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If any persons should be inclined to think, that this work would have been more satisfactory to readers in general, had the first volume been published separately, and the Exercises and Key omitted; the author takes the liberty of suggesting to them, how very imperfect the performance would have been, and how liable to objection, if it had peared in so detached and partial a manner. The Exercises and the Key are necessary appendages to the principles of grammar; and serve, not only to illustrate and enforce, but to vary and extend, the grammatical rules and positions. Many parts of the second volume are as particularly calculated for the improvement of persons far advanced in the study of the language, as other parts of it are, for the instruction of those who have made but little progress in the grammatical art. The two volumes are, indeed, intimately connected, and constitute one uniform system of English Gram

mar.

INTRODUCTION

TO THE DUODECIMO EDITION *.

WHEN the number and variety of English Grammars already published, and the ability with which some of them are written, are considered, little can be expected from a new compilation, besides a careful selection of the most useful matter, and some degree of improvement in the mode of adapting it to the understanding, and the gradual progress of learners. In these respects something, perhaps, may yet be done, for the ease and advantage of young persons.

IN books designed for the instruction of youth, there is a medium to be observed, between treating the subject in so extensive and minute a manner, as to embarrass

As the Introduction to the Duodecimo edition of the Grammar, contains some views and explanations of the subject, which may be useful to readers in general, as well as to young students, it is thought proper to retain it in this edition of the work.

and confuse their minds, by offering too much at once for their comprehension; and, on the other hand, conducting it by such short and general precepts and observations, as convey to them no clear and precise information. A distribution of the parts, which is either defective or irregular, has also a tendency to perplex the young understanding, and to retard its knowledge of the principles of literature. A distinct general view, or outline, of all the essential parts of the study in which they are engaged; a gradual and judicious supply of this outline; and a due arrangement of the divisions, according to their natural order and connexion, appear to be among the best means of enlightening the minds of youth, and of facilitating their acquisition of knowledge. The author of this work, at the same time that he has endeavoured to avoid a plan, which may be too concise or too extensive, defective in its parts, or irregular in the disposition of them, has studied to render his subject sufficiently easy, intelligible, and comprehensive. He does not presume to have completely attained these objects. How far he has succeeded in the attempt, and wherein he has failed, must be referred to the determination of the judicious and candid reader.

THE method which he has adopted, of exhibiting the performance in characters of different sizes, will, he trusts, be conducive to that gradual and regular procedure, which is so favourable to the business of instruction. The more important rules, definitions, and observations, and which are therefore the most proper to be committed to memory, are printed with a larger type;

on whilst rules and remarks that are of less consequence, con that extend or diversify the general idea, or that serve as o explanations, are contained in the smaller letter: these, it or the chief of them, will be perused by the student to he the greatest advantage, if postponed till the general ole system be completed. The use of notes and observations, in the common and detached manner, at the bottom of the page, would not, it is imagined, be so likely id to attract the perusal of youth, or admit of so ample and a regular an illustration, as a continued and uniform order ns of the several subjects. In adopting this mode, care has ar been taken to adjust it so that the whole may be perused of in a connected progress, or the part contained in the e larger character read in order by itself. Many of the s notes and observations are intended, not only to explain e the subjects, and to illustrate them, by comparative views e of the grammar of other languages, and of the various sentiments of English grammarians; but also to invite 5 the ingenious student to inquiry and reflection, and prompt him to a more enlarged, critical, and philosophi

cal research.

WITH respect to the definitions and rules, it may not be improper more particularly to observe, that in selecting and forming them, it has been the author's aim to render them as exact and comprehensive, and, at the same time, as intelligible to young minds, as the nature of the subject, and the difficulties attending it, would admit. He presumes that they are also calculated to be readily committed to memory, and easily retained. For this purpose, he has been solicitous to select terms that are smooth and voluble; to proportion the members of Volume I

B

the sentences to one another; to avoid protracted periods and to give the whole definition or rule, as much harmon of expression as he could devise.

FROM the sentiment generally admitted, that a prope selection of faulty composition is more instructive to th young grammarian, than any rules and examples of pre priety that can be given, the Compiler has been induce to pay peculiar attention to this part of the subject and though the instances of false grammar, under th rules of Syntax, are numerous, it is hoped they will no be found too many, when their variety and usefulne are considered.

In a work which professes itself to be a compilation and which, from the nature and design of it, must co sist chiefly of materials selected from the writings others, it is scarcely necessary to apologize for the us which the Compiler has made of his predecessors' labours or for omitting to insert their names. From the alter tions which have been frequently made in the sentimen and the language, to suit the connexion, and to adap them to the particular purposes for which they are intr duced; and, in many instances, from the uncertainty t whom the passages originally belonged, the insertion of names could seldom be made with propriety. But if this could have been generally done, a work of this nature would derive no advantage from it, equal to the incon venience of crowding the pages with a repetition of names and references. It is, however, proper to acknow ledge, in general terms, that the authors to whom the grammatical part of this compilation is principally in