FIRST PART.

ETYMOLOGY.

The distinctions between the various parts of speech, between the cases of nouns, the modes and tenses of verbs, the functions of participles, are distinctions in thought, not merely in words. John Stuart Mill.

INTRODUCTION.

1. The universe is made up of objects, attributes, and relations. There is nothing that can not be put into one of these three classes. The "outer world" embraces everything external to one's own mind. The "inner world" includes all that is within one's mind.

2. These objects, attributes, and relations furnish the mind with the "raw materials" with which to build up the "inner world," or the world of mind. The mind has access to the outer world by means of the special senses-sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and resistance. The first knowledge that the mind obtains of the outer world comes through one or more of these gateways. This inner world serves as a guide in the conduct of life. In order that it may keep one in perfect harmony with his environment, it must correspond to the outer world.

3. The mind does its work by observing, comparing, classifying, and stating the results. These are the fundamental steps in all science-making.

4. The last and most important step could not be taken without some medium to express what in the mind had been impressed. The simplest notion that the mind forms corresponding to a thing as a whole is an idea. The mental product formed by the mind when it asserts the relation between two ideas is a thought. So language had its origin in the desire to express ideas and thoughts. Primarily there is no other use for language.

5. The ideas and thoughts of all people are very much alike. The Frenchman calls an object "garçon"; the Spaniard calls the same object "muchacho"; the Englishman calls the same object "boy"; but the idea is the same in all their minds. The different nations use different words to symbolize their ideas, and they ar range the words differently in sentences to express their

thoughts. This brings about a difference in their languages; but their ideas and thoughts are much the same, and all minds think in the same manner.

6. The word is used to express the idea; the sentence is used to express the thought; and the discourse is used to express a series of related thoughts. This gives us the three language-units; the word, the sentence, and the discourse.

Each language-unit has its respective science.

Lexicology is that language study which has for its subject-matter the word.

Grammar is that language study which has for its subject-matter the sentence.

Rhetoric is that language study which has for its subject-matter the discourse.

Grammar deals with words only with reference to their properties, classification, and use in sentences. It follows that grammar has two departments: etymology and syntax.

Etymology is that department of grammar which treats of the properties, classification, and use of words in sentences. This department is often called simply "parts of speech."

Syntax is that department of grammar which treats of the structure, classification, and use of sentences. Since the word is a simpler unit than the sentence, etymology will be taken up before syntax.

EXERCISE I.

1. Explain what is meant by the "outer world"; the "inner world."

2. Consult the dictionary for the meaning of the words, "object," "attribute," and "relation."

3. Of what use is the "inner world"?

What are the steps in making a science?

4.

7. How do languages differ?

8. Name the three "language-units" and their respective sciences.

9. Define lexicology, grammar, and rhetoric.

10.

Name the two departments of grammar and define each.

CHAPTER I.

CLASSES OF IDEAS.

OBJECTS.

7. It is stated in the Introduction that the universe is made up of objects, attributes, and relations. All ideas, formed by the mind in the contemplation of these things, may be put into three classes-object-ideas, attribute-ideas, and relation-ideas-corresponding to the three classes of things external to the mind.

8. The object-idea, often called the object of thought, or simply the object, means any idea about which the mind may affirm something. The object of thought may correspond either to a material object or an immaterial object. A material object is an object which has spatial relations and whose attributes affect the senses; as, tree, rock, desk, etc. An immaterial object is an object that has no spatial relations and whose attributes do not affect the senses; as, truth, spirit, thought, etc.

9. For grammatical purposes objects of thought are divided into two classes, concrete and abstract. A concrete object of thought is one thought of as having attributes; as, spirit, tree, horse, etc. An abstract object of thought is the idea of an attribute considered apart from its object; as goodness, truth, playing, etc.

EXERCISE II.

In the following sentences point out the words which suggest objects, and tell whether the objects are material or immaterial; concrete or abstract.

1. The dog is a faithful animal.

2. Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again.

5. Put away your fear.

6.

7.

Love is the mainspring of all human activity.
Shakespeare's life was a success.

8. Why stand ye here idle?

9. How beautiful is the light of the sun!

10. Hope springs eternal in the human breast.

ATTRIBUTES.

10. An attribute is a mark or characteristic of an object by which the object is known. Attributes are divided into three classes: qualities, conditions, and actions.

11. An attribute of quality is a mark or characteristic which remains permanent in the idea to which it belongs; as, good man, long river, etc.

12. An attribute of condition is an attribute that distinguishes the object to which it belongs by its relation to itself at some other time; as, muddy water, hot stove, sick man, etc.

13. An attribute of action is an attribute which distinguishes the object to which it belongs by what it does; as, a whistling porter, a trotting horse, the lady sings, etc.

EXERCISE III.

In the following sentences point out the words suggesting attributes. Tell whether the attributes are qualities, conditions, or actions.

1. Cold water is pleasant in summer.

2. The crow is black.

3. A good student will learn.

4.

The sick man was moved to the hospital.

5. The streets are dusty in summer and muddy in winter.

6. She gave him a wilted rose.

7. The little children are playing.

8. The running brook babbles softly.

9. We saw a man digging a well.

RELATIONS.

14. A relation is the connection the mind sees between two ideas. Relations are of two kinds: co-ordinate and subordinate.