English Grammar and Composition for Public Schools
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Title: English Grammar and Composition for Public Schools
Author: G. H. Armstrong
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLISH GRAMMAR AND COMPOSITION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ***
Transcriber's note:
Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
Text enclosed by equal signs is in bold face (=bold=).
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
=AND=
COMPOSITION
_FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS._
BY
G. H. ARMSTRONG, M.A., B.Pæd.,
Principal Borden St. School, Toronto.
[Illustration]
TORONTO:
THE HUNTER, ROSE CO., LIMITED, TEMPLE BUILDING.
Entered according to Act of Parliament of Canada in the year one
thousand nine hundred and one, by G. H. ARMSTRONG, M.A., B.PÆD.,
in the office of the Minister of Agriculture.
=PREFACE.=
It is not considered necessary to offer an apology for the publication
of a work on English grammar and composition for the Public Schools of
Ontario.
The plan of the work is inductive and practical, and the author has
endeavored to make the book a useful one for the purposes of teaching.
Every principle is presented through the observation of examples of good
English.
The study of grammar aids the student to master his mother-tongue, but
its chief function is to secure mental discipline. For the development
of the intellectual powers, the capable teacher, well furnished with
rational methods, will find this study superior to all others. It is a
study in recognizing similarities, in distinguishing differences, in
making abstractions, in forming generalizations. The object of Parts
I.-IV. of this book is to contribute something to the science of
elementary English grammar.
Part V. treats of composition. The usual exercises in completing
half-built sentences, in straightening out wrecks of sentences, in
combining simple sentences into complex sentences, in expanding phrases
into clauses, etc., will not be found therein. They have done quite
enough towards fostering stupidity in our schools. The art of expression
is acquired through steady practice, therefore pupils should write
compositions not once a week, but during part of every period, about
things which they understand. They should be taught good form in
expression, and trained to correct their own exercises.
This part of the work, though brief, will be found suggestive. Teachers
and pupils have not been deprived of the pleasure and profit of an
independent examination of the construction of the prose selections.
This little volume owes something to several English grammars, and the
debt is hereby acknowledged.
G. H. ARMSTRONG.
Table of Contents
Part First. —Sentences & Classes of Words
Lessons I—XII
Part Second. —Classes & Inflections of Parts of Speech
Lessons XIII—LV
Part Third. —Syntax
Lessons LVI—LXI
Part Fourth. —Analysis of Sentences
Lessons LXII—LXIV
Part Fifth. —Composition
Lessons LXV—LXXV
Abbreviations
Index
ENGLISH GRAMMAR
PART FIRST.
=LESSON I.=
THE SENTENCE.
Is there a complete thought expressed in each of the following groups of
words?—
1. The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.
2. Honor thy father and thy mother.
3. Who gathered these beautiful flowers?
4. How sweetly the birds sing in spring!
A group of words that expresses a complete thought is called =a
sentence=.
Which of the foregoing sentences declares something, which expresses a
command, which asks a question, and which expresses a sudden feeling?
A sentence that asserts or declares something is called a =declarative
sentence=.
A sentence that expresses a command or request is called an =imperative
sentence=.
A sentence that asks a question is called an =interrogative sentence=.
A sentence that expresses a sudden or strong feeling is called an
=exclamatory sentence=.
EXERCISE I.
State the use or office of each of the following sentences, and tell the
kind of sentence:—
1. The sun rises in the East.
2. Every door opens to a smile.
3. Keep thy heart with all diligence.
4. Who is the author of that book?
5. How tenderly a mother cares for her child!
6. Every morn is the world made new.
7. Sharpen this pencil for me.
8. What bright uniforms the soldiers wear!
9. The plowman homeward plods his weary way.
10. How many lines have you written?
EXERCISE II.
1. Write four declarative sentences.
2. Write four imperative sentences.
3. Write three interrogative sentences.
4. Write two exclamatory sentences.
* * * * *
=LESSON II.=
THE SUBJECT AND THE PREDICATE.
Name the thing which is spoken of in each of the following sentences,
and what is said about it:—
1. Gold is a precious metal.
2. Flowers grow in the fields.
3. The sailor’s home is on the sea.
4. The flag of England floats above the citadel.
The part of a sentence that expresses the thing spoken of is called the
=subject=.
The part of a sentence that expresses what is said about the subject is
called the =predicate=.
The subject of a declarative sentence is generally placed before the
predicate, but it is sometimes placed after the predicate; as,
Sweet was _the sound of the evening bell_.
Over the swift rapids went _the boat_.
EXERCISE I.
Name the subject and the predicate of each of the following sentences:—
1. The city of Ottawa is the capital of Canada.
2. Three wives sat up in the lighthouse tower.
3. All the children were gathering flowers.
4. Our friends have arrived in the city.
5. Home they brought her warrior dead.
6. John Cabot discovered Canada in 1497.
7. All along the banks were the skeletons of canoes.
8. Through this forest ran a beautiful river.
9. Colder and louder blew the wind.
10. Down sunk the bell with a gurgling sound.
The subject of an imperative sentence is _thou_, _ye_ or _you_. It is
seldom expressed; as,
Listen to the singing of the birds.
Carry these books for me.
Praise _ye_ the Lord.
EXERCISE II.
Name the subject and the predicate and state the kind of sentence of
each of the following:—
1. Who hath not lost a friend?
2. Gather up the fragments.
3. Here comes the train!
4. Why did you take away my book?
5. The shades of night were falling fast.
6. How lightly she trips along!
7. In one corner of the room stood my grandfather’s clock.
8. Send this note to the post.
9. How strange our old home looks!
10. At the dawn of day he ascended the hill.
EXERCISE III.
1. Write four examples of an assertive sentence and name the subject and
the predicate of each sentence.
2. Write four examples of an imperative sentence and name the subject
and the predicate of each sentence.
3. Write four examples of an interrogative sentence and name the subject
and the predicate of each sentence.
4. Write four examples of an exclamatory sentence and name the subject
and the predicate of each sentence.
* * * * *
=LESSON III.=
NOUNS.
State the words that are used as _names_ in the following sentences:—
1. The shoes worn by the soldiers were made in England.
2. Near this tree is the grave of a pioneer.
3. Chaucer is the father of English poetry.
4. Love had he found in huts where poor men lie.
A word used as a name is called a =noun=.
EXERCISE I.
Name the nouns in the following sentences:—
1. There are seven provinces in Canada.
2. Then the fly lit his lamp of fire.
3. The bloom of that fair face is wasted.
4. The boy stood on the burning deck.
5. And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
6. He goes on Sunday to the church
And sits among his boys.
7. I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.
8. A violet by a mossy stone,
Half hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
EXERCISE II.
Write sentences containing—
1. The name of a place.
2. The name of a person.
3. The name of a tree.
4. The name of a metal.
5. The name of an article of food.
6. The name of an animal.
7. The name of a quality.
8. The name of an action.
* * * * *
=LESSON IV.=
PRONOUNS.
Name the nouns for which the words printed in italics are used in the
following sentences:—
1. The teacher went home when _he_ finished the lesson.
2. The mother kissed _her_ boy when _she_ received _him_.
3. A baby was sleeping,
_Its_ mother was weeping
For _her_ husband was far on the wild raging sea.
A word used for a noun is called a =pronoun=.
By the use of the pronoun, a person or thing is referred to without
naming it, and the too frequent repetition of the same noun is avoided.
EXERCISE I.
Select the pronouns in the following sentences, and state the noun for
which each is used:—
1. Men find plants where they least expect them.
2. The parents returned home when they found their child.
3. The king took the hand of his friend and pressed it to his
heart.
4. A boy who is always grumbling will lose the friends that he
has, and will not make many new ones.
5. The ball lies where you left it.
6. The boy’s father was anxious to send him to college, and
therefore he studied the Latin grammar till he could bear
it no longer.
7. Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot
O’er the grave where our hero we buried.
8. As John and Charles were walking by the river, they both
fell into it.
9. Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome;
To make myself a scholar, sir, I come.
10. Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed
That savèd she might be;
And she thought of Him who stilled the wave
On the Lake of Galilee.
EXERCISE II.
1. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the speaker.
2. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the names of the
speaker and others.
3. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a person
spoken to.
4. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a person
spoken of.
5. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the names of two or
more persons spoken of.
6. Write a sentence containing a pronoun used for the name of a thing
that has been previously spoken of.
* * * * *
=LESSON V.=
ADJECTIVES.
Select the words in the following sentences that are used to describe or
point out the things named by the nouns:—
1. A tall man gave me this book.
2. That little boy has a kind sister.
3. I bought two sweet oranges.
4. These grassy fields are owned by a rich man.
The word _tall_ describes this particular man. The word _this_ points
out the particular book that is meant. Such words modify the nouns with
which they are used.
A word used to modify a noun or pronoun is called an =adjective=.
EXERCISE I.
Name the adjectives in the following sentences, and state the use of
each:—
1. I found a rusty knife with a silver handle.
2. Wise ministers and brave warriors flourished during
Elizabeth’s reign.
3. The sick girl was watched by a skilful nurse.
4. Otters are much prized for their soft, glossy black fur.
5. I lingered near the hallowed seat with listening ear.
6. His withered cheek and tresses gray,
Seemed to have known a better day.
7. Her aged hand on his strong young arm
She placed; and so, without hurt or harm
He guided the trembling feet along,
Proud that his own were firm and strong.
8. His hair is crisp, and black, and long,
His face is like the tan;
His brow is wet with honest sweat,
He earns whate’er he can,
And looks the whole world in the face,
For he owes not any man.
=Model.=—The adjectives in the first sentence are _a_, _rusty_, _a_ and
_silver_. _A_ points out or indicates the species of the thing _knife_.
_Rusty_ describes the thing _knife_.
EXERCISE II.
Write sentences containing adjectives used to show:—
1. What quality of thing is spoken of.
2. How many things are spoken of.
3. Which thing is referred to.
* * * * *
=LESSON VI.=
VERBS.
Select the words in the following sentences that tell or assert
something of the thing spoken of:—
1. Boys play.
2. The sun shines.
3. The snow melts.
4. Mountains are high.
A word that is used to make an assertion is called a =verb=.
_Note._—The word _verb_ is derived from the Latin word
_verbum_, meaning a word, and this part of speech is so called
because it is _the_ word, the most important word in every
sentence. There can be no sentence without a verb.
EXERCISE I.
Name the verbs in the following sentences, and state what each tells or
asserts:—
1. The girls gathered some water-lilies.
2. That house was built last century.
3. He slept for three hours.
4. The gardener fell from a high tree.
5. The coachman struck the horse, and it kicked him.
6. King Edward I. nearly conquered Scotland.
7. She must weep or she will die.
8. And still they rowed amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing:
Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore,
His wrath was changed to wailing.
EXERCISE II.
Write sentences containing each of the following words used as subjects,
and underline the verbs:—
Plants, rivers, paper, gold, pen, fish, birds, stars, flowers, money.
* * * * *
=LESSON VII.=
ADVERBS.
Name the words in the following sentences that modify the verbs, that
show _how_, _when_ or _where_ actions were performed:—
1. The girls recited well.
2. The teacher often read a story.
3. I left my pencil there.
A word that is used to modify the meaning of a verb is called an
=adverb=.
An adverb may also modify the meaning of an adjective, as, He is _very_
quiet.
An adverb may also modify the meaning of another adverb; as, She writes
_more_ rapidly than you.
An =adverb= is a word that is used to modify the meaning of a verb, an
adjective or another adverb.
EXERCISE I.
State the adverbs in the following sentences, and name the word which
each modifies:—
1. Here let us sit and talk of former times.
2. I never saw so clear a sky.
3. How proudly they strode along!
4. Now let me die in peace.
5. The grass is too damp yet.
6. The face of the country suddenly changed.
7. The next night it came again.
8. The storm came on before its time;
She wandered up and down,
And many a hill did Lucy climb,
But never reached the town.
EXERCISE II.
1. Write four sentences each containing an adverb modifying a verb.
2. Write two sentences each containing an adverb modifying an adjective.
3. Write two sentences each containing an adverb modifying an adverb.
* * * * *
=LESSON VIII.=
PREPOSITIONS.
Name the words in the following sentences that express the relation of a
noun or pronoun to some other word:—
1. We withdrew from the room.
2. The boys ran through the hall.
3. This box is made of paper.
4. I went to school with him.
A word that is used to express the relation of a noun or pronoun to some
other word in the sentence is called a =preposition=.
The noun or pronoun which the preposition connects in sense with some
other word in the sentence, is called its =object=; as, The men are in
the _field_.
EXERCISE I.
Select the prepositions, and state the words between which each shows a
relation:—
1. He threw the ball over the fence.
2. An old man fell into a pond.
3. A stranger came within our gates.
4. From many lands comes the cry for help.
5. The boat went under the water.
6. This letter was written by my sister.
7. At noon I went home.
8. I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles.
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.
EXERCISE II.
1. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a
relation between a noun and a verb. Underline the object.
2. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a
relation between two nouns. Underline the object of the preposition.
3. Write three sentences each containing a preposition expressing a
relation between a noun and an adjective.
* * * * *
=LESSON IX.=
CONJUNCTIONS.
Name the words that connect sentences, or words or phrases, used in the
same way in the following sentences:—
1. The sun shone out brightly and the mist cleared away.
2. You may go, but I must remain here.
3. Cold and damp was the maiden’s grave.
4. The grass grows in the valley and on the mountain side.
_Note._—A phrase is a group of related words without a verb.
A word that connects sentences, or words, or phrases, used in the same
way in a sentence, is called a =conjunction=.
EXERCISE I.
Select the conjunctions in the following sentences, and tell what each
connects:—
1. I went to school, but my brother did not.
2. My books are in my bag, or I have lost them.
3. The boys ran away because they were afraid.
4. Though I fail, I shall attempt to do it.
5. He was a king, yet he was not happy.
6. The rich and the poor meet together.
7. Iron is more useful than gold.
8. They had full warning, so that they are without excuse.
9. I am sure that he did it.
10. The morning came, the chaise was brought,
But yet was not allowed
To drive up to the door lest all
Should say that she was proud.
EXERCISE II.
1. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two sentences.
2. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two phrases.
3. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two adverbs.
4. Write a sentence containing a conjunction connecting two nouns.
* * * * *
=LESSON X.=
INTERJECTIONS.
Name the words in the following sentences that express sudden or strong
feeling:—
1. Hurrah! the work is done.
2. Alas! we were too late.
3. Hush! she is sleeping now.
4. Bravo! he has reached the boat.
A word used to express some sudden or strong feeling is called an
=interjection=.
An interjection is not related to any word in the sentence.
Interjections express a variety of feelings, such as joy, sorrow,
surprise, pain, contempt and strong desire.
EXERCISE I.
Select the interjections in the following sentences, and state the
feeling expressed by each:—
1. Oh! my tooth is aching again.
2. Alas! he heeded not my warning.
3. Hark! what means that distant cry?
4. Pshaw! it is nothing but the wind.
5. Hurrah! for England’s Queen.
6. Ho! breakers on the weather bow.
7. But O! eternity’s too short
To utter all Thy praise.
8. Hold! if ’twas wrong, the wrong is mine.
EXERCISE II.
Write six sentences, each containing an interjection.
Underline the interjections.
* * * * *
=LESSON XI.=
We have now learned all the different classes of words in our language
and the name of each class.
Since each class performs a certain office or _part_ in the sentence,
the different classes are called =parts of speech=.
EXERCISE.
State the office of each word in the following sentences, and tell what
part of speech it is:—
1. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
2. I live for those who love me.
3. The man walked across the bridge.
4. The cherries on this tree are ripe.
5. I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers.
6. This boy lost his kite in a tree.
7. The village master taught his little school.
8. Slowly and sadly we laid him down.
9. Crash! a terrific cry broke from three hundred hearts.
10. I never was on the dull, tame shore,
But I loved the great sea more and more.
* * * * *
=LESSON XII.=
The part of speech or grammatical value of words is always determined by
their use or function in the sentence.
EXERCISE I.
State the use or function of the italicized words in the following
sentences, and tell the part of speech of each word:—
1. We have a quire of _paper_.
2. Our friends _paper_ their walls every year.
3. He put his hat in a _paper_ box.
4. It is a _fine_ day.
5. Magistrates _fine_ those who break the laws.
6. The penalty is a _fine_ of twenty dollars.
7. I know _that_ story.
8. He has the book _that_ I require.
9. We know _that_ he is just.
10. The word _that_ is sometimes used to connect sentences.
11. Give him the _iron_ pail.
12. The girls _iron_ the clothes in the morning.
13. He has a piece of _iron_.
EXERCISE II.
Show that the following words may have different grammatical values:—
in, water, ring, pin, cover.
round, this, lock, cork, silver.
=Model=:— Come _in_. An adverb.
My hat is _in_ the room. A preposition.
The word _in_ was omitted. A noun.
_Note._—The foregoing example is printed in italics. Pupils
will underline their examples.
* * * * *
PART SECOND.
_CLASSES AND INFLECTIONS OF THE PARTS_
_OF SPEECH._
=LESSON XIII.=
CLASSES OF NOUNS.
Select in the following sentences the nouns that are names of particular
persons or things, and the nouns that are names of all the members of a
class of persons or things:—
1. These little girls live with their parents in Toronto.
2. Mary and Harold are going to visit their friends.
3. On a little mound, Napoleon
Stood on our storming day.—_Browning._
A name of a particular or individual person or thing is called a =proper
noun=; as, Mary, Saturday, Lake Ontario.
Proper nouns begin with capital letters.
A name that applies to all the members of a class of persons or things
is called a =common noun=; as, girl, desk, river.
EXERCISE.
1. Write five sentences, each containing a proper noun, and underline
the example in each sentence.
2. Write five sentences, each containing a common noun, and underline
the example in each sentence.
II. CONCRETE AND ABSTRACT.
Select in the following sentences the nouns that are names of objects
which have a real and separate existence outside of the mind, and those
which are names of things that have no real existence and are only
thought of in the mind:—
1. Contentment is better than gold.
2. Virtue is its own reward.
3. Truth crushed to earth, shall rise again,—
The eternal years of God are hers.—_Bryant._
A noun that is the name of an object which has a real and separate
existence outside of the mind, is called a =concrete noun=; as, gold,
water.
