Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

The first book used in teaching the rudiments of learning in the English Colonies in America was doubtless the contemporary Primer of the mother country. The earliest notice we have met with of an indigenous production for this purpose, is in "An Almanack for the year of the Christian Empire, 1691," by "Henry Newman, Philomath," in which Benjamin Harris, at the London Coffee House, Boston, announces that

"There is now in the Press, and will suddenly be extant, a Second Impression of the New England Primer enlarged, to which is added, more Directions for Spelling: the Prayer of K. Edward the 6th. and Verses made by Mr. Rogers the Martyr, left as a Legacy to his Children."

The "New England Primer Englarged," the Second Impression of which became "suddenly extant " in or about 1691, gradually passed into the "NEW ENGLAND PRIMER IMPROVED, for the more easy attaining the true Reading of English." Printed and Sold by William M'Alpine about Mid-way between the Governor's and Dr. Gardiner's in Marlborough Street, 1770."

At what date "The Young Infant's or Child's Morning, and Evening Prayer" from Dr. Watts, together with his Cradle Hymn, or the "Spiritual Milk for American Babes, Drawn out of the Breasts of both Testaments for their Souls Nourishment, By John Cotton," were first introduced, all of which are in the edition of 1770, now before us, we have no information. The most noticeable feature in this copy is the Illustrated Alphabet, of which we give a few specimens

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small]

The original designs, together with the inimitable rhymes, are copied from " A Guide for the Child and Youth. By T. H." Printed in London by J. & J. Marsh, in 1761.

To this "Guide," and the "New Englangdar Primer Improved," we shall return in a future number. We conclude this article by a few pages on the methods of teaching the alphabet.

EARLY ILLUSTRATED SCHOOL BOOKS.

WE shall avail ourselves of recent applications of Photography to transferring engravings to electrotypes, ready to be used in ordinary type printing, to give our readers exact impressions from the illustrations of some of the earliest school books. We have before us a little book of about the size of the "New England Primer Improved," with the following title,

"A GUIDE FOR THE CHILD AND YOUTH, IN TWO PARTS. The first for Children: containing plain and pleasant directions to read ENGLISH; with Prayers, Graces, and Instructions, fitted for the capacity. The second for Youth: Teaching to write, Cast Accounts, and Read more perfectly; with several other Varieties, both pleasant and profitable. By T. H., M. A., Teacher of a private school. London: 1762."

In his Address "to the Parents, or others," Mr. T. H., says: “When I consider how Ignorance of late had prevailed amongst the Vulgar, and how those who never learned anything themselves, will yet pretend to teach others; I was almost at a loss whether I should proceed in this small but useful Tract. But since a blessed Sunshine hath appeared in our Horizon, I resolved to publish it for the use and Benefit of Children, and those of riper years." This is followed by "The Capital Roman Letters;" "The Small Roman Letters;" "The Vowels;" "The Consonants;" "Double Letters;" "The Great Italick Letters;" "The Small Italick," "Syllables, ab, eb, ib, ob, ub, and ba, be, bi, bo, bu, by, &c. ;" which is followed by a page of "The Dutiful Child's Promises," viz. :—

"I will fear God and honour my King.

I will honour my Father and Mother.

I will obey my Superiors.

I will submit to my Elders.

I will love my Friends.

I will hate no Man.

I will forgive my Enemies, and pray to God for them."

Then follows the illustrated Alphabet for "The Child's Guide," which is again introduced as "The Youth's Guide," with extracts mainly from the Bible. We combine the two in the following pages. The illustrations, as well as the rhymes, were either copied from, or suggested by "The New England Primer Improved," or else introduced into the latter from "The Guide," or else both were copied or suggested from an earlier original, which we have not the facilities at hand for determining. The illustrations were copied for this Journal by the American Phototype Company, whose office is in Leroy Place, Bleeker Street, New York.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][graphic][merged small][merged small]

THE CHILD'S BEHAVIOUR FROM MORNING TO NIGHT.

First in the Morning when thou dost
awake,

To God for his Grace thy Petition make.
Some heavenly Prayer use daily to say,
And the God of Heaven will bless thee
alway.

Child, after thou hast prayed to God for
his Assistance, observe these following

Rules.

[blocks in formation]

At going to School.

In going your way, and passing the street,
Thy Hat put off, salute those you meet.
When to the School thou shalt resort,
Salute thy Master, I do thee exhort:
Thy fellows also, in token of Love,
Lest of unkindness they thee reprove:
Learn then in thy youth, for it is too true,
It will be too late when Age doth ensue.
If thou doubt any thing, desire to be told;
It is no shame to learn, be thou never so
old.

When from School you shall take your
way,

Make haste to your home, and stay not to play:

The House then entering, in the Parents

[blocks in formation]

Be meek in thy Carriage, stare none in the Face;

First hold up your Hands, and then say thy Grace.

The Grace being said, if able thou be To serve at the Table, it will become thee.

If thou canst not wait, presume in no case,
But in sitting down, to your Betters give
place.

Suffer each Man first served to be;
For it is a point of great courtesie.
Let not thy Tongue at the Table walk;
And of no matter either jangle or talk;
For Cato doth say that in old and in

[blocks in formation]

Goodness.

In the Church comely thy self well behave;

Sober in carriage, with countenance
grave.

The Lord doth call it the House of Prayer.
It must not be used as a Market or Fair

« AnteriorContinua »