Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-02-07

Mr.. Editor have recently had the pleas
ure oil attending, at East Guilford, the EXAMINE
alton of large class in English Grammar,
taught by Ma. GREENLEAF from his Labor
Saving Grammar | had heard and read much
of the cxceency Of this Compend, and Of the
rapid progress ofpuPils, taught iherefrom; bat,
being rather scepticnl, thought the statements
might be somewhat exaggerated. An examin-
alton of the work, however, and more especial
ly this visit to his school, where had an op-
portunity OF witnessing the practical effects of
his system and his new method of instruction.
have, confess, entirely overcome my preiu-
dices and convinced me, most thoroughly, of
the great utility of the book, and of its vast
prominence, in rendering the study short and
easy, over all other Grammars. Mr. G. has
performed the hercuean task, not only of cut
ting out nep and a straight path 10 the tenn
pie of grammatical kno Wedge, bot he has clear
ed away all stumbling-blocks and impediments
therein, filled up the numerous swamps and
quagmires which il crosses, and finally, has
completely macadamised il so that 'sthey who
run may read" and understand. :. The
class, being composed mostly Of beginners who
had studied but about forty-fve hours, display
ed such knowledge of the parts of speech,
and OF the connection, government, and agree
ment Of words, as both surprised and delighted
me, and mentally exclaimed, 'the one half has
not been told me- was glad to perceive that
the examination was conducted upon perfect
ly fair and honorable scale, and that not the
least deception was praclised. The scholars
were all required to lay aside their grammar
books, and the spectators (several Of whom
were classical gentemen) selected the parsing
lessons from the Rhetorical Reader. A num-
Der of extemporaneous sentenses were also
given by the spectators, all of which were cor
reclly analysed, upon the spur Of the moment
In correcting false syniax and rectations,
never saw scholars do better. In short, am
bold 10 declare that they acquitted themselves
as well, in every respect, as scholars generally
do after studying one year in the usual way.
Hence we perceive how great is the saving of
time, Labor and expense.
Mr. Greenleaf's book is constructed upon a
plan entirely original, and in such manner,
that the tediousness of committing a mass of
unintelligible matter 10 memory, preparatory 10
parsing, as is usually the case, is entirely dis
pensed with, and beginners are enabled 10 COM
mence syntactical parsing, with the greatest
facility, in Is or 90 minutes after opening their
books,-learning the rules, definitions, &C. as
they go along. But the greatest novelty in
the business is, scholars parse and recite, for
most of the time in concert-thereby not only
greatly acceerating the study, but rendering il
a matter of amusement rather than labor.
But notwithstanding Mr. G's method Of
teaching is as different from that Of all others
as light is from darkness, | am pleased TO see,
his book contains no innovations. He has
wisely adopted the general principles OF our
best English and American authors, and has
presented them TO US in neat, concise and con-
venient form, disencumbered of all unnecessary
matter, containing s.just enough and none 10
spare"-while the materials for the parsing les
sons, etc. are drawn up in The most skiIlful and
ingenious manner; maniiesting thereby, that
lively conception and aptness TO teach, which
but few possess.
Having great bump Of "caution," and an
unconquerable aversion 10 every thing like
empiricism, should not have made these re-
marks, had not been positive that the work is
not, in any respect allied TO literary quackery.
Although ''slow TO believe still | am a devoted
friend TO real Improvements and whenever
we can abridge toll and save cost, in intellectu-
al as well as mechanical operations, ] say, let
US do so. A knowledge of the etymology and
syntax Of our vernacular language (although
an intolerabIe long, dry, and irksome task, as
usually taught,) is now considered as an almost
Indispensable branch ol education ; and con-
graduate the rising youth Of my country, that
the drudgery ofmonths, and even years, is now
reduced to an agreeable and interesting study
of few days. As the pledge, given in the IL
tie OF the book Collaborating Grammar") is,
unquestionably, fully redeemed,i its author is
truly deserving the patronage and encourage
ment Of the friends OF literature and the public.
At the close Of the examination the class was
addressed, in an able and appropriate manner,
by the Rev Mr. Wadeigh, Rector of Christ's
Church, and by Mr. S. Gregory, A. B., late Of
Yale College. was much pleased with the
remarks of these gentlemen, and il the scholars
do but treasure up and follow the advice con-
tanned therein, it will be of more value 10 them
than many rubies.'
sincerely hope that this system will be uni
versaly approved and generally adopted in our
schools and other semnaries Of learning.
SPECTATOR.