so as to be capable of a distinct pronunciation.  But this change must be gradually effected.  From the spelling adopted two centuries ago, a wonderful improvement has taken place.  And we have not yet gone beyond the possibility of improvement.  Let us not be too sensitive on this point, nor too tenacious of old forms.  Most of our dictionaries differ in many respects in regard to the true system of orthography, and our true course is to adopt every improvement which is offered.  Thro out this work we shall spell some words different from what is customary, but intend not, thereby, to incur the ignominy of bad spellers.  Let small improvements be adopted, and our language may soon be redeemed from the difficulties which have perplexed beginners in their first attempts to convey ideas by written words.[1]

In that department of language denominated Etymology, we shall contend that all words are reducible to two general classes, nouns and verbs; or, things and actions.  We shall, however, admit of subdivisions, and treat of pronouns, adjectives, and contractions.  We shall contend for only two cases of nouns, one kind of pronouns, one kind of verbs, that all are active; three modes, and as many tenses; that articles, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections, have no distinctive character, no existence, in fact, to warrant a “local habitation or a name.”

In the composition of sentences, a few general rules of Syntax may be given; but the principal object to be obtained, is the possession of correct ideas derived from a knowledge of things, and the most approved words to express them; the combination of words in a sentence will readily enough follow.

Prosody relates to the quantity of syllables, rules of accent and pronunciation, and the arrangement of syllables and words so as to produce harmony.  It applies specially to versification.  As our object is not to make poets, who, it is said, “are born, and not made,” but to teach the true principles of language, we shall give no attention to this finishing stroke of composition.

In our next we shall lay before you the principles upon which all language depends, and the process by which its use is to be acquired.

LECTURE II.

FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE.

General principles of Language.—­Business of Grammar.—­Children are Philosophers.—­Things, ideas, and words.—­Actions.—­Qualities of things.—­Words without ideas.—­Grammatical terms inappropriate.—­ Principles of Language permanent.—­Errors in mental science.—­Facts admit of no change.—­Complex ideas.—­Ideas of qualities.—­An example.—­New ideas.—­Unknown words.—­Signs without things signified.—­Fixed laws regulate matter and mind.

All language depends on two general principles.

First. The fixed and unvarying laws of nature which regulate matter and mind.