The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-21
A Grammar of English.

"a Simple Grammar of English now in
Use" by Prof. John Earle, of oxford Uni
versity, though a valuable and interesting
work, is somewhat misleading in its title
1t is not so much a grammar of English,
either simple or otherwise, as it is disser-
tation upon grammar and number of mat
tiers growing out of it. Pretty good proof
that it is not a grammar is that it is read
able and interesting, and does not bristle
with rules and technicalities. N'he author
seems to have anticipated some such view
of the book, for the first sentence of his
preface is, This is a book not of philol-
cgy, but OF grammar" But whatever it
may be called, it is learned treatise on the
English language, not in its physical aspect,
as relating to sounds or syllables. but in
its mental aspect as relating 20 discourse
of thought. The aim of the work is not
scientific, but educational; not the mechan-
ism of the language, but it's mental action
in practical use. In carrying out this plan
the author has produced a work of wide
scope, embracing at once the sources and
fundamental principles of the English Ian
guage, its development and changes and it's
latest, up-to-date usages as they exist in
England. Many passages might be quoted
for their general interest In chapter on
idiom, the author says 'Idioms may be
regarded as rebels against grammar, with
which the powers of literature have made
peace and consented to waive their claim to
conformity. But there is one that yet
stands out for its own terms. an idiom
which has not been frankly admitted, and
at which grammarians look askance. The
expression 1t Is me- l.; idiomatic English,
but Though found in good literature) 1t is
not fully recognized as literary English.
The grammatical precept enjoins 1t is L.
Now no one ever says 1t is L. except by
force of schooling; everyone, from North
to South, speaking without restraint in
1T is me; 1t is him.. The question arises
is their" used in the last sentence
above QUOTED, proper relative for every
is plural. But that use OF it is so common
that II might be called diplomatic. In a
chapter on the prOnounS the author calls
attention to the fact that his" the tncient
genitive or possessive of lit" survived into
our period The new genitive, its" he
says, appears not in the Bible of 1911 where
the genitive of 'it'' is always his" like
the masculine. Thus: "Of beaten work
made he the. candlestick his shaft, and
his branch, his bowls, his KNOBS, and his
flowers" EXODUS xxxvii III 1T shall give
forth his water" plumbers Xxx, 81 THE
iron gate opened of his own accord" (Acts
xii, 1O) In each of these quotations his
is the gentive of 'it." The author says
that wherever we meet Its" in Shaks-
peare, it is generally due to some later edi-
tor who has substituted the word for his"
These excerpts show the general critical
character of the work, which is learned and
instructive in its exposition OF the true uses
Of the English language. 1t includes
chapters on the chief English meters in
poetry on reading aloud, on public speak
ing, on prose composition and on other
phases of the practical use of language. The
quotations are numerous and apt. showing
wide acquaintance with current as well
as with classic literature. New York: G.
p. Putnams Sons.