Antonio dixit Augustus Lepidum veteratorem fuisse.Augustus told Antony that Lepidus was a humbug.We don’t know exactly where this historical fact is mentioned.Lepidusis afunnyname.Except, from the foregoing rule, rego, to rule,guberno, to govern, which have an accusative case; tempero and moderor, to rule, which have sometimes a dative, sometimes an accusative case; asLuna regit ministros:The moon rules the ministers.That is to say, when it is at the full, and resembles a great O.Præco pauperes gubernat:The beadle governs the paupers.Non semper temperat ipse sibi:He does not always govern himself.Non animos mollit proprios, nec temperat iras:He neither softens his own mind, nor tempers his anger.Ecce, Ducrow moderatur equos:Lo, Ducrow manages the horses.Q.Why is a general officer like a writing-master?A.Because he is aruler of lines.Verbs of trusting govern a dative case, asCredite, fœmineæ, juvenes, committere menti,Nil nisi lene decet.Believe me, young men, it is fit to entrust nothing to a female mind but what issoft.In fact,soft nothingsare fittest for the ear of a lady.Pomarius poetæ non credit:The costermonger trusts not the poet.How wrong, therefore, it is to call him agreengrocer.Verbs of complying with and of opposing govern a dative case, asNunquam obtemperat tiro hodiernus magistro:A modern apprentice never obeys his master.Verbs of threatening and of being angry govern a dative case, asUtrique latronum mortem est minitatus:He threatened death to both of the robbers,—By presenting a pistol right and left at each of them. This when done by some well-disposed sailor in amelodrame, constitutes a situation of thrilling interest.(scene described above)Sum with its compounds, except possum, governs a dative case, asheavy woman with black eyeOculi nigri non semper sunt faciei ornamentum:Black eyes are not always an ornament to the face.Verbs compounded with these adverbs, bene, well, satis, enough, male, ill, and with these prepositions, præ, ad, con, sub, ante, post, ob, in, inter, for the most part govern a dative case, asSaginatio multis hominibus benefacit:Cramming does good to many men.For instance, it does good to aldermen, especially in these days of reform,by enlarging the Corporation. Cramming, or rather the effect of it, benefits medical men, who again do good to their patients bycrammingthem in another way. There is also a species of cramming which is found veryserviceable at the Universities, by enabling certain students topass in a crowd.teacher with very large spoonOH! HERE ’S A COMPLIMENT.In this respect however it differs essentially from aldermanic cramming, which enhances the difficulty of such a feat in a very remarkable manner.Puellæ,aliæ aliis prælucere student:Girls endeavour to outshine one another.And yet theymake light, as much as they can, of eachother’scharms and accomplishments.Intempestive parum longe prospicienti Doctori adlusit.He joked unseasonably on the short-sighted Doctor.Johnson was not so short-sighted as to be blind to a joke.Not a few of the verbs mentioned in the last rule, sometimes change the dative into another case; asPræstat ingenio alius alium:One exceeds another in ability.dancing boy with gooseThus one boy learns Latin and Greek better than the rest; another learns slang. One is a good hand at construing, another at climbing. Some boys are peculiarly skilled at casting accounts, others in casting stones. Here we have a boy of a small appetite and many words, there one of a large appetite and few words. Sometimes precocious talent is evinced for playing the fiddle, sometimesfor playing astick; sometimes, again, a strong propensity is discovered for playing the fool. This boy makes verses, as it were, by inspiration; that boy shows an equal capacity in making mouths. The most peculiar talent, however, and the one most exclusive of all others, is that of riding. Those who are destined to attain great proficiency in this science, can seldom do any thing else; and usually begin their career by beinghorsedat school.Est, for habeo to have, governs a dative case, asEst mihi qui vestes custodit avunculus omnes:I have an uncle who takes care of all my clothes.Suppetit, it sufficeth, is like to this, asPauper enim non est cui rerum suppetit usus:For he is not poor, to whom the use of things suffices.The two last examples must suggest a rather alarming idea to those who are accustomed to propitiate the relation to whom we have just alluded, by relinquishingtheir habits. Is it possible that he can everuseone’sthings? We recommend this query to the serious consideration of theatrical persons, and all others who are addicted tospouting.Sumwith manyothersadmits a double dative case, asExitio est avidis alvus pueris:The belly is the destruction of greedy boys.Particularly those ofEtonCollege.Sometimes this dative case tibi, or sibi, or also mihi, is added for the sake of elegance in expression, asCato suam sibi uxorem Hortensio vendidit:Cato sold his own wife to Hortensius.(scene as described above)Some say he only lent her. The fact most probably is, that the lady, being tired of her husband, wished to be a-loan.The Accusative Case after the Verb.Verbs transitive, of what kind soever, whether active, deponent, or common, require an accusative case, asProcuratorem fugito, nam subdolus idem est:Avoid an attorney, for the same is a cunning rogue.Yet the legal profession are always boasting of theirdeeds.Verbs neuter have an accusative case of a like signification to themselves, asPomarii asinus duram servit servitutem:A coster-monger’s donkey serves a hard servitude.Poor animal! ASterneheart was once melted by thy sufferings—how then must they affect that of thegentlereader?There are some verbs which have an accusative case by a figure, asNec vox hominem sonat;Nor does your voice sound like a human creature’s.This may be said of boys of various kinds—as pot-boys, butcher’s boys, baker’s boys, and other boys who are in the habit of bawling down areas; also of several descriptions of men, as