A philosophical and practical grammar of the English language

New Haven: Brisban & Brannan, 1807. First edition, 12mo, pp. 250; contemporary sheep, red morocco label on spine; front free endpaper wanting, some dampstaining, the whole rubbed and worn, but sound. One of Webster's most important works. His goal in publishing this grammar was to lay out the principles of the American language based on its own structure, discarding previous work and worn-out grammatical systems. "I have long expected that some English scholar would attempt to reduce these discoveries to practical use, by framing a system of rules to illustrate the construction of sentences, upon genuine principles of the language. Being hitherto disappointed, and seeing nothing issue from the press but new compilations of old rules, and fresh editions of the same errors; I have at length undertaken to construct a Grammar, upon what my own research into the ancient English, or Saxon language, with various and extensive readings in modern books, have proved, to my full satisfaction, to be its only legitimate principles, and established usages." Although this title was not as successful as his Speller, Webster considered it one of his most important works: "My Philosophical and Practical Grammar was first published in 1807," he later wrote, "And a second edition in 1822. This work has been but little used; but, except for my quarto Dictionary, I consider it as altogether the most valuable work I have ever published." Skeel 443; Sabin 102375.