English grammar: an advanced course of lessons in language

Front matter

UNITED STATES OP AMERICA.!

HADLEY'S SERIES

AN ADVANCED COURSE

Preface

This volume has been prepared to supplement Hadley's Lessons in Language, but may be used independently. It is designed to be an exponent of the improved methods of teaching all subjects, and in the department to which it is devoted, we think it will be found well adapted to the training of pupils in the correct and ready use of the English language. Through this training and the investigation which it necessitates, pupils will come to comprehend and appreciate the Jaws of language.

A long experience in different grades of schools has convinced the authors that a work is needed as a substitute, on the one hand, for books that contain chiefly statements and rules, and, on the other, for purely oral instruction, which, however excellent, is apt to be desultory and to lead to an indisposition to study a subject thoroughly.

The standard language of any people is not formed or materially modified by the arbitrary rules of any author on grammar. Grammar is a codifying of the laws of the language. These are derived from an examination of the structure. After long observation and comparison of facts, by induction we reach them. Hence, is it not proper that pupils should be trained to investigate, examine the language as it is, compare, search out and give expression to those laws? Will not such a course tend to fit them both for practical life and independent research?

The ability to parse, analyze sentences and perform kindred exercises, is no guarantee of ability to successfully use language ; henco. we have given an abundance of composing exercises which exemplify the application of laws.

The method employed may, with propriety, be called the developement method. By it the pupil is led from his intuitions and discoveries to derive his own conclusions. Hence, the book is peculiar, in that many subjects are taught by a series of questions, to none of which

PREFACE.

have we given answers. It is hoped that these have been so carefully and logically prepared, that the answering of one fits the pupil to sucessfully master the next, and thus by his own efforts to reach an intelligent result.

As a preparation for recitation, we expect these questions to be patiently studied and mastered by the pupil. The conclusions reached, as contained in the abstract statements, should be memorized.

We have not tried to shun the beaten path where we found it smooth, properly graded and leading in the right direction ; neither have we followed any path that did not seem to lead to our desired object in such manner as to give to the pupil's mind the greatest amount of thought-culture and practical knowledge.

We invite attention to our forms for analysis, parsing, &c, — the distinguishing feature of which is, that the order of expression is the same as the necessary order of thought, — thus compelling pupils to think before they speak.

We expect the book to find little favor with the mechanical, routine teacher, or task-master, who is accustomed to measure his success by the amount of cramming done, but we hope to find its friends among the patient, earnest teachers, who value the awakening ot one thought more than the memorizing of many words, rules, forms and definitions. To such we entrust it, believing that they will find reflected from its pages much that is in harmony with their own experience, and we hope that they will discover in it a vitality that will tend to throw a charm around the study and use of the English language.

Contents

PAGE.

Classes of Sentences, . .............. 10

Simple Predicate, 16