ETYMOLOGY. CHAPTER III. INFLECTIONS OF VERBS-INDICATIVE AND POTENTIAL MOODS. W. I CAN say the different | kinds of verbs which we heard of last week-the simple, compound, active, passive, neuter, and auxiliary verbs. There are two kinds of active verbs-the active transitive, and the active intransitive. P. That is right, Willie; and, before we talk of any more verbs, you may point out some of each kind in the sentences which I will give you. I will write all the verbs in italics. First, point out which are the simple and which the compound verbs in the following verse: But the day shall yet appear, Point out the passive and the auxiliary verbs in the following sentence: He did whatever was done by the others. He was seen to go up stairs, and when the door was shut, and the light was put out, he was found in bed. He had determined to sleep soundly. Notice the active verbs in the following sentence, and point out which are transitive and which are intransitive: Ion. Ah! that shows not merely that you have the power, but that you are using it. You are doing the action. This mood is certainly better than the other. Suppose a "I poor hungry beggar says, can eat," it is very pleasant; but it is pleasanter to him to say, "I am eating." P. Yes; such a mood is worth twice as much as the potential. The potential mood expresses one thing-the power to perform the action. But the other mood expresses two things (1.) The power to perform the action, and (2.) That you are exercising that power. The Latin word for "to point out" is indicare, and, because this mood points out that exercise the power, you it is called the INDICATIVE MOOD. I will say the definitions over again— DEFINITION. - When a verb shows that you have the power to perform an action, or that you had, No. 23. PARSING EXERCISE. The owl sat in the old abbey and caught a mouse. He can catch other animals; to-morrow he may catch a young bird. The farmer would have caught the owl, but he could not. He said that perhaps he might find him in the morning. I see the moon; it is shining in the sky. The stars will twinkle soon. They did twinkle so last night. He will run alone soon. I have brought him a ship. I may buy him a top, for I think I can afford it. THE TWO WORLDS. A LAND where sweetest roses fade, And smiling youth grows quickly old; Whose fleeting joys are little worth; A land of love where nought can sever, For time exerts no influence there; And golden harps to all are given; RECAPITULATION. P. TO-DAY you may recapitulate some of the social events of English history. We will talk more particularly of the inventions. 101. In whose reign were candles first burned to measure time? 102. In whose reign was the curfew bell introduced? 103. By whom was the first stone bridge built? 104. In whose reign was the first menagerie established? 105. In whose reign was it the fashion to wear shoes with long pointed toes chained up to the knees? 106. In whose reign is the mariner's compass said to have been invented? 107. What other inventions were discovered by the "Father of Philosophy" at this time? 108. During what reign were coals first used in London, and windmills brought into use? 109. Where did certain Italian merchants settle, and begin to import silks and spice, and to lend money on interest? 110. In whose reign did the Lollards begin to be known? 111. What law court was established at this time? 112. Whose reign may be remembered by the building of Windsor Castle, the establishment of tolls, the coining of nobles, groats, and half-groats, the appointment of a Speaker to the House of Commons, the introduction of the art of weaving cloth, the adoption of three celebrated mottoes, the first use of cannon, and the discovery of the Madeira Isles? 113. In whose reign did the first "Champion of England" proclaim the king at his coronation? 114. In what year did William Caxton introduce the art of printing? 115. Whose reign is noted for the discovery of America, the establishment of the Court of Star Chamber, the beginning of the standing army, and the coining of the first shillings? 116. During one reign pins were introduced; cotton thread, the spinning-wheel, and several new flowers, vegetables, beer, and other articles of food, were also introduced; sovereigns were first coined, the title of "Your most gracious Majesty" was instituted; the first Secretary of State was appointed; the order of Jesuits was founded, the name of Protestants was adopted, and Hampton Court and Whitehall were built. In which reign did these numerous events happen? 117. In whose reign were tobacco and potatoes introduced? The cod fisheries of Newfoundland, the whale fisheries of Spitzbergen, the slave trade, and the East India Company also arose at this time. Do you remember when these things happened? 118. In whose reign were Normandy and England first governed by one king? |
