This Reader is the result of the practical experience of many years. The Phonic Method: though it has been found that the phonic method gives the pupil a better mastery of 'hard' words than any other, yet at this stage of his progress he has still many obstacles to overcome. To meet these with advantage, his knowledge of the power of letters must be extended and perfected. Reading Matter: Acquiring additional power over new words as he becomes more familiar with the diacritical marks, the pupil will advance with rapidity and confidence. Reading Lessons: Except for purposes of special drill, the pieces should be read as wholes, in order that a keep interest in the reading lessons may be excited and sustained. Interest on th the part of the pupil will supersede the necessity of much labor on the part of the teacher. The Words in Columns: at the head of the reading lessons are intended to be studied for spelling, pronunciation, and meaning, before the lesson is read. The diacritical marks can not be thoroughly learned except by practice in marking words. The best means of making sure that a child comprehends the true meaning of a word is to require him to use it in a sentence of his own. "How to Read": The lessons so headed present the most important principles of good reading, in so simple a way that they can be readily understood by even a child. Being made reading exercises, they will not be neglected, as lessons upon elocution usually are when inserted as separate articles, or by way of an 'introduction.'

"The teacher using this book can teach by any method which he may prefer ; but the experience of many years has convinced us that a judicious combination of the word and phonic methods is the best. It makes the shortest step from the known to the unknown ; it makes the pupil independent of the aid of the teacher sooner than any other. As a preparation for the reading-exercises, we would provoke the children to use in conversation the new words which are to be found at the head of each reading-lesson ; from which words, again, we would derive the new sounds which are about to claim special notice in the succeeding lesson or lessons."--page 1.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1877.