216 The Study of Living Languages, [no. 4, new series, 



proaching to a clean, hard surface. The road menders were quite 

 satisfied because they were doing something, but if asked, why 

 they did what produced an effect exactly the opposite to that which 

 was desired, they of course could not have given a reason. Road- 

 making has since been thoroughly investigated and though men 

 have not yet perhaps found out the best way of doing it, they have 

 now a real reason for what they do, and consequently a prodigious 

 improvement in roads has been produced. 



It is high time that such a change should 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 to it in the 

 midst of duties of another kind during a period of more than thirty 

 years. 



Circumstances have not allowed of the writer following up the 

 study of 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 state 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 

 taught what to avoid ; but from the latter he received no assistance, 



