indeed, in such general and approved use, that it would appear awkward, if not affected, to apply the old singular form, and say, 66 By this mean; by that mean; it was by a mean;" although it is more agreeable to the general analogy of the language. "The word means (says Priestly) belongs to the class of words, which do not change their termination on account of number; for it is used alike in both numbers."

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The word amends is used in this manner, in the following sentences. Though he did not succeed, he gained the approbation of his country; and with this amends he was content." "Peace of mind is an honourable amends for the sacrifices of interest." "In return, he received the thanks of his employers, and the present of a large estate; these were ample amends for all his labours." "We have described the rewards of vice: the good man's amends are of a different nature."

It can scarcely be doubted, that this word amends (like the word means) had formerly its correspondent form in the singular number, and is derived from the French amende, though now it is exclusively established in the plural form. If, therefore, it be alledged that mean should be applied in the singular, because it is derived from the French moyen, the same kind of argument may be advanced in favour of the singular amende; and the general analogy of the language may also be pleaded in support of it.

not only a means of obeying, but a principal act of obedience.' Dr. Young "He looked on money as anecessary means of maintaining and increasing power.' Lord Lyttelton's Henry II. John was too much intimidated not to embrace every means afforded for his safety.' Goldsmith.

Lest this means should fail.'--' By means of ship-money, the late king,' &c.-- The only means of securing a durable peace.'

Hume.

By this means there was nothing left ↑ he parliament of Ireland.' &c.

Blackstone..

By this means so many slaves escal it of the hands of their masters.' Dr. Robertson.

By this means they bear witness to each other.' Burke. By this means the wrath of man was made to turn against itself." Dr. Blair.

A magazine which has, by this means, contained,' &c.--' Birds in general, procure their food by means of their beak.' Dr. Paley.

Campbell, in his "Philosophy of Rhetoric," has the following remark on the subject before us : "No persons

of taste will, I presume, venture so far to violate the present usage, and consequently to shock the ears of the generality of readers, as to say, " By this mean, by that mean.'

Lowth and Johnson seem to be against the use of means in the singular number. They do not, however, speak decisively on the point; but rather dubiously, and as if they knew that they were questioning eminent authorities, as well as general practice. That they were not decidedly against the application of this word to the singular number, appears from their own language: "Whole sentences, whether simple or compound, may become members of other sentences by means of some additional connexion."Dr. LowтH's Introduction to English Grammar.

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"There is no other method of teaching that of which any one is ignorant, but by means of something already known."- -Dr. JOHNSON. Idler.

It is remarkable that our present version of the Scriptures makes no use, as far as the Compiler can discover, of the word mean; though there are several instances to be found in it of the use of means in the sense and connexion contended for. "By this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river." Ezra iv. 16. "That by means of death," &c. Heb. ix. 15. It will scarcely be pretended, that the translators of the sacred volumes did not accurately understand the English language; or that they would have admitted one form of this word, and rejected the other, had not their determination been conformable to the best usage. An attempt therefore to recover an old word, so long since disused by the most correct writers, seems not likely to be súccessful; especially as the rejection of it is not attended with any inconvenience.

The practice of the best and most correct writers, or a great majority of them, corroborated by general usage, forms, during its continuance, the standard of language; especially, if, in particular instances, this practice continue, after objection and due consideration. Every connexion and application of words and phrases, thus supported, must therefore be proper, and entitled to respect, if not exceptionable in a moral point of view.

Si volet usus

'Quem penes arbitrium est, et jus, et norma loquendi.'....Hor.

On this principle, many forms of expression, not less deviating from the general analogy of the language, than those before mentioned, are to be considered as strictly proper and justifiable. Of this kind are the following. "None of them are varied to express the gender ;" and yet none originally signified no one. "He himself shall do the work :" here, what was first appropriated to the ob jective, is now properly used as the nominative case. "You have behaved yourselves well :" in this example, the word you is put in the nominative case plural, with strict propri. ety; though formerly it was confined to the objective case, and ye exclusively used for the nominative.

With respect to anomalies and variations of language, thus established, it is the grammarian's business to submit, not to remonstrate. In pertinaciously opposing the deci sion of proper authority, and contending for obsolete modes of expression, he may, indeed, display learning and critical sagacity; and, in some degree, obscure points that are sufficiently clear and decided; but he cannot reasonably hope, either to succeed in his aims, or to assist the learner, în discovering and respecting the true standard and principles of language.

