"That such rejection should be consonant with our common nature." "Conformable with," &c. "The history of Peter is agreeable with the sacred texts." In all the above instances, it should be, "to," instead of "with." "It is a use that perhaps I should not have thought on ;" "thought of." "A greater quantity may be taken from the heap, without making any sensible alteration upon it;" "in it." "Intrusted to persons on whom the parliament could confide;"" in whom." "He was made much on at Argos ;" "much of." Fourth-With respect to the prepositions IN, FROM, &c. "They should be informed in some parts of his character;" "about," or "concerning." Upon such occasions as fell into their cognizance;" "under." "That variety of factions into which we are still engaged;" "in which." "To restore myself into the favour;" "to the favour." "Could he have profited from repeated experiences;" "by." From seems to be superfluous after forbear: as, "He could not forbear from appointing the pope," &c. "A strict observance after times and fashions;" "of times." "The character which we may now value ourselves by drawing;" "upon drawing." "Neither of them shall make me swerve out of the path;" "from the path." The impro “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel;" it ought to be, which strain out a gnat, or, take a gnat out of the liquor by straining it." priety of the preposition, as Dr. Lowth observes, has wholly destroyed the meaning of the phrase. The verb to found, when used literally, is more properly followed by the preposition on: as, "The house was founded on a rock." But in the metaphorical application, it is often better with in; as in this sentence, "They maintained, that dominion is founded in grace." Both the sentences would be badly expressed, if these prepositions were transposed; though there are perhaps cases in which either of them would be good. The preposition among generally implies a number of things. It cannot be properly used in conjunction with the word every, which is in the singular number: as, "Which is found among every species of liberty;" "The opinion seems to gain ground among every body." 5. The preposition to is made use of before nouns of place, when they follow verbs and participles of motion: as, "I went to London ;" "I am going to town.” the preposition at is generally used after the neuter verb to be: as, "I have been at London ;" "I was at the place appointed;" "I shall be at Paris." We likewise say: "He touched, arrived at any place." The preposition in is set before countries, cities, and large towns: as, "He lives in France, in London, or in Birmingham." But before villages, single houses, and cities which are in distant countries, at is used: as, "He lives at Hackney;" "He resides at Montpelier." It is a matter of indifference with respect to the pronoun one another, whether the preposition of be placed between the two parts of it, or before them both. We may say, They were jealous of one another;" or, 66 They were jealous one of another;" but perhaps the former is better. Participles are frequently used as prepositions: as, excepting, respecting, touching, concerning, according. They were all in fault except or excepting him.” 66 RULE XVIII. CONJUNCTIONS connect the same moods and tenses of verbs, and cases of nouns and pronouns : as, "Candour is to be approved and practised;" "If thou sincerely desire, and earnestly pursue virtue, she will assuredly be found by thee, and prove a rich reward;" "The master taught both her and me to write;"" He and she were school-fellows *." See vol. ii. p. 124. A FEW examples of inaccuracy respecting this rule, may further display its utility. "If he prefer a virtuous life, and is sincere in his professions, he will succeed;" "if he prefers." "To deride the miseries of the unhappy, is inhuman; and wanting compassion towards them, is unchristian;"" and to want compassion." "The parliament addressed the king, and has been prorogued the same day;" "and was prorogued." "His wealth and him bid adieu to each other;" "and he." "He entreated us, my comrade and I, to live harmoniously;" "comrade and me." "My sister and her were on good terms;" "and she." "We often overlook the blessings which are in our possession, and are searching after those which are out of our reach :" it ought to be, "and search after.” This rule refers only to nouns and pronouns, which have the same bearing or relation, with regard to other parts of the sentence. Conjunctions are, indeed, frequently made to connect different moods and tenses of verbs: but, in many of these instances, the nominative must be repeated; and perhaps, in most of the others, it may be resumed with propriety and advantage. The following examples illustrate this position. "He is at present temperate, though he was formerly the reverse;" "Can he perform the service, and will he perform it?" "How privileged they be!” "He has done 66 66 are, and how happy they might much for them, though he might have done more;” They did all that was in their power to serve him, and, most assuredly, they should not be reproached, for not doing more;" "He cheerfully supports his distressed friend, and he will certainly be commended for it;" They have rewarded him liberally, and, indeed, they could not do otherwise;" "She was once proud, though she is now humble." It is obvious, that, in the preceding instances, and in others of a similar construction, the nominative is either necessarily, or with propriety and effect, repeated; and that, by this means, the latter members of these sentences, are rendered not so closely dependent on the former, as those are which come strictly under the rule. When, in the progress of a sentence, the current is interrupted, and we pass from the affirmative to the negative form, or from the negative to the affirmative, the repetition of the nominative is, perhaps, in most instances, required; especially if the expression be emphatic as, "They may reside in India for a time, though they cannot long continue there;” They cannot long continue in India, though they may reside there for a time;" "Though I admire him greatly, yet I do not love him;" "He is not in affluent circumstances, but still he is eminently useful." "Though she was highborn, beautiful, and accomplished, yet she was not perfect."-There appears to be, in general, equal reason for resuming the nominative, when the course of the sentence is diverted, by a change of the mood or the tense. If criticism should be able to produce exceptions to the eighteenth Rule, or to any of the subordinate observations, we presume they will nevertheless be found useful and proper general directions. Rules are not to be subverted, because they admit of exceptions. The positions and illustrations under the present rule, may, at least, serve to assist the student, on many occasions, to determine when it is requisite to repeat the nominative, and when it may be properly omitted. RULE XIX. SOME Conjunctions require the indicative, some the subjunctive mood, after them. It is a general rule, that when something contingent or doubtful is implied, the subjunctive ought to be used: as, "If I were to write, he would not regard it;" "He will not be pardoned, unless he repent." Conjunctions that are of a positive and absolute nature require the indicative mood: as, " He is healthy, because he is temperate ;" "As virtue advances, so vice recedes." See vol. ii. p. 126. : THE Conjunctions, if, though, unless, except, whether, &c. generally require the subjunctive mood after them as, "If thou be afflicted, repine not;""Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him;" "He cannot be clean, unless he wash himself;" "No power, except it were given from above;" "Whether it were I or they, so we preach." But even these conjunctions, when the sentence does not imply doubt, admit of the indicative: as, Though he is 66 |