CORRESPONDENCE.

SIR, You must have often been struck with a singular circumstance to which I find it difficult to give a designation,*-namely, that when you have met with anything in the course of your reading that particularly struck or interested you, perhaps in the next book you take up, though it be only to while away a leisure hour, you unexpectediy fall in with something that throws more light on the subject, or something having a remarkable connexion with it. As an instance, I was yesterday reading in the POPULAR EDUCATOR, the biography of Franklin, and particularly noticed that it was from two tracts on rhetoric and logic, annexed to an English grammar, that he obtained a knowledge of the Socratic method of reasoning. Well, I had just picked up a few old books at a stall, and taking up one of them, I found it to be the very grammar, with treatises on the art of poetry; rhetoric and logic annexed; and also a recommendation, with examples, of the Socratic method of disputing, that Franklin had studied; and well worthy of being studied it seems to be. Though from the preface it appears to have been the first of our English grammars, except those of Dr. Wallis and Johnson (not Samuel), yet to me it seems the most philosophic and sensible English English grammar that I have seen. The title is wanting, but it is dedicated to Queen Anne, and contains the preface to the second edition, without date; but, in the explanation of abbreviations at the end of the grammar, the Roman numerals for 1736 are given, which indicates the true date. The authors utterly discard all the grammatical terms borrowed from the grammars of the classics. They divide grammar into four parts,-viz., letters, ayllables, words, and sentences. All the portions to be committed to memory are "put into as smooth and sonorous verse as the nature of the subject would bear." To this is added an explanation in prose, along with additional observations, reasons, and exceptions; and below these are copious, useful, and very interesting notes and learned disquisitions on universal grammar, &c. To pass by the first and second parts, we find the authors make only four parts of speech,-viz., names, qualities, affirmations, and particles, or the manner of words. The affirmation spoken of as "the soul of the sentence," is thus defined :

“An affirmation (as the word does show)

Something affirms; and does number know,
And time and person; whether it express
Action, being, passion, or their want confess;
Two times the English language only knows,

The first the present, next the passing shows: &c." Truly more modern grammarians have grievously retrograded. Under the term Qualities, are comprehended not only what we term adjectives, but also the possessive cases of nouns and pronouns, participles and articles; for, as the authors justly observe,

"A, an, and the, we qualities may name,

Because their use and nature are the same."

The particles are divided into three sorts; the 1st, showing the manners or qualities of words; the 2nd, denoting circumstances of actions; and the 3rd, joining sentence to sentence. What modern grammarians treat of under the head of prosody, is here reserved for the first part of "the art of poetry," which also includes a good deal that might fairly some under the head of orthography. The remainder of this book treats of the different kinds of poetical composition, as, epigram, pastoral, elegy, lyric, satire, comedy, and tragedy, with rules, examples, and criticisms. The epic or heroic poem comes last, and is summarily dismissed in half a page, concluding thus :-" The rules at large would be too extensive for this treatise, and but of little use: the poem being not to be undertaken but by a master, and by a genius that does not appear once in a thousand years."

The treatises on rhetoric and logic appear to be very useful and sensibly written compendiums, but I cannot say that I admire either the manner or the matter of the example of the Socratic method of disputing, which the authors have subjoined.-Yours, &c.,

JAMES ADAMSON.

tWe give place to this letter for several reasons: First, it is a fair specimen of epistolary correspondence for our younger readers; second, the subject is both curious and interesting, and serves to verify some judicious remarks made by Dr. Beard on the modern method of teaching English Grammar; and third, it shows how useful it is to reflect on what you read, to associate it in your mind with the names of eminent individuals, and to be on the alert to observe everything that bears upon any important or useful subject.]

SIR.-In answer to your correspondent, who signs himself "Pitt,” I beg to say that the rock harmonicon is made of stone taken from the mountain of Skiddaw, in Cumberland. Perhaps the origin of this harmonicon is unknown to your correspondent. A traveller in passing over the mountain chanced to strike his foot against one of the loose stones. He was surprised at the tone produced, and the idea of forming an harmonicon occurred to him. With what success I need not mention. The law of the Association of Ideas.-ED.