cab-men, coach-men, watch-men, and dust-men. The same may likewise be asserted of some women, suchas apple-women, oyster-women, fish-women, and match-women. Here also the singing of charity children of both sexes, and the voices of parish-clerks, may be specified, and, lastly, of many foreigners whose names terminate in ini.women with open mouthsVerbs of asking, of teaching, of clothing, and of concealing, commonly govern two accusative cases, asEgo docebo te, adolescentule, lectiones tuas:I’llteach you your lessons, young man.This speech is usually the prelude to something which elicits that exemplification of the vocative case which has been given in the first part of the Grammar.Some verbs of this kind have an accusative case even in the passive voice, asBis denos posceris versus de scoparum manubrio:You are required to make twenty verses on a broomstick.Why should not a broomstick form the subject of a poetical effusion, when the material of the broom itself is so often used in schools to stimulate inventive genius?Nouns appellative are commonly added with a preposition to verbs which denote motion, asInterea ad templum non æquæ Palladis ibantCrinibus Iliades passis.Virgil.In the mean time the Trojan woman went to the temple of unfriendly Pallas with their hair about their ears.How odd they must have looked. Here we take occasion to remind schoolboys never to lose an opportunity of giving a comic rendering to any word or phrase susceptible thereof, which they may meet with in the course of their reading. To say “crinibus passis”,—“with dishevelled hair” would be to give a very feeble and spiritless translation. Vir is literally construedman; some school-masters will have it calledhero,—we propose to translate itcove. So dapes may be renderedgrub, or perhapsprog; aspera Juno,crusty Juno; animam efflare, tokick the bucket; capere fugam, tocut one’s stick, orlucky; confectus,knocked up; fraudatus,choused; contundere,to whop, &c. &c.The Ablative Case after the Verb.Every verb admits an ablative case, signifying the instrument, or the cause, or the manner of an action, asPulvere nitrato Catilina senatum subruere voluit:Catiline wished to blow up the Parliament. Catiline was a regular Guy.A noun of price is put after some words in the ablative case, asOvidius solidis duobus fibulas siphonem ascendere fecit:Ovid pawned his buckles for two shillings.Thesiphowas a tube, pipe, or spout, projecting from the shops of pawnbrokers, of whom there is every reason to believe that there were a great many in ancient Rome. Into thissiphothe pledgeswereplaced in order to be conveyed to theadytumor secret recess of the dwelling.VideCasaubon de Avunc: Roman.Vili, at a low rate, paulo, for little, minimo, for very little, magno, for much, nimio, for too much, plurimo, for very much, dimidio, for half, duplo, for twice as much, are often put by themselves, the word, pretio, price, being understood, asVili venit cibus caninus:Dog’s meat is sold at a low rate.These genitive cases put without substantives are excepted, tanti, for so much, quanti, for how much, pluris, for more, minoris, for less, quantivis, for as much as you please, tantidem, for just so much, quantilibet, for what you will, quanticunque for how much soever, asNon es tanti: You’re no great shakes.Flocci, of a lock of wool, nauci, of a nut-shell, nihili, of nothing, assis, of a penny, pili, of a hair,hujus, of this, teruncii, of a farthing, are added very properly to verbs of esteeming, asNec verberationem flocci pendo, nec ferulâ percussionem pili æstimo:I don’t value a flogging a straw, nor do I regard a spatting a hair.A boy who can say this, must have a brazen front, and an iron back, and be altogether a lad ofmettle.Verbs of abounding, of filling, of loading, and their contraries, are joined to an ablative case, asTauris abundat Hibernia:Ireland aboundeth in bulls.This circumstance it most probably was which gave rise to theTalesof the O’Hara family.We once heard a son of Erin, while undergoing the operation of bleeding from the arm, remark that that would be an easy way ofcutting one’s throat.Some of these sometimes govern a genitive case, asOptime ostrearum implebantur:They had a capital blow out of oysters.We are sorry to remark that these are the onlynativeproductions patronized by great people.Fungor, to discharge, fruor, to enjoy, utor, to use, vescor, to live upon, dignor, to think one’s selfworthy, muto, to change, communico, to communicate, supersedeo, to pass by, are joined to an ablative case, asQui adipisci cœnas optimas volet, leonis fungatur officiis.He who shall desire to obtain excellent dinners, should discharge the office of a lion.man standing on pedestal of booksIn which case he will come in for the “lion’s share.”Q.Why is the lion of a party like one of the grand sources of prejudice mentioned by Lord Bacon?A.Because he is theIdolof theden.Mereor, to deserve, with these adverbs, bene, well, satis, enough, male, ill, melius, better, pejus, worse, optime, very well, pessime, very ill, is joined to an ablative case with the preposition de, asDe libitinario medicus bene meretur:The doctor deserves well of the undertaker.Notwithstanding it might at first sight appear, that the doctor, infurnishing funerals, invades the undertaker’s province.Some verbs of receiving, of being distant, and of taking away, are sometimes joined to a dative case, asAugustus eripuit mihi nitorem:Augustus has taken the shine out of me.Last Dying Speech of M. Antony.An ablative case, taken absolutely, is added to some verbs, asPorcis volentibus lætissime epulabimur:Please the pigs we’ll have a jolly good dinner.The pig had divine honours paid to it by the ancient Greeks. —Jos. Scalig. de Myst. Eleusin.An ablative case of the part affected, and by the poets an accusative case, is added to some verbs, asQui animo ægrotat, eum aera risum moventem ducere oportet.He who is sick in mind should breathe the laughing gas.Much learned controversy has been expended in endeavouring to determine whether this