by inductive exercises, so that thoughtful study of the sections in large type and of the illustrative examples will enable the learner without much further help to apprehend the most important principles, and to apply them intelligently in the practical exercises which make up much of the body of the book.

No chapter is entitled Syntax; but the construction of sentences is developed from the beginning as fast and as fully as practicable, so that a child's acquaintance with verbs, for instance, is by no means deferred until he reaches the chapter so headed. Without intentionally omitting any essential principle, much that has been engrafted upon English grammar from other languages is left out as false or burdensome. The invariable basis of classification for the parts of speech is use, and for inflection it is form. Cases, for example, are always treated as forms, of which the noun has two, and a few pronouns three, the many constructions of these parts of speech being considered separately. In the direction of simplicity verb-phrases are distinguished from simple verbs.

For presenting the analysis of sentences to the eye, a new and simple method is followed. Its value has been thoroughly tested both in illustrative blackboard work and in the preparation of lessons by classes. It is easily applied to all ordinary sentences without re-writing them, or writing them in an extended form. For long or involved sentences other methods are substituted.

Infinitives and participles receive more extended treatment than customary, because, being as common and as important as other elements of the sentence, they ought to be equally well understood; and their construction has been developed with a view to making even children see that it is generally the same as that of nouns and adjectives.

Very little is said of idioms or of elliptical expressions. Such of them as are not too difficult for any but well-advanced students, can be readily explained by one who is familiar with the regular construction.

March, 1889.

TO TEACHERS.

THIS book is designed for students who are old enough to learn the elements of grammar and who have had some elementary training in the use of language. After taking up the first three or four chapters by way of review, they may profitably begin to study the sentence and its elements; that is to say, Chapters X. and following.

Practice in oral and written composition must, however, be continued throughout the entire school course, and for this purpose the first seventy-five pages furnish ample instruction and material. These pages are by no means to be used consecutively, but selections from them adapted to the varying needs of learners, are to be made in such a way that exercise in the use of language may constantly accompany the study of its structure.

CHAPTER I.

LANGUAGE AND GRAM

1. Ever since we began to talk we h the use of language; that is, we have to make other persons know what we think and how we feel, by speaking which they will hear and understand.

As we grew older we learned to exp and feelings by writing our words for read; and in this way, if we were all d should still be able to use our language.

2. The letters used in writing a word the sounds we make in speaking it, so th same language we use in these two wa are the same.

3. The Study of Language is the study proper use of them in expressing what we ha

4. In our language, the English, in England, but now used in many of world, there are thousands and tho each with a different meaning. It is language that we are to become famil nunciation, the spelling, and the meanin

(a) By this study, too, we shall learn to choose right forms of appropriate words and to put them together properly in our sentences. This knowledge will enable us to correct the wrong habits of speaking and writing into which ignorance or carelessness or the imitation of bad examples may have led us.

5. The surest way to become skilful in the use of language is by constant practice in correct speaking and writing. We should read books that are written in the best English, and we should study and imitate the best writers and speakers in our choice of words and in our way of putting them together, so that we may use our language easily, as a good workman uses his tools, and so that we may be able to correct our own errors.

6. Besides doing all this, it will be well to understand a little more about words, and to learn some of the rules for using them. For, although we do not think about rules when we are speaking, they will make it easier for us to study examples of good English, and to form correct habits ourselves. It is pleasant, too, to feel that we know about our language, and that we can reason about our forms of expression.

While studying language, then, we ought also to learn how some of our words have been made from others; how they are all divided into classes; how their forms are changed; and how they are put together in sentences. This includes what is called English grammar.

7. Grammar shows how words are made, how their forms are changed, and how they are put together in sentences according to their kinds.