thority, and that of the most correct and elegant writers, in limiting the conjunctive termination of the principal verb, to the second and third persons singular of the present tense. Grammarians have not only differed in opinion, respecting the extent and variations of the subjunctive mood; but a few of them have even doubted the existence of such a mood in the English language. These writers assert, that the verb has no variation from the indicative; and that a conjunction added to the verb, gives it no title to become a distinct mood; or, at most, no better than it would have, if any other particle were joined to it. To these observations it may be replied; 1st. It is evident, on inspection, that, in the subjunctive mood, the present tense of the principal verbs, the present and imperfect tenses of the verb to be, and the second and third persons, in both num bers, of the second future tense of all verbs ;* require a variation from the forms which those tenses have in the indicative mood. So much difference in the form of the verb, would warrant a correspondent distinction of mood, though the remaining parts of the subjunctive were, in all respects, similar to those of the indicative. In other languages, a principle of this nature has been admitted, both in the conjugation of verbs, and the declension of nouns. 2d. There appears to be as much propriety, in giving a conjunction the power of assisting to form the subjunctive mood, as there is in allowing the particle to to have an effect in the formation of the infinitive mood.† 3d. A conJunction added to the verb, shows the manner of being, doing, or suffering, which other particles cannot show: they do not coalesce with the verb, and modify it, as conjunctions do. 4th. It may be said, "If contingency constitutes the subjunctive mood, then it is the sense of a phrase, and not a conjunction, that determines this mood." But a little reflection will show, that the contingent sense lies in the meaning and force of the conjunction, expressed or understood.

This subject may be farther illustrated, by the following observations.-Moods have a foundation in nature. They * We think it has been proved, that the auxiliary is a constituent part of the verb to which it relates: that the principal and its auxiliary form but one verb. + Conjunctions Lave an influence on the mood of the following verb.

Conjunctions have sometimes a government of moods.

Dr. Beattie

Dr. Lonth.

show what is certain; what is possible; what is conditional; what is commanded. They express also other conceptions and volitions; all signifying the manner of being, doing, or suffering. But as it would tend to obscure, rather than elucidate the subject, if the moods were particularly enumerated, grammarians have very properly given them such combinations and arrangements, as serve to explain the nature of this part of language, and to render the knowledge of it easily attainable.

The grammars of some languages contain a greater number of the moods, than others, and exhibit them in different forms. The Greek and Roman tongues denote them, by particular variations in the verb itself. This form, however, was the effect of ingenuity and improvement: it is not essential to the nature of the subject. The moods may be as effectually designated by a plurality of words, as by a change in the appearance of a single word; because the same ideas are denoted, and the same ends accomplished, by either manner of expression.

On this ground, the moods of the English verb, as well as the tenses, are, with great propriety, formed partly by the principal verb itself, and partly by the assistance which that verb derives from other words. For further observations, relative to the views and sentiments here advanced, see pages 71-72. 76-78. 100-102-183-184.

PASSIVE.

VERBS Passive are called regular, when they form their perfect participle by the addition of d or ed, to the verb as, from the verb "To love," is formed the pas sive, "I am loved, I was loved, I shall be loved," &c.

A passive verb is conjugated by adding the perfect participle to the auxiliary to be, through all its changes of number, person, mood, and tense, in the following

2. Thou shalt or wilt be lov- 2. Ye or you shall or will be

2. Be thou loved, or do thou 2. Be ye or you loved, or do

The remaining tenses of this mood are, in general, similar to the correspondent tenses of the indicative mood, See pages 82, 95, and the notes under the nineteenth rule of Syntax.

When an auxiliary is joined to the participle of the prin cipal verb, the auxiliary goes through all the variations of person and number, and the participle itself continues invariably the same. When there are two or more auxiliaries joined to the participle, the first of them only is varied according to person and number. The auxiliary must admits of no variation.

The neuter verb is conjugated like the active; but as it partakes somewhat of the nature of the passive, it admits, in many instances, of the passive form, retaining still the neuter signification: as, "I am arrived;" "I was gone;' "I am grown." The auxiliary verb, am, was, in this case, precisely defines the time of the action or event, but does not change the nature of it; the passive form still expressing, not properly a passion, but only a state or condition of being.

SECTION 9.

Observations on Passive Verbs.

Some writers on grammar assert, that there are no Passive Verbs in the English language, because we have no