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place

2. In imitation of the French idiom, the adverb where, is often used instead of the pronoun relative and a preposition. They framed a protestation, where they repeated all their former claims;" i. e. "in which they repeat"The king was still determined to run forwards, in the same course where he was already, by his precipitate career, too fatally advanced ;" i. e. "in which he was." But it would be better to avoid this mode of expression.

ed."

The adverbs hence, thence, and whence, imply a preposition; for they signify, "from this place, from that place, from what place." It seems, therefore, strictly speaking, to be improper to join a preposition with them, because it is superfluous: as, "This is the leviathan, from whence the wits of our age are said to borrow their weapons; "An ancient author prophesies from hence." But the origin of these words is little attended to, and the preposition from so often used in construction with them, that the omission of it, in many cases, would seem stiff, and be disagreeable.

The adverbs here, there, where, are often improperly applied to verbs signifying motion, instead of the adverbs hither, thither, whither: as, "He came here hastily ;""They rode there with speed." They should be, "He came hither;" "They rode thither," &c.

3. We have some examples of adverbs being used for substantives: "In 1687, he erected it into a community of regulars, since when, it has begun to increase in those countries as a religious order ;" i. e. "since which time." "A little while and I shall not see you;" i. e. " a short time." "It is worth their while;" i. e. " it deserves their time and pains." But this use of the word rather suits familiar than grave style. The same may be said of the phrase, "To do a thing anyhow;" i. e. "in any manner;" or, "somehow ;" i. e. " in some manner. ""Somehow, worthy as these people are, they are under the influence of prejudice."

RULE XVI.

Two negatives, in English, destroy one another, or are equivalent to an affirmative: as, " Nor did they not perceive him;" that is, "they did perceive him." His language, though inelegant, is not ungrammatical;" that is, it is grammatical."

It is better to express an affirmation, by a regular affirmative, than by two separate negatives, as in the former sentence but when one of the negatives is joined to another word, as in the latter sentence, the two negatives form a pleasing and delicate variety of expression.

Some writers have improperly employed two negatives instead of one; as in the following instances: "I never did repent of doing good, nor shall not now;" "nor shall I now." "Never no imitator grew up to his author:""never did any," &c. "I cannot by no means allow him what his argument must prove;" "I cannot by any means," &c. or, “I can by no means." "Nor let no comforter approach me ;" 66 nor let any comforter," &c. “Nor is danger ever apprehended in such a government, no more than we commonly apprehend danger from thunder or earthquakes:" it should be," any more.' "Ariosto, Tasso, Galileo, no more than Raphael, were not born in republics." "Neither Ariosto, Tasso, nor Galileo, any more than Raphael, was born in a republic."

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RULE XVII.

Prepositions govern the objective case: as, "I have heard a good character of her " "From him that is needy turn not away;' .99 66 A word to the wise is sufficient for them;" "We may be good and happy without riches."

The following are examples of the nominative case being used instead of the objective. "Who servest thou under ?" "Who do you speak to ?" "We are still much at a loss who civil power belongs to :" "Who dost thou ask for?" "Associate not with those who none can speak well of." In all these places it ought to be "whom." See Note 1.

The prepositions to and for are often understood, chiefly before the pronouns : as, "Give me the book " "Get me some paper;" that is, " to me; for me." "Wo is me" i. e. "to me." "He was banished England;" i. e. “from Eng.

land."

1. The preposition is often separated from the relative which it governs: as, "Whom wilt thou give it to ?". instead of," To whom wilt thou give it ?" "He is an author whom 1 anı much delighted with;" "The world is too polite to shock authors with a truth, which generally their booksellers are the first that inform them of." This is an idiom to which our language is strongly inclined; it prevails in common conver sation, and suits very well with the familiar style in writing: but the placing of the preposition before the relative, is more graceful, as well as more perspicuous, and agrees much better with the solemn and elevated style.

2. Some writers separate the preposition from its noun, in order to connect different prepositions with the same noun: as, "To suppose the zodiac and planets to be efficient of, and antecedent to, themselves." This, whether in

the familiar or the solemn style, is always inelegant, and should generally be avoided. In forms of law, and the like, where fulness and exactness of expression must take place of every other consideration, it may be admitted.

3. Different relations, and different senses, must be expressed by different prepositions, though in conjunction with the sanie verb or adjective. Thus we say, "to converse with a person, upon a subject, in a house, &c." We also say "We are disappointed of a thing," when we cannot get it, "and disappointed in it," when we have it, and find it does not answer our expectations. But two different prepositions must be improper in the same construction, and in the same sentence: as, 66 The combat between thirty French against

twenty English."

In some cases, it is difficult to say, to which of two prepositions the preference is to be given, as both are used promiscuously, and custom has not decided in favour of either of them. We say, "Expert at," and "expert in a thing." "Expert at finding a remedy for his mistakes;" "Expert in deception."

When prepositions are subjoined to nouns, they are generally the same that are subjoined to the verbs from which the nouns are derived: as, "A compliance with," "to comply with;""A disposition to tyranny," " disposed to tyrannize."

4. As an accurate and appropriate use of the preposition is of great importance, we shall select a considerable number of examples of impropriety, in the application of this part of speech.

