6

terms employed, and, likewise, in some cases at least, to their roots, derivatives, and compounds. Thus, for example, if in any lesson the scholar read of one having done an unprecedented act,' it might be quite sufficient for understanding the meaning of that single passage, to tell him, that no other person had ever done the like;' but this would by no means fully accomplish the object we have in view. The child would thus receive no clear notion of the word unprecedented, and would therefore, in all probability, on the very next occasion of its recurrence, or of the recurrence of other words from the same root, be as much at a lose as before. But direct his attention to the three-fold composition of this word, the un, the pre, and the cede. Ask him the meaning of the syllable un in composition, and tell him to point out to you (or, if necessary, point out to him) any other words, in which it has this signification of not, (such as uncommon, uncivil,) and, if there be leisure, any other syllables which have in composition a similar effect, such as in, with all its modifications of ig, il, im, ir, also dis and non, with examples. Next investigate the meaning of the syllable pre in composition, and illustrate it with examples, (such as previous, premature.) Then examine in like manner the meaning of the syllable cede, and having shown that in composition it generally signifies to demand the signification of its various compounds precede, proceed, succeed, accede, recede, exceed, intercede. The pupil will in this manner acquire not only a much more distinct and lasting impression of the signification of the word in question, but a key also to a vast variety of other words in the language. This too he will do far more pleasingly and satisfactorily in the manner which is here recommended, than by being enjoined to commit them to memory from a vocabulary at home as a task. The latter practice, wherever it is introduced, is, we know, regarded by the children as an irksome drudgery; the former on the contrary is an amusement. The former makes a strong and lasting impression upon the mind; under the latter the information wished to be communicated is

go,

too often learned merely as the task of the day, and obliterated by that of the next. It is very true, that it would not be possible to go over every word of a lesson with the same minuteness, as that we have now instanced. A certain portion of time should therefore be set apart for this examination: and, after those explanations have been given, which are necessary to the right understanding of the passage, such minuter investigations

only may be gone into as time will admit. It is no more essential, that every word should be gone over in this way, than it is essential that every word should always be syntactically parsed. A single sentence well done may prove of the greatest service to the scholar in his future studies."-pp. 145–147.

This explanatory method is brought into operation as soon as the child knows his alphabet, when he immediately begins to spell, pronounce, and give the meaning of such words, as be, me, he, us, go, so, &c. thus accustoming him from the outset to attach "In this stage ideas to sounds.

a regular definition is not required; but the teacher is satisfied with any explanation given by the child himself, which indicates his knowledge of the meaning, though in his own ordinary or homely language, or by mere signs. The answers are of various kinds, and in' various forms. Sometimes the explanation is given by a somewhat equivalent term, as ye you, me myself. Very often it is given by an example: as my, my book, go, go to school, or go home, Sometimes it is given by a change of case, as he him, we us. unfrequently it is made by a sign, as me, by pointing to one's self, he, by pointing to another boy. The great object, it will be remembered, of all explanations at this stage, is to enliven what would otherwise have been intolerably dull, to teach the child that every word he reads has a meaning, and to form him to early habits of attention."

Not

The first reading book contains, besides several passages of Scripture history in a simple form, many interesting and instructive articles upon subjects of natural history, and other miscellaneous information. Every one of these passages the child is taught not only to read, but to understand, and to give, as he goes along, the precise meaning

pas

of each sentence, and of every more difficult word. In this also, as well as in the subsequent stages of the reading lessons, the examination is not confined to the article immediately under consideration, but it comprehends much extrinsic matter. Upon the historical passages, for example, it extends to all matters related in the preceding articles, which may tend to illustrate the present one, or to connect the history; and the pupils are even informed, and afterwards examined, regarding either collateral or similar events, though not mentioned in the book. The reading of the more advanced classes consists of two books, which have been compiled for the use of the school, the first of which, called the Sessional School Collection, consists of religious and moral in struction, a selection of fables, descriptions of animals, places, manners, &c., historical sages, and other useful and interesting information for youth. The other, which is entitled Instructive Extracts, consists of articles much of the same nature, but adapted to a more advanced class of pupils, with the addition of some chapters on elementary science. To give our readers some idea, both of the method of examination, and of the degree to which the boys enter into the spirit of what they read, we extract a short account of an examination, which is stated to have taken place upon the following passage from Dr. Johnson: "Our sense of delight is in a great measure comparative, and arises at once from the sensation which we feel, and those which we remember.' On this sentence the boy was first asked by the examiner, What he meant by our sense of delight being comparative?' to which he answered, We enjoy health a great deal better when we have been sick.' He was farN. S. No. 56.

