AN INTRODUCTION TO SPELLING AND READING, IN TWO VOLUMES. BEING THE FIRST AND SECOND PARTS OF A COLUMBIAN EXERCISE. THE WHOLE COMPRISING An Easy and Systematical Method OF TEACHING AND OF LEARNING THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. BY ABNER ALDEN, A. M. VOL. I. CONTAINING A SELECTION OF WORDS IN COMMON USE, ARRANGED AND DIVIDED IN SUCH A MANNER, AS WILL LEAD THE LEARNER TO A RIGHT PRONUNCIATION. TOGETHER WITH A VARIETY OF LESSONS FOR READING. Sixth Edition. 4 PUBLISHED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS. BOSTON: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JAMES LORING, May, 1824. RECOMMENDATIONS. HAVING examined an INTRODUCTION TO SPELLING AND READING, in two volumes, published by Mr. ABNER ALDEN, we are of opinion, that it is a work of great merit, it being remarkably plain and easy, as well as systematick and complete : We do, therefore, recommend it, as a book excellently well calculated to lead children and others into a knowledge of the Orthography and Pronunciation of the English Language. Subscribed by the following Gentlemen. Hon. JABEZ BOWEN, LL. D. Hon. SAMUEL EDDY, LL. D. Hon SETH PADELFORD, LL. D. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Perez Fobes, LL. D. A. A. S. to the Author. DEAR SIR, RAYNHAM, June 16, 1798. HAVING attentively perused your INTRODUCTION TO SPELLING AND KEADING, I am happy to find, that it consists of a proper Selection, a natural Division, and a systematical Arrangement of the words which compose our language. The utility of Classification is acknowledged in every Science; but in none, perhaps, is it more conspicuous, than in the Botanical system of Linnæus; in which, if artificial arrangement has performed wonders, in facilitating the knowledge of Plants, why may it not in facilitating the knowledge of Words? Especially, u hen it is considered that the apparent anomalies of the former, are the result of infinite wisdom and design, while those of the latter are the effects of accident and ignorance, more than of art or design. Without rule or system, all must be the work of memory; but, by arrang 1 iv RECOMMENDATIONS. ing, in separate tables, as you have done, words which contain silent letters, and combinations of letters, similar in power-words which end alike, and whose accented sylllables are similar in sound, with the addition of concise rules for their pronunciation, we obtain a very great advantage to the memory: Because the learner, in this instance, will have the aid of analogy, by which he will be able to spell and pronounce the same words perhaps in half the time, that a different or promiscuous arrangement would require. I am highly pleased, not only with your ur method of arranging words, but with the manner in which you have divided them. If that is the best division of words into syllables, which most naturally runs into the proper sound of them, when they are united in the pronunciation, your method has an indisputable claim to superiority. This method, in a few tables, is indeed peculiarly adapted to the Standard pronunciation; yet, as you justly observe, it will be found equally convenient for those who choose to vary, in their mode of speaking, from the Court Standard. The benefit of a Key sound of all the vowels and diphthongs, placed at the top of each page, will be acknowledged by all. Nor less useful perhaps, in a work of this kind, is your introduction of tabies of Figures, to be learned preparatory to the study of Arithmerick. This, while it adds variety, will afford useful employ... ment to young minds, at a period of life when the knowledge of figures, so far at least as they are an act of the memory, ought ever to be included among the earliest lesson of education. : Your selection of Anomalous Words, is not only much larger than any other which I have seer, but their pronunciation is explained in a manner, which, to me, appears uncommonly easy and familiar. These, Sir, are some of the reasons, which, in my opinion, give the COLUMBIAN EXERCISE a decided preference to any other work of the kind which I have seen. With sentiments of friendship and esteem, I am, dear Sir, yours, Sc. P. FOBES. Copy of a Letter from Asher Robbins, Esq. formerly DEAR SIR, NEWPORT, March 15, 1800, I HAVE examined your INTRODUCTION TO SPELLING AND KEADING with attention and pleasure The Plan is, in a new. RECOMMENDATIONS. great degree, original; and, in my opinion, as important as it is Pre-eminently above every book of the kind that I have seen, it is calculated to facilitate the acquisition of a correct Orthography and a just Pronunciation. Its universal adoption would lead to a national improvement in language, highly ornamental in itself, and useful in its consequences. With wishes that the publick may duly appreciate the value of your efforts, I am, dear Sir, Your Friend and bumble Servant, ASHER ROBBINS. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Donald Fraser, a Member of the Society of Associated Teachers, in the City of NewYork, to the Author. SIR, NEW-YORK, May 17, 1800. HAVING, some time since, introduced your INTRODUCTION TO SPELLING AND KEADING into my Academy, in preference to any other book of the kind, it appears unnecessary for me to say any....= thing more in commendation of it. The following approving sentiments of your work, from some respectable gentlemen here, members of the Society of Associated Teachers, must prove highly acceptable to you: "The Subscribers, publick Teachers in the city of New-York, after a careful perusal, do warmly approve of an Introduction to Spelling and Reading, in two volumes, being the First and Second Parts of a COLUMBIAN EXERCISE, published by Mr. Abner Alden; and consider it a most valuable acquisition to American Schools." Subscribed by 1 JAMES HARDIE, A. м. (JUDAH HAMMOND. I am, Sir, with much esteem, Your most obedient Servant, D. FRASER. From the Teachers in the town of Providence. DURING the course of several years, we have taught Reading and the English Language; and have instructed from a num A 2 |