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1st, With respect to the preposition of "He is resolved of going to the Persian court;"" on going," &c. He was totally dependant of the Papal crown;" on the Papal," &c. "To call of a person," and "to wait of him," "on a person,' &c. "He was eager of recommending it to his fellow citizens," ," "in recommending," &c. Of is sometimes omitted, and sometimes inserted, after worthy: as, "It is worthy observation," or, "of observation." But it would have been better omitted in the following sentences. "The emulation, who should serve their country best, no longer subsists among them, but of who should obtain the most lucrative command." "The rain hath been falling of a long time;" "falling a long time." "It is situation chiefly which decides of the fortune and characters of men:" "decides the fortune," or, concerning the fortune." "He found the greatest diff. culty of writing" "in writing." "It might have given me a greater taste of its antiquities." A taste of a thing implies actual enjoymeut of it: but a taste for it, implies only a cabacity for enjoyment. "This had a much greater share of

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inciting him, than any regard after his father's commands ;* "share in inciting," and "regard to his father's," &c.

2d, With respect to the prepositions to and for." You have bestowed your favours to the most deserving persons;" upon the most deserving," &c. "He accused the ministers for betraying the Dutch :" "of having betrayed." "His abhorrence to that superstitious figure;" "of that," &c. "A great change to the better;" "for the better." "Your prejudice to my cause;" "against." "The English were very different people then to what they are at present;" "from what," &c. In compliance to the declaration;"" with," &c. "It is more than they thought for;" "thought of." "There is no need for it;" "of it." For is superfluous in the phrase, "More than he knows for." "No discouragement for the authors to proceed;" "to the authors," &c. "It was per fectly in compliance to some persons;" "with." wisest princes need not think it any diminution to their greatness, or derogation to their sufficiency, to rely upon counsel;" "diminution of," and "derogation from."

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The

over

Sd, With respect to the prepositions with and upon.— Reconciling himself with the king." "Those things which have the greatest resemblance with each other, frequently differ the most." "That such rejection should be consonant with our common nature." "Conformable with," &c, "The history of Peter is agreeable with the sacred texts." In all the above instances, it should be, "to," instead of " with." "It is a use that perhaps I should not have thought on;" "thought of." "A greater quantity may be taken from the heap, without making any sensible alteration upon it;" "in it.""Intrusted to persons on whom the parliament could confide;" "in whom." "He was made much on at Argos;" "much of." "If policy can prevail upon force;" force." "I do likewise dissent with the examiner ;" "from." 4th, With respect to the prepositions in, from, &c. They should be informed in some parts of his character;""about," or, "concerning." .” “Upon such occasions as fell into their cognizance;"under." "That variety of factions into which we are still engaged;" "in which." "To restore myself into the favour;" "to the favour." "Could he have profited from repeated experiences:" "by." From seems to be superfluous after forbear: as, "He could not forbear from appointing the pope," &c. "A strict observance after times and fashions;" "of times." "The character which we may now valu ourselves by drawing;" " upon drawing." "Nelther of tim shall make me swerve out of the path;" "from the path "Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and

swallow a camel;" it ought to be, "which strain out a gnat, or take a gnat out of the liquor by straining it." The impropriety of the preposition has wholly destroyed the meaning of the phrase.

The preposition among generally implies a number of things. It cannot be properly used in conjunction with the word every, which is in the singular number: as, "Which is found among every species of liberty;" "The opinion seems to gain ground among every body.'

5. The preposition to is made use of before nouns of place, when they follow verbs and participles of motion: as, "1 went to London" "I am going to town." But the preposition at is generally used after the neuter verb to be: as, "I have been at London ;" "I was at the place appointed;" "1 shall be at Paris." We likewise say: "He touched, arrived at any place." The preposition in is set before countries, cities, and large towns: as, "He lives in France, in London, or in Birmingham." But before villages, single houses, and cities which are in distant countries, at is used; as, "He lives at Hackney," "He resides at Montpelier."

It is a matter of indifference with respect to the pronoun one another, whether the preposition of be placed between the two parts of it, or before them both. We may say, "They were jealous of one another," or, "They were jealous one of another;" but perhaps the former is better.

Participles are frequently used as prepositions: as, excepting, respecting, touching, concerning, according. "They were all in fault except or excepting him.'

RULE XVIII.

Conjunctions connect the same moods and tenses of verbs and cases of nouns and pronouns: as, "Candour is to be approved and practised:" "If thou sincerely desire, and earnestly pursue virtue, she will assuredly be found by thee, and prove a rich reward;" "The master taught her und me to write;" ;" "He and she were school fellows."*

"

A few examples of inaccuracy respecting this rule may urther display its utility. "If he prefer a virtuous life, and s sincere in his professions, he will succeed;" "if he prefers To deride the miseries of the unhappy, is inhuman; and wanting compassion towards them, is unchristian ;"" and to cant compassion." "The Parliament addressed the king, and has been prorogued the same day ;"" and was prorogued." "His wealth and him bid adieu to each other;" "and This rule refers only to nouns and pronouns, which have the same bearing relation, with regard to other parts of the sentence.