Page:The Life and Works of Christopher Dock.djvu/34

22 These Schriften were written in sets. They constituted the earliest recorded mottoes used to adorn the walls of a schoolroom. In Dock's school more than twenty-five of these Schriften were so displayed. They were also used to adorn the walls of the homes of his pupils, as well as to serve as “copy” for the writing lessons. They are usually produced in many colors. Unfortunately the reproductions cannot show the artistic blending of colors found on the originals. With one exception the originals here reproduced are in the possession of the writer. The exception is part of the “Alphabet Schrift,” which may be seen in the rooms of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. The preservation of these rare and curious manuscripts is due to the foresight and industry of Abraham H. Cassel, whose father was a pupil in Dock's school.

In the translation care has been exercised to render as literally as possible the meaning of the author. For this reason the English text is not infrequently broken and archaic. This is especially true in the translation of the poems. It was thought that the reader would prefer to approach as nearly as possible the spirit of the author. In this literal rendering of the text grateful acknowledgment is made to Miss Harriet Boewig, of Philadelphia, and to Dr. S. E. Weber, of Cortland, N. Y. Their unselfish devotion to a theme they loved made easier my labors in editing this pioneer schoolmaster's pious and practical works.

Dock had two daughters, Margaret, wife of Henry Stryckers, of Salford, and Catherine, wife