ts _if_ his friend will come," is not so elegant and accurate as,
"He doubts _whether_ his friend will come."

More instances might be given, setting forth other frequent errors of
speaking and writing, at the risk, however, of destroying the due
proportion which should exist between the size of a work and the _length
of the Introduction_. But a good heed to what has been said in the few
preceding paragraphs, will enable a person who carefully reads this work
to mend his modes of expression, to no inconsiderable degree. It is well
known that there is no "royal road to learning," but if there were, it
could hardly be expected that such a little book as this would afford a
passport to the end of the course. About two hundred years ago, a small
volume was put forth by one "John Peters, learned scholar and author,"
which had the following long-winded title: "A New Way to make Latin
Verses, whereby any one of ordinary capacity, that only _knows the A, B,
C_ and can _count nine_, though he understands not _one word of Latin_, or
what a verse means, may be plainly taught to make thousands of Hexameter
and Pentameter Verses, which shall be true Latin, true Verse, and Good
Sense!" The present volume must not be expected to accomplish so great a
result as this--not having so comprehensive an aim, nor possessing so
great a secret of success. But it is hoped that it may incite some who are
unfortunately deficient in education, to seek so much additional knowledge
as shall enable them at least to converse in a dialect which is within the
compass of the language of their country, and free them from the
imputation of belonging to another tribe of men, speaking another tongue.

A Welshman, residing near Caermarthon, who was seldom seen at the only
church in the parish of his residence, was one day accosted by the worthy
clergyman with the question, "My friend--to what church do you belong?" He
responded, "To the Church of England." "Ah," replied the pastor, "I was
sure that it must be some church _out of Wales_!" There are not a few
persons who speak the English language about as truly as the Caermarthon
Welshman attended the English Church!

FIVE HUNDRED MISTAKES CORRECTED.

1. "The business would suit any one who _enjoys bad health_." [From an
advertisement in a daily newspaper of New-York.] Few persons who have bad
health can be said to _enjoy it_. Use some other form of expression: as,
one _in delicate health_, or, one _w