How to Parse An Attempt to Apply the Principles of Scholarship

Rev. Edwin A. Abbott, Head Master of the City of London School, whose name is very seldom correctly given by the American press, is the author of a number of valuable works designed to aid in the study of English literature. He has written How to Write Clearly , a little book of rules and exercises in composition; and with his friend, Prof. Seeley, he is joint author of English Lessons for English People ; while his Shakespearian Grammar has become a standard appliance with all who seek any special knowledge of the works of the great dramatist. The present volume he describes as "an attempt to apply the principles of scholarship to English Grammar." Dr. Abbott is an original investigator, and, in such a science as grammar, an independent constructor. The principles which guide him are first intelligently mastered, and then implicitly followed. The plan of this work is in some respects novel, and in all respects logical and clear. The grammatical field proper is covered in seven chapters, occupying less than the first half of the book. The larger half which follows is divided among four "appendixes" (Dr. Abbott does not say appendices ), and a supplementary part; the ground traversed here lying beyond the strict limits of the grammarian. This second portion contains matter of great value and of no little general interest. The "hints" on spelling and punctuation are useful; but in "Difficulties and Irregularities in Modern English," in the chapters on "Prose" and "Poetical Constructions," and in the final appendix "On the Growth of the English Language," the student is carried on to advanced themes, the treatment of which is remarkably full, able, and satisfactory. Under the last-named title is given a very instructive chronological summary; and an index facilitates reference to every part of the volume. Various typographical devices, the numbering of paragraphs, explanatory tables and charts, and a great wealth of illustrative extracts and examples, make the book as serviceable as could be desired. There is also at the beginning a "Glossary of Grammatical Terms." -- The Literary World , Vol. 9