NOTICE TO THE TEACHER. The Rules and Observations throughout the work are printed in two distinct sizes of type, according to their importance. The Rules and Observations printed in the larger type, together with all the declensions and conjugations, should be studied consecutively, and either be committed to memory, or otherwise well impressed upon the mind. The Notes, which serve either as illustrations of the preceding Rules, or contain observations which, though useful, are of secondary importance, are printed in the smaller type, and are intended merely to be read. The whole of Grammar must be thus completed before the pupil commences Style. With young pupils the History of the English Language might be deferred till Syntax has been finished. The remaining portions of the work, devoted to Figurative Language, Perspicuity, Energy, and Harmony of Expression, Sequence of Sentences, and Different Kinds of Style, are also printed in two sizes of type; the information printed in the smaller type is intended either to illustrate the facts printed in the larger type, or to form a second course. The whole should be acquired, in the same manner as the preceding part. Questions and Exercises adapted to both types, are given in the volume of Exercises. The specimens of Style should be studied according to the Directions, p. 232. For "Advice to the Student on the Understanding," suitable questions can be framed by the Teacher. ENGLISH GRAMMAR. INTRODUCTION. LESSON I. 1. LANGUAGE is the expression of our thoughts and feelings, and is either articulate or inarticulate. 2. a. Inarticulate language consists of those instinctive sounds or cries by which all animals express their sensations and desires. Thus, the neighing of the horse, the barking of the dog, the chirping of fowls, &c., are sounds perfectly understood by the animals uttering them. Man, also, has a natural language intelligible to the whole human race; but, limited to the general expressions of joy, grief, fear, and the other passions or emotions of the mind. This is obviously inadequate to express any of the numerous purposes of rational intercourse Hence, the necessity of Articulate Language. b. Articulate Language is that system of expression which is composed of sounds variously modified by the organs of speech, and combined into arbitrary words as signs of our ideas. The organs of speech are the lips, teeth, tongue, palate, throat, and nose. 3. Though there are many words the sounds of which are imitations of the noise produced by the things signified; yet, in general, words have no natural affinity with the things which they represent. Thus, the word fire might have denominated the substance which we call ice, and the word ice might have signified fire, &c. It is, therefore, custom only, or the tacit consent of a people, that affixes to certain things a certain word or sound by which it may be known, B 4. a. Articulate Language is either oral or written. Oral Language is the expression of our ideas by intelligible sounds or words. Written Language is the representation of significant sounds by letters or characters. b. By oral language, we communicate our thoughts only to those that are present; but, by means of written language, we can convey them to the most distant regions, as well as to future generations. 5. As Language is composed of arbitrary words derived from various sources, and subject to numerous modifications and combinations, the necessity of uniformity of expression, in order to be accurately understood, would naturally suggest itself to every reflecting mind. Hence, we find among the Greeks and Romans, attention was early paid to a systematic arrangement of those modes of expression which seemed best calculated to convey the meaning intended. The system which professes to unfold and illustrate the rules and principles by which uniformity or accuracy of expression is secured is called Grammar. Those principles, which are applicable to all languages, constitute what is termed Universal Grammar; while those which are confined to one are denominated Particular Grammar. 6. The three branches concerned with Language are Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric; of the separate and distinctive province of which it is proper to give, in this place, a concise and familiar explanation. 7. Grammar supplies such rules on the inflection, government, concord, connection, and arrangement of words, as will enable us to convey our meaning with clearness and accuracy. It is not concerned about the truth or falsity of our sentiments. We may, for instance, assert that to be a fact which is not a fact. This error must be rectified by other means than what are afforded by Grammar. Again, our reasoning may be inconclusive, though expressed with strict grammatical propriety. For the rectification of this, we must have recourse to Logic. What Grammar, therefore, purposes to accomplish is, to convey our meaning, whatever that may be, in such a way as shall render it impossible to be misunderstood by any competent honest mind. 8. Logic supplies rules for reasoning or argumentation, to secure the mind from error in its deductions. The rules of Logic have nothing to do with the truth or falsity of that which forms the basis of our argument, except when this basis is the conclusion of some former argument. The degree of evidence for any proposition or sentiment which we assume as the foundation of our argument, or, as it is logically termed, the premiss, is not to be learned from Logic, nor, indeed, from any one distinct science; but must be decided by our knowledge of the subject itself. Thus, none but a Naturalist can rightly judge of the degree of evidence of a proposition in Natural History; a Politician, in Politics, &c. To arrive at truth in any argument, not only must the Premiss be correct, but the reasoning must be fairly deduced. process is the appropriate province of Logic. This latter 9. Rhetoric, when legitimately employed, endeavours, by convincing the understanding, to reach the heart and influence the will. It requires a skilful application of the rules of Logic, great power of language, and an intimate knowledge of the springs of human action. The Rhetorician hesitates not to deviate from the strict grammatical arrangement of words, whenever a different arrangement will convey his meaning with greater effect. Though frequently rendered subservient to the vilest of purposes, yet the rules of Rhetoric, when skilfully and appropriately applied, may be the means of effectuating the most beneficial results. 10. From this brief explanation, the pupil will perceive that Grammar enables us to employ such inflections and constructions of words as are most appropriate for conveying our ideas; Logic, to deduce proper conclusions from assumed premises; and Rhetoric, not only to combine the two, but to introduce such additional principles as may adorn or invigorate the sentiments which we wish to communicate. Some of the preceding paragraphs will be expanded in a subsequent portion of this work. See Verbal Criticism. 4. a. Articulate Language is either oral or written. Oral Language is the expression of our ideas by intelligible sounds or words. Written Language is the representation of significant sounds by letters or characters. b. By oral language, we communicate our thoughts only to those that are present; but, by means of written language, we can convey them to the most distant regions, as well as to future generations. 5. As Language is composed of arbitrary words derived from various sources, and subject to numerous modifications and combinations, the necessity of uniformity of expression, in order to be accurately understood, would naturally suggest itself to every reflecting mind. Hence, we find among the Greeks and Romans, attention was early paid to a systematic arrangement of those modes of expression which seemed best calculated to convey the meaning intended. The system which professes to unfold and illustrate the rules and principles by which uniformity or accuracy of expression is secured is called Grammar. Those principles, which are applicable to all languages, constitute what is termed Universal Grammar; while those which are confined to one are denominated Particular Grammar. 6. The three branches concerned with Language are Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric; of the separate and distinctive province of which it is proper to give, in this place, a concise and familiar explanation. 7. Grammar supplies such rules on the inflection, government, concord, connection, and arrangement of words, as will enable us to convey our meaning with clearness and accuracy. It is not concerned about the truth or falsity of our sentiments. We may, for instance, assert that to be a fact which is not a fact. This error must be rectified by other means than what are afforded by Grammar. Again, our reasoning may be inconclusive, though expressed with strict grammatical propriety. For the rectification of this, we must have recourse to Logic. What Grammar, therefore, purposes to accomplish is, to convey our meaning, whatever that may be, in such a way as shall render it impossible to be misunderstood by any competent honest mind. The 8. Logic supplies rules for reasoning or argumentation, to secure the mind from error in its deductions. rules of Logic have nothing to do with the truth or falsity |