may be applied, and which, I think, is not attended to as it deferves; the facilitating of the acquifition of other Languages, whether antient or modern. A good foundation in the General Principles of Grammar_is_in_the_first place necessary for all those, who are initiated in a learned education; and for all others likewife, who shall have occafion to furnish themselves with the knowledge of modern Languages. Univerfal Grammar cannot be taught abstractedly.. it must be done with reference to fome Language al ready known; in which the terms are to be explained, and the rules exemplified. The learner is supposed to be unacquainted with all but his native tongue; and in what other, confiftently with reason and commòn sense, can you go about to explain it to him ? When he has a competent knowledge of the main prine ciples of Grammars in general, exemplified_in his own Language ; she then will apply himself with great advantage to the study of any other. To entert at once upon the Science of Grammar, and the findy of sa foreign Language, is to encounter two difficuts ties together, each of which would be much tessened by being taken Separately and in its proper order. For theses plain reasons, a competent grammatical koubledge of our own language is the true founda tion, upon which all Literature, properly fo called," ought to be raised. If this method were adopted in our Schoolsi dhildren were first taught the commun principles of Grammar, by fome fourt and clear

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Syftem of English Grammar, which happily by its fimplicity and facility is perhaps fitter than that of any other Language for such a purpose; they would have fome notion of what they were going about, when they should enter into the Latin Grammar; and would hardly be engaged so many years, as they now are, in that most irksome and difficult part of Literature, with fo much labour of the memory, and with fo little affiftance of the understanding.

A defign fomewhat of this kind gave occafion to the following little fyftem, intended merely for a private and domeftic use. The chief end of it was to explain the general principles of Grammar, as clearly and intelligibly as poffible. In the definitions, therefore, eafinefs and perfpicuity have been fometimes preferred to logical exactness. The common divifions have been complied with, as far as reafon and truth ༢༦༨༩༦པ་ would permit. The known and received terms have been retained; except in one or two inftances, where others offered themfelves, which feemed much more.. fignificant. All difquifitions, which appeared to have more of fubtilty than of usefulness in them, have been avoided. In a word, it was calculated for the ufe of the learner, even of the lowest class. Thofe, who would enter more deeply into this Subject, will find it fully and accurately handled, with the greatest acuteness of investigation, perfpicuity of explication, and elegance of method, in a treatise intitled HERMES, by JAMES HARRIS, Efq; the

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moft beautiful and perfect example of Analyfis, that: been exhibited fince the days of Ariftotle. The author is greatly obliged to feveral Learned Gentlemen, who have favoured him with their remarks upon the firft Edition, which was indeed principally defigned to procure their affiftance, and to try the judgement of the public. He hath endeavoured to weigh their obfervations, without prejudice or partiality, and ? make the best use of the lights, which they have afforded him. He hath been enabled to correct feveral mistakes; and encouraged carefully to revife the whole, and to give it all the improve

which his prefent materials can furnish. He hopes for the continuance of their favour, as he is fenfible there will still be abundant occafion for it.. A fyftem of this kind, arifing from the collection and arrangement of a multitude of minute particulars, which often elude the most careful fearch, and fome times efcape obfervation when they are moft obvious, must always ftand in need of improvement. It is indeed the neceffary condition of every work of bus • man art or fcience, fmall as well as great, to advance towards perfection by flow degrees; by an approximation, which though it still may carry it forward yet will certainly never bring it to the point to which it tends, zit otri piqesh snow retre

INTRODUCTION

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ENGLISH GRAMMAR.

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GRAMMAR.

RAMMAR is the Art of rightly expreffing our thoughts by Words.

Grammar in general, or Univerfal Grammar, explains the principles, which are common to all languages.

The Grammar of any particular Language, as the English Grammar, applies those common principles to that particular language, according to the established ufage and cuftom of it.

Grammar treats of Sentences; and of the feveral parts, of which they are compounded. Sentences confift of Words; Words, of one or more Syllables; Syllables, of one or more Letters

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