Chapter I: I. HITCHCOCK, Secretary

THE NEW FEDERAL CALCULATOR, or SCHOLAR'S ASSISTANT. Containing the most concise and accurate Rules for performing the operations in common Arithmetic; together with numerous Examples under each of the Rules, varied so as to make them conformable to almost every kind of business. For the Use of Schools and Counting Houses.

By Thomas T. Smiley, Teacher: author of An Easy Introduction
to the Study of Geography. Also, of Sacred Geography for the
Use of Schools.

Among the numerous recommendations received to the work, are
the following:

MR. JOHN GRIGG. _Phila. March 8, 1825._

SIR--I have examined with as much care as my time would admit,
"The New Federal Calculator," by Thomas T. Smiley. It appears
to me to be a treatise on Arithmetic of considerable merit.
There are parts in Mr. Smiley's work which are very valuable;
the rules given by him in Barter, Loss and Gain, and Exchange,
are a great desideratum in a new system or treatise on
Arithmetic, and renders his book superior to any on the subject
now in use; and when it is considered that the calculations in
the work are made in Federal Money, the only currency now known
in the United States, and that appropriate questions follow the
different rules, by which the learner can be exercised as to
his understanding of each part as he progresses; I hesitate not
to say, that, in my opinion, it is eminently calculated to
promote instruction in the science on which it treats. Mr.
Smiley deserves the thanks of the public and the encouragement
of teachers, for his attempt to simplify and improve the method
of teaching Arithmetic. I am yours respectfully,

WM. P. SMITH,
_Preceptor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy,
No. 152, South Tenth Street._

* * * * *

SIR--I have carefully examined "The New Federal Calculator, or
Scholar's Assistant," by Thomas T. Smiley, on which you
politely requested my opinion; and freely acknowledge that I
think it better calculated for the use of the United States
schools and counting-houses than any book on the subject that I
have seen. The author's arrangement of the four primary rules
is, in my opinion, a judicious and laudable innovation,
claiming the merit of improvement; as it brings together the
rules nearest related in their nature and uses. His questions
upon the rules throughout, appear to me to be admirably
calculated to elicit the exertions of the learner. But above
all, the preference he has given to the currency of his own
country, in its numerous examples, has stamped a value upon
this little work, which I believe has not fallen to the lot of
any other book of the kind, as yet offered to the American
public.

I am, sir, yours respectfully,
JOHN MACKAY.

_Charleston, (S. C.) March 29, 1825._

* * * * *

_From the United States Gazette._

Among the numerous publications of the present day, devoted to
the improvement of youth, we have noticed a new edition of
Smiley's Arithmetic, just published by J. Grigg.

The general arrangement of this book is an improvement upon the
Arithmetics in present use, being more systematic, and
according to the affinities of different rules. The chief
advantage of the present over the first edition, is a
correction of several typographical errors, a circumstance
which will render it peculiarly acceptable to teachers. In
referring to the merits of this little work, it is proper to
mention that a greater portion of its pages are devoted to
Federal calculation, than is generally allowed in primary
works in this branch of study. The heavy tax of time and
patience which our youth are now compelled to pay to the errors
of their ancestors, by performing the various operations of
pounds, shillings, and pence, should be remitted, and we are
glad to notice that the Federal computation is becoming the
prominent practice of school arithmetic.

In recommending Mr. Smiley's book to the notice of parents and
teachers, we believe that we invite their attention to a work
that will really prove an "assistant" to them, and a "_guide_"
to their interesting charge.

* * * * *

The Editors of the New York Telegraph, speaking of Smiley's
Arithmetic, observe that they have within a few days
attentively examined the above Arithmetic, and say, "We do not
hesitate to pronounce it an improvement upon every work of the
kind previously before the public; and as such, recommend its
adoption in all our Schools and Academies."

A KEY to the above Arithmetic, in which all the Examples necessary for a Learner are wrought at large, and also Solutions given of all the various Rules. Designed principally to facilitate the labour of Teachers, and assist such as have not the opportunity of a tutor's aid. By T. T. Smiley, author of the New Federal Calculator, &c. &c.

TORREY'S SPELLING BOOK, or First Book for Children.

I have examined Mr. Jesse Torrey's "Familiar Spelling Book." I
think it a great improvement in the primitive, and not least
important branches of education, and shall introduce it into
the seminaries under my care, as one superior to any which has
yet appeared.

IRA HILL, A. M.

_Boonsborough, Feb. 2, 1825._

The increasing demand for this work is the best evidence of its
merits.

A PLEASING COMPANION FOR LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS, blending Instruction with Amusement; being a Selection of Interesting Stories, Dialogues, Fables, and Poetry. Designed for the use of Primary Schools and Domestic Nurseries. By Jesse Torrey, Jr.

To secure the perpetuation of our republican form of government
to future generations, let Divines and Philosophers, Statesmen
and Patriots, unite their endeavours to renovate the age, by
impressing the minds of the people with the importance of
educating their _little boys and girls_.

S. ADAMS.

_Report of the Committee of the Philadelphia Academy of
Teachers: adopted Nov. 6, 1824._

The Committee, to whom was referred Mr. Jesse Torrey's
"Pleasing Companion for Little Girls and Boys," beg leave to
report,

That they have perused the "Pleasing Companion," and have much
pleasure in pronouncing as their opinion, that it is a
compilation much better calculated for the exercise and
improvement of small children in the art of reading, and
especially in the more rare art of understanding what they
read, than the books in general use.

All which is respectfully submitted.