The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
The naval battle between the Serapis and the Poor Richard.
GRADED LITERATURE READERS
EDITED BY
HARRY PRATT JUDSON, LL.D.,
PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
AND
IDA C. BENDER
SUPERVISOR OF PRIMARY GRADES IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK
FOURTH BOOK
CHARLES E. MERRILL CO., PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1900, by
MAYNARD, MERRILL, & CO.
[24]
PREFACE
It is believed that the Graded Literature Readers will commendthemselves to thoughtful teachers by their careful grading, their soundmethods, and the variety and literary character of their subject-matter.
They have been made not only in recognition of the growing discontentwith the selections in the older readers, but also with an appreciationof the value of the educational features which many of those readers contained.Their chief points of divergence from other new books, therefore,are their choice of subject-matter and their conservatism in method.
A great consideration governing the choice of all the selections hasbeen that they shall interest children. The difficulty of learning to readis minimized when the interest is aroused.
School readers, which supply almost the only reading of many children,should stimulate a taste for good literature and awaken interest ina wide range of subjects.
In the Graded Literature Readers good literature has been presentedas early as possible, and the classic tales and fables, to which constantallusion is made in literature and daily life, are largely used.
Nature study has received due attention. The lessons on scientific subjects,though necessarily simple at first, preserve always a strict accuracy.
The careful drawings of plants and animals, and the illustrations incolor—many of them photographs from nature—will be attractive tothe pupil and helpful in connection with nature study.
No expense has been spared to maintain a high standard in the illustrations,and excellent engravings of masterpieces are given throughoutthe series with a view to quickening appreciation of the best in art.
These books have been prepared with the hearty sympathy and verypractical assistance of many distinguished educators in different parts ofthe country, including some of the most successful teachers of reading inprimary, intermediate, and advanced grades.
Thanks are due to Messrs. G. P. Putnam's Sons and to PresidentRoosevelt for their courtesy in permitting the use of the selection from"Hunting Trips of a Ranchman."