An American Selection, of Lessons in Reading and Speaking; Calculated to Improve the Minds and Refine the Taste of Youth. to Which Are Prefixed Rules

by Noah Webster

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1813 edition. Excerpt: ...respect. 61. But although the King endeavored to expiate the offense, by censuring and recalling Bovadilla, yet we may judge of his sincerity from his appointing Nicholas de Ovando, another bitter enemy of Columbus, to succeed in. the government, and from his ever after refusing to reinstate Columbus, or to fulfil any of the conditions on which the discoveries were undertaken. 62. After two years solicitation for this or some other employment he at length obtained a squadron of four small vessels, to attempt new discoveries.-He now set out with the-ardor and enthusiasm of a young-adventurer, in quest of what was. always his favoriteobject, a passage into the South Sea, by which he might sail to India. He touched at Hispaniola, where Ovando, the governor, refused him admittance on shore, even to take shelter during a hurricane, the prognostics of which his experience had taught him todiscern.. 63. By putting into a small creek, he rode out of the' storm and then bore away for the continent. Several months in the most boisterous season of the year, he spent in exploring the coast round the gulph of Mexico, in hopes of finding the intended navigation to India. At length he was shiprecked.and driven ashore, on the island of Jamaica. 64; His cup of calamities seemed now completely full. He was cast upon an island of savages, without provisions, without any vessel, and thirty leagues from any Spanish settlements.. But the greatest providential misfortunes are capable of being embittered by the insults of our fellow-creatures. 65. A few of his hardy companions, generouly offered, in two Indian canoes, to attempt a voyage to HispanioIa, in hopes of obtaining a vessel for the relief of the unhappy crew. After suffering every extremity of...

84 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1814

About the author

Noah Webster, Jr. (October 16, 1758 – May 28, 1843), was a lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English-language spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author. He has been called the "Father of American Scholarship and Education". His blue-backed speller books taught five generations of American children how to spell and read, secularizing their education. According to Ellis (1979) he gave Americans "a secular catechism to the nation-state".

Webster's name has become synonymous with "dictionary" in the United States, especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers of the nation.

Reviews

[Levi Evan · Rating 1 out of 5]

No knowledge everything is wastless here.