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PREFAC. E

FIRST

TO THE

EDITION.

IT may appear fingular to make the avowal, but it

is certainly true, that of all

literary tafks, the compilation of a book like this is attended with the leaft difficulty. In the prefent cafe, not the smallest claim is made to any peculiar fkill or merit of execution. The book must be left to recommend itself by the unfluming pretenfions of obvious utility. There are already many collections of a fimilar kind, which have been found very useful: and this pretends not to any other fuperiority over them, but that of affording a greater quantity of matter than any of them have exhibited in one volume.

This book derives its origin from a wish expressed by persons who have the conduct of schools, that such a compilation might be published, as by means of a full page, and a small, yet very legible type, might contain, in one volume, a little English library for young people who are in the course of their education. A common-fized volume, it was found, was foon perused, and laid afide for want of novelty; but to fupply a large school with a great variety, and constant fucceffion of English books, is too expensfive and inconvenient to be generally practicable; fach a quantity of matter is therefore collected in this volume as mult of neceffity fill up a good deal of time, and furnish a great number of new ideas before it can be read to fatiety, or entirely exhausted. It may therefore very properly conftitute, what it was intended to be, a little Library for Learners, from the age of nine or ten to the age at which they leave their school: at the fame time it is evident, upon inspection, that it abounds with such extracts as may be read by them at any age with pleasure and improvement. Though it is chiefly and primarily adapted to scholars at school; yet it is certain, that all readers may find it an agreeable companion, and particularly well adapted to fill up short intervals of accidental leifure.

As to the Authors from whom the extracts are made, they are those whose characters want no recommendation. The Spectators, Guardians, and Tatlers, have been often gleaned for the purpose of selections; but to have omitted them, in a work like this, for that reason, would have been like rejecting the pureft coin of the fullest weight, because it is not quite fresh from the mint, but has been long in circulation. It ought to be remembered, that though the writings of Addifon and his coadjutors may no longer have the grace of novelty in the eyes of veterans, yet they will always be new to a riting generation.

The greater part of this book, however, confifts of extracts from more modern books, and from some which have not yet been used for the purpose of telections. It is to be presumed that living Authors will not be displeased that useful and elegant passages have been borrowed of them for this book; fince if they fincerely meant, as they profess, to reform and improve the age, they must be convinced, that to place their most salutary admonitions and fentences in the hands of young perfons, is to contribute most effectually to the accomplishment of their benevolent defign. The books themselves at large do not in general fall into the hands of school-boys; they are often too voluminous, too large, and too expenfive for general adoption; they are foon torn and disfigured by the rough treatment which they

A 2

they usually meet with in a great school; and indeed, whatever be the cause of it, they seldom are, or can be conveniently introduced: extracts are therefore highly expedient, or rather, necessary. And with respect to those among writers or publishers who are interested in the sale of books, it may reasonably be supposed, that the specimens exhibited in this volume will rather contribute to promote and extend, than to retard or circumscribe the circulation of the works from which they are selected.

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The editors of fimilar compilations, it is feared, may not fo freely forgive the borrowing of many paffages from them: but it should be remembered, that they also borrowed of their predecessors; for it will be found on examination, that in all selections of this kind, this privilege has been claimed; and indeed, as the matter borrowed belongs as much to one as to the other, there is no just cause of complaint. A compiler can by no means pretend to an exclusive property in a passage of an author, which he has himself poffefsed on a very difputable title: every bird from whom the daw had stolen feathers, might claim his own plumage; nor can he pretend an exclusive right, who perhaps has no right at all, but by the connivance of the real and original possessor.

This book aims not at supplanting others by oftentatiously displaying its own merits, or detracting from their value: the public will ultimately fix its choice on that book which best deserves it. Without instituting a competition, it will be enough if this work shall be united with others in furnishing, what it professes and intends, a copious fource of entertainment and improvement to the rifing generation: there cannot be too many books adapted to purposes so laudable. One instructor will choose this book, another a different one; but while all young persons are supplied with some book of the kind, it is impoffible but that great good should be produced.

ADVERTISE

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

SECOND EDITION.

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T

HE approbation with which the first edition of this book has been received by the Public, has operated as an encouragement to improve it. It has been judged proper to change the form and fize from a duodecimo to an oftavo; not only for the fake of giving it a more agreeable appearance, but also of adding to the quantity and variety of the contents. Some extracts have indeed been omitted, to make room for new matter; but the additions, upon the whole, are very confiderable.

The utility of the collection is obvious. It is calculated for classical schools, and for those in which English only is taught. Young persons cannot read a book, containing so much matter, without acquiring a great improvement in the English Language; together with ideas on many pleasing subjects of Taste and Literature; and, which is of much higher importance, they will imbibe with an encrease of knowledge, the purest principles of Virtue and Religion.

The book may be employed in various methods for the use of learners, according to the judgment of various instructors. The pupils may not only read it in private, or in the school at stated times, but write out paragraphs in their copy books; commit passages to memory, and endeavour to recite them with the proper action and pronunciation, for the improvement of their powers of utterance. With respect to the Art of speaking, an excellence in it certainly depends more on practice, under the fuperintendance of a master, than on written precepts; and this book profeffes to offer matter for practice, rather than systematic instructions, which may be more advantageoufly given in a rhetorical treatise or vivâ voce. To learn the practical part of speaking, or the art of managing the voice and gesture, by written rules alone, is like learning to play upon a musical inftrument, with the bare afsistance of a book of directions without a master.

The book in its improved state is under great obligations to the works of Dr. BLAIR. It would be ungrateful and difingenuous not to acknowledge them. The Editor thinks he consults the happiness of his young readers, when he recommends to them the purchase of Dr. BLAIR's Sermons and Lectures at large, as foon as it may be convenient to them. These books are fit for their libraries, and may be made the companions of their lives; while the present compilation offers itself only as an humble companion at school. In the character of a companion, it has a great deal to say to them; and will probably improve in the power of affording pleasure and instruction, the more its acquaintance is cultivated.

INTRODUCTION.

ON

PRONUNCIATION, OR DELIVERY.

FROM DR. BLAIR'S LECTURES.