have avoided what would expose them to the objections of their opponents. It was a pleasure to have received his approbation of my labors; for which I cordially thanked him. It would have afforded me still greater pleasure to receive his approbation at an earlier period; but to receive it at all reflected credit upon me. To be censured by him would soon have proved an insupportable discouragement.

Him portion'd maids, apprentic'd orphans blest,

The young who labour, and the old who rest.

The doctor in his lecture, said that fever always produced thirst. The court decided, that the law is unconstitutional. The philosopher asserted, that truth never changed but was always the same.

RULE XI.-Participles agree like adjectives, with the nouns or pronouns to which they refer; as, 'Jesus knowing their thoughts, rebuked them; I saw him laboring in the field.'

Remarks. The present participle is frequently used without an obvious reference to any noun or pronoun; as, 'Granting this to be true, what is to be inferred from it? Generally speaking, his conduct was honorable. It is scarcely possible to act otherwise, considering the frailty of human nature.' In these sentences, there is no noun expressed or directly implied, to which speaking, granting, and considering can be referred. The most natural construction seems to be, that a pronoun is to be understood; as, We, considering the frailty of human nature; I, granting this,' &c.

This participle, also, sometimes appears to agree with a sentence, or part of a sentence; as, According to the Bible, the disciples of our Lord were poor illiterate fishermen; We worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences. But some grammarians consider the phrase according to, as a preposition, equivalent to the Latin secundum.

The participles of neuter and passive verbs have sometimes the same case after as before them.-according to rules XXII, and XXIV; as, 'Herod, being tetrarch of Galilee ; Washington, being elected President of the United States; Cataline, having been declared a traitor, rushed out of the Senate.'

RULE XII.-Participles have the same government as the verbs, from which they are derived; as, Jesus knowing their thoughts, rebuked them; Suspecting them, he studiously avoided all intercouse."

Remarks.-Participles are frequently used as nouns, sometimes in the nominative and sometimes in the objective case; as, Taking from another what is his, without his knowledge or consent, is called stealing; By the mind's changing the object, to which, it compares any thing; Such a plan is not capable of being carried into execution; He was displeased with the king's having disposed of the office, or with his having bestowed it upon a worthless man.'

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Participles are also sometimes used both as verbs and as nouns, at the same time; as, 'By the minds changing the object,' &c. where 'changing' is used as a noun in the objective case, governed by the preposition by,' according to rule XXI.-As a noun, it also governs the noun 'minds,' in the possessive case, according to Rule IV; and as a verb, it governs the noun object,' in the objective case, according to the above Rule XII.

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Exercises in False Syntax.-Esteeming theirselves wise they became fools Suspecting, not only ye, but they also, I was studious to avoid all intercourse. I could not avoid considering in some degree, they as enemies to me; and he as a suspicious friend. From having exposed hisself too freely in different climates, he entirely lost his health. Believing she, who called her name Amanda, to be a spy, he ordered her to be imprisoned.

NOTE 1. The present participle, with the definite article the, before it, becomes a noun and must have the preposition of, after it; as, 'These are

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the rules of grammar, by the observing of which, you may avoid mistakes.? It would not be proper to say, by the observing which;' nor, ' by observing of which;' but the phrase, without either article or preposition, would be right; as, by observing which.' The indefinite article a or an, has the same effect; as, 'This was a betraying of the trust reposed in him.' The following are a few examples of the violation of this rule. 'He was sent to prepare the way by preaching of repentance;' it ought to be, by the preaching of repentance; or, by preaching repentance.' 'By the continual mortifying our corrupt affections; it should be, by the continual mortifying of, or, by continually mortifying our corrupt affections.' They laid out themselves towards the advancing and promoting the good of it; towards advancing and promoting the good. It is an overvaluing ourselves, to reduce every thing to the narrow measure of our capacities; it is an overvaluing of ourselves. Keeping of one day in seven,' &c. ; it ought to be, the keeping of one day ;' or, keeping one day.'