A noun that is the name of something which has not a real and separate
existence outside of the mind, is called an =abstract noun=; as, truth,
justice.
EXERCISE.
1. Write five sentences each containing a concrete noun, and underline
the example in each sentence.
2. Write five sentences each containing an abstract noun, and underline
the example in each sentence.
_Note._—All nouns may be classified into (1) proper and common, (2)
concrete and abstract, hence the two preceding classifications are
perfect. The classifications which follow are imperfect, since they do
not include all nouns.
III. COLLECTIVE NOUNS.
Name the nouns in the following sentences that denote a collection of
objects:—
1. His family live in England.
2. The army advanced during the night.
3. The verdict is given by a jury.
4. A committee of six was appointed by the members.
A noun of the singular form that stands for a collection or number of
things is called a =collective noun=; as, He owns a _herd_ of cattle.
EXERCISE.
Write five sentences each containing a collective noun, and underline
the example in each sentence.
IV. VERBAL NOUNS.
Select the nouns ending in _ing_ that are derived from verbs and have
lost all verbal function in the following sentences:—
1. That is good ploughing.
2. His writing is very legible.
3. The singing was admired by all.
A noun ending in _ing_ that is derived from a verb and has lost all
verbal function, is called a verbal noun; as, There is good _sleighing_
now.
EXERCISE.
Write five sentences each containing a verbal noun, and underline the
example in each sentence.
* * * * *
=LESSON XIV.=
V. GENDER-NOUNS.
Which of the following words denote males, and which denote females?
boy, man, uncle, hero, emperor,
girl, woman, aunt, heroine, empress.
Sex is one of the two divisions of animals, male and female.
The distinction of sex is called =gender=.
A noun that denotes a male is of the masculine gender; as, father.
A noun that denotes a female is of the feminine gender; as, mother.
Some nouns are either masculine or feminine gender; as, friend,
neighbor.
Nouns that denote things neither male nor female, have no gender; as,
book, tree.
Gender is distinguished by different words; as,—
=Masculine.= =Feminine.=
gentleman, lady,
husband, wife,
king, queen,
monk, nun,
nephew, niece,
sir, madam,
son, daughter,
uncle, aunt,
bachelor, maid or spinster,
drake, duck,
hart, roe,
ram, ewe,
stag, hind,
buck, doe,
earl, countess,
wizard, witch.
Gender is distinguished by different endings; as,—
=Masculine.= =Feminine.=
heir, heiress,
baron, baroness,
count, countess,
prince, princess,
negro, negress,
actor, actress,
Jew, Jewess,
lion, lioness,
governor, governess,
abbot, abbess,
victor, victress,
marquis, marchioness,
peer, peeress,
host, hostess,
duke, duchess,
master, mistress,
deacon, deaconess,
poet, poetess,
executor, executrix,
hero, heroine,
czar, czarina,
sultan, sultana,
infante, infanta,
widower, widow,
bridegroom, bride,
fox, vixen.
Gender is sometimes distinguished by prefixing words; as,—
=Masculine.= =Feminine.=
man-servant, maid-servant,
cock-sparrow, hen-sparrow,
he-goat, she-goat.
EXERCISE.
Select the gender-nouns in the following sentences, and give the gender
of each:—
1. Mary and her friend went for a sail on the lake.
2. The hero of this story is a young boy.
3. Great authors are seldom seen by the people.
4. Tell my mother that her other sons shall comfort her old
age.
5. He fled with his wife and child.
6. My sister went home with her aunt.
7. Both a prince and a poet were there.
8. Little Effie shall go with me to-morrow to the green,
And you’ll be there, too, mother, to see me made the Queen:
For the shepherd lads on every side ’ill come from far away,
And I’m to be Queen of the May, mother, I’m to be Queen of
the May.—_Tennyson._
* * * * *
=LESSON XV.=
NUMBER.
Which form of the following words denotes one thing, and which more than
one thing?—
pen, slate, church, city, tooth,
pens, slates, churches, cities, teeth.
The form of a word which names one thing is called =singular=, and the
noun is said to be in the _singular number_. The form of a word which
names more than one thing is called =plural=, and the noun is said to be
in the _plural number_.
1. The plural is generally formed by adding _s_ to the singular form; as
_pin_, _pins_; _book_, _books_.
2. Some nouns form the plural by adding _es_ to the singular form; as,
_match_, _matches_; _tax_, _taxes_.
Note the following words:—fox, bush, glass, loss, hero, negro, cargo,
echo, potato, tomato.
3. Nouns ending in _y_ preceded by a vowel, form the plural by adding
_s_ to the singular form; as, _day_, _days_; _valley_, _valleys_.
Nouns ending in _y_ preceded by a consonant, form the plural by changing
the _y_ into _i_ and adding _es_; as, _lily_, _lilies_; _copy_,
_copies_.
4. Some nouns ending in _f_ or _fe_ form the plural by changing _f_ or
_fe_ to _v_ and adding _es_; as, _knife_, _knives_.
Note the following:—wife, life, wolf, loaf, half, leaf, thief, shelf,
calf, self.
5. A few nouns form the plural by adding _en_ to the singular form; as,
_ox_, _oxen_; _child_, _children_; _brother_, _brethren_.
6. Some nouns form the plural by changing the vowel of the singular; as,
_man_, _men_; _goose_, _geese_.
7. Most nouns taken from foreign languages retain their foreign plurals:
=Singular.= =Plural.=
radius, radii.
beau, beaux.
analysis, analyses.
index, indices.
axis, axes.
basis, bases.
seraph, seraphim.
memorandum, memoranda.
phenomenon, phenomena.
crisis, crises.
erratum, errata.
stratum, strata.
oasis, oases.
cherub, cherubim.
8. Some compound nouns make the principal word plural, and some make
both words plural; as, _son-in-law_, _sons-in-law_; _man-servant_,
_men-servants_.
EXERCISE.
Write the plural of the following nouns:—
1. desk, woman, calf, foot, mouse, class.
2. cargo, piano, sky, toy, crisis, potato.
3. story, church, enemy, spoonful, chimney.
4. lily, valley, mother-in-law, wolf, pencil.
5. memorandum, sheaf, child, man-of-war.
* * * * *
=LESSON XVI.=
Note the following peculiarities:
1. Nouns used only in the plural:—
aborigines, antipodes, annals, banns, bellows, breeches,
matins, measles, news, nuptials, oats, pincers,
scissors, shears, tidings, trousers, vespers, victuals.
2. Nouns that have the same form in both numbers:—
deer, trout, sheep, heathen, perch,
grouse, salmon, swine, cannon, pike.
3. Nouns with _two_ plurals, differing in meaning:—
=Singular.= = Plural.= =Plural.=
penny, pennies (a number.) pence (a sum.)
pea, peas (a number.) pease (a quantity.)
brother, brothers (same family.) brethren (same society.)
die, dies (for stamping.) dice (for gaming.)
cloth, cloths (kinds of cloth.) clothes (garments.)
index, indexes (to a book.) indices (in algebra.)
genius, geniuses (men of talent.) genii (spirits.)
4. Nouns with a different meaning in the plural:—
compass, compasses,
iron, irons,
good, goods,
salt, salts,
corn, corns.
5. Nouns with _two meanings_ in the plural:—
=Singular.= =Plural.= =Plural.=
custom, customs (habits.) customs (revenue duties.)
letter, letters (alphabet.) letters (literature.)
number, numbers (in counting.) numbers (poetry.)
part, parts (divisions.) parts (abilities.)
* * * * *
=LESSON XVII.=
CASE.
Which of the italicized words in the following sentences is used as the
subject of the sentence, which to denote ownership, and on which does
the action expressed by the verb end?
1. The _boy_ is here.
2. The _boy’s_ book is on the table.
3. He sent the _boy_ with it.
The word upon which the action expressed by the verb ends is called the
=object= of the verb.
Point out in the following sentence a noun used as the subject of the
verb, a noun used to denote ownership, a noun used as the object of a
verb, and a noun used as the object of a preposition:—
That girl’s father shot a bear in the forest.
The relation which a noun or pronoun bears to some other word in the
sentence is called =case=.
A noun used as the subject of a verb is in the =nominative case=; as,
The _slate_ is broken. A noun used to denote ownership or possession is
in the =possessive case=; as, _Mary’s_ book is torn. A noun used as the
object of a verb or a preposition is in the =objective case=; as, He
left his _pencil_ on the _desk_.
EXERCISE I.
Name the case of all the nouns and pronouns in the following sentences,
and state the reason for the case of each:—
1. I sailed a boat on the lake.
2. This man’s hat was carried off by the wind.
3. Eight horses drew the Queen’s carriage.
4. On the deck stood the captain of the ship.
5. Oft I had heard of Lucy Gray;
And, when I crossed the wild,
I chanced to see at break of day
The solitary child.—_Wordsworth._
EXERCISE II.
1. Write four sentences each containing a noun in the nominative case,
and underline examples.
2. Write four sentences each containing a noun in the possessive case,
and underline examples.
3. Write four sentences each containing a noun in the objective case,
and underline examples.
* * * * *
=LESSON XVIII.=
Point out the nouns in the possessive case in the following sentences,
and state how the possessive is formed:—
1. This is a girl’s hat.
2. The girls’ yard is very clean.
3. He found a woman’s shawl.
4. The women’s waiting room is a large one.
The possessive case of a singular noun is always formed by adding ’s to
the word.
The possessive case of a plural noun that ends in s is formed by adding
the ’ (apostrophe) only; as _boys_, _boys’_.
The possessive case of a plural noun that does not end in s is formed by
adding the ’s; as _men_, _men’s_.
EXERCISE.
Form the possessive case, singular and plural, of the following nouns:—
hat, horse, mother, lady,
knife, child, servant, grocer,
friend, fox, father-in-law, country,
deer, artist, prince, mouse.
_Note._—Possession is sometimes expressed by the objective case
with the preposition _of_; as, The eyes of children are bright,
for children’s eyes are bright.
* * * * *
=LESSON XIX.=
State the case of the italicized nouns in the following sentences:—
1. My _hands_ are cold.
2. He is a _lawyer_.
3. Smith, the _grocer_, has moved away.
4. _John_, shut the door.
5. The _storm_ having ceased, I went on.
A noun that is used as the subject of a sentence is said to be in the
=subject nominative case=, or briefly in the =nominative case=; as, The
_sun_ shines brightly.
A noun that is used in the predicate with the verb _to be_ to make a
statement, is said to be in the =predicate nominative case= to the verb;
as, This man is a _poet_.
_Note._—The verb _to be_ (am, is, are, was, were, shall be, will be,
have been, had been, etc.,) expresses _being_, never action, and hence
cannot take a grammatical _object_.
A noun that is added to another noun to explain it, is said to be in the
=appositive= (apposition) =nominative case=; as Brown, the _merchant_,
is here.
A noun that is used as the name of a person or thing addressed is said
to be in the =nominative of address=; as I wish you long life, my
_friend_.
A noun that has no relation to any word in the sentence is said to be in
the =nominative absolute=; as, The _game_ being over, I withdrew.
EXERCISE.
Select all the nominatives in the following sentences, and state the
class to which each belongs:—
1. Napoleon was a man of determination.
2. My friend, the captain, is a citizen of Montreal.
3. Good morning, Mr. Henry, will you come in?
4. William the Norman, the enemy of Harold, crossed the
Channel.
5. The boat having disappeared, I turned my face homewards.
* * * * *
=LESSON XX.=
How many grammatical objects has each verb in the following sentences?—
1. He taught me music.
2. The tailor made him a coat.
3. I asked them the way.
4. He sent his sister a letter.
The object which represents that which is directly affected by the
action of the verb, is called the =direct object=; as, This man taught
me _drawing_.
The object which represents that which is less directly affected by the
action of the verb, and a relation which may be expressed by the
prepositions _to_ or _for_, is called the =indirect object=; as, This
man taught _me_ drawing.
EXERCISE.
Select all the objects in the following sentences, and classify them
into _direct_ and _indirect_:—
1. This girl brought me some flowers.
2. The Queen gave him a present.
3. I told him that story.
4. My father bought me a horse.
5. She sent my uncle a guinea.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXI.=
PARSING.
To parse a noun is to state the class to which it belongs, its gender,
number, case, and its grammatical relation to other words in the
sentence.
The changes in meaning and use which nouns undergo with or without a
change in form, are called their =inflections=.
The inflections of the noun are number and case.
EXERCISE.
Parse all the nouns in the following sentences:—
1. John lost his brother’s book on the street.
2. The boys have bought a new boat.
3. This little girl’s doll fell into the water.
4. His son is an excellent writer.
5. Mr. Wilson, the tailor, has a fine shop.
6. James, take this book to your sister.
7. My father gave that boy a beautiful pony.
8. Our friends are fond of driving.
9. Sympathy is the greatest power in the moral world.
10. But the half of our heavy task was done,
When the clock struck the hour for retiring;
And we heard the distant and random gun,
That the foe was sullenly firing.—_Wolfe._
=Model.=—_John_, a proper, concrete noun; masculine gender; singular
number; nominative case, subject of _lost_.
_Teacher’s_, a common, concrete noun; masculine or feminine gender;
singular number; possessive case, possessing _book_.
_Book_, a common, concrete noun; singular number; objective case, object
of the verb _lost_.
_Street_, a common, concrete noun; singular number; objective case,
object of the preposition _on_.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXII.=
PERSONAL PRONOUNS.
Name the pronouns in the following sentences, and state which denote the
speaker, which the person spoken to, and which the person or thing
spoken of:—
1. He asked me to go with him.
2. You will be sorry when you see it.
3. I asked her to come with us.
A pronoun that shows by its form whether it denotes the speaker, the
person spoken to, or the person spoken of, is called a =personal
pronoun=.
A pronoun that denotes the speaker or any company of whom the speaker is
one, is in the =first person=; as, _I_ am here. _We_ are going soon.
A pronoun that denotes a person spoken to, is in the =second person=;
as, _You_ look well.
A pronoun that denotes the person or thing spoken of, is in the =third
person=; as, I found _it_.
THE DECLENSION OF THE PERSONAL PRONOUNS.
=First Person.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
Nom. Poss. Obj. Nom. Poss. Obj.
I, mine, or my, me. we, ours, or our, us.
Second Person.
Singular. Plural.
Nom. Poss. Obj. Nom. Poss. Obj.
thou, thine, or thy, thee. you, or ye, yours, or your, you.
The second person singular is used now chiefly in prayer and poetry.
The second person plural is used now in common speech in addressing one
person.
Third Person.
Singular. Plural.
Nom. Poss. Obj. Nom. Poss. Obj.
Masc. he, his, him. they, theirs, or their, them.
Fem. she, hers, or her, her. they, theirs, or their, them.
Neut. it, its, it. they, theirs, or their, them.
EXERCISE.
Select the personal pronouns in the following sentences, state the
person of each, and the noun to which each pronoun of the third person
refers:—
1. I visited my friend and helped him with his work.
2. We bought some nuts and gave them to the children.
3. This woman has lost her purse.
4. I met two boys and they told me where to find you.
5. I had a little daughter,
And she was given to me
To lead me gently backward
To the Heavenly Father’s knee.
That I by the force of nature,
Might in some dim wise divine
The depths of His infinite patience
To this wayward soul of mine.—_Lowell._
_Note._—The possessive forms _my_, _thy_, _her_, _our_, _your_
and _their_ are used with nouns, and the forms _mine_, _thine_,
_hers_, _ours_, _yours_ and _theirs_ are used alone; as, That is
_my_ hat. That hat is _mine_.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXIII.=
DEMONSTRATIVE PRONOUNS.
Name the pronouns in the following sentences that point out or call
attention to anything:—
1. This is a book, and that is a roll of paper.
2. These are sheep, and those are goats.
Pronouns which point out or call attention to the objects for which they
stand, are called =demonstrative pronouns=.
The demonstrative pronouns are _this_, and _that_ with their plurals
_these_, and _those_.
_This_ and _these_ are used to refer to something nearer; _that_ and
_those_ to something farther off. _You_ is sometimes a demonstrative
pronoun; as, _You_ are the winner. The personal pronoun of the third
person is sometimes classed as a demonstrative pronoun, because it is
said to point out or call attention to the object for which it stands.
It is sometimes demonstrative, and sometimes personal in its use.
_Compare_: I am sure _he_ did it. I saw your brother and _he_ is going
to come to-morrow.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXIV.=
COMPOUND PERSONAL PRONOUNS.
Point out the pronouns in the following sentences, that are used to
express _emphasis_, and those that are used as reflexives, that is, as
_objects_ denoting the same person or thing as the _subject_:—
1. I myself wrote that letter.
2. He himself gave the cane to me.
3. We often injure ourselves.
4. They praised themselves.
Pronouns that are used to express emphasis, and those that are used as
reflexives, are called =compound personal pronouns=.
Compound personal pronouns are formed by adding _self_ to the simple
pronouns.
=Singular.= =Plural.=
First Person. myself, ourselves,
Second Person. {thyself,
{yourself, yourselves,
{himself
Third Person. {herself, themselves.
{itself,
* * * * *
=LESSON XXV.=
RELATIVE PRONOUNS.
Select the pronouns that relate, or carry the mind back, to a noun going
before, and join to that noun a modifying statement, in the following
sentences:—
1. My brother found the ball which he lost.
2. I saw the man who made that wheel.
3. Mary has the book that I bought.
A sentence that is part of a larger sentence is called a =clause=.
The clause that expresses the principal thought of a sentence is called
the =principal= or =independent clause=; as, _My brother found the ball_
which he lost.
The clause that depends on some other part of the sentence for its
meaning is called a =dependent= or =subordinate clause=; as, My brother
found the ball _which he lost_.
A word that relates to a preceding noun or pronoun, and connects a
dependent clause with that noun or pronoun, is called a =relative
pronoun=.
