Lectures on Language | Page 2

I am, gentlemen, Very respectfully yours, WM. S. BALCH.

PREFACE.
There is no subject so deeply interesting and important to rational
beings as the knowledge of language, or one which presents a more
direct and powerful claim upon all classes in the community; for there
is no other so closely interwoven with all the affairs of human life,

social, moral, political and religious. It forms a basis on which depends
a vast portion of the happiness of mankind, and deserves the first
attention of every philanthropist.
Great difficulty has been experienced in the common method of
explaining language, and grammar has long been considered a dry,
uninteresting, and tedious study, by nearly all the teachers and scholars
in the land. But it is to be presumed that the fault in this case, if there is
any, is to be sought for in the manner of teaching, rather than in the
science itself; for it would be unreasonable to suppose that a subject
which occupies the earliest attention of the parent, which is acquired at
great expense of money, time, and thought, and is employed from the
cradle to the grave, in all our waking hours, can possibly be dull or
unimportant, if rightly explained.
Children have been required to learn verbal forms and changes, to look
at the mere signs of ideas, instead of the things represented by them.
The consequence has been that the whole subject has become
uninteresting to all who do not possess a retentive verbal memory. The
philosophy of language, the sublime principles on which it depends for
its existence and use, have not been sufficiently regarded to render it
delightful and profitable.
The humble attempt here made is designed to open the way for an
exposition of language on truly philosophical principles, which, when
correctly explained, are abundantly simple and extensively useful. With
what success this point has been labored the reader will determine.
The author claims not the honor of entire originality. The principles
here advanced have been advocated, believed, and successfully
practised. William S. Cardell, Esq., a bright star in the firmament of
American literature, reduced these principles to a system, which was
taught with triumphant success by Daniel H. Barnes, formerly of the
New-York High School, one of the most distinguished teachers who
ever officiated in that high and responsible capacity in our country.
Both of these gentlemen, so eminently calculated to elevate the
standard of education, were summoned from the career of the most
active usefulness, from the scenes they had labored to brighten and

beautify by the aid of their transcendant intellects, to unseen realities in
the world of spirits; where mind communes with mind, and soul
mingles with soul, disenthraled from error, and embosomed in the light
and love of the Great Parent Intellect.
The author does not pretend to give a system of exposition in this work
suited to the capacities of small children. It is designed for advanced
scholars, and is introductory to a system of grammar which he has in
preparation, which it is humbly hoped will be of some service in
rendering easy and correct the study of our vernacular language. But
this book, it is thought, may be successfully employed in the instruction
of the higher classes in our schools, and will be found an efficient aid
to teachers in inculcating the sublime principles of which it treats.
These Lectures, as now presented to the public, it is believed, will be
found to contain some important information by which all may profit.
The reader will bear in mind that they were written for, and delivered
before a popular audience, and published with very little time for
modification. This will be a sufficient apology for the mistakes which
may occur, and for whatever may have the appearance of severity,
irony, or pleasantry, in the composition.
On the subject of Contractions much more might be said. But verbal
criticisms are rather uninteresting to a common audience; and hence the
consideration of that matter was made more brief than was at first
intended. It will however be resumed and carried out at length in
another work. The hints given will enable the student to form a
tolerable correct opinion of the use of most of those words and phrases,
which have long been passed over with little knowledge of their
meaning or importance.
The author is aware that the principles he has advocated are new and
opposed to established systems and the common method of inculcation.
But the difficulties acknowledged on all hands to exist, is a sufficient
justification of this humble attempt. He will not be condemned for his
good intentions. All he asks is a patient and candid examination, a
frank and honest approval of what is true, and as honest a rejection of
what is