Tarr, Augustus DeKalb. The American Reader of Prose and Poetry. Designed for The Academies and Schools of America. Philadelphia: Marcus Bast, 1857.

PREFACE

A PREFACE is expected to give an account of the subject or entertainment contained within the lids of the book, when about to be published. Were it not in pure compliance with custom, I would not write a line; but the Americans, as a nation, are tetchy as well as humorous, and must be served according to fashion. Every thing is in danger of being lost, that is not beneficial. And he who attempts to publish a book without civilly accosting the reader at the beginning, is thought to intrench upon the first principles of politeness.

To prevent these inconveniences, I will say a word or two – not in praise of my book. It must take its chance with the scrutinizing public. Fortune, we know to be fickle; nothing will save it but merit; and that is to be estimated by the people: and it is to them I commit it.

In the present undertaking, not the smallest claim is made to any peculiar skill or merit of execution, except in the selections and arrangement of the lessons and rules for teachers and scholars. That there are already many, very many books (having in view the same object,) which have been found exceedingly useful, cannot be denied; and this pretends not to any superiority over them, save that of affording a much greater quantity of new matter than they have done.

This book is intended as a helpmate to reform and improve the age, by placing in the hands of youth the most salutary admonitions and sentences gleaned for the purpose from authors whose characters need not commendation.

It aims not at supplanting others by ostentatiously displaying its own claims, or by detracting from others their characters and value; the public will ultimately choose that book most deserving of their support. It will be enough for the writer if this book shall be equally united with others in giving entertainment, and imparting knowledge to the rising youth of America.

That must be good and correct which is faultless; therefore, authors and editors will please excuse and forgive the borrowing of many passages from them, for the same reason that they borrowed of their “illustrious predecessors;” for it will be found, on examination, that in all compilations of this sort, this privilege has been enjoyed; and as the matter here borrowed belongs as much to one as the other, there is no just cause of complaint. A compiler cannot claim an exclusive property in any passage of any author which he himself possessed on a very disputable title; not can he pretend an exclusive right who, perhaps, has no right at all, but by the convenience of the real owner.

Considering, then, the manifold varieties of sentiment, different tempers, humors and passions of men, no work or production of man can be expected to please all.

Therefore I will only add, that I have prefixed to this book a short and simple code of rules, which if duly observed by teacher and scholar, must give great facilities and abridge the labors of the teacher, as well as be the source of much pleasure and the means of improvement to the scholar.

Very respectfully, your fellow-citizen,

A. DeKALB TARR

July 4, 1857.

Table of Contents (2 pages; jpg files)