Men learn their own language by habit, and not by rules: and this is just what we might expect; for the grammar of a language is itself formed from the prevalent habits of speech and writing.

A compiler of grammar first observes these habits, and then makes his rules: but if a person is himself familiar with the habits, why study the rules?
I say nothing of grammar as a general science; because, although the philosophy of language be a valuable branch of human knowledge, it were idle to expect that school-boys should understand it.

The objection is, to the system of attempting to teach children formally that which they will learn practically without teaching."-- JONATHAN DYMOND: _Essays on Morality_, p.

195.
18.

This opinion, proceeding from a man who has written upon human affairs with so much ability and practical good sense, is perhaps entitled to as much respect as any that has ever been urged against the study in question.
And so far as the objection bears upon those defective methods of instruction which experience has shown to be inefficient, or of little use, I am in no wise concerned to remove it.