THE IMPROVED; BEING A NEW SELECTION OF LESSONS FOR READING AND SPEAKING. DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS. BY CALEB BINGHAM, A. M. TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO." SIXTY SECOND (IMPROVED EDITION CINCINNATI, OHIO: MWILIGE VIBRARY Waduk W. BARCHA Histrict of Massachusetts, to wit. DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE. BE E IT REMEMBERED, that on the thirtieth day of August, A. D. 1819, in the Forty Fourth Year of the Independence of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, C. Bingham & Co. of said District, have deposited in this Office the Title of a Book the Right whereof they claim as Proprietorsin the Words following, to wit: “The American Preceptor Improved, being a new Selection of Lessons for Reading and Speaking. Designed for the use of Schools. By Caleb Bingham, A. M. Author of the Columbian Orator, Child's Companion, &c. "Train up a child in the way he should go.' Sixty-first (First Improved) Edition," In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, “An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned:” and also to an Act entitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act entitled, “An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving and Etching Historical, and other Prints." J. W. DAVIS, Clerk of the District of Massachusetts, PAGE, Parable against Religious Persecution Ingenious Villany finally punished The child trained up for the gallows Sketch of Jerusalem and Palestine Of Queen Mary and the Martyrs The aged Prisoner released from the Bastile Sketch of the Life of William Penn Sketch of the Life of Fernando Cortez Dialogue between Fernando Cortez and William Penn True Patriotism displayed at the siege of Calais The Unfortunate Philanthropist St. Paul's Speech before King Agrippa Parental Affection. Story of the Bear Extract from the Speech of Mr. Phillips Conclusion of the foregoing Speech Example of Justice and Magnanimity Speech of Mr. Pitt on the Slave Trade Singular Adventure of Gen. Putnam Extract from Mr. Dawes' Oration Speech of a Scythian Ambassador Dialogue on dress and assurance Dr. Belknap's Adólress to the Inhabitants of New Hampshire 120 Mr. Pitt's answer to Mr. Walpole Dialogue between Two School Boys Extreet from J. Q. Adams's Oration On knowing the World at an early age Conveniences not always necessaries Description of the falls of Niagara Narrative of Mrs. Howe's captivity The quarrel of Brutus and Cassius Judge Hale's advice to his children Brutus' Speech on the Death of Cæsar Antony's Speech over the body of Cæsar Gen. Wolfe's address to his army Foscari, the unfortunate Venitian HISTORY OF THE ORATOR DEMOSTHENES. DEMO EMOSTHENES, having lost his father at the age of seven years, and falling into the hands of selfish and avaricious guardians, who were wholly bent upon plundering his estate, was not educated with the care which so excellent a genius as his deserved, and the delicacy of his constitution did not allow his masters to urge him in regard to his studies. 2. Hearing them one day speak of a famous cause that was to be pleaded, and which made a great noise in the city, he importuned them very much to carry him with them to the bar in order to hear the pleadings. The Orator was heard with great attention, and having been very successful, was conducted home in a very ceremonious manner, amidst a crowd of illustrious citizens, who expressed the highest satisfaction. 3. Demosthenes was strongly affected with the honors which were paid to the Orator, and still more with the absolote and despotic power which eloquence had over the mind. He himself was sensible of its force and unable to resist its charms, he from that day devoted himself entirely to it, and immediately laid aside every other pleasure and study. 4. His first essay of eloquence was against his guardians, whom he obliged to restore part of his fortime. Encouraged by this good success, he ventured to speak before the people, but he acquitted himself very ill on that occasion, for he had a faint yrice, stammered in his speech, and had a very short breath, 5. He therefore was hissed by the whole audience, and': went home quite dejected, and determined to abandon for ever a profession to which be imagined himself unequal: But one of his hearers, who perceived air excellent genius amidst his faults, encouraged him, by the strong remonstrances he made, the salutary advice he gave him. He 1* therefore |