in general, exemplified in his own Language be then will apply himself with great advant tage to the study of any other. To enter at once upon the Science of Grammar, and the Study of a foreign Language, is to encounter two difficulties together, each of which would be much leffened by being taken feparately and in its proper order. For thefe plain reafons, a competent grammatical knowledge of our own language is the true foundation, upon which all Literature, properly fo called, ought to be raifed. If this method were adopted in our Schools; if children were firft taught the common principles of Grammar, by fome short and clear Syftem of English Grammar, which happily by its fimplicity and facility is per baps fitter than that of any other Language. for fuch a purpose; they would have fome notion of what they were going about, when they should enter into the Latin Grammar; and would hardly be engaged fo many years, as they now are, in that most irksome and difficult part of Literature, with fo much labour of

the

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the memory, and with fo little affistance of the understanding and riga

A defign fomewhat of this kind gave occafion to the following little fyftem, intended merely for a private and domeftic sufe. The chief end of it was to explain the general principles of Grammar, as clearly and intelligibly as poffible. In the definitions, there fore, eafinefs and perfpicuity have been some¬ times preferred to logical exactness. The com mon divifions have been complied with, as far as reafon and truth would permit. The known and received terms have been retained; except in one or two inftances, where others of fered themselves, which feemed much more fignificant. All difquifitions, which appeared to have more of fubtilty than of usefulness in them, have been avoided. In a word, it was calculated for the use of the learner, even of the lowest class. Thofe, who would enter. more deeply into this Subject, will find it fully and accurately handled, with the greatest acuteness of investigation, perfpicuity of explication, and elegance of method, in a treatise

intitled

intitled HERMES, by JAMES HARRIS, Efq; the most beautiful and perfect example of Analyfis, that has been exhibited fince the days of Ariftotle.

The author is greatly obliged to feveral Learned Gentlemen, who have favoured him with their remarks upon the first Edition, which was indeed principally defigned to procure their affiftance, and to try the judgement of the public. He hath endeavoured to weigh their obfervations, without prejudice or partiality; and to make the best use of the lights, which they have afforded him. He hath been enabled to correct feveral mistakes; and encouraged carefully to revife the whole, and to give it all the improvement which his prefent materials can furnish. He hopes for the continuance of their favour, as he is fenfible there will still be abundant occafion for it. A fyftem of this kind, arifing from the collection and arrangement of a multitude of minute particulars, which often elude the most careful fearch, and fometimes efcape obfervation when they are most obvious, must always Stand

4.

ftand in need of improvement. It is indeed the neceffary condition of every work of human art or Science, fmall as well as great, to advance towards perfection by flow degrees; by an approximation, which, though it still may carry it forward, yet will certainly never bring it to the point to which it tends.

A SHORT