McGuffey Readers is a series of graded primers, including grade
levels 1-6, widely used as textbooks in American schools from the mid-19th
century to the mid-20th century, and are still used today in some private
schools and in homeschooling. It is estimated that at least 125 million copies
of McGuffey Readers were sold till the year of 1960, placing its sales in a category
with the Bible and Webster''s Dictionary .
In the sixth and final reader, 111 great authors were quoted，including Shakespeare, Longfellow,
Dickens and Addison.
LESSON
1 ANECDOTE OF THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE
LESSON
2 THE NEEDLE
LESSON
3 DAWN
LESSON
4 DESCRIPTION OF A STORM
LESSON
5 AFTER THE THUNDERSTORM.
LESSON
6 HOUSE CLEANING
LESSON
7 SCHEMES OF LIFE OFTEN ILLUSORY
LESSON
8 THE BRAVE OLD OAK
LESSON
9 THE ARTIST SURPRISED
LESSON
10 PICTURES OF MEMORY
LESSON
11 THE MORNING ORATORIO
LESSON
12 SHORT SELECTIONS IN POETRY
LESSON
13 DEATH OF LITTLE NELL
LESSON
14 VANITY OF LIFE
LESSON
15 A POLITICAL PAUSE
LESSON
16 MY EXPERIENCE IN ELOCUTION
LESSON
17 ELEGY IN A COUNTRY CHURCHYARD
LESSON
18 TACT AND TALENT
LESSON
19 SPEECH BEFORE THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION
LESSON
20 THE AMERICAN FLAG
LESSON
21 IRONICAL EULOGY ON DEBT
LESSON
22 THE THREE WARNINGS
LESSON
23 THE MEMORY OF OUR FATHERS
LESSON
24 SHORT SELECTIONS IN PROSE
LESSON
25 THE JOLLY OLD PEDAGOGUE
LESSON
26 THE TEACHER AND SICK SCHOLAR
LESSON
27 THE SNOW SHOWER
LESSON
28 CHARACTER OF NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
LESSON
29 NAPOLEON AT REST
LESSON
30 WAR
LESSON
31 SPEECH OF WALPOLE IN REPROOF OF MR. PITT
LESSON
32 PITTS REPLY TO SIR ROBERT WALPOLE
LESSON
33 CHARACTER OF MR. PITT
LESSON
34 THE SOLDIERS REST
LESSON
35 HENRY V. TO HIS TROOPS
LESSON
36 SPEECH OF PAUL ON MARS HILL
LESSON
37 GOD IS EVERYWHERE
LESSON
38 LAFAYETTE AND ROBERT RAIKES
LESSON
39 FALL OF CARDINAL WOLSEY
LESSON
40 THE PHILOSOPHER
LESSON
41 MARMION AND DOUGLAS
LESSON
42 THE PRESENT
LESSON
43 THE BAPTISM
LESSON
44 SPARROWS
LESSON
45 OBSERVANCE OF THE SABBATH
LESSON
46 GODS GOODNESS TO SUCH AS FEAR HIM
LESSON
47 CHARACTER OF COLUMBUS
LESSON
48 HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP
LESSON
49 DESCRIPTION OF A SIEGE
LESSON
50 MARCO BOZZARIS
LESSON
51 SONG OF THE GREEK BARD
LESSON
52 NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS
LESSON
53 LOCHIELS WARNING
LESSON
54 ON HAPPINESS OF TEMPER
LESSON
55 THE FORTUNE TELLER
LESSON
56 RIENZIS ADDRESS TO THE ROMANS
LESSON
57 THE PURITAN FATHERS OF NEW ENGLAND
LESSON
58 LANDING OF THE PILGRIM FATHERS
LESSON
59 NECESSITY OF EDUCATION
LESSON
60 RIDING ON A SNOWPLOW
