accuracy. It will evidently appear from thefe Notes, that our beft authors have committed grofs mistakes, for want of a due knowledge of English Grammar, or at leaft of a proper attention to the rules of it. The examples there given are fuch as occurred in reading, without any very curious or methodical examination and they might eafily have been much increafed in number by any one, who had leisure or phlegm enough to go through a regular course of reading with this particular view. However, I believe, they may be fufficient to anfwer the purpofe intended; to evince the neceffity of the Study of Grammar in our own Language; and to admonish thofe, who fet up for authors among us, that they would do well to confider this part of Learning as an object not altogether beneath their regard. The principal defign of a Grammar of any Language is to teach us to express ourselves with propriety in that Language; and to enable us to judge of every phrafe and form of conftruction, whether it be right ar not. The plain way of doing this is, to lay down rules, and to illustrate them by examples. But, beside shewing what is right, the matter may be further explained by pointing out what is wrong. I will not take upon me to fay, whether we have any Grammar, that fufficiently inflructs us by rule and example ; but I am fure we have none, that, in the manner bere attempted, teaches teaches us what is right by fhewing what is wrong though this perhaps may prove the more useful and effectual method of instruction. be Befide this principal defign of Grammar in our own Language, there is a fecondary ufe to which it may applied; and which, I think, is not attended to as it deferves: the facilitating of the acquifition of other Languages, whether antient or modern. A good foundation in the General Principles of Grammar is in the first place neceffary for all thofe, who are initiated in a learned education; and for all others likewife, who fhall have occafion to furnish themselves with the know-ledge of modern Languages. Univerfal Grammar cannot be taught abstractedly: it must be done with reference to fome Language already known; in which the terms are to be explained, and the rules exemplified. The learner is fupposed to be unacquainted with ail, but` his native tongue; and in what other, confiftently with reafon and common sense, can you go about to explain it to him? When he has a competent knowledge of the main principles of Grammar in general, exemplified in his own Language; he then will apply himself with great advantage to the fludy of any other. To enter at once upon the Science of Granmar, and the fludy of a foreign Language, is to encounter two difficulties to-gether, each of which would be much leffened by being taken feparately and in its proper order. For thefe plain reasons, a competent grammatical knowledge of our own language is the true foundation, upon which all Literature, properly fo called, ought to be raised. If this method were adopted in our Schools; if children were first taught the common principles of Grammar, by fome fhort and clear Syftem of English Grammar, which happily by its fimplicity and facility is perhaps fitter than that of any other Language for such a purpofe; they would have fome notion of what they were going about, when they should enter into the Latin Grammar; and would hardly be engaged so many years, as they now are, in that most irksome and difficult part of Literature, with fo much labour of the memory, and with fo little affifiance of the understanding. A defign fomewhat of this kind gave occafion to the following little Syftem, intended merely for d private and domeftic use. The chief end of it was to explain the general principles of Grammar, as clearly and intelligibly as poffible. In the definitions, therefore, eafinefs and perfpicuity have been fometimes preferred to logical exactness. The common divifions have been complied with, as far as reafon and truth would permit. The known and received terms have been retained; except in one or two inftances, where others offered themfelves, which feemed much more fignificant. All dif quifitions, quifitions, which appeared to have more of fubtilty than of usefulness in them, have been avoided. In a word, it was calculated for the ufe of the learner, even of the lowest class. Thofe, who would enter more deeply into this Subject, will find it fully and accurately handled, with the greatest acuteness of investigation, perfpicuity of explication, and elegance of method, in a treatise intitled HERMES, by JAMES HARRIS, Efq; the most beautiful and perfect example of Analysis, that has been exhibited fince the days of Ariftotle. The author is greatly obliged to several Learned Gentlemen, who have favoured him with their remarks upon the first Edition, which was indeed principally defigned to procure their affiftance, and to try the judgement of the public. He hath endeavoured to weigh their obfervations, without prejudice or partiality; and to make the best use of the lights, which they have afforded him. He hath been enabled to correct several miflakes; and encouraged carefully to revife the whole, and to give it all the improvement which his present materials can furnish. He hopes for the continuance of their favour, as he is fenfible there will still be abundant occafion for it. A fyftem of this kind, arising from the collection and arrangement of a multitude of minute particulars, which often elude the most careful fearch,. ometimes escape obfervation when they are most A 6 obvious, obvious, must always fand in need of improvement. It is indeed the necessary condition of every work of human art or science, fmall as well as great, to advance towards perfection by flow degrees; by an approximation, which, though it still may carry it forward, yet will certainly never bring it to the point to which it tends. A SHORT |