DESIGNED TO AMUSE THE MIND, AND IMPROVE

THE UNDERSTANDING OF YOUTII.

« Let us consider that youth is of no long duration; and that

« in maturer age, when the enchantments of fancy shall cease,
“ and phantoms of delight no more dance about us, we shall
“ have no comfort but the esteem of wise men, and the means
Si of doing good"

LONDON:
WRINTED FOR T. N. LONGMAN, AND O. REES, PATERNOSTER ROW 3.

AND E. NEWBERY, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD,

nec

In writing the following sheets, my design has been to blend instruction with amusement; to give “Virtue its own feature, " Vice its own image ;” and to shew the necessity of all evil propensities being crushed in infancy; and that children of good natural abilities and dispositions may be led to tread the paths of truth and rectitude; as easily as they may be suffered to imbibe erroneous opinions; which, like the weeds in the Scripture, that choaked the corn, destroy the virtuous principles implanted in them by their Creator. To inculcate a love of study, industry, charity, duty to parents, &c. has been my wish; and equally to discourage idleness, dissatisfaction with our situation, vanity, falsehood, and arrogance.Should I be happy enough to awaken in the susceptible bosomn of uncorrupted childhood any of the former, how greatly will my efforts be repaid ! Nor will