LESSON
61 THE QUARREL OF BRUTUS AND CASSIUS
LESSON
62 THE QUACK.
LESSON
63 RIP VAN WINKLE
LESSON
64 BILL AND JOE
LESSON
65 SORROW FOR THE DEAD
LESSON
66 THE EAGLE
LESSON
67 POLITICAL TOLERATION
LESSON
68 WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE
LESSON
69 THE BRAVE AT HOME
LESSON
70 SOUTH CAROLINA
LESSON
71 MASSACHUSETTS AND SOUTH CAROLINA
LESSON
72 THE CHURCH SCENE FROM EVANGELINE
LESSON
73 SONG OF THE SHIRT
LESSON
74 DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND
LESSON
75 THANATOPSIS
LESSON
76 INDIAN JUGGLERS
LESSON
77 ANTONY OVER CAESARS DEAD BODY
LESSON
78 THE ENGLISH CHARACTER
LESSON
79 THE SONG OF THE POTTER
LESSON
80 A HOT DAY IN NEW YORK.
LESSON
81 DISCONTENT. AN ALLEGORY
LESSON
82 JUPITER AND TEN.
LESSON
83 SCENE FROM THE POOR GENTLEMAN
LESSON
84 MY MOTHERS PICTURE
LESSON
85 DEATH OF SAMSON
LESSON
86 AN EVENING ADVENTURE
LESSON
87 THE BAREFOOT BOY
LESSON
88 THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS
LESSON
89 THE FOLLY OF INTOXICATION
LESSON
90 STARVED ROCK.
LESSON
91 PRINCE HENRY AND FALSTAFF
LESSON
92 STUDIES
LESSON
93 SURRENDER OF GRANADA
LESSON
94 HAMLETS SOLILOQUY
LESSON
95 GINEVRA.
LESSON
96 INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES
LESSON
97 ENOCH ARDEN AT THE WINDOW
LESSON
98 LOCHINVAR
LESSON 99 SPEECH ON THE TRIAL OF A MURDERER
LESSON
100 THE CLOSING YEAR
LESSON
101 A NEW CITY IN COLORADO
LESSON
102 IMPORTANCE OF THE UNION
LESSON
103 THE INFLUENCES OF THE SUN
LESSON
104 COLLOQUIAL POWERS OF FRANKLIN
LESSON
105 THE DREAM OF CLARENCE
LESSON
106 HOMEWARD BOUND
LESSON
107 IMPEACHMENT OF WARREN HASTINGS
LESSON
108 DESTRUCTION OF THE CARNATIC
LESSON
109 THE RAVEN
LESSON
110 A VIEW OF THE COLOSSEUM
LESSON
111 THE BRIDGE
LESSON
112 OBJECTS AND LIMITS OF SCIENCE
LESSON
113 THE DOWNFALL OF POLAND.
LESSON
114 LABOR
LESSON
115 THE LAST DAYS OF HERCULANEUM.
LESSON
116 HOW MEN REASON
LESSON
117 THUNDERSTORM ON THE ALPS.
LESSON
118 ORIGIN OF PROPERTY
LESSON
119 BATTLE OF WATERLOO
LESSON
120 WITH BRAINS, SIR
LESSON
121 THE NEW ENGLAND PASTOR
LESSON
122 DEATH OF ABSALOM
LESSON
123 ABRAHAM DAVENPORT
LESSON
124 THE FALLS OF THE YOSEMITE
LESSON
125 A PSALM OF LIFE
LESSON
126 FRANKLINS ENTRY INTO PHILADELPHIA.
LESSON
127 LINES TO A WATERFOWL
LESSON
128 GOLDSMITH AND ADDISON
LESSON
129 IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL
LESSON
130 CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON
LESSON
131 EULOGY ON WASHINGTON
LESSON
132 THE SOLITARY REAPE
LESSON
133 VALUE OF THE PRESENT
LESSON
134 HAPPINESS
LESSON
135 MARION
LESSON
136 A COMMON THOUGHT
LESSON
137 A DEFINITE AIM IN READING
LESSON 138 ODE TO MT.
