PREFACE. In this Book, it has been attempted to supply the means of exercising and strengthening the reasoning faculties of children, and of giving a salutary direction to their opening powers of observation. It will depend a good deal upon the natural understanding as well as upon the previous education of the child, to determine at what age this volume may be put into its hands. Experience has proved that, in some instances, eight or nine years old is not too early. It will be observed that the works of Paley, have supplied the principal materials; other eminent writers, however, have occasionally been laid under contribution. The part which relates to astronomy is new. |