PREPOSITIONS.

304. Prepositions are words used to show the relation existing between nouns or pronouns :

And, like a glory, the broad sun

Hangs over sainted Lebanon,-Moore.

The word over marks the relation in which sun stands to Lebanon.

305. A phrase or compound expression frequently takes the place of a noun :

We must tax the wandering philosopher with [treason to his obvious duty].-De Quincey.

In [honouring God and doing his work] put forth all thy strength.-Jeremy Taylor.

306. In many languages this relation is marked by case-endings; but as various modifications of the original meaning of the case-ending arose, it was found convenient to express these modifications by means of new words placed before the second noun. These words were called Prepositions. Hence both prepositions and case-endings are found in many ancient and modern languages. In modern English the suffixes are lost.

307. Prepositions naturally stand between the words to which they refer, generally immediately before the second word:

She is far from the land where her young
And lovers around her are sighing;

hero sleeps,

But coldly she turns from their
gaze and

weeps,

For her heart in his grave is lying.-Moore.

Occasionally they are found after the second word. In such cases they are suffixed to it as enclitics: herewith, there-by, where-in.

There be two things where-of you must have special caution.-Bacon.

308. Prepositions are frequently placed after verbs, as enclitics, to modify the original meaning of the verb:

Tie up the knocker; say I'm sick, I'm dead.-Pope.

309. This suffixed preposition often makes an intransitive verb transitive:

Full well they laughed, with counterfeited glee,

At all his jokes, for many a joke had he.-Goldsmith.

310. The following is a list of the English pre

311. These are all of Gothic origin. The following words of classical origin are used apparently as

Their true character is explained in the Syntax.

312. Again, amid, among, beside, between, toward, have each a second form; again-st, amid-st, among-st, beside-s, betwixt, toward-s. These appear to be formed by a suffix -st. In beside-s and toward-s the t is lost. Between was originally be-tweg-en, and betwixt was be-tweg-st, g and s being afterwards written x.

The true nature of this suffix has yet to be determined. It may possibly be superlative, intensifying the meaning of the simple word: amid, 'in the middle of;' amid-st, 'in the very middle of.'

CONJUNCTIONS.

313. Conjunctions are words used to connect nouns and propositions; two and two are four :'

Cheerful he seemed, and gentleness he loved.-Crabbe.

He chid their wanderings, but relieved their pain.

Goldsmith.

314. Conjunctions sometimes couple independent propositions :

His words were few, and special was his care

In simplest terms his purpose to declare.-Crabbe. And sometimes they subjoin a dependent to a principal

sentence:

Ere the high lawns appeared

Under the opening eyelids of the morn,
We drove afield.-Milton.

If indolent the pupil, hard the task.-Crabbe. 315. Dependent propositions are frequently subjoined by relative and interrogative pronouns, and by the adverbs derived from them. These words may then be viewed as true conjunctions, or subjunctive particles. See § 300.

316. Conjunctions are frequently used in pairs, one being placed before each of the connected words or sentences both, and; either, or; neither, nor; whether, or; or, or; though, yet; &c.

Neither history nor biography is able to move a step without infractions of this rule.-De Quincey.

317. The demonstrative pronoun that is often used in apposition to an objective sentence, to fix the attention more strongly upon the collective idea contained in the sentence:

Experience tells me that [my past enjoyments have brought no real felicity].-Goldsmith.

This pronoun is usually termed a conjunction.

INTERJECTIONS.

318. Interjections are words expressing sudden or deep feeling, which have no grammatical connection with the sentences with which they are employed.

O blest retirement, friend to life's decline!

Goldsmith. Where, then, ah where shall Poverty reside?-Id. 319. There are two classes of interjections: (1) Simple sounds elicited by some excitement of the mind: 0, ah, pshaw.

(2) Fragments of entire sentences; as, zounds, i. e.

'Christ's wounds;' s'death, i. e. 'Christ's death;' the entire sentence being an adjuration, which has been gradually abbreviated.

DIMINUTIVES.

320. Diminutives are words with the original meaning modified by various suffixes signifying 'little;' as, hill-ock, 'little hill;' duck-ling, 'little duck;' shall-ow, little shoal.'

They denote smallness, tenderness or affection, pity and contempt. Many words with a diminutival suffix have lost their diminutive meaning, and in many instances the primitive word has become obsolete.

321. There are two classes of diminutive suffixes in English: (1.) those of Gothic origin; (11.) those of Pelasgian origin.