to the time of returning. The sentence corrected would stand thus:  ’After I had visited Europe, I returned to America.’”—­Gr., ii, p. 19; and Ex. 12mo, p. xii.  These are the first two examples of Murray’s verbal corrections, and the only ones retained by Alger, in his improved, recopy-righted edition of Murray’s Exercises.  Yet, in each of them, is the argumentation palpably false!  In the former, truly, which should be who; but not because which is “of the neuter gender;” but because the application of that relative to persons, is now nearly obsolete.  Can any grammarian forget that, in speaking of brute animals, male or female, we commonly use which, and never who?  But if which must needs be neuter, the world is wrong in this.—­As for the latter example, it is right as it stands; and the correction is, in some sort, tautological.  The conjunctive adverb after makes one of the actions subsequent to the other, and gives to the visiting all the priority that is signified by the pluperfect tense. “After I visited Europe,” is equivalent to “When I had visited Europe.”  The whole argument is therefore void.[63]

33.  These few brief illustrations, out of thousands that might be adduced in proof of the faultiness of the common manuals, the author has reluctantly introduced, to show that even in the most popular books, with all the pretended improvements of revisers, the grammar of our language has never been treated with that care and ability which its importance demands.  It is hardly to be supposed that men unused to a teacher’s duties, can be qualified to compose such books as will most facilitate his labours.  Practice is a better pilot than theory.  And while, in respect to grammar, the consciousness of failure is constantly inducing changes from one system to another, and almost daily giving birth to new expedients as constantly to end in the same disappointment; perhaps the practical instructions of an experienced teacher, long and assiduously devoted to the study, may approve themselves to many, as seasonably supplying the aid and guidance which they require.

34.  From the doctrines of grammar, novelty is rigidly excluded.  They consist of details to which taste can lend no charm, and genius no embellishment.  A writer may express them with neatness and perspicuity—­their importance alone can commend them to notice.  Yet, in drawing his illustrations from the stores of literature, the grammarian may select some gems of thought, which will fasten on the memory a worthy sentiment, or relieve the dullness of minute instruction.  Such examples have been taken from various authors, and interspersed through the following pages.  The moral effect of early lessons being a point of the utmost importance, it is especially incumbent on all those who are endeavouring to confer the benefits of intellectual culture, to