largely from the excellent work of Mr. Trench, on the Study of Words. He shows that there is an interesting history attached to many of our commonest words; and should the reader find a reference to the index attached to such familiar words as mankind, odd, husband, wife, amuse, education, field, forest, neighbor, palace, parasite, parlor, and scores of other words, more or less common, he will learn, from a glance at them in the index, that there is a history in their derivation which ought to be known. The importance of this knowledge is well set forth by Mr. Trench in the extracts from his work beginning on page 119. By acquainting himself with the origin of many words explained in the index, the reader will store his memory with a number of prefixes and postfixes, a knowledge of which will open to him the meaning of large classes of words to which they are the keys. The habit also, which he may thus acquire, of tracing verbal genealogies back to their primary stock, may be to him of incalculable service, in inspiring a taste that must open new sources of intellectual satisfaction and improvement; in leading to greater precision in the use of language; in simplifying and making luminous many a word that before seemed arbitrary, indefinite, and opaque; and, finally, in quickening his powers of penetration into the significance, or absence of significance, of all that he reads. In conclusion, I may remark, that both in the introductory part and in the index I have freely availed myself of the labors of the best and most recent authorities. In most instances, credit has been given; should it have been occasionally with held, this general acknowledgment will suffice. CONTENTS. The names of authors and subjects, alphabetically arranged, will be found For an explanation of the marks of reference in Part II., see p. 55. Class Opinions -The Sword and Pen - Humming-Bird and But- terfly The Wolf and Kid-The Wolf on his Death-bed — The Life-Influence of Actions-Now- Fidelity in Little Things - Imperceptible Formation of Habits - Kindness its own Reward, 84 .104 FROM THE GERMAN, Air and Exercise- Quarterly Review. Education in the United States-Webster. Our Common Schools - Everett. On Pamper- ing the Body at the Soul's Expense - Ib. 83. Columbus and his Discovery, 84. The Discovery of America,. 86. Unity and Progress of Mankind, 104. The Planets and Heavenly Bodies, 105. THOUGHTS ON EARLY RISING. CHAMBERS, Demosthenes - Creasy. Cicero and Demosthenes Compared-Fen- Degeneracy of Athens-Demosthenes. Value of Literature-Cicero. Know before you Speak-True Generosity-Moral and Physical Basis of our System - Washington. A Republic Strongest — Jef- ferson. True Bond of Union - Jackson. Religious and Mental Culture Wayland. Our Political Experiment - Wirt. Force of Example-Mc Lean. Fabric of our Government-Webster, 287 Religion essential to Morality Washington. .360 363 Indebtedness to Society - Mountford. Love of Home-Webster. - Obligations to Literature-Hood. The Worth of Books ning. Moral Influence of a Literary Taste- Hillard. 188. THE ELOQUENCE OF SCIENCE. Extent of the Universe. The Atmosphere The Steam-engine-Jeffrey. Ignorance of Great Physical Truths Life Light- Liebig. Wonders of the Created Universe Herschell On the Vastness of the Universe- Whewell, |