and phrases, while at the same time he is employed in reading some easy author, and in turning plain sentences from English into Latin. The sooner he can be brought to write part of his exercises, the better; but he should never be obliged to get Grammar rules in Latin verse, till he is capable of understanding them by himself; because, although the teacher may explain them, the scholar will soon forget the interpretation, and repeat the words merely by rote, without attending to their meaning. Nor should he be forced to get rules in Latin verse, which may be remembered equally well in English prose. Rules in verse are only useful when they assist the memory; as when there is a number of exceptions from a general rule, where alone they are indeed of advantage: and even here, perhaps, any chine of words might answer the purpose as well as Latin hexameters. It is of importance, when the rule is long, that the learner be accustomed to repeat no more of it than is strictly applicable to the word or phrase in question. The repetition of the whole is an useless waste of time. The great object ought to be, to bring the learner, in as short a time as possible, to join without hesitation an adjective with a substantive in any case, number, or degree of comparison; and in like manner to touch upon any part of a verb, and to tell readily by what case any adjective, verb, or preposition is followed. This facility practice alone can teach, and the method of acquiring it must in all languages be much the same.

The niceties of construction, the figures of Syntax, and the other parts of Grammar, should be occasionally taught, as the learner proceeds in reading the more difficult authors. As the ancient Romans joined the Grammar of their own language with that of the Greek; so we ought to connect the study of English Grammar with that of the Latin. And when the learner properly understands Latin Grammar, he ought to join with it the study of the Greek; the knowledge of both these languages being requisite for the thorough understanding of the English. This is the practice in England and other countries, were the best Greek and Latin scholars are formed. It is particularly necessary in Scotland to pay attention to the English in conjunction with the Latin, as by neglecting it boys at school learn many improprieties in point of Grammar, as well as of pronunciation, which it is difficult in after life to correct. This attention is less

+

requisite in England; though even there, in the opinion of Dr. Lowth, to use his own words, "the connexion of the English with the Latin Grammar, if it could be introduced into schools, might be of good service."*

EDINBURGH, Oct. 25, 1793.

* In a letter concerning this book, after having read the manijscript, dated Cuddesdon, Sept. 27, 1771.

THE

RUDIMENTS

OF

LATIN AND ENGLISH

GRAMMA R.

GRAMMAR is the art of speaking and writing correctly. Latin or English Grammar is the art of speaking and writing the Latin or the English language correctly.

The Rudiments of Grammar are plain and easy instructions, teaching beginners the first principles and rules of it. Grammar treats of sentences, and the several parts of which they are compounded.

Sentences consist of words; Words consist of one or more syllables; Syllables of one or more letters. So that Letters, Syllables, Words, and Sentences, make up the whole subject of Grammar.

LETTERS.

A letter is the mark of a sound, or of an articulation of sound.

That part of Grammar which treats of letters, is called Orthography.

The letters in Latin are twenty-five: A, a; B, b ; C, c; D, d; E, e; F, f; G,g; H, h; I, i; J,j; K, k; L,1; M, m; N, n; 0, P, p; Q, q; R, r; S, s;

U, u; V, X, X Y, y 2, z.

In English there is one letter more, namely, W, w

T, t 7

Letters are divided into Vowels and Consonants.

Six are vowels; a, e, i, o, u, y. All the rest

are consonants.

A vowel makes a full sound by itself; as, a, e. A consonant cannot make a perfect sound without a vowel; as, b, d.

B