Parker's School Readers. NATIONAL SERIES OF SELECTIONS FOR READING, ADAPTED TO THE STANDING OF THE PUPIL. In Five Numbers. BY RICHARD G. PARKER แ The first and most elementary Reader takes up the young pupil where the primer and spelling-book leave him. It is still a spelling-book, as well as a reader, the dissyllables and other combinations being marked by hyphens. The selections are simple, but not too simple. A second reader introduces dialogue, with topics of minor morals, natural history, fables, &c. A third, geographical subjects, and others, advancing in interest and mental requisition. Each of these is illustrated with neatly executed wood-cuts. The fourth reader is an advance upon the others into the regions of classic literature, and includes some of the best works of the best authors. These are varied in selection, grave and gay, historical, narrative, the essay, poem, &c., and have a fresh and attractive look to the student. "The Rhetorical Reader is the concluding volume of the ascending scale of books for readers, by Mr. Parker. The selections are excellent, for variety of tone, modulation, and permanent classical interest. We are glad to see some solid old favorites among them, from Shakspeare, Dr. Johnson, Goldsmith, and others. It is a proof of Mr. Parker's contempt for stupid pedantry, that he has the courage to present in a school-book, Dickens' account of Dr. Blimber's forcing establishment; and it is another proof of candor that Lindley Murray is handsomely spoken of, and quoted at length, in the introduction. This part of the author's work is marked by its ingenuity and practical character. Mr. Parker has worked honestly and fairly, and is entitled to his hit in the preface at the modern art of selecting from the productions of editors, members of school committees, and others, whose vanity might perhaps aid the circulation of his work.' Mr. Parker professes to have found no royal or republican road to learning, but he has certainly very agreeably lightened the labors of the Journey. He has worked in the spirit of his selection from Coleridge: 'O'er wayward childhood wouldst thou hold firm rule, Love, Hope, and Patience, these must be thy graces."" Literary World. "Those of our readers who have young children, or are in any manner interested in the education of youth, should examine these Readers. We speak knowingly when we say that they are far superior to any heretofore compiled, and we should be glad to Bee them introduced into every school in the country."-American Keystone. "Parker's Series of Reading Books appear to me to be admirably adapted to theu intended purposes. The original matter with which they are interspersed is unique and striking in its character, oftentimes conveying, in well-told language,' and in an Instructive and interesting manner, well-adapted hints on the very business in handthe art of reading. Their moral tone is excellent, the lessons conveyed truthful, and well calculated to inspire habits of thought and reflection-the great objects of every good teacher's ambition. "R. C. CHANDLER, Prin. Allentown (Pa.) Academy." Parker's Rhetorical Reader. PARKER'S RHETORICAL READER. 12mo. Exercises in Rhetorical Reading, designed to familiarize readers with the pauses and other marks in general use, and lead them to the practice of modulation and inflection of the voice. By R. G. PARKER, author of "Exercises in English Composition," "Compendium of Natural Philosophy," &c., &c. This work possesses many advantages which commend it to favor, among which ars the following:-It is adapted to all classes and schools, from the highest to the lowest. It contains a practical illustration of all the marks employed in written language; also lessons for the cultivation, improvement, and strengthening of the voice, and instructions as well as exercises in a great variety of the principles of Rhetorical Reading, which cannot fail to render it a valuable auxiliary in the hands of any teacher. Many of the exercises are of sufficient length to afford an opportunity for each member of any class, however numerous, to participate in the same exercise-a feature which renders it convenient to examining committees. The selections for exercises in reading are from the most approved sources, possessing a salutary moral and religious tone, without the slightest tincture of sectarianism. 1 "I have to acknowledge the reception through your kindness of several volumes. have not as yet found time to examine minutely all the books. Of Mr. Parker's Rhe torical Reader, however, I am prepared to speak in the highest terms. I think it so well adapted to the wants of pupils, that I shall introduce it immediately in the Academy of which I am about to take charge at Madison, in this state. It is the best thing of the kind I have yet found. I cannot say too much in its favor."-John G. Clark, Rector of the Madison Male Academy, Athens, Ga. "Mr. Parker has made the public his debtor by some of his former publications especially the Aids to English Composition'-and by this he has greatly increased the obligation. There are reading books almost without number, but very few of them pretend to give instructions how to read, and, unluckily, few of our teachers are competent to supply the defect. If young persons are to be taught to read well, it must generally be done in the primary schools, as the collegiate term affords too little time to begin and accomplish that work. We have seen no other Reader' with which we have been so well pleased; and as an evidence of our appreciation of its worth, we shall lay it aside for the use of a certain juvenile specimen of humanity in whose affairs we are specially interested."