'V'--- ■■-■**.■.'•••■ -*te ^.v.Yx^^^" 'sxountc^j^ "4' # ' "b|#"' ^ ■yJiililmitaxM/^iiiiiyMirAt^j^^ 'ite three sentences about horses; three about cozvs ; three about dogs ; and three about children. Make sentences by filling the following blanks ; Nouns. 77 1. fly. 2. run. 3. Boys 4. Cows . 5. sing. 6. Children . 7. shines. 8. The wind . 9. Do twinkle? 10. Oh ! the rainbow ! Teach that every sentence BEGINS WITH A CATITAL LETTER ; that EVERY STATEMENT ENDS WITH A PERIOD ; that EVERY QUESTION ENDS WITH A QUESTION MARK ; that EVERY EXCLAMATION ENDS WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT. LESSON II. NOUNS. Objects are given names, so as to distinguish them one from another, when we speak or write about them. One object is named a chair ; another, a book ; another, a cow. These words, chair, book and cow are called namp:-words, or NOUNS. 78 Common School English. Pick out the nouns, in the following sentences: 1. London, England, is the largest city in the world. 2. Pennsylvania produces more coal and iron than any other state in the Union. 3. The Mississippi is the longest river in North America. 4. The Pacific Ocean was discovered by Balboa. 5. America was discovered by Christopher Columbus. Fill the following blanks with nouns: I. was the first President of the United States. 2. Birds build in . ' 3. Are the ripe ? 4. Oh ! how brave are the ■ ! 5. make honey. LESSON III. SINGUIvAR AND PLURAL FORMS OF NOUNS. Boy means one person. When it is used in this way, and refers to only one person, or thing, it is called THE SIN(;ULAR FORM OF THE NOUN. Nouns. 79 Cat, horse, box, dog^ and valley are singular nouns. The word boys, meaning more than one, is termed THE PLURAL FORM OF THE NOUN, Cats, horses, boxes, dogs and valleys are plural nouns. The plural of these nouns is formed, as may be seen, by the addition of jt or es to the singu- lar, as boy, boys ; box, boxes. Write the plural of the following nouns : Bird, kiss, house, ball, tax, match, flower, dish, bear and bench. Write the singular of the following nouns : Trees, books, dresses, glasses, chairs, apples, girls, carpets, foxes and sashes. While the plural of most nouns is formed, as illustrated, by the addition of s or es to the singular, still, the plural of many nouns is formed differently. Sometimes, in nouns ending in y, like sky, story, lady and balcony, the plural is formed by changing thej// into i and adding es; thus, skies, stories, ladies and balconies. The plural of some nouns endmg in f, or fe, like wife, thief, wolf and life, is formed by changing the/" ox fe into v and adding es; thus, wives, thieves, wolves and lives. 80 Common School English. Write the plural of the following nouns: Injury, knife, party, loaf, quality, leaf, beauty, shelf, half and duty. LESSON IV. POSvSBSSIVK FORMS OF NOUNS. When, as in the sentence, the boys hat zuas lost, we wish to show that the boy oivns or pos- sesses the hat, we write an apostrophe and s after the singular noun, boy. This sentence simply shows that the hat of one boy was lost. If, on the contrary, we wish to show that more than one boy lost their hats, we write the sentence thus : The boys hats were lost. The idea of possession, in singular nouns, is denoted by adding an apostrophe and s; as, boy, boy's. This is called the POSSESSIVE FORM OF THE NOUN. The idea of possession in plural nouns, is gen- erally denoted by adding an apostrophe; as, boys, boys.' Write the following nouns in sentences, show- ing possession : Girl, man, cow, box, horses, books, desks, children, men and trees. Combination of Sentences. 81 LESSON V. COMBINATION OF SENTENCES. Combine the following independent state- ments into sentences : 1. Washington was a great man. 2. He was a good man. 3. He was a noble man. 4. He is called t lie ^'Father of His Country^ 1. Edgar has a dog. 2. He has 3. pony. 3. He has some pigeons. 4. He lives in the country. 1. Ribbons are sold in dry goods stores. 2. They 2.x o, pretty. 3. They are of different colors. 4. They are used for trimming. 1. Charles reads books. 2. He reads good books. 3. He reads slozuly. 4. He reads silently. 5. He reads to improve his mind. 1. Grant was an American. 2. He was a General. 3. He was brave. 6 82 Common School English. 4. He was successful. 