PROGRESSIVE READERS,

No. 4:

A SERIES OF

INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE LESSONS,

In Prose, Poetry and Dialogue;

WITH EXERCISES IN ELOCUTION,

SUPPLYING THE MEANS FOR COPIOUS PRACTICE ON

RHETORICAL PAUSE, INFLECTION AND EMPHASIS,

TOGETHER WITH AN

EXPLANATORY INDEX.

BY JOHN E. LOVELL,

AUTHOR OF THE U. S. SPEAKER, YOUNG SPEAKER, NEW SCHOOL DIALOGUES, ORTHOGRAPHICAL EXERCISES, &C, &C., &C.

“See, I have culled the flowers that promised best.”—Byron.

NEW HAVEN :

PUBLISHED BY DURRIE & PECK.

283007

1903

ENTERED,

According to Act of Congress, in the year 1856,

BY JOHN E. LOVELL,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

Printed by T. J. STAFFORD, 88 STATE STREET, (Stafford Building.)

PREFACE.

WHEN the first three numbers of the PROGRESSIVE READERS were given to the public, now some seven or eight months since, it was intimated in the advertisements of the Publishers, that the present volume would be ready in a few weeks. Considerable matter had been collected and arranged, and it did appear that a short time only would be requisite to complete the entire work. But it was then designed to extend the series to four volumes only. The representations, however, of experienced teachers, at home and abroad, that a fifth volume would be necessary, induced the author to change his plan. Hence, much that had been already done, needed to be undone, and the delay consequent upon such a determination, could not be avoided by any means in his power. This explanation is made with a feeling that it is due to those Teachers and Committees, who have adopted the series, and to whom the protracted appearance of the FOURTH BOOK may, to some degree, have been inconvenient. It is hoped, however, that it now comes to them with such claims upon their approbation, as to be none the less acceptable.

The lessons of this volume have been selected with the greatest care, both as to style and matter, and they will be found interesting, instructive, and elevating: every part of the work, indeed, has been adjusted with scrupulous desire to promote, in the best manner, the mental and moral interests of the young student.

A course of elocutionary exercises has been introduced into the body of the work, embracing the most important cases of Pause, Inflection, and Emphasis. The rules are brief and explicit; the examples numerous and interesting. The principles illustrated are, in the opinion of the writer, of the highest importance-they are founded in truth-and should be wrought, as it were, by early, frequent and persevering practice, into the very thought and feeling of the pupil. And let no teacher imagine that he lacks the ability to do this. It needs but zeal and determination; let him yield his own heart and mind to the work, and his aim is accomplished. He will

rejoice in the life, and naturalness of his pupils, and feel that his reward is quite equal to his labor.

Exceptional points, in the topics above referred to, will be treated in the next volume.

The Appendix comprises some fifteen hundred definitions, including explanations of classical allusions, peculiar phrases, and brief notices of authors and eminent or remarkable individuals and places. It cannot be extravagant to say that this Index, in the hands of the teacher, will be found a treasure of great value. There is also given a collection of Affixes and Prefixes, with exercises illustrative of their significancy and application, together with other items of educational interest.

This mark attached to certain words or phrases in each lesson, denotes that they are to be found in the Index. They should not only be examined, but studied and thoroughly mastered, before passing to a new subject.

It can hardly be expected that such a work will come from the press, in a first edition, without some errors. It is hoped there are not many, and for such as do occur, the kind indulgence of its patrons is solicited. It will be immediately revised and corrected.

The author cherishes much hope that this book will be favorably received. He would be proud to have it said in the words of the eminent Secretary of Education, Dr. Sears, of Massachusetts, that "it may be studied, not merely, nor chiefly, for learning to utter easily and correctly the words of a sentence, or for acquiring elocutionary skill, but for exercising the intellect, the judgment and the taste, and for storing the mind with the choicest knowledge."

NEW HAVEN, 1856.

J. E. L.

P. S. The fifth volume, for which considerable matter has already been brought together, will comprehend, in some five hundred pages, a copious series of lessons in Literature, Science, Oratory, &c., together with an Introduction on Elocution, embracing a review of all that has been considered in portions, in the four previous volumes, and such other particulars as will make it complete.

L