ENGLISH GRAMMAR, ADAPTED TO THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF LEARNERS. WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING RULES AND OBSERVATIONS FER ASSISTING THE MORE ADVANCED STUDENTS TO WRITE WITH PERSPICUITY AND ACCURACY. "They who are learning to compose and arrange their sentences with accuracy BY LINDLEY MURRAY. BLAIR STEREOTYPED BY B AND J. COLLINS, FROM THE LAST BRIDGEPORT, (CON.) PUBLISHED BY J. B. & L. BALDWIN. 1831. General Library Systor Madison, WI 53706-1494 262834 M91 FEB,15 1928 1831 XG INTRODUCTION. 1041 WHEN the number and variety of English Grammars already published, and the ability with which some of them are written, are considered, little can be expected from a new compilation, besides a careful selection of the most useful matter. and some degree of improvement in the mode of adapting it to the understanding, and the gradual progress of learners. In these respects something, perhaps, may yet be done, for the ease and advantage of young persons. IN books designed for the instruction of youth, there is a medium to be observed, between treating the subject in so exten sive and minute a manner, as to embarrass and confuse their minds, by offering too much at once for their comprehension; and, on the other hand, conducting it by such short and general precepts and observations, as convey to them no clear and precise information. A distribution of the parts, which is either defective or irregular, has also a tendency to perplex the young understanling, and to retard its knowledge of the principles of literature. A distinct general view, or outline, of all the essential parts of the study in which they are engaged; a gradual and judous supply of this outline; and a due arrangement of the divisions, according to their natural order and connexion, appear to be among the best means of enlightening the minds of youth, and of facilitating their acquisition of knowledge The author of this work, at the same time that he has endea voured to avoid a plan, which may be too concise or too extensive, defective in its parts or irregular in their disposition, has studied to render his subject sufficiently easy, intelligible, and comprehensive. He does not presume to have completely at · tained these objects. How far he has succeeded in the attempt, and wherein he has failed, must be referred to the determina. tion of the judicious and candid reader. THE method which he has adopted, of exhibiting the performance in characters of different sizes, will, he trusts, be conducive to that gradual and regular procedure, which is so favouraole to the business of instruction. The more important rules, lefinitions, and observations, and which are therefore the most proper to be committed to memory, are printed with a larger type; whilst rules and remarks that are of es consequence that extend or diversify the general idea, or that serve as explanations, ara contained in the smaller letter: these, or the |