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SELF-TAUGHT MAN. SIR-I was sent to school at a very early age; but, being frequently sent from one school to another it was found that when I left school at the age of nine years, I knew little more than the letters of the alphabet. Being a big boy it was thought that I should be sent to work; this was accordingly done; but before I was fifteen I had served seventeen different masters, for I never remained six months in any of my situa tions. The opinion which the different masters formed of me was that I did not like work.

At the age of fifteen I left home, and continued to roam about the country, leading a many-sided life, till I was nearly twenty. I then returned home, and was received like the prodigal son. My relatives soon procured employment for me, and by my steadiness then, I gave them and my employers great satisfaction. I had not been in my situation many days before my ignorance was made apparent both to myself and others. I was requested to read to the workmen at meal-times; for we had all our meals in the factory, except supper. The blush rose to my face when I was compelled to decline the duty. I felt degraded, as I was considered to be what was termed "respectable," and it was discovered that I was not able to read. I felt then determined to remove the stigma of ignorance, and for this purpose went to an evening school for three nights in the week to learn to read, write, and cipher. I remained there till it was given up for the season, and then had to get on the best way I could. I was determined to make the best of my little time-for I had to be at work at five in the morning, and it was frequently eight at night before I left, with only two hours for meals, so that I had no time to devote to study in the day-time. At the night-school I learnt but little, being left too much to myself. Books were put into my hands, and I had to use them the best way I could; but not knowing the force and meaning of words, I could not get on.

A new era opened to me at this period, in consequence of my joining a Young Men's Society. Their discussions threw a new light upon everything, at least so it seemed to me; and it was not long before I took part in them. I bought Lennie's Grammar, and mastered its contents in about six months; during the same time I went halfway through Crossley's Calculator. Just about the time I joined the Young Men's Society, I went to work as a "navvy," so that I had more time for study, for I left off working at six o'clock evening. In about twelve months afterwards I gave up this occupation and obtained another, where I had more time still, and endeavoured to profit by it. A little before I gave up being a navvy," a well-thumbed volume of Euclid came in my way, and with its difficulties I was pleased. I had not forgotten to read books upon general subjects, during the preceding twelve months, and to make extracts of what I read. Soon after I had commenced studying Lennie's Grammar, Todd's "Student's Manual" came into my hands, and from it I derived much benefit. A friend, finding that I was making such rapid progress, advised me to apply for admission into the Normal School, London; and having done so, I was admitted, when, in less than six months, the time for which I entered, I was appointed to a school in the south-west of England.

Since then I have extended my knowledge of Geography, History, Ancient and Modern, Mathematics, Natural History and Natural Philosophy, Music, Drawing, and Latin, and I am now keeping you company in the pages of the POPULAR EDUCATOR.

The element of success is determination. However great the difficulties are, they may be overcome if one will only try. My difficulties seemed at times insurmountable; but I was determined to overcome them, and I have succeeded. What has been done by one man can be done by another. I am now about thirty years of age, and I am determined to work harder than ever.-I am, Mr. Editor, yours faithfully,

xxx.

This I afterwards found useful to me, as it gave me an insight into many trades, and put me in possession of information which I could not have ob tained without considerable reading.

LITERARY NOTICES.

CASSELL'S ELEMENTS OF ARITHMETIC, will be issued early in October, price 18. in stiff covers, or 1s. 6d. cloth, uniform with Cassell's Edition of Euclid, edited by Professor Wallace, A.M., of the University of Glasgow, Editor of Cassell's "Euclid," the POPULAR EDUCATOR, &c.

THE POPULAR EDUCATOR ALMANACK, price 2d., containing a large amount of Educational Statistics, compiled from the most authentic sources, with brief notices of the various arts, sciences, languages, &c., will be ready for delivery November 1st.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Our SERIES OF MAPS, in illustration of the Lessons in Geography will begin with No. 27, the commencement of our Second Volume, in which EUROPE (measuring 12 inches by 9), engraved expressly for the POPULAR EDUCATOR, will appear.

