a nor the, and therefore the noun is to be taken in its greatest latitude of meaning. The true and only rule is, that specifying words, of any kind, are not in general employed, where they are not necessary to perspicuity. 186. "And Jesus took clay, and spit upon it, and anointed the eyes of the blind man," &c. No one asks how much clay was taken. The question would be entirely frivolous.' It was equally miraculous that much or little clay, applied to the eyes of a man, blind from his birth, should immediately restore him to sight. This is the reason why it was not necessary to place a or the, some, or any other "article" before the noun clay. 187. "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." The translators of the bible, who were distinguished scholars, knew that the word ears must include two, at least, as being in the plural number. They also knew, that according to the common course of nature, any one man, implied by the word he, would not be expected to have more than that number. They did not, therefore, anticipate the later grammatical version of this passage, ascribing all the ears in the world to a single person, by the mere omission of the word the. Why is there an indefinite article in the singular, and none in the plural? Why are not twain, two, three, some, any, and many other words, as good articles as a? DEGREES OF COMPARISON. 188. Adjectives generally express quality in different degrees, as blackish, black, blacker, blackest. Besides these different forms of the adjective, many subsidiary words are used, which, according to the special meaning of the appended term, may serve to give various turns to the idea conveyed by the adjective black; as, very, extremely, slightly, totally black. The direct forms of the adjective have been generally called degrees of comparison; though not with strict propriety, as comparison is not always implied, farther than as it belongs to the general nature of adjectives. 189. As there are nouns which admit of no limitation, nor increase, so many adjectives are unalterably fixed by the import of the term. The Creator alone is omnipotent and omniscient, we can not say that any other being is less or more so. No one thing can be less or more eternal, immeasurable, countless, immaculate, or perfect, than an other. These terms denote quality, to a degree which can neither be increased nor diminished: because that, from the nature of things, more can not be; and less is inconsistent with the meaning of the word. 190. It is found convenient in practice to class adjectives under three degrees: positive, comparative, and superlative; as black, blacker, blackest. To these may be added an other modification of the single word, and which applies in a great number of instances, though not in so general use as the other forms; as blackish, inclining to blackness, or partially black. This may be considered as the minor positive degree. 191. Adjectives are commonly compared by adding er or est, which additions are, by origin, separate and significant words. Several adjectives, of most frequent use, are made irregular by adopting different radical terms, to express the different degrees of quality. The regular adjectives in their direct forms, are thus compared. Minor. Greenish Longish Pos. Comp. Sup. 192. Adjectives are also compared by various qualifying words, which augment or diminish their positive meaning, by different relations and degrees; as, wise-less, least, more, most, very, exceedingly wise. Some of these qualifying words, on account of their appropriate meaning, are much used. Those occasionally employed, for the sake of variety or harmony, or to mark the nicer distinctions of thought, are very numerous. 193. It should also be kept in mind, that the form of the adjective, which is assumed as the positive degree, is in fact almost always comparative. Whatever is high, is so, in reference to something else which is lower. The adjective in the positive degree, is associated with the idea of what is appropriate to the thing in which the quality is conceived to exist. The largest long boat would make a very small ship; and a potter's kiln, altogether too cool for baking stone ware, might yet be a very uncomfortably warm room, for people to live in. 194. Adjectives also stand connected with nouns, and with each other, by various kinds of relation, in a way which no mere grammar rules can explain: "The smoky London air," may meau either the air of smoky London, or the smoky air of London. "The new Albany road,” is either the road to New Albany, or the new road to Albany. A witch hazel mineral rod. Russia iron carriage springs. No man could tell how to combine these ideas, by any explanations which could be given, depending on the mere forms of words. It must be known how they are accepted in practice: That New Zealand provision ship." Georgia sea island cotton plantations. "Some English East India Company's tea ships." A beaver hat, a beaver trap, a beaver pond, the beaver trade. 195. Some nouns, from the nature of the case, require their adjectives in closer connexion than others, in their descriptive application. An American ship means one owned and navigated by Americans; but a China ship is merely engaged in the China trade, without being owned or managed by Chinese, either wholly or in part. "A very thick headed gentleman's cane." "A wild ass's colt." "Liverpool deep blue earthern pitchers." "Warranted fine old Jersey Cider," "A low Dutch stove." "A new Guinea war club." "An elegant lady's lace veil." Is it the lady, the lace, or the veil, which is elegant? Describing adjectives refer to general ideas and expressions: as, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." Here the thing which is good and pleasant, is, the dwelling together of brethren in unity. 196 Other adjectives were formerly compared by adding the superlative form to the comparative; as, Uppish up upper upperest, or uppermost, bet better, betterest in inner bettermost innermost inmost The word bet is no longer used as an adjective; but, as a noun, retains, virtually the same meaning. "To make a bet," is to substantiate an assertion, to make it good by a pledge. The word good, originally God, has gradually come into use in its present form as an adjective. The ancient Persian name of the deity, Goda, is extensively diffused through northern Europe and Asia, and is now in use by many other nations, as well as ourselves. We have more recently adopted godlike and godly from the same primitive word. 197. Several other forms, anciently prevailed, which in the progress of time, have been changed; or only retained in part of their forms; as, Mo mo-er mo-est now more and most. Most adjectives, of more than one syllable, make the comparative and superlative degrees by placing before or after them the words more, most; less, least. These words, so joined with adjectives, are considered as adverbs: but less and most are frequently joined to an adjective, as parts of one compound word. 198. It has been objected to the present general system of teaching grammar, that it is addressed solely to the memory, as a mere form of words, without employing the reasoning faculties. This objection does not appear to be entirely true; for, by laying down arbitrary rules without reason, the student is left at full liberty to find proofs and |