viii the cause and origin of things around them. This passion is peculiarly strong in youthful minds; and what can be more worthy of their inquiry and interest, than the first settlement and progress of their forefathers, through many early difficulties, to civilisation, refinement and happiness? Wherefore, few things can be proposed so pleasingly instructive, and so stirring to the feelings, as to learn those striking incidents of the olden time, which seize upon the mind like visions of fancy, or dreams of the imagination. It may, in fine, be said, that it is the duty of patriotism, as well as of parental affection, that "when your children shall ask you wherefore are these things so? then shall ye answer them, &c." "It is thus," says the Association of Teachers in Philadelphia, upon this subject, "that the good taste of our youth will be cultivated, as effectually as their curiosity will be gratified, and at the same time the cause of popular instruction will receive a valuable impulse." The following illustrations of the proper domestic history of Philadelphia, and of the early rise and progress of Pennsylvania, from its small beginnings to its present greatness-derived in substance from "Watson's Annals of Philadelphia,”. —are cast together in the form of instructive historical tales, with a hope that they may succeed to inform the minds and improve the hearts of the youths of our country. "By the preser 66 ix vation of these national recollections," says our eloquent countryman, Everett, we are to form, animate, and perpetuate, a free people."-Tis in effect a legacy by which our progenitors say to us, "my sons, forget not your fathers!" Philadelphia County, 1831. THE AUTHOR. |