is the one on which we remarked as the only exceptionable piece from the pen of Berquin in the "Beauties of the Children's Friend." In several of the pieces which we would retain in the book, there is much that might have been better adapted to the capacity of children;-and would have been, had it come from the pen of Barbauld or Edgeworth. To give one example: "My little cane," says a child, (p. 128) " is now all in pieces. It was farmer Robinson's son, that reduced it to this worthless state." This is not the language of a child. A real child would have said, "It was farmer Robinson's son, that broke it and spoiled it so." The compiler has our thanks for altering an expression near the close of the first piece, in which Mrs. Barbauld speaks of the bears eating up a naughty boy." This expression is the most objectionable one, and almost the only objectionable one, that we have found in her admirable "Lessons for Children.”— In the story of Bertrand, (p. 97) Harry appears to be commended, or at least is not censured, for "pretending to be sick," that is, for practising deception. This is either erroneous in sentiment or unguarded in expression.-On p. 30, poor Laura is represented as greatly distressed at having lost an opportunity of being "noticed" in company. This is expressed in a way which has a tendency to enkindle the passion of vanity in the breast of the little reader. On p. 15, "Miss Totum's" father says to his wife, "Little children will not play with our daughter; and no one will love her but us." It seems that the author, whoever he may be, is determined that "but" shall be a preposition.-On p. 17, we are informed, that "thunder shakes the earth, and makes it fruitful." This is a fact, which, if we ever knew it before, we had been so unfortunate as to forget.-The boy who wished, on the arrival of each season, that it would last all the year, is, in this book called Tommy; in the Children's Friend, he is called Flo rio; and we recollect having formerly read of this same boy under the name of Frank. We wish that compilers and translators would be content to copy, without making alterations just for the sake of making them. We hope, too, that the time will soon come, when "Tommy" and "Billy," and all the other dialect of the nursery, will go out of fashion.-We would thank the compiler, in the next edition, to change "equally alike" (p. 114, 1. 6) into "equally well ;"—not for the sake of altering it, but for the sake of making good English of it. The above remarks, are a part of those which we should make to our pupils, if we should use this little book in school; and wer are quite willing that other instructers should follow our example. Remarks on some other books are omitted for want of room. We regret our inability to complete the list of books requested by our correspondent, previously to the commencement of the winter schools. We fear it would have been of little service, just to name the books which we would recommend, without assigning the reasons of our preference. The subject requires much discussion. We will endeavor to resume it early in our next volume, and bring it to a close as soon as possible. Notwithstanding the length to which, in answering the questions of our correspondent, our remarks have already been extended, we are aware, that it is of far greater importance what method of teaching is adopted by an instructer, than it is what branches are taught, in what order they are taken up, or what books are used. Hence, in commencing the publication of the Teacher's Guide, our first attention and most vigorous efforts were directed to the method of teaching which ought to be adopted and the qualifications which an instructer ought to possess. Though it is impossible for a man to work without tools, yet a good workman will do better with poor tools, than a bad workman can with the best tools. Payment for the present volume, or the names of subscribers for the next volume, may be delivered to any of our Agents, or sent by mail (post paid) to Shirley and Hyde, Portland, Me.; Wait, Greene, and Co. Court-street, Boston; or to J. B. Moore, Concord, N. H. No subscription will be received for a less term than one year. Agents who receive or collect payments, and transmit them, by private conveyance or post paid, to Portland, Boston, or Concord, as above stated, shall be entitled to a discount of ten per cent. on all moneys thus collected and transmitted. Communications pertaining to the editorial department, may be directed to John L. Parkhurst, Concord, N. H. |