First Greek Lessons Containing All The Inflexions Of The Greek Language

Author : Albert Harkness
Publisher : CreateSpace
ISBN 13 : 9781500979959
Total Pages : 292 pages
Book Rating : 4.9/5 (799 download)

DOWNLOAD NOW!

Download or read book First Greek Book written by Albert Harkness and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2014-08-27 with total page 292 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the PREFACE: THE volume now offered to the public is designed to be at once an outline of Greek Grammar and an Introductory Greek Reader. It proposes to conduct the beginner through the common forms and inflections of the language, to acquaint him with the leading principles of its syntax, to present before him a distinct picture of the Greek sentence, and, finally, to furnish him with a short course of reading preparatory to the Anabasis of Xenophon. It is based upon the same philological principles as the author's Latin books, though in its execution it differs from them in one or two important particulars. It follows more closely the ordinary arrangement of standard Gram- mars, and proceeds more rapidly in the development of its plan. The general method of classification and treatment, however, is the same. Moreover, principles and rules which are common to both the Greek and the Latin are stated in the same language as in those works, thus rendering the pupil's knowledge already acquired for the Latin available also for the Greek, This, it is hoped, will not only economize the time of the learning, but also lead him to compare the two languages, and thus secure a more definite knowledge of their resemblances. The present work is the result of a growing conviction on the part pf the author that the old method of burdening the memory of the beginner with a con- fused mass of unmeaning forms, inflections, and rules, without allowing him the luxury of using the knowledge he is so laboriously acquiring, is at once unsatisfactory and unphilosophical. It accordingly aims to present a clear and systematic arrangement of the great facts and laws of the language, and to illustrate them step by step with carefully selected examples and exercises. In this way every lesson is learned for actual use, and thus becomes clothed with interest and meaning. The various changes of inflection, otherwise so dry and difficult, are found to be the keys to the rich treasures of ancient thought. In preparing the exercises and the reading lessons care has been taken to introduce such selections as would not only best illustrate grammatical points, but would also possess in themselves some intrinsic value and interest. The work is designed to be complete in itself, requiring no accompaniment of grammar or lexicon. For the convenience, however, of such as may prefer to use it, in connection with some standard Grammar, references are made in the Syntactical portions, both of the Lessons and Notes, to the excellent works of Professors Hadley, Crosby, and Goodwin. In the preparation of the work the author has resorted freely to such sources of information as were within his reach. Among the numerous Grammatical and Philological works which he has had constantly before him, the invaluable labors of Veitch and Carmichael on the Greek Verb, and those of Madvig and Clyde on the Greek Syntax, deserve special mention. * * * * * "This is a clear, condensed, and satisfactory outline of Greek grammar, peculiarly well adapted to the wants of beginners. The reception already given by the public to the other works of Professor Harkness, is evidence of their adaptedness to the end for which they are designed." -"Princeton Review," Volume 33