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Exercises in False Syntax. By observing of truth, you will command esteem as well as secure peace. He prepared them for this event, by sending to them proper information. A person may be great or rich by chance but cannot be wise or good without the taking pains for it. Nothing could have made her so unhappy as the marrying a man, who pos sessed such principles. The middle station of life seem to be the most advantageously situated for gaining of wisdom. Poverty turns our thoughts too much upon the supplying our wants; and riches upon the enjoying our superfluities. Propriety of pronunciation is the giving to every word that sound, which the most polite usage of the language appropriates to The not attending to this rule is the cause of a very common error. This was in fact a converting the deposite to his own use.

it.

NOTE 2. As the perfect participle and the imperfect tense are sometimes different in their form, care must be taken that they be not indiscriminately used. It is frequently said, ' He begun,' for He began; he run," for 'he ran;'he drunk,' for 'he drank;' the participle being here used instead of the imperfect tense; and much more frequently the imperfect tense instead of the participle; as, 'I had wrote,' for 'I had written;' 'I was chose,' for 'I was chosen; 'I have eat,' for I have eaten.' His words were interwove with sighs; were interwoven. He would have spoke; spoken. He hath bore witness to his faithful servants; borne. means he overrun his guide; overran. The sun has rose; risen. His constitution has been greatly shook, but his mind is too strong to be shook by such causes; shaken in both places. They were verses wrote on glass; written. Philosophers have often mistook the source of true happiness;' it ought to be mistaken.'

By this

The participle ending in ed, is often improperly contracted by changing ed into t; as, 'In good behavior, he is not surpast by any pupil of the school. She was much distrest. They ought to be, surpassed, distressed.'

Exercises in False Syntax. - By too eager pursuit he ran a great risk of being disappointed. He had not long enjoyed repose before he began to be weary of having nothing to do. He was greatly heated and drank with avidity. Though his conduct was, in some respects, exceptionable, yet he dared not commit so great an offence as that, which was proposed to him.

A second deluge learning thus o'errun;

And the Monks finish'd what the Goths begun.

If some events had not fell out very unexpectedly I should have been present. He would have went with us, had he been invited. He returned the goods, which he stole, and made all the reparation in his power. They have chose the part of honor and vir tue. His vices have weakened his mind, and broke his health. He had mistook his true interest and found himself forsook by his former adherents. The bread, that has been eat, is soon forgot. No contentions have arose amongst them since their reconciliation. The cloth had no seam, but was wove throughout. The French language is spoke in every state in Europe. His resolution was too strong to be shook by slight opposition. He was not much restrained afterwards, having took improper liberties at first. He has not yet wore off the rough manners which he brought with him. You, who have forsook your friends, are entitled to no confidence. They who have bore a part in the labor, will share the rewards. When the rules have been wantonly broke there can

be no plea for favour. He writes as the best of authors would have wrote had they writ on the same subject. He heapt up great riches, but past his time miserably. He talkt and stampt with such violence, that he was suspected of being insane.

RULE XIV.. Conjunctions connect the same cases of nouns and pronouns; and generally the same moods and tenses of verbs; 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 and me to write; He and she were schoolfellows.*

A few examples of inaccuracy respecting this rule may further display its utility. To deride the miseries of the unhappy, is inhuman; and wanting compassion towards them, is unchristian; and to want 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 he. He entreated us, my comrade and I, to live harmoniously; comrade and me. My sister and her were on good terms; and she. We often overlook the blessings which are in our possession, and are searching after those which are out of our reach;' it ought to be, and search after.'

Exercises in False Syntax.-Professing regard, and to act differently, discover a base mind. Did he not tell me his fault, and entreated me to forgive him? My brother and him are tolerable grammarians. You and us enjoy many privileges. She and him are very unhappily connected. To be moderate in our views, and proceeding temperately, is the best way to ensure our success. Between him and I, there is some disparity of years; but none between him and she. By forming themselves on fantastic models, and ready to vie with one another in the reigning follies, the young begin with being ridiculous, and end with being vicious and immoral.

