ANGELL'S UNION SERIES. THE UNION, NUMBER FIVE. CONTAINING LESSONS FOR READING AND SPELLING, WITH EXERCISES IN MENTAL ARITIMETIC, ABBRE- BEING THE FIFTH OF A SERIES OF SPELLING AND READING BOOKS, IN SIX NUMBERS. BY OLIVER ANGELL, A. M. PRINCIPAL OF THE FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL, PROVIDENCE. REVISED STEREOTYPE EDITION. PHILADELPHIA: PUBLISHED BY W. MARSHALL & CO. 1840. HARVARD ENTERED according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1835, by W. Marshall and Co in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. PREFACE Material alterations in different editions of schoolbooks are much to be deprecated, and ought never to be made unless there is a very obvious reason for such alterations. Where different editions of the same book are used in the same school, if they differ materially from each other, much confusion must necessarily ensue in the use of them.-The author feels bound, therefore, to state some of the reasons, which have induced him to depart from the arrangement of the first edition of No. 5, and to present this edition in its present shape. This is particularly due to those whose kind patronage has been extended to the work, and to whom he feels grateful, for the encouragement they have afforded him. When the first edition was published, it was thought that the Grammar might very properly constitute a part of the book; and by thus combining it with the other part, the whole would become a more convenient, and at the same time a more economical book for the scholar. Some objections, however, have arisen, to this arrangement, which the author did not anticipate, and have determined him to separate the Grammar from this volume and supply its place with other matter for reading. The Grammar is, nevertheless, considered as a second part of this Number; and when purchased together, the additional expense will be very trifling. It has been suggested, that the whole volume was too expensive to be used as a Grammar, the study of which would cause it to be injured and worn out, much sooner than when used only as a reading book. It has also been said that as a portion of the Grammar was not designed, and, from its nature, cannot be used for reading lessons, there is a loss to the scholar of so much reading matter, with which, by a different arrangement, he might be furnished in the same number of pages. The author is not prepared to say that these are not weighty objections; and in deference to the opinion of those who have expressed them, and for other reasons which it would be needless to name, he has been led to adopt this new arrangement. He hopes the volume, as now presented, will meet the approbation of those who have already expressed their satisfaction with the other edition, and that those who objected to it in that form, will find their objections removed. The same principles have been followed in the arrangement of this volume, as have governed the author in the preparation of the preceding numbers. These principles are, to present children with reading adapted to their comprehension; which shall excite their attention, interest their feelings, and at the same time impress upon their minds the inestimable value of virtuous conduct, and the almost certain punishment with which vice, even in this world is sure to meet. It is believed this is by far the most effectual way to teach children the first principles of religion and morals; and by enlisting their feelings in favor of every noble, and generous, and virtuous action, lead them to hate vice and selfishness even in themselves. Providence, Feb 1831 |