ence to syntax. This is not true of adverbs, adjectives, and common
nouns, which are classes distinguished from each other by their
syntactical use. The second lesson shows how to combine the ;
single words of the first lesson with other single words, to. form
sentences of the simplest structure. Thus, from the outset of these
instructions, etymology and syntax are blended ; and the student is
guided, through a natural and easy course, to a knowledge of both,
and oi their -dependence on each other. A single lesson of ortho-
graphy is introduced, at a point in the series where it is needed.
With this exception, orthography and prosody are reserved for
Book Second, in which the student will review all the ground passed
over in these preparatory lessons, and will enlarge his knowledge,
and combine the whole into a harmonious system. *
This work aims at philosophical accuracy ; and also, especially in
these preparatory lessons, at the_ greatest possible simplicity. . But
in definitions and rules which are to be committed to memory, brevity
and exactness are more needful than simplicity. Long and loose
instructions may employ the time of a pupil to very little profit :
but his labor will not be lost, if he store up in his mind brief and
exact expressions of scientific truth, even though he may not at first
understand their import. Their brevity makes it easy to remember
them, and allows them to become familiar by frequent repetition.
Whenx their meaning has been unfolded to the view of the inquiring
student, and especially when he discovers their exact adaptedness
to fill their proper place in the scientific system to which they belong,
he learns the value of the acquisitions which he has made, and feels
amply rewarded for his toil. These considerations have been kept
in view, in preparing, the definitions and rules which are given in
large type, and are to be committed to memory by the student.
Some improvements in the science of English Grammar, have
been attempted in this work. Of these, one of the most important
respects the verb. Grammarians have, by combining different
words, made conjugations of English verbs, nearly conformed to
those of the L^tin language; but they have not directed sufficient
attention to the elementary words which form these combinations.
This failure is much to be regretted ; because it has kept from view
the beautiful philosophy which governs these combinations, and
Page:The Grammar of the English Language.djvu/7
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4
PREFACE.