·thodical examination: and they might eafily have been much increased 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 answer the purpose 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 construction, whether it be right or not. The plain way of doing this is, to lay down rules, and to illuftrate them by examples. But, befide fhewing what is right, the matter may be further explained by pointing out what is wrong. I will not take upon me to say, whether we have any Grammar, that fufficiently inftructs us by rule and example; but I am fure we have none, that, in the manner here attempted, teaches us what is right by fhewing what is wrong; though this perhaps may prove the more useful and effectual method of instruction. Befide this principal Defign of Grammar in our own Language, there is a fecondary use to which it may be applied, and which, I think, is not attended to as it deferves; the facilitating of the acquifition of other other Languages, whether antient or modern. A good foundation in the General Principles of Grammar is in the first place necessary for all thofe, who are initiated in a learned education; and for all others likewife, who shall have occafion to furnish themselves with the knowledge 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 fuppofed to be unacquainted with all, but his native tongue; and in what other, confiftently with reason and common fenfe, 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 Grammar, and the study of a foreign Language, is to encounter two difficulties together, each of which would be much lessened 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 Short and clear Syftem of English Grammar, which happily by its fimplicity and facility is perhaps fitter than that of` A5 any any other Language for fuch a purpofe ; they would "bave fome notion of what they were going about, when they should enter into the Latin Grammar; and would hardly be engaged fo many years, as they now are, in that most irksome and difficult part of *Literature, with so`much labour of the memory, and "with fo little affistance of the understanding: A defign fomewhat of this kind gave occafion to the following little fyftem, intended merely for a pri"vate `and domestic ufe. 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 reason and truth `would permit. The known and received terms have ·been retained; except in one or two inftances, where others offered themselves, which feemed much more fignificant. All disquisitions, which appeared to have more of fubtilty than of usefulness in them, have been avoided. In a word, it was calculated for the use 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, Efg the *most beautiful and perfect example of Analyfis, that \has been exhibited fince the days of Aristotle. १ The 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 assistance, and to try the judgement of the public. He hath endeavoured to weigh their observations, without prejudice or partiality; and to make the best use of the lights, which they have afforded him. He hath been enabled to correct feveral mistakes; and encouraged carefully to revise 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 fill be abundant occafion for it. A fyftem of this kind, arifing from the collection and arrangement of a multitude of minute particulars, which often elude the most careful fearch, and fometimes escape obfervation when they are most obvious, must always ftand in need of improvement. It is indeed the neceffary condition of every work of human art or fcience, 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, |