gas was the exhalation by which it is supposed that the ancient Pythonesses were affected.Rubet nasum:His nose is red.Candet genas:His cheeks are pale.Some of these words are used also with the genitive case, asAngitur animi juvenis iste, et mundum indignatur.That young man is grieved in mind and disgusted with the world.Such a man is called by the ladies an interesting young man.Verbs Passive.An ablative case of the doer (but with the preposition a or ab going before), and sometimes also a dative case, is added to verbs passive, asDarius eleganter ab Alexandro victus est:Darius was elegantly licked by Alexander.The other cases continue to belong to verbs passive which belonged to them as verbs active, asTitanes læsæ majestatis accusati sunt:The Titans were indicted for high treason.And being found guilty werequarteredin a very uncomfortable manner, as well asdrawnby variousartists, whose skill inexecutionhas been much commended.Vapulo, to be beaten, veneo, to be sold, liceo, to be prized, exulo, to be banished, fio, to be made, neuter passives, have a passive construction, asA præceptore vapulabis.Eton Gram.You will be beaten by the master.It appears to us that vapulo, to be beaten, is here at all events more susceptible of a passive construction than a funny one.Malo a cive spoliari quam ab hostevenire.Eton Gram.I had rather be stripped by a citizen than sold by an enemy.The Romans were regularlysoldby the enemy for once, when they had to go under the yoke.Verbs of the Infinitive Mood.Verbs of the infinitive mood are put after some verbs, participles, and adjectives, and substantives also by the poets, asTimotheus ursos saltare fecit:Timotheus made the bears dance.This was done in ancient as it is in modern times, by playing the Pandean pipes.Inconcinnus erat cerni Telamonius Ajax;Ajax (ut referunt) vir bonus ire minor:The Telamonian Ajax was a rum un to look at;The lesser Ajax (as they say) a good un to go.The Grecians used to call Ajax senior, thefighting cock, and Ajax junior, therunning cock.Verbs of the infinitive mood are sometimes placed alone by the figure ellipsis, asSiphonum de more oculis demittere fluctus Dardanidæ:The Trojans (began understood) to pipe their eyes.As for Æneas he might have been a towncrier.Gerunds and Supinesgovern the cases of their own verbs, asEfferor studio pulices industrios videndi:I am transported with the desire of seeing the industrious fleas.two women with two childrenGerunds.“When Dido found Æneas would not come,She mourned in silence, and was Di-do-dum.”Gerunds in di have the same construction as genitive cases, and depend both on certain substantives and adjectives, asLondinensem innatus amor civem urget edendi:An innate love of eating excites the London citizen.People are accustomed to utter a great deal of cant about the intellectual poverty of civic magistrates, and common councilmen in general; but it must be allowed that those respectable individuals have oftena great deal in them.well-fed aldermanTURTUR ALDERMANICUS.Gerunds in do have the same construction with ablative, and gerunds in dum with accusative cases, asScribendi ratio conjuncta cum loquendo est:The means of writing are joined with speaking.Some things are written precisely after the writer’s way of speaking. We once, for example, saw the following notice posted in a gentleman’s preserve.Whear ’as Gins and Engens are Set on Thes Grouns for the Destruction Of Varmint, Any trespussing Will be prossy-Cuted a-cordin Too Law.Locus ad agendum amplissimus:A place very honourable to plead in.It may be questioned whether Cicero would have said this of the Old Bailey.When necessity is signified, the gerund in dum is used without a preposition, the verb est being added.Cavendum est ne deprênsus sis:You must take care you ’re not caught out.three boys smokingA piece of advice of special importance to schoolboys on many occasions, such as the following: shirking down town; making devils, or letting off gunpowder behind the school, or in the yard; conducting a foray or predatory excursion in gardens and orchards; emulating Jupiter, à la Salmoneus,—in his attribute of Cloud-Compelling—by blowing a cloud, or to speak in the vernacular, indulging in a cigar; hoisting a frog; tailing a dog or cat, or in any other way acting contrary to the precepts of the Animals’ Friend Society; learning to construe on the Hamiltonian system; furtively denuding the birch-rods of their “budding honours.” Cum multis aliis quæ nunc perscribere longum est.Gerunds are also changed into nouns adjective, asAd faciendos versus molestum est:It is a bore to make verses.This being a self-evident proposition, we shall not enlarge upon it.The supine in um signifies actively, and follows a verb expressing motion to a place, asSpectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsæ:They come to see, they come that they themselves may be seen.So said, or sung the poet Ovid. Was there an opera at Rome in his time?The supine in u signifies passively, and follows nouns adjective, asQuod olfactu fœdum est, idem est et esu turpe:That which is foul to be smelled, is also nasty to be eaten.Except venison, onions, and cheese.Nouns of time and Place.Time.Tempus—time. There is a story, mentioned (we quote from memory) by the learned Joe Miller; of a fellow who seeing “Tempus Fugit” inscribed upon a clock, took it for the name of the artificer.Persons who have lived a longtimein the world, are generally accountedsage; and are sometimes considered to have had a goodseasoning.Nouns which signify a part of time are put more commonly in the ablative case, asNemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit:No mortal man is wise at all hours.The excuse of a philosopher for getting married.But nouns which signify the duration of time are commonly put in the accusative case, asPugna inter juvenem Curtium et Titum Sabinum tres horas perduravit.The fight between young Curtius and Sabine Titus lasted three hours.It is an error to suppose that Roman mills were only water-mills and wind-mills. The above millmust have been rather a “winder” though, and must have cost the combatants muchpains.We say also: in paucis diebus, in a few days: de die, by day, de nocte, by night, &c.A jest upon the nouns ofTimewould, perhaps, be somewhat ill timed: we hope, however, to haveSpacefor one presently.The Space of a Place.The space of a place is put in the accusative, and sometimes also in the ablative, asCæsar jam mille passus processerat, summâ diligentiâ.Cæsar had now advanced a mile with the greatest diligence—not on the top of the vehicle so named, as a young gentleman was once flogged for saying.Qui non abest a scholâ centenis millibus passuum, balatronem novi.I know a blackguard who is not absent a hundred miles from the school.