Higher lessons in English

de Reed, Alonzo, Brainerd Kellogg

The aim of this work is to make the science of the language, of which all the essentials are thoroughly presented, tributary to the art of expression. Every principle unfolded in the "Hints," and every idiom, common construction, and form, learned by the pupil in the analysis and parsing of the wide range of sentences given, is fixed in memory and, above all, in practice by varied and exhaustive drill in composition. The pupil is constantly stimulated to the attractive labor of composing sentences, arranging and rearranging their parts, contracting, expanding, punctuating, and criticizing them -- the analysis furnishing him materials for the synthesis, and the synthesis supplementing the analysis. Even if the study of grammar were only to Lodge in the memory the facts and principles of the language, we contend that this could be done only by work and composition -- this, and this only, can make them permanent possessions. The first half of the book is devoted to "The Sentence and the Parts of Speech;" the next thirty pages to "Parts of Speech Subdivided;" the next seventy to "Modifications of the Parts of Speech;" and the remaining thirty to composition. - Preface.