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 virtue advances so vice re

cedes ;" "He is healthy, because he is temperate."

See Vol. i. p. 205, and the Key, Part 3. Chap. 1. Rule 19.

If he acquires riches, they will corrupt his mind, and be useless to others.

Though he urges me yet more earnestly, I shall not comply, unless he advances more forcible reasons.

ly.

I shall walk in the fields to-day, unless it rains.

As the governess was present the children behaved proper

She disapproved the measure, because it were very improper.

Though he be high he hath respect to the lowly.

Though he were her friend, he did not attempt to justify her conduct.

Whether he improve or not, I cannot determine.

Though the fact be extraordinary, it certainly did happen. Remember what thou wert, and be humble.

O! that his heart was tender, and susceptible of the woes of others.

Shall then this verse to future age pretend,

Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and friend?

The examples which follow are suited to the notes and ob servations under RULE XIX.

1. Despise not any condition, lest it happens to be your

own.

Let him that is sanguine, take heed lest he miscarries.

Take care that thou breakest not any of the established rules.

If he does but intimate his desire, it will be sufficient to produce obedience.

At the time of his return, if he is but expert in the business, he will find employment.

If he do but speak to display his abilities, he is unworthy of attention.

If he be but in health, I am content.

If he does promise, he will certainly perform.

Though he do praise her, it is only for her beauty.

If thou dost not forgive, perhaps thou wilt not be forgiven. If thou do sincerely believe the truths of religion, act accordingly.

2. His confused behaviour made it reasonable to suppose that he were guilty.

He is so conscious of deserving the rebuke, that he dare not make any reply.

His apology was so plausible, that many befriended him, and thought he were innocent.

3. If one man prefer, a life of industry, it is because he has an idea of comfort in wealth; if another prefers a life of gaiety, it is from a like idea concerning pleasure.

No one engages in that business, unless he aim at reputation, or hopes for some singular advantage.

Though the design be laudable, and is favourable to our interest, it will involve much anxiety and labour.

4. Unless he learns faster, he will be no scholar. Though he falls he shall not be utterly cast down. On condition that he comes I will consent to stay. However that affair terminates, my conduct will be unimpeachable.

If virtue rewards us not so soon as we desire, the payment will be made with interest.

Till repentance composes his mind, he will be a stranger to peace.

Whether he confesses, or not, the truth will certainly be discovered.

If thou censurest uncharitably, thou wilt be entitled to no favour.

Though, at times, the ascent to the temple of virtue, appears steep and craggy, be not discouraged. Persevere until thou gainest the summit: there, all is order, beauty, and pleasure.

If Charlotte desire to gain esteem and love, she does not employ the proper means.

Unless the accountant deceive me, my estate is considerably improved.

Though self-government produce some uneasiness, it is light when compared with the pain of vicious indulgence. Whether he think as he speaks, time will discover.

If thou censure uncharitably, thou deservest no favour. Though virtue appear severe, she is truly amiable. Though success be very doubtful, it is proper that he endeavours to succeed.

5. If thou have promised, be faithful to thy engagement. Though he have proved his right to submission, he is too generous to exact it.

Unless he have improved, he is unfit for the office.

6. If thou had succeeded, perhaps thou wouldst not be the happier for it.

Unless thou shall see the propriety of the measure, we shall not desire thy support.

Though thou will not acknowledge, thou canst not deny the fact.

7. If thou gave liberally, thou wilt receive a liberal reward. Though thou did injure him, he harbours no resentment. It would be well, if the report was only the misrepresentation of her enemies.

Was he ever so great and opulent, this conduct would de

base him.

Was I to enumerate all her virtues, it would look like flattery.

Though I was perfect, yet would I not presume.

8. If thou may share in his labours, be thankful, and do it cheerfully,

Unless thou can fairly support the cause, give it up honourably.

Though thou might have forseen the danger, thou couldst not have avoided it,

If thou could convince him, he would not act accordingly. If thou would improve in knowledge, be diligent.

Unless thou should make a timely retreat, the danger will be unavoidable.

I have laboured and wearied myself, that thou may be at

ease.

He enlarged on those dangers, that thou should avoid them.

9. Neither the cold or the fervid, but characters uniformly warm, are formed for friendship.

They are both praise-worthy, and one is equally deserving as the other.

He is not as diligent and learned as his brother.

I will present it to him myself, or direct it to be given to him.

Neither despise or oppose what you do not understand. The house is not as commodious as we expected it would be. I must, however, be so candid to own I have been mistaken. There was something so amiable, and yet so piercing in his look, as affected me at once with love and terror.

"I gain'd a son;

And such a son, as all men hail'd me happy."

The dog in the manger would not eat the hay himself, nor suffer the ox to eat it.

As far as I am able to judge, the book is well written. We should faithfully perform the trust committed to us, or ingenuously relinquish the charge.

He is not as eminent, and as much esteemed, as he thinks himself to be.

The work is a dull performance; and is neither capable of pleasing the understanding, or the imagination

There is no condition so secure, as cannot admit of change. This is an event, which nobody presumes upon, or is so sanguine to hope for.

We are generally pleased with any little accomplishments of body or mind.

10. Be ready to succour such persons who need your assistance.

The matter was no sooner proposed, but he privately withdrew to consider it.

He has too much sense and prudence than to become a dupe to such artifices.

It is not sufficient that our conduct, as far as it respects others, appears to be unexceptionable.

The resolution was not the less fixed, that the secret was yet communicated to very few.

He opposed the most remarkable corruptions of the church of Rome, so as that his doctrines were embraced by great numbers.

He gained nothing further by his speech, but only to be commended for his eloquence.

He has little more of the scholar besides the name.
He has little of the scholar than the name.

They had no sooner risen, but they applied themselves to their studies.

From no other institution, besides the admirable one of juries, could so great a benefit expected.

Those savage people seemed to have no other element but

war.

Such men that act treacherously ought to be avoided.
Germany ran the same risk as Italy had done.

No errors are so trivial, but they deserve to be corrected.

RULE XX.

When the qualities of different things are compared, the latter noun or pronoun is not governed by the conjunction than or as, but agrees with the verb, or is governed by the verb or the preposition expressed or understood: as," Thou art wiser than I;" that is, "than I am. "« They loved him more than me ;” that is, "more than they loved me." "The sentiment is well expressed by Plato, but much better by Solomon than him;" that is, "than by him."

See Vol. I. p. 214, and the Key, Part 3. Chap. 1. Rule 20.

In some respects, we have had as many advantages as them; but in the article of a good library, they have had a greater privilege than us.

The undertaking was much better executed by his brother than he.

They are much greater gainers than me by this unexpected

event.

They know how to write as well as him; but he is a much better grammarian than them.

Though she is not so learned as him, she is as much beloved and respected.

These people, though they possess more shining qualities, are not so proud as him, nor so vain as her.

The following examples are adapted to the notes and observations under RULE XX.

1. Who betrayed her companion? Not me.

Who revealed the secrets he ought to have concealed? Not him.

Who related falsehoods to screen herself, and to bring an odium upon others? Not me; it was her.