part, to present as examples forms of expression which are correct, rather than those which are exceptionable. By becoming familiar with incorrect forms of speech, one is in danger of falling into the use of them, even though he may wish to follow the rule which condemns them. Language is largely a matter of imitation. Hence we infer the importance of a familiarity with good models. The labor and the difficulty of preparing a work upon the language like this, in which each part shall be exhibited in its specific distinctness, and the whole in its generic complexity, in such a manner as at once to satisfy the ripe scholar and to attract the learner, can not be readily appreciated. The exactness of certain sciences should not throughout be demanded. Many facts and principles pertaining to the language are indeed settled, but in respect to others, only an approximation to exactness can be expected. Authorities are often divided; those upon whom we rely may have fallen into error, and apparent facts often lead different scholars to opposite conclusions. The work, such as it is, is offered to the public, in the hope that it may prove a valuable help to those who desire a thorough acquaintance with the origin and history, the structure and laws, the elements and forms of the English language. Amherst, August, 1850. W. C. F. THE CLASSIFICATION OF LANGUAGES. 25. Remarks on Classification... 54 | 34. Sanscrit Family. 26. Schlegel's Classification.... 54 35. Iranian Family. 27. Classification adopted in this Work..... 28. Chinese Stock of Languages. 56 38. French Language. 29. Shemitic Stock of Languages 56 39. Spanish Language 30. Peculiarities of the Shemitic Languages.. 31. Classification of the Indo-European Stock.... 32. Synthetic and Analytic Languages. 40. Portuguese Language 36. Latin Family. 60 61 62 62 33. Characteristics of the IndoEuropean Languages..... 58 45. Romaic Language, or modern B THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 60. Origin of the Ethnographical 68. Language before the coming of the Normans.......... 84 STAGES AND PERIODS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 77. Specimens of Anglo-Saxon.. 93 | 80. Specimens of Old English.. 96 78. Lord's Prayer in Anglo-Sax- 81. Specimens of Middle English on, with a Grammatical Analysis... 97 93 82. Specimens of Modern En- 101 107 79. Specimens of Semi-Saxon... 95 83. Recapitulation. - - CHAPTER V. DIALECTS AND PROVINCIALISMS. 84. Dialects and Provincialisms 109 | 89. Dialect of East Anglia, or 85. Existing Diversities of Lan guage in England....... 109 90. Dialect of the Southern Coun 86. Sources of existing Diversi the Eastern Counties.... 112 ties.... 113 115 116 119 site... 99. Copiousness. CHARACTER OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. 98. English Language compo- 103. English Grammar and the 100. Number of Anglo-Saxon Division into Syllables.. 160 143. Combinations in Words... 162 140. Principles of Division..... 161 144. Monosyllabic Character of 141. Rules of Syllabication..... 161 145. Classical Accent.. 146. English Accent.. the English Language... 163 CHAPTER IV. ACCENT. 165 150. Accent on Trisyllables.... 167 165 151. Accent on Polysyllables... 167 147. Rules for English Accent. 166 152. Definition of Emphasis, and 153. Classic or Syllabic Quan tity... 156. Dependent and Independent 170 169 157. Common Rules. 154. English or Vowel Quantity 169 158. Relation of Accent to Quan155. Two modes of Measurement 169 170 171 tity.. |