PREFACE
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THIS book forms a Sequel to No. IV. of "THE ROYAL READERS." As in the case of the other Sequels, it is rather more difficult than the corresponding volume of the First Series, the design being that where two books are used in the same Standard this book should follow the other.

Great variety will be found to characterize the lessons in this volume. Interesting Moral Stories are interspersed with instructive lessons in Natural History and Descriptive Geography, and both are relieved by abundance of Narrative Poetry and of verses suitable for Recitation. Several Dramatic Scenes and Dialogues of a simple and interesting character are also given, which will afford pleasant variety in the Exercises both for Class Reading and for Recitation.

The same care has been bestowed, as in the previous volumes of both Series, on the adaptation of the lessons to the daily work of the School.

I. The MEANINGS of the difficult words, and Explanatory Notes when required, are given at the end of each lesson, in language suitable for young scholars. As the explanatory matter seldom stands on the same page, or at the same opening, as the words explained, the scholar may have the full benefit of these helps to learning while preparing his lesson, without being able to take advantage of them unduly while being examined in class.

II. As an aid to correct PRONUNCIATION, a list is given of the most difficult words in each lesson, divided into syllables, and accentuated.

III. These word lists, as well as the vocabularies, are intended to be used also as SPELLING LESSONS. Several series of DICTA

TION EXERCISES, in short sentences containing selected words, have been prepared for this book. The words introduced illustrate the chief difficulties in spelling. These exercises, together with the lists of HOMONYMS, and of LATIN ROOTS and DERIVATIVES, make the Spelling Lessons in this book unequalled in variety as well as in amount.

IV. QUESTIONS are appended to each lesson, chiefly to assist home preparation, and to enable the scholar or his parents to ascertain whether he has mastered his work.

V. Special attention is called to the ILLUSTRATIONS of the Series. Many of them are remarkable for their artistic beauty, as well as for their appropriateness; and when these qualities are combined, pictures have extraordinary power both in quickening the intelligence of children and in cultivating their taste.

THE ROYAL READERS have been pronounced by the first educational authorities to be "the best Series of Reading-Books ever published." Practical teachers in all parts of the Kingdom have testified to the following advantages arising from the use of them :

They economize the time of the school.

They lighten the labour of the teacher.

They greatly facilitate the progress of the scholars.

They secure the co-operation of the parents in home preparation.
They are the only self-interpreting Readers.

Their illustrations are unrivalled.

They are the best books for teaching to read" with comprehension and intelligence."

Complete Lists and Specimens of the "ROYAL SCHOOL SERIES" may be had from the Publishers on application.