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THE principle of knowledge become most intelligible to young persons, when they are explained and inculcated by practical illustration and direction. This mode of teaching is attended with so many advantages, that it can scarcely be too much recommended, or pursued. Instruction which is enlivened by pertinent example, and in which the pupil is exercised in reducing the rules prescribed to practice, has a more striking effect on the mind, and is better adapted to fix the attention, and sharpen the understanding, than that which is divested of these aids, and confined to bare positions and precepts; in which it too frequently happens that the learner has no further concern, than to read and repeat them. The time and care employed in practical application, give occasion to survey the subject minutely, and in different points of view; by which it becomes more known and familiar, and produces stronger and more durable impressions.

THESE observations are peculiarly applicable to the study of grammar, and the method of teaching it. The rules require frequent explanation; and, besides direct elucidation they admit of examples erroneously constructed, for exercising the student's sagacity and judgment. To rectify these, attention and reflection are requisite; and the knowledge of the rule necessarily results from the study and correction of the sentence. But these are not all the advantages which arise from Grammatical Exercises. By discovering their own abilities to detect and amend errors, and their consequent improvement, the scholars become pleased with their studies, and are animated to proceed, and surmount the obstacles which occurs in their progress. The instructer too is relieved and encouraged in his labours. By discerning exactly the powers and improvement of his pupils, he perceives the proper season for advancing them; and by observing the points in which they are deficient, he knows precisely where to apply his directions and explanations.

THESE Considerations have induced the Compiler to collect and arrange a variety of erroneous examples, adapted

to the different rules and instructions of English Grammar, and to the principles of perspicuous and accurate writing. It has not indeed been usual, to make Grammatical Exercises, in our language, very numerous and extensive; but if the importance and usefulness of them be as great as they are conceived to be, no apology will be necessary for the large field of employment, which the following work pre-sents to the student of English Grammar. If he be detained longer than is common in this part of his studies, the probable result of it, an accurate and intimate knowledge of the subject, will constitute an ample recompence.

THE reader will perceive that some of the rules and observations, under the part of Syntax, contain a much greater number of examples than others. This has arisen from the superior importance of those rules, and from the variety requisite to illustrate them properly. When a few instances afford sufficient practice on the rule, the student is not fatigued with a repetition of examples, which would cast no new light on the subject.

In selecting the instances of false construction, the Compiler has studied to avoid those that are glaringly erroneous, and to fix upon such only as frequently occur in writing or speaking. If there be any of a different complexion, it is presumed that they are but few, and that they will be found under those rules only, which, from the nature of them could not have been otherwise clearly exemplified to young per sons. The examples applicable to the principal notes and observations, are carefully arranged under the respective rules of Syntax; and regularly numbered to make them correspond to the subordinate rules in the Grammar.

As many of the examples contain several errors in the same sentence, and some of them admit of various constructions in amending them, it has been thought proper to publish a KEY for ascertaining all the corrections; and this has been the more expedient from the work's being designed for the benefit of private learners, as well as for the use of schools. The KEY to the part on Orthography might have been omitted, had not some of the sentences contained so many words erroneously spelled, as to render it probable that several of them would, in that case, have been inadvertently passed over: especially by persons who may not have the advantage of a tutor. In forming the Key, it ap

peared to be more eligible, to repeat the sentences at large, with their corrections, than simply to exhibit the amendments by themselves. In the mode adopted the work has a more regular and uniform appearance; the correspondent parts may be more readily compared; and the propriety of the corrections will be more apparent and striking.

In a work which consists entirely of examples, and with which the learners will, consequently, be much occupied and impressed, the compiler would have deemed himself culpable, had he exhibited such sentences as contained ideas inapplicable to young minds, or which were of a trivial or injurious nature. He has, therefore, been solicitous to avoid all exceptionable matter; and to improve his work, by blending moral and useful observations with Grammatical studies. Even sentiments of a pious and religious nature, have not been thought improper to be occasionally inserted in these Exercises. The understanding and sensibility of young persons, are much underrated by those who think them incapable of comprehending and relishing that kind of instruction. The sense and love of goodness are early and deeply implanted in the human mind; and often, by their infant energies, surprise the intelligent observer: why, then, should not these emotious find their proper support and incentives, among the elements of learning? Congenial sentiments, thus disposed, besides making permanent impressions, may serve to cherish and expand those generous principles; or, at least, to prepare them for regular operation, at a future period. The importance of exhibiting to the youthful mind, the deformities of vice; and of giving it just and animating views of piety and virtue, makes it not only warrantable, but our duty also, to embrace every proper occasion to promote, in any degree, these valuable ends.

