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earnest desire of improving this Selection as much as possible, has engaged the Compiler to make considerable alterations upon it in every succeeding impression. For these liberties he hopes to be forgiven ; especially as they have been the means of giving it, at laft, a degree of excellence, which, he flatters himself, will render it highly acceptable to every person of taste. To prevent, however, the inconveniences which might attend the varying of it so much in future editions, it is determined to allow it, henceforward, to remain the same, or nearly the same, as it is now presented to the Public.

-Of the general plan and manner of using it, the following is a short account.

PART I. is calculated to form the accurate and polished Reader. It is divided into eight sections ; five in Profe, and three in Verse. For several reasons, it was thought proper to preserve the poetical pieces entirely distina from the profaic; but, in teaching, it will, generally,be preferable to take the sections in the orderOne, Two, Three, Six, Four, Seven, Five, Eight: by which method, the learner will be well exercised in the reading of Profe before entering upon that of Verse; and will, afterwards, read a section of the latter kind and one of the former alternately, till this Part be finished.

PART II. may be read with no less advantage tham the preceding, by pupils of every denomination ; but * is particularly adapted for such as may have occasion to speak in public. This Part is divided into five sections ; the first three, exhibiting specimens of eloquence suited, respectively, to the Pulpit, the Senate, and the Bari the fourth, Speeches delivered on various occafions; the fifth, Dramatic pieces. These may be gone re

gularly

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gularly through by every student; though, where a
particular species of delivery is in view, one section
will deserve to be longer dwelt upon than another, as is
manifest from their titles.-It need hardly be observed,
That frequent reading in a standing posture, and recita-
tion without book, are effentially necelary in form-
ing the Public Speaker, and extremely proper for
youth in general.

In the Appendix is given a course of Lessons on an
original plan, by which the Compiler has long taught
with uncommon success. In particular cases, these
may be read wholly through, as an introduction to
pieces of greater length and of a more mixed nature ;
but, in general, it will answer better to make a few of
them a part of each day's reading, repeating them in
the fame manner as often as may be thought neceffary.
The Essay on English Grammar, which concludes the
whole, will it is hoped, be considered as an useful com-
pendium.

By casting the eye along the table of Contents, the
variety and merit of the pieces contained in this volume
will appear in a striking light. Almoft every emotion
of the foul, and every mode of expreffion, will here be
called forth into exercise; while, at the fame time, the
pupil will be made acquainted with the best authors,
and, by the frequent perusal of so many of their princi-
pal beauties, acquire a taste for correct and elegant wri-
ting. As a further recommendation of the work, no.
thing will be found in it which can in the smallest de-
gree be offensive to delicacy or hurtful to morals : on
the contrary, every lesson will be found to be either in-
nocently entertaining or agreeably instructive.

Edinburgh, Jan. 6. 1789.

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