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in general, exemplified in his own Language; he then will apply himself with great advantage to the ftudy of any other. To enter at once upon the Science of Grammar, and the ftudy of a foreign Language, is to encounter two difficulties together, each of which would be much leffened by being taken separately and in its proper order. For these plain reasons, a competent grammatical knowledge of our own language is the true foundation, upon which all Literature, properly fo called, ought to be raised. If this method were adopted in our Schools; if children were firft taught the common principles of Grammar, by some short and clear 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 some notion of what they were going about, when they fhould enter into the Latin Grammar; and would hardly be engaged fo many years,

as they now are, in that moft irksome and difficult part of Literature, with so much labor 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 domestic use. The chief end of it was to explain the general principles of Grammar, as clearly and intelligibly as poffible. In the definitions, therefore, cafinefs and perfpicuity have been fometimes preferred to logical exactnefs. The common divifions have been complied with, as far as reafon and truth would permit. The known and received terms have been retained; except in one or two inftances, where others offered themselves, 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 loweft clafs. Thofe, who would enter more deeply into the Subject, will find it fully and accurately handled, with the greatest acuteness of investigation, perfpicuity of explication, and elegance of method, in a treas tife intitled HERMES, by JAMES HARRIS, Efq; the most beautiful and perfect example of Analyfis, that has been exhibited fince the days of

ARISTOTLE.

The author is greatly obliged to feveral Learned Gentlemen, who have favored him with their remarks upon the firft Edition which was indeed principally defigned to procure their assistance, and to try the judgement of the public. He hath endeavoured to weigh their obfervations, without prejudice or partiality; and to make the beft ufe of the lights, which they have afforded him. He hath been enabled to correct several miftakes; and encouraged carefully to revife the whole, and to give it all the improvement which his present

materials can furnish.

He hopes for the

continuance of their favor, 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 moft careful search, and fometimes escape obfervation when they are moft obvious, muft always stand in need of improvement. It is indeed the neceffary condition of every work of human art or science, fmall as well as great, to advance towards perfection by flow degrees; by an approximation, which though it ftill may carry it forward, yet will certainly never bring it to the point to which it tends.

A

INTRODUCTION

TO

ENGLISH GRAMMA R.

GRAMMAR

GRAMMAR.

MAR is the Art of rightly expreffing

our thoughts by Words.

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

The Grammar of any particular Language, as the English Grammar, applies thofe 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.

So that Letters, Syllables, Words, and Sentences, make up the whole fubject of Grammar.

B

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