Although this little work, and its fellow, “ROLLO AT PLAY,” are intended
principally as a means of entertainment for their little readers, it is
hoped by the writer that they may aid in accomplishing some of the
following useful purposes:--
1. In cultivating _the thinking powers_; as frequent occasions occur, in
which the incidents of the narrative, and the conversations arising from
them, are intended to awaken and engage the reasoning and reflective
faculties of the little readers.
2. In promoting the progress of children _in reading_ and in knowledge of
language; for the diction of the stories is intended to be often in
advance of the natural language of the reader, and yet so used as to be
explained by the connection.
3. In cultivating the _amiable and gentle qualities of the heart_. The
scenes are laid in quiet and virtuous life, and the character and conduct
described are generally--with the exception of some of the ordinary
exhibitions of childish folly--character and conduct to be imitated; for
it is generally better, in dealing with children, to allure them to what
is right by agreeable pictures of it, than to attempt to drive them to it
by repulsive delineations of what is wrong.