1869 printing of the 1869 copyrighted text. The author is credited with a Master of Arts degree and as the author of several titles on grammar. The preface claims that the teaching of language has been primarily focused on grammar and analysis rather than on expression. It attempts to weave the teaching of grammar with rhetoric and composition with a progressive series of exercises designed to develop skill in the use of words, in the construction of sentences, and in the finding of thoughts. It uses good models (in particular, excerpts from celebrated writers) rather than examples of errors. It covers style, descriptions, narration, exposition, persuasion, and varieties of compositions. The Schultz Archive's copy is roughly the complete text.
1869 printing of the 1869 copyrighted text. The author is credited as a faculty member of the Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Striving for simplicity and practical instruction, this text approaches teaching composition through steps of preparation rather than asking students to immediately write compositions. The chapters cover oral composition, formation of sentences, incorrect composition, punctuation, preparing composition, copying compositions, poetry and prose, elements of correct composition, style, figures of speech, criticism, and newspapers and magazines. Lessons use models and exercises. The Schultz Archive's copy is roughly the complete text.
