sentatives, the Manual of the Senate, and the Congressional Directory, are commended to the attention of thoughtful teachers. Every high school should have a class in this subject; and every teacher of such class would find great advantage from having upon his table a copy of the revised Statutes of the United States. The American public school is properly subject to severe criticism for not making more prominent the study of our civil polity and our republican institutions. Public taxation for the support of public schools offers its best defence in the necessity of teaching the privileges and duties of American citizens. This book is sent forth to the teachers of America, with the hope that it will be found useful in teaching the essential facts and principles of our good republican government. For its defects it asks a kindly forbearance. DORCHESTER, Oct. 1, 1887. W. A. M. NOTE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. Several events have occurred in the three years since the first edition of this book was issued, which have been carefully noted in this edition, and the necessary corrections made. President Harrison's administration, the establishment of the department of agriculture, and the admission of the six new states, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming, are examples of these changes. A briefer book, treating the subject in a more elementary manner, for use in the grammar and ungraded schools, has been prepared and is now published. DORCHESTER, Oct. 1, 1890. W. A. M. |