44 



incapable of those selfish considerations which would defend over- 

 sights at the expence of the cause in which they so zealously la- 

 boured. 1 now proceed to the last published Grammar of our 

 language ; and it gives me pleasure, that the author is living 

 to vindicate his opinions if wrongfully charged with error For 

 my part, I shall chearfully and thankfully acknowledge my er- 

 ror when it shall be pointed out, nor shall I consider it unreasonable 

 if in justice it be meted to me as I deal to others. I am not so 

 vain as to pass over in myself those faults which I censure in my 

 neighbour, or so forgetful of the admonition. — " Thou hypocrite, 

 cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see 

 clearly to cast the mote out of thy brother's eye." — Math. vii. 5. 



O'REILLY'S IRISH GRAMMAR.— Dublin, 1821. 



This is entitled " A compendious Irish Grammar," and is an- 

 nexed to the author's Irish-English Dictionary. It is evidently the 

 compilation of one ignorant of Irish as a living language, and ac- 

 quainted with it only through the medium of books. In the preface 

 the author says, " In my grammar I have ventured to deviate a little 

 from those who have gone before me, with what degree of propriety 

 it is for others to decide." Availing ourselves of that freedom, we 

 shall now proceed to the task ; and first of the 1st chapter, compriz- 

 ing Orthography. Of the Letters only a mere classification is 

 given, and the reason stated for not treating of their sounds and 

 powers is, that so much had been before said on that subject, but 

 little was then necessary to be said by him. Even that " little that 

 was then necessary," and which, it is presumed, ought to be what the 

 other grammarians have left unsaid, the author has forgotten. The 

 The cause of this omission is evident. It is impossible for any 



