A very nice little book has been given to me - very interesting reading too. It's called 'The New-England Primer' and it was first published in 1777.
'The New-England Primer was a text for students who were just beginning to read, regardless of their age (there were no grade level classification in American schools until the 19th century).*
The book contains of :
- the English language learning section - the alphabet, illustrated also with black-and-white figures, easy syllables, words of one/two/three/four/five/six syllables;
- 'Some proper Names of Men and Women to teach Children to spell their own';
- lessons for children, including verses on how to be a good child;
- prayers and Catechism + 'SPIRITUAL MILK FOR American BABES Drown of the Breasts of both Testaments, for their Souls Nourishment' (love this title).
Although I am neither a child nor a student who learns to read, I found the Primer educational too. Some of the English words included in the
Primer were also new to me (English is my second language), and I needed to look them up in a dictionary, eg.:
Words of two Syllables
beguile, heinous
Word of three Syllables
amending, damnify
Words of four Syllables
edifying, benevolent
Words of five Syllables
abominable, fornication, exhortation
Words of six Syllables
abomination, edification
Some parts of The New English Primer which I especially like:
'My Book and Heart must never part'.
'Have communion with few,
Be intimate with ONE,
Deal justly with all,
Speak evil of none.'
'Be you to others kind and true,
As you'd have others be to you:
And neither do nor say to men,
Whate'er you would not take again.'
After reading and learning it is time for a good dinner:
The beans & meat go very well with yeast rolls or
with buttermilk white corn bread.
* from 'The New-England Primer
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