A Short System of English Grammar For the Use of the Boarding School in Worcester (1759)   By: Henry Bate

Henry Bate's "A Short System of English Grammar For the Use of the Boarding School in Worcester" is a valuable resource for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of English grammar during the mid-18th century. Written with the intention of aiding students at a boarding school, Bate's systematic approach to teaching grammar proves to be both accessible and informative.

The book is divided into various sections, each addressing a specific aspect of grammar. This structured approach enables readers to easily navigate through the content, making it particularly useful for both teachers and self-learners. Bate begins by laying the groundwork with a discussion on the parts of speech, ensuring that readers have a solid foundation to build upon.

One of the strengths of Bate's work is his focus on providing practical examples that illustrate the concepts being taught. By including sentences and phrases that showcase the grammatical rules being explained, Bate ensures that readers develop a clear understanding of how these rules apply in real-world contexts. This emphasis on application greatly enhances the learning experience and helps cement the material in the reader's mind.

Furthermore, Bate's explanations are clear and concise, making it easy for readers to grasp the concepts being presented. He avoids unnecessary complexity, choosing instead to use simple language and straightforward examples. This approach makes the book accessible to readers of varying levels of English proficiency, ensuring that it can be utilized by a wide range of learners.

While the publication date of 1759 might raise concerns about the relevance of the content to contemporary grammar usage, it is important to appreciate this book as a historical artifact. It not only provides insights into the grammatical conventions and linguistic norms of the time but also serves as a practical guide for understanding historical texts that were written during this era.

Overall, Henry Bate's "A Short System of English Grammar For the Use of the Boarding School in Worcester" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of English grammar. Its clear presentation, practical examples, and systematic approach make it an excellent tool for learners of the English language in the 18th century and a fascinating window into the educational practices of the time.

First Page:

The Latin, for Instance, has only eight Parts of Speech, and the Writers of English GRAMMAR have unthinkingly adopted the same Number; whereas with the Article, which the Latin has not, and which is of great Service in a Language, we have no less than nine. The Latin admits of Cases; but as different Cases, properly speaking, are nothing more than the different Inflections and Terminations of Nouns , English Nouns have no Cases. It is not agreeable to the Principles of GRAMMAR to say that of a Rose is the Genitive Case of Rose, or to a Rose, the Dative; for of and to are no Part of the Word Rose, but only prefix Particles or Prepositions, which shew the different Relation of the Word Rose... Continue reading book >>