1863 printing of 1863 copyrighted text. Author is credited as Superintendent of Public Schools, Oswego, NY, and as author of several texts. An American edition of a text that was in its 14th edition in London in 1855. The first three steps are designed for the first three years of school, the fourth and fifth steps are for students 10 to 14 years old. The object of the lessons is to cultivate the senses, awaken and quicken observation, and to teach the use of the full range of senses. Includes preface by Elizabeth Mayo. Contents is divided into sections based on complexity of object, including sections on metals, natural history, vegetables, textiles, minerals, and manufactured articles. It also includes a list of vocabulary. The Schultz Archive copy is roughly the complete 407 page text.
This "New and Improved Edition" was published in 1894 and copyrighted in 1892. The author is credited as Professor of Language and Literature in the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute and as the author of several other books. The text claims it is responding to teachers' need for work for pupils to do in illustration of what they have learned. The first section on invention covers sentence structure, forming paragraphs, analysis of subjects, and preparation of frameworks. The second section on qualities of style discusses perspicuity, imagery, energy, wit, pathos, and elegance. The third section on productions breaks up prose into oral (conversation, debates, sermons, etc.) and written (biographies, histories, fiction, letters, etc.). It also discusses poetry by focusing on mission, style, form, and kinds (satiric, epic, dramatic, etc.). Exercises include specific directions for altering or analyzing examples. Excerpts from the work of well known authors are used throughout. The Schultz Archive's copy is roughly the complete text.