1. In this work the leading principles, definitions, and rules, forming by themselves an epitome of Grammar, are printed in larger type, and expressed in brief, accurate, and simple language, so as to be easily committed to memory.
2. All that is necessary to fill up this outline, and with it to form a complete school grammar, is inserted in its place in smaller type in Observations and Remarks, not to be committed to memory, but to be studied more fully in connection with the leading parts, in subsequent reviews.
3. The whole is perspicuously arranged under distinct sections and heads, all of which are numbered separately; and now, in addition to this, all the paragraphs are numbered by a running series of numbers, rendering it easy to refer to any particular part.
4. At the close of each part of speech, and frequently at intervals under different heads, Exercises, simple and easy, are introduced, for the purpose of rendering the pupil familiar with each step as he goes along, and better prepared for entering on that which is to follow.
5. The leading rules of Syntax always stand at the top of the page; and under each is presented, in special rules, in small type, or in observations and remarks in type still smaller, all that is necessary to complete or explain the subject of which it treats; and then under these are furnished examples of false Syntax to be corrected-an exercise of great importance, to render the principles previously studied, and their use, familiar to the pupil.
6. For the same purpose, numerous examples of false Syntax under all the rules are furnished at the end, promiscuously arranged. In correcting these, it will always be proper to shew wherein they are wrong, mention the rule which they violate, and give the rule or the reason for the change made.
7. In Analysis and Parsing, it is important that one uniform method, the shorter the better, provided it be accurate and full, should be pursued; either that here recommended, or such other as the teacher may prefer; and that the rules, when repeated, be repeated accurately in the very words of the text.
8. The subject of Composition, at the end of the book, will be a profitable study for the pupil after he has studied the grammar, and furnish the means of constantly applying its principles.
By pursuing this method, the study of Grammar, instead of being, as it is usually considered, a dry and laborious exercise of memory, becomes, from the first, practical, intellectual, and interesting; so that with but little labor, almost imperceptibly, and in a very short time, the pupil becomes a proficient in this important branch of study.