Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by

WILSON, HINKLE & Co.,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.

PREFACE.

The author of this work believes that the subjects of good morals and gentle manners are unequaled in importance by any that can be imparted in the public schools, either for intellectual discipline or practical utility.

He believes that the true happiness and real usefulness of each individual, and of every community, depend largely upon the application of the principles of virtuous living.

He believes fully in the wisdom of the proverb, that we shall “Train up a child in the way he should go; and, when he is old, he will not depart from it."

He believes that moral and social training do not result from hearing little moral stories, or from reading goodish little books.

He believes that training implies discipline, and that while little books and stories afford amusement and entertainment, they alone are not sufficient to educate children in the duties of morality and politeness.

He believes in teaching by parables, especially when accompanied by such direct and practical applications of truth as are exhibited in the "Proverbs" and the "Sermon on the Mount."

He believes that moral lessons, which are taught in anticipation of temptation, are more profitable than those which follow the commission of crime; that a boy just convicted of stealing is not in the best frame of mind to receive his first lessons upon honesty.

He believes that moral instruction should be given as regularly, systematically, and practically as instruction in any other department of science, and that its postponement to the latter part of the college course is unwise and unphilosophical.

He believes that all schools should be places of true refinement and elegant culture, and that when they are not, they must be nurseries of vulgarity. (iii)