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ENGLISH GRAMMAR

SIMPLIFIED;

DESIGNED

TO FACILITATE THE STUDY OF THE

ENGLISH L
LANGUAGE,

COMPREHENDING THE

PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR,

ILLUSTRATED BY

APPROPRIATE EXERCISES.

TO WHICH

IS ADDED A SERIES OF

QUESTIONS FOR EXAMINATION.

ABRIDGED FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS.

BY ALLEN FISK,

Author of Adam's Latin Grammar Simplified.

The principles of knowledge become most intelligible to young persons when
they are explained and inculcated by practical illustration and direction.

HALLOWELL:

GLAZIER, MASTERS & SMITH.

MURRAY.

1

HARVARD
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

04-74172

ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1836, by ALLEN FISK, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine.

INTRODUCTION.

LINDLEY MURRAY'S English Grammar has been so long an inmate of our academies and schools of almost every grade, that its merits are familiar to all. It has stood the test of criticism, and been pronounced by the best judges, both in this country and in Great Britain, the most complete English Grammar extant. Indeed, it is generally allowed, that Mr. MURRAY has done more to elucidate the principles of our language, and to fix our grammar on its only just foundation, the established practice of our best speakers and writers, than any other grammarian whatever. His Grammar is therefore justly considered a standard work, whose authority may be appealed to with safety, on doubtful or disputed points.

Mr. Murray observes, in the Introduction to his Grammar, that “A "distinct general view, or outline, of all the parts of the study in "which they are engaged; a gradual and judicious supply of this "outline; and a due arrangement of the divisions, according to their "natural order and connexion, appear to be among the best means "of enlightening the minds of youth, and of facilitating their ac"quisition of knowledge."-The method which he has adopted, of exhibiting the performance in characters of different sizes, will, he "trusts, be conducive to that gradual and regular procedure, which "is so favorable to the business of instruction. The more import"ant rules, definitions, and observations, and which are, therefore, "the most proper to be committed to memory, are printed with a "larger type; whilst rules, and remarks, that are of less consequence, that extend or diversify the general idea, or that serve as "explanations, are contained in the smaller letter;-these, or the "chief of them, will be perused by the student to the greatest ad"vantage, if postponed till the general system be completed."

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This hint suggested the arrangement of the following work. The General View comprises what Mr. Murray had printed in the larger type; whilst the rules and remarks of minor importance, with such familiar explanations as the nature of the subject and the capacity of youth seemed to require, are ranged together under appropriate heads in the Lectures. To the compiler it appeared, that an outline of English grammar, containing the general principles, and more important rules in a distinct body by themselves and within the compass of a few pages, would be calculated to make a clearer and therefore a more durable impression on the learner's memory,

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