"Amerei;" Spanish, "Yo amaria;" French, "J'aimerais.” 32. The advantages of the English language, by excluding different terminations if the rules of position be properly observed are: first, a clear order and compactness of sentences; second, copiousness of language; third, in some cases, (as in the use of auxiliaries, when they distinguish moods and tenses,) a more definite expression of an idea; fourth, simplicity and facility in the grammatical construction of sentences, by avoiding a numberless multitude of rules, which in other languages, arise from articles, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, and participles, having irregular terminations. 33. To conclude our observations on the English language: although fixedness of position of the principal parts of a sentence is demanded by the nature of the language, as we have seen; yet, early English writers, and many modern ones, not only in poetry, but in prose also, have used great liberty of position; nay, in some cases, pointed out by the grammar, as emphasis for instance, the natural collocation of the governing words is rightly altered. Thus, the Bible reads, "Silver and gold have I none." (32.) What advantages has the English language gained, by suppressing various terminations? (33.) Have the ancient and modern English writers always strictly observed the rule of position? 34. In regard to poetry, it is well known that it frequently disregards, and not without advantage, the rules of grammar concerning the collocation of the parts of a sentence; as may be seen in that celebrated commencement of the great Epic by Milton; where the subject and predicate verb of the first sentence appears only in the sixth verse, and in an inverse order, thus: "Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit SECTION II. RULES TO BE OBSERVED IN AN ENGLISH COMPOSI TION. 1. From what has been said concerning the nature of the English language, it follows, that in writing an English composition, the subjoined rules must be well observed. (34.) How does English poetry adhere to this rule ? RULE I. The principal elements, or parts of a sentence, must generally retain the position assigned to them by the English grammar, which is, as stated above, FIRST, the subject; SECOND, the predicate verb; THIRD, the object. This rule, however, admits of exceptions, which are mentioned in the English grammar. 2. RULE II.-All the words and secondary parts must be placed near the primary ones, to which they relate. Thus, articles must be placed near the nouns; adjectives, also, near their nouns; relative pronouns, near their antecedents; prepositions and active verbs, near the objective cases which they govern; possessive cases, near the thing possessed; and adverbs, near the words to which they refer. Auxiliaries, also, should be placed near the verb, whose form, word, tense, or person they determine; except, when an adverb intervenes between the auxiliary and the verb. 3. RULE III. - Punctuation, which marks the parts of sentences and periods, is very necessary in the English language; and should be strictly ob (1.) What is the first rule to be observed in an English composition? Does this rule admit of exceptions? (2.) What is the second rule? (3.) Mention the third rule. served in writing, as well as in speaking, for the guidance of the hearer, or reader. 4. RULE IV.- Unnecessary clauses or phrases, which do not illustrate, or add to the meaning of the principal elements of a sentence, should not be conglomerated into one period or sentence; but set apart for a separate one. It is far better to make short and clear periods, than long and obscure ones. 5. RULE V. The principal elements of a sentence must have such a distinct position, that they may be easily found in parsing. 6. RULE VI. When a sentence or period is long and obscure, the principal elements, to-wit : subject, predicate, and copula, must be found by following the rules given in Chap. I., Part I, Book I, Elements of Composition; and by conjecturing them from the sense of the period or sentence. 7. These rules regard especially the material construction of English sentences, and periods. Their strict observance will greatly contribute toward the acquisition of clearness and strength in the English language. (4.) Name the fourth. (6.) How may the principal elements of a sentence or period be found, when these are long and obscure ? (7.) What do the rules given have respect to? 8. But there are three other qualities which must be diligently attended to, by the writer of an English composition; they are Purity, Propriety, and Precision. 9. Purity, with respect to English language, means, "the use of words which are strictly English, in modern use; and not plebeian; hence RULE I.-Obsolete English words must not be used in composition; such as behooved, belikely, behest, etc. RULE II.-Plebeian words, or expressions, as dry up, slap dash, pop out, must be avoided. RULE III.-Foreign words, not yet received by general use, should not be introduced; as, the French "a-propos," for "to the purpose;" "canaille," for "rabble; "coup d'etat," for "unforeseen political strategy." What qualities of the English language will they assist to acquire? (8.) What other qualities must be well attended to, by the writer of an English composition? Give the first rule to obtain purity of language. |