Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-12
For THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE,

MIR. EDITOR WISH TO call Jne atJen-
tention of your readers, particularly those
who are Teachers or Students, to matter
which will prove beneficial to them and
to the cause of Education.
have, by invitation, recently ATTENDED
Lectures on English Grammar by Rev
= Prof. Brantley York, of Randolph county,
and have carefully perused JIe Grammar
of which he is the author. The system of
teaching which he has invented deserves
the attention Of all teachers. It enables
those who diligently apply themselves, to
acquire good knowledge Of Grammar in
four or .fve weeks, while, as every one knows,
the usual methods require at least four or
fve months. A leading excellence Of his
method consists in the fact that he uses
the black board, thus making the eye, as
well as the ear, a medium of instruction.
This is decided superiority over the
common methods; for, as the author
says in his preface, intellectual improve
ment must be in proportion to the senses
exercised" He has devised ingenious
diagrams which, while they interest the
eye, explain the science of Grammar and
impress it's principles deeply upon the
mind. Many able scholars in both North
and South Carolina have extolled his meth
cd, being convinced of it's excellence by
its fruits.
But it is his Grammar which wish es
pecially to recommend. Those who are
acquainted with the various Grammars ot
our language will readily admit that al
the pretended new ones, published for the
last fifty years, have been little more than
copies of the ideas of those before them
with change in expression or words and
arrangement. | can safely say that Prof
York is neD Grammar. It contains
originality, and that originality is unques
tionably improvement.
All who have taught or studied Englisl
Grammar are aware that generally tn
memory is the chief, and often the onl
faculty of the mind exercised by the learn
er; but Prof. York's requires especial
the exercise of reason, and thus enables tn
student to incorporate its rules and prime
Piles into his habits of thinking, speakin
and writing. Unlike others, he CAREFUL
gives reasons for his rules and principle
; He has made it a grand object to teach tt
. language with the Grammar, thus agai
outstripping others.
He has given plain, pointed and con
6 prehensive rules for punctuation Evel
q one knows the difficulty of learning
!. punctuate correctly, and also how inef
q cient the rules of most authors on pun
tuation are. Prof York's rules are eas
ly understood and truly practical
glossary of all the technical terms used,
annexed to the volume a great advanta
e to the student, as he seldom knows an
# thing about Latin or Greek.
e In fine, the author detects and expos
i the imperfections of others; explod
ID timehonored errors establishes new trutl
re discovers new principles and produt
le positive and valuable improvements
: many respects. Several distinguished teat
- ers in high schools in n c., have adopt
at his Grammar as a text book. If it be
b. improvement on other similar works, su
II ly others should be discarded and it ad,
r. ted.
/; The author is North Carolinian, ant
he his book possess real merit, North Car
be mans ought to encourage his talent
a give him their patronage.
alf 1t behooves all Teachers, especially,
rly examine it. Any wishing further In
,rs nation will receive it by yaddressing Rich
he w. York, South Lowell, Orange Co., N
Lth A W. MANGUM
ltyl Ba. Other papers in the State frien
I'VE to general Education, are requested
ge,l copy.