I have examined the "American Manual" with much interest, and it gives me pleasure to say that I highly approve of it. A text-book prepared by a man so distinguished for scholarship, experience, and success in teaching, as President Burleigh, cannot fail to secure universal favour. The general arrangement of the work is regular. The marginal exercises and questions placed at the foot of each page, greatly facilitate the labour both of the teacher and scholar, and serve to interest the mind of the latter, in the acquisition of knowledge. The statistical tables are also valuable, and the appendix serves as a key to the whole work, which renders it complete. It is a book which, in my opinion, should be placed in the hands of every American citizen. ROBERT KERR, Principal of West. Female High School, Balt. Gentlemen: -I have examined President Burleigh's "Commentary on the Constitution of the United States." 1 consider it the best work of the kind extant; and it is, beyond a doubt, admirably adapted to the use of schools. The style is neat, perspicuous and elegant; and the marginal exercises will be found to confer a benefit similar to that derived from the study of the ancient languages. I shall introduce the book into my school early in September next. D. JONES, Prin. Classical Academy, Eutaw Street, Balt. Gentlemen:-I have, with great pleasure, examined the "American Manual," and am prepared to say that it is every thing it purports to be. The design and execution are both adinirable. If it be desirable that our civil duties and relations should form a subject of study in elementary schools, (and that they should, I presume, no one will pretend to doubt,) President Burleigh has unquestionably accomplished a most laudable work. His questions are well adapted to the subject matter, and will have the effect of drawing the mind of the youngest learner to it; while his marginal exercises cannot fail to achieve that which every teacher feels to be a desideratum, to wit, the means of compelling pupils to attend to the import of words. As the best proof of my entire a probation of the work, I shall take the first opportunity to organize a class with that as a text-book. M. SPENCER, Principal of the Mayland Institute. I cordially concur in the above recommendation. BENJAMIN G. FRY, Principal of Union Female Seminary, No. 30 Hanover Street, Baltimore. Manual. Having taken much pains in ascerI have critically examined the American tutions of my adopted country, I had previously taining the true tenor of the republican instiread the leading authors on government with much satisfaction, but I have not met with any work in any language, that so clearly, so concisely, and so beautifully conveys to the mind, ginal exercises afford much and valuable asthe principles of political science. The marsistance to the foreigner in acquiring a knowledge of the English language. The exercises also afford to the mental powers a similar discipline that is obtained in studying the ancient classics. The questions are so remarkably well adapted to the subject, that, while they assist the teacher, they also lead the pupils to reason and reflect for themselves. I hope the Manual will be not only universally used in America, but also in Europe. A. FREITAG, L.L. D. Professor of Modern Languages in the Central High School, and of German in St. Mary's College. I have carefully examined the American Manual. The general plan in putting questions to make the pupils see the cause and result, is the same that I myself have pursued for many years past, and I need hardly say that the work meets my most unqualified approval. The conciseness and beauty of the style, the unequalled excellence of the marginal exercises in drawing out the mind, and thoroughly disciplining the mental powers, and training the pupils to reason with accuracy and precision, renders it, in my opinion, the best school book extant. into the French Seminary for Young Ladies, After a very careful examination of the American Manual, by J. B. Burleigh, I can freely say that I consider it a performance of superior excellence. It embodies a fund of information, surpassing in importance and variety that of any other work which has come under my notice. It is happily adapted to the wants of children in families, pupils in comI mon schools, and students in higher seminaries; it is also equally well calculated to afford entertainment and instruction to adults in every sphere of life. Extract of a Letter from Professor Brooks. The comprehensive view of politics in general, which the American Manual presents, its excellent commentary on the Constitution of our Republic, and the clear exposition of the duties of magistrates and citizens, the sound morals which it inculcates, with its questions. marginal exercises, &c., entitle it to high consideration. I take great pleasure in commending it to the public, and especially to those engaged in the education of youth. N. C. BROOKS, Principal of the Balt. Central High School. We heartily concur with Professor Brooks in the above recommendation. JAMES M'INTIRE, Professor of Belles Lettres. We have examined the American Manual with a great deal of pleasure, and as a textbook for school purposes it is unquestionably