Too far in years to be a pupil now.

It is our pleasant duty, on the contrary, to thank you for encouraging
us to study the "cunning instrument" of our native tongue.

Our sense of the benefits which we derived from this study, and our
recollection that the study was at that time optional, and did not
affect more than a small number of the pupils, lead us to anticipate
that when once the English language and literature become recognized,
not as an optional but as a regular part of our educational course,
the advantages will be so great as to constitute nothing short of a
national benefit.

The present seems to be a critical moment for English instruction. The
subject has excited much attention of late years; many schools have
already taken it up; others are on the point of doing so; it forms an
important part of most Government and other examinations. But there is
a complaint from many teachers that they cannot teach English for want
of text-books and manuals; and, as the study of English becomes year
by year more general, this complaint makes itself more and more
distinctly heard. To meet this want we have written the following
pages. If we had had more time, we might perhaps have been tempted to
aim at producing a more learned and exhaustive book on the subject;
but, setting aside want of leisure, we feel that a practical
text-book, and not a learned or exhaustive treatise, is what is wanted
at the present crisis.

We feel sure that you will give a kindly welcome to our little book,
as an attempt, however imperfect, to hand on the torch which you have
handed to us; we beg you also to accept it as a token of our sincere
gratitude for more than ordinary kindnesses, and to believe us

Your affectionate pupils,

J. R. SEELEY.
EDWIN A. ABBOTT.

* * * * *

_Messrs. Roberts Brothers' Publications._

ENGLISH LESSONS FOR ENGLISH PEOPLE. By Rev. E. A. ABBOTT, M.A., and
Prof. J. R. SEELEY, M.A. Part I.--Vocabulary. Part II--Diction. Part
III.--Metre. Part IV.--Hints on Selection and Arrangement. Appendix.
16mo. Price $1.50.

_From the London Athenaeum._

The object of this book is evidently a practical one. It is
intended for ordinary use by a large circle of readers; and
though designed principally for boys, may be read with advantage
by many of more advanced years. One of the lessons which it
professes to teac