MURRAY'S ABRIDGMENT.....REVISED EDITION.

ABRIDGMENT

OF

ENGLISH GRAMMAR :

COMPREHENDING ¿

The Principles and Rules

OF THE

LANGUAGE,

ILLUSTRATED BY

APPROPRIATE EXERCISES.

Designed for the Younger Classes of Learners.

BY LINDLEY MURRAY.

From the latest London edition, much improved.

CONCORD:

PUBLISHED BY JACOB B. MOORE

1823.

INTRODUCTION.

THE Compiler of " English Grammar, adapted to the different classes of Learners," having been frequently solicited to publish an Abridgment of that work, for the use of children commencing their grammatical studies, he hopes that the epitome which he now offers to the public will be found useful and satisfactory.

His chief view in presenting the book in this form is, to preserve the larger work from being torn and defaced by the younger scholars, in their first study of the general outline which it prescrines; and, consequently, to render their application to each part both new and inviting If a small volume is better adapted to the taste of children than a large one; and more readily engages their attention, from the apparent shortness of the road they have to travel, the abridgment will thence derive additional recommendations. To give these arguments the greatest weight, the book is neatly bound and printed with a fair letter, and on good paper.

A slight inspection of the manner in which the work is executed, will show that it is not intended to supply the place, or supersede the use of the orginal Grammar. If, however, the teachers of such children as can devote but a small part of their time to this study, should think proper to make use of it, they will not, it is imagined, find it more defective than abridgments commonly are. It exibits a general scheme of the subjects of Grammar, aud contains definitions and rules, which the Compiler has

endeavored to render as exact, concise and intelligible, as the nature of the subject would admit.

The tutors who may adopt this abridgment, merely as an introduction to the larger Grammar, will perceive in it a material advantage, which the other short works do not possess; namely, that the progress of their pupils will be accelerated, and the pleasure of study increased,when they find themselves advanced to a grammar, which exactly pursues the plan of the book they have studied; and which does not perplex them with new definitions and discordant views of the subject. The scholars, also, who, in other seminaries, may be confined to this epitome, will be more readily invited afterwards to pursue the study of Grammar, when they perceive, from the intimate connexion of the books, the facility with which they may improve themselves in the

art.

It may justly be doubted, whether there is any ground for objection to the following compilation, on account of the additional cost it will occasion. The preservation of the larger Grammar, by using the Abridgment, may, in most instances, make amends for the charge of the latter. But were this not the case, it is hoped that the period has passed away in which the important business of education was, too often, regulated or influenced by a parsimonious economy.

The Compiler presumes that no objection can properly be made to the phraseology, from an idea that, in books of this kind the language should be brought down to the level of what is familiar to children. It is indeed indispensable, that our words and phrases should, without requiring much attention and explanation, be intelligible to young per

sons; but it will scarcely be controverted that it is better to lead them forward, and improve their language by proper examples, than to exhibit such as will confirm them in a feeble and puerile mode of expression. Children have language, as well as other things, to learn and cultivate; and if good models are set before them, instruction aud diligence will soon make them understood, and babit will render them familiar and pleasing. Perhaps there is no method by which this advantage may, in general, be more readily and effectually produced, than by accustoming children to commit to memory sentences in which the words are properly chosen, and the construction and arrangement correct. This was one object which the Compiler had in view, when he composed the grammar of which this is an epitome; and he hopes that he has not altogether failed in his endeavors to attain it.

But on this point, or any other part of the work, it belongs not to him to determine; the whole must be referred to the decision of the impartial and judicious reader.