JOHN H. MILLARD, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; LATE SECOND CLASSICAL MASTER AT BIBLIO LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER-ROW. PREFACE. DR. KÜHNER, the author of the present work, belongs to the most modern and philosophical school of German Grammarians. He adopts the system of Grimm, Humboldt, Becker, and Grotefend. The first part of his "Copious Grammar of the Greek Language" appeared in 1834, the remainder in the course of the following year. It is considered, in Germany, far superior to any other work of the kind; and affords a striking illustration of the advantage of applying to language the same principles of analysis, generalisation, and induction, as are employed in scientific investigations. Several of its very excellencies, however, render it unsuitable for general use, as the author himself appears to have felt; and, accordingly, in 1836, he published an abridgement of it, entitled "A School-Grammar of the Greek Language." This is precisely such a work as might have been expected from the pen of an author, not less experienced as a teacher, than eminent as a scholar. It combines theory and practice in the most happy proportions, and, while the advanced student will find it quite sufficient for every purpose, the mere beginner will be able to use it with advantage. In 1837 he published a still further abridgement, prepared expressly for the use of young beginners, a second edition of which was called for in 1841, and is the original of the present translation. He commences his preface to the first edition with the following remarks:-"Instruction in the ancient languages has a two-fold object:-the learning of the languages themselves, and the comprehension of the works written in them. The mere learning of the ancient languages has been for centuries recognised as the best discipline of the youthful mind-as the simplest and surest method of awakening, exercising, and forming the intellectual powers of the boy for the most varied purposes; while an acquaintance with the great master-works which are composed in these languages— the contemplation and familiar view of that grand style of action which everywhere appears most strikingly in Grecian and Roman antiquity-possesses the additional property of fastening upon the mind and heart of youth more strongly than the study of any other branch of human knowledge, and of inspiring them with ideas of the noble, the beautiful, and the grand." Those who coincide in these sentiments will be pleased to find, that the task of guiding the first steps of youth in such a course has been undertaken by one so well qualified in every respect, and to know, that his "Elementary Grammar," which is now rendered available to the English pupil, retains all the characteristic excellencies of his larger works. Of these excellencies the following, among others, deserve particular notice. 1. It is distinguished by a remarkable aptness and amplitude of illustration. This remark applies in a great measure to the Etymology, but especially to the Syntax. The paradigms contain much more numerous and complete exemplifications of declension and conjugation than any of our common schoolgrammars; while the Syntax abounds with instances of every variety of construction. In fact, nothing is stated without being elucidated by one or more appropriate examples; so that it is scarcely possible for the reader not to understand clearly, and retain tenaciously, what the author aims to communicate. The importance of this feature of the work will be best understood by those who have had most experience in teaching. 2. The inflexional syllables of nouns and verbs are distinguished from the stem, or that part to which these syllables are attached, for the purpose of modifying the general idea expressed by the word. This will be found as useful in practice as it is correct in theory. For the pupil, by being accustomed to observe this distinction at the very commencement, will be able, in a much shorter time than usual, to give a correct analysis of any form he may meet with in his Greek reading, and to express with precision, by the inverse process of synthesis, whatever modification of number, case, mood, tense, &c., may be required in composition; provided he be well acquainted with the laws which regulate the various changes of the letters. A boy thus trained will be preserved from more than half the errors and difficulties to which those differently taught are constantly liable when called upon to decline or conjugate other words than those given in their Grammar, though, perhaps, perfectly familiar with the models prescribed. He will be at no loss to perceive, e. g., |