5. He was also President of the United States. Continue this exercise throughout the year. LESSON VI. FRIENDLY LETTER WRITING. Continue to give exercises in the writing of friendly letters. Pay particular attention to the style of beginning and ending; also to punctuat- ing and paragraphing, as illustrated in the fol- lowing models : Sacramento, Cal., May 17, 1887. Dear Frank : I arrived here Saturday and cousin Harry met me at the depot. We have been visiting different places of in- terest in the capital city and I am having a fine time. The Capitol, where they make the laws for California, is a big building with beautiful grounds. I was there yesterday. It is where the Governor has his office. I like Sacramento well enough, except the climae. It is very hot here in summer and, in winter, the river overflows. Good-by. Give my love to all. Your brother, Joe. Frank Taylor^ San Francisco, Cal. Friendly Letter Writinc.. San Francisco, Cal., May 17, 1887. Dear Sister : I thought I would write to-day and tell you about my visit in the city. Auntie and I arrived here safe last Saturday morning. We have a pleasant suite of rooms at the Palace Hotel. I am having a delightful time and wish that you were here too. I think that I should rather live in San Francisco, because, here, there are so many places of amusement. We went out to ride yesterday. Oh! Lucy, Golden Gate Park is lovely ! We gathered shells on the ocean beach and took lunch at the Cliff House. To-morrow evening, uncle says he will take us to the theater. I have so much to tell you that I cannot put it all upon paper, so you must wait until I get home. Give my love to mamma and papa, and kiss baby for me. Write soon and tell me all the news. Your loving sister, GUSSIE. P. S. How is the bird ? Miss Lucy Clai'k^ Sacramento, Cal. 84 Common School English. LESSON VII. SOCIAL FORMS. Teach the forms of notes of invitation, their repHes, and letters of introduction, according to the following models : NOTE OF INVITATION. Miss Abby Stewart requests the pleasure of Mr. William Graham's company, at a social gathering, next Wednesday evening, at half- past eight o'clock. gi2 California Street, May 75. REPLY. Mr. William Graham presents his com- pliments to Miss Abby Stewart and accepts, with pleasure, her kind invitation for Wednes- day evening next. 7/5 Post Street, May 16. LETTER OF INTRODUCTION. San Francisco, Cal., May 18, 1887. Friend Adams : I take pleasure in introducing to you, the bearer, Mr. Walter Stone. He is an old friend of mine, who is now visit- ing your city for the first time. For any attention that you can show him, during his stay in New York, I shall be espe- cially grateful. Yours sincerely, Joseph F. Waters. Henry P. Adams, 6^2 Broachuay, N. V. Letter of Application. 85 It is not customary to seal letters of intro- duction. The superscription, or the address upon the envelope, should be according to the following model : Henry (P, Adams^ 642 Broadway^ JNew York City ^ Introducing; Mr. Stone AJ T/ LESSON VIII. BUSINESS FORMS. The following is a form of a letter of appli- cation, to be taught to pupils: LETTER OF APPLICATION. [Heading.] San Francisco, May 12, 1887. [Address, j Messrs. J. J. O'Brien & Co., [Salutation.] Gentlemen: [Body.] Seeing your advertisement in to-day's Chroni- 86 Common School English. cle, for a salesman, I write to apply for the posi- tion. I have had some experience in your line of business and am sure that I could suit you. I enclose letters of recommendation from my former employers. Hoping that you will favorably consider my application and oblige me with an early reply, I am, sirs, [Subscription.] Yours respectfully, [Signature.] Frank Harris. 6^ Oak Street. Teach the following forms of the bill and receipt: BILL. San Francisco, June i, 1887. Mr. Chas. Martin, Bought of Wellman, Peck & Co., 10 lbs. Java Coffee - - - @ 40 $4.00 5 " Black Tea - - - - " $1.20 .6.00 12 " White Sugar - - - " .14 1.68 4 gals. Syrup ------ -S/^^ i-50 $13.18 Received Payment, Wellman, Peck & Co. RI'CEIPTS. New York, June i, 1887. $375x01) Received of Ivison, Blakeman & Co., Three A Series of Business Letters. 