W.D. (St. James's): Latin and Greek are the keys to many languages, but not to all. French is useful in relation to the English, and in a commercial and international point of view.-B. C. P. (Blackfriars-road): There will be an article on Wood Engraving in the Illustrated Exhibitor in an early number.-J. T. (Manchester): The proper expression is "before a mute h."-AN APPRENTICE (Edinburgh) is right; we wish our students would take his admirable hint; viz., "We ought not to begin the study of Euclid with a mind overwhelmed with the difficulty we have to encounter, but prepared to receive the easiest reasoning that can be adduced."-LATIN AND ENGLISH: No.-GEORGE COX (West Bromwich) is right; the Bible is intended to convince the ungodly, but not to be made their laughing-stock. "Whoever comes to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Gesenius's Hebrew Lexicon is reckoned the best; but be sure to buy Bagster's edition. Gegenius's views of Bible truth are exceedingly erroneous; but the student is carefully warned at every step, in the edition we recommend. Bagster's Analytical Dictionary is invaluable to a student of the Scriptures. Liddell and Scott's Greek Lexicon is much the best.-H. S. WATLING (Clare): We have proposed the question of multiplying £99 198. 114d, by itself, in a rational way, in No. 23, p. 368, and we here solve it: First,

:

£1: £99 19s. 11ąd.:: £99 19s. 11 d. the answer. Now, reducing all into farthings, this becomes

960 95999: 95999: 959980085, where the fourth term is obtained in the usual way by multiplying the second and third terms together, and dividing by the first. The fourth term being now in farthings, if it be reduced to pounds, it will give the answer £9999 158. 10d. This might be done very shortly as follows:-First, we have

£1: £99958: £99858: the answer.

960

or putting this statement in the following form, we have £1: £100-ʊ:: £100-slo: the answer. Then, (100-o) × (100—9ft)=10000-388+2=£10000(200 farthings)+ of a farthing = £9999 15s. 10

d. the answer.-J. J. B. (Taunton): The subject of Greek is ever before us.S. C. (Salford): Answered before.-A YOUNG GARDENER: We shall see.-F. BEETS (Grimstone); J. LATTA (Watten): Received.

A. BOYD (Glasgow) requests us to solve the equation (a+x)+3v (a−x)=b. Putting (a+x)=m, and 31 (a-x)=n, you have m+n=b. Cubing both sides of this, you have m3+3m2n+3mn2+n3=63; which may be put thus, m3+n3+3mn(m+n)=b3; or thus, m3+n3+3mnb=b3 (A). But by cubing, you have a+am3, and a-an3; also, by multiplying, you have (a+x)×3√(a−x)=mn, or 3y (a2—x2)=mn. Now, substituting these values in equation (A), you have a++ax+3b3√(a2—x2)=b3, or 2a+3b3√ (a2—x2)—b3; whence by transb3-2a posing and dividing, you have 3√(a2—x2)= Now cubing

36

this, transposing and changing signs, you have a2= =(2

whence, extracting the square root, you have =√

-2a}.

-2a;

MUSIC.-W. FORD, A PIANOFORTE PLAYER, ENQUIRER, CHARLES, AMY LAWRENCE, and JOSHUA: Look at Lesson VIII.-G. F.; J. S. (Vauxhall); M. B. S. C. (Edinburgh): See Lesson IX. We are much interested in the account, by the last-named, of the monochord which he has made, and in the thorough way in which he has tested our assertions and calculations on the structure of the scale. Several other correspondents have sent us drawings and descriptions of the monochords which they have constructed. Their intelligent communications will be made use of in future lessons.-W. S. (Portsea): Among the best of the cheap books on "Thorough Bass" is "Hamilton's Grammar," published by Cocks. His " Catechism of Counterpoint" (28.) is also well written, and a good book for beginners. The mode of tuition employed in our lessons has peculiar facilities for making the principles of harmony easily understood. One chapter in the "Grammar of Vocal Music" (28. 6d., Messrs. Ward and Co.) contains all the rules which a beginner requires. There is an admirable little "First Book of Musical Grammar," by Mr. James Gall, of Edinburgh, who adopts to a great extent the same principles with us, only using the figures instead of the bettersounding solfa syllables. Of the more expensive works, Dr. Marx's "School of Musical Composition," just published by Cocks and Co., is recommended as the best. It is admirably progressive in its lessons and

