PREFACE.

THE author of these volumes made a number of improvements in the last Duodecimo edition of his Grammar; and inserted many critical and explanatory notes, in subsequent editions of the Exercises and the Key; and added, at the end of the Key, a copious Alphabetical Index to all the three books. In consequence of these additions and variations, the proprietors of the works conceived that an improved edition of the whole, in two volumes Octavo, in a large letter, and on superfine paper, with an appropriate title, would not be unacceptable to the public. The author has therefore embraced this opportunity, to revise the Grammar, to enlarge it very considerably, and to adapt the whole to the purposes in view.*

In its present form, the work is designed for the use of persons, who may think it merits a place in their Libraries. To this privilege it may, perhaps, be allowed to aspire, as a work containing an ample exhibition of the principles of English Grammar, and a copious illustration of those principles; with the addition of some positions and discussions, which the author persuades himself are not destitute of originality. It may therefore serve as a book of reference, to refresh the memory, and, in some degree, to employ the curiosity, of persons who are skilled in grammar, as well as to extend the knowledge of those who wish to improve themselves in the art.

In preparing for the Octavo edition, the author examined the most respectable publications on the subject of grammar, that had recently appeared;

*The additions occupy more than Ninety pages of the first volume; and are interspersed throughout the book.

and he has, in consequence, been the better able to extend and improve his work. These improvements consist chiefly of a number of observations, calculated to illustrate and confirm particular rules and positions contained in the Grammar; and of many critical discussions, in justification of some of its parts, against which objections had been advanced. These discussions are not of small importance, nor of a merely speculative nature. They respect some of the established principles and arrangements of the language. And the author presumes, that whilst they support these principles, they will be found to contain some views and constructions, which the reader may usefully apply to a variety of other occa

sions.

It may not be improper to observe, that the Grammar, Exercises, and Key, in their common form, and at their usual prices, will continue to be sold, separately or together, for the use of schools and private learners.

If any person 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 to suggest to them, how very imperfect the performance would have been, and how liable to objection, if it had appeared 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 Grammar.

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 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 precopto 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

* 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.

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; whilst rules and remarks that are of less consequence, that extend or diversify the general idea, or that serve as explanations, are contained in the smaller letter: these, or the chief of them, will be perused by the student to the greatest advantage, if postponed till the general 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 to attract the perusal of youth, or admit of so ample and regular an illustration, as a continued and uniform order of the several subjects. In adopting this mode, care has been taken to adjust it so that the whole may be perused in a connected progress, or the part contained in the larger character read in order by itself. Many of the notes and observations are intended, not only to explain the subjects, and to illustrate them, by comparative views of the grammar of other languages, and of the various sentiments of English grammarians, but also to invite the ingenious student to inquiry and reflection, and prompt him to a more enlarged, critical, and philosophical 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 the sentences to one another; to avoid protracted periods; and to give the whole definition or rule, as much harmony of expression as he could devise.

From the sentiment generally admitted, that a proper selection of faulty composition is more instructive to the young grammarian, than any rules and examples of propriety that can be given, the Compiler has been induced to pay peculiar attention to this part of the subject; and though the instances of false grammar, under the rules of Syntax, are numerous, it is hoped they will not be found too many, when their variety and usefulness are considered.

In a work which professes itself to be a compilation, and which, from the nature and design of it, must consist chiefly of materials selected from the writings of others, it is scarcely

necessary to apologize for the use which the compiler has made of his predecessors' labours; or for omitting to insert their names. From the alterations which have been frequently made in the sentiments and the language, to suit the connexion, and to adapt them to the particular purposes for which they are introduced; and in many instances, from the uncertainty to 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 inconvenience of crowding the pages with a repetition of names and references. It is, however, proper to acknowledge, in general terms, that the authors to whom the grammatical part of this compilation is principally indebted for its materials, are Harris, Johnson, Lowth, Priestly, Beattie, Sheridan, Walker, and Coote.

The Rules and Observations respecting Perspicuity and Accuracy of Expression, contained in the Appendix, and which are, chiefly, extracted from the writings of Blair and Campbell, will, it is presumed, form a proper addition to the Grammar. The subjects are very nearly related; and the study of perspicuity and accuracy in writing, appears naturally to follow that of Grammar. A competent acquaintance with the principles of both, will prepare and qualify the students, for prosecuting those additional improvements in language, to which they may be properly directed.

On the utility and importance of the study of Grammar, and the principles of composition, much might be advanced, for the encouragement of persons in early life to apply themselves to this branch of learning; but as the limits of this Introduction will not allow of many observations on the subject, a few leading sentiments are all that can be admitted here with propriety. As words are the signs of our ideas, and the medium by which we perceive the sentiments of others, and to communicate our own; and as signs exhibit the things which they are intended to represent, more or less accurately, according as their real or established conformity to those things is more or less exact; it is evident, that in proportion to our knowledge of the nature and properties of words, of their relation to each other, and of their established connexion with the ideas to which they are applied, will be the certainty and ease, with which we transfuse our sentiments into the minds of one another; and that, without a competent knowledge of this kind, we shall frequently be in hazard of misunderstanding others, and of being misunderstood ourselves. It may indeed be justly asserted, that many of the differences in