NEW LANGUAGE LESSONS.

INTRODUCTORY LESSON.

1. Language is the expression of thought by means of spoken or written words.

2. Language lessons furnish rules for speaking and writing correctly, and practice in composition. Language study is divided into two parts: I. GRAMMAR. II. COMPOSITION.

3. Grammar is the science that treats of the principles of language.

4. Composition is the art of writing correctly.

This book is divided into six parts, or sections:

I. Classes of Words.

II. The Sentence and its Elements.

III. Subdivision of the Parts of Speech.
IV. Modifications of the Parts of Speech.
V. Syntax.

VI. Analysis and Synthesis.

A

SECTION I.

CLASSES OF WORDS.

I.-NOUNS, OR NAME-WORDS.

1. Columbus discovered America.
2. Buffaloes roam over the prairies.
3. Are you fond of skating?

4. We love the fragrance of flowers.

Analysis. The word "Columbus" is the name of a person; the word “America" is the name of a place; the word “buffaloes” is the name of certain animals; the words "prairies” and “flowers’ are names of things; the word "skating" is the name of an action; the word "fragrance" is the name of a quality.

Explanation. Words that are used as names of persons, places, things, actions, or qualities are name-words. In grammar they are called nouns.

DEFINITION.-A noun, or name-word, is the name of anything.

NOTE.-In selecting the nouns in a sentence pupils should remember that, when it is stated that a noun is the "name of anything," we do not mean by "thing" merely what we know by our senses, but any object (person, place, thing), action, or quality. "A noun is the name of anything, existing or conceived by the mind."-(Swinton's English Grammar).

EXERCISE 1.

a.

1. Mention (or write) the names of all the things you see in the school-room.

2. Mention (or write) the names of five persons of whom you have read.

3. Mention (or write) the names of five places of which you have read.

4. Mention (or write) the names of five actions, as singing.

5. Mention (or write) the names of five feelings of the body (as hunger), or of the mind (as pity).

b.

Copy the following sentences on slates or paper, drawing a line under each noun.

1. Tea grows in China. 2. The oak bears acorns. 3. Webster was a great orator. 4. Paris is the capital of France. 5. The greatest of these is charity. 6. Sometimes we see a ship. 7. Sometimes we ship a sea. 8. Singing in concert is an improving exercise. 9. The light comes in at the window. 10. The lightning flashes and the thunder roars. 11. Honesty is the best policy. 12. Seeing is believing. 13. Shakspeare was born at Stratford, in England. 14. I fear your joy is short-lived. 15. The scent of the roses hangs round it still.

16. Go where glory waits thee;

But when fame elates thee,

O then remember me.

C.

Mention each noun in the preceding exercise, and apply the definition of a noun:

MODEL: "Tea grows in China."

"Tea" is a noun, because it is the name of something; "China" is a noun, because it is the name of something.

II.-VERBS, OR ACTION-WORDS.

1. The sun shines.

2. Are you writing?

3. Bring me a book.

Analysis. The word "shines" tells or states something about the sun; it is used in making a statement. The words " are writing” are used in asking a question. The word "bring” is used in expressing a command.

Explanation.-A word that is used in stating what any person or thing does or is, or in asking what a person does or is, or in telling another person to do or be something, is called a verb.

DEFINITION. A verb is a word that expresses action or being.

NOTES.

I. "A verb is a word that predicates action or being" (Swinton's English Grammar). To "predicate" signifies to express, assert, or declare. This is the principal use of verbs, though they are also employed in asking questions and expressing commands.

II. A verb may consist of more than one word: as, is learning, will be told, has been requested. Hence, in selecting verbs, care must be taken to include all the words needed to express the action or state of being intended to be expressed in the given sentence.

EXERCISE 2.

a.

Add verbs telling what the following things do.

MODEL: "THE KITTEN......" The kitten romps in the garden.

b.

Join verbs telling about the following things being-(something).

Copy the following sentences, drawing one line under each noun, and two lines under each verb.

1. The cuckoo builds no nest for herself.

2. The elephant surpasses all other land animals in size.

3. Vast prairies extend beyond the Mississippi.

4. Before our house a prattling river runs.

5. A herd of cattle grazed in a meadow.

6. The timid bird saw the snake in the grass.

7. My father's fields have produced corn.

8. Those pears may ripen on the wall.

9. Diogenes lived in a tub.

10. The ship was wrecked on the coast.

11. Some might have been saved.

12. "Will you walk into my parlor ?" Said the spider to the fly.

e.

Mention each verb in the preceding paragraph, and state how you know that it is a verb.

MODEL: "Builds" is a verb, because it expresses action.