praguentes, só desacredita a quem a faz, e reverte em favor do criticado. Se a minha producção não preencher a fim a que a destinei, sirva ao menos de emulação para que outros, mais habilitados, saiam do indifferentismo e apresentem outras melhores."

As regards the arrangement of the work, I have followed the well-known system adopted by Dr. Otto, as I think it eminently calculated to divest grammar of many of its harsh features and to render the acquisition of a language not only a comparatively easy, but a pleasant task. In the First Part I have endeavoured to limit myself to giving only such rules and explanations as are absolutely essential to a person wishing to acquire a general knowledge of the language; while in the Second Part I go over the ground more thoroughly for the benefit of those who wish to master and study its peculiarities. Knowing that many will study the language only in the interests of their business, I have endeavoured to make the exercises and conversations of as practical a character as possible. In writing the present work I have taken for my guidance the "Grammatica Philosophica da Lingua Portuguesa," by J. S. Barbosa; the "Grammatica Analytica," by F. S. Constancio; and other grammars in English. With regard to orthography, I have followed that given by Roquete and Valdez in their dictionaries.

I take this opportunity to thank my friend Mr. A. J. G. da Silva for the valuable assistance he has rendered me during the preparation of this grammar. Had it not been for his kind advice and encouragement I should have hesitated long before writing it, and whatever merit it may possess is in no small degree owing to his friendly services. Further, I shall feel very grateful if my readers will kindly point out any errors or omissions they may detect in the work.

4, KILLIESER AVENUE,

STREATHAM HILL, S.W.

C. H. W.

FIRST PART.

ON PRONUNCIATION.

§ 1.-THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET.

There are in the Portuguese alphabet 26 letters, which are.

a, e, i, o, u, are vowels; the others are consonants.

1. THE ACCENTS. -In Portuguese there are two accents, the acute ( ́) and the circumflex (^). The acute and the circumflex indicate that the stress is laid on the vowel over which they are placed; the circumflex in addition gives a closer sound to the vowel, as mercê, favor; avô, grandfather.

2. THE TIL (~).—This sign denotes that the vowel has a nasal sound. It indicates that originally there was an n or m following the vowel, by which it can, if necessary, be replaced in many instances, thus orgão is also spelt orgam.

B