-Christian Advocate. "We cannot too often urge upon teachers the importance of reading, as a part of ducation, and we regard it as among the auspicious signs of the times, that so much more attention is given, by the best of teachers, to the cultivation of a power which is at once a most delightful accomplishment, and of the first importance as a means of discipline and progress. In this work, Mr. Parker's volume, we are sure, will be found ▲ valuable aid."-Vermont Chronicle. "The title of this work explains its character and design, which are well carried out by the manner in which it is executed. As a class-book for students in elocution, or as an ordinary reading book, we do not think we have seen any thing superior. The disAnguishing characteristic of its plan is to assume some simple and familiar example, which will be readily understood by the pupil, and which Nature will tell him how to deliver properly, and refer more difficult passages to this, as a model. There is, how ver, another excellence in the work, which we take pleasure in commending; it is the progressiveness with which the introductory lessons are arranged. In teaching very art and science this is indispensable, and in none more so than in that of elocu ion. The pieces for exercise in reading are selected with much taste and judgment We have no doubt that those who use this book will be satisfied with its success.".. Teacher's Advocate. Parker's Natural Philosophy. NATURAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. FOR SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES. BY R. G. PARKER, A. M., Author of Rhetorical Reader," "Exercises in English Composition,” “Outline of History," etc., etc. I. PARKER'S JUVENILE PHILOSOPHY. II. PARKER'S FIRST LESSONS IN NATURAL PHILOSOPHY III. PARKER'S SCHOOL COMPENDIUM OF PHILOSOPHY. The use of school apparatus for illustrating and exemplifying the principles of Natura and Experimental Philosophy, has, within the last few years, become so general as to render necessary a work which should combine, in the same course of instruction, the theory, with a full description of the apparatus necessary for illustration and experiment. The work of Professor Parker, it is confidently believed, fully meets that requirement. It is also very full in the general facts which it presents-clear and concise in its style-and entirely scientific and natural in its arrangement. "This work is better adapted to the present state of natural science than any other similar production with which we are acquainted."-Wayne Co. Whig. "This is a school-book of no mean pretensions and no ordinary value.”—Albany Spectator. "We predict for this valuable and beautifully-printed work the utmost success.' Newark Daily Advertiser. "The present volume strikes us as having very marked merit."-N. Y. Courier. "It seems to me to have hit a happy medium between the too simple and the two abstract.”—B. A. Smith, Principal of Leicester Academy, Mass. "I have no hesitation in saying that Parker's Natural Philosophy is the most valuable elementary work I have seen."-Gilbert Langdon Hune, Prof. Nat. Phil. N. Y. City. "I am happy to say that Parker's Philosophy will be introduced and adopted in "Victoria College,' at the commencement of the next collegiate year in autumn; and I hope that will be but the commencement of the use of so valuable an elementary work in our schools in this country. The small work of Parker's (Parker's First Lessons) was introduced the last term in a primary class of the institution referred to, and that with great success. I intend to recommend its use shortly into the model school in this city, and the larger work to the students of the provincial Normal School."-E. Ryerson, Superintendent of Public Instruction of Upper Canada. "I have examined Parker's First Lessons and Compendium of Natural and ExperiMental Philosophy, and am much pleased with them. I have long felt dissatisfaction with the Text-Books on this subject most in use in this section, and am happy now to find books that I can recommend. I shall introduce them immediately into my school." Hiram Orcutt, Principal of Thetford Academy, Vermont. "I have no hesitation in pronouncing it the best work on the subject now published We shall use it here, and I have already secured its adoption in some of the high schools and academies in our vicinity."-M. D. Leggett, Sup. of Warren Public Schools We are glad to see this little work on natural philosophy, because the amount of valuable information under all these heads, to be gained from it by any little boy o girl, is inestimable. It puts them, too, upon the right track after knowledge, and provents their minds from being weakened and wasted by the sickly sentimentality of tales, novels, and poetry, which will always occupy the attention of the mind whey thing more useful has taken possession of it.”—Missis: ppian. WITH AN INTRODUCTORY ESSAY ON THE ELEMENTS OF ELOCUTION. Designed for the use of Schools, Academies, and Colleges. BY J. C. ZACHOS. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS OF ORATORICAL AND DRAMATICAL GESTURES 1 vol. 12mo. $1 25. Professor Zachos was induced to prepare this excellent Manual of Oratory from the fact, that, among the numerous works of the kind now in use, none have been found adequate to the wants of students of oratory and dramatic expression. The New American Speaker has already been introduced into several of our first schools. From the many favorable notices of the work, we give the following, to show WHAT IS THOUGHT OF IT. Of the many books of the kind, we pronounce the New American Speaker the best we have ever seen. The selections are numerous and excellent, embracing a much greater variety, and manifesting a better judgment, than other works of a simila character.-Citizen. This is a work which for its purpose has no superior. The selections appear to us tasteful and elegant. They are certainly made from authors of high classical reputation Copious in matter, tasteful in style, and clearly and handsomely printed, it is a book, we apprehend, that will supersede all others in the class and exhibition room, and become a general favorite with both teachers and students.-Literary Advertiser. Many of these selections [from Shakspeare and British orators], Mr. Zachos has had the good sense and good taste to retain, and has presented them with others of more recent date, so as to make what we consider one of the best books of the kind now before the public.—Atlas. By far the most complete Manual of Oratory ever published. We cannot speak in terms too high of the New American Speaker.—Enquirer. Mr. Zachos, who is well and favorably known here as a teacher of more than ordinary acquirements and zeal in his profession, has shown taste and judgment, as well as great care, in the compilation of his New American Speaker, which contains many entirely new selections from the best modern writers, English and American, and which is, therefore, the best book of the kind now in market.—Times. Bartlett's Natural Philosophy for Colleges ELEMENTS OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY. IN THREE VOLUMES. BY W. H. C. BARTLETT, LL.D., Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy in the United States Military Academy at West Point. Vol. 1st.-MECHANICS. The present volume is the first of three, in which its author desires to offer to Academies and Colleges a Course of Natural Philosophy, including Astronomy. It embraces the subject of Mechanics-the groundwork of the whole. It is intended to be complete within itself, and to have no necessary dependence for the full comprehension of its contents upon those which are to follow. "Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., November 1, 1850. "I congratulate Professor Bartlett on the result of his labors, in the production of the present treatise, on a subject so eminently important, whether in its general relation to a system of liberal culture, or, in a more technical sense, as a foundation of the science and art of construction. "With the somewhat hasty examination which I have been, as yet, enabled to give it, I cannot presume to indicate specialities; but I am abundantly satisfied of its vast advance, in every respect, upon any American predecessor; and it is a consideration not a little gratifying, that we are now enabled to present our students with a manual which shall exhibit the most important principles of mechanical science, in the garb of modern analysis, vigorously demonstrated and fairly illustrated, with a fullness that appears to leave little to be desired. "We shall immediately adopt the work in our institution. "B. FRANKLIN GREENE, "Director and Professor of Mechanics, etc., "Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y.” "The work is intended for the use of students in our highest colleges and institutions of learning, and is much more complete and serviceable than any thing of the kind hitherto published. Professor Bartlett is well known as one of the most thoroughly scientific men in the United States; and the success with which he has presided over this department of instruction in the West Point Military Academy for many years, affords decisive evidence of his abundant and pre-eminent qualifications for the preparation of such a work. It is published in a large and very elegantly printed octavo volume, and is very profusely illustrated with diagrams. It is a work which cannot fail, as rapidly as it becomes known, to find its way into all our colleges in which com pleteness and thoroughness of scholarship are properly prized."-Courier and Enquirer. "The progress of research and demonstration constantly going on, requires an occaonal recast of our text-books; and we have every reason in Prof. Bartlett's attainments, position, and facilities, for believing that the work he has so elaborately undertaken will answer the requisitions of the present advanced state of the science, as well as of the improved method of study. The present volume treats of mechanics, both of solids and fluids. An introductory chapter defines the objects of the science, and the properties of bodies. The author possesses a concise and unambiguous method, which s well adapted for his purpose; and his demonstrations, embracing both analytical and synthetic processes, are very concise and clear. It is evident that he has possessed aimself of all the learning on his topics extant, and claims to have embodied, especially, the best results of the labors of two eminent French philosophers-M. Poncellet and M. Peschel."-New York Eringelist |