stand," or "I am in error;" but as this expression may also signify, "I am misunderstood," it is better to say, "I mistake."

Canon the second.

In doubtful cases, regard ought to be had in our decisions to the analogy of the language.

For this reason, I prefer contemporary to cotemporary. The general use, in words compounded with the syllable con, is to retain the n, before a consonant, and to expunge it before a vowel or an h mute. Thus we say, concurrence, conjuncture, concomitant; but co-equal, co-eternal, co-incide, co-heir.If, by the former canon, the adverbs backwards and forwards, are preferable to backward and forward; by this canon, from the principle of analogy, afterwards and homewards should be preferred to afterward and homeward.-The phrase, “though he were ever so good," is preferable to, "though he were never so good." In this decision, I subscribe to the judgment of Dr. Johnson.-Sometimes whether is followed by no, sometimes by not. For instance, some would say, "Whether he will or no;" others, "Whether he will or not." Of these it is the latter only that is analogical. There is an ellipsis of the verb in the last clause, which when you supply, you find it necessary to use the adverb not; "Whether he will or will not.”

Canon the third.

When the terms or expressions are in other respects equal, that ought to be preferred which is most agreeable to the ear. Of this we have many examples. Delicateness has very properly given way to delicacy; and for a like reason authenticity will probably soon displace authenticalness, and vindictive dispossess vindicative altogether.

Canon the fourth.

In cases wherein none of the foregoing rules gives either side a ground of preference, a regard to simplicity, (in which I include etymology when manifest,) ought to determine our choice.

Under the name simplicity, I must be understood to comprehend also brevity; for that expression is always the simplest which, with equal purity and perspicuity, is the briefest. We have, for instance, several active verbs, which are used either with or without a preposition indiscriminately. Thus

we say, either accept or accept of, admit or admit of, approve or approve of; in like manner, address or address to, attain or attain to. In such instances it will hold, I suppose, pretty generally, that the simple form is preferable.

SECTION 2.

Every thing favoured by good use, not on that account worthy to be retained.

I COME now to the second question for ascertaining both the extent of the authority claimed by custom, and the rightful prerogatives of criticism. As no term, idiom, or application, that is totally unsupported by use, can be admitted to be good; is every term, idiom, and application, that is countenanced by use, to be esteemed good, and therefore worthy to be retained?-I answer, that though nothing in language can be good, from which use withholds her approbation, there may be many things to which she gives it, that are not in all respects good, or such as are worthy to be retained and imitated. In some instances, custom may very properly be checked by criticism, which has a sort of negative, and though not the censorian power of instant degradation, the privilege of remonstrating, and by means of this, when used discreetly, of bringing what is bad into disrepute, and so cancelling it gradually; but which has no positive right to establish any thing. I shall therefore subjoin a few remarks, under the form of canons, in relation to those words or expressions, which may be thought to merit degradation from the rank they have hitherto maintained; submitting these remarks entirely, as every thing of the kind must be submitted, to the final determination of the impartial public.

Canon the first.

All words and phrases which are remarkably harsh and unharmonious, and not absolutely necessary, should be rejected. -Such are the words, un-success-ful-ness, dis-interest-ed-ness; conventiclers, peremptorily; holily, farriering. They are heavy and drawling, ill compacted, and difficult of utterance; and they have nothing to compensate for their defect of harmony, and unpleasantness of sound.

Canon the second.

When etymology plainly points to a signification different from that which the word commonly bears, propriety and

simplicity both require its dismission. Of this kind is the word beholden, for obliged or indebted. It should regularly be the passive participle of the verb to behold, which would convey a sense totally different. The verb to unloose, should analogically signify to tie, in like manner as to untie signifies to loose. To what purpose is it, then, to retain a term, without any necessity in a signification the reverse of that which its etymology manifestly suggests?

Canon the third.

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When any words become obsolete, or at least are never used, except as constituting part of particular phrases, it is better to dispense with their service entirely, and give up the phrases. Examples of this we have in the words lief, "dint, whit, moot, pro, and con; as, "I had as lief go myself." for "I should like as well to go myself." "He convinced his antagonist by dint of argument," that is, "by strength of argument." "He made them yield by dint of arms,"-" by force of arms." "He is not a whit better,"-" no better." "The case you mention is a moot point," "a disputable point." "The question was strenuously debated pro and con,"-" on both sides." These are low phraseologies; and savour so much of cant, that good writers will carefully avoid them.

Canon the fourth.

All those phrases, which, when analyzed grammatically, include a solecism; and all those to which use has affixed a particular sense, but which, when explained by the general and established rules of the language, are susceptible either of a different sense, or of no sense, ought to be discarded altogether.

It is this kind of phraseology which is distinguished by the epithet idiomatical, and which has been originally the spawn, partly of ignorance, and partly of affectation. Of the first sort, which includes a solecism, is the phrase, "I had rather do such a thing," for, "I would rather do it." "I had do," is a gross violation of the rules of conjugation in our language.Of the second sort, which, when explained grammatically, leads to a different sense from what the words in conjunction generally bear, is, the following expression, common in the mouths of many persons; "He sings a good song." The words strictly considered, signify, that "the song is good;" whereas the speaker's meaning is, that "He sings well."Under the third sort, which can scarcely be considered as literally conveying any sense, may be ranked a number of

vile, but common phrases, sometimes to be found in good authors; like shooting at rovers, having a month's mind, currying favour, dancing attendance, and many others.

So much for the canons of verbal criticism, which properly succeed the characters of good use, proposed in the preceding chapter, for the detection of the most flagrant errors in the choice, the construction, and the application of words. The first four of these canons are intended to suggest the principles by which our choice ought to be directed, in cases wherein use itself is wavering, and the last four, to point out those farther improvements, which the critical art, without exceeding her legal powers, may assist in producing. There are, indeed, writers who seem disposed to extend her authority much further. But we ought always to remember, that as the principal mode of improving a language, which she is empowered to employ, is by condemning and exploding, there is considerable danger, lest she carry her improvements this way too far. Our mother-tongue, by being too much impaired, may be impoverished; and so more injured in copiousness and nerves, than all our refinements will ever be able to compensate. For this reason there ought, in support of every sentence of proscription, to be an evident plea from the principles of perspicuity, elegance, or harmony.

ADDRESS

TO YOUNG STUDENTS."

THE Compiler of these elements of the English language, takes the liberty of presenting to you a short address. He presumes it will be found to comport entirely with the nature and design of his work ; and he hopes it will not be unacceptable to you. It respects your future walks in the paths of literature; the chief purpose to which you should apply your acquisitions; and the true sources of your present and future happiness.

In forming this Grammar, and the volume of Illustrations connected with it, the author was influenced by a desire to facilitate your progress in learning, and at the same time, to impress on your minds principles of piety and virtue. He wished also to assist, in some degree, the labours of those who are cultivating your understandings, and providing for you a fund of rational and useful employment; an employment calculated to exclude those frivolous pursuits, and that love of ease and sensual pleasure, which enfeeble and corrupt the minds of many inconsiderate youth, and render them useless to society.

Without your own best exertions, the concern of others for your welfare, will be of little avail; with them, you may fairly promise yourselves success. The writer of this address, therefore, recommends to you, an earnest co-operation with the endeavours of your friends, to promote your improvement and hap

To those who are engaged in the study of this Grammar.