NOTE 1. Conjunctions are, indeed, frequently made to connect different moods and tenses of verbs; but in these instances the nominative must generally, if not always, be repeated, which is not necessary, though, it may be done, under the construction to which the rule refers. We may say, He lives temperately, and he should live temperately; He may return, but he will not continue here; She was proud, though she is now humble ; but it is obvious that in such cases, the nominative ought to be repeated; and that by this means, the latter members of these sentences are rendered not so strictly dependent on the preceding, as those are which come under the rule. When, in the progress of a sentence, we pass from the affirma. tive to the negative form, or from the negative to the affirmative, the subject or nominative is always resumed; as, ' He is rich, but he is not respectable. He is not rich, but he is respectable.'

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There appears to be in general, equal reason for repeating the nominative, and resuming the subject, when the course of the sentence is diverted by a change of the mood or tense. The following sentences may therefore be improved. Anger glances into the breast of a wise man, but will rest only in the bosom of fools;' but rests only; or, but it will rest only.' 'Virtue is praised by many, and would be desired also, if her worth were really known; and she would. The world begins to recede, and will soon disappear; and it will.'

Exercises in False Syntax. We have met with many disappointments; and, if life continue, shall probably meet with many more. Rank may confer influence, but will not necessarily produce virtue. He does not want courage, but is defective in sensibility. These people have indeed acquired great riches, but do not command esteem. Our season of improvement is short; and, whether used or not, will soon pass away. He might have been happy, and is now fully convinced of it. Learning strengthens the mind; and, if properly applied, will improve our morals too.

*This rule refers only to nouns and pronouns, which have the same bearing or relation with regard to other parts of the sentence.

NOTE 2. Some conjunctions have their corresponding conjunctions belonging to them, either expressed or understood; so that, in the subsequent member of the sentence, the latter answers to the former; as,

1st, Though — yet, nevertheless; as, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor. Though powerful, he was meek.' 2d, Whether 3d, Either

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or; as, Whether he will go or not, I cannot tell.'

or; as, 'I

will either send it, or bring it myself.'

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4th, Neither -nor; as, Neither thou nor I am able to compass it,' 5th, As as; expressing a comparison or equality; as, She is as amiable as her sister."

6th, Asso; expressing a comparison of equality; as, ' As the stars, so shall thy seed be.'

7th, Asso; expressing a comparison of quality or manner; as, As the one dieth, so dieth the other.'

8th, So-as; with a verb expressing a comparison or quality; as, To see thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.'

9th, So

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as; with a negative and an adjective expressing a comparison of quality; as, 'Pompey was not so great a general as Cæsar.'

10th, So that; expressing a consequence; as, 'He was so fatigued, that he could scarcely move.'

Exercises in False Syntax. Neither the cold, or the fervid, but characters un iform ly warm are formed for friendship. They are both praiseworthy, and one is equally deserving as the other. He is not as diligent and learned as his brother. I will present it to him myself, or direct it to be given to him. Neither despise or oppose what you do not understand. The house is not as commodious as we expected it would be. I must, however, be so candid to own I have been mistaken. There was something so amiable and yet so piercing in his look, as affected me at once with love and terror. I gained a son;

And such a son as all men hailed me happy.

The dog in the manger would not eat the hay himself, nor suffer the ox to eat it. As far as I am able to judge, the book is well written. We should faithfully perform the trust committed to us, or ingenuously relinquish the charge. He is not as eminent and as much esteemed, as he thinks himself to be. The work is a dull performance; and is neither capable of pleasing the understanding or the imagination. There is no condition so secure as cannot admit of change. This is an event, which nobody presumes upon, or is so sanguine to hope for. We are generally pleased with any little accomplishments of body or mind.

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NOTE 3.- Conjunctions are often improperly used, both singly and in pairs. The following are examples of this impropriety. The relations are so uncertain, as that they require a great deal of examination ;' it should be, that they require,' &c. 'There was no man so sanguine who did not apprehend some ill consequences;' it ought to be, so sanguine as not to apprehend,' &c. or, no man, how sanguine soever, who did not,' &c. 'To trust in him is no more but to acknowledge his power. This is no other but the gate of Paradise.' In both these instances, but should be than. 'We should sufficiently weigh the objects of our hope; whether they are such as we may reasonably expect from them what they propose,' &c. It ought to be, that we may reasonably,' &c. 'The duke had not behaved with that loyalty as he ought to have done;' with which he ought. In the order as they lie in his preface;' it should be, 'in order as they lie;' or, in the order in which they lie.' 'Such sharp replies that cost him his life ;'' as cost him,' &c. If he were truly that scarecrow, as he is now commonly painted; such a scarecrow,' &c. I wish I could do that justice to his memory, to oblige the painters;' do such justice as to oblige,' &c.

