Talk:McGuffey Readers

Note on Cold Storage article relevant to this article

There is a page, currently in Cold Storage, entitled Teaching reading and writing. It was apparently brought over to CZ some time back from Wikipedia, where it is entitled "Reading education". James F. Perry 19:05, 19 March 2009 (UTC)

1838 Preface

When the 1838 "Revised and improved" edition of the McGuffey Readers was issued, it contained a short Preface explaining the circumstances of the new edition. That Preface is reproduced below (the copyright on this material, including the Readers themselves, has long expired). Note the clear appeal to sectional interests ("They mistake the spirit of the West, . . . " to cite just one example). James F. Perry 15:12, 22 March 2009 (UTC)

BEGIN PREFACE

By reference to our title page, it will be perceived that we present our patrons with an improved edition of the Eclectic Reader.

The cause of this revision, not being generally understood, we will briefly state it.

Certain compilers of school books, in New England, feeling themselves aggrieved that our books contained a portion of matter similar to their own; matter which was considered common property, have instituted legal proceedings against us for this correspondence with a view to their immediate suppression.

We have no objections to meet them on their own grounds. But for both, and for all, there is another tribunal than the law. The public never chooses school books to please a compiler. That public, then, is the tribunal to which appeals of this character ought to be made; and as the correspondence between ours, and other publications are few, and immaterial; we had hoped that the compilations of the East and the West would have been thus left to stand or fall upon their own merits.

But this course, recommended alike by a just self-respect, and a proper regard for the public wish, has not been pursued. These compilers have resorted to the law, and an effort is now making, not only to force their own books in the Western market, but to wrest from Western talent, and Western enterprise, the legitimate fruits of a preserving [sic] toil.

They mistake the spirit of the West, however, who think they can thus force it into any channel. It has the intelligence and chooses well; and having thus chosen, no combination can move it from its purpose. We have then no cause for anxiety or alarm; and so far as our interests are concerned, we feel secure against any attack.

But to place ourselves entirely in the right, and to remove every cause for cavil or complaint, we have expunged everything claimed as original, and substituted other matter, which both for its fitness and variety, will add to the value of the Eclectic Readers. We never intended to wrong any compiler, here or elsewhere; nor do we feel that we have done so. But now we know that we have not, and as in the effort to accomplish this object we have improved our books; neither the public nor ourselves can regret the cause which has produced it.

We offered the former edition under no peculiar advantages. All that we promised was fidelity to our trust, and an honest endeavor to meet the wants of the West. It was a new enterprize, and in undertaking it, we had no patronage, no combination, to foster it or support it. The books had to undergo the severest scrutiny, and we had to compete with old and strong claims. But they succeeded and we are rewarded.

END PREFACE