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"Mr. Murray's English Grammar, English Exercifes, and Abridg ment of the Grammar, claim our attention, on account of their being compofed on the principle we have fo frequently recommended, of combining religious and moral improvement with the elements of scientific knowledge. But as it is not a part of our plan, to enter into a particular examination of works of this nature, we shall only say, that they have long been in high eftimation."

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The late learned Dr. Blair gave his opinion of them in the following terms. Mr. Lindley Murray's Grammar, with the Exer⚫cifes and the Key in a feparate volume, I efteem as a most excellent performance. I think it fuperior to any work of that nature we have 'yet had; and am perfuaded that it is, by much, the best Grammar of the English language extant. On Syntax, in particular, he has 'fhown a wonderful degree of acuteness and precision, in afcertaining the propriety of language, and in rectifying the numberless errors which writers are apt to commit. Moft ufeful these books must certainly be to all who are applying themselves to the arts of com. 'pofition." Guardian of Education, July, 1803.

"This Grammar is a publication of much merit, and fully answers the profeffions in the title. The Appendix contains fome of the best rules for writing elegantly, and with propriety, that we recollect to have feen." Monthly Review, July, 1798.

"We have been much pleafed with the perufal of Mr. Murray's "English Exercifes." They occupy, with diftinguished excellence, a most important place in the fcience of the English language; and, as fuch, we can warmly recommend them to the teachers of fchools, as well as to all those who are defirous of attaining correctness and precifion in their native tongue,' Monthly Review, July, 1797.

"I his book (English Exercises) has been accidently miflaid: but we willingly repeat the praife we formerly gave the author for his English Grammar. There is great judgment fhown in thefe Exercises; and, what is no common merit, the greatest perspicuity in the adaptation of the examples to the feveral rules."

British Critic, November, 1798.

"Thefe Exercises are in general well calculated to promote the purpose of information, not only with regard to orthography and punctuation, but alfo in point of phrafeology fyntax, and precise perfpicuity of composition." Critical Review, October, 1797.

A FIRST BOOK FOR CHILDREN.

"This very improved primer is intended to prepare the learner for the author's English Spelling-book; and is particularly defigned by him, to affift mothers, in the inftruction of their young children -This little volume is entitled to our recommendation."

Monthly Review, April, 1806.

AN ENGLISH SPELLING-Book.

Mr. Murray has compofed one of the best elementary books for children, in the English language." Critical Review, April, 1805. "We doubt not that, in procefs of time, this fpelling-book will have as many admirers, as the author's grammar has already obtained." Imperial Review, October, 1804. "We can fafely recommend this fpelling-book, as the best work of the kind which has lately fallen under our infpection."

Anti-jacobin Review, December, 1804. "We recommend to the public this most important little volume, as the only work with which we are acquainted, in the English language, for teaching children to read, written by a philofopher and a man of tafte." Literary Journal, November, 1804.

"This is a very neat and ufeful elementary book. The fcale of inAtruction which the author has exhibited, is accurately graduated. The reading leffons are very appropriate, amufing, and ufeful. They are likewife ree from the taint of the prevailing irreligion. This author deferves much praife and encouragement, for the pains he has taken in purifying books of inftruction: and the English Grammar, mentioned in the title of the prefent work, will eftablish his character as a writer in this important department of literature."

The Chriftian Obferver, April, 1806.

"This little book is fingularly well adapted to answer the purpose for which it is intended, and muft be, an acceptable prefent to the teachers of English Youth. Mr. Murray, who has already difplayed great fkill in the department of inftruction, will acquire additional reputation from this manual. The rules for fpellin and pronunciation are good, and the Leffons, Examples, and Exercifes, are judiciously chofen. The book is entitled to our recommendation."

Monthly Review, April, 1806.

Besides the favourable characters of Mr. Murray's works, in the different Reviews, the Proprietors of the copyrights have observed the strong recommendations of them, g ven by a number of other respectable writers. From some of these authors, they have selected the following sentiments.

"Mr. Murray's Grammar, and Selection of Leffons for reading are the beft in the English language."

Walker's Elements of Elocution. Second edition. "Since the first edition of our work, we have feen with pleasure, An English Grammar-English Exercifes-and a Key to the English Exercifes, by Mr. Lindley Murray."

Edgeworth's Practical Education. Second edition. "For a full and eafy explanation of the Figures of Speech, the reader. is referred to Mr. Lindley Murray's excellent English Grammar.” Edgeworth's Poetry Explained.

PART I.

PIECES IN PROSE.

CHAPTER I.

SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS.

SECTION

DILIGENCE, ILIGENCE, industry, and proper improvement of time, are material duties of the young.

The acquisition of knowledge is one of the most honourable occupations of youth.

Whatever useful or engaging endowments we possess, virtue is requisite, in order to their shining with proper lustre.

Virtuous youth gradually brings forward accomplished and flourishing manhood.

Sincerity and truth form the basis of every virtue.

In the first chapter, the Compiler has exhibited sentences in a great variety of construction, and in all the diverfity of Punctuation. If well practised upon, he presumes they will fully prepare the young reader for the various paufes, inflections, and modulations of voice, which the fucceeding pieces require. The Author's "English Exercises," under the head of Punctuation, will afford the learner additional scope for improving himself, in reading sentences and paragraphs variously conAtruded.

A

Disappointments and distress are often blessings in

disguise.

Change and alteration form the very essence of the world.

True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise.

In order to acquire a capacity for happiness, it must be our first study to rectify inward disorders.

Whatever purifies, fortifies also the heart.

From our eagerness to grasp, we strangle and destroy pleasure.

Á temperate spirit, and moderate expectations, are excellent safeguards of the mind, in this uncertain and changing state.

There is nothing, except simplicity of intention, and purity of principle, that can stand the test of near approach and strict examination.

The value of any possession is to be chiefly estimated, by the relief which it can bring us in the time of our greatest need.

the

No person who has once yielded up government of his mind, and given loose rein to his desires and passions, can tell how far they may carry him.

Tranquillity of mind is always most likely to be attained, when the business of the world is tempered with thoughtful and serious retreat.

He who would act like a wise man, and build his house on the rock, and not on the sand, should contemplate human life, not only in the sunshine, but in the shade.

Let usefulness and beneficence, not ostentation and vanity, direct the train of your pursuits.

To maintain a steady and unbroken mind, amidst all the shocks of the world, marks a great and noble spirit.

Patience, by preserving composure within, resists the impression which trouble makes from without.

Compassionate affections, even when they draw tears

from our eyes for human misery, convey satisfaction to the heart.

They who have nothing to give, can often afford relief to others, by imparting what they feel.

Our ignorance of what is to come, and of what is really good or evil, should correct anxiety about worldly success.

The veil which covers from our sight the events of succeeding years, is a veil woven by the hand of

mercy.

The best preparation for all the uncertainties of fu turity, consists in a well-ordered mind, a good conscience, and a cheerful submission to the will of Hea

ven.

SECTION II.

THE chief misfortunes that befall us in life, can be traced to some vices or follies which we have committed.

Were we to survey the chambers of sickness and distress, we should often find them peopled with the victims of intemperance and sensuality, and with the children of vicious indolence and sloth.

To be wise in our own eyes, to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, are three things so very different, as rarely to coincide.

Man, in his highest earthly glory, is but a reed floating on the stream of time, and forced to follow every new direction of the current.

The corrupted temper, and the guilty passions of the bad, frustrate the effect of every advantage which the world confers on them.

The external misfortunes of life, disappointments, poverty, and sickness, are light in comparison of those inward distresses of mind, occasioned by folly, by passion, and by guilt.

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