The word to which a pronoun relates is called its =antecedent=.
The relative pronouns are, _who_, _which_, _that_, _what_, _as_, and
_but_.
1. _Who_ is applied to persons; as, He knew the man _who_ did it.
2. _Which_ is applied to animals and to things without life; as This is
the deer _which_ he shot. I want the pen _which_ you have.
3. _That_ is applied to persons, to animals, and to things; as, This is
the lady _that_ was hurt. Here is the knife _that_ I found.
4. _What_ does not have its antecedent expressed; as, I know _what_
[that which] you require.
5. When _as_ is used as a relative it is generally preceded by _such_;
as, We are such stuff _as_ dreams are made on.
6. When _but_ is used as a relative it has a negative force, equivalent
to _that not_; as,
There is no fireside, howsoe’er defended,
_But_ has one vacant chair.
_Note._—Some relative clauses add another fact to the
antecedent; as, He owns a farm, _which he was given by his
uncle_.
Other relative clauses restrict the meaning of the antecedent;
as, The boy _that works_ succeeds.
_Who_ and _which_ are declined as follows:—
SINGULAR OR PLURAL.
Nom. Case who, which,
Poss. Case whose, whose,
Obj. Case whom, which.
COMPOUND RELATIVE PRONOUNS.
Pronouns that are formed by adding _so_, _ever_, and _soever_, to the
simple pronouns, are called =compound relative pronouns=; as _whoso_,
_whichever_, _whatsoever_.
EXERCISE I.
Name the relative pronouns, their antecedents, the clauses they connect,
and the case of each:—
1. I require the pencil that I lent you.
2. Those who are down need fear no fall.
3. He gave me what I desired.
4. The men shot a bear which was roaming about.
5. The long ranks on which I looked tramped steadily on.
6. Let the mighty mounds
That overlook the rivers, or that rise
In the dim forest crowded with old oaks, answer.—_Bryant._
EXERCISE II.
Classify the relatives in the following sentences into those that add
new facts to their antecedents, and into those that restrict or limit
their meaning:
1. I live on the street which leads to the park.
2. Those who live without a plan have never any leisure.
3. A short distance from the house I discovered a box, which
was made of iron.
4. I met a policeman, who told me about the fire.
5. We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent sea.—_Coleridge._
6. There, at the foot of yonder nodding birch,
That wreaths its old fantastic roots so high,
His listless length at noontide would he stretch,
And pore upon the brook that babbles by.—_Gray._
* * * * *
=LESSON XXVI.=
INTERROGATIVE PRONOUNS.
Point out the pronouns in the following sentences, that are used in
asking questions:—
1. Who did this?
2. What are you going to do next?
3. Which of the boys lost his knife?
A pronoun that is used in asking a question is called an =interrogative
pronoun=; as, _Who_ gave you the orange?
The interrogative pronouns are _who_, _which_, and _what_.
_Who_ and _which_ are declined like the relatives.
_Who_ refers to persons; _which_ refers to persons or to things; _what_
refers to things.
_Note._—_Which_ differs from _who_ in being selective; as, _Which_ of
the books is yours?
EXERCISE.
Select the interrogative pronouns in the following sentences, and give
the case of each:—
1. Who received the first prize in your class?
2. Of what is this article composed?
3. Which of the girls has the pencil?
4. What are you going to do next?
5. Whom did he send with the horse?
* * * * *
=LESSON XXVII.=
Point out the pronouns in the following sentences that do not stand for
any particular persons or things:—
1. Many went home before nine o’clock.
2. Each has his work to do.
3. All are here now.
Pronouns which do not stand for particular or definite persons or
things, are called =indefinite pronouns=; as, _Few_ believed him.
The principal words used as indefinite pronouns are _all_, _any_,
_other_, _another_, _both_, _some_, _such_, _few_, _many_, _one_,
_none_, _each_, _either_, _neither_, and words made by joining _some_,
_any_, _every_ and _no_ to the words _one_, _thing_ and _body_.
EXERCISE.
Select the indefinite pronouns in the following sentences, and give the
case of each:—
1. Some have gone home already.
2. I knew both of the boys.
3. He has not any to give to me.
4. Everybody goes to the wharf in the evening.
5. I told some one to bring it with him.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXVIII.=
PARSING.
To parse a pronoun is to state the class to which it belongs, its
gender, person, number, case, and its grammatical relation to other
words in the sentence.
Parse all the pronouns in the following sentences:—
1. I have the knife which you gave me.
2. He saw the letter that I wrote.
3. Who told you they did it?
4. Few shall meet where many part.—_Campbell._
5. He is the freeman whom the truth makes free.—_Cowper._
6. There’s a divinity that shapes our ends,
Rough-hew them as we will.—_Shakespeare._
7. I have seen him buy such bargains as would amaze
one.—_Goldsmith._
8. Ye, therefore, who love mercy, teach your sons
To love it too.—_Cowper._
9. I dare do all that may become a man,
Who dares do more is none.—_Shakespeare._
10. Breathes there a man with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land.—_Scott._
=Model:=—I have the knife _which you_ gave _me_.
_I_, a personal pronoun; masculine or feminine gender; first
person; singular number; nominative case, subject of _have_.
_which_, a relative pronoun; third person; singular number;
objective case, direct object of the verb _gave_.
_you_, a personal pronoun; masculine or feminine gender; second
person; singular or plural number; nominative case, subject of
the verb _gave_.
_me_, a personal pronoun; masculine or feminine gender; first
person; singular number; objective case, indirect object of the
verb _gave_.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXIX.=
_CLASSES OF ADJECTIVES._
ADJECTIVES OF QUALITY.
Point out the adjectives in the following sentences that express
_quality_ or _kind_ in the objects named by the nouns with which they
are used:—
1. This is a sweet apple.
2. I bought an oak table and a silver tray.
3. These girls are happy.
Adjectives that express quality or kind in the objects named by the
nouns with which they are used, are called =qualifying adjectives=; as,
These _kind_ girls took some _fresh_ flowers to a _sick_ woman.
Qualifying adjectives that are formed from proper nouns are called
=proper adjectives=. They begin with capital letters; as, He gave her an
_English_ coin.
EXERCISE.
Select the qualifying adjectives in the following sentences, and state
the nouns they qualify:—
1. A wise man considers his words.
2. Gentle, loving Nell was dead.
3. Her sleep was beautiful and calm.
4. Wonderful animals are to be seen in African forests.
5. With a slow and noiseless footstep
Comes that messenger divine.—_Longfellow._
6. Like other dull men, the king was all his life suspicious of
superior people.—_Thackeray._
7. O Caledonia! stern and wild,
Meet nurse for a poetic child!
Land of brown heath and shaggy wood,
Land of the mountain and the flood.—_Scott._
* * * * *
=LESSON XXX.=
ADJECTIVES OF QUANTITY.
Point out the adjectives in the following sentences, that express the
_quantity_ or _number_ of the objects named by the nouns with which they
are used:—
1. This man has little strength left.
2. I wish you much success in your studies.
3. There are three boys in the yard.
Adjectives that express the quantity or number of the objects named by
the nouns with which they are used, are called =quantifying adjectives=;
as, He won the _second_ prize.
EXERCISE.
Select the quantifying adjectives in the following sentences, and state
the noun each modifies:—
1. William has twenty marbles.
2. Much study is a weariness of the flesh.
3. My brother has the third place in his class.
4. This poor man has little coal for the winter.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXI.=
PRONOMINAL ADJECTIVES.
Which of the italicized words are used as pronouns and which as
adjectives?
1. _This_ belongs to my brother.
2. _This_ book belongs to my brother.
3. _Which_ is your pen?
4. _Which_ pencil will you have?
5. _All_ are lying on the bank.
6. _All_ men are mortal.
7. _Mine_ are in the house.
8. _My_ slate is broken.
Adjectives that are sometimes used as pronouns are called =pronominal
adjectives=; as, _These_ books are mine. _All_ boys can learn.
There are five kinds of =pronominal adjectives=.
1. =Possessive adjectives.= These are the possessive forms of the
personal pronouns used as adjectives. They are given in Lesson XXII.,
and are as follows:—_my_ or _mine_, _thy_ or _thine_, _our_ or _ours_,
_your_ or _yours_, _his_, _her_ or _hers_, _its_, _their_ or _theirs_.
2. =Interrogative adjectives.= These are _which_ and _what_ when used
with a noun to ask a question; as, _Which_ poem will you recite?
_What_ wrong have you done?
3. =Relative adjectives.= These are the words _which_ and _what_ used
relatively _with a noun_; as, I know _which_ pen you prefer. I see
_what_ course you are taking.
4. =Indefinite adjectives.= These are the words which, when used without
nouns, are indefinite pronouns; as, _Few_ persons believe his story.
[See Lesson XXVII.]
5. =Demonstrative adjectives.= These are _this_, _these_; _that_,
_those_; _yon_, _yonder_, when used with nouns; as, _That_ tree is very
tall. _Yon_ ship is coming nearer.
To the foregoing list of demonstrative adjectives we may add _a_, _an_,
and _the_, since they are _demonstrative in their nature_, that is they
are used _to point out_, but they have _no pronominal use_; as, _The_
man is well again. _An_ apple is on the table.
_Note._—_An_ is used before a word beginning with a vowel
sound; as, _An_ orange is yellow. _An_ hour contains sixty
minutes.
_A_ is used before a word beginning with a consonant sound; as,
_A_ pencil is on the desk. Many _a_ one has succeeded. (_One_
begins with the consonant sound of _w_.)
EXERCISE.
Select the pronominal adjectives in the following sentences, give the
_kind_ of each and the word it modifies:—
1. Which way did he go?
2. That lady explained my lesson.
3. Any other pen will do.
4. I do not know what work he did.
5. Their father bought them some fruit.
6. Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree’s shade,
Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering heap,
Each in his narrow cell forever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep.—_Gray._
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXII.=
COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES.
In the following sentences what degree of quality do the different forms
of the adjective _large_ express?
1. John has a large ball.
2. I have a larger ball than John’s.
3. James has the largest ball in the yard.
In sentence number 2, two balls are _compared_. In sentence number 3,
three or more balls are _compared_. Hence the change of form of
adjectives to express different _degrees_ of quality is called
=comparison=.
The form of the adjective, which merely expresses the quality, is called
the =positive degree=; as, I have a _small_ pen.
The form of the adjective that expresses a higher or lower degree of the
quality, is called the =comparative degree=; as, Charles has a _smaller_
pen than mine.
The form of the adjective that expresses the highest or the lowest
degree of the quality, is called the =superlative degree=; as, The
teacher has the _smallest_ pen in the room.
Most adjectives of one syllable form the comparative by adding _er_ to
the simple form, and the superlative by adding _est_ to the same form;
as,
=Positive.= = Comparative.= =Superlative.=
tall, taller, tallest.
fine, finer, finest.
_Note._—If the simple form ends in _e_, one e is omitted in the
comparison.
Most adjectives of more than one syllable are composed by prefixing
_more_ and _most_, or _less_ and _least_ to the simple form; as,
=Positive.= =Comparative.= =Superlative.=
beautiful, more beautiful, most beautiful,
worthy, less worthy, least worthy.
The following adjectives of two syllables are often compared by adding
_er_ and _est_: _happy_, _pleasant_, _common_, _noble_, _able_,
_narrow_.
The following adjectives are compared irregularly:—
=Positive.= =Comparative.= =Superlative.=
good, better, best,
bad, evil, or ill, worse, worst,
little, less, least,
much or many, more, most,
far, farther, farthest,
(forth,) further, furthest or furthermost,
near, nearer, nearest or next,
late, later, latest or last,
fore, former, foremost or first,
old, older or elder, oldest or eldest.
EXERCISE I.
Name each adjective in the following sentences, state its degree, and
give the word it modifies:—
1. I never saw a brighter sky.
2. It was a cruel and most unjust sentence.
3. The shores of this lake are high and rocky.
4. To-morrow’ll be the happiest time of all the glad New-year;
Of all the glad New-year, mother, the maddest, merriest
day.—_Tennyson._
5. I sat and watched her many a day,
When her eyes grew dim and her locks were gray.—_Eliza
Cook._
6. Small service is true service while it lasts;
Of friends, however humble, scorn not one.—_Wordsworth._
7. Look. She is sad to miss,
Morning and night
His—her dead father’s—kiss;
Tries to be bright,
Good to mamma, and sweet.
That is all. “Marguerite.”—_Dobson._
EXERCISE II.
Compare the following adjectives:—
near, bad, happy, wise, plain,
first, grateful, numerous, brief, lofty,
rapid, fortunate, far, cloudy, handsome,
sincere, hind, dreary, pale, extraordin
ary.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXIII.=
Parse all the adjectives in the following sentences:
1. Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
2. This is a wonderful scene.
3. Let my little story answer this question.
4. It was lazy, idle work, lying in the tent all day long.
5. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
6. From a shoal of richest rubies
Breaks the morning clear and cold,
And the angel on the village spire,
Frost-touched, is bright as gold.—_Aldrich._
7. Every hour that fleets so slowly,
Has its task to do or bear;
Luminous the crown and holy,
When each gem is set with care.—_Adelaide Procter._
=Model.= _These kind_ girls brought me _some_ flowers.
_These_, a pronominal adjective; demonstrative; modifying the noun
_girls_.
_kind_, a qualifying adjective; positive degree; (kind, kinder,
kindest), modifying the noun _girls_.
_some_, a pronominal adjective; indefinite; modifying the noun
_flowers_.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXIV.=
CLASSES OF VERBS.
Name the verbs in the following sentences that express an action or
feeling that goes out from the agent or doer to something else, and the
verbs that express an action or feeling that does not go out to
anything, but remains with the doer:—
1. James broke his pencil.
2. This boy found a knife.
3. Our girls like literature.
4. The sun shines brightly.
5. The birds fly into the trees.
6. The pupils feel cold.
A verb that expresses an action or feeling that goes out from the agent
or doer to something else, is called a =transitive verb=; as, He _wrote_
a letter. We _love_ our friends.
A verb that expresses being, a state, or an action or feeling that does
not go out to anything, but remains with the doer, is called an
=intransitive verb=; as, He _is_ here. She _sleeps_ now. The wind
_blows_ from the north. This man _feels_ sick.
EXERCISE I.
Classify the verbs in the following sentences:—
1. My brother sold his knife.
2. The boys play ball in the yard.
3. He ran across the street.
4. This little girl cut her hand.
5. That tree is very tall.
6. The window was broken by a stone.
7. Many birds build their nests in trees.
8. He told them of the river whose mighty current gave
Its freshness for a hundred leagues to Ocean’s briny
wave.—_McGee._
9. We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone,
But we left him alone in his glory.—_Charles Wolfe._
10. I see the wealthy miller yet,
His double chin, his portly size,
And who that knew him could forget,
The busy wrinkles round his eyes?—_Tennyson._
EXERCISE II.
_Note._—The same verb may be used either transitively or
intransitively; as, I _see_ the house. I _see_ through this paper.
Some verbs have only an intransitive use because they do not express
action; as, _be_, _seem_, _appear_, _remain_, _become_, etc.
1. Write sentences using the following words as transitive verbs:—
make, paper, water, sharpen, ran,
find, paint, reprove, set, study.
2. Write sentences using the following words as intransitive verbs:—
ran, sit, was, walks, read,
remain, fall, writes, dreams, move.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXV.=
Point out each verb that is used by itself to make a complete statement,
and each verb that is not used by itself to make a complete statement:—
1. The boy sleeps.
2. My task is done.
3. This rose smells sweet.
4. The girls are cold.
When a verb by itself makes a complete statement, it is called =a verb
of complete predication=; as, Birds _fly_.
When a verb by itself does not make a complete statement, it is called
=a verb of incomplete predication=; as, This man _is_ a merchant.
EXERCISE.
Select the verbs of incomplete predication, and state the word or words
that complete the predication:—
1. This water is warm.
2. He became a sailor.
3. My brother studies in the evening.
4. This man has been sick for a month.
5. Some murmur when their sky is clear.—_French._
6. A soft answer turneth away wrath.—_Bible._
7. An idler is a watch that wants both hands.—_Cowper._
8. Sweet was the sound, when oft, at evening’s close,
Up yonder hill the village murmur rose.—_Goldsmith._
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXVI.=
VOICE.
Is the same idea expressed by the sentences in each group?—
1. {I cut the paper.
{The paper was cut by me.
2. {John broke the window.
{The window was broken by John.
3. {He caught a bird.
{A bird was caught by him.
With a certain form of the verb, its subject names the _actor_; with
another form of the verb, the subject names _the thing acted upon_. This
change in the form of the verb is called =voice=.
A transitive verb that represents the person or thing named by its
subject as acting is said to be in the =active voice=; as, James
_struck_ the horse.
A transitive verb that represents the person or thing named by its
subject as being acted upon is said to be in the =passive voice=; as,
The horse _was struck_ by James.
_Note_ (a).—The object in the active voice becomes the subject
in the passive voice, so that only transitive verbs can properly
be used in the passive voice. There are, however, some
exceptions to this principle. When an intransitive verb is
followed by a phrase made up of a preposition and noun, the
intransitive verb may often be used passively with the
preposition as an adverbial adjunct; as, I _despair_ of success.
Success _is despaired of_ by me. He _shot_ at a bird. A bird
_was shot at_ by him.
_Note_ (b).—The agent in the passive voice is indicated by the
preposition _by_.
EXERCISE I.
Name the voice of each verb in the following sentences, and state the
reason in each case:—
1. He found his knife under the table.
2. This curious bird was brought from Africa by a traveller.
3. My friend has written two letters.
4. This ring was given to me by my mother.
5. The bird flew away into the bush.
6. The old man was sick and hungry.
7. Near the moulded arch he saw low, dark grottos within the
cavern.
8. These ample fields
Nourished their harvests, here their herds were fed,
Where haply by their stalls the bison lowed,
And bowed his manèd shoulder to the yoke.—_Bryant._
EXERCISE II.
Change the voice of each transitive verb in the preceding lesson.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXVII.=
MODE.
