the genius of their vernacular tongue, is of primary importance to all who would cultivate a literary taste, and is a necessary introduction to the study of other languages.  And it may here be observed, for the encouragement of the student, that as grammar is essentially the same thing in all languages, he who has well mastered that of his own, has overcome more than half the difficulty of learning another; and he whose knowledge of words is the most extensive, has the fewest obstacles to encounter in proceeding further.

17.  It was the “original design” of grammar, says Dr. Adam, to facilitate “the acquisition of languages;” and, of all practical treatises on the subject, this is still the main purpose.  In those books which are to prepare the learner to translate from one tongue into another, seldom is any thing else attempted.  In those also which profess to explain the right use of vernacular speech, must the same purpose be ever paramount, and the “original design” be kept in view.  But the grammarian may teach many things incidentally.  One cannot learn a language, without learning at the same time a great many opinions, facts, and principles, of some kind or other, which are necessarily embodied in it.  For all language proceeds from, and is addressed to, the understanding; and he that perceives not the meaning of what he reads, makes no acquisition even of the language itself.  To the science of grammar, the nature of the ideas conveyed by casual examples, is not very essential:  to the learner, it is highly important.  The best thoughts in the best diction should furnish the models for youthful study and imitation; because such language is not only the most worthy to be remembered, but the most easy to be understood.  A distinction is also to be made between use and abuse.  In nonsense, absurdity, or falsehood, there can never be any grammatical authority; because, however language may be abused, the usage which gives law to speech, is still that usage which is founded upon the common sense of mankind.

18.  Grammar appeals to reason, as well as to authority, but to what extent it should do so, has been matter of dispute.  “The knowledge of useful arts,” says Sanctius, “is not an invention of human ingenuity, but an emanation from the Deity, descending from above for the use of man, as Minerva sprung from the brain of Jupiter.  Wherefore, unless thou give thyself wholly to laborious research into the nature of things, and diligently examine the causes and reasons of the art thou teachest, believe me, thou shalt but see with other men’s eyes, and hear with other men’s ears.  But the minds of many are preoccupied with a certain perverse opinion, or rather ignorant conceit, that in grammar, or the art of speaking, there are no causes, and that reason is scarcely to be appealed to for any thing;—­than which idle notion, I know of nothing more foolish;—­nothing can be thought of which is more offensive.  Shall man, endowed with reason, do, say, or contrive any thing, without design, and without understanding?  Hear the philosophers; who positively declare that nothing comes to pass without a cause.  Hear Plato himself; who affirms that names and words subsist by nature, and contends that language is derived from nature, and not from art.”