Elson Grammer School Literature, book 4 | Page 2

OF READING
In the ELSON READERS selections are grouped according to theme or
authorship. This arrangement, however, is not intended to fix an order
for reading in class; its purpose is to emphasise classification, facilitate
comparison, and enable pupils to appreciate similarities and contrasts in
the treatment of like themes by different authors.
To give variety, to meet the interests at different seasons and festivals,
and to go from prose to poetry and from long to short selections, a
carefully planned order of reading should be followed. Such an order of
reading calls for a full consideration of all the factors mentioned above.
The Course here offered meets these ends but may easily be varied to
fit local conditions.
FIRST HALF-YEAR
BIOGRAPHY OF HAWTHORNE THE GREAT STONE FACE MY
VISIT TO NIAGARA THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN
GILPIN HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS INCIDENT
OF THE FRENCH CAMP HERVÉ RIEL COLUMBUS
(COLUMBUS'S BIRTHDAY, OCT. 12) SUPPOSED SPEECH OF
JOHN ADAMS SPEECH OF RESOLUTION TO PUT VIRGINIA
INTO A STATE OF DEFENCE THE EVE BEFORE WATERLOO
THE BUGLE SONG BIOGRAPHY OF HOLMES THE
CHAMBERED NAUTILUS THE DEACON'S MASTERPIECE OLD
IRONSIDES THE BOYS THE LAST LEAF MERIT BEFORE BIRTH
WEBSTER-HAYNE DEBATE THE BROOK THE SONG OF THE
CHATTAHOOCHEE THE CATARACT OF LODORE BIOGRAPHY
OF POE A DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTRÖM THE RAVEN

ANNABEL LEE THE BELLS BIOGRAPHY OF WHITTIER
(WHITTIER'S BIRTHDAY, DEC. 17) SNOW-BOUND
(WHITTIER'S BIRTHDAY, DEC. 17) THE SHIP-BUILDERS
(WHITTIER'S BIRTHDAY, DEC. 17) REGULUS BEFORE THE
ROMAN SENATE THE RETURN OF REGULUS SPARTACUS TO
THE GLADIATORS THE WAY TO WEALTH (FRANKLIN'S
BIRTHDAY, JAN, 17) EMMET'S VINDICATION MARCO
BOZZARIS RIENZI'S ADDRESS TO THE ROMANS BIOGRAPHY
OF LANIER (LANIER'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 3) THE MARSHES OF
GLYNN (LANIER'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 3)
SECOND HALF-YEAR
LOVE OF COUNTRY WARREN'S ADDRESS PEACE, THE
POLICY OF A NATION THE AMERICAN FLAG (LINCOLN'S
BIRTHDAY, FEB. 12) LINCOLN, THE GREAT COMMONER
(LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 12) DEDICATION SPEECH
(LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 12) O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
(WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22) FAREWELL ADDRESS
(WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22) BIOGRAPHY OF
LOWELL (LOWELL'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22) THE VISION OF SIR
LAUNFAL (LOWELL'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22) YUSSOUF
(LOWELL'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 22) BIOGRAPHY OF
LONGFELLOW (LONGFELLOW'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 27)
EVANGELINE (LONGFELLOW'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 27) THE
BUILDING OF THE SHIP (LONGFELLOW'S BIRTHDAY, FEB. 27)
NAPOLEON BONAPARTE THE EVILS OF WAR BIOGRAPHY OF
IRVING (IRVING'S BIRTHDAY, APRIL 3) RIP VAN WINKLE
(IRVING'S BIRTHDAY, APRIL 3) THE VOYAGE (IRVING'S
BIRTHDAY, APRIL 3) PAUL REVERE'S RIDE (APRIL 19) THE
LEAP OF ROUSHAN BEG THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT
BRIGADE SELECTIONS FROM SHAKESPEARE
(SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY, APRIL 23) TO A WATER FOWL
THE SKYLARK TO A SKYLARK (SPRING AND ARBOR DAY)
THE CLOUD APOSTROPHE TO THE OCEAN ABSALOM
LOCHINVAR PARTING OF MARMION AND DOUGLAS FOR A'
THAT AND A' THAT KING PHILIP TO THE WHITE SETTLER
THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC ENGLAND AND HER COLONIES
THE MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY OPPORTUNITY THE

DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB SONG OF THE GREEK
BARD THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE THE TRUE
GRANDEUR OF NATIONS THE MEMORY OF OUR FATHERS
THE RECESSIONAL

INTRODUCTION
This book is designed to furnish reading material of choice literary and
dramatic quality. The selections for the most part are those that have
stood the test of time and are acknowledged masterpieces. The
groupings into the separate parts will aid both teachers and pupils in the
classification of the material, indicating at a glance the range and
variety of the literature included.
Part One deals with poetry, and it is believed the poems offered in this
group are unsurpassed. No effort on the teacher's part will be needed to
arouse the enthusiasm of pupils who read the series of famous rides
with which this group opens. The thrill of delight which children feel as
they read of "A hurry of hoofs in a village street," or "Charging an
army while all the world wondered," may lead to the stronger and more
enduring emotions of patriotism and devotion. "John Gilpin's Ride,"
which has furnished amusement for generations of old and young, finds
a place here. The rhythmic movement of these poems makes a natural
transition to those selections especially designed as studies in rhythm.
The series of nature poems and selections from Shakespeare complete a
group of choice literary creations. Part Two is given to a study of the
great American authors, and no apology is needed either for the choice
of material or for the prominence given to this group. It is especially
suited to parallel and supplement the work of this grade in American
history. Part Three contains patriotic selections and some of the great
orations. These are lofty and inspiring in style, within the grasp of the
pupils, and are especially helpful in developing power of expression.
It is not expected that the order of selections will be followed. On the