The Improved System of English Grammar, with copious Ex.; ercises,
by Mr. CONNEL, is as good a little compendium of the subject as is to be met with ; but we never cease to be struck with the absurdity of putting grammar-books into the hands of children'. This grammar, like most others, begins with definitions, and is indeed composed of them ; which must necessarily serve no other purpose than that of confounding the intellect of a child. For instance, this is the beginning- " English grammar is that branch of knowledge which teaches the prin- ciples of the English language. " It is divided into four parts; viz. Orthography, Etymology, Syntax, and Prosody.
"PART FIRST—ORTHOGRAPHY.
" Orthography consists in a knowledge of letters, and of their combina- tion to form words.
" A letter is a particular mark or character, used to denote an articulate sound.
" An articulate sound is a sound formed by the organs of speech."
How much wiser is a child for puzzling himself in committing this to memory ? Why should he be bothered with a definition of orthography ? If he can spell and know a word When he sees it, it is quite enough for him. When he has got ideas in his head, it will be time enough to come to the analysis of language, the most subtile and abstract of studies.
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