Books No. I. on German Declensions and No. II. on German Conjugations, containing tables arranged systematically and adapted to this or any other Grammar. I have found them an exceedingly useful auxiliary in class-teaching, as they enable the pupil to do his declensions and conjugations with neatness and rapidity, and the teacher to detect and correct the errors at a glance. I am satisfied from experience that the use of these Exercise Books in a class is of great benefit to both the teacher and the pupils. I shall receive with pleasure and thanks any critical review or suggestion from competent scholars, as by such means only can accuracy and perfection be attained. INTRODUCTION. THE German language has, like every other tongue, raised itself only by degrees to its present beauty and perfection. In the early history of Europe we find warlike races, called the Teutons and the Goths, occupying that part of the continent which is situated between the rivers Elbe and Rhine. These races, however, were continually harassed and invaded by the Romans, until, in the second and third centuries, they were completely dissolved and dispersed by various eastern nations-migrating at different times and in different ways from the shores of the Caspian and Black Seas to the centre of Europe. It is only from that time that history mentions German Provinces, under the name of "die Deutschen." However, the language of these amalgamated barbarian races, as well as everything else, shews us their miserable and sensual condition; for, notwithstanding the many wars which they fought with the Romans, and their constant intercourse with the manners and B customs of other nations, they have derived no benefit as regards the cultivation of their language. Thus we find their early writers either cultivating the remains of the Gothic dialect or writing in Latin. The first and living monuments of the present High German dates only from the beginning of the sixteenth century, or from Martin Luther, who, in reforming the religion of his nation, has certainly reformed its language. The former obscure style gave way to a distinct shape and utterance of thoughts, and Luther's influence was felt in life as well as in literature; his opinions were received by the people as laws, and his writings prove his great taste. Grimm, a competent German critic, says: "The language of Luther, on account of its purity and the powerful influence it had upon his followers, may be regarded as the basis of our modern High German." There can be no doubt that the present German, considering its independence of Greek-Latin, or any other language, and its bold originality, is exceedingly remarkable and interesting; and it is the elementary study of that language I propose to communicate in this little volume to all those who desire to know it. A. S. DE W. |