Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-08
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1926.
For the Pheni.r Gazette.

/ think, Messrs. Editors, the pubhck are
much indebted to you, for the interestyou have
always manifested in whatever concerns Edu-
cation This trait in publick Journalist, both
fits him for his function, and entities him to
that liberal patronage, which is at once his due,
and necessary to secure to the community the
benefit of having Editors, capable ofpreservins
language and taste from corruption.
You, gentlemen, cannot but know that much
has been lately written, and more said, upon
English Grammar beg pardon--Philology
the Philosophy Of language. This you know is
one of my favourite themes; and as l intend,
with your permission, to publish series OF es-
says upon this subject, hope you will not be-
come weary in good cause; but still extend to
it your kind regards; Of this, however, can
not doubt, for, Judging from the well written
Editorial pieces of your paper, must infer that
you, as well as myself, esteem grammatical in
quiries worthy attention. If SO, you probably
have not forgotten, that, some time since, l
submitted to the publick few observations on
this topick, and intimated, that at some more
convenient season, l should proceed to point
out the defects of Mr. Murray's Grammar, and
show how they have been supplied by MIR.
Webster. That convenient season has not yet
arrived. The duties Of my profession and do
mestick relations, do not allow sufficient lei
sure to do justice to the subject, by entering in
to it as deep, and as much in detail, as its I'M
portance demands.
Since the publication Of the observations al
luded to, we have heard much said, and seen
something published, relative to certain new
treatises, by Mr.. Brown. have examined
Use publications with close attention; and now
ieel it to be my duty to say, that the result OF
that examination, is an opinion ariaely different
from that which seems to be entertained, by GER
tain gentlemen Of our own, and other cities.
These learned gentlemen may, nevertheless,
be much more competent to Judge OF these
matters than myself; whether they are or are not,
is question, which shall hereafter propose
to be decided by the publick,
But in the mean time, will just say, that,
as the author tells US, he has founded his Gram
mar upon principles entirely new, and his dis
c;n,es have prophesied the subversion OF Mr..
Murrav's system, and an entire revolution IN
the science, one as complete, though, hope,
not so bloody, as the civil revolution OF France,
which, you know, having sPurned "authority,
and dethroned the "Monarch," introduced the
reign of "Liberty' and "PhiIosophy," does itnot
beboove parents and other guardians OF the IL
sing generation, to enquire what are likely TO
be the effects of this spirit Of literary centious-
from authority! ah, and
that too in deciding the propriety OF grammat-
ical questions. Yes the TIE Deum was sung in
Baltimore and echoed in Alexandria Now,
gentlemen, this is completely setting the advo-
Gates of g" Legitimacy" at demonstrating
them quite out-and leaving them no foothold,
mn Mace for the lever. But have not time to
pursue this idea any further at present: Will
merely add, that to this moment, have not
been able to conceive how the grammatical
principles Of any language, can be ascertained'
but by reference to the authority OF the stand
ard writer's, and national usuage of that Ian
guage; and this sentiment is, think, support
ed not less by PHILOSOPHY and 1.-THE htness oil
things" than by common sense. The gentle
men who recommend the American Grammar,
to the exclusion of oil others, profess to be &C
tuated by desire to promote the interests OF
learning; and similar motive induces me to
withhold my appreciation, and to endeavour to
show that Mr.. Webster's Grammar is not only
incomparably superior, but the only one that
nresents clear, consistent and rational analy-
sis of the language.
Mr.. w. in this work evinces talents of the
first rank; classical taste and extensive and pro-
found research into both ancient and modern
Philology. He has regarded the English lam
euaee with the eye of a man of genius, and fol-
lowing the steps Of the justly celebrated Tooke,
and appealing to national usage, he has devel-
oped and clearly presented the true grammati-
cal principles of our language, by explaining Its
idioms, and as Tooke expresses 1t, showing