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THE

IMPROVED;

BEING A NEW

SELECTION OF LESSONS

FOR

READING AND SPEAKING.

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

BY CALEB BINGHAM, A. M.
Author of the Columbian Orator, Child's Companion, &c.

"TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO."

SIXTY SECOND (IMPROVED) EDITION.

CINCINNATI, OHIO:

PUBLISHED BY OLIVER FARNSWORTH & CO.

MARINED COLLEGE LIBRARY
FROM THE LIBRARY OF

MARY: M. BARCLAY

District of Massachusetts, to wit:

BE

DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.

E IT REMEMBERED, that on the thirtieth day of August, A. D. 1819, in the Forty Fourth Year of the Independence of the UNITED

STATES OF AMERICA, C. Bingham & Co. of said District, have deposited in this Office the Title of a Book the Right whereof they claim as Proprietors-in the Words following, to wit: "The American Preceptor Improved, being a new Selection of Lessons for Reading and Speaking. Designed for the use of Schools. By Caleb Bingham, A. M. Author of the Columbian Orator, Child's Companion, &c. "Train up a child in the way he should go,' Sixty-first (First Improved) Edition,"

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned:" and also to an Act entitled, "An Act supplementary to an Act entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned; and extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving and Etching Historical, and other Prints."

J. W. DAVIS,

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts.

the

HISTORY OF THE ORATOR DEMOSTHENES.

D

EMOSTHENES, having lost his father at age of seven years, and falling into the hands of selfish and avaricious guardians, who were wholly bent upon plundering his estate, was not educated with the care which so excellent a genius as his deserved, and the delicacy of his constitution did not allow his masters to urge him in regard to his studies.

2. Hearing them one day speak of a famous cause that was to be pleaded, and which made a great noise in the city, he importuned them very much to carry him with them to the bar in order to hear the pleadings. The Orator was heard with great attention, and having been very successful, was conducted home in a very ceremonious manner, amidst a crowd of illustrious citizens, who expressed the highest satisfaction.

3. Demosthenes was strongly affected with the honors which were paid to the Orator, and still more with the absolote and despotic power which eloquence had over the mind. He himself was sensible of its force and unable to resist its charms, he from that day devoted himself entirely to it, and immediately laid aside every other pleasure and study.

4. His first essay of eloquence was against his guardians, whom he obliged to restore part of his fortune. Encouraged by this good success, he ventured to speak before the people, but he acquitted himself very ill on that occasion, for he had a faint voice, stammered in his speech, and had a very short breath.

5. He therefore was hissed by the whole audience, and went home quite dejected, and determined to abandon for ever a profession to which he imagined himself, unequal. But one of his hearers, who perceived an excellent genius amidst his faults, encouraged him, by the strong remonstrances he made, and the salutary advice he gave him. He

1*

therefore

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