exercises. MR. SIDNEY BIRD, Professor of Music (Whitechapel): We are obliged by his communication. We hope to treat the subject briefly and practically in our present course of lessons.-N. T. P. (Merthyr Tydfil): Answered partly above. For singing, we have tried to make our own course of lessons the most thorough and practical course that has appeared for adults and self-teachers generally. A similar course adapted to the young is given in "Pupil's Manual;" another for congregations is appended to "Solfa People's Service of Song;" and a book for teachers and thorough students is presented in the "Grammar " above referred to, all published by Messrs. Ward and Co.-Mr. SOMES, who inquires for a separate manual for teachers on the plan of our own lessons, will find it in the book last named.-W. S. (Chelsea) is reminded that we do not wish to teach any "system," but to teach the verities of music itself. Like thousands in the present day, and like ourselves many years ago, he has probably only learnt a system, and is quite surprised, as we were, to find how different a thing music itself is from that which is often taught for it.-ANNETTE, “nearly eleven years old, with a tolerable voice:" You are just at the right age for learning to sing. A little at a time, and a little every day, should be your rale. The little girl mentioned in Lesson VIII, is about six years old. Be as fond of pointing on the modulator as she is.-W. R. (Kinross): The middle or tenor c, as it is called, is now commonly reckoned to have two hundred and fifty vibrations. In books less than a century old it was reckoned at two hundred and forty. There is no authoritative standard. Make a" syren."-F. P. A.: Our business at present is with vocal music, The voice is the best instrument, and the easiest learnt. Learn music in connexion with the voice; the mere manipulation of an instrument easily follows. The sequential system we have carefully examined. think some of its principles may, at a future time, be adopted generally, but not the whole as it now stands. See preface to the "Grammar mentioned above.-SUBSCRIBER should write to Collard and Co., and to Broadwood and Co. (direction, London), inquiring the price of the cheapest piano they make. Mr. Sprague, of the Pavement, Finsbury, London, makes harmoniums in plain deal cases, very cheap and none the worse for the plain deal cases. We have pleasure in naming thus any man who cheapens music and musical instruments for the people.J. J. (Wood-street) should use his German concertina in connexion with the solfa syllables, and not puzzle himself about the staff at present. See Lesson VIII. He can only play in the key of c, or, if he has a double instrument, in the keys of c and G. If he takes c for DOH, then, of in the key of c very well. They are written (on the staff) in the key of course, ME will be E, and SOH G, &c. The earlier exercises may be sung

We

D. Let NIL DESPERANDUM, "who loses his breath on the lower notes," attend steadily to our instructions on the management of the voice. Let him take the trouble of inquiring for himself, at the nearest musicshops, the cost of hiring pianos.-T. N. B. (Southgate): The English concertina is incomparably a better instrument for leading than the violin "in the hands of a middling performer.”—A. R. (Thurso): "The old wine is the best." But our correspondent may yet be gratified by seeing good original songs in the EDUCATOR. Original songs are easy to get, but few are so good as those which have stood the test of years.-W. S. (Portsea): Hamilton's "Modern Instructions for the Pianoforte "(48.) Even Cramer's, if we remember rightly, three times the price, would not is so good a book for the purpose, that we need not name another. take its place.-W. GALT, C. J. E. S., R. T. T., G, T. C. The violin, of all instruments, most imperatively demands for you the instructions of a master; it requires to be so delicately and perfectly played. It is better not played at all than badly played. With a master you would probably use the instruction-books of Parry (48.), Blagrove (88.), or Loader (128.). The price of Dr. Marx's great work on Composition and Harmony is one guinea.

Received: T. U. P.-W. NICHOLSON-J. HOUGH-BELL's steno phonography from the author.-W. F. RANKINE (Seskanore).-.. z. (Southampton).-ENGLISII (St. Pancras): Smart's Walker is the best

but sometimes the dative.

circumstances.