power, in accumulating from various and remote sources and periods, the requisite materials. The candid reader, who meets with several articles in this compilation, with which he has already been familiarized, will excuse its want of total novelty, when he reflects, that nearly all the youth, and a large proportion of adult readers, will find it as new to them, and as useful, as if it were an entire original work. If the sentiments be correct and valuable, and clearly expressed, it is of no importance whether they were first committed to paper yesterday, or three thousand years ago. One particular object of this work, is to inculcate the necessity and duty of general domestic and national economy and simplicity of manners. It may be confidently presumed, that if the idolatrous and slavish sacrifices of property, to Pride, Fashion, Custom, Tradition, Extravagance, and depraved Appetite, were abolished, Poverty, with its hideous train of calamities, might be expelled from society, and General Plenty, with its smiling train of blessings, substituted in their stead. Embracing these important purposes, the work is respectfully submitted to the good sense of the people of the United States, for their adoption as a National Code of Morals in schools and families. The Compiler does not delúde himself with the vain hope that it will accomplish the moral reformation of the present hardened adult generations;-but he does sincerely believe, that the universal dissemination of its impressive precepts among the tender, susceptible, rising generation, cannot fail to produce a salutary influence upon the future national, moral and political character of our Republic. That such may be the result, is the ardent vish of its devoted friend and servant, Philadelphia, Jan. 1824. J. T. CONTENTS. CHAP. 1. Essays on the general Diffusion of Knowledge. Speech of the Little Turtle, an Indian Chief, on the CHAP. 3 Instructions of Paul the Apostle 3. Extracts from the Epistles of James, Peter, and John CHAP. 1. Abridgment of the life and precepts of Confucius' CHAP. 2. Abridgment of the life and moral discourses of Socrates. 2. Dialogue between Socrates and Glauco, on ambition Discourses of Socrates on filial and fraternal affection CHAP. 3. Abridgment of Seneca's Morals. Sec. 1. Abridgment of Seneca's discourse on beneficence 6. No felicity like peace of conscience Contemplation of Providence, remedy of misfortunes Of levity of mind, and other impediments to a happy A sensual life is a miserable life Avarice and ambition are insatiable and restless 11. The blessings of temperance and moderation He that would be happy must take an account of time 18. Mediocrity the best state of fortune Abridgment of Seneca's Treatise on Anger. 19. Anger described: it is against nature 20. Anger is a short madness, and a deformed vice PART FOURTH. Principles of the law of nature, as they relate to man; importance of instruction and self-government Wise and ignorant, rich and poor, masters and servants CHAP. 1. Abridgment of Penn's Reflections and Maxims relating Promises: contracts of sale: of lending of money: of General rules for our conversation with men On the conversation with ourselves 3. On the conversation with people of different tempers On conversation between masters and servants Beneficence and gratitude: Instructors and pupils: 8. On our conduct towards others in peculiar situations CHAP. 1. Selections from the Life of Franklin. Sec. 1. His early diligence in improving his mind, &c. His temperance and frugality while a journeyman, &c. 3. He resolves on the inflexible practice of truth, &c. Letters from Abel James, &c. to Dr. Franklin Continuation. He establishes a library in Philadelphia; His project of raising a united party to virtue, &c. CHAP. 3. Abridgment of Cicero's Discourse on old age. CHAP. 4. Dialogues concerning Self-denial, Virtue, Pleasure. 2. Government of the passions; doing good to others, &c. CHAP. 5. Franklin's Way to Wealth. CHAP. 1. Selections from Washington's farewell address CHAP. 2. Miscellaneous articles on Education, &c. Sec. 1. Sunday schools; education of the poor, &c. 2. The Spectator, on the benefit of labor and exercise 3. The Spectator, on the advantages of temperance 6. Speech of Mr. White, in Congress, on education 7. Extracts from Mr. Madison's letter on education Persuasive to early piety and moral rectitude,—from Dr. Beasley's Address to the senior class of the students of the University of Pennsylvania 10. General establishment of free schools :-inhumanity of imprisonment for debt; from Gov. Thomas' Message 4. Barbarity of hunting and shooting merely for sport |