ther asked, Whether he could put into other language the expression, the sensations which we feel, and those which we remember;' to which he replied,

Present and past sensations ;' though the question, however pertinent, was one which had not been put in the school before."

The effect of the system in impressing the mind with the subjects which are read, and in producing a facility of application, will be further illustrated by the following conversation which occurred in the school:

6

"A stranger, (who seemed strongly impressed with the opinion, that, in order maintain, that there is no such thing as to exalt Revelation, it is necessary to Natural religion,) on occasion of some mention of the ancient philosophers in a passage which our pupils were then reading, asked one of them, a blind boy of 10 do for them?' years of age, What did their philosophy The boy returned no answer. 'Did it,' resumed the examiner, lead them to any knowledge of religion? They had no RIGHT knowledge of God.' 'But could they be said,' rejoined the visitor, in a marked tone of disapprobation, to have any knowledge of God at all?" After a moment's thought, the child answered, 6 Yes.' That,' by no means a right answer.' observed the gentleman to ourselves, 'is . Upon which we asked our young pupil, whether he had any reason for making this answer, to which he replied, 'Yes.' 'What the Romans, says, that when THEY is it? The apostle Paul, in the first of KNEW GOD, laying an emphasis on these words, 'they glorified him not as God.'It is impossible not to indulge a hope, of Scripture, which these children inthat the knowledge and ready application disputably possess, may be found of infinite value to them, when assailed with questions of still greater moment, than the one which was now discussed, and may enable them to give to every one that asketh areason of the hope that is in them.'"

6

6

Believing that the Sessional School is connected with an important experiment in education,which demands the attention of all who are interested in the intellectual and moral improvement of the rising generation, we cordially recommend this volume to their attention. 3 M

Poems Cottle.

MALVERN HILLS, with Minor and Essays. By Joseph Fourth Edition. London. Cadell. 1829. 2 vols. 12mo. - Mr. Cottle has been long before the public as an author, and as a poet. As it is not every one who bears either of these characters whose productions reach a fourth edition, there must be some merit in Mr. Cottle's works to account for this fact. His Malvern Hills attracted attention at first, and contains some beautiful lines. It is now a new poem. Four hundred lines, out of nine hundred, have been excluded, and about a thousand lines have been added. The minor pieces are, many of them, pretty; and all of them breathe a spirit of great benevolence and piety. Of the prose pieces, we have been interested in the biographical notices of John Henderson, and the account of Chatterton, and the Rowleian controversy, one of the strangest combinations of imposture and cleverness which the history of the literary world furnishes. The illustrations of the volumes add to their value, as well as the notes from Coleridge, Southey, and Sir Humphrey Davy, alas! now no more. There is beside all this, a good deal of twaddle in the shape of notes and other things, which, though not of much importance, we are pleased to see.

POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, during a Residence of nearly six Years in the South Sea Islands; including Descriptions of the Natural History and Scenery of the Islands. With Remarks on the History, Mythology, Traditions, Government, Arts, Manners, and Customs of the Inhabitants. By William Ellis. London. Fisher, Son, and Jackson. 1829. 2 vols. 8vo. 28s. We merely announce this important work at present, intending to embrace an early opportunity of expressing our opinion of it at some length. We can assure those who have been interested in Mr. Ellis's former work, that they will not be disappointed with this.

HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH from the First till the Nineteenth Century. By the Author of the History of the Reformation. Edinburgh. Oliphant. London. Hatchard, Hamilton, &c. 1829. 3 vols. 12mo. 138. 6d. These interesting little volumes are part of a series published by Mr. Oliphant of Edinburgh, which includes, the history of the Reformation in the principal countries of Europe; the history of the Waldenses; the history of the Inquisition; with lives of Calvin, Knox, Zuinglius, and others. They are written with a good deal of care, and a great deal of piety. While intended for the young, and admirably adapted to them, they are full of information, which may be useful to all. Though not likely to supersede the more voluminous works on Church History, (nor is it desirable that they should,) as epitomes they answer a variety of useful purposes. We therefore most cordially recommend them to our juvenile friends, and to those who are forming parish, congregational, or cottage libraries.

THE LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP CRANMER. By J. A. Sargeant. London. 6s. 6d. The late attack on the characHurst, Chance, and Co. 1829. 12mo. ter of Cranmer, in an eloquent article of the Edinburgh Review, must have directed the attention of the reading people of this country more closely to that eminent individual. We are afraid that the present life, though considerable pains have'evidently been bestowed upon it, will not be considered as an effectual antidote to the statements of that article. Fox and Strype are the two great sources of information respecting the reformer, together with the more general histories of the Reformation. The leading facts of his important life, are collected by Mr. Sargeant, and placed very interestingly before the reader. We by no means coincide in opinion with the article above referred to; still we cannot help seeing that there were great blots in the life of Cranmer. We fear that

EDMUND O'HARA: an Irish Tale. By the Author of Elma Castle, &c. 18mo. 3s. 6d. p. 358. Curry, Hamilton. These volumes are precisely similar in form, size, binding, price, character, design, and tendency. They are both Irish tales. The hero of the one volume, and the heroine of the other, are originally Roman Catholics; but, eventually, by a variety of singular and extraordinary circumstances, they obtain religious instruction; become genuine converts to the Protestant faith; and die declaring their attachment to the doctrines they had recently learned. In each case, too, there is the prospect of matrimony, but in each instance death throws his darkening shade over all the blissful visions of fancy and of hope.

The tale of the "Abbey" is the more simple, artless, and tender. That of "O'Hara" is more national in its character, and possesses a greater variety of incident, and a larger proportion of the marvellous. To those of our readers who are admirers of "Father Clement," or Early Recollections," the present volumes will, no doubt, be acceptable and gratifying. However, to us grey-beards, there is no need of reiterating our oft-recorded opinion of the tendency of such publications.

66

THE SINNER'S JUSTIFYING RIGHTEOUSNESS: or a Vindication of the Eternal Law, and Everlasting Gospel. By John Beart. Abridged by Rev. Thomas Jones, Curate of Creaton. 12mo. 146 pp. 3s. Seeley.-A republication of an old and valuable treatise, on an infinitely important subject, abridged, prefaced, and edited by the venerable curate of Creaton, well

MEMOIRS OF MRS. SUSAN HUNTINGTON, OF BOSTON, MASS.: consisting principally of Extracts from her Journal and Letters; with the Sermon occasioned by her Death. By Benjamin B. Wisner, Pastor of the Old South Church, Boston. 12mo. Pp. 296. 38. Richard Baynes -This volume of interesting memoirs is a reprint from one published a short time since in America, and which obtained considerable celebrity in that country. It is a valuable addition to those American biographical works which have been republished, and so widely circulated in England. The Memoirs

of Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Newell, and others, are familiar to our readers; and we feel no hesitation in assuring them that, in the perusal of the Memoirs of Mrs. Hun

tington, their interest and edification will not be less promoted than by the works to which we have alluded. This edition possesses two very powerful recommendations; first, its extraordinary cheapness; and, second, the profits of sale are to be devoted towards the liquidating of a debt upon

a

new meeting - house connected with one of the most ancient of the congregational churches in the king

dom.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

Mr. Howard Hinton is preparing for publication, "The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conversion, considered in its Relation to the Condition of Man, and the Administration of God."

Dr. Wardlaw of Glasgow has a new Volume of Sermons nearly ready for publication.

