Teaching Life's Lessons
Samuel Willard (1775-1859)
The Franklin Primer, Containing a New and Useful
Selection of Moral Lessons. . .
Boston: John M Dunham, 1803
Rare Book & Special Collection
Division (102B.6)
The History of Little Goody Twoshoes.
Worcester, Massachusetts: Isaiah Thomas, 1787
Rare Book & Special Collection
Division (103B.4)
|
Learning one's ABCs and moral instruction went hand-in- hand in
early America. The Franklin Primer contains the alphabet,
basic letter sounds, and stories. It's reading lessons include
the catechism of the Episcopal Church, Bible stories, and songs
including one entitled "Against Lying." Little Goody
Two-Shoes, now a derisive term for the self-righteous, was
the small heroine in a very popular book designed to instill gratitude
and humility in children. She got her name early in the story,
when, after being orphaned and impoverished and wearing only one
shoe, was given a new pair. "Two-shoes, two-shoes!"she
cried throughout the town.
|