cause of the moral renovation of the world. The time is fast coming, when the usefulness of every publication will be tested by its adaptedness to this object. This is the great design of our Creator in his providential government of the world, and it ought to be the main purpose of his intelligent creatures in all their labors. It has not been so much the intention of the compiler to advocate any specific modes of benevolent effort, as to cherish in the bosoms of his readers an enlarged and philanthropic spirit. The good of one's own country is best secured by consulting for the interests of the whole human race. The effort has been made to select such articles as men of a truly catholic spirit, in all countries, may regard with approbation, rather than those of a patriotic or national character. More than THREE FOURTHS of the articles in the Eclectic Reader are not found in any other selection, not excepting Mr. Cheever's excellent compilations. Fifteen or twenty of the most popular reading books have been examined, so that this selection might have the character of novelty and variety. If the articles are of equal merit with those contained in previous collections, an important object is attained, as a new body of valuable English literature is presented to the youthful mind. The compiler has endeavored to keep in recollection the principle, that the young reader should be familiarized with those kinds of writing with which he will most commonly meet in mature life. It were easy to multiply extracts from Dr. Johnson, Dr. Blair, Mr. Alison, and other writers of a stately and formal character. But little preparation could be made in this way for the exigencies of a miscellaneous and widely various reading. The style of writing at the present time is more forcible, direct and unembarrassed than was the case in the days of Queen Anne, or George III. The same objection may be made to the selection of dialogues, except so far as the reading of them serves to give variety and compass to the intonations of the voice. They are not the species of composition with which it is necessary to become very familiar. Unhappily, also, many dialogues are objectionable on the score of morality and good taste. In conclusion, the compiler hopes that the Eclectic Reader will be an acceptable addition to the number of reading books already before the public. Selections might have been made from Milton, Cowper, Shakespeare, Thomson, and other well-known writers, both foreign and American; but it was not necessary. some compensation, the man of taste will be pleased with the mature and finished compositions of Professors Playfair and Frisbie, the delightful allegories of Jane Taylor, the "wisdom married to immortal verse" of Coleridge and Wordsworth, the manly sense and comprehensive views of Evarts, and the Ciceronian elegance and dignity of Robert Hall. Boston, December, 1832. 94 47. Commanding Position of the United States... D. Webster. 99 49. Character of Brainerd and Martyn.... 53. Winter Evening in an Icelandic Family. 55. Forest Trees preparing for Winter. 58. The Glory of God in Creation.. 64. Improvement in the Science of Analogy...Pres. Wayland. 126 65. Hurricane in Barbadoes in August, 1831. by one of the Moravian Missionaries.. 66. Pilgrim Fathers of New England 77. Memoir of Lady Huntingdon ....... Christian Offering. 150 78. The Power of Christianity..American Quarterly Register. 154 82. Permanence of literary Monuments..James Montgomery. 161 83. Extract from a Speech on the Indian Bill, in the Congress of the United States .......Isaac C. Bates. 163 85. Prospects of the Cherokees 86. Youth and Studies of Pascal 87. Cruelty of confining Birds 105. Character of Professor Playfair 106. Parallel between Leibnitz and Newton 114. Letter from Lord Collingwood to his Daughter.... 224 119. Crater of Kirauea in Hawaii 126. Importance of the Union of the States... Daniel Webster. 258 132. The Active Service of Heaven. Nat. Hist. of Enthusiasm. 269 140. Thomas Simpson....Library of Entertaining Knowledge. 292 141. Cemeteries and Rites of Burial in Turkey......Hartley. 299 Lesson. LESSONS IN VERSE. 13. Lines written while sailing in a Boat at Evening... Ibid. 41 14. Obligations of Civil to Religious Liberty....... . Ibid. 42 15. Hymn before Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouny.Coleridge. 43 39. Funeral in a new Colony... 40. The English Church Service. 48. Scene from Remorse, a Tragedy. |