.

An oak, a man; means _any_ oak,
Or _any_ man of all mankind;
A dog, a bone, means _any_ dog,
Or _any_ bone a dog may find.

This article we only use
Whenever it may be our wish
To speak of some determined thing,
As thus;--_the_ bird, _the_ ox, _the_ fish.

By which we mean not _any_ bird,
That flying in the air may be,
Or _any_ ox amongst the herd,
Or _any_ fish in stream or sea.

But some one certain bird or ox,
Or fish (let it be which it may)
Of which we're speaking, or of which
We something mean to write or say.

Remember these things when you see
The little words, a, an, and the.
These words so useful, though so small
Are those which articles we call.

Nothing can be more absurd than to compel young children to commit
to memory mere abstract rules expressed in difficult and technical
language. Such requires a painful effort of the mind, and one
calculated to give a disgust against learning. _Grammar was formed on
language and not language by grammar_, and from this it necessarily
follows, that children should acquire a considerable store of words
from a knowledge of reading and of things, before their minds are
taxed by abstract rules. To be thoroughly understood they require
words to be compared with words, and one word to be compared with
another; and how can this be done without the memory being amply
supplied with them previously. Such simple instruction as this chapter
directs may easily be given; but to attempt much more would be like
endeavouring to build an elegant and ornamental structure before you
had collected materials to build with.

CHAPTER XX.

THE ELLIPTICAL PLAN OF TEACHING.

_Method Explained--Its success_.

* * * * *

"He tried each art."--_Goldsmith_.

* * * * *

All persons acquainted with children are aware of the torpor of some
minds, and of the occasional apathy of others, and to this it is
necessary to provide some counteraction. This is done effectually by
what is called the elliptical plan, according to which, words are
omitted in a narrative or poem repeated by the teacher, for the
purpose of being supplied by the children.

These exercises are very agreeable to the children, and by them some
features of the mental character become conspicuous. Children are
usually sensible of their need of instruction, but if they can make
it appear that any of the