Oy PREFACE. THE Fourth Reader has been prepared to meet the requirements of the New Code, and of the Instructions to Inspectors issued regarding the same. It contains fully 120 pages of reading matter arranged into 60 Lessons. Two main objects have been kept steadily in view. One has been to supply abundant material for instruction in the art of reading: the other, to combine with this such matter as should contain information useful to the children attending our schools. Experience seems to be proving more and more every day that, unless information on common things--on social science-be communicated in school, the great mass of our school children will remain practically ignorant of that which it greatly concerns them to know. Having this conviction, the Editor has endeavoured to present such material as will enable the judicious teacher to train his pupils to read well, and at the same time to examine for themselves those things which meet them in daily life. The Lessons have been purposely made rather suggestive than exhaustive; and, in connection with many of them, the teaching can most profitably branch out into many collateral subjects. The meanings of the more difficult words have been given, explanatory notes added wherever they were deemed necessary; and full and pointed questions have been prepared, mainly with the view of assisting home preparation. GLASGOW, April, 1884. T. M. |