HEATH SUPPLEMENTARY READERS
EYES AND NO EYES
AND OTHER STORIES
Edited with Introduction and Notes
By M. V. O'SHEA
PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION IN THE UNIVERSITYOF WISCONSIN
D. C. HEATH AND COMPANY
BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO ATLANTA
DALLAS SAN FRANCISCO LONDON
Copyright, 1900,
By D. C. Heath & Co.
Printed in U. S. A.
3F0
Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, in "Over the Teacups,"says of the story "Eyes and No Eyes":—
"I have never seen anything of the kind half sogood. I advise you, if you are a child anywhere underforty-five, and do not yet wear glasses, to send at oncefor "Evenings at Home," and read that story. Formyself I am always grateful to the writer of it for callingmy attention to common things."
PREFACE
Whatever will stimulate the observing tendencies ofthe young cannot but be of value to them. "Eyes andNo Eyes" does this in a delightful way. The story isso natural that the child is wrapped up in it, and so itmakes a deep impress upon him. Much less could beaccomplished by simply telling him to observe, or lecturingupon the value of keeping one's eyes open. Butwhen the reader sees how much more William gets outof his walk than Robert, and what marvellous thingsexist everywhere if one is on the lookout for them, he ishimself incited to examine with greater care the manymore or less ordinary things he has neglected heretofore.William and Robert become very real individualsto the child, and there is no doubt which of them hewill choose to emulate. The author relies upon theforce of concrete example to determine the conduct ofchildren, and this is certainly sound in theory andendorsed by experience.
The story is told in a very agreeable style, which isat once attractive and affords a good model for imitation.The dialogue gives an opportunity to presentinformation without its seeming dry and didactic.
"The Three Giants" cannot be too highly commended.I find children are greatly interested in it,and they get a valuable lesson which they could notgain quite so well in any other form. The story hasthat literary touch which marks it as of permanentvalue.
The story of "A Curious Instrument" will offer thechild a good chance to try his imaginative wings, soto speak, and w