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Exercises in False Syntax. — Be ready to succor such persons, who need your assistance. The matter was no sooner proposed, but he privately withdrew to consider it. He has too much sense and prudence, than to become a dupe to such artifices. It is not sufficient, that our conduct, as far as it respects others, appears to be unexceptionable. K

The resolution was not the less fixed, that the secret was yet communicated to very few. He opposed the most remarkable corruptions of the church of Rome, so as that his doc. trines were embraced by great numbers. He gained nothing further by his speech, but only to be commended for his eloquence. He has little more of the scholar besides the name. He has little of the scholar than the name. They had no sooner risen, but they applied themselves to their studies. From no other institution, besides the admirable one of juries, could so great a benefit be expected. Those savage people seemed to have no other element but war. Such men that act treacherously, ought to be avoided. Germany ran the same risk, as Italy had done. No errors are so trivial, but they deserve to be corrected.

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NOTE 4. When the qualities of different things are compared, the latter noun or pronoun is not governed by the conjunction than or as, but agrees with the verb, or is governed by the verb or the preposition, expressed or understood ; as, 'Thou art wiser than I;' that is, than I am.' They loved him more than me ;' i. e. ' more than they loved me.' 'The sentiment is well expressed by Plato, but much better by Solomon than him;' i. e. than by him.' The propriety or impropriety of many phrases, in the preceding as well as in some other forms, may be discovered by supplying the words that are not expressed; which will be evident from the following instances of erroneous construction. He can read better than me. He is as good as her. Whether I be present or no. Who did this? Me.' By supplying the words understood in each of these phrases, their impropriety and governing rule will appear; as, 'Better than I can read; As good as she is; Present or not present; I did it.'

Exercises in False Syntax.-In some respects, we have had as many advantages as them; but in the article of a good library, they have had a greater privilege than us. The undertaking was much better executed by his brother than he. They are much greater gainers than me in this unexpected event. They know how to write as well as him but he is a much better grammalian than them. Though she is not so learned as him, she is as much beloved and respected. These people, though they possesss more shining qualities, are not so proud as him, nor so vain as her.

NOTE 5.-By not attending to the rule under Note 4, many errors have been committed; a number of which is subjoined, as a further caution and direction to the learner. Thou art a much greater loser than me by his death. She suffers hourly more than me. We contributed a third more than the Dutch, who were obliged to the same proportion more than us. King Charles, and more than him, the duke and the popish faction, were at liberty to form new schemes. The drift of all his sermons was to prepare the Jews for the reception of a prophet mightier than him, and whose shoes he was not worthy to bear. It was not the work of so eminent an author, as him to whom it was first imputed. A stone is heavy and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both. If the king give us leave, we may perform the office as well as them that do.' these passages it ought to be, 'I, we, he, they,' respectively.

In

When the relative, who, immediately follows than, it seems to form an exception to this rule; for in that connexion, the relative must be in the objective case; as, 'Alfred, than whom, a greater king never reigned,' &c. 'Beelzebub, than whom, Satan excepted, none higher sat,'&c. It is remarkable that in such instances, if the personal pronoun were used, it would be in the nominative case; as, 'A greater king never reigned than he, that is, 'than he was.' 'Beelzebub, than he,' &c. that is, than he sat.' The phrase, than whom, is however, avoided by the best modern writers.

Exercises in False Syntax-Who betrayed her companion? Not me. Who revealed the secrets he ought to have concealed? Not him. Who related falsehoods to screen herself, and to bring odium upon others? Not me, it was her. There is but one in the fault, and that is me. Whether he will be learned or no, must depend on his application. Charles XII. of Sweden, than who, a more courageous person never liv. ed, appears to have been destitute of the tender sensibilities of nature. Salmasius (a more learned man than him has seldom appeared,) was not happy at the close of his life.