Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism

The next review of the proposed work is from the pen of D. P. MAYHEW, Esq., Principal of Lowville Academy, in Lewis county.

Lowville Academy, July 5, 1844. In the work now given us by Mr. Boyd, every teacher will find an efficient aid; for any one who has taught rhetoric must have noticed in the nar row abridgments, or too voluminous original treatises, a want of adaptation to the capacity of those who should pursue this study. Acquisition of rhetorical principles naturally follows the study of English grammar, since the student is supposed to be then constantly engaged in composition Exercises," and in as great need, therefore, of those principles as those of grammar; but, instead of their being thus furnished him by the text-books in use, either he must wait until, when disciplined by other studies, he is adapted to the study of rhetoric, or a laborious and toilsome task is imposed upon the teacher in adapting the study of rhetoric to him. Mr. Boyd not only frees us from such a dilemma, but, by combining "progressive" composition exercises with the principles of rhetoric, enables the student to reduce theory to immediate practice. Mr. B. has so arranged his Exercises as to fix the attention, and by degrees insensibly to make the scholar an analyst But, besides this effect, the illustrations are so selected as to fortify the affections and improve the heart.

Nor is this all love of country is incidentally inculcated; that strongest love, based upon respect for what that country has produced, and can produce. We are taunted with having no literature of our own; but the American student will find a full refutation of that slander in Mr. Boyd's account of American writers, and his judicious selections from both their poetry and prose. Teachers and students will bid it welcome. D. P. MAYHEW, Principal.

(Signed)

Of the same purport is the communication of another practical teacher, ALANSON P. SIGOURNEY, Esq., Supt. of Common Schools for Watertown Watertown, July 29, 1844.

SIR, Having examined in manuscript a work entitled "Elements of Rhetoric and Literary Criticism for the use of Common Schools and Academies," written and selected from the pens of the most able writers of the age, by yourself, I can say I am well pleased with it. It is a work that should be used by every teacher of youth, and by every pupil studying the gram mar of the English language.

Your work I believe to be well calculated to aid the pupil in communicating his own thoughts either orally or on paper, and may and should be used, not only as a class-book for recitation, but for reading exercises; and I am satisfied that the interests of our public schools require its introduction. I therefore recommend it to the favorable consideration of teachers, and particularly to those engaged in elevating the standard of common schools (Signed) Yours respectfully, ALANSON P. SIGOURNEY, Supt. Com. Schools for Watertown

To Rev. J. R. Boyd, Prin. Black River L. and R. Institute.

The trustees of Black River L. and R. Institute, at their meeting July 26, 1844, passed the following resolution:

"Resolved, that from our knowledge of the qualifications of the author, and the statement of his plan submitted to us, we judge the publication of the Rev. Mr. Boyd's work on Rhetoric, and its introduction into this institution, highly desirable." (Signed) I. BRAYTON, Secretary of the Board of Trustees,

Extracts from a communication by P. MONTGOMERY, Esq., County Superintendent of Common Schools for Southern Section of Jefferson.

Adams, July 27, 1844. For a long time I have noticed with regret the almost entire neglect of the art of original composition in our common schools, and the want of a proper text-book upon this essential branch of education.

Hundreds graduate from our common schools with no well-defined ideas of the construction of our language. I have just arisen from an examination of a work prepared by Mr. Boyd, Principal of the Black River L. and R. Institute. We are happy to find that a gentleman of Mr. Boyd's character as a scholar and experience in teaching has taken this unoccupied field, and has succeeded in preparing a work to meet the wants of our schools. This work must take the field without competition. It leads the pupil gradually from the incipient steps in original composition up to a natural and easy expression of thought in all the varied style of which our language is capable. It may be used as a spelling, reading, and parsing book; it is what our common schools need. We cheerfully commend the work to the confidence and patronage of the friends of education. P. MONTGOMERY, County Supt. Com. Schools, Southern Section, Jefferson.

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