“Cantare et apponere” to sing and apply, is the maxim we would here inculcate on our youthful readers.Every verb admits a genitive case of the name of a city or town in which any thing takes place, so that it be of the first or second declension, and of the singular number, asQuid Romæ faciam? mentiri nescio:What shall I do at Rome? I know not how to lie.What a bare-faced perversion of the truth that cock and bull story is of Curtius jumping into the hole in the forum. How the Romans managed to getcreditfrom any body but the tailors is to us a mystery.These genitive cases, humi, on the ground, domi, at home, militiæ, in war, belli, in war, follow the construction of proper names, asParvi sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi:Arms are of little worth abroad unless there be wisdom at home.Cicero must have said this with a prospective eye to Canada.But if the name of a city or town shall be of the plural number only, or of the third declension, it is put in the ablative case, asAiunt centum portas Thebis fuisse:They say there were an hundred gates at Thebes.You needn’t believe it unless you like.Egregia Tibure facta videnda sunt:Fine doings are to be seen at Tivoli.The name of a place is often put after verbs signifying motion to a place in the accusative case without a preposition, asConcessi Cantabrigiam ad capiendum ingenii cultum:I went to Cambridge to become a fast man.After this manner we use domus, a house, andrus, the country, as Rus ire jussus sum, I was rusticated. Domum missus eram, I was sent home.Goingtoo fastat Cambridge sometimes necessitates, in two senses, a dose of country air.The name of a place is sometimes added to verbs signifying motion from a place, in the ablative case without a proposition, asArbitror te Virginiâ veteri venisse:I reckon you’ve come from old Virginny.Verbs Impersonal.Verbs impersonal have no nominative case, asScenas post tragicas multum juvat ire sub umbras:After a tragedy it is very pleasant to go under theShades.The worst of these “Shades” is, that people are now and then apt to get rather “too much in the sun” there.These impersonals, interest, it concerns, and refert, it concerns, are joined to any genitive cases, except these ablative cases feminine, meâ, tuâ, suâ, nostrâ, vestrâ, and cujâ, asInterest magistratûs tueri insulsos, animadvertere in acres.It concerns the magistrate to defend the flats; to punish the sharps.These genitive cases also, are added, tanti, of so much, quanti, of how much, magni, of much,parvi, of little, quanticunque, of how much soever, tantidem, of just so much; asTanti refert honesta agere;Of such consequence is it to do honest things.judge in wigBy this course of conduct, you certainly render yourself worthy of the protection of the magistrate; although whether you thereby constitute yourself a flat or not, is perhaps a doubtful question. Much may be said on both sides. Dishonesty, it is true, may lead to being taken up; but then honesty often leads to being takenin. Yet honesty is said to be the best policy. Policy is a branch of wisdom, and “wisdom” they say “is in thewig.”Certainwigsare retained at thehead—of affairs, by a good deal ofpolicy; perhaps thebestthey could adopt—a fact that throws considerable doubt on the truth of the old maxim.Impersonal verbs which are put acquisitively, require a dative case; but those which are put transitively an accusative, as—A ministris nobis benefit:We enjoy blessings from Ministers.For instance—No—We cannot think of any just at present.Me juvat per lunam errare, et “Isabellam” cantare:I like to wander by moonlight, and sing “Isabelle.”The connexion between love and moonlight is as interesting as it is certain. We shrewdly suspect that the said planet has more to do with the tender passion than lovers are aware of.But the prepositionadis peculiarlyadded to these verbs—attinet, it belongs, pertinet, it pertains, spectat, it concerns, asSpectat ad omnes bene vivere:It concerns all to live well—When they can afford it.An accusative case with a genitive is put after these verbs impersonal—pœnitet, it repents, tædet, it wearies, miseret, miserescit, it pities, pudet, it shames, piget, it grieves, as—“Nihil me pœnitet hujus nasi”—Trist: Shand:“My nose has been the making of me.”A verb impersonal of the passive voice may be elegantly taken for each person of both numbers; that is to say, by virtue of a case added to it.Thus statur is used for sto, stas, stat, stamus,statis, stant. Statur a me; it is stood by me, that is, I stand; statur ab illis: it is stood by them, or they stand.King George the Fourth’s statue at King’s Cross is astanding joke.statue on large pedestalThe Construction of Participles.Participles govern the cases of the verbs from which they are derived, as—Duplices tendens ad sidera palmas,Talia voce refert:Stretching forth his hands to heaven, he utterssuchthings.