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OF

PROSE AND POETRY:

CONSISTING OF SELECTIONS

FROM THE BEST

ENGLISH AND AMERICAN AUTHORS:

DESIGNED AS

EXERCISES IN PARSING;

FOR THE USE OF

COMMON SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES

BY

TRUMAN RICKARD, A. M.

AND

HIRAM ORCUTT, A. M.
PRINCIPAL OF THETFORD (VT.) ACADEMY.

BOSTON:

PUBLISHED BY ROBERT S. DAVIS.

1850.

RS
1850

This work is used in New York STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, Albany, Massachusetts STATE NORMAL SCHOOLS, and in the princi

pal Academies and Select Schools in New England.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

From Wm. H. Wells, Esq., Author of 'A Grammar of the English Language.' Phillips Academy, Andover, May 14, 1847.

I have examined the 'CLASS BOOK OF PROSE AND POETRY,' compiled by Messrs RICKARD and ORCUTT, and take pleasure in expressing my unqualified approval of the plan and execution of the work. The first edition of the 'Selections' was introduced as a class book in this institution about a year since, and the experiment has fully confirmed the favorable opinion which I then formed respecting its merits. The present edition is greatly improved, and cannot fail to meet with general favor.

W. H. WELLS, Instructor English Department.

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I have had occasion to examine very carefully the new CLASS BOOK OF PROSE AND POETRY,' compiled by Messrs. RICKARD and ORCUTT, designed as a text book for parsing in common schools and academies. The selections are made from the best English and American authors, and contain some of the finest specimens of prose and poetry in our language. They furnish a great variety of exercises, very happily arranged to accomplish the object for which they are designed. The whole work reflects great credit on the taste, skill, and judgment of the compilers, and deserves a wide circulation.

ROGER S. HOWARD,

Principal Putnam Free School, Newburyport.

Extract of a letter from B. Greenleaf, Esq., Principal of Bradford Teachers' Seminary, and Author of the 'Popular Series of Arithmetics.'

The extracts are made with good taste and judgment, from the most approved authors, which, in connection with the Tables for Parsing, make it very valuable as a text book. I think such a work has long been needed in our academies and high schools. I have introduced it into my seminary, believing the work superior to any other for parsing, that I have examined. BENJAMIN GREENLEAF.

I have examined with much attention and interest the 'Selections,' designed as a text book for etymological and analytical parsing. I am highly gratified with the design, and with the execution of the work. It has been introduced into this academy, and I have no doubt will prove a most acceptable manual to teachers generally. C. S. RICHARDS,

Principal Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H.

From the Author of Gradual Lessons in Grammar,' 'Intellectual Algebra,' &c. I have examined with interest a little volume of Selections, to be used as a text book in schools, for exercises in the analysis of language. The extracts are from standard writers, and offer a variety of examples to illustrate all the principles of grammar. The taste and judgment of the gentlemen who have compiled the work are sufficient evidence that it is well adapted to the purposes for which it is designed. D. B. TOWER.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847,

BY ROBERT S. DAVIS,

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

PREFACE.

THE publication of the "Poetical Selections" was regarded as an experiment. The Compilers believed that such a book was needed, and that it would be cordially welcomed by teachers, generally. The marked favor with which it has been received, and the rapid sale of a large edition, show that they were not mistaken. Thus far, their expectations have been more than realized.

In preparing a second edition, the Compilers have aimed to supply the acknowledged deficiencies in the first. They have consulted many of the best teachers in New England, who have used the book, and have availed themselves of their criticisms and suggestions. Only two prominent faults have been pointed out; viz. that the selections were too difficult, as a whole, for general use; and that there was need of exercises in prose. A few pieces of poetry have been, accordingly, rejected, and their place supplied by others more simple and better adapted to the design of the book, and some twenty pages of choice prose have been inserted.

The selections have been made from the best English and American authors, and will be found alike characterized by purity of style and sentiment.

It is confidently believed, that the exercises will now be found well adapted to all classes of grammarians in our common schools and academies; and that they afford a sufficient variety of construction, to illustrate all the principles and peculiarities of the English language.

Notes have not been appended, for the obvious reason that whatever tends to prevent self-application cannot fail to do injury.

The Analytical Tables were inserted at the suggestion of Mr. CYRUS S. RICHARDS, Principal of Kimball Union Academy. They were kindly prepared by him, — Tables I. II. and IV. being taken, with some alterations, by permission, from CROSBY'S excellent Greek and General Grammar. These have been found invaluable, and should always be used as guides in grammatical and analytical parsing.

The Compilers take this opportunity to express their grateful acknowledgments to all who have manifested an interest in the book, and to those teachers, especially, who have favored them with important suggestions. They again submit this little volume to teachers and scholars, indulging the hope that in its present form it will be still more acceptable, and present new attractions for the study of our language.

MAY, 1847.

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