But there is another and a more serious cause of them, namely, the anomalies and imperfections with which the language abounds.  This latter circumstance is also the cause of the existence of so widely different opinions on many important points; and, moreover, the reason that the grammatical principles of our language can never be indisputably settled.  But principles ought not to be rejected because they admit of exceptions.—­He who is thoroughly acquainted with the genius and structure of our language, can duly appreciate the truth of these remarks.

* * * * *

Should parents object to the Compendium, fearing it will soon be destroyed by their children, they are informed that the pupil will not have occasion to use it one-tenth part as much as he will the book which it accompanies:  and besides, if it be destroyed, he will find all the definitions and rules which it contains, recapitulated in the series of Lectures.

HINTS TO TEACHERS AND PRIVATE LEARNERS.

As this work proposes a new mode of parsing, and pursues an arrangement essentially different from that generally adopted, it may not be deemed improper for the author to give some directions to those who may be disposed to use it.  Perhaps they who take only a slight view of the order of parsing, will not consider it new, but blend it with those long since adopted.  Some writers have, indeed, attempted plans somewhat similar; but in no instance have they reduced them to what the author considers a regular systematic order.

The methods which they have generally suggested, require the teacher to interrogate the pupil as he proceeds; or else he is permitted to parse without giving any explanations at all.  Others hint that the learner ought to apply definitions in a general way, but they lay down no systematic arrangement of questions as his guide.  The systematic order laid down in this work, if pursued by the pupil, compels him to apply every definition and every rule that appertains to each word he parses, without having a question put to him by the teacher; and, in so doing, he explains every word fully as he goes along.  This course enables the learner to proceed independently; and proves, at the same time, a great relief to the instructer.  The convenience and advantage of this method, are far greater than can be easily conceived by one who is unacquainted with it.  The author is, therefore, anxious to have the absurd practice, wherever it has been established, of causing learners to commit and recite definitions and rules without any simultaneous application of them to practical examples, immediately abolished.  This system obviates the necessity of pursuing such a stupid course of drudgery; for the young beginner who pursues it, will have, in a few weeks, all the most important definitions and rules perfectly committed, simply by applying them in parsing.