The Grammar of English Grammars Part 99

_The_ is the definite article: and relates to _mult.i.tude_; according to Rule 1st, which says, "Articles relate to the nouns which they limit."

Because the meaning is--_the mult.i.tude_.

_Mult.i.tude_ is a common noun, collective, of the third person, conveying the idea of plurality, masculine gender, and nominative case: and is the subject of _indulge_; according to Rule 2d, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun which is the subject of a finite verb, must be in the nominative case." Because the meaning is--_mult.i.tude indulge_.

_Thoughtlessly_ is an adverb of manner: and relates to _indulge_; according to Rule 21st, which says, "Adverbs relate to verbs, participles, adjectives, or other adverbs." Because the meaning is--_thoughtlessly indulge_.

_Indulge_ is a regular active-transitive verb, from _indulge, indulged, indulging, indulged_; found in the indicative mood, present tense, third person, and plural number: and agrees with its nominative mult.i.tude; according to Rule 15th, which says, "When the nominative is a collective noun conveying the idea of plurality, the verb must agree with it in the plural number." Because the meaning is--_mult.i.tude indulge_.

_Themselves_ is a compound personal p.r.o.noun, representing _mult.i.tude_, in the third person, plural number, and masculine gender; according to Rule 11th, which says, "When the antecedent is a collective noun conveying the idea of plurality, the p.r.o.noun must agree with it in the plural number:"

and is in the objective case, being governed by _indulge_; according to Rule 5th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun made the object of an active-transitive verb or participle, is governed by it in the objective case." Because the meaning is--_indulge themselves_;--i. e., the individuals of the mult.i.tude indulge themselves.

_But_ is a disjunctive conjunction: and connects what precedes and what follows; according to Rule 22d, which says, "Conjunctions connect words, sentences, or parts of sentences." Because the meaning is--A young man, &c., _but_, ah! &c.

_Ah_ is an interjection, indicating sorrow: and is used independently; according to Rule 24th, which says, "Interjections have no dependent construction; they are put absolute, either alone, or with other words."

Because the meaning is--_ah!_--unconnected with the rest of the sentence.

_Poor_ is a common adjective, of the positive degree, compared regularly, _poor, poorer, poorest_: and relates to _nature_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_poor human nature_.

_Fallen_ is a participial adjective, compared (perhaps) by adverbs: and relates to _nature_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_fallen nature_.

_Human_ is a common adjective, not compared: and relates to _nature_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_human nature_.

_Nature_ is a common noun, of the second person, singular number, neuter gender, and nominative case: and is put absolute by direct address; according to Rule 8th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun is put absolute in the nominative, when its case depends on no other word." Because the meaning is--_poor fallen human nature!_--the noun being unconnected with any verb.

_What_ is a p.r.o.nominal adjective, not compared: and relates to _conflicts_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_what conflicts_.

_Conflicts_ is a common noun, of the third person, plural number, neuter gender, and nominative case: and is the subject of _are_; according to Rule 2d, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun which is the subject of a finite verb, must be in the nominative case." Because the meaning is--_conflicts are_.

_Are_ is an irregular neuter verb, from _be, was, being, been_; found in the indicative mood, present tense, third person, and plural number: and agrees with its nominative _conflicts_; according to Rule 14th, which says, "Every finite verb must agree with its subject, or nominative, in person and number." Because the meaning is--_conflicts are_.

_Thy_ is a personal p.r.o.noun, representing _nature_, in the second person, singular number, and neuter gender; according to Rule 10th, which says, "A p.r.o.noun must agree with its antecedent, or the noun or p.r.o.noun which it represents, in person, number, and gender:" and is in the possessive case, being governed by _portion_; according to Rule 4th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun in the possessive case, is governed by the name of the thing possessed." Because the meaning is--_thy portion_.

_Portion_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, and nominative case: and is put after _are_, in agreement with _conflicts_; according to Rule 6th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun put after a verb or participle not transitive, agrees in case with a preceding noun or p.r.o.noun referring to the same thing." Because the meaning is--_conflicts are thy portion_.

_When_ is a conjunctive adverb of time: and relates to the two verbs, _are_ and _exert_; according to Rule 21st, which says, "Adverbs relate to verbs, participles, adjectives, or other adverbs." Because the meaning is--what conflicts _are_ thy portion, _when_ inclination and habit _exert_, &c.

_Inclination_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, and nominative case: and is one of the subjects of _exert_; according to Rule 2d, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun which is the subject of a finite verb, must be in the nominative case." Because the meaning is--_inclination and habit exert_.

_And_ is a copulative conjunction: and connects _inclination_ and _habit_; according to Rule 22d, which says, "Conjunctions connect words, sentences, or parts of sentences." Because the meaning is--_inclination and habit_.

_Habit_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, and nominative case: and is one of the subjects of _exert_; according to Rule 2d, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun which is the subject of a finite verb, must be in the nominative case." Because the meaning is--_inclination and habit exert_.

_A_ is the indefinite article: and relates to _rebel_; according to Rule 1st, which says, "Articles relate to the nouns which they limit." Because the meaning is--_a rebel_.

_Rebel_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, masculine gender, and nominative case: and is put in apposition with _inclination_; according to Rule 3d, which says, "A noun or a personal p.r.o.noun used to explain a preceding noun or p.r.o.noun, is put, by apposition, in the same case." Because the meaning is--_inclination, a rebel_.