A new Edition of the Little Villager's Verse Book by the Rev. N. L. Bowles, will be ready in a few days.

A New Monthly Periodical is to be published in September next, to be entitled, "The Edinburgh Journal of Natural and Geographical Science."-To be conducted by an Association of Naturalists. It is to embrace all the departments of Natural History and of Geography, both Physical and Descriptive; and while it will be quite Scientific, it will at the same time be written in a popular style. This is the first Geographical Journal which has been published in Great Bri

CIRCUMSTANCES over which we had no controul, delayed the delivery of the American Journals, Reports, &c. on which we depended for the regular supply of this article. We are happy, however, to be enabled, by recent arrivals, to resume this series of papers, which we trust, with greater punctuality to continue.

The Religious Institutions of the United States, with their state up to the present year.

THE AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY was formed in 1816. Local Bible Societies had previously existed, but it was not till a Convention of Delegates met in the Consistory Room of the Reformed Dutch Church, New York, in May, 1816, that this great National Institution was formed.

The first President, Hon. Elias Bou dinot, contributed the noble donation of 10,000 dollars, in aid of its funds to secure the perpetual distribution of 1000 Bibles annually.

The following graduated scale will mark the progress of this most valuable Institution

During the first year of the Society, there were issued from its Depository, Bibles and Testaments, 0,410 copies. During the second year 17,594

Third year.... 31,118
Fourth year... 41,513

Fifth year

Sixth year.... 53,470 Seventh year. 54,805

.

60,439

Eighth year
Ninth year.... 63,851
Tenth year.... 67,134
Eleventh year. 76,734
Twelfth year. 134,607

The Thirteenth year, which has just closed, has witnessed the circulation of 200,122 copies, which is an increase of 65,515 over that of the preceding year. The whole amount of issues in 13 years, 846,937. Thus in the last year, one third as many were circulated has had been distributed in the 12 preceding years.

At the annual meeting in May last, it was unanimously resolved, To supply every destitute family, willing to receive a, Bible within the United States, with a copy of the Scriptures within two years. The population of the Republic is between 12 and 13 millions, or about two million five hundred thousand families. It is calculated that near a million fami

lies are destitute of the Bible. These are scattered over a wide extent of country, from the Maine to Florida, 12 or 1500 miles, and from the Atlantic to the Rocky Mountains, 1,500 to 2,000 miles. To accomplish that work, many hands, and much money will be required, but the friends of the Society anticipate its completion within the time appointed.

The American Bible Society House, Nassau Street, New York, is more com modious than ours in Earl Street, and the printing of the Holy Scriptures not being there a matter of patent or privilege they have presses, &c. at work on their own premises. At present they have in their Depository, 200,000 Bibles and Testaments. In the offices they have already eight steam power presses at work, and eight more will be ready in a few weeks. When these sixteen presses are in full operation, they expect to print and bind up between 7 and 800,000 copies per annum, which will more than meet the wants of their own population. They estimate that half a million of dollars will be necessary to accomplish this undertaking, and confident expectations are entertained that it will be raised. In New York alone, from 30 to 50,000 dollars are anticipated. One individual has subscribed 5,000 dollars, equal to £1,149. sterling. The receipts of the last year were 143,184 dollars.* The foreign operations of this noble Society, must be deferred to a future article.

THE AMERICAN TRACT SOCIETY has been formed four years, which has advanced in its contributions and issues in the following ratio :

1st year. 2d ditto 3d ditto...

. 4th ditto.

....

Dollars received. Tracts published. ..10,000.. ......1 million. .30,000. .3 millions. .45,000.. ......5 millions. .60,000... .6 millions. This Society is constituted on the Catholic principles of our Religious Tract Society, and at its annual meeting on the 13th of May, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Episcopalian, and Moravian Ministers took part in the delightful proceedings of the day. The system of domestic distribution has been attempted in New York with success. The city is divided into districts, and 500 gratuitous distributors are engaged. They, without distinction of rank, colour, or creed,

48. 6d. sterling to the dollar.