The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1825-01-27

exit Of favorite offspring, amid acclama-
tions of general JOY at the celebration of pa
tional improvements. But in times of inno-
walton, every caution should be enlivened by
fear, and attempered with reason. The en-
ragged genius of one individual, has some
times drawn whole nations from the bosom OF
their laws, and from the inmost recesses OF
their salutary habits. Church and state
have commingled their powers, and the rights
of the people have been steamed away in a
crucible of anarchy and oppression. Christi
anity, with her political dagger concealed
under the sable vestmcnts of her priesthood,
has too often sharpened it to the work OF
death, upon the shivercd fragments of her
fathers law. ] might descend to particu-
lars but this would be to travel with dyed
garments in scenes of carnage. 1t would be to
retracc path hove up with the graves of
variegated systems, and made dreary by the
tombs of their founders.
The work Of innovation is Herculcan
task it is an enterprise opposed by the pride
OF some, the virulence of others, and by the
llslDltS vi ali. IGW, ioWSNSiS itS ~ cN"h
dercd by pride of opinion, as not, sooner or
later, to yield their assent to the introduc-
ton of real enforcement. But there always
have been some, who, led captves by pre-
judcc, have exertcd uncommon strength in
arrestng the tide of improvement. But in
the complicated machinery of humane socie
ties and inventions, these are by no means
useless yet while value them as important
in the race of improvement, pity their CON-
DITIoN, and rejoice that it is not my own. To
the man of circumscribed views, innov alton
seems to imply contempt of all former sys-
tens, and total want of respect for their
authors But he who has seen the clouds of
savage nj sht scatter before the stars of civili-
cation, the region of science grow lighter and
lighter, and the horizon of truth extend
from time to time, by repeated innovations,
will soon overcome his attachment to anti
quated forms, and gladly promote the inter-
est of his country. respect the various sys-
TENS of English Grammar: regard them as
SO many stepping by which the science
has been brought to its present height OF ex-
cellcnce: and respect their authors as men,
and especially as the founders OF so grand Il
commencement. respect Mr.. Murray,
and render him thanks for the good he has
done the Republic Of letters. so far from
holding him in contempt, or his work n'deri-
sion, l wonld fire his system with the sparks
ELECTED from the collision of its conflicting
pricples;-I would deposit its ashes in col
den urn, and preserve them in memory Of
} his worth.
Mr.. Murray's system Of English Gram
, mar, is not only wrong in many principles,
) but defective in extent The definitions o.
|, the parts of speech, are Yale sinking be-
low the dignity Of our language; the rule:
1 are a hill rising above its grandeur: ant
the parsing of the words, is an impetuou
, stream OVERLOOKING the one, and undermin
: ing the other. Our language has ncvcl
S been richly equipped with grammatical in
flections; hence it can never be presented
by those rules which apply with pertinenc.
a and force to regularly formed languages
= Ours stands between a language copous II
relative examinations, and lean distorted
4. tongue. A Grammar, therefore, calculated
: to developc, the principles Of the Englls
language, should take middle course, re
y !, luctantly leaving the PROJECTIONS OF one, ant
:. gladly stunning the defects of the other
4 But am told that the common system
= ENGLISH Grammar, enables those who un
n. dcrstand it, to write with grammatical pre-
to cision. And to rebut this have thought 1t m
n. duty to present series of structures on dill
he fcrent works. have taken the one betor
rs me. not because it is written worse tina
f. productions in general, but because it is sur
I'd posed to be written better.
If. The emanation seems to be Joint concerl
of modestly commenced, but 7varmly carrie
IS on. One Of the firm, dreading the charg
n of ostentation, and conscious of his own pre-
OF found crudtion, as well as of the class
81 suavity of his productions, modestly styl'
e. himself "Paul'' The part of the work
ID which this learned and good mans name
~ affixed commences thus:
'e "A sincere friend of your society, and
u well wisher to every individual of mankir
desires to address you OH some most In