there are ingenious writers on the subject, who strenuously contend, that the definitions are erroneous. These critics say, that, in the following sentences, "A philosophical grammar, written by James Harris, Esquire ;" "There was a man, named John the Baptist;" "The Lord planted a garden eastward in Eden;" the article a is not, according to our definition of it, used in a vague sense, to point out one single thing of the kind, in other respects indeterminate. They assert, that, in these and similar instances, it is used in a determinate sense, to denote, in the most precise manner, a particular book, a particular man, and a particular garden. This conclusion of our critics we conceive to be totally unfounded. They suppose that the article, in the examples adduced, applies. to the whole of the sentences, to the subsequent and explanatory parts, as well as to those which precede. But they are not warranted in this supposition. The real application of the article is solely to the words philosophical grammar, man, and garden; and it is therefore indeterminate. The circumstances which render the subjects precise and definite, ate the subsequent explanations; which certainly do not alter or affect the grammatical nature of the article.

The mode of arguing adopted by these writers proves too much, and therefore nothing. Let us try its operation. on other parts of speech. The words some and other are allowed to be indefinite pronouns; and the words this and that demonstrative pronouns *. But according to the reasoning of our opponents, these pronouns would alter their established nature, in such expressions as the following: "Some of the Roman emperors, namely, Tiberius, Caligula, and Nero, were extremely cruel and tyran

* Whether these words are considered as pronouns or adjectives, the reasoning upon them is of equal validity.

nical:""Other men, namely, Charles, James, and William, were present:" "This person, or some other, committed the fact:" "That man, or another, was an accomplice." On the new system, the words some and other, in these examples, would cease to be indefinite pronouns; and the words this and that, would not be demonstrative; because the subjects in the first are ascertained, and in the second rendered uncertain, by the subsequent expressions. It is unquestionably false reasoning, to conclude that certain expressions cannot be of a definite, or of an indefinite nature, because it is possible, by the annexation of particular circumstances, to give them a different designation.

With regard to the definite article, our critics produce the following example, in support of their opinion; "Be not afraid ye beasts of the field;" and relying on its efficacy, they inquire, what particular field is here meant? The answer is obvious. The particularity is as clearly denoted in this instance, as in the following phrases: "The boar out of the wood: Every beast of the forest; Fish of the sea; Beasts of the earth." The field, the wood, the forest, &c. are used by way of contradistinction; and, by this means, are particularly pointed out. Other modes of expression are adduced by our opponents, as favouring their opinion. Such as, "The tree beareth her fruit; The Fig-tree and the Vine do yield their strength:" and we are asked, "What particular tree? Does the article the point out the particular tree or vine?"—Here too we think the reply is not difficult. The Tree, the Fig-tree, and the Vine, may be justly considered, as a figure of speech putting a part for the whole, or as one species of things distinguished from others. We say, "The horse is a noble animal;" "The dog is a faithful creature:" meaning the species of animals called horse, or dog. This application of the

definite article comports exactly with the definition: it ascertains what particular thing or things are meant.

Though we think that the arguments already advanced, are sufficient to support our definitions of the articles, it may not be improper further to observe, that after all which can be done, to render the definitions and rules of grammar comprehensive and accurate, men of learning and science know, that they generally admit of exceptions; that there are peculiar anomalies which belong to some of them; extreme cases which may be stated; and precise boundaries which cannot be ascertained. These, in the hands of men more ingenious than candid, may be plausibly advanced against any system; and to those who are not thoroughly conversant in the art, may appear to be material imperfections, attributable to an author's work, and not to the nature of the subject.

CHAPTER III.

OF SUBSTANTIVES.

Section 1.

Of Substantives in general.

A Substantive or Noun is the name of any thing that exists, or of which we have any notion: as, London, man, virtue.

Substantives are either proper or common.

Proper names or substantives, are the names appropriated to individuals: as, George, London, Thames.

Common names or substantives, stand for kinds containing many sorts, or for sorts containing many individuals under them: as, animal, man, tree, &c.

When proper names have an article annexed to them, they are used as common names: as, "He is the Cicero of his age; he is reading the lives of the Twelve Cæsars."

Common names may also be used to signify individuals, by the addition of articles or pronouns: as, "The boy is studious; that girl is discreet*."

To substantives belong gender, number, and case; and they are all of the third person, when

Nouns may also be divided into the following classes: Collective nouns, or nouns of multitude: as, the people, the parliament, the army: Abstract nouns, or the names of qualities abstracted from their substances: as, knowledge, goodness, whiteness: Verbal or participial nouns: as, beginning, reading, writing.

spoken of, and of the second, when spoken to: as, Blessings attend us on every side; be grateful, children of men!" that is ye children of men.

SECTION 2.

of Gender.

GENDER is the distinction of nouns, with regard There are three genders, the MASCULINE,

to sex.

the FEMININE, and the NEUTER.

The Masculine Gender denotes animals of the male kind: as, a man, a horse, a bull.

The Feminine Gender signifies animals of the female kind: as, a woman, a duck, a hen.

The Neuter Gender denotes objects which are neither males nor females: as, a field, a house, a garden,

Some substantives, naturally neuter, are, by a figure of speech, converted into the masculine or feminine gender: as, when we say of the sun, he is setting; and of a ship, she sails well.

Figuratively, in the English tongue, we commonly give the masculine gender to nouns which are conspicuous for the attributes of imparting or communicating, and which are by nature strong and efficacious. Those, again, are made feminine, which are conspicuous for the attributes of containing, or bringing forth, or which are peculiarly beautiful or amiable. Upon these principles, the sun is said to be masculine; and the moon, being the receptacle of the sun?s light, to be feminine. The earth is generally feminine. A ship, a country, a city, &c. are likewise

F