cises become longer and more complicated. The same phrases are often repeated and thrown into new combinations, and constant reference is made to previous parts of the work. It is thus that Ollendorff gradually introduces at once the etymology and syntax of German Grammar. His method is sc lucid, that no one can go through with the exercises-provided he be guided by a competent master-without acquiring such a familiarity with the principles of the language, and such a stock of words and idioms as will enable him to speak and to write it with considerable facility. The book, as it is now presented to the public, is from the Frankfort edition, which, in accuracy of expression, as far as the English is concerned, in the wording of the rules as well as in typographical arrangement, is so far superior to the London edition, that it seems to be the work of a different author. So striking was found to be the difference between the two editions that the Editor, who at first was not in possession of a German copy, and had already put into the hands of the printer a considerable portion of the London copy revised, deemed it afterwards his duty to recommence the stereotyping of the book on the basis of the German. The Editor has ventured to make such alterations as he thought would give additional value to the book. Instead of devoting two lessons to a mere mechanical explanation of German writing, as was done in the other editions, he simply pre fixed to the book, on one page, an improved form of the alphabet, and a specimen of German current hand, from which the learner can at once perceive how the different letters are made and united into words. The orthography of the German, which in some cases was antiquated, has been conformed to the most recent and best authorities, chiefly to Heyse, whose grammars are at present, perhaps, more extensively used in Germany than any others. In some instances, where perspicuity would otherwise have suffered, the phraseology of rules has been amended. Wherever the English was crabbed or incorrect in the exercises it has been revised and altered. Great care has been taken to present an edition free from typographical errors, which often, in works of this kind, are the cause of needless and most discouraging perplexity to beginners. In this connection the Editor would make special mention of Mr. Edw. Stohlmann, corrector of the press, whose fidelity is worthy of all confidence and commendation. By the addition of the SYSTEMATIC OUTLINE, the Editor has had a twofold object in view. In a work like Ollendorff's, in which each lesson contains a variety of exercises, which have no necessary connection with each other, and in which the different parts of speech are not systematically classified, but scattered in every part of the book, a comprehensive index would have been indispensable. Without it, the book would have been useless for the purposes of reference, and a complete and connected view of the laws which govern the inflection of any one part of speech would have been equally impossible. It seemed to him, that an attempt at a complete index to the mat. ter contained in the book would be a difficult task, and unsatisfactory in the end. He has therefore subjoined, as a substitute, an outline of Grammar, in which the inflection of words is treated briefly, but yet with completeness, and where the learner may find in different language perhaps, and in rigorously sys. sematic connection, the principles which he met with in the revious part of the work, besides much that will be new to aim. The second and principal object of making such large addı tions to the book was to adapt it to the use of those who aim, not at a practical knowledge of the language, but desire it for scientific or literary purposes only. As persons of this description are commonly men of liberal culture, habituated to the terminology of Grammar, and the study of language, they are generally impatient of beginning at once the reading of some favourite author, and they are aware too, that for them the shortest road to reach the goal is to master at once the elements of Grammar. As the Author himself has had considerable experience in guiding such to a knowledge of the German, he has endeavoured to meet their wants by bringing within the compass of about one hundred and thirty pages a concise ana. lysis of the different parts of speech, with copious paradigms to the declensions and conjugations. Though the Outline is brief. at will be found that the inflection of the declinable parts of speech, as well as the gender of substantives, is unfolded more fully than in Grammars of much larger size. The materials are from the best sources, chiefly from the works of BECKER and HEYSE. Since it was impossible to add a separate Syntax without greatly increasing the bulk of the book, the use and government of each part of speech has been briefly pointed out in connection with its etymology. The "Table of Classification of the Irregular Verbs," and also the "Government of Verbs," have, after a thorough revi. sion and some additions to the list, been adopted from the Lon. don edition. The Author regrets that the limits of the work would not admit of a more extended treatment of the PARTI. CLES. A clear and thorough analysis of the Adverbs, the Prepositions, and Conjunctions, in which the Greek-like power of the German chiefly resides, with a sufficient number of exam ples to make it intelligible, has never yet boen given to the English student. It is believed, however, that no one will suffer any practical inconvenience from this deficiency, as particular attention is paid to the use of the particles in other parts of the book. With respect to his "Systematic Outline," the Editor would in conclusion say, that he feels confident that it possesses every desirable condition of a complete introduction to the reading of the German. May it contribute to spread the study of a language, which in richness and flexibility is the acknowledged superior of all its modern sisters-which in creations of Art and in works of Science yields precedence to none—of a language which contains in itself the germs of its own reprocuction, and of an endless development-which still is, as it ▾▾er has been, „gesondert, ungemischt und nur sich selber gleich!" New-York University, } September, 1845. G. J. A. |
