The first edition of Martin's intellectual primer was published in 1851, and in the preface to the second edition William Martin notes the rapid sale of the first edition and the comments passed to him by teachers and parents that have enabled him to incorporate changes and additions.

The primary purpose remains unchanged: 'to teach little children to read by a systematic and progressive process, and to inform their minds with useful and entertaining knowledge ...' to cultivate the 'dawning intellect'. (p.3)

Martin also comments on the absurdity of reading being taught without the child first learning to spell. He had devised two systems: 'phonic spelling' to encourage 'the correct pronunciation of every letter and word' (p.3); and 'exercises in spelling' which are designed to test 'the practical knowledge and application of all words' (p.4). The primer is illustrated, but not in the early pages as this could distract the child from learning the letters.

This copy, from the Simpson Family, is well marked with signs of use: stained pages and ink blots. These are predominantly in the earlier portion of the book. Probably by then the young readers had moved on to more interesting reading material, from the Unitarian Church Children's Library which as members of the Church they would surely have joined, as well as their other books.

Carpenter, Humphrey. The Oxford companion to children's literature, Oxford [Oxfordshire]; New York: Oxford University Press, 1984

Muir, Percy H. English children's books, 1600 to 1900, London: Batsford, [1954]

Thwaite, M. F. From primer to pleasure in reading: an introduction to the history of children's books in England from the invention of printing to 1914, with an outline of some developments in other countries, London: Library Association, 1972

Whalley, Joyce Irene. Cobwebs to catch flies: illustrated books for the nursery and schoolroom, 1700-1900, London: Elek, 1974

Picturing childhood: the evolution of the illustrated children's book

University of Delaware Library: World of the child. Primers