"The aim of this study is to compare and contrast the teaching of reading in Colonial Massachusetts during the seventeenth century with the teaching of reading in Florida during the mid-twentieth century. The content and method of teaching during any period is interwoven with the character of the social order which includes the government and the nature of the child as conceived of by the adult. Therefore, the character of the government and the nature of the child as conceived by the adult during seventeenth century Massachusetts is presented. The character of the government and the nature of the child as conceived by the adult in twentieth century United States is also given. A summary is made. This constitutes chapter two. In chapter three a comparison and contrast of the teaching of reading in these two periods are given, and a summary is made. In chapter four conclusions are drawn and implications are given"--Introduction. / "May, 1950." / Typescript. / Advisor: M. H. DeGraff, Major Professor. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 28-31).