BLANC
內容試閱：
A laughable story was circulated during the
administration of the old Duke of Newcastle, and retailed to the public in
various forms. This nobleman, with many good points, was remarkable for being
profuse of his promises on all occasions, and valued himself particularly on
being able to anticipate the words or the wants of the various persons who
attended his levees, before they uttered a word. This sometimes led him into
ridiculous embarrassments; and it was this proneness to lavish promises, which
gave occasion for the following anecdote:
At the election of a certain
borough in Cornwall, where the opposite interests were almost equally poised, a
single vote was of the highest importance. This object the Duke, by well
applied argument and personal application, at length attained; and the
gentleman he recommended, gained the election. In the warmth of gratitude, his grace
poured forth acknowledgments and promises without ceasing, on the fortunate
possessor of the casting vote; called him his best and dearest friend;
protested, that he should consider himself as forever indebted to him; and that
he would serve him by night or by day.
The Cornish voter, who was
an honest fellow, and would not have thought himself entitled to any reward,
but for such a torrent of acknowledgments, thanked the Duke for his kindness,
and told him the supervisor of excise was old and infirm, and, if he would have
the goodness to recommend his son-in-law to the commissioners, in case of the
old mans death, he should think himself and his family bound to render his
grace every assistance in their power, on any future occasion.
My dear friend, why do you
ask for such a trifling employment? exclaimed his grace; your relative shall
have it the moment the place is vacant, if you will but call my attention to
it.
But how shall I get
admitted to you, my lord? For in London, I understand, it is a very difficult
business to get a sight of you great folks, though you are so kind and
complaisant to us in the country.
The instant the man dies,
replied the Duke, set out posthaste for London; drive directly to my house,
and, be it by night or by day, thunder at the door; I will leave word with my
porter to show you upstairs directly; and the employment shall be disposed of
according to your wishes.
The parties separated; the
Duke drove to a friends house in the neighborhood, without a wish or desire to
see his new acquaintance till that day seven years; but the memory of the
Cornish elector, not being burdened with such a variety of objects, was more
retentive. The supervisor died a few months after, and the Dukes humble
friend, relying on the word of a peer, was conveyed to London posthaste, and
ascended with alacrity the steps of that noblemans palace.
The reader should be
informed, that just at this time, no less a person than the King of Spain was
expected hourly to depart this life, an event in which the minister of Great
Britain was particularly concerned; and the Duke of Newcastle, on the very
night that the proprietor of the decisive vote arrived at his door, had sat up
anxiously expecting dispatches from Madrid. Wearied by official business and
agitated spirits, he retired to rest, having previously given particular
instructions to his porter not to go to bed, as he expected every minute a
messenger with advices of the greatest importance, and desired that he might be
shown upstairs, the moment of his arrival.
His grace was sound asleep;
and the porter, settled for the night in his armchair, had already commenced a
sonorous nap, when the vigorous arm of the Cornish voter roused him from his
slumbers. To his first question, Is the Duke at home? the porter replied,
Yes, and in bed; but has left particular orders that, come when you will, you
are to go up to him directly.
Bless him, for a worthy and
honest gentleman, cried our applicant for the vacant post, smiling and nodding
with approbation at the prime ministers kindness, how punctual his grace is;
I knew he would not deceive me; let me hear no more of lords and dukes not
keeping their words; I verily believe they are as honest, and mean as well as
any other folks. Having ascended the stairs as he was speaking, he was ushered
into the Dukes bedchamber.
Is he dead? exclaimed his
grace, rubbing his eyes, and scarcely awakened from dreaming of the King of
Spain, Is he dead?
Yes, my lord, replied the
eager expectant, delighted to find the election promise, with all its
circumstances, so fresh in the noblemans memory.
When did he die?
The day before yesterday,
exactly at half past one oclock, after being confined three weeks to his bed,
and taking a power of doctors stuff; and I hope your grace will be as good as
your word, and let my son-in-law succeed him.
