MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 519 



details are, so far as we can see, tolerably accurate, the arrangement is lucid 

 and judicious, and the style is on the whole attractive: but still it is not what 

 we should term a classical student's manual. In such a manual we expect the 

 authorities for facts to be given and a course of collateral reading recommended 

 as illustrative of the original historians in each period, not a course of German 

 reading, but of English, French, or German reading, the best that might tend 

 to throw a light on the more ancient writings. The writer borrows largely 

 from Heeren and other Germans, but he fails in giving those broad views of 

 ancient politics which are often furnished by a single word or sentence of the 

 illustrious professor of Gottingen. Heeren's work might undoubtedly be im- 

 proved ; but we think that Dr. Taylor has not employed the proper means to 

 accomplish that desirable end. 



An Etymological Analysis of Latin Verbs, for the Use of Schools 

 and Colleges. By Alexander Allen. 



THE philosophical study of language appears almost unknown in this country. 

 The barbarous grammars that still retain a wide and extensive circulation 

 afford ample proof, if any were wanted, of the ignorance that prevails. 

 Within the last few years a decided improvement has taken place. In Ger- 

 many there have been works published, especially on the Greek language, 

 which display a sound knowledge of the principles of philology, and of all the 

 various forms which the words of the language have assumed in different 

 periods. The names of Buttman and Thiersch must be familiar to every 

 student, and the translation of MS. works of these distinguished scholars into 

 the English language, has materially improved the method on which the 

 Greek language is studied in this country ; but while much has been done for 

 the Greek, the Latin appears to have been almost totally neglected ; we there- 

 fore have been much gratified by the perusal of Mr. Allen's work. It contains 

 a sound analysis of the construction of the language, and an explanation of 

 almost all the anomalies of its etymology. Though we may not agree with 

 the learned author in every minute detail, yet we most fully concur in 

 almost all his principles, and would recommend all scholars to peruse Mr. 

 Allen's book, which will certainly instruct them in many particulars which 

 have not heretofore been properly understood by English scholars. 



ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. 



First progressive Latin Exercises, adapted to Hiley's Grammar. 



By R. Hiley. 12mo. Simpkin and Marshall. 

 First steps to Latin-writing, adapted to the Eton Grammar. By 



G. F. Graham. 12mo. Bailey. 



IT is an easy thing to turn over the leaves of a book on general literature, to 

 get some crude notions of its contents, and to indite the results of so hurried 

 a perusal. This practice is too frequently that of reviewers when writing 

 recommendatory notices of school-books. Nothing requires talent and ex- 

 perience in teaching more than the writing of an elementary book. Merely 

 to write a few exercises explanatory of a particular grammar, good or bad, is 

 doing nothing. It is doing what is only one degree better than making boys 

 commit to memory the dead formulae grammar. To write a good elementary 

 book on Latin-writing, and it is that which is so much wanted, the teacher 

 should first consider the degree of receptivity usual with children, and the 

 order in which the matter should be presented to young minds. In Mr. 

 Hilev's book we find fifty-seven, in Mr. Grah&m's fifty-eight pages devoted to 

 etymology only, without any reference to the construction of words in the 

 most simple sentences. Now the opinion that we have always held in com- 

 mon with many teachers and literati of great eminence, about teaching 



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