A glance at the "Contents Tables" will show the
Variety in the lessons. Stories about animals are very
attractive to children, and lessons on Natural History are
plentifully interspersed in this form.

A special feature of the series is the abundant and
admirable illustrations. These will serve to awaken the
interest, quicken the intelligence, and cultivate the taste
of the scholars.

The Dictation pieces in the higher books are selected
in great part from standard authors.

FIRST READER.

1. What is it that shines so brightly in the sky? Is it a fire? No, it is the moon.

2. The moon is round now, because it is full moon; but it will not be so round to-morrow night; it will lose a little bit; the next night it will lose a little bit more; and more the next night; and so on, till it is like your bow when it is bent: it will not be seen till after you are in bed and it will become less

and less, till in a fortnight there will be no moon at all.

3. Then after that, there will be a new moon; and you will see it in the afternoon; and it will be very thin at first, but it will grow rounder and bigger every day, till at last, in another fortnight, it will be a full moon again like this, and you will see it rise again behind the trees.

4. The Moon says, "My name is Moon; I shine to give you light in the night when the Sun is set. I am very fair, and white like silver.

5. "You may look at me always, for I am not so bright as to dazzle your eyes, and I never scorch you.

6. "I am mild and gentle. I let even the little glow-worms shine, which are quite dark by day.

7. "When you are asleep, I shine through your curtains with my gentle beams and say, 'Sleep on, poor little tired boy, I will not disturb you.'"-Mrs. Barbauld.