Point out in the following sentences a verb that states something as a
fact, one that is used in asking a question, one that mentions something
merely thought of, and one that expresses a command:—
1. He knows his lesson to-day.
2. Are you first in the class?
3. I hope that he succeed.
4. Put away your books.
The manner in which the verb presents the idea is called the =mode= of
the verb.
A verb that is used to state something as a fact, to ask a question, or
to express a condition relating to an actual state of things, is in the
=indicative mode=; as, He _reads_ well. _Does_ he _read_ well? If he
_was_ guilty, his punishment _was_ too light.
A verb that is used to express something merely thought of is in the
=subjunctive mode=; as, I wish that he _go_. If he _were_ present I
would speak to him. Thy kingdom _come_.
_Note._—The verb in conditional sentences is in the subjunctive mode
only when it expresses something merely thought of.
A verb that expresses a command or request is in the =imperative mode=;
as, _Come_ into the house. _Open_ your book.
EXERCISE I.
Name the mode or mood of each verb, and give the reason in each case:—
1. Home they brought her warrior dead.—_Tennyson._
2. What sought they thus afar?—_Hemans._
3. If my standard-bearer fall, press where ye see my white
plume—_Macaulay._
4. Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake
not.—_Bible._
5. If fortune serve me I’ll requite this
kindness.—_Shakespeare._
6. The meteor flag of England
Shall yet terrific burn,
Till danger’s troubled night depart,
And the star of peace return.—_Campbell._
7. Backward, flow backward, O tide of the years!
I am so weary of toil and of tears—
Toil without recompense—tears all in vain—
Take them, and give me my childhood again.—_E. A. Allen._
EXERCISE II.
1. Write three sentences each containing an example of the indicative
mode.
2. Write three sentences each containing an example of the subjunctive
mode.
3. Write three sentences each containing an example of the imperative
mode.
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXVIII.=
The preceding lesson treated of verbs that are _limited_ by their
subjects as to number and person; as, I _am_ here. John _is_ here. The
boys _are_ here. Hence these verbs are called =finite= verbs.
This lesson will treat of verbs that are _not so limited_; hence they
are called =infinitive verbs=.
THE INFINITIVE.
Select from the following sentences forms of verbs that are used (1) as
a noun, (2) as an adverb, and (3) as an adjective:—
1. I like to sing.
2. I came to see the ship.
3. Have you any water to drink?
The form of the verb that does not make an assertion, and that is not
limited as to person and number is called the =infinitive=.
The infinitive may be used as a noun; as, _To forgive_ is divine.
The infinitive may be used as an adverb; as, I came _to call_ you back.
The infinitive may be used as an adjective; as, He has no pen _to write
with_.
The infinitive may be used as the complement of verbs of incomplete
predication; as, He appeared _to hesitate_.
There are two infinitives, the simple infinitive with or without _to_,
and the infinitive in _ing_; as, I like _to row_ a boat. He may _go_.
She is fond of _writing_ letters.
The infinitive in _ing_ is sometimes called a _gerund_.
The infinitive has a variety of uses. Its grammatical value in English
is always determined by its function in the sentence.
Name the infinitives in the following sentences, tell the grammatical
value of each, and state the reason:—
1. To read well is an accomplishment.
2. I am glad to hear it.
3. This man has a house to rent.
4. There is little hope of finding him.
5. To hesitate is to fail.
6. She was about to leave.
7. Poverty is hard to bear.
8. When the rain ceased to fall, the wind began to blow.
9. I prefer to starve first.
10. There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall a while repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit there.—_Collins._
* * * * *
=LESSON XXXIX.=
THE PARTICIPLE.
Select the words in the following sentences that are used to modify
nouns, and also imply action or being:—
1. On came the boy running lightly.
2. Hearing the noise, I went to the door.
3. I have a book written in Old English.
A word that _participates_ in the nature of the verb and the adjective
is called a _participle_; as, _Leaving_ the room, we walked into the
garden. I found a treasure _hidden_ in the ground.
A participle qualifies a noun or pronoun, like an adjective, and takes
modifiers like a verb. A participle formed from a transitive verb takes
an object.
A participle that is used to denote unfinished action is called a
=present= or =imperfect participle=; as, _Jumping_ the fence, I ran
across the field.
A participle that is used to denote finished action is called a =past=
or =perfect participle=; as, He gave me a pencil _painted_ red.
EXERCISE I.
Classify the participles in the following sentences and tell what each
modifies:—
1. Onward they went, carrying death and ruin before
them.—_Lever._
2. I heard my own mountain goats bleating aloft.—_Campbell._
3. The cuirassiers, repulsed, disordered, and broken, had
retired beneath the protection of the artillery.—_Lever._
4. And, his chief beside,
Smiling, the boy fell dead.—_Browning._
5. Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again;
The eternal years of God are hers.—_Bryant._
6. Toiling,—rejoicing,—sorrowing,
Onward, through life he goes.—_Longfellow._
7. Poor lone Hannah,
Sitting at the window binding shoes.
Faded, wrinkled,
Sitting, stitching, in a mournful muse.—_Lucy Larcom._
EXERCISE II.
Determine the grammatical value of the italicized words in the following
sentences, according to the use of each:—
1. _Walking_ is good exercise.
2. _Seeing_ me _coming_, he came to meet me.
3. This _building_ cost one hundred thousand dollars.
4. Every _bleaching_ breeze chastens her purity.
5. He gave up all hope of _recovering_ his health.
6. The fields are covered with _growing_ grain.
7. A miser gives up all the pleasure of _doing_ good.
8. _Kneeling_ down, I kissed the little flower.
* * * * *
=LESSON XL.=
TENSE.
State the time of the action in each of the following sentences, and
point out the different forms of the verb:—
1. He writes a letter.
2. He wrote a letter.
3. He will write a letter.
The change which takes place in the _verb_ to mark this change of time,
is called _tense_.
There are three natural divisions of time—present, past, and future, so
that there are three corresponding tenses—=present=, =past=, and
=future=.
A verb that denotes an action in the present time is in the =present
tense=; as, I _speak_.
A verb that denotes an action in the past time is in the past tense; as,
I _spoke_.
A verb that denotes an action in the future time is in the future tense;
as, I _shall speak_.
Besides these three simple tenses, there are three perfect tenses, which
denote action as completed.
Point out a verb in the following sentences that denotes an action
completed in present time, one that denotes an action completed in past
time, and one that denotes an action completed in future time:—
1. He has written a letter.
2. He had written a letter.
3. He will have written a letter.
A verb that denotes an action as completed at the present time is in the
=present perfect tense=; as, I _have spoken_.
A verb that denotes an action as having been completed before a certain
past time is in the =past perfect= or =pluperfect tense=; as, I _had
spoken_ before you came.
A verb that denotes an action to be completed before a certain future
time is in the =future perfect tense=; as, I _shall have spoken_ before
he will arrive.
The present and the past tenses are indicated by the form of the verb
itself. The other tenses are formed by the aid of other verbs, called
_auxiliary_ verbs.
TENSES OF THE INDICATIVE MODE.
Present. I see.
Past. I saw.
Future. I shall see.
Present Perfect. I have seen.
Past Perfect. I had seen.
Future Perfect. I shall have seen.
_Note._—_Shall_ is used in the first person, and _will_ in the
second and third persons to denote future action. _Will_ is used
in the first person, and _shall_ in the second and third persons
to denote determination.
EXERCISE.
Select the verbs, and state the tense of each:—
1. The sailor twitched his shirt of blue,
And from within his bosom drew
The kerchief. She was wild.—_Alice Cary._
2. The Christian princes felt that the scene which they had
beheld weighed heavily on their spirits.—_Scott._
3. The boy stood on the burning deck,
Whence all but he had fled.—_Hemans._
4. The nurse sleeps sweetly, hired to watch the sick,
Whom sleeping, she disturbs.—_Cowper._
5. When kindness had his wants supplied,
And the old man was gratified,
Began to rise his minstrel pride.—_Scott._
6. He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again.—_Shakespeare._
* * * * *
=LESSON XLI.=
PERSON AND NUMBER.
Point out the different forms of the verb that are used with the
different subjects:—
=Singular.= =Plural.=
First Person. I write. We write.
Second Person. Thou writest. You write.
Third Person. He writes. They write.
The different forms that a verb takes to agree with the person and
number of its subject are called =person= and =number= forms.
Observe that there is no change in the action expressed by the verb; it
has merely adapted itself to the person and number of its subject.
The third person singular has, in the present indicative, the ending _s_
or _es_, and the old form _eth_; as, He _walks_; He _goes_; He
_dreameth_.
The second person singular has the ending _est_ or _st_ in both the
present and the past tenses; as, Thou _lovest_; Thou _lovedst_.
The first person singular and the plural forms for all the persons have
no endings to mark person and number, with but one exception, the verb
_to be_; as, I _am_; We _are_; I _was_; We _were_.
EXERCISE.
Write out the present tense forms, indicative mode, of the following
verbs, using the personal pronouns for subjects:—
live, find, come, teach, talk,
go, run, play, make, do.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLII.=
CONJUGATIONS OF THE VERB.
Point out how the past tense and perfect participle of the following
verbs are formed:—
=Present.= =Past.= =Perfect
Participle.=
wish, wished, wished.
love, loved, loved.
take, took, taken.
write, wrote, written.
A verb that forms its past tense and perfect participle by adding _ed_
or _d_ to the present tense form, is a verb of the =weak= or =new
conjugation=; as, _look_, _looked_, _looked_.
A verb that forms its past tense by changing the vowel of the present,
and its perfect participle by adding _n_ or _en_ to the present, is a
verb of the =strong= or =old conjugation=; as, _fall_, _fell_, _fallen_.
_Note._—Verbs of the old conjugation are called _strong_ because they
form their past tense within themselves. Verbs of the new conjugation
are called _weak_ because they form their past tense by the aid of an
additional syllable.
Weak verbs are called verbs of the _new_ conjugation because the method
of forming the past tense by the addition of _ed_ or _d_ is of more
recent origin than the method of the strong conjugation.
If we know the present tense form, the past, and the perfect participle
of any verb, we can tell to which conjugation it belongs, and can give
all its inflections of person, number, tense, and mode, therefore the
present tense form, the past and the perfect participle, are called the
_principal parts_ of the verb. When we give all the inflections of a
verb, or indicate them by the principal parts, we _conjugate_ it.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLIII.=
IRREGULAR VERBS OF THE WEAK CONJUGATION.
We have learned that regular verbs of the weak conjugation form their
past tense and perfect participle by adding _ed_ or _d_ to the present
tense form.
Point out how the following verbs form their past tense and perfect
participle:
=Present.= =Past.= =Perfect
Participle.=
mean, meant, meant.
sleep, slept, slept.
say, said, said.
cost, cost, cost.
In some verbs the _ed_ or _d_ of the past tense is sounded like _t_, and
in many cases the spelling has changed to _t_. A few verbs shorten the
vowel of the present; as, _feel_, _felt_, _felt_. Other verbs of this
conjugation change the vowel before adding _d_; as, _tell_, _told_,
_told_; and a number that end in _t_ or _d_ make no change; as, _set_,
_set_, _set_.
A LIST OF THE IRREGULAR VERBS OF THE WEAK CONJUGATION.
=Present.= =Past.= =Perf. Part.=
bend, bent,[1] bent.
bereave, bereft,[1] bereft.
beseech, besought, besought.
bleed, bled, bled.
breed, bred, bred.
bring, brought, brought.
build, built,[1] built.
burn, burnt,[1] burnt.
burst, burst, burst.
buy, bought, bought.
cast, cast, cast.
catch, caught, caught.
cleave (adhere), clave,[1] cleaved.
clothe, clad,[1] clad.
cost, cost, cost.
creep, crept, crept.
cut, cut, cut.
dare, durst,[1] dared.
deal, dealt, dealt.
dream, dreamt,[1] dreamt.
dwell, dwelt,[1] dwelt.
feed, fed, fed.
feel, felt, felt.
flee, fled, fled.
gild, gilt,[1] gilt.
gird, girt,[1] girt.
have, had, had.
hear, heard, heard.
hit, hit, hit.
hurt, hurt, hurt.
keep, kept, kept.
kneel, knelt, knelt.
knit, knit,[1] knit.
lay, laid, laid.
lead, led, led.
lean, leant,[1] leant.
leap, leapt,[1] leapt.
learn, learnt,[1] learnt.
leave, left, left.
lend, lent, lent.
let, let, let.
light, lit,[1] lit.
lose, lost, lost.
make, made, made.
mean, meant, meant.
meet, met, met.
pay, paid, paid.
pen (enclose), pent,[1] pent.
put, put, put.
quit, quit,[1] quit.
read, read, read.
rend, rent, rent.
rid, rid, rid.
say, said, said.
seek, sought, sought.
sell, sold, sold.
send, sent, sent.
set, set, set.
shed, shed, shed.
shoe, shod, shod.
shoot, shot, shot.
shut, shut, shut.
sleep, slept, slept.
smell, smelt,[1] smelt.
speed, sped, sped.
spell, spelt,[1] spelt.
spend, spent, spent.
spill, spilt,[1] spilt.
spit, spit, spit.
split, split, split.
spoil, spoilt,[1] spoilt.
spread, spread, spread.
sweat, sweat, sweat.
sweep, swept, swept.
teach, taught, taught.
tell, told, told.
think, thought, thought.
thrust, thrust, thrust.
weep, wept, wept.
wet, wet,[1] wet.
whet, whet,[1] whet.
work, wrought,[1] wrought.
-----
[1] Sometimes conjugated regularly.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLIV.=
A LIST OF THE VERBS OF THE STRONG CONJUGATION.
We learned in Lesson XLII. that regular verbs of the strong conjugation
form their past tense by changing the vowel of the present, and their
perfect participle by adding _en_ or _n_ to the present.
_Note._—Sometimes _one_ of these characteristics is wanting;
as, _chide_, _chid_, _chidden_; _sit_, _sat_, _sat_.
=Present.= =Past.= =Perf. Part.=
write, wrote, written.
abide, abode, abode.
am, was, been.
arise, arose, arisen.
awake, awoke,[2] awaked.
bear, {bore, {borne.
{bare, {born.
beat, beat, beaten.
begin, began, begun.
bid, bade, bid, bidden.
bind, bound, bound.
bite, bit, {bitten,
{bit.
blow, blew, blown.
break, broke, broken.
chide, chid, chidden.
choose, chose, chosen.
cleave, (split), clove, cloven.
cling, clung, clung.
come, came, come.
crow, crew,[2] crowed.
dig, dug[2] dug.
do, did, done.
draw, drew, drawn.
drive, drove, driven.
drink, drank, drunk.
eat, eat, ate, eaten.
fall, fell, fallen.
fight, fought, fought.
find, found, found.
fling, flung, flung.
fly, flew, flown.
forget, forgot, {forgotten,
{forgot.
forsake, forsook, forsaken.
freeze, froze, frozen.
get, got, {gotten,
{got.
give, gave, given.
go, went, gone.
grind, ground, ground.
grow, grew, grown.
hang, hung,[2] hung.[2]
hide, hid, {hidden,
{hid.
hold, held, held.
know, knew, known.
lie, lay, lain.
mow, mowed, mown.
ride, rode, ridden.
ring, rang, rung.
rise, rose, risen.
run, ran, run.
see, saw, seen.
shake, shook, shaken.
shear, sheared, shorn.[2]
shine, shone,[2] shone.[2]
show, showed, shown.[2]
shrink, shrank, shrunk.
sing, sang, sung.
sink, sank, {sunk,
{sunken.
sit, sat, sat.
slay, slew, slain.
slide, slid, slidden.
sling, slung, slung.
slink, slunk, slunk.
slit, slit, slit.
smite, smote, smitten.
sow, sowed, sown.[2]
speak, spoke, spoken.
spin, spun, spun.
spring, sprang, sprung.
stand, stood, stood.
steal, stole, stolen.
stick, stuck, stuck.
sting, stung, stung.
stink, stank, stunk.
strew, strewed, {strewn,[2]
{strown.
stride, strode, stridden.
strike, struck, {struck,
{stricken.
string, strung, strung.
strive, strove, striven.
swear, swore, sworn.
swim, swam, swum.
swing, swung, swung.
take, took, taken.
tear, tore, torn.
thrive, throve,[2] thriven.[2]
throw, threw, thrown.
tread, trod, trodden.
wax, waxed, waxen.[2]
wear, wore, worn.
weave, wove, woven.
win, won, won.
wind, wound, wound.
wring, wrung, wrung.
write, wrote, written.
-----
[2] Also like the weak conjugation.
A LIST OF DEFECTIVE VERBS OF THE WEAK CONJUGATION.
=Present.= =Past.= =Perf. Part.=
can, could, ——
may, might, ——
shall, should, ——
will, would, ——
must, must, ——
ought, ought, ——
* * * * *
=LESSON XLV.=
AUXILIARY VERBS.
We have learned in Lesson XL. that the verb has different forms of
itself to express a difference between present and past time only, and
when we wish to express that an act took place any other time, we use
another verb to aid the principal verb.
State which of the italicized verbs in the following sentences is used
independently, to express its own meaning, and which is used to aid
another verb to express its meaning:—
1. I _have_ a knife.
2. I _have_ written the letter.
3. He _was_ a good student.
4. He _was_ fined for doing wrong.
A verb that is used to help to conjugate other verbs is called an
=auxiliary verb=; as, We _have_ found your book.
The auxiliary verbs that aid in distinguishing the time of an action are
_have_, _shall_, _will_, _do_ and _be_.
THE FORMS OF THE VERB =_HAVE_=.
=PRESENT TENSE.= =PAST TENSE.= =PERFECT PART.=
have, had, had.
INDICATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I have, 1. We have,
2. Thou hast, 2. You have,
3. He has. 3. They have.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I had, 1. We had,
2. Thou hadst, 2. You had,
3. He had. 3. They had.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I have, 1. (If) we have,
2. (If) thou have, 2. (If) you have,
3. (If) he have. 3. (If) they have.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I had, 1. (If) we had,
2. (If) thou had, 2. (If) you had,
3. (If) he had. 3. (If) they had.
