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DEDICATION.

on the point of doing so; it forms an important part of
most Government and other examinations. But there is a
complaint from many teachers that they cannot teach English
for want of text-books and manuals; and, as the study of
English becomes year by year more general, this complaint
makes itself more and more distinctly heard. To meet this
want we have written the following pages. If we had had
more time, we might perhaps have been tempted to aim at
producing a more learned and exhaustive book on the
subject; but, setting aside want of leisure, we feel that a
practical text-book, and not a learned or exhaustive treatise,
is what is wanted at the present crisis.
We feel sure that you will give a kindly welcome to our
little book, as an attempt, however imperfect, to hand on the
torch which you have handed to us; we beg you also to
accept it as a token of our sincere gratitude for more than
ordinary kindnesses, and to believe us
Your affectionate pupils,
J. R. SEELEY.
EDWIN A. ABBOTT