The Student's Grammar. By C. H. Pearson, M.A., and H.
A. Strong, M.A. (Samuel Mullen, Melhourno.)—The special feature of this new grammar is the prominence that has been given to the elements of comparative grammar. It will naturally occur to, an intelligent pupil, when learning his "good, better, best," to ask why not' goofier,' goodest,' or whence came bettor and best to usurp the regular form. Very few grammars will solve this very simple question. Messrs. Pearson and Strong, however, have given the roots, with:all the irregular comparisons, which makes the learning of them a rational thing, and not mere parrot-work. This philological information gives a real interest to what is so awn more dry detail. We do not agree with the author's viewe on retaining the name "article," nor see tho cogency of his objections to' classing " a," " an," and " the " amongst the adjectives. They have, at least, characteristics of this class, whereas they have not any of an article. The chapter on the changes that take place in language is easy to comprehend and thoroughly sound in its views. By the same authors, we have The Student's Primer, an introductory work to the last, and in- tended for young scholars. It is superior to many works of its class.— We have also to notice Outlines of Etymology, by J. S. Haldeman (Lip- pincott and Co.) This treats of the analysis and derivation of words, with introductory chapters, tracing the changes that the letters of the root have undergone. In the chapter on derivation, a few stems are taken, and the affinities given, with the words derived. It would add very much to the worth of the work if the terrible sesquipedaliana of the earlier part were exchanged for simpler words, and the lost-men- tioned chapter were considerably increased. lathe appendix is a large collection of words which various languages have contributed to the English vocabulary.
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