IMPERATIVE MODE.
=Singular.= =Plural.=
Have (thou). Have (ye or
you).
=Infinitives.= =Participles.=
(To) have, IMPERFECT—Having,
Having. PERFECT—Had.
_Have_ is used as an auxiliary with the perfect participle of a verb, to
form the perfect tenses; as,
PRESENT PERFECT—I have written.
PAST PERFECT—I had written.
FUTURE PERFECT—I shall have written.
PERFECT INFINITIVES—(To) have written; having written.
PERFECT PARTICIPLE—Having written.
When _have_ denotes possession it is an independent verb; as My friends
_have_ a canary.
EXERCISE.
In which of the following sentences is _have_ an independent verb, and
in which is it an auxiliary:—
1. The wheelmen have their own road.
2. I know that he has taken it.
3. England had won the sources of the Nile!—_Baker._
4. Have then thy wish; he whistled shrill,
And he was answered from the hill.—_Scott._
5. I have obeyed my uncle until now.
And I have sinned, for it was all through me
That evil came on William at the first.—_Tennyson._
6. Have you the heart? When your head did but ache,
I knit my handkercher about your brows,
(The best I had, a princess wrought it me,)
And I did never ask it you again.—_Shakespeare._
* * * * *
=LESSON XLVI.=
THE FORMS OF THE VERBS _SHALL_ AND _WILL_.
=SHALL.=
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I shall, 1. We shall,
2. Thou shalt, 2. You shall,
3. He shall. 3. They shall.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I should, 1. We should,
2. Thou shouldst, 2. You should,
3. He should. 3. They should.
=WILL.=
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I will, 1. We will,
2. Thou wilt, 2. You will,
3. He will. 3. They will.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I would, 1. We would,
2. Thou wouldst, 2. You would,
3. He would. 3. They would.
The auxiliaries _shall_ and _will_ are used with the infinitive to form
the future tense of a verb. To denote simple futurity _shall_ is used in
the first person, and _will_ in the second and third persons; as, I
_shall go_ to-morrow; You _will go_ again; He _will go_ next year.
To make a promise or to denote determination, _will_ is used in the
first person, and _shall_ in the second and third persons; as, I _will
get_ it for you; You _shall_ not _go_; He _shall do_ that work.
_Should_ and _would_ have the same uses as _shall_ and _will_.
EXERCISE.
Tell how _shall_ and _will_. are used in the following sentences:—
1. The expectation of the wicked shall perish.—_Bible._
2. When ye come where I have stepped,
Ye will wonder why ye wept.—_E. Arnold._
3. Well, see to live; I will not touch thine eyes
For all the treasure that thine uncle owns.—_Shakespeare._
4. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.—_Bible._
5. But in my time a father’s word was law,
And so it shall be now for me.—_Tennyson_.
6. If I talk to him, with his innocent prate
He will awake my mercy, which lies dead:
Therefore I will be sudden, and despatch.—_Shakespeare_.
7. The cock’s shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lowly bed.—_Gray_.
8. “If you are not the heiress born,
And I,” said he, “the lawful heir,
We too shall wed to-morrow morn,
And you shall still be Lady Clare.”—_Tennyson_.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLVII.=
THE FORMS OF THE VERBS _DO_ AND _BE_.
=DO.=
INDICATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I do, 1. We do,
2. Thou doest 2. You do,
or dost,
3. He does. 3. They do.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I did, 1. We did,
2. Thou didst, 2. You did,
3. He did. 3. They did.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I do, 1. (If) we do,
2. (If) thou do, 2. (If) you do,
3. (If) he do. 3. (If) they do.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I did, 1. (If) we did,
2. (If) thou did, 2. (If) you did,
3. (If) he did. 3. (If) they did.
=Imperative Mode.= =Infinitives.= =Participles.=
Do (thou or you). (To) do. IMPERFECT—Doing.
Doing. PERFECT—Done.
The present and past tenses of _do_ are used as auxiliaries with the
present infinitive, (1) to express emphasis; as, I _do study_ every
evening. (2) To express a denial; as, I _did not do_ it. (3) To ask
questions; as, _Did_ you _see_ him?
When _do_ means _to perform_, it is an independent verb; as, He _did_
his part.
EXERCISE.
Name the sentences in which _do_ is used as an independent verb, and
those in which it is used as an auxiliary, and explain the use of each
auxiliary:—
1. Do they not err that devise evil?—_Bible._
2. All their works they do to be seen of men.—_Bible._
3. Stone walls do not a prison make.—_Lovelace._
4. And for that offense
Immediately we do exile him hence.—_Shakespeare._
5. And everybody praised the Duke
Who this great fight did win.—_Southey._
6. The evil that men do lives after them.—_Shakespeare._
7. So little they rose, so little they fell,
They did not move the Inchcape Bell.—_Southey._
8. If I do so, it will be of more price,
Being spoke behind your back, than to your
face.—_Shakespeare._
=BE.=
INDICATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I am, 1. We are,
2. Thou art, 2. You are,
3. He is. 3. They are.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I was, 1. We were,
2. Thou wast, 2. You were,
3. He was. 3. They were.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I be, 1. (If) we be,
2. (If) thou be, 2. (If) you be,
3. (If) he be. 3. (If) they be
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I were, 1. (If) we were,
2. (If) thou wert, 2. (If) you were,
3. (If) he were. 3. (If) they were.
=Imperative Mode.= =Infinitives.= =Participles.=
Be (thou or you). (To) be. IMPERFECT—Being.
Being. PERFECT—Been.
1. The verb _to be_ is used as an auxiliary with the perfect participle
of a transitive verb, to form the _passive voice_; as, I _am hurt_.
2. The verb _to be_ is used as an auxiliary with the present participle
of a verb, to form the _progressive form_; as, I _am writing_.
3. The verb _to be_, without the participle of another verb, is used to
express (1) _existence_; as, Whatever _is_, is right. (2) To act as a
_copula_ (connecting word); as, Sugar _is_ sweet. Whatever is, _is_
right.
EXERCISE I.
State the use of the verb _be_ in each of the following sentences:—
1. “Alas,” said I, “man was made in vain!”—_Addison._
2. Brevity is the soul of wit.—_Shakespeare._
3. The waves were white, and red the morn,
In the noisy hour when I was born.—_Procter._
4. It was a summer evening,
Old Kaspar’s work was done,
And he before his cottage door
Was sitting in the sun.—_Southey._
5. It is my lady, O, it is my love!
O, that she knew she were!—_Shakespeare._
6. When the heart is right there is true
patriotism.—_Berkeley._
7. True worth is in being, not seeming.—_A. Cary._
8. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on; and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.—_Shakespeare._
EXERCISE II.
1. Write four examples of the verb _be_ used as an independent verb.
2. Write four examples of the verb _be_ used in making the progressive
form.
3. Write four examples of the verb _be_ used in forming the passive
voice.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLVIII.=
OTHER AUXILIARY VERBS.
In the last three lessons we have studied the auxiliaries used in
distinguishing the time of an action. We shall now study the auxiliaries
_can_, _may_, _must_, _ought_, _should_ and _would_, which enable us to
express other distinctions.
=CAN.=
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I can, 1. We can,
2. Thou canst, 2. You can,
3. He can. 3. They can.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I could, 1. We could,
2. Thou couldst, 2. You could,
3. He could. 3. They could.
_Can_ is used to denote power or ability; as, I _can_ sing. He _could_
write very rapidly.
=MAY.=
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I may, 1. We may,
2. Thou mayest, 2. You may,
3. He may. 3. They may.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I might, 1. We might,
2. Thou mightest, 2. You might,
3. He might. 3. They might.
_May_ is used to denote permission, possibility, or a wish; as, You
_may_ leave the room. He _might_ succeed again. _May_ you be there too.
_Could_ and _might_ are used sometimes in a conditional sense; as, They
_might_ stay here if we _could_ help them.
The phrases made by the auxiliaries _may_ and _can_ with the infinitive
of a verb are sometimes called _potential verb-phrases_, because they
express that an action is possible from the subject having power to
perform it.
=MUST and OUGHT.=
_Must_ has no other form. It is used to denote necessity or obligation;
as, I _must_ remain here.
_Ought_ is the old past of the verb _owe_. It is used to denote duty or
obligation; as, I _ought_ to help him.
The phrases made by the auxiliaries _must_ and _ought_, with the
infinitive of a verb, are sometimes called _obligative verb-phrases_,
because they imply _obligation_.
=SHOULD and WOULD.=
_Should_ and _would_ are the past tense forms of the auxiliaries _shall_
and _will_.
_Should_ and _would_ are especially used with the infinitive of a verb
to express a conditional statement; as, _I should do so_ if I had the
opportunity. _He would come_ if I asked him.
Since the phrases formed by _should_ and _would_ with the infinitive of
a verb imply a condition, they are called _conditional verb-phrases_.
1. _Should_ and _would_ are often used in expressing the condition
itself; as, _If he should be here_, they would know it.
2. They have sometimes their more independent meanings of _ought_ and
_be determined_; as, _I should go_, I know. _She would come_, no matter
what happened.
EXERCISE I.
State the use of the verbs _may_, _can_, _must_, _ought_, _should_ and
_would_ in the following sentences:—
1. For I can weather the roughest gale,
That ever wind did blow.—_Longfellow._
2. She must weep or she will die.—_Tennyson._
3. We ought to obey God.—_Bible._
4. And when he next doth ride abroad
May I be there to see!—_Cowper._
5. “Please, Brown,” he whispered, “may I wash my face and
hands?”—_Hughes._
6. I would not for the wealth of all the town
Here in my home do him disparagement.—_Shakespeare._
7. For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.—_Tennyson._
8. If a storm should come and wake the deep,
What matter! I shall ride and sleep.—_Procter._
9. It may be that Death’s bright angel
Will speak in that chord again,
It may be that only in Heaven
I shall hear that grand Amen.—_Procter._
EXERCISE II.
Write sentences containing the following verbs used correctly—_can_,
_may_, _must_, _ought_, _should_, _would_. State the use in each case.
* * * * *
=LESSON XLIX.=
CONJUGATION TO DENOTE THE TIME OR TENSE OF AN ACTION OF THE VERB _PRAISE_.
=ACTIVE VOICE.=—INDICATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I praise, 1. We praise,
2. Thou praisest, 2. You praise,
3. He praises. 3. They praise.
=PRESENT=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I have praised, 1. We have praised,
2. Thou hast 2. You have praised,
praised,
3. He has praised. 3. They have
praised.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I praised, 1. We praised,
2. Thou praisedst, 2. You praised,
3. He praised. 3. They praised.
=PAST =
=PERFECT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I had praised, 1. We had praised,
2. Thou hadst praised, 2. You had praised,
3. He had praised. 3. They had praised.
=FUTURE TENSE.=
(Denoting Future
Action.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I shall praise, 1. We shall
praise,
2. Thou wilt 2. You will
praise, praise,
3. He will praise. 3. They will
praise.
=FUTURE TENSE.=
(Denoting a
Promise
or Determination.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I will praise, 1. We will praise,
2. Thou shalt 2. You shall
praise, praise,
3. He shall 3. They shall
praise. praise.
=FUTURE=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
(Denoting Future
Action.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I shall have praised, 1. We shall have praised,
2. Thou wilt have 2. You will have praised,
praised,
3. He will have praised. 3. They will have praised.
=FUTURE=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
(Denoting a
Promise
or Determination.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I will have praised, 1. We will have praised,
2. Thou shalt have 2. You shall have
praised, praised,
3. He shall have praised. 3. They shall have
praised.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I praise, 1. (If) we praise,
2. (If) thou praise, 2. (If) you praise,
3. (If) he praise. 3. (If) they praise.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I praised, 1. (If) we praised,
2. (If) thou 2. (If) you praised,
praised,
3. (If) he praised. 3. (If) they
praised.
IMPERATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
Praise (thou). Praise (ye or
you).
=INFINITIVES.=
=Present.= =Perfect.=
(To) praise, (To) have praised,
Praising. Having praised.
=PARTICIPLES.=
=Present or =Present Perfect
Imperfect.= or Perfect.=
Praising. Having praised.
=PASSIVE VOICE.=
The passive forms of a transitive verb are made by the aid of the
auxiliary _be_.
INDICATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I am praised, 1. We are praised,
2. Thou art praised, 2. You are praised,
3. He is praised. 3. They are praised.
=PRESENT=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I have been praised, 1. We have been praised,
2. Thou hast been 2. You have been praised,
praised,
3. He has been praised. 3. They have been praised.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I was praised, 1. We were praised,
2. Thou wast praised, 2. You were praised,
3. He was praised. 3. They were praised.
=PAST=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I had been praised, 1. We had been praised,
2. Thou hadst been 2. You had been praised,
praised,
3. He had been praised. 3. They had been praised.
=FUTURE TENSE.=
(Denoting Future
Action.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I shall be praised, 1. We shall be praised,
2. Thou wilt be praised, 2. You will be praised,
3. He will be praised. 3. They will be praised.
=FUTURE TENSE.=
(Denoting a
Promise
or Determination.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I will be praised, 1. We will be praised, etc.
etc.
=FUTURE=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
(Denoting Future
Action.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I shall have been 1. We shall have been
praised, praised,
etc. etc.
=FUTURE=
=PERFECT TENSE.=
(Denoting a
Promise
or Determination.)
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. I will have been 1. We will have been
praised, praised,
etc. etc.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I be praised, 1. (If) we be praised,
2. (If) thou be praised, 2. (If) you be praised,
3. (If) he be praised. 3. (If) they be praised.
=PAST TENSE.=
=Singular.= =Plural.=
1. (If) I were praised, 1. (If) we were praised,
2. (If) thou were 2. (If) you were praised,
praised,
3. (If) he were praised. 3. (If) they were praised.
IMPERATIVE MODE.
=PRESENT TENSE.=
Be (thou) praised.
=INFINITIVES.=
=Present.= =Perfect.=
(To) be praised, (To) have been praised,
Being praised. Having been praised.
=PARTICIPLES.=
=Present or Imperfect.= =Perfect or Present Perfect.=
Being praised. Praised or Having been praised.
_PROGRESSIVE FORMS OF THE VERB_ =PRAISE.=
INDICATIVE MODE.
=Present Tense.= =Present Perfect Tense.=
I am praising, etc. I have been praising, etc.
=Past Tense.= =Past Perfect Tense.=
I was praising, etc. I had been praising, etc.
=Future Tense.= =Future Perfect Tense.=
I shall be praising, etc. I shall have been praising, etc.
SUBJUNCTIVE MODE.
=Present Tense.= =Past Tense.=
(If) I be praising, etc. (If) I were praising, etc.
IMPERATIVE MODE.
=Present Tense.=
Be (thou) praising.
INFINITIVES.
=Present.= =Perfect.=
(To) be praising. (To) have been praising,
Having been praising.
PARTICIPLES.
=Present or Imperfect.= =Perfect or Present Perfect.=
Praising. Having been praising.
EXERCISE I.
Fully conjugate the verb _freeze_ in both voices.
EXERCISE II.
Write out the progressive forms of the verb _sing_.
* * * * *
=LESSON L.=
PARSING OF VERBS.
To parse a verb is to state its _class_, its _conjugation_, its _voice_,
its _mode_, its _tense_, its _person_, and _number_, and its _subject_.
=Model.=—The boys _have broken_ the window.
_Have broken_, a verb, transitive; strong conjugation (break, broke,
broken); active voice; indicative mode; present perfect tense, third
person; plural number, agreeing with its subject _boys_.
=Model.=—If they _help_ my friend I _shall be_ glad.
_Help_, a verb, transitive; weak conjugation (help, helped, helped);
active voice; subjunctive mode; present tense; third person; plural
number, agreeing with its subject _they_.
_Shall be_, a verb, intransitive; strong conjugation (am, was, been);
indicative mode; future tense; first person; singular number, agreeing
with its subject _I_.
=Model.=—_Being provided_ with tools, they _planted_ a row of stakes
within their palisade, _to form_ a double fence.
_Being provided_, a present participle; passive form, modifying _they_.
_Planted_, a verb, transitive; weak conjugation (plant, planted,
planted); active voice; indicative mode; past tense; third person;
plural number, agreeing with its subject _they_.
_To form_, a present infinitive; active voice; used as an adverb to
modify _planted_.
EXERCISE.
Parse the verbs, the infinitives, and the participles in the following
sentences:—
1. They are fond of building castles in the air.
2. On he comes, running lightly, with his hands in his pockets.
3. Searching the pile of corpses, the victors found four
Frenchmen still breathing.—_Parkman._
4. The former target was now removed, and a fresh one of the
same size placed in its room.—_Scott._
5. When summoned to surrender, he fired at one of the leading
assailants, but was instantly overpowered.—_Warburton._
6. If terror were the object of its creation, nothing could be
imagined more perfect than the devil-fish.—_Hugo._
7. Madeleine ordered a cannon to be fired, partly to deter the
enemy from an assault, and partly to warn some of the
soldiers, who were hunting at a distance.—_Parkman._
8. I am told that it is the custom to collect the sap and bring
it to the house, where are built brick arches, over which
the sap is evaporated in shallow pans.—_Warner._
9. Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.—_Longfellow._
10. It was the schooner Hesperus,
That sailed the wintry sea;
And the skipper had taken his little daughter,
To bear him company.—_Longfellow._
* * * * *
=LESSON LI.=
CLASSES OF ADVERBS.
What does each adverb in the following sentences denote?—
1. Soon the cavalry arrived.
2. Our friends live here.
3. He walked slowly into the house.
4. We had a very pleasant outing.
5. Certainly, I believe it.
_Classes of Adverbs according to their_ =meaning=:—
1. Adverbs of =time= and =succession=; as, She _seldom_ fails to call.
We come next.
2. Adverbs of =place= and =motion=; as, John stood _there_ for an hour.
They are going _back_.
_Note._—The word _there_ is sometimes used merely to introduce
a sentence, that the subject may follow the verb; as, _There_
are two boys in the room. When it is used in this manner it is
called an =expletive=.
