Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-10-11
Bling ham's English Grammar.

We have delayed noticing this work from
a want Of time to examine it, as its merits
and the reputation of its author demanded.
The very favorable notices extended by the
press to Mr.. BNGHAM's Latin Grammar,
and the real worth of that work, has attracted
| the attention of the public towards this
English Grammar. Our contemporary, the
Wilson Carolinian, always upon the look
out for home enterprises of all kinds, and
the fast friend of those which are good
has, through a correspondent, reviewed the
merits of BINGHAM's ENGLISH GRAMMAR
which we take pleasure in publishing
MEseRs. EDITORS Il have lately examined
with much care copy OF Blnghams Grammar Of
the English Language. l can say without fea
CT successful contradiction, that the distinguished
author has achieved a grand pathological success
He displays intimate acquaintance with
parative grammar, and draws literally (for his
EtymOlOgy and SyntaX) from the German, Greek
and Latin. While his work is not too profound for
person of ordinary capacity, it is yet eminenty
philosophical, and no Intelligent person fail
to obtain from its attentive peruSal wider
deeper and more cOmpreheD sive knowledge of
our wonderfully complex and exceedingly diff
ticuit tongue. What some who are sticklers by
the old landmarks would call g Innovations are
| numerous and striking, but they are invariably
sustained by such array Of facts and proofs,
and by such slashing criticisms upon the ideas
prejudice is forced to succumb. The writer Of
this notice has never examined heretofore, work
on English Grammar without feeling Of dsap-
pontment. Amidst much that is sound and beau
tiful Bullion fer example, retains enough error
| and imperfection, i'll his g AnalyticaI,' to
render it unworthy of the support of frst-class
schools. AS to that miserable compilation called
Smiths Grammar. I hope to the day when an
| enlightened public opinion will force teachers to
discontinue it's 1t liz fit for nothing but to make
smatterng, superficial scholars. In half hours
time can pick out dozen examples Of intricate
construction not satisfactorily resolyable any
liable by any rule or remark in his entire work.
Bullion, too, "dOdges" complicated idioms grows
learned over easy colloquialisms and dismsses
with bare notice forms of speech that have puz-
zIed the faithful teacher. But. thank goodness,
here comes this big-headed, clears ed, honest
North Carolinian, with his ineXhaustibe store of
requirements, incorporated into the very essence
experience of thirty years in the schOOi-rOom-
Having natural facility and aptitude for impart-
ing information possessing, even to minute thor
OughnesS, acquaintance with contemporary
gramlnars of the English language, their excel
lencies and their defects, and urged on by scnol-
ary pride to attempt things yet higher, it is not
to be wondered at, that MIR. Bingham has pro-
duced the chef-d' ourre of grammars.
With Characteristic boldnees he takes the bull
by the horns, and attacks views, sentiments that
have been enumerated without cavil time out of
mind, but which neither mellowing time nor sa-
cred precedent can make rig hit if radically erro-
neous. In future article I will show some
of the peculiar excellencies Of this work
and contrast them with the &c doctrines -
that have hitherto held sway. | am satisfied that
any person who will give my anal ysis careful
animation cannot fail to be convinced of the SD
perior merits of this candidate for public IA
yor. - 49, r.