junctions connect sentences, not words, we must divide a plural verb into two singular verbs. Thus the sentence, John and James are here, is equivalent to John is here and James is here, and is shortened merely for convenience, the function of the word and remaining unaltered.

In other cases, in order to see that conjunctions connect sentences, not words, we have not only to divide the plural verb into two singular verbs, but also to connect only a part of the predicate with each separate nominative. Thus, although we can say, Two and three make five; John and Mary are a happy couple; we cannot say, Two makes five and three makes five; John is a happy couple, and Mary is a happy couple: but we can withhold the part of the predicate following the verb until we have introduced the conjunction, and suppose the expanded sentences to be constructed thus:

Conjunctions are generally derived from other parts of speech, and are frequently the imperatives of verbs. If (formerly written gif) is the obsolete imperative of to give. Except is a conjunction formed from an imperative.

Provided and since (i. e., seeing) are conjunctions formed from participles.

The conjunctions in the English language may be classified thus:

1. COPULATIVE.-I came, and John went away.

2. ADVERSATIVE.-I came, but John went away.

3. CAUSATIVE:—

I came because you told me (result—cause).
You are unwell, therefore you cannot go (cause-
result).

4. SUBORDINATIVE:

He said that you called me.

I asked him whether he would come.
He will send word if he comes.

Sometimes in composition the use of one conjunction necessitates the use of another at the beginning of the following sentence. In such cases, the latter conjunction should be regarded as correlative with the former. The principal correlative conjunctions are either, or; neither, nor; though, yet; whether,

or.

IX. INTERJECTIONS.

Interjections are words thrown in (Latin, interjectus) to express sudden thought or emotion. They have nothing to do with the grammatical construction of the sentence in which they occur. The most usual interjections are—ah, alas, bravo, fie, hurrah, hush, oh.

Some interjections are, strictly speaking, not words at all, but simply sounds elicited by some excitement of the mind.

Others, as horrible, shocking, hark, see, list, lo, although used interjectionally, may be referred to their proper part of speech, and regarded as elliptical expressions.

Adieu, used at parting, is the French à Dieu, to

God, i. e. (I commend you) to God. shortened form of God be with you.

Good bye is a

The old interjections grammercy, marry, zounds, 'sblood, are respectively corruptions of grand merci (great thanks), by Mary, God's wounds, God's blood.

CHAPTER III.

SYNTAX.

SYNTAX is that part of grammar which treats of the arrangement of words in sentences, and of the relations existing between them. Under this subject we have to consider five relations: GOVERNMENT, AGREEMENT, QUALIFICATION, LIMITATION, MODIFICATION.

Government is the relation in which one word stands to another word in the same sentence, so as to induce that word to alter its form or signification.

Government is exercised by transitive verbs in the active voice; and by prepositions, over the substantives and pronouns which follow them in the objective case:— He praised me. We stood on the bridge. I have sent for him. Whom did you see?

Agreement is the relation which exists between two or more words in a sentence, so as to assimilate them to each other in one or more respects.

1. The Verb agrees with its Nominative Case in Number and Person:-I am told that you are unwell. We were not present. He is coming. They have been detected.

This rule requires to be modified in the following

ways:

1. When a collective substantive is the nominative to the verb, the verb is either singular or plural, according as

the idea of unity or plurality predominates in the substantive:

The whole herd was scattered.

The committee has decided the question.

The crowd is increasing.

The committee have assembled.

The College of Cardinals elect the Pope.
The youth of a people are its hope.
The peasantry live on oatmeal.

2. When two singular nominatives are joined by a copulative conjunction, the verb is in the plural number :

John and his brother are coming this afternoon.
"Aggression and injury never justify retaliation."

When, however, the two nominatives denote only one object, the verb is in the singular number :

:

"Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee."

The brandy and water was very acceptable to him.
The bread and butter has been eaten.

3. When two singular nominatives are connected by an adversative word, the verb is in the singular number:— Education, not talent, has made him what he is.

Either you or your brother is the culprit.

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'My poverty, not my will, consents."

4. When several nominatives follow the verb, the verb usually agrees only with the first :

"Now abideth faith, hope, and charity."

"Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory."

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Ah, then and there was hurrying to and fro,

And gathering tears and tremblings of distress."

5. When a preposition connects two substantives, only one of them is nominative to the verb, and therefore the verb agrees with that one:

"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

"Nothing except wailings was heard."

The fruit with the package weighs ten pounds.