of YOUR ROYAL PATRONAGE, as YOUR MAJESTY is so eminently distinguished for the practice of VIRTUES which are no where perfectly taught but in the SACRed Volume.

It is the peculiar felicity of this nation, that every mother may look up to the THRONE for a pattern of the truly maternal character, and behold YOUR MAJESTY instructing YOUR ROYAL PROGENY in the discharge of those duties which lead to IMMORTAL HAPPINESS.

May the influence of Your illustrious example be universally extended! May YOUR MAJESTY long continue to bless this land, and soften the cares of ROYALTY to the best of SOVEREIGNS! And when you shall obtain an incorruptible crown, may it be remembered by posterity, that YOUR MA

JESTY added lustre to an earthly one, by adorning your mind with the graces of Christianity, and diffusing happiness. to all around you!

I am, MADAM,

With all humility and gratitude,

YOUR MAJESTY'S

Most dutiful, and most devoted Servant,

SARAH TRIMMER.

BRENTFORD, Jan. 1, 1788.

A 3

THE opposite customs which have, of late years, prevailed in many schools and families, of either suffering the Scriptures to be read by children in a promiscuous manner, or totally neglected, may be justly regarded as principal causes of the profaneness and libertinism of the age; for (as an excellent author observes *) as soon as we lay aside the Sacred Writings, which are the only infallible guide of faith and practice, we must of necessity go wrong.-Our all-wise CREATOR would not have given them to us, if He had not known that we had need of their assistance;" therefore, it is presumptuous to suppose we can educate youth properly without them; and it may justly be considered as an irreverent act, to make use of GOD's HOLY WORD with no farther end in view than the improvement of pupils in the art of reading.

Since it has pleased GOD of His infinite compassion to bless us with a book whose Divine contents are variously adapted to all ages and conditions of mankind; it is certainly the indispensable duty of parents and teachers to draw the attention of children to it as soon as possible.-Every part of early instruction ought to be held in subordination to the study of RELIGION.-To excite in the minds of young children a desire of being made acquainted with the SCRIPTURES, ought doubtless to be our first care, instead of making classical learning and * See Preface to Ostervald's Arguments.