Mastering English gathers thirty-four classic texts that chart the English language as system, history, social practice, and imaginative resource. Prescriptive grammars and schoolroom manuals stand beside philological inquiries, vocabulary guides, studies of pronunciation, dialect, and American usage, creating a richly varied archive of linguistic thought. The volume's range—from practical instruction to playful verbal observation and historical speculation—reveals how debates over "correc...

In "A Short System of English Grammar," Henry Bate meticulously deconstructs the complexities of the English language, presenting a concise yet thorough exploration of grammar that is both accessible and enlightening. The book is characterized by its clear organization and systematic approach, which reflects the educational philosophies of the late 18th-century, emphasizing clarity in linguistic instruction. Bate's style balances scholarly rigor with conversational tone, making grammatical...

The story could really have been simple: Miss Milner, who is admired for her beauty and charm, could have been a socialite, marry a respectable and good looking man and be happy in the standards of her time. But if it was so, why would there be a book? Miss Milner, beautiful and charming as she is, announces her wish to marry her guardian, a catholic priest. But women in the 18th century do not declare their wishes or speak about their passions, and- after all- he is a catholic priest… And...