A geography of Boston, county of Suffolk and the adjacent towns. With historical notes... For the younger class of readers

Front matter

GEOGRAPHY <r

O

OF S

Preface

Four years ago, the American Journal of Education, in recommending the use of a map of Boston, then recently pubUshed, introduced the following remarks :

' We would invite the attention of parents and teachers to this map as furnishing the means of pleasing and useful instruction to children. The following course has been satisfactorily pursued with two young pupils. The map is spread on a table, or suspended on the wall, according to convenience ; and the pupils trace out, slowly and carefully, the various streets which constitute a single ward of the city. They then take their morning's walk, so as to pass through every street in that ward ; and when they return home, they execute first on their slates, and afterwards on paper, as accurate a map of the ward as they can furnish from memory ; correcting and filling it up more exactly, afterwards, by the help of the engraved map. In this way, the children become familiarly acquainted with every part of the city, and are prepared to listen intelligently to any conversation or reading in which a local reference occurs. This minute and practical application in early hfe, lays the foundation of good mental habits in every

IV PREFACE.

department where close investigation or accurate information, is of any value. Besides, these exercises in topography are highly entertaining as w^ell as instructive, and give scope to the natural vivacity and activity of childhood, — ^they are connected too with healthful physical recreation.

* If, as is to he hoped, the author of the History of Boston shall publish an abridged edition of that work, adapted to the use of families and schools, a pleasing course of instruction in local history may be combined with the above exercise, as many of the streets of Boston contain buildings and other objects of great historical interest connected with important events in the history of the country.

' In the meantime every parent or teacher who possesses the larger History, can furnish orally the instruction which will be required.'

The present volume has been compiled in accordance with the suggestions contained in these remarks. Its object will be accomplished, if it shall tend to interest the rising generation in the institutions of our fathers, and in any degree to transmit to posterity a portion of their spirit. Having around us so many monuments and memorials to remind us of their piety and their benevolence, of their love of liberty and of learning, we shall prove unworthy sons of such worthy sires, if we suffer the cause of either ofthose virtues to languish through our neglect.

September, 1830.