[Book Reviews]

Abstract

THESE simple lessons are intended for younger children than those for whom the primers published by Messrs. Macmillan have been written, and they appear admirably adapted for the purpose they have in view. Mr. W. E. Forster, in his recent speech at Huddersfield, referred to the importance of teaching the elements of science in primary schools by means of appropriate reading books. The little books before us, so far as they go, meet the wish expressed by Mr. Forster. The print is clear, the language on the whole simple, and the price (threepence) places them within the reach of the humblest. Perhaps there is a little too great a tendency to moralise in parts of the otherwise capital little lessons on birds and money. The author of the last-named—the Rev. T. E. Crallan—tells in a simple and interesting way how money grows, and writes for younger minds than does the Rev. G. Henslow, who contributes lessons on flowers, where too many technical terms are, we think, introduced, especially in the first chapter. Miss Fenwick Miller's lessons on the human body, and on ventilation, are excellent, and so are Mr. Philip Bevan's on food, and Dr. Mann's on the weather. Altogether, we congratulate the publisher on the subjects selected, and the authors he has chosen: no doubt the remainder of the lessons that are to be issued will confirm the high opinion we have formed of those already before us.

Simple Lessons for Home Use.

(London: E. Stanford, 1877.)