their minds, and at the same time furnish every one with a little dictionary for his future use.

THE SECOND CLASS.

To be taught reading with attention, and with proper modulation of the voice; according to the sentiments and subject.

Some short pieces, not exceeding the length of a Spectator, to be given this class for lessons, (and some of the easier Spectators would be very suitable for the purpose.) These lessons might be given every night as tasks; the scholars to study them against the morning. Let it then be required of them to give an account, first of the parts of speech and construction of one or two sentences. This will oblige them to recur frequently to their grammar, and fix its principal rules in their memory. Next, of the intention of the writer, or the scope of the piece, the meaning of each sentence, and of every uncommon word. This would early acquaint them with the meaning and force of words, and give them that most necessary habit, of reading with

attention.

The master then to read the pieces with the proper modulations of voice, due emphasis, and suitable action, where action is required; and put the youth on imitating his manner.

Where the author has used an expression not the best, let it be pointed out; and let his beau ties be particularly remarked to the youth.

Let the lessons for reading be varied, that the youth may be made acquainted with good styles

of all kinds in prose and verse, and the proper manner of reading each kind-sometimes a welltold story, a piece of a sermon, a general's speech to his soldiers, a speech in a tragedy,some part of a comedy, an ode, a satire, a letter, blank verse, Hudibrastic, heroic, &c. But let such lessons be chosen for reading, as contain some useful instruction, whereby the understanding or morals of the youth may at the same time be improved.

It is required that they should first study and understand the lessons, before they are put upon reading them properly; to which end each boy ́should have an English dictionary, to help him over difficulties. When our boys read English to us, we are apt to imagine they understand what they read, because we do, and because it is their mother tongue. But they often read as parrots speak, knowing little or nothing of the meaning. And it is impossible a reader should give the due modulation to his voice, and pronounce properly, unless his understanding goes before his tongue, and makes him master of the sentiment.

Accus

toming boys to read loud what they do not first. understand, is the cause of those even set tones so common among readers, which when they have once got a habit of using, they find so difficult to correct; by which means, among fifty readers we scarcely find a good one.

For

want of good reading pieces published with a view to influence the minds of men, for their own or the publick benefit, lose half their force. Were there but one good reader in a neighbourhood, a publick orator might be heard throughout

a nation with the same advantages, and have the same effect upon his audience, as if they stood within the reach of his voice.

THE THIRD CLASS

To be taught speaking properly and gracefully; which is near a-kin to good reading, and naturally follows it in the studies of youth. Let the scholars of this class begin with learning the elements of rhetorick from some short system, so as to be able to give an account of the most use. ful tropes and figures. Let all their bad habits of speaking, all offences against good grammar, all corrupt or foreign accents and all improper phra ses, be pointed out to them. Short speeches from the Roman or other history, or from the parliamentary debates, might be got by heart, and delivered with the proper action, &c. Speeches and scenes in our best tregedies and commedies (avoiding things that could injure the morals of youth) might likewise be got by rote, and the boys exercised in delivering or acting them; great care being taken to form their man ner after the truest models.

For their farther improvement, and a little to vary their studies, let them now begin to read histories, after having got by heart a short table of the principal epochas in chronology. They may begin with Rollin's ancient and Roman histories, and proceed at proper hours, as they go through the subsequent classes, with the best histories of our own nation and colonies. emulation be excited among the boys, by giving weekly, little prizes, or other small encourage

Let

ments, to those who are able to give the best account of what they have read, as to times, places, names of persons, &c. This will make them read with attention, and imprint the history well in their memories. In remarking on the history, the master will have fine opportunities of instilling instructions of various kinds, and im proving the morals, as well as the understandings of youth.

The natural and mechanic history, contained in the Spectacle de la Nature, might also be began in this class, and continued through the sub. sequent classes by other books of the same kind; for, next to the knowledge of duty, this kind of knowledge is certainly the most useful, as well as the most entertaining. The merchant may thereby be enabled better to understand many commodities in trade; the handicraftman to im prove his business by new instruments, mixtures, and materials; and frequent hints are given for new manufactures, and new methods of improv. ing land, that may be set on foot greatly to the advantage of the country.

THE FOURTH CLASS.

To be taught composition. Writing one's own language well, is the next necessary accom. plishment after good speaking. It is the writing master's business to take care that the boys make fair characters, and place them straight and even in the lines: but to form their style, and even to take care that the stops and capitals are properly disposed, is the part of an English mas

ter.

The boys should be put on writing letters to each other on any common occurrences, and on various subjects, imaginary business, &c. containing little stories, accounts of their late reading, what parts of authors please them, and why; letters of congratulation, of compliment, of requests, of thanks, of recommendation, of admonition, of consolation, of expostulation, excuse, &c. In these they should be taught to express themselves clearly, concisely and naturally without affected words or highflown phrases. All their letters to pass through the master's hand, who is to point out the faults, advise the corrections, and commend what he finds right. Some of the best letters published in our own language, as Sir William Temple's, those of Pope and his friends, and some others, might be set before the youth as models, their beauties pointed out, and explained by the master, the letters themselves transcribed by the scholar.

Dr. Johnson's Ethices Elementa, or First Principles of Morality, may now be read by the scholars, and explained by the master to lay a solid foundation of virtue and piety in their minds. And as this class continues the reading of history, let them now, at proper hours, receive some farther instructions of Chronology, and in that part of Geopraphy (from the mathematical master) which is necessary to understand the maps and globes. They should also be acquainted with the modern names of places they find mentioned in ancient writers. The exercises of good

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