combination of letters forms a word, and every combination of words forms an instructive sentence or phrase. 7. The correct uses of the marks of punctuation, of capital letters, and of abbreviations, are taught by illustrative copies and by concise rules. Full directions to pupils, and suggestions to teachers, are given on the covers. The introduction of the tracing lessons and slope lines relieves the teacher of a great amount of individual attention to the pupils. II. Of the Marginal Drawing Lessons. A side margin of each page—a border only—is devoted to the Drawing Lessons. These consist of white lines on a tinted ground—the same as the tinted writing copies-for tracing. For first exercises in drawing the pupil is required merely to mark over or trace these white lines accurately with pen or pencil. A correct drawing is the result. All the pupil does is in the right direction; and, encouraged by his success, he soon becomes exceedingly interested in his drawing exercises; while, if he begins by copying, as is the ordinary method, he is not only discouraged by his want of success, but his practice is, for a long time, a series of continued mistakes. The training of eye and hand that will be acquired by a correct tracing of all manner of straight and curved lines must secure freedom and accuracy of movement in the formation of similar lines in writing. Thus, in the language of the artist, CHAPMAN, Author of the American Drawing Book, “Drawing, combined with writing, will be found to greatly facilitate advancement in the latter." Full directions are given on the covers of the several numbers of the Series for-1st Stage, Tracing; 2d Stage, Copying; 3d Stage, Copying from Memory; 4th Stage, Drawing from Nature. The Marginal Drawing Lessons_progress systematically through Straight and Curved Lines, Geometrical Forms, Architecture, Foliage, Perspective, Figures of Animals, Persons, etc. All who learn to Write may here learn to Draw, and without loss of time, as all the exercises in the one contribute to advancement in the other also. These books supply a want which has long been seriously felt-the need of some method of teaching drawing in Common Schools, at a low cost, and without the need of a special teacher of drawing. Sent by mail, postage paid, at the rate of $2 00 per dozen. HARPER'S SCHOOL AND FAMILY SLATE, With accompanying Cards, containing over Two Hundred Lessons in Writing, Printing, Drawing, and Arithmetic. $12 00 per dozen. This is not a mere toy, but is carefully arranged for use in Primary Schools, and forms an excellent and practical introduction to any series of Writing and Drawing Books. Send for Circular, with Cuts illustrating peculiar features. The Slates are not mailable: Cards will be mailed at 50 cents per set. Or, HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NEW YORK. A. C. STOCKIN, 135 WASHINGTON ST., BOSTON, Agent for the Introduction of Harber & Brothers' Text-R This series of Arithmetics consists of three books, viz: I. A Pictorial Primary Arithmetic. (Normal edition.) II. An Intellectual Arithmetic. (Normal edition.) III. The Illustrative Practical Arithmetic. The Illustrative Practical Arithmetic is entirely new. It is designed for Common Schools, Normal Schools, High Schools, and Academies, and will, it is believed, meet the wants of the large majority of the students of written arithmetic, in all grades of schools, more fully than any other arithmetic before the public. For those who desire to pursue the subject further, Walton's Written Arithmetic Presents a somewhat more extended course and a fuller practice. The Primary and Intellectual Arithmetics have already an extensive circulation. As published in this series they retain all the features which have rendered them so generally popular. It is hoped that this Series of Arithmetics will meet the demand for textbooks in which the subjects are developed by a natural method. Favorable terms will be made for introduction. Copies for examination sent by mail, prepaid, as follows: The Latest, Best, most Popular Botanical Text-Books. Fisher Professor of Natural Science in Harvard University. PUBLISHED BY IVISON, BLAKEMAN, TAYLOR & CO. The world-wide reputation of Prof. Gray is sufficient guaranty for the scientific accuracy of his books; their popularity, evinced by a sale greater than that of all others combined, shows that in claiming for them comprehensiveness of scope, exactness and clearness of description, accurate and scientific analysis of plants, and beauty of illustrations, we claim only their due; they have no equals in any respect. Gray's "How Plants Grow." A Botany for Young People. Handsomely Illustrated, $.90 1.10 2.00 This is a new book; a complete key to the vegetable and floral Physiology, Family and Genera of all common Plants, native or exotic, found east of the Mississippi, in gardens, fields, forests, or in ordinary conservatories; giving their common English names, whence they came, how they may be recognized, and for what they are or may be used. New Books Added to the "American Educational Series." READING AND ELOCUTION. By ANNA T. RANDALL, To be used independently, or in connection with any series of Readers. KERL'S COMPOSITION AND RHETORIC. By SIMON KERL, Author of the books in which the study of Grammar is made a most interesting pursuit. Analysis of the Constitution of the United States. By CALVIN TOWNSEND. A chart of 52 pages, 15x20 inches each; printed in large, clear type, so as to be easily read at a distance of twenty feet from the eye. It is mounted on a single roller, so as to be suspended on the wall of a School-room, for the use of teacher and pupil. Price, $6.00. TOWNSEND'S ANALYSIS OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT. Designed to accompany the "Analysis of the Constitution." In cloth, 12mo, 340 pages. Price, $1.50. In this work the subject of Civil Government is presented analytically, and is the first work published pretending to give a topical and tabular arrangement of the principles of our govern ment. MARKS' FIRST LESSONS IN GEOMETRY. Objectively presented, and designed for the use of Primary Classes. In cloth, 12mo, 156 pages. Price, $1.00. CALISTHENIC SONG Handsomely Illustrated. BOOK. Containing Songs for Devotion, Diversion and Recreation. By WILDE, BOWLER & CO., Publishers, Booksellers and Stationers, No. 1 Cornhill, Boston. |