dle school book, in England, that four editions, making thirty six thousand copies, were required to supply the demand, during the first six months after its appearance; a sale unprecedented in any modern publication. In this country also, three editions have already been issued from the press; and a fourth, from the London copy, greatly improved and enlarged, we understand, will soon be published at New-York. Like all the former works of this excellent Author, its pages are rendered subservient to the promotion of piety and virtue; at the same time, so diversified and enlivened with interesting stories, and instructive sentiments, as to be peculiarly attractive to the infant mind of the learner, The improvement attempted in the orthography, consists chiefly in the division of syllables. We regret that the nature and extent of our work will not admit of giving a copious analysis of a book, which promises to become general in our schools. We must however quote the Author's reasons for his division of syllables, from which it will be seen, that he does not concur with some modern orthographers. The following remarks are from the fourth English edition. "1. The rapid pronunciation of two syllables, so as to resemble the sound of one syllable, does not, in fact, make them one. The words businea, colonel, victuals, ashamed, believed, &c. are pronounced as two syllables, though they are really three. "2. The division adopted renders the gradations in spelling a word, more simple, and much easier to the learner, than combining the letters. If spelling is made practicable and ea. sy to children, by dividing words into syllables, it follows, that the more this division can be conveniently extended, the better it is calculated to answer the end. "3. The old plan of dividing these letters, or terminations, is uniform and invariable: the new plan, of not dividing them, is liable to numerous exceptions, and frequent variations. "4. Combining or separating syllables according to the pronunciation, would present still more irregular and uncouth appearances, than the association of letters, vowels and consonants, to suit the pronunciation. The following are a few specimens: on-ion, o-cean, ven-geance, poniard, court-ier, scutch-eon, brilliant-ly, per-fid-ious-ly, punc-til-io, jus-tic-iar-y. 5. If the combinations of letters pronounced as one syllable, were to have a correspondent arrangement, we should have an extremely difficult, as well as an extremely irregular mode of dividing our words into syllables. How would the advocates for divi. ding according to the pronunciation, divide the words business, colonel, victuals, sevennight, moved, stuffed, devoured, abused, and many others of a similar nature! A rule which, at best, is so inconvenient, and which in numerous instances cannot be reduced to practice, certainly does not merit adoption. "6. The best authorities, as well as a great majority of them, may be ad. duced in support of this division. Walker, in the last edition of his dictionary, says, "Though tion and sion are really pronounced in one syllable, they are, by almost all our orthoe pists, divided into two; and consequently, nation, pronunciation, occasion, evasion, &c. contain the same number of syllables, as natio, pronunciatio, occasio, evasio, in Latin. "On the whole, we think that the old plan, whilst it possesses so much superiority, is liable to no inconvenience. Even pronunciation is as readily acquired by it, as by the new plan. The learner cannot know that tion sounds like shun, tial like shal, science like shense, &c. till his teacher directs him to this pronunciation: and the same direction will teach him that ti-on, ti-al, sci-ence, &c. have the same sounds. Much therefore is lost and nothing gained, by the new divi. sion." We cannot conclude this article without congratulating the public, and the heads of seminaries in particular, on the acquisition of the complete system of education, which the eleven different works of Lindley Murray now compose. Beginning at the very vestibule of literature, the attentive learner may now ascend from the First Book for children, step by step, through the Spelling Book, the Introduction to the English Reader, the English Reader, the Sequel to the Rea- twenty four thousand of the abridgder, the Abridged Grammar, the Gram- ment. In our own country