The First Class Reader: a Selection for Exercises in Reading: from Standard British and American Authors, in Prose and Verse. for the Use of Schools in the United States

"The First Class Reader: A Selection For Exercises In Reading: From Standard British And American Authors, In Prose And Verse" by Benjamin Dudley Emerson is a 19th-century anthology designed as a Reading Manual for Youth, aimed at enhancing literary taste, moral instruction, and language skills in American schools. This volume features a curated collection of prose and verse excerpts from British and American authors, thoughtfully arranged to create a cohesive reading experience. It focuses on three key objectives of reading instruction: facilitating ease and enjoyment in decoding, extracting information and sentiment, and developing a comprehensive command of the language. The book includes prefatory material such as a Preface and "Suggestions to Teachers," which present an explanatory method inspired by Edinburgh session schools, guiding students in analyzing passages, studying roots and derivatives, and understanding rhetorical features. Additionally, it references a broader series (Second- and Third-Class Readers) and maintains the educational, historical, and literary essence of the original 1833 publication.