The complete title reads as follows: 'Comly's Spelling and Reading Book With Notes for Parents and Teachers Adapted to the Use of Public
1866 - Comly's Spelling and Reading Book, With Notes for Parents and Teachers (full title below) - by John Comly (copyright 1842)
Schools, and Private or Family Instruction.' Prominently displayed at the top of the title page is 'BONSAL'S EDITION.'
The copyright is dated 1842 and attributed to Thomas L. Bonsal. Notably, the title page indicates a printing year of 1866. This volume measures 4 1/4 x 6 3/4 inches and comprises 169 pages, along with an additional 17 pages of advertisements, some of which appear at the beginning. It was published by J. B. Lippincott & Co. in Philadelphia and features several remarkable period illustrations.
Part 4, Chapter 1, which commences on page 113, is organized alphabetically and addresses 'Words that sound alike but differ in spelling and meaning, necessitating memorization for accurate distinction.' Part 4, Chapter 2, starts on page 121 and concludes on page 161, presenting 'A compilation of words along with their definitions.' Pages 164 to 169 contain 'Arithmetical Tables,' which include:
1. A numeration table,
2. An addition and subtraction table, 3. A multiplication table,
4. Tables of currency (covering both Federal and English money),
5. A table of weights and measures (including avoirdupois, troy, and apothecaries' weights),
6. Various measures encompassing land, length, cloth, liquid, dry, solid, motion, and time, and 7. Figures and numbers (Roman), English currency, and tables for pence and farthings. This book is indeed quite fascinating, and I have found no copies currently available for sale.