(opera singer as described)This reminds us of the Italian opera.A dative case is sometimes added to participles of the passive voice, especially when they end in dus, as—Sollicito nasus rutilans metuendus amanti est:A fiery nose is to be feared by an anxious lover.Participles, when they become nouns, require a genitive case, as—Vectigalis appetens, linguæ profusus:Greedy ofrint, lavish of blarney.Exosus, hating, perosus, utterly hating, pertæsus, weary of, signifying actively, require an accusative case, as—Philosophus exosus ad unam mulieres:A philosopher hating women in general,i.e.a Malthusian.Exosus, hated, and perosus, hated to death, signifying passively, are read with a dative case, asComœdi sanctis exosi sunt:The comedians are hated by the saints.We mean the spiritual Quixotes, or Knights of the Rueful Countenance. We “calculate” that they will be the greatest patrons of rail roads, considering their dislike to thestage.Natus, born, prognatus, born, satus, sprung, cretus, descended, creatus, produced, ortus, risen, editus, brought forth, require an ablative case, and often with a preposition, as—Taffius, bonis prognatus parentibus, cerevisiam haud tenuem de sese existimat:Taffy, sprung of good parents, thinks no small beer of himself.De Britannis Antiquis se jactat editum:He boasts of being descended from the Ancient Britons.Q.Why is the eldest son of a King of England like a Leviathan?A.Because he is the Prince ofWales.The Construction of Adverbs.En and ecce, adverbs of showing, are joined most commonly to a nominative case, to an accusative case but seldom, asEn Romanus: See the Roman (q. rum-un.)Ecce Corinthium: Behold the Corinthian.Modern Corinthians, we fear, know but little Greek, except that of the Ægidiac, or St. Giles’s dialect.boys laughing at well-dressed boyEn and ecce, adverbs of upbraiding, are joined most commonly to an accusative case only, as—En togam squamosam!Look at his scaly toga!Ecce caudam! Twig his tail!Certain adverbs of time, place, and quantity, admit a genitive case, asUbi gentium est Quadra Russelliana?Where in the world is Russell Square?We must confess that this question isexquisitelyabsurd.Nihil tunc temporis amplius quam flere poteram:I could do nothing more at that time than weep.Talking of weeping—how odd it is that an affectionate wife should cry when her husband istransportedfor life.small boy spouting in a chairDOMESTIC ELOCUTION“MY NAME IS NORVAL ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS”Satis eloquentiæ, sapientiæ parum:Eloquence enough, wisdom little enough.This quotation applies very forcibly to domestic oratory as practised by small boys at the instigation of their mamma, for theamusementof visitors. Those on whom “little bird with boothom wed,”“deepinthe windingthsofa whale,” or “my name is Nawval,” and the like recitations are inflicted, have “satis eloquentiæ”—enough of eloquence, in all conscience; and we cannot but think that “sapientiæ parum,” “wisdom little enough” is displayed by all the other parties concerned.Some adverbs admit the cases of the nouns from which they are derived, asJuvenis benevolus sibi inutiliter vivit:The good-natured young man lives unprofitably to himself—Especially if he have a large circle of female acquaintance.These adverbs of diversity, aliter, otherwise, and secus, otherwise; and these two, ante, before, and post, after, are often joined to an ablative case, as—Plure aliter. More t’other.Multo ante. Much before.Paulo post. Little behind.large-bellied man with wifeThose who are muchbefore, are guilty of a greatwaste—of time;and those who are little behind should make it up by abustle.Instar, like or equal to, and ergo, for the sake of, being taken as adverbs, have a genitive case after them, as—Instar montis equum divinaPalladisarteÆdificant:By the divine assistance of Pallas they build ahorseas big as a mountain.This may appear incredible; yet the learned Munchausenius relates prodigies much more astonishing.Mentitur Virgilius leporis ergo:Virgil tells lies for fun.As may be sufficiently seen in the example before the last, and also in the sixth book of the Æneid, passim.The Construction of Conjunctions.Conjunctions copulative and disjunctive, couple like cases, moods, and tenses, asSocrates docuit Xenophontem et Platonem geographiam, astronomiam, et rationem globorum:Socrates taught Xenophon and Plato geography, astronomy, and the use of the globes.Q.How may a waterman answer the polite interrogation “Who are you?” correctly, and designate at the same time, an educational institution.A.By saying A-cad-am-I.The foregoing rule (not riddle) holds good, unless the reason of a different construction requires it should be otherwise, asEmi librum centussi et pluris:I bought a book for a hundred pence, and more,“100d.are 8s.4d.” —Walkinghame.The conjunction, quam, than, is often understood after amplius, more, plus, more, and minus, less, asAmplius sunt sex menses:There are more than six months.For this interesting piece of information we are indebted to Cicero. The author to whom reference has just been made, has somewhere, if we mistake not, a similar observation. In thususheringtheTutor’sAssistant into notice, we feel that we are citing a work of which it is impossible to make too comical mention.Thank goodness there are not more than six months in a half year!To what Moods of Verbs certain Adverbsand Conjunctions do agree.Ne, an, num, whether put doubtfully or indefinitely, are joined to a subjunctive mood, as—
Antonio dixit Augustus Lepidum veteratorem fuisse.Augustus told Antony that Lepidus was a humbug.
Antonio dixit Augustus Lepidum veteratorem fuisse.
Augustus told Antony that Lepidus was a humbug.
We don’t know exactly where this historical fact is mentioned.Lepidusis afunnyname.
Except, from the foregoing rule, rego, to rule,guberno, to govern, which have an accusative case; tempero and moderor, to rule, which have sometimes a dative, sometimes an accusative case; as
Luna regit ministros:The moon rules the ministers.
Luna regit ministros:
The moon rules the ministers.
That is to say, when it is at the full, and resembles a great O.
Præco pauperes gubernat:The beadle governs the paupers.Non semper temperat ipse sibi:He does not always govern himself.Non animos mollit proprios, nec temperat iras:He neither softens his own mind, nor tempers his anger.Ecce, Ducrow moderatur equos:Lo, Ducrow manages the horses.
