‘TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL SCHOOLS’
[LILY, William.]
A short introduction of grammar generally to be used; compiled and set forth for the bringing up of all those that intend to attain to the knowledge of the Latin tongue. To which are added usefull observations by way of comment out of ancient and late grammarians.
Oxford, Sheldonian Theatre, 1709.
[bound with:]
[—.] Brevissima institutio seu ratio grammatices cognoscendae ad omnium puerorum utilitatem praescripta: quam solam regia majestas in omnibus scholis docendam praecepit. Additis subinde observationibus utilissimis ... Oxford, Sheldonian Theatre, 1709.
Two works in one volume, 8vo, I: pp. [78], [2 (blank)], copper engraving by M. Burghers of schoolchildren picking apples facing title, engraving by the same of Sheldonian Theatre to title; text in roman and blackletter; II: pp. [2], 206, woodcut arms of Oxford University to title; slight cockling; very good, clean copies in later calf panelled to style; small wormtrack to lower cover.
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A short introduction of grammar generally to be used; compiled and set forth for the bringing up of all those that intend to attain to the knowledge of the Latin tongue. To which are added usefull observations by way of comment out of ancient and late grammarians.
Later editions (likely issued together) of two Latin grammars ascribed to the great grammarian and schoolmaster William Lily (1468?–1522/1523).
While named after Lily, ‘Lily’s grammar’ is in fact a composite work, with contributions by John Colet, Thomas Robertson, and others. ‘During the sixteenth century the grammar was subjected to slight modifications by practising schoolmasters, but its basic structure remained intact. It reigned supreme from 1540 to 1757, when a more extensively revised edition ... was adopted as The Eton Latin Grammar under the title A Short Introduction to the Latin Tongue’ (ODNB).
‘The influence of Lily’s grammar was therefore further renewed, extending into the nineteenth century and beyond. The grammar’s effect on English literature was equally great: Shakespeare’s characters quote it verbatim, the dramatist John Lyly repeated lines from it, Ben Jonson adapted it, and Thomas Fuller complained of being beaten because of it’ (ibid.).
The title to the second work states that it alone was to be taught ‘in all schools’, by royal command; grammars such as these were thus a guaranteed income stream for those granted the right to publish them, in this case Oxford University Press.
ESTC T155316 and T160756.
