We frequently fall into error and folly, not because the truc
principles of action are not known, but because, for a time, they are
not remembered. He may therefore juftly be numbered among the
benefactors of mankind, who contracts the great rules of life into short
fentences, that may be eafily impreffed on the memory, and taught
by frequent recollection to recur habitually to the mind.”— RAMBLER.

By MATHEW CAREY.

SECOND EDITION

PRINTED FOR THE EDITOR,

No. 118, MARKET-STREET, PHILADELPHIA,
By S. C. USTICK, Burlington, N. J.

1803.

Copy-right secured.]

PREFACE.

THE felections of leffons for reading in fchools now in ufe, are numerous, and many of them contain excellent effays of various kinds. But in general, thofe effays are too long, to be read at once; and when they are divided into parts, and read at different times, it is obvious that the connection is entirely broken, and that a great part of the advantages propofed to be derived from reading are loft.

To obviate this objection, the volume now offered to the public, is principally compofed of fhort paffages, each complete in itfelf and independent of the reft. in claffes, each may here have an entire fubject.

When children read

To fome of the extracts, it may perhaps be objected, that they are above the understanding of youth: But it is believed their capacities are too frequently under rated; and that it often happens, through fuch a pernicious mistake, that they fpend their time in reading idle tales and ftories, when they might be employed in treafuring up a flore of useful maxims to guide them through the thorny path of life with fafety and honour to themselves, and advantage to the community.

In making the felection, confiderable pains have been taken. Many of the works of the most celebrated writers have been carefully examined-and numerous paffages are to be found from Shakespeare, Dryden, Milton, Pope, Young, Watts, Rowe, Addifon, Swift, Brooke, Fielding, Hervey, Johnfon, Price, Montefquieu, and other authors of equal reputation. To familiarize the rifing generation with the perufal of fuch illuftrious writers, can hardly fail to prove falutary.

The introduction of political fentiments into a work intended principally for youth, will probably be cenfured by fome perfons. It may not therefore be improper to offer the reasons that led to the adoption of this plan.