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BLACKIE'S

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL SERIES.

POETICAL READER,

FOR THE USE OF

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND.

BY

JAMES MARTIN,

FORMERLY NORMAL MASTER, TRAINING COLLEGE, BATTERSEA.

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BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.
GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN.

2805

1880.

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100

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PREFACE.

IN inviting the attention of School Managers, Teachers, Governesses, &c., to the present POETICAL READER, the Editor ventures to enumerate a few of the more salient features of the work.

(a) The Reader falls into two distinct portions: (1) an introductory chapter on English Prosody; (2) a Selection of Poetry. These two parts are complementary the one to the other; in other words, the one is intended to illustrate the other.

(b) Unlike similar works, in which extracts from the poets are often inserted without any reference to classification; in the present volume, a line of demarcation is drawn, by which the whole is arranged in divisions, sections, &c., in conformity with the various branches indicated in the preliminary chapter.

(c) Inasmuch as the Reader embraces selections from every realm of poetry, it follows that the language is necessarily very varied, and the vocabulary correspondingly copious.

(d) With reference to the individual pieces selected (many of which are veritable gems), it will be observed, that on the whole the extracts are fair specimens of the character of the poet. Thus, every variety of thought is represented, from the majesty of Milton down to the humour of Hood.

(e) In the hands of a skilful teacher the diagram on pp. 10 and 11 may be made invaluable to the pupil.

In conclusion, the Editor begs leave to point out, that although the work has been drawn up mainly for the Fifth Standard in our Elementary Schools, it will be found to be equally suitable for Standard VI., and many portions of the Reader are even within the Scope of Standard IV.

J. M.

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