A Book About Words

by G. F. Graham

‘The principle adopted in this little work is a sound one. Most English grammars consist exclusively of abstract rules intended to be committed to memory. But it may be reasonably doubted whether rules are of much value to a young student, as in many cases they are not clearly understood. To be of real utility, a grammatical rule should be immediately followed by an exercise, in which the principle is practically applied and illustrated. On this plan Mr. Graham has aimed at exciting an interest in the youthful mind by the simplicity and clearness of his rules, and by the exercises which serve alike to illustrate them and to test the extent of the scholar’s comprehension of them. We warmly commend his thoroughly practical work to the attention of teachers and of parents generally.’

Midland Counties Herald.

STUDIES from the ENGLISH POETS: a Reading-Book intended principally for the Higher Classes in Schools, but adapted also for Home Teaching. Revised Edition, fcp. 8vo. 5s.

This work differs from most of the kind in the method of selection, the pieces being taken from only a few of the best of the English classics, namely, Cowper, Collins, Goldsmith, Gray, Milton, Pope, and Shakspeare. The strikingly beautiful passages are printed in italics; explanatory notes and illustrations are given; and Questions are appended for examination and exercise in English composition.

ENGLISH; or, the Art of Composition Explained in a Series of Instructions and Examples. Revised Edition, fcp. 8vo. 5s.

HELPS to ENGLISH GRAMMAR; or, Easy Exercises for Young Children; an improved Spelling and Reading made Easy, combined. Revised Edition, fcp. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

The object of this little work, which is an improved Spelling and Reading made Easy combined, is to give the child who has mastered the alphabet distinct ideas on the nature of words and the grammatical structure of sentences; and it is intended to be put into the pupil’s hands before he begins the regular study of grammar. The principle of the work is illustration by example and by frequent repetition, with a view to bring into action a child’s powers of discrimination from his earliest conception of a combination of spoken or written words to convey an idea. In order to accomplish this end, neither a rule nor an explanation is given which is not immediately exemplified in an exercise.

The book having no higher aim than to prepare the pupil’s mind for grammatical studies, syntax and prosody are entirely omitted; and the abstruse nomenclature of the rudiments is freed from technicality. The simpler definitions are addressed to the eye, wherever practicable, in woodcuts; and the arrow is adopted to show the connection by action or motion between persons and things. Great care has been taken to make the rules and explanations as clear as possible, in the hope of lightening the labour of the teacher, and of exciting the learner’s interest in what he too commonly finds a dry and repulsive task.

ENGLISH SPELLING, with Rules and Exercises; Intended as a Class-Book for Schools, or for Home Teaching. 1s. 6d.

ENGLISH STYLE; or, a Course of Instruction for the Attainment of a good Style of Writing: with an Historical Sketch of the English Language, and brief Remarks on its Nature and Genius. Second Edition, revised, fcp. 8vo. price 6s.