A

GRAMMAR

OF THE

ENGLISH LANGUAGE,

FOR THE USE OF

COMMERCIAL SCHOOLS.

BY

R. G. LATHAM, M. D.

LONDON:

TAYLOR, WALTON, & MABERLY,

UPPER GOWER STREET; AND IVY LANE, PATERNOSTER KOW.

1850.

PREFACE.

THE following pages are limited to the exhibition and explanation of the chief fundamental facts and principles in English Grammar, and in the History of the English Language; being, to a certain extent, preparatory to the larger works of the Author upon the same subjects.

The way in which the writer suggests that his book should be studied is as follows:

a. Each section (marked §), when it consists of a single paragraph, should be learned by heart.

b. When a section consists of more paragraphs than one, the first only should be learned by heart. The remainder should be

read by the pupil, and (if necessary) verbally explained, and enlarged upon by the teacher.

c. All lists of words, quotations, and words from foreign languages, should be written out. d. The first time the book is gone through, the parts in smaller type may be omitted.

e. Part I. may be gone through at the first, second, or third time of reading, according to the knowledge that the learner has of the English History. Part V. according to his knowledge of the English poetical literature. Such are the general principles of the method recommended.

Particular cases where they

must slightly be departed from will occur. These are matters for the discretion of the teacher.

The portions that will require the most illustration from the teacher, are Part II. (on the nature of Sounds, &c.), and the explanation of the logical terms, Proposition, Subject, and Copula.

The principle by which the writer has chiefly been directed is that of beginning with parti

culars, and gradually proceeding to generalities. In this he believes he follows the method best fitted for learners. Thus the particular changes that words undergo are dealt with in detail before the Parts of Speech and other more general questions are noticed.

The orthographical portion is chiefly a condensation of the Preface to Walker's Pronouncing Dictionary.