NOTES OF LESSONS ON MORAL SUBJECTS

"A thoughtful and ably constructed volume. * * *
Mr. Hackwood has provided notes for forty lessons on honesty, truthfulness, candour, honour, obedience to parents, love of home, industry, perseverance, patience, government of temper, self-control, kindness, courtesy, and so on up to such subjects as magnanimity, integrity of purpose, self-respect, gratitude, &c. Much is, of course, left to the teachers in these outlines and notes of lessons, but very much, too, that is provided to the hands of the teacher, and all that is provided is unquestionably of excellent quality.

"A large number of illustrative anecdotes and stories are given or suggested from history and literature, as well as aphorisms, stanzas, and famous sayings. The quality of the work is well maintained in the higher and more difficult subjects, such as 'Loyalty and Patriotism,' 'Support of the Law,' and the 'Formation of Character.' This is, we believe, the first book in which 'Notes of Lessons' have been thus elaborately and systematically applied to the moral training and discipline of the child, and the work deserves high commendation. The mode and extent of the introduction of the lessons into the schools must depend upon the arrangements otherwise made for moral teaching ; but in a large number of schools this might well take the place of a portion of the religious instruction, and it should certainly be adopted where no reeligious teaching is provided. The author has carefully kept clear of all grounds of dispute or controversy." - School Board Chronicle, 28th July, 1883.

"There are many teachers who obtain considerable assistance from books on 'Notes of Lessons.' To such this work can be confidently recommended. Mr. Hackwood has spared no pains in its preparation, and has been very successful in avoiding controversial topics." - The Schoolmaster, 18th August, 1883.

"The valuable work before us provides material for forty lessons on moral subjects. Each lesson is dealt with in a logical form, and is replete with suggestiveness to the teacher. Great research is evident throughout ; the historical allusions, examples, and illustrations evince great skill and aptness." - The Schoolmistress, 6th September, 1883.

"'Notes of Lessons on Moral Subjects' is intended as a handbook for teachers in Elementary Schools, Mr. Hackwood, the author, considering that the requirements of the Education Department make some such manual an absolute necessity. It will be published in connection with 'The Royal School Series,' the use of which has become general in our public schools. * * *

The book is distinguished by many excellences, and is singularly appropriate for the purpose for which it is intended. Being engaged as a schoolmaster himself, Mr. Hackwood has perhaps acquired especial fitness for the preparation of such a manual as that shortly to be issued. A careful perusal of it has produced the conviction that it will be in great demand, and extensively adopted in our Elementary Schools. Not only day school teachers, but everyone interested in the moral training of children will find the book of great benefit, as it contains valuable suggestions, and much information that would assist them in the expression of their ideas." - Midland Advertiser, 14th July 1883.

"That morality should be taught in our Public Elementary Schools seems to be generally admitted. How it should be taught is another, and a more difficult matter. The teaching may be of two kinds, practical and theoretical, of which the former is infinitely the more valuable. For a child to be brought into contact with men and women of high-toned character and noble principle is a salvation from what is mean, petty, base, ignoble. Such men and women cannot fail to teach 'morality,' though they should never refer to the subject ; and those who are devoid of the high qualities indicated, thugh their lessons were given with never so much skill, could teach no more than the semblance of morality. But to 'satisfy examiners,' a child must have not only right feeling and honourable principle, but must be able to formulate the feelings and principles imbibed, and to this end some such lessons as Mr. Hackwood has most ingeniously put together will be necessary. There are forty lessons in all, and one cannot read them without perceiving that the writer is no mere theorist, but a practical teacher accustomed to the task of eliciting the thoughts and developing the faculties of his pupils, as well as of instructing them. In the hands of a capable teacher these lessons may prove very useful, both for actual use and as models upon which he may construct similar lessons." - Birmingham Daily Post, September 22nd, 1883.

"The conception of this book as an Educational work in its truest and broadest sense is to say the least a very happy one, and must prove invaluable to all whose sphere or duty it may be to teach the young idea how to shoot in the right direction. We perfectly agree with the writer who in the opening sentence of the preface says 'The requirements of the Educational Department make some such manual as the present one an absolute necessity.' Mr. Hackwood deals with the various subjects in a thoroughly practical manner, and the work is of such a character as we should like to see used as a text book in every British School. The writer has provided some forty lessons, which by the way correspond to the average number of weeks in a school year. * * * * * The whole of the subjects are dealt with by the author in a lucid and most able manner. The question of how to teach morality in the public schools has been discussed over and over again by public bodies, and it has no doubt occured to Mr. Hackwood that something practical should be done in the way of teaching morality, and to his credit he has put together a combination of ideas in a most ingenious manner, and which, if properly studied, must be of inestimable benefit to all teachers and scholars. We predict for the work on a large scale." - Wednesbury Herald, 6th October, 1883.

"Messrs. T. Nelson and Sons have just added to their 'Royal School Series' an important handbook for teachers in the shape of a series of 'Notes of Lessons on Moral Subjects,' prepared by Mr. Fred. W. Hackwood. * * * * The notes are intended to form the basis of short conversational lectures, in which the teacher will embed illustrations in the form of proverbs, maxims, and anecdotes. This publication is an important addition to school literature, and its general adoption as a text-book cannot fail to have a beneficial influence upon the moral culture of the young." - Edinburgh Courant, 30th July, 1883.

"This 'Handbook for Teachers in Elementary Schools' supplies a real want, by providing a systematized scheme of moral instruction. 'The work aims not so much to give perfect lessons on certain set subjects, as to provide materials valuable in themselves,' and give suggestions 'as to the channel in which the teaching should flow in order to reach some definite end.' There are forty lessons, beginning with 'Honesty,' and ending with 'Formation of Character,' The matter is well arranged, and fully illustrated by quotations, proverbs, maxims, and anecdotes. We know of no book in which so much judicious help is given to a teacher who is trying to carry out the spirit, as well as the letter, of the requirements of Art. 109 (b) note. The teaching is Christian in spirit, and honest and manly in tone, without being goody-goody." - Arnold's Trade Circular and Catalogue. (Leeds) 1883.