New National First[ -fifth] Reader

LIBRARY OF THE
LELAND STANFORD JR. UNIVERSITY

a.38058

B. FIFTH READER.

W. P. 8

REFACE

With the publication of this book, our series of readers designed for the use of graded and ungraded schools, is completed.

Concerning the simplicity and careful gradation of the letter press, a word of explanation is necessary.

It is evident, even to the casual observer, that pupils terminate their school life at a much earlier age now than ever before.

This is due, in part, to

1.-Better methods of instruction, which advance pupils more rapidly toward the completion of their course of study.

2. A feverish desire on the part of the young to commence their life work.

3. The humble circumstances of many parents, who, consequently, need the assistance of their children in the everyday affairs of life, and take them from school by the time they have finished the third reader.

The average age at which most pupils complete the course of study in our public schools has been

ascertained to be about thirteen and a half years. From this it is evident that many can not be more than ten years old.

How utterly impossible it is for pupils of such an immature age to understand or comprehend the masterpieces of our literature, can be realized only by those teachers who have exhausted every expedient to accomplish such a result.

It is needless, perhaps, to say that the author of this series of readers, who has had many years' experience in the schoolroom, has kept this fact constantly in mind; and he confidently believes that the New National Series will be found more pleasing, interesting, and intelligible to young minds than any others ever issued.

That these readers may lighten the teaching fraternity everywhere, and pupil's interest and pleasure during of hard study, is the fervent wish of

labors of the

add add to the many hours

THE AUTHOR.

ONTENTS

LESSON

LESSONS IN PROSE.

PAGE

1.-SOLDIER FRITZ (I) From the German by J. C. Pickard. 33