Præco pauperes gubernat:
The beadle governs the paupers.
Non semper temperat ipse sibi:
He does not always govern himself.
Non animos mollit proprios, nec temperat iras:
He neither softens his own mind, nor tempers his anger.
Ecce, Ducrow moderatur equos:
Lo, Ducrow manages the horses.
Q.Why is a general officer like a writing-master?
A.Because he is aruler of lines.
Verbs of trusting govern a dative case, as
Credite, fœmineæ, juvenes, committere menti,Nil nisi lene decet.
Credite, fœmineæ, juvenes, committere menti,
Nil nisi lene decet.
Believe me, young men, it is fit to entrust nothing to a female mind but what issoft.
In fact,soft nothingsare fittest for the ear of a lady.
Pomarius poetæ non credit:The costermonger trusts not the poet.
Pomarius poetæ non credit:
The costermonger trusts not the poet.
How wrong, therefore, it is to call him agreengrocer.
Verbs of complying with and of opposing govern a dative case, as
Nunquam obtemperat tiro hodiernus magistro:A modern apprentice never obeys his master.
Nunquam obtemperat tiro hodiernus magistro:
A modern apprentice never obeys his master.
Verbs of threatening and of being angry govern a dative case, as
Utrique latronum mortem est minitatus:He threatened death to both of the robbers,—
Utrique latronum mortem est minitatus:
He threatened death to both of the robbers,—
By presenting a pistol right and left at each of them. This when done by some well-disposed sailor in amelodrame, constitutes a situation of thrilling interest.
(scene described above)
Sum with its compounds, except possum, governs a dative case, as
heavy woman with black eye
Oculi nigri non semper sunt faciei ornamentum:Black eyes are not always an ornament to the face.
Oculi nigri non semper sunt faciei ornamentum:
Black eyes are not always an ornament to the face.
Verbs compounded with these adverbs, bene, well, satis, enough, male, ill, and with these prepositions, præ, ad, con, sub, ante, post, ob, in, inter, for the most part govern a dative case, as
Saginatio multis hominibus benefacit:Cramming does good to many men.
Saginatio multis hominibus benefacit:
Cramming does good to many men.
For instance, it does good to aldermen, especially in these days of reform,by enlarging the Corporation. Cramming, or rather the effect of it, benefits medical men, who again do good to their patients bycrammingthem in another way. There is also a species of cramming which is found veryserviceable at the Universities, by enabling certain students topass in a crowd.
In this respect however it differs essentially from aldermanic cramming, which enhances the difficulty of such a feat in a very remarkable manner.
Puellæ,aliæ aliis prælucere student:Girls endeavour to outshine one another.
Puellæ,aliæ aliis prælucere student:
Girls endeavour to outshine one another.
And yet theymake light, as much as they can, of eachother’scharms and accomplishments.
Intempestive parum longe prospicienti Doctori adlusit.He joked unseasonably on the short-sighted Doctor.
Intempestive parum longe prospicienti Doctori adlusit.
He joked unseasonably on the short-sighted Doctor.
Johnson was not so short-sighted as to be blind to a joke.
Not a few of the verbs mentioned in the last rule, sometimes change the dative into another case; as
Præstat ingenio alius alium:One exceeds another in ability.
Præstat ingenio alius alium:
One exceeds another in ability.
dancing boy with goose
Thus one boy learns Latin and Greek better than the rest; another learns slang. One is a good hand at construing, another at climbing. Some boys are peculiarly skilled at casting accounts, others in casting stones. Here we have a boy of a small appetite and many words, there one of a large appetite and few words. Sometimes precocious talent is evinced for playing the fiddle, sometimesfor playing astick; sometimes, again, a strong propensity is discovered for playing the fool. This boy makes verses, as it were, by inspiration; that boy shows an equal capacity in making mouths. The most peculiar talent, however, and the one most exclusive of all others, is that of riding. Those who are destined to attain great proficiency in this science, can seldom do any thing else; and usually begin their career by beinghorsedat school.
Est, for habeo to have, governs a dative case, as
Est mihi qui vestes custodit avunculus omnes:I have an uncle who takes care of all my clothes.
Est mihi qui vestes custodit avunculus omnes:
I have an uncle who takes care of all my clothes.
Suppetit, it sufficeth, is like to this, as
Pauper enim non est cui rerum suppetit usus:For he is not poor, to whom the use of things suffices.
Pauper enim non est cui rerum suppetit usus:
For he is not poor, to whom the use of things suffices.
The two last examples must suggest a rather alarming idea to those who are accustomed to propitiate the relation to whom we have just alluded, by relinquishingtheir habits. Is it possible that he can everuseone’sthings? We recommend this query to the serious consideration of theatrical persons, and all others who are addicted tospouting.
Sumwith manyothersadmits a double dative case, as
Exitio est avidis alvus pueris:The belly is the destruction of greedy boys.
Exitio est avidis alvus pueris:
The belly is the destruction of greedy boys.
Particularly those ofEtonCollege.
Sometimes this dative case tibi, or sibi, or also mihi, is added for the sake of elegance in expression, as
Cato suam sibi uxorem Hortensio vendidit:Cato sold his own wife to Hortensius.
Cato suam sibi uxorem Hortensio vendidit:
Cato sold his own wife to Hortensius.
(scene as described above)
Some say he only lent her. The fact most probably is, that the lady, being tired of her husband, wished to be a-loan.
Verbs transitive, of what kind soever, whether active, deponent, or common, require an accusative case, as
Procuratorem fugito, nam subdolus idem est:Avoid an attorney, for the same is a cunning rogue.
