and come into general use; and when, by this means, the language shall be written with sufficient uniformity, we may hope to see a complete grammar of it.  At present, it is by no means ripe for such a work;[82] but we may approximate to it very fast, if all persons who are qualified to make remarks upon it, will give a little attention to the subject.  In such a case, a few years might be sufficient to complete it.”—­Priestley’s Grammar, Preface, p. xv.  In point of time, both Ash and Priestley expressly claim priority to Lowth, for their first editions; but the former having allowed his work to be afterwards entitled an Introduction to Lowth’s, and the latter having acknowledged some improvements in his from the same source, they have both been regarded as later authors.

35.  The great work of the learned etymologist John Horne Tooke, consists of two octavo volumes, entitled, “EPEA PTEROENTA, or the Diversions of Purley.”  This work explains, with admirable sagacity, the origin and primitive import of many of the most common yet most obscure English words; and is, for that reason, a valuable performance.  But as it contains nothing respecting the construction of the language, and embraces no proper system of grammatical doctrines, it is a great error to suppose that the common principles of practical grammar ought to give place to such instructions, or even be modelled according to what the author proves to be true in respect to the origin of particular words.  The common grammarians were less confuted by him, than many of his readers have imagined; and it ought not to be forgotten that his purpose was as different from theirs, as are their schemes of Grammar from the plan of his critical “Diversions.”  In this connexion may be mentioned an other work of similar size and purpose, but more comprehensive in design; the “History of European Languages,” by that astonishing linguist the late Dr. Alexander Murray.  This work was left unfinished by its lamented author; but it will remain a monument of erudition never surpassed, acquired in spite of wants and difficulties as great as diligence ever surmounted.  Like Tooke’s volumes, it is however of little use to the mere English scholar.  It can be read to advantage only by those who are acquainted with several other languages.  The works of Crombie and Coote are more properly essays or dissertations, than elementary systems of grammar.

36.  The number of English grammars has now become so very great, that not even a general idea of the comparative merits or defects of each can here be given.  I have examined with some diligence all that I have had opportunity to obtain; but have heard of several which I have never yet seen.  Whoever is curious to examine at large what has been published on this subject, and thus to qualify himself to judge the better of any new grammar, may easily make a collection of one or two hundred bearing different names.