ADVERTISEMENT.

must be content with never going beyond a certain point, and with reaching that point by the most expeditious route. A few, thus initiated in the truths of science, will no doubt push their attainments further; and for these the works in common use will suffice; but for the multitude it will be most essential that works should be prepared adapted to their circumstances...... It is not necessary that all who are taught or even a considerable proportion should go beyond the rudiments; but whoever feels within himself a desire and an aptitude to go further will do so,--and the chances of discovery, both in the arts and in science itself, will be thus indefinitely multiplied. Edinburgh Review, No. 81.

PREFACE.

THE Literary and Scientific Class Book, by the Rev. John Platts of Doncaster, England, was published in the beginning of the year 1821. "The grand object aimed at," he says in his Preface, " is, that while the pupil reads his daily lesson, he shall not only learn to pronounce words, but shall also treasure up a valuable stock of ideas, to enlarge his mind, to interest his heart, and to prepare him for his future scenes on the theatre of life."

The plan and leading title of the above-mentioned publication have been adopted in the present work, and many of the lessons have been retained either in full, or in an abridged and altered form. The notes, appendix, and engravings, have been added; and such materials have been selected from other sources as were judged best adapted to improve the hearts and enlarge the minds of youth in this country. Most of the lessons have been selected with a particular reference to the instruction which they contain on important branches of knowledge. Although the work is designed for the higher classes, yet it is believed that all young persons, who are able to read with facility, and are acquainted with the rudiments of arithmetic and geography, may use it with advantage.

The names of authors are given in many instances, but, in general, the quotations have been so much altered, or the same lesson taken from so many different sources, that it could not be done with convenience. The works consulted or from which extracts have been made, are noticed in the Appendix. A list of select books has been furnished for the use of those who wish to make further attainments.

SELECT BOOKS.

Locke's Conduct of the Understanding, 1 vol. 18mo.
Watts' Improvement of the Mind, 12mo.

Kett's Elements of General Knowledge, 2 vols. 12mo.
Bézout's Elements of Arithmetic, 12mo.

Legendre's Elements of Geometry, 8vo.

Colburn's Introduction to Algebra upon the inductive me thod of Instruction, 1 vol. 12mo.

Joyce's Familiar Introduction to the Arts and Sciences, 1 vol. 12mo.

Systematic Education, or Elementary Instruction in the various departments of Literature and Science, by Rev. W. Shepherd, Rev. J. Joyce, and Rev. L. Carpenter, 2 vols. 8vo.

Cavallo's Elements of Natural and Experimental Philosophy, by F. X. Brosius, 2 vols. 8vo.

Nicholson's Operative Mechanic 8vo.

Nicholson's Popular Elements of pure and mixed Mathematics, 8vo.

Hutton's Recreations in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, 4 vols. 8vo.

Enfield's Institutes of Natural Philosophy, Theoretical and
Practical, 4to.

Ferguson's Lectures on select subjects in Mechanics, Optics,
Astronomy, &c. edited by Dr. Brewster, 2 vols. 8vo.
Ferguson's Astronomy, 2 vols. 8vo. edited by Dr. Brewster.
Bonnycastle's Introduction to Astronomy, 1 vol. 8vo.
Cotting's Introduction to Chemistry, 12mo.
Henry's Elements of Chemistry, 2 vols. 8vo.

Macneven's Tabular View of the Modern Nomenclature and
System of Chemistry.

Mackenzie's One Thousand Experiments in Chemistry, exhibiting the applications of Modern Chemistry to all branches of the useful arts, 8vo.

Cleveland's Mineralogy and Geology, 2 vols. 8vo.
Lowry's Conversations on Mineralogy.

Robinson's Catalogue of American Minerals, 8vo.
Locke's Outlines of Botany, 12mo.

Thornton's Elements of Botany, with 160 plates.

Eaton's Manual of Botany for the Northern and Middle States, 12mo.

Eaton's Botanical Exercises, including directions, rules, &c. 12mo.

Davy's Agricultural Chemistry, 12mo.

Brown's Compendium of Agriculture, 12mo.

Dean's New England Farmer, or Georgical Dictionary, 8vo. Willich's Domestic Encyclopædia, edited by Dr. Cooper, 3 vols. 8vo.

Benjamin's Rudiments of Architecture, 8vo.

Cabinet Maker's Guide.

Gregory's Economy of Nature, 3 vols. 8vo.
Buffon's Natural History, 2 vols. 8vo.

Paley's Natural Theology, 12mo.

Harris' Natural History of the Bible, 8vo.

Harlan's Description of the Mammiferous Animals of North America, 8vo.

Bewick's Quadrupeds, 1 vol. 8vo.

Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomology, 2 vols. 8vo.. Worcester's Sketches of the Earth and its inhabitants, 2 vols. 12mo.

Malte-Brun's Universal Geography, or description of all parts of the world on a new Plan, 7 vols. 8vo. Bingley's Useful Knowledge, 3 vols. 12mo.

Bigland's Letters on the Study of History, 8vo.

Tytler's Elements of History, Ancient and Modern, 12mo. History of New England by Hannah Adams, 8vo.

History of England, abridged from Hume and Smollet, by J. Robinson, D. D.

Paley's Moral and Political Philosophy, 8vo.

Baker's Moral Philosophy, abridged from Paley, 18mo.
Parkhurst's Elements of Moral Philosophy, 12mo.

Smith's Wealth of Nations, 2 vols. 8vo.

The Federalist, by Madison, Jay, and Hamilton, 8vo.

Say's Treatise on Political Economy, 8vo.

The American Journal of Science and Arts. New-Haven.

The Boston Journal of Philosophy and the Arts.

New Edinburgh Encyclopædia, edited by Dr. Brewster.