The boys who formed the Colony were detached from the School at Hofwyl, and established, like Robinson Crusoe on his island, on the side of a mountain favourably exposed, but poorly cultivated." (See APPENDIX. PREFACE ΤΟ THE SECOND EDITION. THE Author cannot allow a Second Edition of this volume to appear without acknowledging the very favourable reception it has experienced, both from the public in general, and from that class of persons for whose benefit it. was originally designed. In thus attempting to direct practical teachers, the Author could not but feel that he was assuming a position of no ordinary delicacy and difficulty. If he has succeeded, as has been kindly said, in "instructing without dogmatism, and in correcting without reproof," he has to some extent accomplished the object he had in view, in undertaking the work. The rapid sale of the first edition, may, he trusts, be fairly considered to indicate not merely approval of the work itself, but, (which is of far greater moment) an increasing desire among all classes of the community to improve existing methods of instruction. The willingness of teachers to receive hints from any one, if offered in a spirit of kindness, has been abundantly proved by the cordial thanks the writer has received for some of the suggestions contained in the present volume. Most heartily does he wish that the book were more worthy of the commendations it has received. BOROUGH ROAD, December, 1837. |