3. Adverbs of =manner= and =quality=; as, You did it _well_. That man
acts _foolishly_.
4. Adverbs of =degree= and =measure=; as, He is _quite_ ill. She is a
_very_ industrious woman.
5. _Model_ adverbs—those that express certainty or uncertainty; as, I
shall _surely_ come. You are _probably_ right.
EXERCISE.
How is each adverb used in the following sentences?—
1. This river flows rapidly.
2. I know how he acted.
3. Where is your father?
_Classes of Adverbs according to their_ =use=:—
1. An adverb that simply modifies another word is called a =simple
adverb=; as, _Slowly_ and _sadly_ we laid him _down_.
2. An adverb that not only modifies a word, but also connects the clause
of which it forms a part with another clause, is called a =conjunctive
adverb=; as, I shall go _when_ he comes.
3. An adverb that is used to ask a question is called an =interrogative
adverb=; as, _Why_ did they take it away?
_Note._—Some adverbs are compared like adjectives; as, Soon,
sooner, soonest; swiftly, more swiftly, most swiftly.
* * * * *
=LESSON LII.=
PARSING OF ADVERBS.
To parse an adverb is to state the kind of adverb, its =degree= of
comparison, if it has any, and what it =modifies=.
=Model.=—_Now_ you may read it.
_Now_, an adverb of time, modifying the verb-phrase _may read_.
=Model.=—I know _where_ you put it.
_Where_, a conjunctive adverb, showing place. It modifies _put_ and
connects the clause, [_where_] _you put it_ with the clause, _I know_.
EXERCISE.
Parse the adverbs in the following sentences:—
1. He could not ever rue his marrying me.—_Tennyson._
2. So those four abode within one house together.—_Tennyson._
3. The boys waited eagerly for further experiments on the
doctor’s patience.—_Anstey._
4. Silently down from the mountain’s crown
The great procession swept.—_Mrs. Alexander._
5. How closely he twineth, how tight he clings
To his friend, the huge oak-tree!—_Dickens._
6. There was manhood’s brow serenely high,
And the fiery heart of youth.—_Hemans._
7. Aim straightly, fire steadily! spare me
A ball in the body which may
Deliver my heart here, and tear me
This badge of the Austrian away!—_Mrs. Browning._
8. Believe not each accusing tongue,
As most weak people do;
But still believe that story wrong
Which ought not to be true.—_Sheridan._
9. Again I looked at the snow-fall,
And thought of the leaden sky
That arched o’er our first great sorrow,
When that mound was heaped so high.—_Lowell._
* * * * *
=LESSON LIII.=
PREPOSITIONS.
What do the prepositions in the following sentences connect, and what
relations do they express?—
1. I came during the night.
2. He lives at home.
3. Our friends came by train.
4. The oar of the boat was broken.
Prepositions express a great variety of relations. The most common
relations are as follows:—
1. =Time=; as, The scholars go home _after_ school.
2. =Place= or =direction=; as, He sat _upon_ a stone.
3. =Agency= or =means=; as, John cut his finger _with_ a knife.
4. =Possession=; as, The call _of_ the shepherd was heard by his flock.
5. =Separation=; as, James took the book _from_ his brother.
6. =Association=; as, A man _with_ an axe in his hand came in.
7. =Opposition=; as, He is _against_ me.
8. =Object=; as, The love _of_ pleasure destroys many a life.
9. =Cause=; as, They did it _through_ ignorance.
_Note._—There are many phrases which have the use of
prepositions and are treated as such; as, We stood _in front of_
the building. A woman came _out of_ the house. He lived
_according to_ his light.
PARSING OF PREPOSITIONS.
=Model.=—I stood _on_ the bridge _at_ midnight.
_On_, a preposition, connecting the noun _bridge_ with the verb _stood_,
and showing the relation of _place_.
_At_, a preposition, connecting the noun _midnight_ with the verb
_stood_, and showing the relation of _time_.
EXERCISE.
Parse the prepositions in the following sentences:—
1. The old man was killed by a falling tree.
2. The perfume of the rose is sweet.
3. A child fell into the river.
4. My brother went instead of me.
5. Without a moment’s hesitation, he and his men dashed at the
height.
6. Now see him mount once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing o’er the stones,
With caution and good heed.—_Cowper._
7. Richard surveyed the Nubian in silence as he stood before
him, his looks bent upon the ground, his arms folded on
his bosom, with the appearance of a black marble statue of
the most exquisite workmanship, waiting life from the
touch of a Prometheus.—_Scott._
8. Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way,
With blossomed furze unprofitably gay,
There, in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule,
The village master taught his little school.—_Goldsmith._
* * * * *
=LESSON LIV.=
CLASSES OF CONJUNCTIONS.
Point out in the following examples conjunctions that connect sentences
or parts of a sentence of equal rank, and those that connect sentences
that are not of equal rank:—
1. Men may come and men may go.
2. I have a pen and a book.
3. Henry remained but we went home.
4. My father knew that I did it.
A conjunction that connects sentences or parts of a sentence of equal
rank, is called a =co-ordinating conjunction=; as, The night is cold
_and_ clear. It was sold, _but_ I did not want it. I know he came home,
_and_ took it away.
A conjunction that connects a dependent or subordinate clause to a
principal clause, is called a =subordinating conjunction=; as, James
said _that_ he was sick. I cannot go _unless_ he come.
_Note._—Conjunctions used in pairs are called =correlatives=;
as, _both_—_and_, _either_—_or_, _neither_—_nor_.
PARSING OF CONJUNCTIONS.
=Model.=—The teacher gave me a book, _and_ I read it.
_And_, a co-ordinating conjunction, connecting the two principal
clauses, _The teacher gave me a book_, and _I read it_.
=Model.=—The boy is strong _but_ lazy.
_But_, a co-ordinating conjunction, connecting the adjectives _strong_
and _lazy_.
=Model.=—His mother said _that_ he might go.
_That_, a subordinating conjunction, connecting the subordinate clause,
_he might go_, to the principal clause, _his mother said_.
EXERCISE I.
Parse the conjunctions in the following sentences:—
1. He often looked at them,
And often thought, “I’ll make them man and
wife.”—_Tennyson._
2. The natives of the island supposed that the ships had sailed
out of the crystal firmament, or had descended from above
on their ample wings.—_Irving._
3. Here lies his head upon the lap of earth,
A youth to fortune and to fame unknown.—_Gray._
4. By chance it happened that in Atri dwelt
A knight, with spur on heel and sword in belt.—_Longfellow._
5. With a sword or a hatchet in one hand and a knife in the
other, they threw themselves against the throng of
enemies, striking and stabbing with the fury of madmen,
till the Iroquois fired volley after volley, and shot them
down.—_Parkman._
6. Cheerily, then, my little man,
Live and laugh, as boyhood can!
Though the flinty slopes be hard,
Stubble-speared the new-mown sward,
Every morn shall lead thee through
Fresh baptisms of the dew.—_Whittier._
EXERCISE II.
1. Write three sentences each containing a co-ordinating conjunction.
Underline example.
2. Write three sentences each containing a subordinating conjunction.
Underline example.
3. Write an example of correlative conjunctions. Underline them.
* * * * *
=LESSON LV.=
INTERJECTIONS.
As an interjection bears no grammatical relation to the other words of a
sentence, its parsing consists in naming the parts of speech, and the
feeling expressed.
=Model.=—Hurrah! we have won.
_Hurrah_, an interjection—expresses the feeling of joy.
EXERCISE.
Parse the interjections in the following sentences:—
1. Ah! then and there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress.—_Byron._
2. News of battle! News of battle!
Hark! ’tis ringing down the street.—_Aytoun._
3. Oh! I’m thankful you are gone, Mary,
Where grief can’t reach you more!—_Lady Dufferin._
4. But, hush! hark! a deep sound strikes like a rising
knell.—_Byron._
5. And, lo! from far, as on they pressed, there came a
glittering band.—_Hemans._
6. “Alas,” said I, “man was made in vain!”—_Addison._
7. “Indeed!” said Uncle Tim, “pray, what do you make of the
abstraction of a red cow?”—_Haliburton._
8. “Yet give one kiss to your mother dear!
Alas! my child, I sinned for thee.”
“O mother, mother, mother,” she said,
“So strange it seems to me.”—_Tennyson._
9. Ho! breakers on the weather bow,
And hissing white the sea;
Go, loose the topsail, mariner,
And set the helm a-lee.—_Swain._
* * * * *
PART THIRD.
_SYNTAX._
Syntax treats of the _relations_ which words bear to one another in
sentences, and of the _order_ in which the words are arranged. The
relation of a word in a sentence is called its _construction_.
_Note._—Many of the leading principles of syntax have been
illustrated already. We shall now study them and others in a
systematic way.
* * * * *
=LESSON LVI.=
RELATIONS OF THE NOUN.
Examine the construction of the italicized nouns in the following
sentences:—
1. _Trees_ grow.
2. This man is a _carpenter_.
3. Mr. Brown, the _merchant_, has retired.
4. _Boys_, close the doors.
5. The _wheel_ being broken, I walked home.
6. John lost his _knife_.
7. She lives in the _city_.
8. I bought the _boy_ a hat.
9. We visited our _mother’s_ grave.
10. He lived here ten _years_.
11. I was taught _music_ by my mother.
12. This boy ran a _race_ yesterday.
13. I told him to be a good _boy_.
14. The people chose him _ruler_.
1. =Subject nominative.= The noun may be used as the subject of a verb;
as, _Boys_ play. The subject of a verb is in the _nominative case_.
2. =Predicate nominative.= A noun that is used to form a complete
predicate, and refers to the same person or thing as the subject, is in
the =nominative case= after the verb; as, John became _king_. A noun so
used is called a =predicate noun= or =predicate nominative=. The verbs
_be_, _seem_, _become_, _appear_, _look_ are followed by a =predicate
nominative=.
3. =Apposition.= A noun added to another noun to explain its meaning is
said to be in apposition to the first noun; as,
Mr. Henry, our _principal_, is sick. (Nominative in apposition.)
We like your sister _Mary_. (Objective in apposition.)
4. =Nominative of address.= A noun that is used in addressing a person
or thing, is in the =nominative case of address=; as, _Man_, thy years
are few.
5. =Nominative absolute.= A noun that is not related to any other word
in the sentence is in the =nominative absolute case=; as, The _day_
being bright, I went for a drive.
6. =Object of a verb.= A noun or pronoun on which the action expressed
by a verb ends, is called the grammatical =object= of the verb; as, I
broke my _pen_.
7. =Object of a preposition.= A noun or pronoun which a preposition
connects in sense to some other word in the sentence, is called the
=object= of the preposition; as, He came from the _country_.
8. =Indirect object.= A noun or pronoun that is used to show _to_ or
_for_ whom or what something is done, is called the _indirect_ object;
as, He gave _me_ a watch. The word _watch_ is the _direct_ object of
_gave_.
9. =Possession.= A noun that is used to denote ownership is in the
=possessive= case; as, My _friend’s_ hat is missing.
10. =Adverbial object.= A noun that is used like an adverb to express
_time_, _distance_, _weight_, or _value_, is called an =adverbial
objective=; as, He walked five _miles_. It is worth eight _dollars_.
11. =Retained object.= When an active verb, taking two objects, is
changed into the passive voice, one object becomes the subject of the
passive verb, but the other is _retained as object_; as, He was forgiven
his _offence_.
12. =Cognate object.= When the objective has a similar or cognate
meaning to that of the verb, it is called a =cognate object=; as, She
sung us a _song_.
13. =Predicate objective.= When a noun is in the predicate relation to
an objective subject, it is called a =predicate objective=; as, I know
him to be an honest _man_.
14. =An objective predicate.= A noun that completes the meaning of a
transitive verb and describes its object, is called an =objective
predicate=; as, They elected him _president_. The verbs _call_, _make_,
_appoint_, _choose_, _elect_, and those of like nature, take the
=objective predicate=.
* * * * *
=LESSON LVII.=
RELATIONS OF THE PRONOUN.
What is the gender, person, and number of the italicized pronouns in the
following sentences?—
1. A little girl gave me _her_ book.
2. The sword has dropped from _its_ sheath.
3. I saw the man of _whom_ you speak.
4. This is the woman _that_ found your purse.
_A pronoun must agree in gender, number, and person with its
antecedent._
_Note._—1. The relative pronoun is not always expressed; as, I
know the man (_that_) you admire so much.
2. The word _it_ has sometimes an indefinite use without an
antecedent; as, _It_ rains. _It_ will soon be dark. _This is
called the impersonal use._
3. The word _it_ is sometimes used as a _representative_ subject
while the _real_ subject follows the verb; as, _It_ is certain
_that he did it_. _It_ is right _to defend the truth_.
_The pronoun has the same case-relations as the noun._
EXERCISE.
Name the case and state the construction of each noun and pronoun in the
following sentences:—
1. I travelled with Smith, the grocer.
2. We helped the lady who lost her purse.
3. It is wrong to deceive.
4. The wind having fallen, I mounted my wheel again.
5. Mary broke out in praise to God, that helped
her in her widowhood.—_Tennyson._
6. Set the table, maiden Mabel,
And make the cabin warm:
Your little fisher lover
Is out there in the storm.—_Aldrich._
7. My dear one!—when thou wast alive with the rest,
I held thee the sweetest and loved thee the best.—_E. B.
Browning._
8. But the Christian princes felt that the scene which they had
beheld weighed heavily on their spirits, and although they
assumed their seats at the banquet, yet it was with the
silence of doubt and amazement.—_Scott._
9. By chance it happened that in Atri dwelt
A knight, with spur on heel and sword on belt,
Who loved to hunt the wild boar in the woods,
Who loved his falcons with their crimson hoods.
—_Longfellow._
10. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats;
For I am armed so strong in honesty,
That they pass by me as the idle wind,
Which I respect not.—_Shakespeare._
* * * * *
=LESSON LVIII.=
RELATIONS OF ADJECTIVES.
Name the adjectives in the following sentences, that are used to modify
nouns directly, and those that are used to modify nouns as part of the
predication or assertion made about them:—
1. She is a good girl.
2. I have a soft pencil.
3. He was ignorant of this fact.
4. The water is cold.
1. An adjective that modifies a noun directly is said to be in the
=attributive= relation; as, A _grand_ tree is the _stately_ oak.
2. An adjective that modifies a noun as part of the predication or
assertion made about it, is called a =predicate adjective=; as, This
apple is _sweet_. I am _glad_ you succeeded.
3. An adjective that is joined to a noun in a loose and indirect way is
said to be used in the =appositive= relation; as, All history, _ancient_
or _modern_ contributes towards my theory.
EXERCISE.
State the relation of each adjective in the following sentences:—
1. A tremendous storm came on.
2. My dear friend is ill.
3. Young, and gay, she heeded not my warning.
4. Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark, unfathomed caves of ocean bear.—_Gray._
5. Along the crowded path they bore her now, pure as the
newly-fallen snow that covered it.—_Dickens._
6. Sweet was the sound, when oft, at evening’s close,
Up yonder hill the village murmur rose.—_Goldsmith._
7. I met a little cottage girl;
She was eight years old, she said;
Her hair was thick with many a curl
That clustered round her head.—_Wordsworth._
* * * * *
=LESSON LIX.=
RELATIONS OF THE VERB.
What person and number forms are the verbs in the following sentences,
and why?—
1. The sun shines brightly.
2. The boys are in the garden.
3. I know thou lovest me.
_The verb agrees with its subject in person and number_; as, The teacher
_has_ my pen.
_Note._—In determining the number of the verb we must consider,
not the _form_, but the _meaning_ of the subject.
1. A collective noun requires a verb in the singular when it means the
collection as a whole, and a verb in the plural when it means the
separate individuals of which it is composed; as, The committee (as a
whole) _has decided_ it. The committee (as individuals) _have decided_
it.
2. Two or more singular nouns connected by _and_ take a verb in the
plural; as, James and Mary _are_ here. Music and drawing _were taught_
during the term.
If two or more singular nouns connected by _and_ are preceded by _each_,
_every_, or _no_, the verb is in the singular, because they refer to
things considered separately; as, Every man and woman _was lost_.
3. When two or more singular subjects are thought of as one thing, the
verb is singular; as, Bread and butter _is_ sufficient.
4. Two singular subjects connected by _either_—_or_, _neither_—_nor_
take a verb in the singular, but if the subjects are plural, the verb is
plural; as, Either a horse or a cow _is_ in the field. Neither the boys
nor the girls _are_ here.
EXERCISE.
What is the person and number of the verbs in the following sentences,
and give the reason in each case?—
1. Wellington and Nelson were heroes.
2. The audience was dismissed.
3. Her health and strength has failed.
4. Either a pen or a pencil is required.
5. The lowing herd wind slowly o’er the lea.
6. Each boy and girl is to have a medal.
7. Neither cries nor tears avail anything.
8. No man and no animal was seen.
9. The secretary and treasurer is present.
10. The secretary and the treasurer are present.
11. The enormous expense of governments has provoked men to
rebellion.
12. From the ground
Comes up the laugh of children, the soft voice
Of maidens, and the sweet and solemn hymn
Of Sabbath worshippers.—_Bryant._
* * * * *
=LESSON LX.=
RELATIONS OF ADVERBS.
Point out the use of the italicized adverbs in the following
sentences:—
1. She walks _rapidly_.
2. My brother is _quite_ sick.
3. He acted _very_ honestly.
_An adverb is used to qualify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb._
An adverb is sometimes used with the value of a predicate adjective; as,
The sun is _up_. We were _there_.
An adverb may even qualify a preposition; as, He went _far_ beyond his
instructions. The thorn ran _deep_ into his foot.
EXERCISE.
Give the construction of each adverb in the following sentences:—
1. My sister is too sick to see you.
2. We were treated very kindly.
3. They acted more wisely than we.
4. The moon went down behind the clouds.
5. He jumped clear over the fence.
6. I wind about, and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling.—_Tennyson._
7. I’ve lived since then, in calm and strife,
Full fifty summers a sailor’s life,
With wealth to spend, and power to range,
But never have sought, nor sighed for change.—_Procter._
8. Down came the storm, and smote amain
The vessel in its strength;
She shuddered and paused, like a frighted steed,
Then leaped her cable’s length.—_Longfellow._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXI.=
THE ORDER OF WORDS.
