Synopsis
. 1825 : ... ADDITIONS AND NOTES. Page i. Grammar is the art of reading, writing, and speaking a language with correctness. The grammar of any language includes what is common to all languages, and what is peculiar to it individually; the general rules of the language, and the established exceptions; the actual usage, and the probable causes. Grammar, therefore, is nothing else than the judgement of good sense and experience upon the language which a person reads, writes or speaks: yet in explaining its causes, inter virtutes grammatici habebitur aliqua nescire, Quintil. Instit. 1. 8. It deserves to be particularly noticed, that every accurate grammar of a language should be formed with the design of enabling the learner not only to translate from, but also to speak and write the original language. It is only by aiming to speak and write a language, that a person can become acquainted with its minute peculiarities and difficulties; and it is chiefly from neglecting this end that so many grammars are very defective. It will thus be necessary to descend to minutiae, and to notice many almost imperceptible shades and niceties; and because grammar seems to dwell so much on what is minute and subtle, many are disposed to think it trifling. But if it be recollected that the elements of all knowledge are what Livy calls miracula literarum, the letters of the alphabet; and that all real and effective knowledge is attained by descending into minute differences, it will hardly be necessary to vindicate grammar from this reproach. Ne quis igitur tamquam parva fastidiat grammatices elementa: non quia magnas sit operce, consonantes a vocalibus discernere, ipasque eas in semivocalium numerum, mutarumque partiri: sed quia interiora velut sacri huius adeuntibus apparebit multa rerum subtilitas, quae non modo acuere ingenia puerilia, sed exercere altissimam quoque eruditionem ac scientiam possit, Quintil. 1. 4. Levia quidem haec, et parvi forte, si per se spectentur, momenti. S...
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