i^pl- remarks on grammar. 173 



:and thus mistaking particular aberrations for general 

 principles. Englifh grammar, in particular, by be- 

 ing thus decked out in a Roman drefs, makes a most 

 ridiculous and, absurd appearance : Excellencies have 

 been pointed out as defects ; and more puerili- 

 ties have . been gravely uttered by learned men on 

 this subject, than perhaps on any other that can be 

 named. The man who fhould difsipate those clouds 

 which obscure this subject, would perform an impor- 

 tant service to society ; but where Ihall such a m&n 

 be found i* Few have the talents requisite for this 

 talk ; few have resolution to expose themselves to the 

 obloquy that must be incurred, by opposing, singly, 

 the current of erroneous opinions that have been ge- 

 nerally adopted ; and fewer still have time and incli- 

 nation to apply these talents to this use. Tliere is 

 something, however, so beautiful in that simplicity, 

 whichns discoverable in nature, when it is perceived 

 that all languages are, and necefsarily must be ra- 

 dically the same ; and it affords such a pleasing ex- 

 ercise to a scientific mind to be able distinctly to spe- 

 cify these radical principles of language, and to 

 mark the lefser deflections, omifsions, ?.nd variations 

 -of particular languages, which constituted their dis- 

 tinctive peculiarities, that we cannot help wondering 

 tliat it fliould liave been so long neglected ; for as to 

 the few attempts that have been made at this, under the 

 name of grammar, in modern times, these have been 

 all written under the over-ruling imprcfsions of a 

 prejudiced education, and by no means answer the in- 

 tention in any degree, serving only to perplex the 

 ■subject instead of elucidating it. In an introduction 

 vo/,. vii. M M f 



