A

GRAMMAR

OF THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE.

BY

WILLIAM FEWSMITH, A. M.,

PRINCIPAL OF AN ENGLISH AND CLASSICAL SCHOOL

AND

EDGAR A. SINGER,

PRINCIPAL OF HALLIWELL GRAMMAR SCHOOL

REVISED EDITION

PHILADELPHIA:

CHRISTOPHER SOWER COMPANY,

614 ARCH STREET.

Batered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1856, by

SOWER, BARNES & POTTS,

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON & CO.

PHILADELPHIA.

PRINTED BY SHERMAN & 30.

NOW READY.

An Elementary Grammar of the English Language. Designed as an Introduction to this work. 146 pp. 12mo.

PREFACE.

SINCE there are already numerous works on the "Grammar of the English Language, not one of which is entirely without merit, the question may well be asked why another should be added to the number.

Perhaps the best reply to this inquiry will be to specify those characteristics which, the authors hope, will recommend this book to the favorable consideration of their fellow-teachers and of all others interested in the cause of education.

They trust that the work will be found, on examination, to be plain and practical, to be simple in its outlines and in its details, and to be adapted equally to the class-room and to the study. Such, at least, is its design; and, with this constantly in view, the authors' aim has been to pursue a course midway between the extremes of prolixity and conciseness. They have desired to say just enough to make the subject plain,— further to explain that enough by examples and models,—and still further to enforce it by numerous exercises involving the principles which those exercises are designed to illustrate.

They have desired, by simplicity of arrangement, by clearness of statement, by the avoidance of unnecessary words, and by the absence of theories and speculations, to create in the mind of the pupil a consciousness that the principles of the language are not beyond his comprehension, and that he can master each principle and its application as it comes before him.

The usual division of Grammar into four parts is followed; and each is treated of before the introduction of the succeeding part, because it is believed to be the experience of the best teachers that the pupil can ac quire a knowledge of the subject more easily and more thoroughly by having his attention directed to but one thing at a time.

In order to render the work thoroughly progressive, nothing is anticipated when anticipation can possibly be avoided; and no part, or divi. sion, or subdivision, is introduced, without explanation or some reference by which the mind of the pupil is prepared for its reception, until the portion under present consideration has been thoroughly treated. Thus the pupil is enabled to advance intelligently; and the teacher enjoys the satisfaction of knowing that his pupils understand what they are learning.

In Orthography are given a simple explanation of the nature and of the classes of letters, and the most important rules for spelling simple, derivative, and compound words.

In Etymology, the different parts of speech are given; their nature is explained; and their various uses and applications are illustrated. The nomenclature and the arrangement of the tenses now becoming general, have been adopted; and the names of the participles given by Mr. Goold Brown have been used, because they are considered to be such as the nature of the participles requires,-the most logical, and, therefore, the best.

Syntax is introduced with explanations of sentences and of their different kinds and forms,-in which the ideas of simple, complex, and compound are kept prominent, as in the treatment of words. A division of this part into Analysis and Synthesis is then made. The portion assigned to Analysis, including the models and exercises, occupies about twenty pages; the design being to present a practical outline of all that is necessary to a complete understanding of the subject. Under Synthesis, the Rules of Syntax, with accompanying notes and exercises, are given in a form well adapted to didactic instruction. Although the analysis of sentences is regarded as of paramount importance, it has been left to the discretion of the teacher whether parsing and analysis shall be taught together, or shall be taught separately; each forms a distinct subject, but both are so arranged that any point in either may be readily consulted.

Punctuation is given under Syntax, because it is intimately connected with sentences, modifying their meaning to a very great extent. For the same reason, Figures have been introduced under the same head.

Prosody, as its definition and use require, treats only of verse and of the quantity of syllables, of accent, and of the laws of versification.

With this brief summary, and with thanks to those teachers and others who have offered suggestions, the authors send forth their work, hoping that it may be favorably received, where other books, more voluminous or of a less practical character, have proved unsatisfactory.