GENERAL EXPLANATIONS.

The indefinite article a is generally used before nouns in the singular number; it is, however, put before the plural adjectives few and many in a collective sense, thus-a few, means a small number of, and a great many, signifies a great number of. Many, followed by a, is used distributively, agreeing with a singular noun— thus, full many a gem.

Of the substantive, besides the nominative case independent in the second person, when an address is made, there is the simple expression of the subject, independent in the third person: as

Religion, what treasures untold,

Reside in that heavenly word!—Cowper.

We have another instance in Shakspeare, where Cassius speaks in the name of Brutus and Cæsar, by way of comparing their merits:

"Brutus and Cæsar! what should be in that Cæsar!"

Of the pronouns, there are several compounds not sufficiently noticed in Murray's Grammar, viz. myself singular, and ourselves plural, used in the nominative and objective cases. Thyself and yourself singular, and yourselves plural. Himself singular, and themselves plu

ral, used also in the nominative and objective cases. Myownself, thyownself, hisownself, and herownself, with their plurals, are sometimes used; but seldom with elegance.

Whatever, whichever, whatsoever, and whichsoever, particularly the two first, are frequently used as compound relatives, demonstratives, or indefinites. The phrases each other, and one another (contracted from one and another) may be taken together or separate:

Respecting in each other's case,

The gifts of nature and of grace.-Cowper.

Folded in one another's arms they lay.-Old bal.

In the first instance, it may be they, each respecting, &c. Each, having reference to two or more taken singly, may be in apposition with they. In the latter, it may be Folded, one in the other's arms they lay.

There are many adjectives, especially in poetry, used as substantives, and most commonly in the plural number, with the article the; as, the rich, the poor, the good, the bad; and sometimes participles; as, the learned, the honored.

The adjectives superior, inferior, exterior, ulterior, anterior, major, minor, prior, are in the comparative degree, derived immediately from the Latin. There are also the superlative supreme and extreme.

More has a particular usage; "May more than Ciceronian eloquence be heard in our Senate;" i. e. more powerful eloquence, &c. "And more than madnes{} hurried down his sun;" i. e. an act worse than mad ness, &c.

GENERAL EXPLANATIONS.

71

There are some peculiarities in the verb, "I had rather be a dog, and bay the moon"-I would more willingly be, &c. "I had as lief not be, as live to be in fear of such a thing as I am"-I would as willing not be, &c.

"All pay themselves the compliment to think," &c. The infinitive here supplies the place of the gerundial phrase of thinking, or else of a substantive in apposition with compliment. There are also several neuter verbs, which take an active sense when followed by the adverbs away, out and down. "And sing away my breath;" "And look away my grief;" "She looked him out of countenance;" and also the sea-phrase, to run her down, and many others.

Of the participle. Notwithstanding is used both as a conjunction and preposition. In the latter sense, however, it may be more properly considered a participle. "I will pursue my journey, notwithstanding whe danger of being taken by the enemy." Here, danger may be in the nominative absolute with notwithstanding. It is an idiom derived from the Latin, hoc non obstant. Being taken is a participial noun, having a passive signification, and governed in the objective case by the preposition of.

“While Caractacus was leading through the streets of Rome." Was leading, in the active form, here has a passive signification. "Regulus wished to be appointed a successor," i. e. wished that a successor might be appointed to him. Here the objective case is improperly put after a passive verb. This usage is, never

theless, quite common; of which we shall give another instance from an English paper. "An Irish laborer has been left a million of dollars, by his uncle (a merchant) who died at Calcutta." This may be read thus, has been left heir to, &c.

To be content, is to be happy. This sentence, fully expressed, may be read thus, For a man to be content is (the same thing as) for a man to be happy.