structors in the arduous business of educating youth, were the motives which led to the production of this work. If this edition should be well received, and should, even in a small degree, prove a public benefit, the author will think himself well remunerated for his trouble, and that his time has been well employed. A5 ' OBSERVATIONS, ON THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD READING. 1 To read with propriety, is a pleasing & important attainment; productive of improvement both to the understanding and the heart. It is essential to a complete reader that he minutely perceives the ideas, and enters into the feelings of the author, whose sentiments he professes to repeat; for how is it possible to represent clearly to others, what we have but faint or inaccurate conceptions of ourselves? If there were no other benefits resulting from the art of reading well than the necessity it lays us under, of precisely ascertaining the meaning of what we read; and the habit therein acquired of doing this with facility, both when reading silently and aloud, they would constitute a sufficient compensation for all the labor we can bestow upon the subject. 2 But the pleasure derived to ourselves and others, from a clear communication of ideas and feelings; and the strong and durable impressions made thereby on the minds of the reader and the audience, are considerations which give additional importance to the study of this necessary and useful art. The perfect attainment of it doubtless generous and benevolent2 principles of human nature. Luxury, pride, and vanity, have frequently as much influence in corrupting the sentiments of the great, as ignorance, bigotry,3 and prejudice have in misleading the opinions of the multitude. Mixed as the present state is, reason and religion pronounce, that generally, if not always, there is more happiness than misery,4 more pleasure than pain, in the condition of man. Society, when formed, requires distinctions5 of property, diversity of conditions, subordination of ranks, and a multiplicity of occupations, in order to advance the general good. 6 Liberal, a. The desire of improvement discovers a liberal6 mind; and is connected with many accomplishments, bountiful, genand many virtues. Innocence .confers ease and freedom on the mind; and leaves it open to every pleasing sensation.7 Moderate and simple pleasures relish high with the temperate; in the midst of his studied refine ments, the voluptuary8 languish Cs. The happiness of every man depends more upon the state of his erous. 7 Sensation, $. Perception by means of the senses. 8 Voluptuary, s one given fo luxury. own mind, than upon any one external circumstance; nay, more than upon all external9 things put together. In no station, and no period, let us think ourselves secure from the dangers which spring from our pas sions. Every age and every station they beset; from youth to gray hairs and from the peasant to the prince. Riches and pleasures are the chief temptations2 to criminal deeds. Yet those riches when obtained, may very possibly overwhelm3 us with unforeseen miseries. Those pleasures may cut short our health and life. Patience, by preserving composure4 within, resists the impression which trouble makes from without. Compassionate affections, even when they draw tears from our eyes for human misery, convey 5 satisfaction to the heart. They who have nothing to give, can often afford relief to others, by imparting6 what they feel. Our ignorance of what is really good or evil should correct about worldly success. anxiety ing, giving. The veil which covers from our |