The Duke, by this time
perfectly awake, was staggered at the impossibility of receiving intelligence
from Madrid in so short a space of time; and perplexed at the absurdity of a
kings messenger applying for his son-in-law to succeed the King of Spain: Is
the man drunk, or mad? Where are your dispatches? exclaimed his grace, hastily
drawing back his curtain; where, instead of a royal courier, he recognized at
the bedside, the fat, good-humored countenance of his friend from Cornwall,
making low bows, with hat in hand, and hoping my lord would not forget the
gracious promise he was so good as to make, in favor of his son-in-law, at the
last election.
Vexed at so untimely a
disturbance, and disappointed of news from Spain, the Duke frowned for a
moment; but chagrin soon gave way to mirth, at so singular and ridiculous a
combination of circumstances, and, yielding to the impulse, he sunk upon the
bed in a violent fit of laughter, which was communicated in a moment to the
attendants.
The relater of this little
narrative, concludes, with observing, Although the Duke of Newcastle could not
place the relative of his old acquaintance on the throne of His Catholic
Majesty, he advanced him to a post not less honorablehe made him an
exciseman.
Blackwoods Magazine
STUDY GUIDE
A. Vocabulary PowerRead the following definitions, then fill in the
blanks with the correct vocabulary words.
1. Administration refers to the time that someone is the leader of a
country.
2. If someone makes a lavish promise, it is usually very expensive
and generous.
3. An election is when the people choose a leader by voting.
4. To feel gratitude toward someone is to want to thank them very
much for something they did for you.
5. A person who does excise is one who collects taxes from people.
6. Something that is trifling is small and unimportant.
7. To do something posthaste is to do it very quickly.
8. A porter is a person whose job it is to allow people access to
buildings and carry their luggage.
9. A dispatch is a message, usually one that has come from a long
distance.
10. Something that is vacant is empty.
11. A person who is punctual is on time or not late.
12. To ascend is to travel upwards.
13. The absurdity of a situation is what makes it seem silly or
ridiculous.
14. When someone feels perplexed, he or she feels confused.
15. To frown is to wrinkle ones forehead as some people do when
they feel worried or angry.
a When we arrived at the hotel, the ____________ carried our bags.
b I didnt know what my friend was talking about, so I felt
________.
c She got the most votes, so she won the ______________.
d I received an important _____________ from my sister.
e During the Prime Ministers __________, he did many great things.
f My friend collects taxes. He does ___________.
g He has very expensive clothes. They are ________________.
h Although I was angry, I had to laugh at the ______________ of the
situation.
i My friend helped me fix my car, so I felt __________ towards him.
j He _____________ when he heard the bad news.
k I left my house ______________ because I didnt want to be late.
l This is a ____________ problem, so you shouldnt get angry.
m She ____________ the stairs to get to the second floor.
n I sat in the _____________ chair.
o Most bosses like their employees to be _________________.
B. Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the Duke of Newcastle tell the Cornish voter that he was
....forever indebted to him?
2. What favour did the Cornish voter ask of the Duke of Newcastle?
3. Why was the Duke of Newcastle surprised when the Cornish voter
came to see him a few months later?
4. What news was the Duke of Newcastle expecting when the Cornish
voter visited him?
5. What caused the Duke of Newcastle to have a fit of laughter?
C. True or False? Write T true or F false for the following
sentences. Explain your answer.
[ ] 1. The Cornish voter was
the Duke of Newcastles best friend.
________________________________________________________________
[ ] 2. The Duke of Newcastle
was a kind man.
________________________________________________________________
[ ] 3. The Cornish voter told
the Duke of Newcastle that the King of Spain died.
________________________________________________________________
[ ] 4. The porter took the
Cornish voter to the Duke of Newcastles bedroom.
________________________________________________________________
[ ] 5. The Cornish voter
visited the Duke of Newcastle after the Supervisor of Excise died.
________________________________________________________________
[ ] 6. The Cornish voter
visited the King of Spain.
________________________________________________________________
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