Observe the order of the words in the following sentence:—
The woods tossed their giant branches against a stormy sky.
The logical order of the parts of a sentence is: 1. The subject (with
its attributes); 2. The verb; 3. The object (with its attributes) or the
complement; 4. The adverbial modifiers.
This order may be changed to secure greater _emphasis_, _clearness_ or
_elegance_.
A member of a sentence may be given prominence by taking it out of its
logical position and placing it first. This causes the arrangement of
the other members to be changed and the sentence thus acquires emphasis
by the members being placed out of their ordinary positions.
1. The verb may be placed first; as,
_Flashed_ all their sabres bare.
2. The object may be placed first; as,
_Knowledge_ I do not slight.
3. The complement may be placed first; as,
_Broad_ is the way that leadeth to destruction.
4. The adverbial modifier may be placed first; as,
_Still in thy right hand_ carry gentle peace.
The subject of the sentence may follow the verb:—
1. In interrogative sentences; as, Are _you_ there?
2. In expressing a wish; as, May _you_ succeed.
3. In imperative sentences; as, Seek _ye_ not my face again.
4. In poetry; as,
Then off there flung in smiling joy,
And held himself erect
By just his horse’s mane, a boy.—_Browning._
5. In subjunctive clauses without _if_; as, Had _I_ your advantages I
should improve them.
6. In introducing quotations; as, “Pardon!” said the _Emperor_.
7. In inversion for emphasis; as, Flashed all their _sabres_ bare.
8. When the real subject is a clause, and the representative subject is
_it_; as, It is well known _that he received money_.
The object may precede the verb that governs it:—
1. When it is an interrogative or relative pronoun; as, _Whom_ did you
see? I saw the man _whom_ you want.
2. For emphasis; as, _Honor_ and _fame_ I seek not.
Attributes naturally precede the noun, but they may follow:—
1. When they consist of a phrase or clause; as, I love the song _of
birds_. The book _that I found_ is here.
2. When they consist of two or more adjectives; as, And fast through the
midnight _dark_ and _drear_, the vessel swept.
3. In poetry; as,
See how from far upon the eastern road
The star-led wizards haste with odors _sweet_!
The adjectives _a_, _an_ and _the_ always precede the noun. When the
noun is qualified by another adjective, these adjectives generally
precede it, but they stand between the following adjectives and the noun
to which they refer:—
1. Such; as, One cannot admire such _a_ man.
2. Many; as, Many _a_ poor man’s son would have lain still.
3. Both; as, Both _the_ boys came home.
4. All; as, All _the_ girls are in the room.
5. What; as, What _a_ trial it was.
The =relative= is always the first word in its clause, but when it is
governed by a preposition, the preposition generally precedes it; as, I
found the knife _which_ you lost. I know the person _to whom_ you refer.
The =adverbial modifier=, when a phrase, generally follows the verb, or
the object if the verb be transitive; as, James fell _into the lake_. He
found an apple _on the ground_.
The =adverbial modifier=, when a single word, generally follows an
intransitive verb, and either precedes a transitive verb, or follows its
object; as, This river flows _rapidly_. He did his work _well_.
When there are a number of adverbial modifiers in a sentence, they
should be distributed over the sentence; as, _At the request of my
father_, I _gladly_ left my studies, _to accompany him_.
An adverb may stand in any part of the sentence, but its meaning
generally varies with its position, hence the adverb should be placed as
near as possible to the word or words it modifies.
Observe the following example:—
He-_only_ lost his book. (No one else lost a book.)
He _only_-lost his book. (He did nothing else with it.)
He lost _only_ his book. (He lost nothing else.)
He lost his _only_ book. (His single book.)
Certain adverbs and conjunctions are correlative (that is, _having a
mutual relation_) to one another. Be careful to use the proper
correlatives; as, He is esteemed _not only_ for his accomplishments,
_but also_ for his piety.
The following is a list of correlatives:—
=Adverbs.= =Conjunctions.=
not only, but also,
not, but, but only,
only, not,
so, that,
so, as,
such, that,
both, and,
as, well, soon, as,
neither, nor,
either, or.
The correlatives must be attached to the corresponding words and
phrases; as, They gave me _neither_ money _nor_ shoes. I assisted _only_
in the evening, _not_ in the morning.
The preposition generally stands immediately before the word it governs;
as, We live _in_ Toronto.
1. When the noun has attributive adjectives, the preposition precedes
the adjective; as, I walked _through_ a beautiful park.
2. When the object of the preposition is a relative, the preposition
sometimes stands at the end of the clause; as, My brother owns the
building which he lives _in_, [_in which he lives_ is preferable.]
3. In poetry the preposition often follows its object; as, The heavy
night hung dark the hills and waters _o’er_.
4. When two verbs or adjectives in association are followed by different
prepositions, the prepositions must be repeated after each; as, He found
him a man whom he agreed _with_ on a few subjects, and differed _from_
on many; or, He found him a man _with_ whom he agreed on a few subjects,
_from_ whom he differed on many.
* * * * *
PART FOURTH.
_ANALYSIS OF SENTENCES._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXII.=
THE SIMPLE SENTENCE.
=Model I.=—Many brave soldiers lost their lives in that war.
Kind, a simple declarative sentence.
Subject, soldiers.
Adj. modifiers of subj., many, brave.
Predicate, lost.
Object, lives.
Adj. modifier of obj., their.
Adv. modifier of pred., in that war.
=Model II.=—Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace to silence
envious tongues.
Kind, a simple imperative sentence.
Subject, [you.]
Predicate, carry.
Object, peace.
Adj. modifier of obj., gentle.
Adv. modifiers of pred., still, in thy right hand, to silence
envious tongues.
=Model III.=—Having crossed the river, he ran into the adjoining wood.
Kind, a simple declarative sentence.
Subject, he.
Participial mod. of subj., having crossed the river.
Predicate, ran.
Adv. mod. of pred., into the adjoining wood.
=Model IV.=—My pupils like to write stories.
Kind, a simple declarative sentence.
Subject, pupils.
Adj. mod. of subj., my.
Predicate, like.
Object, to write stories.
Object of _to write_, stories.
=Model V.=—The scholars gave their teacher a beautiful present.
Kind, a simple declarative sentence.
Subject, scholars.
Adj. mod. of subj., the.
Predicate, gave.
Direct object, present.
Adj. modifiers of direct obj., a, beautiful.
Indirect object, teacher.
Adj. mod. of indirect obj., their.
=Model VI.=—It is wrong to slight your work.
Kind, a simple declarative sentence.
Real subject, to slight your work.
Representative subject, it.
Predicate, { Verb of incomplete predication, _is_.
{ Adj. complement of predicate, _wrong_.
_Note._—When the predicate is completed by an adjunct
describing the subject, the completing adjunct is called the
=complement=.
EXERCISES FOR ANALYSIS.
1. My father gave me a fine pony.
2. At this moment the noise grew louder.
3. There are eight girls in the class.
4. Seek the company of the good.
5. It is a sin to deceive anyone.
6. How could he mark thee for the silent tomb!
7. Crossing the field, I found a knife, rusty and broken.
8. On an eminence above the sea paces a strong, rough
Cornishman.
9. On the eastern side of the Nile lies the temple of Karnak.
10. For their lean country much disdain,
We English often show.
11. Home they brought her warrior dead.—_Tennyson._
12. Bright-eyed beauty once was she.—_Lucy Larcom._
13. Do men gather figs from thorns?—_Bible._
14. The lowing herd winds slowly o’er the lea.—_Gray._
15. These are the gardens of the desert.—_Bryant._
16. Soon on the hill’s steep verge he stood.—_Scott._
17. The Indian knows his place of rest far in the cedar
shade.—_Hemans._
18. Through all eternity, to Thee
A joyful song I’ll raise.—_Addison._
19. The uncertain vacillating temper common to all Indians now
began to declare itself.—_Parkman._
20. The fine English cavalry then advanced to support their
archers, and to attack the Scottish line.—_Scott._
21. So saying, from the ruined shrine he stept.—_Tennyson._
22. Yet Fortune was bending over him, just ready to let fall a
burden of gold.—_Hawthorne._
23. On the first day of his fasting,
Through the leafy woods he wandered.—_Longfellow._
24. Raising his head, he looked the lustrous stranger in the
face.—_Hawthorne._
25. At daybreak on the bleak sea-beach,
A fisherman stood aghast,
To see the form of a maiden fair
Lashed close to a drifting mast.—_Longfellow._
26. Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace
The day’s disasters in his morning face.—_Goldsmith._
27. All the livelong day, Oliver paced softly up and down the
garden, raising his eyes every instant to the sick
chamber, and shuddering to see the darkened
window.—_Dickens._
28. By Nebo’s lonely mountain,
On this side Jordan’s wave,
In a vale in the land of Moab,
There lies a lonely grave.—_Mrs. Alexander._
29. Wolfe had discovered a narrow path winding up the side of
the steep precipice from the river.—_Warburton._
30. Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way.—_Gray._
31. The silent influence of Shakespeare’s poetry on millions of
young hearts in England, in Germany, in all the world,
shows the almost superhuman power of human
genius.—_Müller._
32. Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed,
Full slowly pacing o’er the stones,
With caution and good heed.—_Cowper._
33. By comparing the words of these inscriptions with many
others, the proper method of interpreting this peculiar
language was ascertained.—_Ontario Reader._
34. Failing in this, they set themselves, after their custom on
such occasions, to building a rude fort of their own in
the neighboring forest.—_Parkman._
35. I heard a brooklet gushing
From its rocky fountain near,
Down into the valley rushing,
So fresh and wondrous clear.—_Longfellow._
36. Up from the meadows rich with corn,
Clear in the cool September morn,
The clustered spires of Frederick stand
Green-walled by the hills of Maryland.—_Whittier._
37. No nightingale did ever chant
So sweetly to reposing bands
Of Travellers in some shady haunt
Among Arabian sands.—_Wordsworth._
38. The French, blown and exhausted, inferior beside in weight
both of man and horse, offered but a short
resistance.—_Lever._
39. Looking, looking for the mark,
Down the others came,
Struggling through the snowdrifts stark,
Calling out his name.—_Lushington._
40. A voice so thrilling ne’er was heard
In spring-time from the Cuckoo bird,
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.—_Wordsworth._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXIII.=
CLAUSES.
The leading thought of a sentence is called the =principal clause=.
A clause that has the function of a noun, an adjective, or an adverb, is
called a =subordinate clause=.
Select the principal clauses and the subordinate clauses in the
following sentences, and state the function of each subordinate
clause:—
1. They knew who did it.
2. The book which you gave me, is here.
3. I shall go when he returns.
A clause that has the function of a noun, is called a noun clause; as,
He said _he knew his lesson_. How I shall reach my destination_ is the
question.
A noun clause may be used:—
1. As the object of a verb; as, He knew _what I did_.
2. As the subject of a verb; as, _What course he pursued_ is
seen now.
3. As the object of a preposition; as, My friend annoyed me by
_what he said_.
4. As a predicate nominative; as, The end of it all is (_that_)
_he receives his choice_.
A clause that has the use or function of an adjective, is called an
=adjective clause=; as, He found the book _which he lost_.
A clause that has the use or function of an adverb, is called an
=adverbial clause=; as, I shall go _where they are_. He will destroy it
_unless we hinder him_.
A sentence that consists of one principal clause, and one or more
subordinate clauses, is called a =complex sentence=; as, I have met the
person of whom you speak.
A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses, is called a
=compound sentence=; as, James came home, but John remained there.
A compound sentence that is made up of complex sentences, or simple and
complex sentences, is called a =compound-complex sentence=; as, We
entered the building, and a man who was working there, gave us
information about it.
EXERCISES.
Name the clauses in the following sentences, and state the kind and
relation (if any) of each:—
1. Whilst I was thus musing, I cast my eyes towards the summit of a rock
that was not far from me, where I discovered one in the habit of a
shepherd, with a musical instrument in his hand.—_Addison._
=Model.=—
_Whilst . . . . musing_ is an adv. clause, mod. cast.
_I cast . . . . a rock_ is a principal clause.
_That . . . . . me_ is an adj. clause, mod. _summit of a rock_.
_Where I . . . hand_ is an adj. clause, mod. _summit of a rock_.
2. King Harold had a rebel brother in Flanders, who was a vassal of
Harold Hardrada, king of Norway.—_Dickens._
3. Those who knew him best affirmed that this Mr. Toil was a very worthy
character, and that he had done more good, both to children and grown
people, than anybody else in the world.—_Hawthorne._
4. Portia, when she returned, was in that happy temper of mind which
never fails to attend the consciousness of having performed a good
action; her cheerful spirits enjoyed everything she saw: the moon never
seemed to shine so brightly before; and when that pleasant moon was hid
behind a cloud, then a light which she saw from her house at Belmont as
well pleased her charmed fancy.—_Lamb._
5. Once upon a time, there lived a very rich man, and a king besides,
whose name was Midas; and he had a little daughter, whom nobody but
himself ever heard of, and whose name I either never knew, or have
entirely forgotten. So, because I love odd names for little girls, I
choose to call her Marygold.—_Hawthorne._
6. I rose and prepared to leave the Abbey. As I descended the flight of
steps which lead into the body of the building, my eye was caught by the
shrine of Edward the Confessor, and I ascended the small staircase that
conducts to it, to take from thence a general survey of this wilderness
of tombs.—_Irving._
7.
All things that love the sun are out of doors;
The sky rejoices in the morning’s birth;
The grass is bright with rain-drops;—on the moors
The hare is running races in her mirth.—_Wordsworth._
8.
I thought of a mound in sweet Auburn
Where a little headstone stood;
How the flakes were folding it gently,
As did robins the babes in the wood.—_Lowell._
9.
Lightly they’ll talk of the spirit that’s gone,
And o’er his cold ashes upbraid him;
But little he’ll reck if they let him sleep on
In the grave where a Briton has laid him.—_Wolfe._
10.
The humble boon was soon obtained;
The Aged Minstrel audience gained.
But, when he reached the room of state,
Where she, with all her ladies, sate,
Perchance he wished his boon denied:
For when to tune his harp he tried,
His trembling hand had lost the ease
Which marks security to please.—_Scott._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXIV.=
ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX AND COMPOUND SENTENCES.
=Model I.=—Love had he found in huts where poor men lie.
Kind, a complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, he.
Predicate, had found.
Object, love.
Adv. mod. of predicate, in huts _where poor men lie_.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, an adj. clause, mod. _huts_.
Subject, men.
Adj. mod. of subj., poor.
Predicate, lie.
Adv. mod. of pred., where.
=Model II.=—Tell me who did it.
Kind, a complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, [you.]
Predicate, tell.
Direct object, _who did it_.
Indirect object, me.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, a noun clause, direct obj. of _tell_.
Subject, who.
Predicate, did.
Object, it.
=Model III.=—He goes home when I return.
Kind, a complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, he.
Predicate, goes.
Adv. modifiers of pred., home, _when I return_.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, an adv. clause, mod. _goes_.
Subject, I.
Predicate, return.
Adv. mod. of pred., when.
=Model IV.=—It doth appear you are a worthy judge.
Kind, a complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Real subject, _you are a worthy judge_.
Representative subject, it.
Predicate, doth appear.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, a noun clause, real subj. of _doth appear_.
Subject, you.
Predicate, { verb incomplete predication, _are_.
{ complement of predicate, _a worthy judge_.
=Model V.=—The boy does not know this part of the wood, but he runs on.
Kind, a compound sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, boy.
Adj. mod. of subj., the.
Predicate, does know.
Object, part.
Adj. modifiers of obj., this, of the wood.
Adv. mod. of pred., not.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, he.
Predicate, runs.
Adv. mod. of pred., on.
=Model VI.=—
From yonder ivy-mantled tower
The moping owl does to the moon complain
Of such as, wandering near her secret bower,
Molest her ancient, solitary reign.—_Gray._
Kind, a complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, owl.
Adj. modifiers of subj., the, moping.
Predicate, does complain.
Adv. modifiers of pred.,
from yonder ivy-mantled
tower, to the moon,
of such _as, wandering_ . . . .
. . . . _reign_.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, an adj. clause, mod. _such_.
Subject, as.
Adj. mod. of subj., wandering near her secret bower.
Predicate, molest.
Object, reign.
Adj. modifies of obj., her, ancient, solitary.
=Model VII.=—Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is
old, he will not depart from it.—_Bible._
Kind, a compound-complex sentence.
=Analysis of (A.)=
Subject, [you.]
Predicate, train.
Object, child.
Adj. mod. of obj., a.
Adv. modifiers of pred., up, in the way _he should go_.
=Analysis of (B.)=
Kind, an adj. clause, mod. _way_.
Subject, he.
Predicate, the verb-phrase, should go.
=Analysis of (C.)=
Kind, an adv. clause, mod. _will depart_.
Subject, he.
Predicate, { verb of incomplete predication, _is_.
{ complement of predicate, _old_.
Adv. of mod. of pred., when.
=Analysis of (D.)=
Kind, a principal clause.
Subject, he.
Predicate, will depart.
Adv. modifiers of pred., not, from it, _when he is old_.
EXERCISES.
