In regard to nouns the distinction of gender will be early noticed because of the difference in the masculine and feminine pronouns. The teacher will deal with it as he does with aspiration and eclipses. Let him not attempt to generalise too early, but let the pupils realise the distinction intuitively until their curiosity is aroused and they have had numerous examples. He may then, in half an hour's discourse, point out that while the genders follow the distinctions of sex where that is clearly known, there is no neuter gender in Irish, and hence all neutral words must be classed into one or other of the two established genders. He will further explain that this is done, not in accordance with the meanings of the words, but in accordance with theii written form, a purely artificial and somewhat unimportant division which he need not too much regard. The cases of nouns will be similarly dealt with and the general rules under which nouns are declined gradually elucidated. The pupils may be told that the changes in nouns are by no means as essential to the learner as the changes in verbs, and that to make a mistake in regard to the correct form of a noun-ending seldom alters the meaning of an expression, but that practice will gradually bring a knowledge of the correct forms. I need not pursue the subject of teaching grammar further here, but when the teacher considers it safe he should recommend his pupils to procure a handy grammar—Craig's or the Christian Brothers'—and read the rules and regulations for themselves. If he has doubts as to whether the proper time has arrived to so recommend them, he should defer the matter
