McGuffey, William Holmes, L. L. D. McGuffey’s New Fifth Eclectic Reader: selected and original exercises for schools. Cincinnati: Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co., 1866. (copyright 1857)
PREFACE
This, the fifth in the series of remodeled Eclectic Readers, differs from the
preceding volumes, chiefly, in its grade. The lessons are more difficult, the
lists of errors in articulation and punctuation are more extensive, and the
questions, more copious and varied.
A considerable amount of new matter, derived from the best sources of English
literature, has been added.
The introductory material on READING is commended to the notice of the teacher,
as containing important instruction upon that subject, with copious illustrations
and exercises. Miscellaneous exercises in articulation are also interspersed
between the lessons.
The SPELLING and DEFINING EXERCISES, placed at the head of the lessons, are
copious, and at the same time, select. In addition to these, words are also
marked in the lessons to be spelled and defined by the pupil.
The grammatical questions are particularly condemned to the attention of the
teacher, as a valuable feature. Few are aware, until a trial, how closely reading
and grammatical analysis may be profitably united.
The Reading Lessons have been very carefully selected. It has been the great
object of the compiler to present the best specimens of style, to insure interest
in the subjects, to impart valuable information, and, especially, to exert a
decided and healthy moral and religious influence.
As very little material is found in a form appropriate to practice as reading
lessons, the matter has here been extensively remodeled and rearranged, so as
to adapt it to its place in this volume. On this account, the lessons are credited
in the contents as being “from” the authors named.
Table of Contents (available through the University of Pittsburgh digital library)