one of great merit. We think that Mr. Burleigh has placed the profession under deep obligation. The arrangement of the book is such as greatly to facilitate the labour of instruction, and no candid mind can look over its pages without coming to the conclusion, that the work is the best of any yet published to promote among pupils generally an exact and thorough knowledge of the principles of Republican government. WM. R. CREERY, is intended, and I shall introduce it as a textbook into my school. We have no hesitation in asserting our opinion that the Manual fills a vacancy which JOHN ALLEN, North Seventh Street. Principal of the Female Seminary, No. 274 has long been observed in the text-books of Teacher of Mathematics. EDMUND SMITH, Principal of Franklin Hall. Baltimore, June 14th, 1848. Having examined the American Manual by J. B. Burleigh, I think it a work superior to any I have met with upon the same subject, admirably adapted to the purpose for which it Extract from the Literary Pioneer of May, 1848. Every child should be possessed of the information the American Manual imparts, to be enabled to exercise understandingly, at a proper time, its privileges as a citizen of the United States. Extract from the Frankford Herald Extract from the North American and United We have before us one of the latest productions of a mind devoted to the instruction of youth; it is entitled the American Manual, and contains a great amount of valuable everyday political information. The author has, in our opinion, prepared a work which will be found of great value in the school, and on a plan which must give importance and utility to any reading book intended for scholars. The marginal exercises are ingenious, and useful to the pupil, promoting not only copiousness and variety of expression, but also a minute examination of the critical meaning and derivation of words. The questions are of great value, by promoting attention and research. They also aid the teacher the right Prin. Male Pub. School, No. 6. mode, by connecting each reading exercise TIMOTHY CRIMMIN, with reflection and investigation. The work is exceedingly valuable as a school book, and scarcely less so as a convenient, well-arranged, family reference book. So far as my observation extends no school book is so well calculated to enlarge and ennoble the mind of youth as the American Manual. Extract of a Letter from Professor S. C. Extract of a Letter from Professor Gilbert The examination of the American Manual has been decidedly a work of pleasure. If for no other cause, the youth of our day have reason to hold the author's name in high esteem, for the preparation of this invaluable work. Extract of a Letter from Thos. W. Duffield, Esq., one of the School Directors, of Frankford, Pa. The Manual is an invaluable work, admirably adapted to the purposes designed, and one that cannot fail to "incite an interest in the philosophy of our language." It needs but a perusal to a due appreciation of its merits. The policy of the Government can never descend to a medium standard if our youth have placed in their hands for study the American Manual. Extract of a Letter from Professor J. L. Van It would give me great pleasure to see the Manual introduced into all the common schools and academies in our land. Extract from the Gazette of the Unton. Extract from the Lutheran Observer. We have met with nothing in the Manual that should give offence either to the 'iberal Christian or the enlightened politician; but with much, very much, which both must heartily commend. The principles inculcated are sound, and tend to the improvement of the heart as well as the enlightenment of the mind. This Manual of Mr. Burleigh's is, in our opinion, the most valuable school book that has issued from the prolific American press in many years. The history of the origin of political power, which Mr. Burleigh has so briefly It advocates the rights and privileges of the and comprehensively presented, cannot fail in people, sets forth, in strong and vivid colours, exercising a most salutary influence upon the their duties, and throughout exhibits and illusminds of the young, in rendering more perfect trates the paramount necessity of popular and thorough their conceptions of the philoso-education, and of the universal diffusion of phy of Government. The valuable statistical light and knowledge. tables given in the appendix, which the author must have been at very great care and trouble to collect, will be not only useful to the young, but must, we think, render the work of the greatest value to business men, and to all who would have information on nearly everything which pertains to Government, Commerce, Mechanics, Science, the Arts, Exports, History, and every species of statistical knowledge. As a school book, the value of the Manual is much increased by the fact that numerous questions are given in an unique marginal arrangement, by which the skill of the pupils is much exercised in mentally tracing the analogy of synonymy, thus rendering perfect their knowledge of the language. Extract from the Church Times. The American Manual must become very popular, and furnish perhaps a model for school books upon other subjects. by preparing the American boy to act