also the mar, Exercises to the Grammar, Key sale is perhaps not less extensive. to the Exercises, Lecture Francois, and Most of our Universities, espeially Power of Religion on the Mind, till he those at New Haven, Princeton, Newhas attained to every necessary ac- York, Philadelphia, Williamsburgh, complishment in the English lan- and Schenectady have adopted this guage. Grammar ; and ere long perhaps no The rank which our countryman* other will be used in any College in has acquired in the literary world, America. cannot be contemplated, but with There could not be offered a satisfaction, by every American, who stronger confirmation of the justness feels an honest pride in beholding of the character we have given of these proofs of the falsehood of the these publications, than will be found assertion made by certain French in the following quotation from the philosophers, that genius could not late Dr. Hugh Blair, who thus conoriginate in the western hemisphere. veyed his sentiments on those which Lindley Murray, as a grammarian, were then published, now stands without a rival. His En- “Mr. Murray's Grammar, with the glish Grammar has the encomiums of Exercises and Key, in a separate volevery transatlantic writer of taste and ume, I esteem as a most excellent judgment. Twelve thousand copies performance. I think it superior to of it are sold annually in London, and any work of that nature we have yet had ; and I am persuaded that it is, by much, the best Grammar of the It may not be generally known that English language extant. On SynLindley Murray is a native of New wonderful degree of acuteness and tax in particular he has shown York and a member of the Society of precision, in ascertaining the proprieFriends. He was bred to the profession ty of language, and rectifying the of the law, in which he promised to become one of its most shining orna numberless errors, which writers are ments. But being attacked with a apt to commit. Were I only begin. painful and tedious illness, which ning my course, as I am now (in my terminated in the loss of the use of his 83d year) on the point of finishing it, lower extremities, he adopted the advice I would have hoped to have been of his physicians, and took a voyage style by his instructions and exam. List of Dew publications. The Shade of Plato; or, a defence rian church in the United States of of religion, morality, and government. America ; by appointment of their A poem in four parts. By David Hitch standing committee of Missions, by cock. To which is prefixed, a Eliphalet Nott, D. D. President of sketch of the author's life. Hudson. Union College in the State of New H. Croswell. 12 mo. much benefited in point of accurate across the Atlantic. His indisposition, however, on his arrival in England, in ples. Most usefu'they must certain. stead af lessening, increased to such a ly be to all who are applying themselves degree, that he found it necessary to de to the arts of composition.” fer the period of his return till some favourable change should take place in charitable institutions. Possessed of an his disorder. He therefore purchased a independent fortune, and having no chilbeautifnl retreat in the neighbourhood of dren to provide for, he appears to cherYork, where, with an amiable wife, he ish, as his only wish, the luxury of be. has remained nearly twenty years, and ing useful to his fellow creatures. where indeed he has employed those late letter to a friend in this country, af. faculties, with which he has been so ter modestly adverting to the unparallel. preeminently endowed by Providence, to ed sale and reputation of his books in the benevolent purpose of composing his Europe, he concludes, “ I hope that this numerous works on the education of flattering success has no improper effect youth. This retreat is not less distin- upon me. I am sure that my manifold guished for the attractions it presents to imperfections are sufficient to check elaliterary men, than for the hospitality tion of mind, and to make me humbie. which reigns at its board. The whole I do indeed feel grateful to the Author of the profits, which it may be imagin- of all good, that under my long contin ed are very great, arising from the sale ued bodily infirmities, I am not yet G · of his books, have been bestowed upon useless being in the world." In a York, May 19, 1806. Philadelphia. A new edition of this work is contem. Jane Aitken. plated in Boston. The Virginia Religious Magazine, Twelve letters addressed to Rev. published under the patronage of the Samuel Austin, A. M. in which his Synod of Virginia, by the Editor, vindication of partial washing for Volume II, for the year 1806. LerChristian Baptism, contained in ten ington. Samuel Walkup. letters, is reviewed and disproved. Sanctuary Waters; or the spread By Daniel Merrill, A. M. pastor of the of the gospel. A Sermon, preached church of Christ in Sedgwick. 