Excerpt from The Rudiments of the Latin Tongue, or a Plain and Easy Introduction to Latin Grammar: Wherein the Principles of the Language Are Methodically Digested, Both in English and Latin; With Useful Notes and Observations

I have long observed that those of our country whose business it is to direct the studies 'of Youth, are greatly divided about'what'an Introduction to Latin Grammar Ought properly to contain, and in what Language i-ts pre cepts should be conveyed. Some are for contracting it into as narrow limits as is possible, and not to burden the memory Of the learner with any thing but what is essen tial and absolutely necessary; while others contend that this is too general, and not sufficient to direct his practice, without the addition Of mbre particular rules. Again, though the greater part incline to have the first principles of Grammar communicated in a known language, there are not a few, and of these some persons Of distinction, who are still for retaining them in Latin, which, though attended at first with more difficulty, makes (in their judg ment) a more lasting impression on the mind, and carries the learner more directly to the habit of speaking Latin, a practice much used in'our Schools. It appeared next to an impossibility to satisfy so many different Opinions: How evbr, the method I have taken seems to bid fairest for it; for I' have reduced the substance of these Rudiments into a sort of Text, and have given the Latin an English Veri sion, leaving the Master to his own choice 'and discretion which to use. And, that none may Complain that the T ext is too compendious, I have subjoined large Notes, which I humbly concelve will supply that defect.

About the Publisher

Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com

This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.