87 Hundred Seventy-five and x%V Dollars, on ac- count. James Scott. San Francisco, June 2, 1887. $500. Received of William Curtis, Five Hundred Dollars, in full of all demands. Payot, Upham & Co. LESSON IX. A SERIES OF BUSINESS I.ETTERS. A complete business transaction is shown in the following series of letters : NO. I. opening business. Stockton, Cal., May i, 1887. Messrs. Tillman & Bendel, San Francisco. Gentlemen : Having just opened a retail grocery business in this city, with a cash capital of five thousand dollars ($5,000), I shall be glad to trade with your house, if we can agree as to terms. For evidence as to my business standing, I beg to refer you to the Bank of California. What are the best terms you can give me ? Yours truly, James R. Roman. Common School English. NO. 2. CREDIT ESTABLISHED. San Francisco, Cal, May 4, 1887. Mr. James R. Roman, Stockton, Cal. Dear Sir: Yours of May i is received and contents noted. Your references are entirely satisfactory and we shall be pleased to sell you any goods in our line, upon the following terms : half cash and the balance in thirty days. We enclose our price list and await an early order from you. Respectfully, Tillman & Bendel. NO. 3. GOODS ORDERED. Stockton, Cal, May 6, 1887. Messrs. Tillman & Bendel, San Francisco. Dear Sirs : Please send me, via. C. P. R. R., — 50 cases Coal Oil, 10 bbls. C. Sugar, 5 sks. C. R. Coffee, 30 kits No. I Mackerel, Yours respectfully, James R. Roman. NO. 4. ADVICE OF SHIPMENT, San Francisco, Cal., May 10, 1887. James R. Roman, Stockton. Dear Sir: We have shipped, this day, according to your A Series of Business Letters. 89 order, goods as per. enclosed bill and shipping receipt Very truly yours, Tillman & Bendel. NO. 5. GOODS RECEIVED. Stockton, Cal., May 16, 1887. Tillman & Bendel, San Francisco. Dear Sirs: Yours of the loth inst., with bill and shipping receipt, came duly to hand. The merchandise was received in good con- dition. Enclosed find check, on Bank of California, for one hundred seventy-five dollars ($I75)' which amt. you will please credit to my acct. Yours truly," James R. Roman. NO. 6. PAYMENT ACKNOWLEDGED. San Francisco, Cal, May 20, 1887. James R. Roman, Stockton. My dear Sir : We enclose receipt for one hundred seventy- five dollars ($175), with which sum you have been duly credited. Yours very respectfully, Tillman & Bendel. 90 Common School English. L E wS S O N X . ORAIv INFORMATION. In conversational lessons, give the following information about eagles, elephants, hemp, lions and iron. Then, have pupils write compositions upon each subject : EAGLES. Eagles, of which there are several kinds, have rather short, curved beaks, broad wings, strong legs and sharp, strong claws. The white- headed, or bald eagle, of America is a large, beautiful bird. It has white feathers upon its head, neck and tail, while the rest of its plumage is of a dark brown color. Its bill, legs and feet are of a bright yellow. It is a bird of prey and likes to eat fishes, which it steals from the fish- hawks. The eagle, also, feeds upon wild ducks, and, sometimes, carries away lambs and pigs. Generally, the eagle builds its nest in some tall tree, near a lake, or river. The eagle can fly very high ; is celebrated for its strength and courage, and is commonly called the " King of Birds." Sometimes, the eagle lives a hundred years. Oral Information. 91 elephants. The elephant is the largest of all land ani- mals. Its home is in Asia and Africa, where it is seen in herds. The skin of the elephant is very tough. It has a big head, small eyes, a short, thick neck, long, wide ears and stout legs. An elephant is, usually, eight or ten feet high and weighs about ten thousand pounds. The elephant has two, enormous tusks, from which comes the ivory, used for making combs, knife-handles, chess-men, billiard-balls, etc. Its long and limber trunk is used as a hand by the elephant. It takes food and water into its mouth through this wonderful trunk, with which it can also pick up a pin, or uproot a big tree. Elephants eat leaves and plants. They are very fond of sugar-cane and the milk of the cocoa-nut. The elephant is, naturally, a harm- less animal, but dangerous if abused. It lives to be one or two hundred years old; is easily tamed, intelligent and of great service to man. HEMP. Hemp is a plant, a native of Asia, which thrives, also, in temperate climates in Europe and America. The plant grows to be from three 92 Common vSchoot- English. to twenty feet high, according to the soil and climate. The stalk is filled with soft pith. At the proper time, it is steeped in water and beaten, so as to loosen the bark from the fibers. Then, it is carded, spun and given to the rope maker or weaver. Hemp is very tough and pliable. The finest kind of hemp is used in making cloth ; the coarsest kind, in making sails and ropes. The seed of hemp is used as