NOTE TO TEACHERS. THE present editor of "The Courtship of Miles Standish" has aimed to adapt his style and treatment to a comparatively young class of pupils. Having in mind especially those just below the high-school grades, he has made his suggestions for study as simple and practical as is consistent with thorough work. To this end he invites the coöperation of the teacher, for the best results are reached when instructor and editor understand each other's aims. Even the lightest study of a piece of literature calls for some definite plan of work to differentiate it from mere casual reading for amusement. A class even in literature must have a lesson to learn. The first reading may still be for pleasure, but the skilful teacher will use this as a basis for training in the simpler principles of criticism, for the acquisition of knowledge and culture, and for mental discipline. It is not hard to interest pupils at the story-loving age in what is meant by a plot, how it is put together, what part the actors play, and in the teachings of the book. The study of the poet's materials will open up naturally the important relation of history to literature, of facts to art, and the author's method of work. From this higher ground the advance is easy and gradual to the mastery of some of the great principles of poetic art. The list of topics and questions in the introduction will indicate the editor's plan, which is to start each pupil out, note-book in hand, to find illustrations of points already made, to whet his powers of observation, to draw out his reasoning faculties, and cultivate a taste for critical research. A number of the favorite shorter poems of the author have been included in this volume, to meet the desire of many teachers. G. A. WAUCHOPE. SOUTH CAROLINA COLLEGE. 221868 |