of ordinary ufe and common conftruction in his own Vernacular Idiom.

would attain to a due

But perhaps the Notes fubjoined to the following pages will furnish a more convincing argument, than any thing that can be faid here, both of the truth of the charge of Inaccuracy brought against our Language, as it fubfifts in Practice; and of the neceffity of inveftigating the Principles of it, and studying it Grammatically, if we degree of skill in it. It is with reason expected of every person of a liberal education, and it is indifpenfably required of every one who undertakes to inform or entertain the public, that he should be able to express himfelf with propriety and 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 least 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 num

ber

ber by any one, who had leifure 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 those, who set up for awthors 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 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 shew.

ing what is wrong; though this perhaps may prove the more useful and effectual method of inftruction.

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 facili tating of the acquifition of other Languages, whether antient or modern. A good founda tion in the General Principles of Grammar is in the first place neceffary for all those, who are initiated in a learned education: and for all others likewife, who shall have occafion to furnish themfelves with the knowledge of dern 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 supposed to be unacquainted with all, but his native tongue; and in what other, confiftently with reafon and common fenje, 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 ftudy of any other. To enter at once upon the Science of Grammar, and the Audy of a foreign Language, is to encounter two difficulties together, each of which would be much leffened by being taken feparately and in its proper order. For these 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 firft 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 any other Language for such a purpose; they would have 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 fo much labour of

the

the memory, and with fo little affiftance of the understanding.

A defign fomewhat of this kind gave occafion to the following little fyftem, intended merely for a private and domeftic ufe. The chief end of it was to cxplain 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 difquifitions, 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 clafs. 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 trea