THE YOUNG CITIZEN'S CATECHISM, EXPLAINING THE DUTIES OF DISTRICT, TOWN, CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by ELISHA P. HOWE, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Northern District of New York. WILLIAM DENYSE, STEREOTYPER AND ELECTROTYPER, 183 William st., New York. GEO. W. WOOD, Corner Dutch and John streets. PREFACE. A MAJORITY of the children of a community or of a state enjoy only the opportunities afforded by common schools before entering upon the duties of real life; and equally true is it, that this majority, who wield so mighty an influence over a state or nation, almost invariably leave the school-room and enter the various pursuits of life with but little or no knowledge of the practical principles that underlie the workings of all ordinary business transactions, and much more, of the government of the state or nation. In this respect, it is to be regretted that our common schools have not heretofore been more thoroughly practical,most teachers having never been taught, and, having no text-book from which to teach, have passed over this important matter, though convinced that their pupils cannot be prepared for independent thought and action in any direction until they first learn it out of the school-room. Now this little volume is intended to supply the deficiency which has heretofore existed in this direction, in our school system; and, instead of placing before the learner a large volume of confused matter, beyond the reach of his comprehension, the author has endeavored to suit it to his capacity, as well as to the capacity of the teacher, and is hopeful that it may be at once interesting and the means of inaugurating a system of business education. In conclusion, the author desires to make acknowledgment of the valuable services rendered by Cornell Crysler, Esq., in the preparation of this work. 11 FE 63 E. P. H. MARCELLUS, N. Y. |