Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1840, by MARSH, CAPEN, LYON, AND WEBB, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts. EDUCATION PRESS. PREFACE. THERE is no need of commending this Volume to the attention of the reader, or the approbation of the public. The name of Mrs. Barbauld will be a sufficient guarantee of the worth of the selection. But, as this is the first attempt to bring the productions of her pen, more especially designed for the young, together, a few words on the subject may be expected. The Evenings at Home' have long held a deservedly high place in all juvenile libraries; yet there was one drawback, one thing lacking,and that was, a knowledge of the writer. It was understood, that Mrs. Barbauld and her brother had written the books; but which particular pieces were contributed, by the brother or sister, were not ascertained. It is always a pleasure, and we think quite an advantage, to youthful readers, to know the name and history of their favorite authors. To separate, therefore, the articles of these two writers, and give them each a volume, which should be authenticated, was our aim. Mrs. Barbauld's contributions to the Evenings at Home' were not sufficient to form a volume. But she had always kept the young in remembrance; and, in her other published works, many ingenious fables, instructive dialogues, and other papers, suitable for our purpose, were found. These we have collected, and added a few of her 'Hymns in Prose,' the most beautiful and perfect specimens of this kind of writing which can be found. We hope our young readers will study this volume, thoroughly; there is scarcely an article in it, but deserves to be repeatedly read, till the whole is fixed in the heart as well as mind. Then the good Mrs. Barbauld will be considered one of their best and most pleasant friends, who, although dead, yet speaketh the words of kindness and instruction. S. J. H. Boston, November 1, 1839. In revising the copy of this interesting selection, for the press, it was found necessary, in order to adapt it to the purposes for which it was intended, as one of the volumes of the Juvenile Series' of THE SCHOOL LIBRARY,' to add many notes and explanations, and modify, in some degree, the text, in order to adapt it for the reading of American children. The Notes of Explanation, thus added, have affixed to them the initials, J. W. I.' 6 Boston, March, 1840. |