1. The evil that men do lives after them.—_Shakespeare._
2. An idler is a watch that wants both hands.—_Cowper._
3. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not.—_Bible._
4. “I have it ready,” said Bassanio; “here it is.”—_Lamb._
5. I think of those upon whose rest he tramples.—_Bryant._
6. It is a great day when the sled is loaded with the buckets, and the
procession starts for the woods.—_Warner._
7. Meantime the French had given way, and were flying in all
directions.—_Warburton._
8. I believe there is no permanent greatness to a nation except it be
based upon morality.—_Bright._
9. Gilliatt had thrust his arm deep into the opening; the monster had
snapped at it.—_Hugo._
10. The things we have described occupied only a few minutes.—_Hugo._
11. The Turks spread gradually over the battlefield below us,
slaughtering as they advanced.—_Forbes._
12. There were many boys in the room by whom that little scene was taken
to heart before they slept.—_Hughes._
13. General Brock, who had risen as usual before day-break, hearing the
cannonading, galloped from Niagara to the scene of action.—_Miss
Machar._
14. In walking one day up the mountain behind Montreal, I leaned over a
paling which enclosed the water reservoir of the city.—_Argyle._
15. Then was committed that fearful crime, memorable for its singular
atrocity, memorable for the tremendous retribution which
followed.—_Macaulay._
16.
She was a phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight.—_Wordsworth._
17.
He that died at Azan gave
This to those who made his grave.—_Arnold._
18.
He sendeth the springs into the valleys,
Which run among the hills.—_Bible._
19.
Thy dress was like the lilies,
And thy heart as pure as they.—_Longfellow._
20.
A pound of that same merchant’s flesh is thine;
The court awards it, and the law doth give it.—_Shakespeare._
21. Happy is the man whose good intentions have borne fruit in deeds and
whose evil thoughts have perished in the blossom.—_Scott._
22. There was one tall Norman knight who rode before the Norman army on
a prancing horse, throwing up his heavy sword and catching it, and
singing of the bravery of his countrymen.—_Dickens._
23. This dashed the spirits of the Iroquois, and they sent a canoe to
call to their aid five hundred of their warriors, who were mustered near
the mouth of the Richelieu.—_Parkman._
24. The parent who sends his son into the world uneducated, defrauds the
community of a useful citizen and bequeaths to it a
nuisance.—_Chancellor Kent._
25. The smoke which hung upon the field rolled in slow and heavy masses
back upon the French lines, and gradually discovered to our view the
entire of the army.—_Lever._
26.
As o’er the verdant waste I guide my steed,
Among the high, rank grass that sweeps his sides,
The hollow beating of his footsteps seems
A sacrilegious sound.—_Bryant._
27.
Scarcely the hot assault was staid,
The terms of truce were scarcely made,
When they could spy, from Branksome’s towers,
The advancing march of martial powers.—_Scott._
28.
I made a footing in the wall,
It was not therefrom to escape,
For I had buried one and all,
Who loved me in a human shape.—_Byron._
29.
So the storm subsides to calm;
They see the green trees wave
On the heights o’erlooking Grève;
Hearts that bled are stanched with balm.—_Browning._
30.
He who from zone to zone
Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight
In the long way that I must tread alone
Will lead my steps aright.—_Bryant._
31. Columbus tried to pacify them with gentle words and promises of
large rewards; but finding that they only increased in clamor, he
assumed a decided tone.—_Irving._
32. Wolfe and the troops with him leaped on shore; the light infantry,
who found themselves borne by the current a little below the intrenched
path, clambered up the steep hill, staying themselves by the roots and
boughs of the maple and spruce and ash trees that covered the
precipitous declivity.—_Bancroft._
33. The boys, who were twelve and ten years old, aided by the soldiers,
whom her words had inspired with some little courage, began to fire from
the loop-holes upon the Iroquois.—_Parkman._
34. She had told Tom, however, that she would like him to put the worms
on the hook for her, although she accepted his word when he assured her
that worms couldn’t feel.—_George Eliot._
35. The beadle, who performed it, had filled his left hand with yellow
ochre, through which, after every stroke, he drew the lash of his whip,
leaving the appearance of a wound upon the skin, but in reality not
hurting him at all.—_Cowper._
36.
On a rock whose haughty brow
Frowns o’er old Conway’s foaming flood,
Robed in the sable garb of woe,
With haggard eyes the Poet stood.—_Gray._
37.
Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day’s occupations
That is known as the Children’s Hour.—_Longfellow._
38.
The gallant youth, who may have gained,
Or seeks, a “Winsome Marrow,”
Was but an infant in the lap
When first I looked on Yarrow.—_Wordsworth._
39.
She told me all her friends had said;
I raged against the public liar;
She talked as if her love were dead,
But in my words were seeds of fire.—_Tennyson._
40.
The dwarf, who feared his master’s eye
Might his foul treachery espy,
Now sought the castle buttery,
Where many a yeoman, bold and free,
Revelled as merrily and well
As those that sat in lordly selle.—_Scott._
* * * * *
PART FIFTH.
_COMPOSITION._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXV.=
CAPITAL LETTERS.
1. The first word of every sentence should begin with a capital letter.
2. The pronoun _I_ and the interjection _O_ should be written in
capitals; as, _O father! I hear the church bells ring_.
3. A proper noun should begin with a capital letter; as, _Toronto is in
Ontario_.
4. A proper adjective should begin with a capital letter; as, _We speak
the English language_.
5. The first word of every line of poetry should begin with a capital
letter; as,
_If thou wouldst view fair Melrose aright,_
_Go visit it by the pale moonlight._
6. The names of the days of the week and the names of the months of the
year should begin with capital letters; as, _Saturday_, _August_.
7. Titles of individuals, and titles of books and newspapers should
begin with capital letters; as, _Lord Aberdeen_, _Governor-General of
Canada_. _Harper’s Round Table_.
8. All names of the Deity, and words standing for His name, should begin
with capital letters; as, _Creator_, _Supreme Being_.
9. Names of peoples and languages should begin with capital letters; as,
_Italians_, _Greek_.
10. The first word of a direct quotation should begin with a capital
letter; as, _She answered_, “_This shall never be_.”
_In all your reading, note carefully how capital letters are used._
* * * * *
LESSON LXVI.
PUNCTUATION.
1. A declarative or assertive sentence, and an imperative sentence
should be followed by a period; as, _Your friend gave me a book_. _Open
the door._
2. An interrogative sentence should be followed by the interrogation
mark; as, _When did you come?_
3. An exclamatory word or sentence should be followed by the exclamation
mark; as, _But hush! hark! A deep sound strikes like a rising knell!_
4. Every abbreviated word should be followed by a period; as, _Mr._,
_Rev._
5. The title of a composition, the address and the signature of a
person, should be followed by a period.
6. Words that are in the same grammatical relation should be separated
by commas; as, _He is honest, capable, and sympathetic._
Two words that are in the same grammatical relation and connected by
_and_, _or_, or _nor_, should not be separated by a comma; as, _She is
kind and good_.
7. Words or phrases in apposition should be separated from the rest of
the sentence by commas; as, _Lady Aberdeen, the wife of the Governor of
Canada, has gone on an ocean voyage_.
8. A transposed phrase or clause, not closely united with the sentence,
should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma; as, _In
their large cities, the Egyptians built massive temples_.
9. Words or phrases placed between closely related parts of a sentence
should be separated from the rest of the sentence by commas; as, _Their
whole army, in fact, did not exceed thirty thousand men_.
10. The name of a person addressed should be separated from the rest of
the sentence by a comma; as, _James, hand me the brush._
11. The clauses of a compound sentence, when short and closely
connected, should be separated by a comma; as, _I finished my work, and
then came home._
12. The clauses of a compound sentence, if they are contracted, or are
long, or are not closely connected, should be separated by a semicolon;
as, _Man counts his life by years; the oak, by centuries. His left hand
only was free; his open knife was in this hand._
13. A direct quotation should be enclosed by quotation marks; as, _He
said, “I shall go.” “He is a tall and stately king,” said Harold; “but
his end is near.”_
14. If a quotation is short, it should be separated from the preceding
part of the sentence by a comma; as, _He replied, “I am a Briton born.”_
15. If a quotation is long, or if it is formally introduced by _as
follows_, _these words_, _etc._, it should be separated from the
preceding part of the sentence by a colon; as, _He replied in these
words: “I am a Briton born, and a Briton I shall die.”_
16. When an unexpected break, pause, or turn occurs in a sentence, it
should be indicated by a dash; as,
_To-night will be a stormy night_—
_You to the town must go._
17. Explanatory words which are not necessary to the sense of the
passage, should be enclosed in marks of parenthesis; as,
_Know, then, this truth (enough for man to know),_
_Virtue alone is happiness below._
18. The parts of a compound word when they have not become united into
one word, are connected by a hyphen; as, _to-day_, _wind-organ_.
A hyphen is also used at the end of a line when a word is divided into
syllables.
* * * * *
=LESSON LXVII.=
THE USE OF WORDS.
Every one who desires to become a good speaker or writer must acquire a
knowledge of words; he must possess a large vocabulary, and be master of
the significance and application of the words of which it is composed.
To this end he should read the best authors, converse with the educated,
and use the words he thus acquires in his own conversation. The
dictionary should be in daily use to learn the exact meaning and force
of new words.
* * * * *
1. Select the words that are familiar to the educated, and that are used
by good writers.
2. Employ words in the sense they are used by the best writers and
speakers. This knowledge is obtained from the dictionary and from
observation in reading the best authors.
3. Use the word that expresses the exact meaning intended to be
conveyed. A knowledge of the distinction of synonyms is best acquired by
keeping a list of words of nearly the same meaning, and carefully
studying the sense in which each is used.
EXERCISE.
Distinguish the meaning of the following words, and write sentences in
which they are accurately used:—
Sit, set; may, can; think, guess; expect, suspect; lie, lay; hanged,
hung; teach, learn; stop, stay; fly, flee; among, between; each other,
one another.
* * * * *
=LESSON LXVIII=.
THE SENTENCE.
A complete thought expressed in words is called a sentence. In a single
sentence every part should be subordinate to one principal assertion.
KINDS OF SENTENCES.
Sentences are classified into Periodic, Loose, Balanced, Short and Long.
A sentence that is so constructed that the complete meaning is delayed
till the close, is called a =periodic sentence=; as, _From many lands,
comes the cry for help. Even on the driest day this vapor is never
absent from our atmosphere._
A sentence that is so constructed that it may be stopped before the end,
sometimes in several places, and still be complete in sense, is called a
=loose sentence=; as, _Those scenes, rude and humble as they are, have
kindled beautiful emotions in his soul,_ | _noble thoughts, and definite
resolves;_ | _and he speaks forth what is in him, not from any outward
call of vanity or interest, but because his heart is too full to be
silent._—_Carlyle._
A sentence that is so constructed that the different elements are made
to answer to each other and set each other off by similarity of form, is
called a =balanced sentence=; as, _In peace, children bury their
parents; in war, parents bury their children. He defended him when
living, amidst the clamors of his enemies; and praised him when dead,
amidst the silence of his friends._
A short sentence is more easily understood and more animated than a long
sentence.
A long sentence gives more scope than a short one, for the addition of
particulars, and for the expansion of the main thought.
_Note._—The loose sentence is adapted to ordinary composition,
being simple and clear. The periodic sentence is suitable to
compositions of a forcible nature; the balanced sentence to
compositions in which characters or subjects are compared.
Variety is secured by the due alternation of long and short
sentences.
=Emphatic places of the Sentence.= The natural emphatic places of a
sentence are the beginning and the end. If we wish to give special
distinction to some particular word or phrase, it must occupy one of
these positions. Since the beginning and the end of a sentence are the
natural places for the subject and predicate respectively, the subject
is made emphatic by placing it at the end, and the predicate by placing
it at the beginning of the sentence; as, _Flashed_ all their sabres
bare.
* * * * *
=LESSON LXIX.=
THE PARAGRAPH.
A connected series of sentences dealing with a single topic is called =a
paragraph=. It is a whole composition and is complete in itself.
_Note._—A paragraph begins on a new line and the opening word
is withdrawn towards the middle of the line.
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PARAGRAPH.
1. Every paragraph should possess _unity_, that is, it should have a
definite subject or topic to which all parts of the structure are
related, forming elements, in its development.
2. The sentences that compose a paragraph should follow one another in
natural order, showing a logical progress of thought. This principle is
called _continuity_.
3. The connection of each sentence in the paragraph, with the preceding
one, should be made clear, and also the connection between the
paragraphs themselves.
This connection or explicit reference is secured in the following
ways:—
1. By conjunctions and adverbs.
2. By demonstrative words and phrases.
3. By a clear and unmistakable _connection in sense_.
EXERCISE.
He kept his course westward taking advantage of the trade wind which
blows steadily from west to east between the tropics. (Topic sentence).
_With this favorable breeze_ (Explicit reference) they were wafted
gently but speedily over a tranquil sea, so that for many days they did
not shift a sail.
Nevertheless the situation of Columbus was daily becoming critical; his
crews began to grow extremely uneasy at the length of the voyage; they
were already beyond the reach of succor, and beheld themselves still
borne onward over the boundless wastes of what appeared to them a mere
watery desert. They were full of vague terrors, and harassed their
commander by incessant murmurs, or fed each other’s discontents,
gathering together in little knots, and stirring up a spirit of mutiny.
There was great danger of their breaking forth into open rebellion, and
compelling Columbus to turn back. In their secret conferences they
exclaimed against him as a mad desperado, and even talked of throwing
him into the sea.—_Irving._
1. What is the topic sentence of the second paragraph?
2. How does the author make connection or attain explicit reference
between the two paragraphs?
3. Show that the sentences of the second paragraph follow one another in
a natural and logical order.
4. In the second paragraph, point out the means by which the author
relates each sentence to the preceding one.
5. Is there any statement in this paragraph that does not bear on the
topic?
* * * * *
=LESSON LXX.=
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.
The two great divisions of composition are prose and poetry. The grand
distinction in form is metre or measure. The chief object of prose is to
instruct, to convince, or to persuade; while the chief object of poetry
is to give pleasure or inspiration. Both kinds of composition employ
figurative or representative language to please, to adorn, to
illustrate, or to explain.
1. An expressed comparison is called a =simile=; as, _He shall be like a
tree planted by the rivers of water. Blue were her eyes as the fairy
flax._
2. An implied comparison is called a =metaphor=; as, _She is an angel.
This news was a dagger to his heart._
3. When the name of one object is put for some other, so related that
one naturally suggests the other, the figure is called =metonymy=; as,
_The pen shall supersede the sword. No man reveres the crown more than I
do._
4. When life and mind are attributed to inanimate objects, the figure is
called =personification=; as, _The mountains looked on Marathon, and
Marathon looked on the sea. The smiling spring comes round once more._
5. When two unlike things are contrasted, that each may appear more
striking, the figure is called =antithesis=; as, _Go or stay, whichever
you will. Success wins attention; failure wins neglect._
6. When the mind is aroused by a contradiction between the form of the
language and the meaning really intended, the figure is called an
=epigram=; as, _The favorite has no friend. Genius is an immense
capacity for taking trouble._
7. When something absent is addressed as if present, the figure is
called =apostrophe=; as, _O, death, where is thy sting?_
8. When the language expresses the contrary of what is meant, the figure
is called =irony=; as, _No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom will
die with you._—_Job._
EXERCISE.
Name the figures in the following passages, and state what is gained by
the use of each:—
1. Some people are too foolish to commit follies.
2. Youth and beauty must be laid in the grave.
3. A true friend, like a mirror, will tell us of our faults.
4. War flings his blood-stained banner to the breeze.
5. The light of the Constitution shines in the palace and the
cottage.
6. Though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong, without rage; without o’erflowing, full.—_Denham._
7. There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to
fortune.—_Shakespeare._
8. Sweet friends! What the women lave
For its last bed of the grave,
Is a hut which I am quitting,
Is a garment no more fitting.—_Arnold._
9. Ayr, gurgling, kissed his pebbled shore,
O’erhung with wild woods, thickening green;
The fragrant birch and hawthorn hoar
Twined amorous round the raptured scene.—_Burns._
10. And, as a bird each fond endearment tries
To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies,
He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.—_Goldsmith._
* * * * *
=LESSON LXXI.=
STYLE.
The skilful adaptation of expression to thought is called =style=. The
essential qualities of style in composition are =clearness=, =force=,
and =beauty=.
Some of the means by which =clearness= is secured are:—(1) by
discrimination in the choice of words; (2) by explicit reference; (3) by
contrast; (4) by the orderly arrangement of phrases and sentences.
The quality of =force= is gained by means of—(1) brevity; (2)
suggestive words; (3) illustrations and comparisons; (4) the use of
interrogation and exclamation; (5) the employment of contrast; (6) the
repetition of words; (7) the order of words; (8) the use of the
particular instead of the general term.
The quality of =beauty= is secured by means of—(1) good taste in the
use of words; (2) alliteration; (3) happy phrases; (4) balanced
structure; (5) rhythm. The composition must possess elevation of thought
withal.
Other qualities of style sometimes present in good writing
are:—=simplicity=, =pathos=, =picturesqueness=, =humour=, =satire=, and
=harmony=.
MODEL.
TRAILING ARBUTUS.
. . . The ground was white in spots with half-melted snow. A few whirls
of snow had come down in the night, and the air was too cold to change
to rain. Some green leaves, in sheltered nooks, had accepted the
advances of the sun and were preparing for the summer. But that which I
came to search after was trailing arbutus, one of the most exquisite of
all Nature’s fondlings.
I did not seek in vain. The hills were covered with it. Its gay whorls
of buds peeped forth from ruffles of snow in the most charming beauty.
Many blossoms, too, quite expanded, did I find; some pure white, and a
few more deliciously suffused with pink. For nearly an hour I wandered
up and down, in pleasant fancies, searching, plucking, and arranging
these most beautiful of all early blossoms.
Who would suspect by the leaf what rare delicacy was to be in the
blossom? Like some people of plain and hard exterior, but of sweet
disposition, it was all the more pleasant from the surprise of contrast.
All winter long the little thing must have slumbered with dreams, at
least, of spring. It has waited for no pioneer or guide, but started of
its own self and led the way for all the flowers on the hillside.
Its little viny stem creeps close to the ground, humble, faithful, and
showing how the purest white may lay its cheek in the very dirt without
soil or taint.
The odor of the arbutus is exquisite, and as delicate as the plant is
modest. Some flowers seem determined to make an impression on you. They
stare at you. They dazzle your eyes. If you smell them, they overfill
your sense with their fragrance. They leave nothing for your gentleness
and generosity, but
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