GEOGRAPHY READING BOOKS Adapted to the Requirements of the New Code of 1880 LONDON NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY BROAD SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER [All rights reserved] 2017. f.66 120CT85 OXFORD PREFACE. THIS Book, like those which have preceded it, is meant to be both a real Reading Book and a guide and help in teaching Geography. It will be seen at once that it will not serve the purpose of a text-book. Whatever can be taught by short text-books, learnt by heart, like the names of counties and county towns, heights of mountains, lengths of rivers, &c., is here for the most part rather taken for granted than distinctly taught. And much is everywhere left for the living voice of the teacher. I have aimed at giving a clear general view of the physical structure of the British Islands, noticing in detail only the more important features of their 'political geography.' I hope this will commend itself to teachers who wish to make the study one of intelligence rather than of mere memory. I am sure that into this framework all needful political facts will be easily fitted. I have tried to relieve the dryness of these details by occasional extracts of illustrative matter. If, thereby, the bulk of the book has been increased, I hope to be forgiven by all who know the necessity of interesting children in their lessons, if the teaching is to be duly valued-of giving a few sweet morsels, as the old poet says, to make the mental food attractive. I make no apology for the frequent recurrence to the same places, or for what some may think the disjointed order in which they are approached. There is a method in all this irregularity; and it may not be bad for teachers or scholars to recur, under a new point of view, to ground already traversed. As an old educationist, I leave this little book to the candid judgment of teachers; satisfied if, with all its faults, it does service in the great work. |