We may call it the INFINITIVE MODIFICATION OF THE NOUN. In the analysis of such a phrase as, A desire to learn, the scholar will simply say that the noun desire is modified by the infinitive to learn.*

EXERCISE.-Let the learner select a given number of examples from some book. Or, what is better, and in this case perhaps easier, let him form a given number of propositions containing appropriate examples of this species of modification.

§ 72. (1) We next direct attention to such modifications of verbs as consist of a noun in the same form as it is employed for subject noun, and without the aid of an intermediary word. (2) Nouns are thus employed, both in the singular and plural form, to modify, or, rather, to complete many neuter verbs—especially the verb to be. (3) We may call this species of modification (till we can find a better name) the NOUN COMPLEMENTARY OF THE NEUTER VERB.

settled what is the precise function (or functions, if more than one) of the particle to in the infinitive form of verbals. Whether it is to distinguish the Infinitive use, the termination originally marking this verbal being lopped away in the progress of the language, we leave others to inquire. Enough for our present purpose that these combinations perform the main function of nouns. It may be remarked that the particle to was not employed in the Anglo-Saxon with the infinitive form, but with a kind of gerundive; for example, infinitive, Lufian (never preceded by the particle to), to love; gerundive, to Lufigenne (always preceded by to), to love, to loving, &c.

* These infinitives after nouns bear some resemblance to apposition modifications. They may generally be expanded into accessory propositions which serve as appositions; as, The boy has a desire to learn- The boy has a desire that he may learn. (See §§ 105 and 106.)

There are several other forms of modification nearly allied to this, which we are not ready as yet to bring under the notice of the learner. When we have got them all before us, we intend to explain our views of the whole class at the same time, and give our reasons for adopting the names by which we call them. These constructions have never been satisfactorily explained, so far as we know, in any of our English grammars. The laborious Germans have gone farthest in the investigation of this form of modification.

§72. (1) To what is our attention next directed? (2) Repeat what is said in reference to the modification of neuter verbs. (3) What name may we give to this species of modifi. cation?

Wealth is power. แ

EXAMPLES.-Knowledge is power. "Thy word is truth." "Wisdom is a defence." "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." "The love of money is the root of all evil."

"This man

"Hor

Demosthenes was an orator. The men were Athenians. seems the leader of the whole party." He continued steward. tensius died a martyr." "The gentle Sydney lived the shepherd's friend." He reigned absolute monarch. He stood candidate for that "There the pitcher stands a fragment." John becomes a

office.

man.

Let the learner analyze all the words printed in italics in the preceding examples, as a first exercise on the use of this modification. MoDEL OF EXAMINATION.-EXAMPLE, Knowledge is power. Point out the subject of this proposition? Ans. Knowledge, for of this the assertion is made. Point out the predicate as it here stands assertively expressed. Ans. Is power, for this forms the assertion. Can you express the predicate alone freed from assertion? Ans. Yes. Beiny power, for this is what, in the proposition, is asserted of KNOWLEDGE. Point out the verb, name the class to which it belongs, and tell tense, number, and person. Ans. Is is the verb, because it makes the assertion; it belongs to the class of neuter verbs; and is in the indefinite tense, singular number, third person. What is the subject noun? Ans. Knowledge. Is it modified? Ans. No. How is the verb modified? Ans. By the complementary noun POWER.

MODEL OF A WRITTEN EXERCISE.--Knowledge S. N. is V. n. indf. sing. 3. md. by power comp. N. To be read thus: knowledge is the subject noun; is the verb. It is of the neuter or intransitive class, indefinite tense, singular number, third person, and modified by the complementary noun power. EXERCISE II.-Write the above examples after this model.

EXERCISE III., IV., &c.-Let the learner endeavor to find, or to construct a given number of examples embracing one or more of the Yet we cannot follow their footsteps exactly, since our mode of analysis differs considerably from theirs in other things, but especially in reference to the verb to be. We are happy to shelter ourselves under the authority of Becker, and to acknowledge our obligations to him for much information on the subject of this class of modifications, which he calls the factitive object. Though our method differs materially from his, we believe our opinions on this subject are consistent with his, except in reference to the verb to be. This verb he treats, like all other grammarians, as being the naked copula; we reduce it in a grammatical point of view-that is, in reference to its constructional functions-to a level with other intransitive verbs.

preceding forms of modification. This exercise may be repeated till the learner is familiar with the forms of construction already ex. hibited.

§ 73. (1) We might proceed to treat of several other modifications of the verb, or complements of the predicate, consisting of nouns which, in the present state of the language, are used for this purpose without any change of their form. (2) There is a class of words, however, recognised as nouns, namely, the pronouns, which assume a form distinct from the subject form, when they are employed in some of these modifications. (3) And in the language from which the English descends, as well as in many of the ancient and modern languages, a distinct form of the noun is generally employed for the purposes referred to. (4) Besides, these complements stand in a different relation to the subject of the proposition, from that in which the noun complementary of the neuter verb stands.* This distinction it may be useful to mark by treating these modifications as belonging to separate classes. (5) We therefore propose to suspend for the present the enumeration of the various species of modifications, in order to consider briefly the particular changes which the noun undergoes in our language, that it may serve certain functions as a modifying or completing word.