birds' food. We, also, get oil from the seed, which is used in making paint, varnish and soap. In Russia, the oil is burned in lamps. LIONS. The lion, called the " King of Beasts," inhab- its the forests and plains of Asia and Africa. He is as long as an ox but not so tall. The lion feeds upon the antelope and other animals. His color is of a pale, dingy yellow; his tail is long, with a tuft of black hair at the end; and his head and neck are clothed with a flowing mane. The lion has a large head and, when angry, his eyes flame, his mane stands erect, he shows his teeth, thrusts out his long, sharp claws and presents a most terrible appearance. With a stroke of his paw, the lion can crush the head of a big buffalo and, so great is his Oral Information. 93 strength, he can carry away a man as easily as a cat can carry away a mouse. The Hon rests and sleeps through the day and hunts his prey at night. His roar is awful. The lion is a savage, but noble-looking animal and, generally, lives to be thirty or forty years of age. IRON. Iron is the most useful of metals. It is the lightest of common metals except tin. It is very hard and tough, but can be drawn out into a wire as fine as a human hair. Iron is abund- ant in nature, but is always found mixed with some other substance. From wrought iron, we make steel, — the most elastic of all metals ; it is used for edged tools, etc. Cast-iron is converted into wrought iron by a melting process, called ''blooming." Iron is an important factor in the building of railroads and steam-ships. It is extensively used in the manufacture of guns, cannons, plows, etc. The magnetical proper- ties of iron give it an especial value, enabling the mariner to steer across the ocean, also, aid- ing the land traveler and the miner. The load- stone communicates its powers to bars of iron, or steel, when placed in contact with them. In medicine, iron is valuable as a tonic. 94 Common School English. LESSON XI. TAIvES FOR REPRODUCTION. Have pupils reproduce, in their own language, the following tales : THE WONDERFUL SOUP POT. Effie was a poor, but pious little girl. She lived with her mother, in a lonely cottage, in the woods. One day, there was nothing in the house to eat. So, Effie went out to look for some food to save her dear mother from starving. She had not gone far, when she met a gray- haired old man who looked like Santa Claus. He was sorry for her. " Take this little iron pot," he said, " and, whenever you are hungry, say, ' boil, little pot,' and it will fill with good soup. After it has cooked all you wish you must say, ' stop, little pot,' and it will cease to boil." Effie thanked the kind, old man and took the pot home to her mother. Their troubles were now over, for they could have hot, rich soup as often as they pleased. The poor people for miles around used to come to the cottage to get some soup out of the wonderful, little, iron pot. Tales for Reproduction. 95 star dollars. A boy, whose parents were dead, was so poor that he had nothing left but the clothes on his back and a loaf of bread in his hand. Putting his trust in God, he went out into the world. He traveled over hills and through valleys until he met an old woman. She begged him for something to eat. He gave her the whole loaf of bread and went on his journey. Next, he met three, little children crying and shivering with the cold. They prayed for some clothes to make them warm. So, to one child, he gave his hat ; to another, his coat ; and, to another, his shoes and stockings. It was now growing dark and the boy came to a big forest. He was cold and hungry and had hardly any clothes left to cover his body. But, when he went into the forest, a shower of silver dollars came down from the sky. They were shaped like stars and were sent by God, to the boy, to reward him for his goodness. He had a warm supper and bed that night, in a cabin in the woods. All the rest of his life, he lived in wealth and happi- ness. baby's sail on the brook. Bessie Gray was a good, little girl, who always 96 Common School English. obeyed her parents. Her baby brother was just learning to walk. Mrs. Gray went out, one day, and left him in Bessie's care. *' I'll try to make it pleasant for Tommy," said Bessie. " Yes, do my dear, and when I come back I'll give you a new dress for your doll," answered her mamma. Baby was cross that day and Bessie did not know what to do to amuse him. She took him in his