PREFACE. HE various Collections already published and adopted in schools, might seem to render this superfluous; yet the Editor, unintimidated by that reflection, ventures tò offer this Selection to the Public, with a full conviction, that judicious teachers will immediately perceive its obvious utility. That excellent Collection of moral and instructive Essays, &c. THE PLEASING INSTRUCTOR, and other popular books of a like kind, have become so familiar in schools, that they pall upon the mind, and boys are inclined to consider the reading of them as a kind of task, and therefore disregard the precepts they contain. Since the time of their first publication, many excellent authors have added sufficiently to the stock of modern literature to shew the necessity for'a Compilation that might combine the beauties contained in their works, with those we find in Authors that have previously been had recourse to. The Editor's chief purpose in making this selection was, to inculcate in the minds of youth strong impressions of their moral obligations, the danger of the slightest deviation from a 2 from the path of virtue, and those refined sensibilities of the human mind, which elevate man so infinitely beyond the rest of the creation, and fit him for rational enlightened society.—The early cultivation of the virtuous, generous, and humane principles of the mind, is certainly a matter of the greatest importance; therefore he who contributes to exalt and confirm those dispositions, which adorn and ennoble human nature, may surely escape censure, even if the slightness of the means he adopts do not entitle him to any high de gree of general approbation. INDEX. PAGE On an excessive and indiscriminate love of company The journey of a day; story of Obidah Reniarks on the swiftness of time Filial affection; the story of Fidelia Family disagreements the frequent cause of immoral conduct 20 The voyage of life, an allegory The necessity of forming religious principles at an early age 30 The virtue of gentleness Religion never to be treated with levity The acquisition of a virtuous disposition a necessáry part Valuable opportunities once lost can never be recalled 45 On the advantages of conversation The folly of inconsistent expectations On betraying private conversation The continence of Scipio Africanus PAGE The arts of deceiving conscience On the guilt of incurring debts, without an intention or Learning should be sometimes applied to cultivate our The story of Maria, from Sterne The want of piety arises from the want of sensibility 132 The distresses of a modest man The story of Dionysius the tyrant The vision of Theodore the hermit of Teneriffe The vision of Theodore continued On the respect paid by the Lacedemonians and Athenians The history of Joseph abridged The story of a disabled soldier Scene between Col. Rivers and Sir Harry On the advantages derivable from national adversity Rernarkable instance of filial duty On the importance of governing the temper 228 The story of Abbas 229 On the importance of a good character, considered only with respect to interest 236 Good-natured credulity 239 History of the Empress Catherina 241 On impudence and modesty 246 Filial affection 250 On the folly and wickedness of war 251 On the beauty and happiness of an open behaviour and an. ingenuous disposition 255 A remedy for discontent 259 The resignation of the Emperor Charles V. 263 The whistle, a true story 267 On good-breeding 269 Dignity of manners Lying Gentleness of manners, with firmness or resolution of mind 246 On the moral character 278 POETRY. |
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