Cases which custom has left dubious, are certainly within the grammarian's province. Here he may reason and remonstrate on the ground of derivation, analogy, and propriety; and his reasonings may refine and improve the language: but when authority speaks out and decides the point, it were perpetually to unsettle the language, to admit of cavil and debate. Anamolies then, under the limitation mentioned, become the law, as clearly as the plainest analogies.

The reader will perceive that, in the following sentences, the use of the word mean, in the old form has a very uncouth appearance: "By the mean of adversity we are of ten instructed." "He preserved his health by mean of exercise." 66 Frugality is one mean of acquiring a competency." They should be, "By means of adversity," &c. "By means of exercise," &c. Frugality is one means," &c.

Good writers do indeed make use of the substantive mean in the singular number, and in that number only, to signify mediocrity, middle rate, &c. as, "This is a mean between the two extremes." But in the sense of instru

mentality, it has been long disused by the best authors, and by almost every writer.

This means and that means should be used only when they refer to what is singular; these means and those means, when they respect plurals: as, "He lived temperately, and by this means preserved his health ;" "The scholars were attentive, industrious, and obedient to their tutors; and by these means, acquired knowledge."

We have enlarged on this article that the young student may be led to reflect on a point so important, as that of ascertaining the standard of propriety in the use of language.

2. The distributive pronominal adjectives, each, every, either, agree with the nouns, pronouns, and verbs, of the singular number only: as, "The king of Israel, and Jehosophat, the king of Judah, sat each on his throne;" "Every tree is known by its fruit:" unless the plural noun convey a collective idea: as, "Every six months," "Every hundred years.". -The following phrases are exceptionable. "Let each esteem others better than themselves:" It ought to be "himself." "It is requisite that the language should be both perspicuous and correct: in proportion as either of these two qualities are wanting, the language is imperfect:" it should be “is.” ""Tis observable, that every one of the letters bear date after his banishment, and contain a complete narrative of all his story afterwards;" it ought to be "bears" and "they contain.”

Either is often used improperly, instead of each: as, "The king of Israel, and Jehosophat the king of Judah, sat either of them on his throne;” “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer." Each signifies both of them taken distinctly or separately; either properly signifies only the one or the other of them taken disjunctively.

In the course of this work, some examples will appear of erroneous translations from the Holy Scriptures, with respect to grammatical construction: but it may be proper to remark, that notwithstanding these verbal mistakes, the Bible, for the size of it, is the most accurate grammatical composition that we have in the English language. The authority of several eminent grammarians might be adduced in support of this assertion; but it may be sufficient to mention only that of Dr. Lowth, who says, "The pre

sent translation of the Bible, is the best standard of the English language."

3. Adjectives are sometimes improperly applied as adverbs: as, "indifferent honest; excellent well; miserable poor;" instead of " Indifferently honest; excellently well; miserably poor." "He behaved himself conformable to "Endeavour to

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that great example ;" "conformably.” live hereafter suitable to a person in thy station;" "suitably." "I can never think so very mean of him ;" meanly." "He describes this river agreeable to the common reading;" "agreeably." ;"" "Agreeable hereunto, it may not be amiss," &c. " agreeably." "Thy exceeding great reward:" When united to an adjective, or adverb not ending in ly, the word exceeding has ly added to it: as, "exceedingly dreadful, exceedingly great ;" "exceedingly well, exceedingly more active:" but when it is joined to an adverb or adjective, having that termination, the ly is omitted: as, "Some men think exceeding clearly, and reason exceeding forcibly:" "She appeared, on this occa. sion, exceeding lovely." "He acted in this business bolder than was expected." "They behaved the noblest, because they were disinterested." They should have been, “ more boldly; most nobly."-The adjective pronoun such is often misapplied: as, "He was such an extravagant young man, that he spent his whole patrimony in a few years:" it should be, "so extravagant a young man. "I never be. fore saw such large trees:" "saw trees so large." When we refer to the species or nature of a thing, the word such is properly applied: as, "Such a temper is seldom found:" but when degree is signified, we use the word so: as, “So Dad a temper is seldom found."

Adverbs are likewise improperly used as adjectives: as, The tutor addressed him in terms rather warm, but suitably to his offence;" "suitable." 66 They were seen wandering about solitarily and distressed;" "solitary." "He lived in a manner agreeably to the dictates of reason and religion;""agreeable. "The study of syntax should be previously to that of punctuation ;" "previous."

4. Double comparatives and superlatives should be avoided: such as, "A worser conduct;" "On lesser hopes;" “A more serener temper;"" The most straitest sect;" A more superior work.” They should be, "worse con