PREFACE.

This text-book begins "at home." The starting-point is the family, the
first form of government with which the child comes in contact. As his
acquaintance with rightful authority increases, the school, the civil
district, the township, the county, the State, and the United States
are taken up in their order.

The book is especially intended for use in the public schools. The
plan is the simplest yet devised, and is, therefore, well adapted to
public school purposes. It has been used by the author for many years,
in public schools, normal schools, and teachers' institutes. It
carefully and logically follows the much praised and much neglected
synthetic method. All students of the science of teaching agree that
beginners in the study of government should commence with the known,
and gradually proceed to the unknown. Yet it is believed this is the
first textbook that closely follows this method of treating the subject.

The constant aim has been to present the subject in a simple and
attractive way, in accordance with sound principles of teaching--that
children may grow into such a knowledge of their government that the
welfare of the country may "come home to the business and bosoms" of
the people.

The recent increase of interest among the people upon the subject of
government is a hopeful sign. It will lead to a better knowledge of
our political institutions, and hence give us better citizens. Good