In presenting the learner with so great a number of examples, it was difficult to preserve them from too much uniformity. The Compiler has, however, been studious to give them an arrangement and diversity, as agreeable as the nature of the subject would admit; and to render them interesting, as well as intelligible and instructive, to young per

sons.

Holdgate, near York, 1797.

TO THE SEVENTH EDITION.*

The Author of this volume of Exercises, perceiving that it has been well received by the public, and that the demand for it still continues to increase, has felt it incumbent upon him to give the seventh edition every improvement in his power, without enhancing the price of the book.

Besides expunging some obscure and uninteresting sentences; inserting a number of examples adapted to the latest improvements in the grammar; and adding to the Syntax many useful exercises, he has subjoined to the part designed to promote perspicuous and accurate writing, a whole chapter (twelve pages) of promiscuous exercises, peculiarly adapted to this subject. As every other general division of the book was provided with a chapter of this nature, it is presumed that teachers and private students will approve of an addition so necessary to complete the plan of the work. It is calculated, at once, to confirm the learner in perspicuous and accurate writing, and to improve his taste for elegant composition.

In all the additional exercises to this. part of the book, the author has been careful to exhibit no inaccuracies but such as are frequently found in respectable writings. The display of vulgar and glaring errors, which no persons of education ever commit, would not be proper for a work of this nature, and could not fail to produce disapprobation and disgust.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE TENTH EDITION.

One of the chief improvements, made in the tenth edition of this work, consists in the abaptation of it, throughout, to an objective case of nouns. This case was adopted in the twelfth edition of the Grammar; and it is therefore indispensable, that the Exercises should conform to the alteration.*

As there are some teachers, who doubt the propiety of presenting exercises of bad English to youth of the junior

The improvements in the eighth edition, consist, chiefly, of" General Directions for using the Exercises," and of a new, enlarged system of Exercises in Parsing.

* See the reasons in favour of an Objective case for English nouns, at page 50, 51, of the Twelfth, or any subsequent edition of the Grammar.

classes, it seems proper in this place, to make a few observations on the subject.

The author is persuaded, that exercises of this nature eannot be too soon engaged in, by the student or grammar. Simple rules, and examples of rectitude, make light impression, compared with the effect of contrast, in which errors and corrections are opposed to each other. A child generally sees and hears so many instances of erroneous construction, that, unless he is early taught to distinguish and correct them, his imitative powers will be more influenced by error than by rectitude. Besidės, children, in detecting and amending errors, feel their own powers; and however small the exercise may be, it is a most pleasing and animating incentive to application and study. What they learn in this way, will not only gratify them: it will also improve their judgment and sagacity, and be long and accu rately remembered.

On these grounds, it is evident, that the practice of cor recting errors, should be introduced into the early stages of grammatical studies. Instead of exposing children to "the danger of evil communication." as some ingenious persons have supposed, it seems to be the best means of teaching them, first, to discover the irregularities, and then, to avoid the contagion, of bad examples.

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE TWELFTH EDITION.

THE reader will perceive, that a number of Notes and Critical Discussions has been inserted in appropriate parts of the Exercises and the Key. This was occasioned by the Grammar's having been set up, and not admitting of enlargement without an advance of its price. The author has, however, taken care to make proper references, under the correspondent rules in the Grammar, to all those additional notes and discussions. To this mode of supplying improvements, the reader will have the less objection, when he considers, that the Exercises and the Key are necessary appendages to the Grammar; and serve to illustrate and enforce, as well as to extend, its rules and positions. The three volumes are indeed intimately connected; and constitute one uniform system of English Grammar.