carriage down to the brook, near the house. Tommy did not like the ride and began to cry. Then, Bessie thought she would give him a sail. So, she got a tub and, tying a rope to the handle, put it in the brook and lifted baby into it. He looked pleased. Bessie took the end of the rope in her hand and walked along the bank, pulling the tub after her and singing a merry song. But, Tommy could not sit still and soon upset the tub and fell into the water. A man heard the children scream and came and took baby out of the water, which was not deep. Bessie, then, took him home to dry his wet clothes and mamma told her that she must not give baby any more sails on the brook. SELFISH HARRY. Harry lived in the country. He was a bright, Talks for Reproduction 97 but selfish boy. When he had any candy, he wished to eat it all and not to share it with his brother and sister. One day, his mother gave him some jelly and told him to divide it with his sister Amy and his brother Charlie. In- stead of obeying his mother, Harry hid himself in the barn and ate all the jelly. His sister called to him, but he did not answer her. When he came out of the barn. Amy told him that she and Charlie had been eating iced-cream and strawberries and cake. " We've had a splendid time and looked everywhere for you, but could not find you," she said. Then, Harry was much ashamed to think how selfish he had been and how much he had lost, by not obeying his mother. THE MISCHIEVOUS PARROT. Sam, a colored man, was once a cook on a ship. He saved some money and opened a coffee house on the water front, where all the ships and steamers land. Sam had a parrot named Jack. He was a big bird with red and green feathers and could talk very well. Jack used to sit in his cage, above the door of the coffee house, and call out to people who passed that way : " Hot coffee ! Who'll have some I 98 Common School English. coffee? Step inside and get some. Only ten cents a cup." His master had taught him to speak these words, so as to make business for the coffee house. Sometimes, Jack would say words he had learned himself and seemed to like to make mischief A man once left his horse and cart standing on the wharf near the water and went into the coffee house. While he was there, drinking his coffee, Jack cried out to the horse : " Back, sir ! Back ! Back, I say ! " The horse thought his master was talking to him and so he backed until the cart went over the edge of the wharf and the horse fell into the water and was almost drowned, when some men pulled him ashore. Jack, the mischievous parrot, after playing this trick, was not per- mitted to perch above the door any longer and his cage was taken into the coffee house. LESSON XII. COMPOSITION. Continued conversational lessons on pictures will give results, like the following : grandpa's darling. It is a pleasant, old farm-house, with gable (;kandpa's darling. Composition. 101 windows and an old-fashioned barn. To this farm-house, little Violet Grey likes to come and spend the long, summer months with her grandpa and grandma. Violet is a pretty girl, with blue eyes, golden hair and rosy cheeks. One day, just before sunset, she and her grandpa went into the barn. While Violet was playing around, grandpa sat down upon a big squash beside some water-melons and began to husk the corn. Violet climbed the ladder to the hay- loft and found a dozen eggs. She put them into her hat and went down the ladder. " Oh ! grandpa, look at the eggs in my hat ! " said Violet. Grandpa seemed pleased and told her to take them into the house to grandma to make a cake for dinner. Violet has on a white apron and a red dress. If she break the eggs, she will soil her clothes. It is a warm day and grandpa has taken off his coat. His yellow vest is open and he has on a pair of blue over- alls. He owns a farm near San Jose. Violet and her cousin like to romp in the fields and pick wild flowers. When vacation is over, Violet will be sorry to leave grandpa and grandma and return to her home in the city. Adne Furness, Oak Street Prhnary School^ San Francisco^ CaL PURE ENGLISH! A Treatise on Words and Phrases, Practical Lessons in the Use of Language, BY HACKETT & GIRVIN. 1 Vol I'^mo. CMoth Pi'ioc, !t(i1.00. PURE ENGLISH Is a clear, concise, and practical treatise on the principal philological, grammatical, and rhetorical difficulties of our language. 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