The New Texas Series. The New Texas Reader. Designed for the Use of Schools in Texas (Civil War, Texas) Americana,Literature,Social Thought

First edition. Full page cut of a Texas lone star. viii, 184pp. 12mo. A very rare Texas-printed Confederate juvenile reader, intended for Texas children in the midst of the Civil War. The contents are largely historical in nature, with sections on Texan history and heroes as well as accounts of Civil War battles in which Texas troops played a role. "Among the large number of original articles here presented, we have bestowed special care on those which relate to our State . with the view of inspiring our youth with a love of Texas and an admiration for Texan heroes. The struggles of those who settled the country and fought its battles should be familiarly known to our children . The 'Texas Reader' is a home production. It is a Southern work, and is called for, not merely from the feelings of State pride, but is also demanded by the wants of the country" (Preface). Lessons include the history of the first American settlement by Stephen F. Austin, the Fall of the Alamo, the Texas Santa Fe Expedition, Battle of Sabine Pass and many more. The publisher's preface notes that "in preparation of this book, we are largely indebted to Rev. J. R. Hutchinson, D.D. of the Houston Academy, and many other gentleman and ladies of our State." A few of the articles include bylines by B. H. Hollinsworth. The last example of this work in the auction records (not to be confused with another rare work titled New Texas Primary Reader published in 1863) appeared in 1930. Parrish & Willingham 7705 (noting 8 copies) Publisher's striped cloth backed lettered paper boards, heavily worn, front hinge starting Full page cut of a Texas lone star. viii, 184pp. 12mo