Procuratorem fugito, nam subdolus idem est:
Avoid an attorney, for the same is a cunning rogue.
Yet the legal profession are always boasting of theirdeeds.
Verbs neuter have an accusative case of a like signification to themselves, as
Pomarii asinus duram servit servitutem:A coster-monger’s donkey serves a hard servitude.
Pomarii asinus duram servit servitutem:
A coster-monger’s donkey serves a hard servitude.
Poor animal! ASterneheart was once melted by thy sufferings—how then must they affect that of thegentlereader?
There are some verbs which have an accusative case by a figure, as
Nec vox hominem sonat;Nor does your voice sound like a human creature’s.
Nec vox hominem sonat;
Nor does your voice sound like a human creature’s.
This may be said of boys of various kinds—as pot-boys, butcher’s boys, baker’s boys, and other boys who are in the habit of bawling down areas; also of several descriptions of men, as cab-men, coach-men, watch-men, and dust-men. The same may likewise be asserted of some women, suchas apple-women, oyster-women, fish-women, and match-women. Here also the singing of charity children of both sexes, and the voices of parish-clerks, may be specified, and, lastly, of many foreigners whose names terminate in ini.
women with open mouths
Verbs of asking, of teaching, of clothing, and of concealing, commonly govern two accusative cases, as
Ego docebo te, adolescentule, lectiones tuas:I’llteach you your lessons, young man.
Ego docebo te, adolescentule, lectiones tuas:
I’llteach you your lessons, young man.
This speech is usually the prelude to something which elicits that exemplification of the vocative case which has been given in the first part of the Grammar.
Some verbs of this kind have an accusative case even in the passive voice, as
Bis denos posceris versus de scoparum manubrio:You are required to make twenty verses on a broomstick.
Bis denos posceris versus de scoparum manubrio:
You are required to make twenty verses on a broomstick.
Why should not a broomstick form the subject of a poetical effusion, when the material of the broom itself is so often used in schools to stimulate inventive genius?
Nouns appellative are commonly added with a preposition to verbs which denote motion, as
Interea ad templum non æquæ Palladis ibantCrinibus Iliades passis.Virgil.
Interea ad templum non æquæ Palladis ibant
Crinibus Iliades passis.Virgil.
In the mean time the Trojan woman went to the temple of unfriendly Pallas with their hair about their ears.
How odd they must have looked. Here we take occasion to remind schoolboys never to lose an opportunity of giving a comic rendering to any word or phrase susceptible thereof, which they may meet with in the course of their reading. To say “crinibus passis”,—“with dishevelled hair” would be to give a very feeble and spiritless translation. Vir is literally construedman; some school-masters will have it calledhero,—we propose to translate itcove. So dapes may be renderedgrub, or perhapsprog; aspera Juno,crusty Juno; animam efflare, tokick the bucket; capere fugam, tocut one’s stick, orlucky; confectus,knocked up; fraudatus,choused; contundere,to whop, &c. &c.
Every verb admits an ablative case, signifying the instrument, or the cause, or the manner of an action, as
Pulvere nitrato Catilina senatum subruere voluit:Catiline wished to blow up the Parliament. Catiline was a regular Guy.
Pulvere nitrato Catilina senatum subruere voluit:
Catiline wished to blow up the Parliament. Catiline was a regular Guy.
A noun of price is put after some words in the ablative case, as
Ovidius solidis duobus fibulas siphonem ascendere fecit:Ovid pawned his buckles for two shillings.
Ovidius solidis duobus fibulas siphonem ascendere fecit:
Ovid pawned his buckles for two shillings.
Thesiphowas a tube, pipe, or spout, projecting from the shops of pawnbrokers, of whom there is every reason to believe that there were a great many in ancient Rome. Into thissiphothe pledgeswereplaced in order to be conveyed to theadytumor secret recess of the dwelling.VideCasaubon de Avunc: Roman.
Vili, at a low rate, paulo, for little, minimo, for very little, magno, for much, nimio, for too much, plurimo, for very much, dimidio, for half, duplo, for twice as much, are often put by themselves, the word, pretio, price, being understood, as
Vili venit cibus caninus:Dog’s meat is sold at a low rate.
Vili venit cibus caninus:
Dog’s meat is sold at a low rate.
These genitive cases put without substantives are excepted, tanti, for so much, quanti, for how much, pluris, for more, minoris, for less, quantivis, for as much as you please, tantidem, for just so much, quantilibet, for what you will, quanticunque for how much soever, as
Non es tanti: You’re no great shakes.
Flocci, of a lock of wool, nauci, of a nut-shell, nihili, of nothing, assis, of a penny, pili, of a hair,hujus, of this, teruncii, of a farthing, are added very properly to verbs of esteeming, as
Nec verberationem flocci pendo, nec ferulâ percussionem pili æstimo:I don’t value a flogging a straw, nor do I regard a spatting a hair.
Nec verberationem flocci pendo, nec ferulâ percussionem pili æstimo:
I don’t value a flogging a straw, nor do I regard a spatting a hair.
A boy who can say this, must have a brazen front, and an iron back, and be altogether a lad ofmettle.
Verbs of abounding, of filling, of loading, and their contraries, are joined to an ablative case, as
Tauris abundat Hibernia:Ireland aboundeth in bulls.
Tauris abundat Hibernia:
Ireland aboundeth in bulls.
This circumstance it most probably was which gave rise to theTalesof the O’Hara family.
We once heard a son of Erin, while undergoing the operation of bleeding from the arm, remark that that would be an easy way ofcutting one’s throat.