12 mo. before the Massachusetts Baptist Pp. 96. Boston. Manning & Loring: Missionary Society, at their annual An answer to this has been published meeting, by William Collier, A. M. by Mr. Austin at Worcester. pastor of the Baptist church in A treatise on the Diseases of Child. Charlestown, (Mass.) Boston, May ren, and management of infants from 28, 1806. Manning & Loring: the birth. By Michael Underwood, A Sermon, preached before the x. D. Licentiate in Midwifery, of the convention of the clergy of MassaRoyal College of Physicians in Lon- chusetts, Boston, May 29, 1806. By don, &c. &c. Second American from Joseph Lyman, D. D. pastor of the the sixth London edition. 8vo. pp. 270.' church in Hatfield. Boston. David Boston. D. West. Carlisle. Reflections on the Rise and Fall of Bonaparte, and the French people the ancient Republics, adapted to the under his Consulate. Translated present state of Great Britain. By Ed. from the German. The first Ameri. vard W. Montague, jun. 12mo. pp. can edition. New York. Isaac Col. 336. Philadelphia. C. P. Wayne. lins and Son. Sold also by E. Cot A sermon, preached in the audi. ton, Boston. ence of His Excellency Caleb Strong, The fulfilling of the Scripture, or Gorernor, His Honor Edward i. an essay, shewing the exact accom. Robbins, Esq. Lieutenant Governor, plishment of the word of God in his the Hon. the Council, Senate and works performed and to be perform. House of Representatives of the ed, for confirming of believers, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on convincing Atheists of the present the Anniversary Election, May 28, time: Containing some rare histo. 1806. By Samuel Shepard, A. M. ries of the works and the servants of Congregational Minister of Lenox. God in the church of Scotland. By Boston. Young & Minns. 1806. Rev. Robert Fleming, pastor of a A discourse on the necessity and church in Rotterdam. Charlestown. importance of wisdom and knowledge, 1806. Samuel Etheridge. delivered at the opening of the Lin. Universalism confounds and decoln Academy in New Castle, Octo- stroys itself ; or, Letters to a Friend; ber 1, 1805. By Kiah Bayley, A. M. in four parts. Part 1. Dr. Huntingpastor of the church in New Castle. ton's and Mr. Relly's scheme, which Wiscasset. Babson and Rust. denies all Yuture punishment, shown The Happy nation, a sermon, to be made up of contradictions, preached at the Anniversary Elec- 2. Dr. Chauncy's, Mr. Winchester's, tion in Hartford, May 8, 1806. Petitpierre's, and Med. Dr. Young's By Rev. William Lyman, A. M.pas- scheme, which supposes a limited tor of a church in East Haddam. punishment hereafter, shown to be Hartford. Hudson and Goodwin. made up of contradictions. 3. Ev. 1806. erlasting, forever, forever and ever, A sermon, preached before the naturally and originally, mean duraGeneral Assembly of the Presbyte. tion without end. 4. The sufficiency of the atonement, for the salvation of youth, and particularly adapted to all, consistent with the final destruc. the use of schools. By the Rev, tion of a part of mankind. Also, the Thomas Smith, author of the Univer. second death explained. Interspers. sal Atlas, &c. First American edi. ed with direct arguments in proof of tion. To which is added a copious the endless misery of the damned ; index, not in the English edition. and answers to the popular objections Boston. Samuel H. Parker. 1806. of the present day, against the doc- Sermons on the religious education trines of grace. By Josiah Spauld. of children; preached at Northamping, A. M. pastor of a church in ton. By Philip Doddridge, D. D. Buckland. Northampton, Mass.) A new edition, revised and corrected. Andrew Wright. 1805. Cambridge. W. Hilliard. 