Yet one may readily admit, that a compilation, "from the nature and design of it, must consist chiefly"-- nay, _wholly_--"of materials selected from the writings of others." But what able grammarian would ever willingly throw himself upon the horns of such a dilemma! The nature and design _of a book_, whatever they may be, are matters for which the author alone is answerable; but the nature and design _of grammar_, are no less repugnant to the strain of this apology, than to the vast number of errors and defects which were overlooked by Murray in his work of compilation.

It is the express purpose of this practical science, to enable a man to write well himself.

He that cannot do this, exhibits no excess of modesty when he claims to have "done all that could reasonably be expected in a work of this nature."-- _L.

Murray's Gram., Introd._, p.9.He that sees with other men's eyes, is peculiarly liable to errors and inconsistencies: uniformity is seldom found in patchwork, or accuracy in secondhand literature.

Correctness of language is in the mind, rather than in the hand or the tongue; and, in order to secure it, some originality of thought is necessary.