largely from the excellent work of Mr. Trench, on the Study of Words. He shows that there is an interesting history attached to many of our commonest words; and should the reader find a reference to the index attached to such familiar words as mankind, odd, husband, wife, amuse, education, field, forest, neighbor, palace, parasite, parlor, and scores of other words, more or less common, he will learn, from a glance at them in the index, that there is a history in their derivation which ought to be known. The importance of this knowledge is well set forth by Mr. Trench in the extracts from his work beginning on page 119. By acquainting himself with the origin of many words explained in the index, the reader will store his memory with a number of prefixes and postfixes, a knowledge of which will open to him the meaning of large classes of words to which they are the keys. The habit also, which he may thus acquire, of tracing verbal genealogies back to their primary stock, may be to him of incalculable service, in inspiring a taste that must open new sources of intellectual satisfaction and improvement; in leading to greater precision in the use of language; in simplifying and making luminous many a word that before seemed arbitrary, indefinite, and opaque; and, finally, in quickening his powers of penetration into the significance, or absence of significance, of all that he reads. In conclusion, I may remark, that both in the introductory part and in the index I have freely availed myself of the labors of the best and most recent authorities. In most instances, credit has been given; should it have been occasionally withheld, this general acknowledgment will suffice. CONTENTS. ** The names of authors and subjects, alphabetically arranged, will be found For an explanation of the marks of reference in Part II., see p. 55. Class Opinions-The Sword and Pen-Humming-Bird and But- terfly The Wolf and Kid-The Wolf on his Death-bed - The Life-Influence of Actions-Now- Fidelity in Little Things Imperceptible Formation of Habits- Kindness its own Reward, 84 Air and Exercise · Quarterly Review. Education in the United States-Webster. Our Common Schools - Everett. On Pamper- ing the Body at the Soul's Expense-Ib. 83. Columbus and his Discovery, 86. Unity and Progress of Mankind, 87. On Kindness to Brute Animals, 104. The Planets and Heavenly Bodies, 105. THOUGHTS ON EARLY RISING. 107. A Rill from the Town Pump (Part I.), . HAWTHORNE, Demosthenes-Creasy. Cicero and Demosthenes Compared-Fen- Degeneracy of Athens-Demosthenes. Value of Literature - Cicero. Know before you Speak-True Generosity-Moral and Physical Basis of our System - Washington. A Republic Strongest - Jef- ferson. True Bond of Union- Jackson. Religious and Mental Culture- Wayland. Our Political Experiment Wirt. Moral Force of Example-Mc Lean. Fabric of our Government-Webster, 287 136. The Harbor of San Francisco, 137. Execution of Madame Roland, Traits of Character Flint. Indian Mounds-Ib. Disappear- Religion essential to Morality - Washington. Indebtedness to 311 Resistance to Ridicule Sydney Smith. land. Perseverance under Failure Imagination-Jane Taylor. Idleness Chambers. A Habit of 176. Photography, or Light-drawing, 177. The Declaration of Independence, 178. The Indians among Themselves, 180. The Colosseum by Moonlight, bleness of a Taste for Reading - Herschel. The Habit may be Exten: of the Universe. The Atmosphere — Qu. Review. |