1806. Preparation for war the best secu. A Sermon on Fraud. By Thomas rity for peace. Illustrated in a Ser. Wilson, D. D. Bishop of Sodor and mon delivered before the Ancient and Mann. First American edition, re. Honourable Artillery Company, on vised and corrected, Cambridge. the Anniversary of their election of W. Hilliard. officers, June 2, 1806. By James Ken. A Present for your Neighbour ; dall. Munroe and Francis. or, the right knowledge of God and The Boston Directory, containing ourselves, opened in a plain, practi. the names, occupations, places of cal, and experimental manner. Cam. abode, and business of the inhabi. bridge. W. Hilliard. tants. A list of the streets, lanes, A Discourse concerning meekness. courts, alleys, wharves, &c. &c. By Rev. Matthew Henry. First Bounds of the new wards. Lists of American edition. Cambridge. W. public oflices, town officers, physi. Hilliard. cians, sextons, &c. List of post A short and easy method with De. towns, &c. &c. Illustrated by a plan ists, wherein the certainty of the of the town. Boston. E. Cotton. Christian religion is demonstrated by The Christian Monitor. No. 2. infallible proof from four rules, in a Containing observations on the life letter to a friend. Cambridge. W. and character of Jesus Christ. Mun. Hilliard. roe and Francis, Boston. O The five last publications are is. Nine Discourses on Baptism, viz, sued in large editions of each, by the Water Baptism, Christian Baptism, Massachusetts Society for promoting Believer's Baptism, Infant Baptism, Christian knowledge, and the Trus. Believing parents and their children tees of Phillips' Academy, for charit. in covenant with God, Being buried able distribution. A number of each with Christ in Baptism illustrated. are reserved for sale at a cheap rate To which is annexed, Mrs. Jackson's for the benefit of the Society above confession. Boston. David Carlisle, named, by their agent, William Hil. 1806. ļiard, Cambridge ; also by E. Lin. The Sacred Mirror ; or, Compen- coln, Boston. dious View of Scripture History. Containing a faithful narration of all In the press, Horæ Paulinæ ; or, the principal events recorded in the the Truth of the Scripture History Old and New Testaments, from the of St. Paul, evinced by a comparison creation of the world to the death of of the epistles, which bear his name, St. Paul. With a continuation from with the Acts of the apostles, and that period to the final destruction of with one another. By William Pa. Jerusalem by the Romans. Design. ley, D. D. Archdeacon of Carlisle. ed for the mental improvement of W. Hilliard. Cambridge. Drdination. On Thursday, the 5th of June, gational Church in Becket. The 1806, the Rev. Joseph L. Mills was parts in the public exercises on the ordained Pastor of the First Congre- occasion were performed in the pres ence of a numerous assembly, whose silent attention bore testimony to the solemnity of the scene. The Rev. William G. Ballantine, of Washing ton, made the introductory prayer. The Rev. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen, (Con.) preached the sermon from 1 Cor. iii. 4, 5, 6. The Rev. Dr. West, of Stockbridge, made the consecrating prayer. The Rev. Aaron Bascom, of Chester, gave the charge. The Rev. Alvan Hyde, of Lee, gave the right hand of fellowship. The Rev. Samuel Shepard, of Lenox, made the concluding prayer.-The great length of time in which the people of this religious society have been destitute of the stated administration of the gospel and its ordinances, and the numerous difficulties under which they have laboured, respecting their ecclesiastical affairs, render it peculiarly pleasing to the friends of Zion, to witness the present union and harmony existing among them. Poetry. TO THE EDITORS. GENTLEMEN, In a garden belonging to Mr. Tyrrs at Denbigh in Surry, England, is a walk terminated by a beautiful alcove, called Il Penseroso, in which are two elegantly sarved pedestals, upon which are placed a Gentleman's and a Lady's skull: each thus addresses the male and female visitants. H. J. THE GENTLEMAN'S SKULL. WHY start? The case is yours or will be soon, Till steep'd in sorrow, and besieg'd with pain, Till death awak'd me from my dream of pride; Yet know, I feasted but to feast a worm. Already sure, less terrible I seem, And you, like me, shall own, that life's a dream. + THE LADY'S SKULL. Blush not, ye fair, to own me-But be wise, |
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