CIRCULAR

TO PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL COMMITTEES,

And all who feel an Interest in the Improvement of Youth.

It is not yet quite a year since Parley’s Magazine was commenced. During that short period the number of subscribers has increased to 20,000, and the work has received, every where, the most unqualified approbation. It has found its way to thousands of families, and while it has entertained the social circle, its unobtrusive lessons have, we trust, often had a salutary influence on the juvenile mind and heart. It has also found its way to the school room; and many classes of young pupils have been cheered twice a month by the welcome voice of their teacher bidding them to lay aside for a few days, the class book which they have read over and over, perhaps twenty times, and read the pages of Parley’s Magazine. The demand for the work, to be used in schools, is rapidly increasing.

Encouraged by such unexampled success, the Publishers have resolved to render it still more worthy so liberal a patronage; and not to remit their exertions till they see it introduced into families and schools, throughout the whole length and breadth of the United States.

In this view they have secured new aid in the Editorial department. The late Editor of the Juvenile Rambler, who, in addition to his qualifications as a writer for the young, has the advantage of many years experience as a teacher, will henceforth assist in conducting it.

We propose to present, in the progress of each volume, a great variety of interesting and important topics, among which are the following.

I. Natural History—Of beasts, birds, fishes, reptiles, insects; plants, flowers, trees; the human frame, &c.

II. Biography—Especially of the young.

III. Geography—Accounts of places, manners, customs, etc.

IV. Travels and Voyages, in various parts of the world.

V. Lively Descriptions of the Curiosities of Nature and Art— in each of the United States, and in other countries.

VI. Lessons on Objects that daily surround Children in the Parlor, Nursery, Garden, etc. Accounts of Trades and Employments.

VII. Particular Duties of the Young—to Parents, Teachers, Brothers, Sisters, etc.

VIII. Bible Lessons and Stories

IX. Narratives—Such as are well authenticated—Original Tales

X. Parables, Fables, and Proverbs, where the moral is obvious and excellent.

XI. Poetry—Adapted to the Youthful capacity and feelings.

XII.I ntelligence—Embracing Accounts of Juvenile Books, Societies, and Remarkable Occurrences.

Many of these subjects will be illustrated by numerous and beautiful engravings, prepared by the best artists , and selected not only with a view to adorn the work, but to improve the taste, cultivate the mind, and raise the affections of the young to appropriate and worthy objects. We would make them better brothers, better sisters, better pupils, better associates, and, in the end, better citizens.

We beg the friends of education—especially parents and teachers, to view the matter in this fight. Let children look upon the pictures, not as pictures merely; but let them be taught to study them. What can be more rich in valuable materials for instructive lessons than a good engraving?

After this brief explanation of our principles and purposes, we ask the co-operation of all who receive this Circular. Will you aid us, by your influence, in this great work—the formation of mind and character for the rising generation? Will you assist us all in your power, in our endeavors to introduce to American schools, and parlors, and firesides, the stories and lessons of Parley’s Magazine?

Every single number of the new volume will have a strong paper cover, abundantly sufficient to preserve the work in good order for binding and for use in schools.

The yearly subscription being but one dollar, our friends will perceive the impracticability of keeping open so many thousand accounts. It is therefore indispensable that we should require payment always in advance.

Two numbers more will close the first year, and we now give this notice that all who desire to continue the Magazine, may signify their intention by a seasonable advance for the second year.

In any of the subscribers should not receive all their numbers, they can request the Post-Master to notify us of such as are missing, and they shall be sent again free of charge.

TEN COPIES FREE OF POSTAGE.

To accommodate ASSOCIATIONS, SCHOOLS, and INDIVIDUALS, for distributions, we will deliver at any Post-Office in the United States, free of postage, TEN COPIES TO ONE ADDRESS for TEN dollars remitted to us without cost.

LILLY, WATT, and CO., Boston