*The noun complementary of the neuter verb expresses something which is contemplated by the speaker as having its seat in the subject, in such manner as the verb indicates. For example, "Knowledge is power." Here power is contemplated as a something so seated in the subject knowledge, that it exists together (co-exists) with it. Or considering power (as we are inclined to do here), as con-noting the attributes of power, these attributes are contemplated in this assertion as co-existing with knowledge. Again, "This man seems the leader." Here the attributes con-noted by the term leader are contemplated as seemingly co-existing with the subject—" the man." The predicate-modification and all-ends in the subject in all these cases, and hence, the subject form of the noun is used. But the complements to be considered express a something without and beyond the subject, influenced by the action of the verb. Hence, in many languages they take a form distinct from the subject form.

§ 78. (1) Are there any other modifications of verbs consisting of nouns in the same form employed as subject noun? (2) What is remarked of the pronouns ? (3) What is remarked of the language from which the English is descended, and of other languages? (4) What is said of some of the complements of the predicate, formed by nouns, and yet to be considered? (5) What is now proposed?

(6) These different forms of the noun are known in grammar by the name of CASES OF THE Nors. (7) The form used as subject noun—the real noun without addition or modification (save that of plurality), is generally counted (perhaps not with strict propriety) one of the cases. (8) The subject form, with which the learner may now be supposed to be familiar, is distinguished by the name of THE NOMINATIVE CASE. The singular form of the noun is called the nominative case singular, the plural form the nominative case plural. (9) If we consider that only a distinct case which is marked by a distinct form, we have but one other case, besides the nominative, of any of our nouns with the exception of that class called pronouns. (10) This single case form is called the genitive case by all the old grammarians. (11) Our English grammarians have very generally called it the possessive case, because the genitive most commonly denotes possession, on the part of the object which the modifying noun represents, in reference to the object which is represented by the principal noun. (12) Thus, The merchant's store. Here the genitive or possessive form merchant's, indicates that the merchant possesses what is denoted by the modified noun-store.

FORMATION OF THE GENITIVE OR POSSESSIVE CASE.-(13) The genitive or possessive case is formed in the written language by adding to the noun an s, preceded by an apostrophe; as man, genitive man's.

[(14) The observations in § 42, regarding the manner in which the s of the plural form is pronounced, apply with equal force to this 8 of the genitive case. (15) If the final letter of the noun to which the s is added is a sharp mute, the s must necessarily be pronounced with its proper sharp sound; as a SHIP's company, a HAWK's flight, a CAT'S paro, &c. (16) If on the contrary, the noun ends in a flat mute, a

(6) By what name are these different forms of the noun distinguished? (7) What is said of the form used as subject noun? (S) What case name is given to the subject form? (9) What is said of the number of cases marked by a distinct form in English? (10) What is the only case of nouns (excepting pronouns) answering to this description called? (11) What name has generally been given to it by English grammarians? State the reason. (12) Repeat example and illustration.

(13) How is the genitive case formed in the written language?

(16) How when

[(14) What observations apply to the pronunciation of this s of the genitive? (15) When the final letter of the noun is a sharp mute, how must the s be sounded? the final letter is a flat mute?]

liquid, or a vowel, the s of the genitive is sounded like 2; as, a STAG's horns, a MAN's head, a HERO's courage.]

(17) When the plural form of a noun does not end in s, the genitive, or possessive case plural is formed, in the same manner as the genitive case singular, by adding in the written language s, preceded by an apostrophe to the plural form; as, men, genitive men's, brethren, genitive brethren's, &c. (18) But when the plural ends, as it generally does, in s, another s could not be added without giving an additional syllable to the word in pronunciation. (19) This is never done for the purpose of forming a plural genitive. (20) When the plural subject noun (or nominative case, as it is commonly called) ends in s, the genitive plural agrees with it in sound, and in the spoken language can be distinguished from it by the sense alone. (21) In the written language the genitive plural is distinguished from the nominative plural by an apostrophe (') placed after the final s of the nominative; as, On EAGLES' wings, The FRIENDS' meeting house; equivalent to, On the wings of eagles, The meeting house of the Friends.

[(22) The same method of distinguishing the genitive singular, is also adopted in the written language, when the singular form of the noun ends in ss; as, For righteousness' sake. (23) The apostrophe is also placed after some other words ending in an s sound, to indicate the genitive; as, For conscience' sake.*

(24) In the spoken language, we sometimes form the genitive of singular nouns (generally proper names) ending in an s sound, by adding the syllable es; as James' kite, pronounced Jamezez kite.

We suspect that the s in the next word, sake, has its influence here. We know no example, except this, of a genitive form of conscience. Peace, in the genitive, ought, we presume, to be spelled peace's, and should certainly be pronounced peacez-For peace' or peace's sake.

(17) How is the genitive plural formed, when the plural subject form does not end in 8? (18) What would be the effect of adding an 's when the subject form ends in &? (19) Is this ever in fact done to form a plural genitive? (20) What is the genitive plural form in the spoken language when the nominative plural ends in s? (21) How is it distinguished from the nominative in the written language? Give the examples.

[(22) Repeat the observation in reference to singular nouns ending in ss. (23) Do any singular words besides those in ss form the genitive in the same way?

(24) What is said of some singular nouns taking the syllable ez in their genitive in the