that under consideration, whatever period of past time is as sumed for the intention, the object to which the intention refers, must at that period, have been contemplated as future. Though both the intention and purchase are now past, with respect to the present time, they were not so at the time refer red to: and they must be viewed exactly in the same light, with respect to the true construction of the sentence, as if the intention to purchase now existed. No person would say, "I intend to have purchased an estate," instead of, "I intend to purchase it." The sentence in question, would, therefore, when properly corrected by the thirteenth Rule of Syntax, stand as follows: "In the summer of 1815, Charles intended to purchase an estate."

"Every thought and every desire, are known to the great searcher of hearts."

66

This sentence is not grammatical. The verb are, in the plural, requires a correspondent plural nominative, which is not found in the sentence. The pronoun every, in the two clauses of the sentence, is singular, and does not lose its nature, nor receive any modification by repetition. How frequently soever it may be added to a different substantive, it is still the pronoun every, and retains its peculiar signification, which is, that of many, it refers to each one of them all taken separately; as in the following sentences: Every man, every woman, every child, every individual, was drowned;" " Every one of the men and women was lost." The conjunction does not alter the construction. Whatever number of nouns may be connected by a conjunction with the pronoun every, this pronoun is as applicable to the whole mass of them, as to any one of the nouns and therefore the verb is correctly put in the singular number, and refers to the whole, separately and individually considered. In short, this pronoun so entirely coalesces with the nouns, however numerous and united, that it imparts its peculiar nature to them all, and makes the whole number correspond together, and require a similar construction. These views of the subject show, that the sentence in question, when properly corrected, would stand thus: "Every thought and every desire, is known to the great searcher of hearts." This correction is made agreeably to the note to Rule vi of the key. Syntax. See "Adjective Pronouns." The construction forms one of the exceptions to the second Rule of Syntax.

"This was the cause, which first gave rise to such a barbarous practice."

This sentence is inaccurate. The words first and rise have here the same meaning; and the word such is not properly applied. This word signifies of that kind: but the author does not refer to a kind or species of barbarity. He means a degree of it and therefore the word so, instead of such, ought to have been used. The words cause and gave rise, are also tautological: one of them should, consequently, be omitted. The sentence corrected would stand thus: "This was the original cause of so barbarous a practice;" or, "of a practice so barbarous."

PART II.

EXERCISES IN ORTHOGRAPHY.

CHAPTER I.

Containing instances of false ORTHOGRAPHY, arranged under the respective rules.

RULE I.

Monosyllables ending with f, 1, or s, preceded by a single vowel, double the final consonant: as staff, mill, pass, &c. The only exceptions are, of, if, as, is, has, was, yes, his, this, us, and thus.

See Vol. 1. p. 23. and the Key, Part 2. Chap. 1. Rule 1.

It is no great merit to spel properly; but a great defect to do it incorrectly.

Jacob worshiped his Creator, leaning on the top of his staf. We may place too little, as well as too much stres upon dreams.

Our manners should be neither gros, nor excessively refined.

RULE II.

Monosyllables ending with any consonant but f, 1. or s, and preceded by a single vowel, never double the final consonant; excepting only, add, ebb, butt, egg, odd, err, inn, bunn, purr, and

buzz.

See the Key, Part 2. Chap. 1. Rule 2.

A carr signifies a chariot of war, or a small carriage of burden.

In the names of druggs and plants, the mistake in a word may endanger life.

Nor undelightful is the ceaseless humm

To him who muses through the woods at noon.

The finn of a fish is the limb by which he balances his body, and moves in the water.

Many a trapp is laid to ensnare the feet of youth.

Many thousand families are supported by the simple business of making matts.

RULE III.

Words ending with y, preceded by a consonant, form the plurals of nouns, the persons of verbs, verbal nouns, past partici ples, comparatives, and superlatives, by changing y into i: as, spy, spies; I carry, thou carriest; he carrieth or carries; car rier, carried; happy, happier happiest.

The present participle in ing, retains the y, that i may not be doubled: as carry, carrying: bury, burying, &c.

But y, preceded by a vowel, in such instances as the above, is not changed; as, boy, boys; I cloy, he cloys, cloyed, &c.: except in lay, pay, and say; from which are formed, laid, paid, and said; and their compounds, unlaid, unpaid, unsaid, &c.

See the Key, Part 2. Chap. 1. Rule 3.

We should subject our fancys to the government of reason. If thou art seeking for the living amongst the dead, thou wearyest thyself in vain.

If we have denyed ourselves sinful pleasures, we shall be great gainers in the end.

We shall not be the happyer for possessing talents and affluence, unless we make a right use of them.

The truly good mind is not dismaied by poverty, afflictions, or death.

RULE IV.

Words ending with y, preceded by a consonant, upon assuming an additional syllable beginning with a consonant, commonly change y into i: as happy, happily, happiness. But when y is preceded by a vowel, it is very rarely changed in the additional syllable: as, coy, coyly; boy, boyish, boyhood; annoy, annoyed, annoyance; joy, joyless, joyful, &c.

See the Key, Part 2. Chap. 1. Rule 4.

It is a great blessing to have a sound mind, uninfluenced by fancyful humours.