the part of a sovereign citizen, either in the place of authority as an officer, or as a private individual; and the American girl for enunciation at the fireside of the principles of true patriotism and virtue. Extract from the Baltimore Patriot. Manual is one of the best books we have ever Extract of a Letter from Harlow W. Heath, L. The author has, in my opinion, prepared a work which should be introduced into all our schools and seminaries of learning, and placed in the hands of every citizen; the comprehensive view of politics which the American Manual presents, its excellent commentary on the Constitution, the clear exposition of the duties of magistrates and voters, the high tone of moral sentiment which it contains, with the excellent arrangement and plan of the work, admirably fits it to meet the wants of all in appreciating and understanding the real nature of the bond of our glorious Republic. Extract of a Letter from Professor Sieker. The author has evidently expended much labour and research upon the work. The youth of our country cannot fail to acquire through it a complete knowledge of the form of our government; the true cause of our power, prosperity, and happiness as a nation, and which, being based on the intelligence of The character, nature, and history of our gothe people, they cannot too well understand. vernment are presented in a clear and succint manner, and with the marginal exercises valuable statistical tables in the appendix, (a most excellent feature in the book), and which alone make the work highly useful to every business man in the Union. The American Manual altogether is just such a work as I should like to see in the hands of every teacher and scholar in our male and female seminaries. EDWARD A. SIEKER, Principal of the Eastern Female Public High School, of Baltimore. FAREWELL ADDRESS.* FRIENDS, AND FELLOW-CITIZENS: THE period for a new election of a Citizen, to administer the Executive Government of the United States, being not far distant, and the time actually arrived, when your thoughts must be employed in designating the person, who is to be clothed with that important trust [1] it appears to me proper, especially as it may conduce to a more distinct expression of the public voice, that I should now apprise you of the resolution I have formed, to decline being considered among the number of those, out of whom a choice is to be made. I beg you, at the same time, to do me the justice to be assured, that this resolution has not been taken, without a strict regard to all the considerations appertaining to the relation, which binds a dutiful citizen to his country-and that, in withdrawing the tender of service which silence in my situation might imply, I am influenced by no diminution of zeal for your future interest, no deficiency of grateful respect for your past kindness; but [am supported by] a full conviction that the step is compatible with, both. 2 * Figures and brackets do not appear in the original, but are here used to show where emendations were made by WASHINGTON; which prove his great care and prudence in preparing the address, as well as his exceeding anxiety to transmit in unsullied purity THE CONSTITUTION, and ITS REPUBLICAN FORM OF GOVERNMENT. See page 29. A figure, inside of the bracket, thus [1], denotes erasure; but a word or words inside of the bracket denote that some other word or words were substituted by WASHINGTON instead of those which he had previously written. 1* (5) The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto in, the office to which your suffrages have twice called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of inclination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference for what appeared to be your desire. I constantly hoped, that it would have been much earlier in my power, consistently with motives, which I was not at liberty to disregard, to return to that retirement, from which I had been reluctantly drawn. The strength of my inclination to do this, previous to the last election, had even led to the preparation of an address to declare it to you; but mature reflection on the then perplexed and critical posture of our affairs with foreign Nations, and the unanimous advice of persons entitled to my confidence, impelled me to abandon the idea. I rejoice that the state of your concerns, external as well as internal, no longer renders the pursuit of inclination incompatible with the sentiment of duty, or propriety; and [am persuaded]3 whatever partiality [may be retained] for my services, [that] in the present circumstances of our country [you] will not disapprove my determination to retire. The impressions, [with]' which, I first [undertook] the arduous trust, were explained on the proper occasion. In the discharge of this trust, I will only say, that I have, with good intentions, contributed [towards] the organization and administration of the government, the best exertions of which a very fallible judgment was capable-Not unconscious, in the outset, of the inferiority of my qualifications, experience in my own eyes, [perhaps]*still more in the eyes of others, has [strengthened] the motives to diffidence of myself; and every day the increasing weight of years admo 10 |