_And_ is a copulative conjunction: and connects _rebel_ and _traitor_; according to Rule 22d, which says, "Conjunctions connect words, sentences, or parts of sentences." Because the meaning is--_a rebel and a traitor_.

_A_ is the indefinite article: and relates to _traitor_; according to Rule 1st, which says, "Articles relate to the nouns which they limit." Because the meaning is--_a traitor_.

_Traitor_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, masculine gender, and nominative case: and is put in apposition with _habit_; according to Rule 3d, which says, "A noun or a personal p.r.o.noun used to explain a preceding noun or p.r.o.noun, is put, by apposition, in the same case." Because the meaning is--_habit, a traitor_.

_Exert_ is a regular active-transitive verb, from _exert, exerted, exerting, exerted_; found in the indicative mood, present tense, third person, and plural number: and agrees with its two nominatives _inclination and habit_; according to Rule 16th, which says, "When a verb has two or more nominatives connected by _and_, it must agree with them jointly in the plural, because they are taken together." Because the meaning is--_inclination and habit exert_.

_Their_ is a personal p.r.o.noun, representing _inclination and habit_, in the third person, plural number, and neuter gender; according to Rule 12th, which says, "When a p.r.o.noun has two or more antecedents connected by _and_, it must agree with them jointly in the plural, because they are taken together:" and is in the possessive case, being governed by _sway_; according to Rule 4th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun in the possessive case, is governed by the name of the thing possessed." Because the meaning is--_their sway_;--i. e., the sway of inclination and habit.

_Sway_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, and objective case; and is governed by _exert_; according to Rule 5th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun made the object of an active-transitive verb or participle, is governed by it in the objective case." Because the meaning is--_exert sway_.

_Against_ is a preposition: and shows the relation between _exert_ and _principle_; according to Rule 23d, which says, "Prepositions show the relations of words, and of the things or thoughts expressed by them."

Because the meaning is--_exert against principle_.

_Our_ is a personal p.r.o.noun, representing _the speakers_, in the first person, plural number, and masculine gender; according to Rule 10th, which says, "A p.r.o.noun must agree with its antecedent, or the noun or p.r.o.noun which it represents, in person, number, and gender:" and is in the possessive case, being governed by _principle_; according to Rule 4th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun in the possessive case, is governed by the name of the thing possessed." Because the meaning is--_our principle_;--i.

e., the _speakers_' principle.

_Only_ is a p.r.o.nominal adjective, not compared: and relates to _principle_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_only principle_.

_Saving_ is a participial adjective, compared by adverbs when it means _frugal_, but not compared in the sense here intended: and relates to _principle_; according to Rule 9th, which says, "Adjectives relate to nouns or p.r.o.nouns." Because the meaning is--_saving principle_.

_Principle_ is a common noun, of the third person, singular number, neuter gender, and objective case: and is governed by _against_; according to Rule 7th, which says, "A noun or a p.r.o.noun made the object of a preposition, is governed by it in the objective case." Because the meaning is--_against principle_.

LESSON I.--ARTICLES.

"In English heroic verse, the capital pause of every line, is determined by the sense to be after the fourth, the fifth, the sixth or the seventh syllable."--_Kames, El. of Crit._, ii, 105.

"When, in considering the structure of a tree or a plant, we observe how all the parts, the roots, the stem, the bark, and the leaves, are suited to the growth and nutriment of the whole; when we survey all the parts and members of a living animal; or when we examine any of the curious works of art--such as a clock, a s.h.i.+p, or any nice machine; the pleasure which we have in the survey, is wholly founded on this sense of beauty."--_Blair's Rhet._, p. 49.

"It never can proceed from a good taste, to make a teaspoon resemble the leaf of a tree; for such a form is inconsistent with the destination of a teaspoon."--_Kames, El. of Crit._, ii, 351.

"In an epic poem, a history, an oration, or any work of genius, we always require a fitness, or an adjustment of means to the end which the author is supposed to have in view."--_Blair's Rhet._, p. 50.

"Rhetoric, Logic, and Grammar, are three arts that should always walk hand in hand. The first is the art of speaking eloquently; the second, that of thinking well; and the third, that of speaking with propriety."--_Formey's Belles-Lettres_, p. 114.

"Spring hangs her infant blossoms on the trees, Rock'd in the cradle of the western breeze."--_Cowper_.

LESSON II.--NOUNS.

"There goes a rumour that I am to be banished. And let the sentence come, if G.o.d so will. The other side of the sea is my Father's ground, as well as this side."--_Rutherford_.

"Gentlemen, there is something on earth greater than arbitrary or despotic power. The lightning has its power, and the whirlwind has its power, and the earthquake has its power. But there is something among men more capable of shaking despotic power than lightning, whirlwind, or earthquake; that is--the threatened indignation of the whole civilized world."--_Daniel Webster_.

"And Isaac sent away Jacob; and he went to Padan Aram, unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, and brother of Rebecca, Jacob's and Esau's mother."--See _Gen._, xxviii, 5.

"The purpose you undertake is dangerous." "Why that is certain: it is dangerous to take a cold, to sleep, to drink; but I tell you, my Lord fool, out of this nettle danger, we pluck this flower safety."--_Shakespeare_.

"And towards the Jews alone, one of the n.o.blest charters of liberty on earth--_Magna Charta_, the Briton's boast--legalized an act of injustice."--_Keith's Evidences_, p. 74.