Some adjectives of quality are seldom used by good writers in degrees of comparison: such as true, perfect, universal, chief. Yet there are cases, in which some of this class are so used with propriety, by the best of authors. As to say, that the report of one person is more true than that of another, is no positive grammatical error, nor yet an error of sense, for the meaning is, that one report has more of truth in it than the other, or that it is more nearly true than the other. The use of such words must depend on the context in which they are employed; for there are so many ellipses in language, that what sometimes appears, at first sight, to be incorrect, is, on reflection (an ellipsis being supplied), found to be allowable.

That the learner may be assisted in the proper use of Adjectives, which possess in their simple state, a Comparative or Superlative nature, the following examples are subjoined.

Adjectives which have in themselves a Comparative Signification.

In the correct examples, that form of expression must be used which expresses the intended sense; for where two ways are given, it frequently happens that each one is correct, in a different application.

Although Adverbs neither govern other words, nor are made in any way to agree with them, yet as adjuncts to verbs and adjectives, they are important words, and require a situation in every sentence, appropriate to the particular word or phrase to which they are adjuncts. “I only, have been twice," and "I have been only twice," are assertions of very different imports; yet that difference is made by the placing of the adverb only, in a situation appropriate to the idea intended to be conveyed.

The only rule that can be given for the use of adverbs, is the following very general one.

RULE XIV.

Adverbs require a situation which renders them agreeable and true to the ear, and which is appropriate to the peculiar meaning intended to be conveyed.

INCORRECT EXAMPLES.

He lives at Camberwell now.
This before has happened rarely.
He might have at least civilly
requested it.

CORRECT EXAMPLES.

He now lives at Camberwell. This has rarely happened before. He might at least* have civilly requested it. At least, he might have civilly requested it; or, He might have civilly requested it, at least.

These two words form an adverb or an adverbial phrase; two or more words used together as adverbs, sometimes form what is called an adverbial phrase.

Not only he found her employed, but pleased and tranquil also. We always should prefer our

duty to our pleasure.
It cannot be impertinent or
ridiculous therefore to remon-
strate.

Correct the following errors.
We should be not so hasty.
I expect often he wishes to see
you.

He takes alone that part.
We must not expect to find
study agreeable always.
He impertinently behaved to

his master.

I only spoke three words on the

subject.

They intended to carry further
their opposition.

So well educated a boy gives
great hopes to his friends.
It is impossible continually to
be at work.
Pleasure is only received, when
we give it in return.

He found her not only employed, but also pleased and tranquil. We should always prefer our

duty to our pleasure. It cannot therefore be impertinent or ridiculous to remonstrate.

Having not seen the work, I can

not give an opinion about it. We should willingly not err. These things should be never separated.

He was pleasing not often, be-
cause he was vain.
It is too common with many
men to be engrossed totally
by present circumstances.
I could not understand the per-
son clearly therefore I did
not report his speech.

:

I wish often that here you were.
He had been oppressed much,
therefore a general desire
prevailed for his relief.
He earlier came than you.

Although the rule given is the only rule that can be given for the proper disposition of Adverbs, yet it is useful to remark that errors are often committed in their application; they are sometimes used instead of nouns; as, "I have been here a long while." "I saw him last Sunday, since when I have not been with him." Which ought to be "a long time;" and "since which time."

An Adverb is sometimes used instead of a Preposition and a Relative Pronoun; as, "He drew up a petition where he too freely represented his own merits." should be a petition in which," &c.

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It

The Adverbs here, there, where, become hither, thither, and whither, after verbs of motion; as, Come hither," instead of "Come here."

Correct the following errors.

It is not worth his while.
He wrote a statement of the case,
where he made it appear that
he had been the injured party.
I have been there all the while.
Where he went, I know not.

I was then very unwell, since

when I have not seen him. We walked there in an hour. Did you go there alone? He came from London last summer, at then I saw him twice.

Care should be taken that words used as adverbs partake not of the form of Adjectives. Read Chapters vii and xliii in Etymology, and then correct the following

errors.

You have been willing submis-
sive.

He was exceeding well known.
No one acted nobler.

I spoke rather unthinking.
He behaved most handsome on
the occasion.

You walked so hasty that you

were very soon tired.
You know how intimate we
were acquainted.

He writes very correct, and
talks grammatical.
Have you slept comfortable ?
His after proceedings were not
approved.

The tree bears remarkable fine
fruit.

He was near drowned before any one came to his assistance.

Don't speak so rash.

He was extreme prodigal, and his property is now near exhausted.

He lived agreeable to the dictates of reason and religion. They toiled hard and close all the day.

This is not such a fine view as

the other.

They came agreeable to their promise, and conducted themselves suitable to the occasion. This copy is written the neatest. How odd you behave.

He speaks very fluent, reads excellent, but does not think very coherent.

His hand pressed heavy upon

me.

The Adverb never is sometimes improperly used for ever; as, "If you were to give him never so much money, he would still covet more;" which should be, ever so much," &c.

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CHAPTER XV.

As the relation between the Nominative and Objective cases of Intransitive verbs is expressed by means of a preposition, the Noun or Pronoun denoting the object of such relation, is in the Objective Case, and is therefore said to be governed by the Preposition; as, "He talked to John while he walked with him." Here the Prepositions to and with, express the relation between the Nominative case he, and the Objective case John, and him. See Chapter xxii in Etymology.

RULE XV.

Prepositions govern the Objective Case.

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ILLUSTRATION.-Active Verbs and their Participles, are the only words, besides Prepositions, which govern the Objective case; Prepositions are generally connected with Intransitive Verbs: for such verbs being incapable of expressing the transmission of action, or the relation subsisting between their Nominative and Objective cases, Prepositions seem to supply the means of transmission of action; as, "I walked to him." 'I have planed the boards, and have bored through them." It is clear that Prepositions are the bearers of the relations subsisting between Nouns or Pronouns, or of the relation subsisting between Nominative and Objective phrases; as such, they govern the case of the word representing the object to which the relation is borne, which word must be in the Objective Case ;* as, "You gave the book to me." "I went with him." "Do not take it from her." They sat by us.” "Go without them."

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* Nouns, as it has been before observed, have the same form in the Objective case as in the Nominative case. It is only in the form of Pronouns that an error can be committed.