armies, &c., and to show the locations of cities and battlefields. The best of all plans in this respect is, for pupils to draw for themselves, on slates or blackboards, sketches of the countries of which they study, putting down the places mentioned in their lessons. 27. The drawing of the chronographer is also recommended. After the study of a period is completed, let the pupil draw the part of the circle of time belonging to that period. When he has studied a Part, let him delineate that Part on the circle of time: and so on, till he learns to draw the whole circle without a model. Having done this, let him connect with it the Historic Tree, whose branches, like so many indexes, or hands of a clock, point to the time of the epochs which they represent. 28. The teacher of this work may, by reading a copy of the author's larger History on the same plan, be able to relate to his class enlarged details and interesting anecdotes of the characters herein named, of which the limits of this book did not allow the insertion. Such incidents not only instruct, but they make scholars love the class-room, and give them confidence in the knowledge of their teacher. One important office of the common-school library, is to put such books into the instructor's hands as shall aid him in giving his pupils more enlarged views of their subjects of study. 1. THE subject of this work is the United States of CHA..L. America; or, as those States are sometimes called, the Subject. Republic or Nation of America. Its triple What constitutes a nation? First, there must be a country, with the natural divisions of land and water; second, there must be men, women, and children to inhabit that country; and third, those inhabitants must division. be bound together in one, by living under a common government, which extends its protection over all, and which all are bound to obey. 2. To every nation there belongs a history: For whenever the inhabitants of any large portion of the earth are united under one government, important public events must there have taken place. The record of these events constitutes the history of that country. Any na3. The events of history should always be record- tion's ed, with the circumstances of time and place. To tell when events happened, is to give their chronology; to 1. What is the subject of this work? What three parts compose a nation?-2. What constitutes any nation's history? 3. How should events be recorded? What is it to give their chronology? history 14 Connect ONE NATION. CH. I. tell where they happened, their geography. The history of a nation, is therefore inseparably connected with its ed with geography and chronology. Chronology may properly be called the skeleton of history, geography the base on which it stands. its geog. and chron, our country 4. First, let us inquire, where is the country of which we desire to know the history? In the vast Where universe, is a system of planets surrounding a sun, hence called the solar system. The third planet from is the sun is called the earth. On the earth's surface, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA occupies a northern portion of the smaller of two continents. In extent, it is one of the largest nations of the world. Its lati 5. In longitude, the Republic of America ranges through sixty degrees, from the Atlantic ocean to the tude and Pacific. In latitude, it reaches from the Cape of Flolongitude. rida, in north latitude twenty-five degrees, to British and Russian America in forty-nine. Thus stretching through the greater part of the northern temperate zone, it includes every variety of climate, from the hot unhealthy swamps of Florida, to the cold mountainous mate. regions of northern New England, and the north-western territories. Its cli Soil. 6. The soil and productions of our country are as various as its climate. Compared with other countries, it contains a large proportion of arable land; and what is of the utmost consequence to the accommodation Natural of man, it is well watered. On the whole, it may be tages. pronounced, one of the most fertile, healthy, and desirable regions of the earth. advan A good region 7. In observing the United States, there is much to for one convince us, that an Almighty, Overruling Providence, nation. designed from the first, to place here a great, united 3. Their geography? Are chronology and geography connected with history?-4. In regard to the universe where, as as tronomy teaches, are the United States? In regard to the earth's surface, or as regards geography, where is this country? What can you say of its extent?-5. What of its longitude? Of its latitude? Climate?-6. Soil and productions? Its natural advantages generally ?-7. Does this region, seem designed for one great nation, or several small ones? RIGHTEOUS GOVERNMENT. 15 people. Although this country, being one nation, is CH. L by means of its mighty rivers, well enabled to carry its inland productions to the ocean, and thence to foreign markets; yet, if it were divided, like southern Europe, into different nations, this would not be the case. 8. For this country is not, like southern Europe, indented with deep bays, gulfs, seas, and channels; whereby many small nations, can each be accommodated with a portion of the sea-board. If our long One nerivers were owned in part by one government, and in cessary part by another, the commerce of the inland nations, would be perpetually hampered, by those who owned the sea-board, and the mouths of the rivers. For they would be likely to insist on being paid for the use of their ports; and this would naturally breed quarrels and blood-shed. This is one reason among many, to show that the American people should continue to be ONE NATION; and, in the words of Washington, "frown indignantly on the first attempt to sever the union.” evil of division. The Am. made for 9. The government of this vast nation, which contains more than twenty-three millions of inhabitants, governis a FEDERATIVE REPUBLIC. It is federative, becausement in it there are several separate, independent states, all. confederated under one head, or general government. It is a republic, because the rulers are chosen by the people. The manner in which they are to be chosen, be understood by and in which they are bound to administer the government, is set forth in the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. This therefore, should be early learned, and thoroughly understood by every American. Should all. It is equi table and 10. The government of the United States is acknowledged by the wise and good of other nations, to should be be the most free, impartial, and righteous government 7. Why is it in regard to commerce better for one than for several? What part of the world admits of several small nations, and why?-8. Mention one among many evils, which would result from dividing this nation into several smaller ones? What is the language of Washington on this subject?-9. How many inhabi. tants has the United States? What is its form of government Why federative? Why a republic? Where can we learn the form of government?-10. What is the character of this govern ment sustained |