Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-04-01
For the Spirit of the Age.
English Grammar made easv


OR, PROF. BRANrLY YoRk's MODE OF TEACHING 1T.
1t is generally conceded, / believe, by
those who know anything about the matter.
that the study of the English Language is
a very dull and irksome task; and in view
OF this fact various modes have been devils
ed, and plan after plan adopted to render
it more interesting to the student; but, so
far as | have been able to learn, until the
introduction of Prof York S system, every
effort of the kind has ended in failure.
l mean every effort to make the study IN
tcresting,-no one denies but that Bullions
Smith, and others, have many improUe-
msents on the old plan.
Mr.. York gives his instructions orally.
and accompanies them with copious illus
trations on the black board, thus reducing
what is taught to practice, and at the same
time rendering the study of this abstract
science more interesting to the student
We all know that the main difficulty in
studying language by note is, reducing
what we learn to practice: the mind be-
comes so entangled and lost in the labaynth
of complex rules that the studant with
much difficulty comprehends his "gram-
mar" after committing it to memory. On
this subject, the learned Dr. Dick SAYS
'1t ought never to be forgotten, that the
habit ofsccurate sanpasifiea depends more
on practice, and the study of good wsitsss,
than on a multitude of rules"
The reader must not infer from these
remarks, that Mr.. York teaches acithout
rules: no, no; that millennium In the study
OF Grammar has not come yet. He not
only has rules but makes use also of such
terms as 'noun,' verb, ARTICLE preposi-
tion,' etc., etc. I; but then be explains
their meaning, connection, and bearing
upon each other by bis illustrations n such
a manner that, forgetting your antipathy
to these terms, you begin, perhaps for the
first time In your life, to be pleased with
and interested In the study of Gramm 1T.
am not writing for the purpose of putting
this system beyond Its merits there are
hundreds who have seen its practical work
ing and k'aop what [ write to be true
My limits will not allow me to. enter into
detail of Mr.. York's system; | will say,
however, to those desirous of information
on the subject: go and see and examine
1T for yourselves, and be convinced. If
there is such thing as English Grammar
made caSy,' it is this
Prof. York has labored long and perse-
veringly in building up and establishing
his system upon firm basis, and should
receive at the hands of the public that en-
couragement due to his zeal and untirine
industry, if no more
The great advantage that this plan has
over the old system is, the shortness of the
time required to study it-many of the stu.
dents obtain pretty correct knowledge OF
the grammar in twenty days, and most Of
them in sixty. This, in this age of steam
and electricity is great desideratun..
We need not be surprised at the exis
tence of strong prejudice against Mr
York's mode of teaching, for it is an inno
walton upon the established plan, and like
all innovations, has to pass thro' the fiery
ordeal of popular opinion before it can sue
ceed. This, L doubt not, it has metal
enough in it to do.
Mr.. York has also, introduced a new
plan of teaching Elocution, which will no
| fail to recommend itself TO those desirou,
ofbecoming profcientsin this useful branch
of science.
l was present few days ago at the ex
animation of a Grammar class, taught OF
Mr.. York's plan, in the western part of thi
(Stanly) County, by Wm. A. Lineberry
Esqr., and must say that 1 was not oul,
satisfied of the superiority of this mode |;
teaching, but was really astonished at tn
proficiency made by those examined. 4
number of the class had been under hi
/ instruction but twenty days-yet notwith
standing the shortness of the time. an,
the fact that some of them could scarcel,
read before, they went through the exercise
on the blackboard with as much apparen
ease as if they had been studying the Lar
l guage as many months. His class had ais
made rapid progress in acquiring a know
edge of Elocution the exercises in d.
claiming at the close of the examination
gave evidence Of the superiority of Mi
Yorks mode Of teaching this branch q
science.
| take n.uch pleasure In recommendin,
Mr.. Lineberry to the favorable notice of tn
public. He is a young man of good morals
industrious, and attentive to the interest
: of those placed under his care. A. j. 6