Review: Book on the Soul. By Rev. T. H. Gallaudet [pp. 145-157]

Book on the Soul.3
common extremes, of being too learned on the one hand, or
too quaint and vulgar on the other. Although, to a superficial observer, it may seem to be the easiest thing in the
world, to write in the plain simple style of these little volumes; yet, we have no doubt, that it has cost the writer
more sedulous attention and labour, to write in this manner,
than to compose in that -florid and elegant style, in which
many admired books are written. But while we wish to
bestow high commendation on the purity, simplicity, and
unaffected ease of the style of these little volumes, there are
some trivial points on which we would remark. It did not
strike us favourably, that the word think is so repeatedly
used, where thq mental exercise intended to be expressed is
willing. I think to move my hand, is a form of expression
which sounds very awkwardly to us, and we do not see why
the appropriate word might not be as well used. I will to
move my hand or feet, is, in our opinion, as intelligible to a
child, as the form of expression here adopted. We are of
opinion, that no form of speech should be used in such an
elementary work which is not correct, and which it would
be improper for the child to use when the age of infancy is
past. In other instances, when the author has occasion to
use a word not likely to be understood by children, he seizes
the opportunity of explaining its meaning; and thus a new
word is learned by the pupil. And it appears to us, that this
would have been the correct course here; for sooner or later,
the proper word to signify that act of the mind termed willing, a volition, must be known; but the child, having been
accustomed to the phraseology here employed, will be long
subjected to embarrassment.
The only other thing which we have observed in the style
of these volumes, which calls for a remark, is the occasional
use of the sign of the infinitive mode, without expressing the
verb itself, when it can readily be understood: an idiom,
which as far as we know, is confined to the inhabitants of
New England and their descendants in the other States. In
answer to the question, Do you go to town, to day? they say,
I intend to, or Iwant to. Now, however, this method of
abbreviation may be tolerated in familiar conversation, it
ought not to be admitted in any written composition; and
especially in a book from which thousands of children will
form their habits of speaking the English language.
voL. iv. No. II. -U
153