An apology for the study of northern antiquities by Elizabeth Elstob
page 11 of 54 (20%)
page 11 of 54 (20%)
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I have gained from this Original of our Mother Tongue, and that others
of my own Sex, might be capable of the same Satisfaction: I resolv'd to give them the Rudiments of that Language in an English Dress. However not 'till I had communicated to you my Design for your Advice, and had receiv'd your repeated Exhortation, and Encouragement to the Undertaking. The Method I have used, is neither entirely new, out of a Fondness and Affectation of Novelty: nor exactly the same with what has been in use, in teaching the learned Languages. I have retain'd the old Division of the Parts of Speech, nor have I rejected the other common Terms of _Grammar_; I have only endeavour'd to explain them in such a manner, as to hope they may be competently understood, by those whose Education, hath not allow'd them an Acquaintance with the Grammars of other Languages. There is one Addition to what your self and Mr. _Thwaites_ have done on this Subject, for which you will, I imagine, readily pardon me: I have given most, if not all the _Grammatical_ Terms in true old _Saxon_, from _Ælfrick_'s Translation of _Priscian_, to shew the _polite_ Men of our Age, that the Language of their Forefathers is neither so barren nor barbarous as they affirm, with equal Ignorance and Boldness. Since this is such an Instance of its Copiousness, as is not to be found in any of the polite modern Languages; and the _Latin_ itself is beholden to the _Greek_, not only for the Terms, but even the Names of Arts and Sciences, as is easily discerned in the Words, _Philosophy, Grammar, Logick, Rhetorick, Geometry, Arithmetick_, &c. These Gentlemens ill Treatment of our Mother Tongue has led me into a Stile not so agreeable to the Mildness of our Sex, or the usual manner of my Behaviour, to Persons of your Character; but the Love and Honour of one's Countrey, hath in all Ages been acknowledged such a Virtue, as hath admitted of a Zeal even |
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