^16 Tm S:udy of Living Languages, [so. 4, netw series, 
proach'n? to a clean, hard surface. The road menders were qnite 
5 icauae they were doing something, bat if asked, why 
:^r. -iiAt produced an eflfect exactly the opposite to that which 
vras desired, they of course cifuld not have given a reason. Eoad- 
making has since been thoroughly investigated and though men 
hive n:: yet perhaps found out the best way of doing it, they have 
n: v 1 re-i::: for what they do, and' consequently a prodigious 
improvement in roads has been produced. 
It is high time that such a change fhould take place in reference 
to this subject now before us, and any attempt at an examination 
of it, with a view to a really sound system of study* should be accept- 
ed. 
The thoughts contained in the following paper are the results 
of such a consideration of the subject as could be given t: it in :be 
midst of duties of another kind during a period of more :y 
years. 
Circumstances have not allowed of the writer following np' the 
study cf any language, to any extent, having repeatedly moved, 
from where one language was spoken to where another was used, 
and his time being too much occupied with pressing business : nor 
has he had an opportunity of commencing the study of a language 
with such materials, as he here recommends, ready prepared to his 
hands. 
In the course of this long period however he has had an opportu- 
nity of trying his plans partially in several languages both on him- 
self and others, and thus of correcting in some measure his first 
ideas and forming something like a digested system in his own 
mind ; and he must sUte that as to the leading points in the sys- 
tem here proposed, he has quite satisfied himself. 
He has taken every opportunity of obtaining aid from others, 
both by reading works of teachers of languages in Europe, and 
also by trying to discuss the question with those who were study- 
ing and had studied such kind of living languages. From the 
former he has received some help, though often merely by being 
Uught what to avoid ; but from the latter he received no assistance, 