Some of these sometimes govern a genitive case, as
Optime ostrearum implebantur:They had a capital blow out of oysters.
Optime ostrearum implebantur:
They had a capital blow out of oysters.
We are sorry to remark that these are the onlynativeproductions patronized by great people.
Fungor, to discharge, fruor, to enjoy, utor, to use, vescor, to live upon, dignor, to think one’s selfworthy, muto, to change, communico, to communicate, supersedeo, to pass by, are joined to an ablative case, as
Qui adipisci cœnas optimas volet, leonis fungatur officiis.He who shall desire to obtain excellent dinners, should discharge the office of a lion.
Qui adipisci cœnas optimas volet, leonis fungatur officiis.
He who shall desire to obtain excellent dinners, should discharge the office of a lion.
man standing on pedestal of books
In which case he will come in for the “lion’s share.”
Q.Why is the lion of a party like one of the grand sources of prejudice mentioned by Lord Bacon?
A.Because he is theIdolof theden.
Mereor, to deserve, with these adverbs, bene, well, satis, enough, male, ill, melius, better, pejus, worse, optime, very well, pessime, very ill, is joined to an ablative case with the preposition de, as
De libitinario medicus bene meretur:The doctor deserves well of the undertaker.
De libitinario medicus bene meretur:
The doctor deserves well of the undertaker.
Notwithstanding it might at first sight appear, that the doctor, infurnishing funerals, invades the undertaker’s province.
Some verbs of receiving, of being distant, and of taking away, are sometimes joined to a dative case, as
Augustus eripuit mihi nitorem:Augustus has taken the shine out of me.Last Dying Speech of M. Antony.
Augustus eripuit mihi nitorem:
Augustus has taken the shine out of me.
Last Dying Speech of M. Antony.
An ablative case, taken absolutely, is added to some verbs, as
Porcis volentibus lætissime epulabimur:Please the pigs we’ll have a jolly good dinner.
Porcis volentibus lætissime epulabimur:
Please the pigs we’ll have a jolly good dinner.
The pig had divine honours paid to it by the ancient Greeks. —Jos. Scalig. de Myst. Eleusin.
An ablative case of the part affected, and by the poets an accusative case, is added to some verbs, as
Qui animo ægrotat, eum aera risum moventem ducere oportet.He who is sick in mind should breathe the laughing gas.
Qui animo ægrotat, eum aera risum moventem ducere oportet.
He who is sick in mind should breathe the laughing gas.
Much learned controversy has been expended in endeavouring to determine whether this gas was the exhalation by which it is supposed that the ancient Pythonesses were affected.
Some of these words are used also with the genitive case, as
Angitur animi juvenis iste, et mundum indignatur.That young man is grieved in mind and disgusted with the world.
Angitur animi juvenis iste, et mundum indignatur.
That young man is grieved in mind and disgusted with the world.
Such a man is called by the ladies an interesting young man.
An ablative case of the doer (but with the preposition a or ab going before), and sometimes also a dative case, is added to verbs passive, as
Darius eleganter ab Alexandro victus est:Darius was elegantly licked by Alexander.
Darius eleganter ab Alexandro victus est:
Darius was elegantly licked by Alexander.
The other cases continue to belong to verbs passive which belonged to them as verbs active, as
Titanes læsæ majestatis accusati sunt:The Titans were indicted for high treason.
Titanes læsæ majestatis accusati sunt:
The Titans were indicted for high treason.
And being found guilty werequarteredin a very uncomfortable manner, as well asdrawnby variousartists, whose skill inexecutionhas been much commended.
Vapulo, to be beaten, veneo, to be sold, liceo, to be prized, exulo, to be banished, fio, to be made, neuter passives, have a passive construction, as
A præceptore vapulabis.Eton Gram.You will be beaten by the master.
A præceptore vapulabis.Eton Gram.
You will be beaten by the master.
It appears to us that vapulo, to be beaten, is here at all events more susceptible of a passive construction than a funny one.
Malo a cive spoliari quam ab hostevenire.Eton Gram.I had rather be stripped by a citizen than sold by an enemy.
Malo a cive spoliari quam ab hostevenire.Eton Gram.
I had rather be stripped by a citizen than sold by an enemy.
The Romans were regularlysoldby the enemy for once, when they had to go under the yoke.
Verbs of the infinitive mood are put after some verbs, participles, and adjectives, and substantives also by the poets, as
Timotheus ursos saltare fecit:Timotheus made the bears dance.
Timotheus ursos saltare fecit:
Timotheus made the bears dance.
This was done in ancient as it is in modern times, by playing the Pandean pipes.
Inconcinnus erat cerni Telamonius Ajax;Ajax (ut referunt) vir bonus ire minor:
Inconcinnus erat cerni Telamonius Ajax;
Ajax (ut referunt) vir bonus ire minor:
The Telamonian Ajax was a rum un to look at;The lesser Ajax (as they say) a good un to go.
The Telamonian Ajax was a rum un to look at;
The lesser Ajax (as they say) a good un to go.
The Grecians used to call Ajax senior, thefighting cock, and Ajax junior, therunning cock.
Verbs of the infinitive mood are sometimes placed alone by the figure ellipsis, as
Siphonum de more oculis demittere fluctus Dardanidæ:The Trojans (began understood) to pipe their eyes.
Siphonum de more oculis demittere fluctus Dardanidæ:
The Trojans (began understood) to pipe their eyes.
As for Æneas he might have been a towncrier.
govern the cases of their own verbs, as
Efferor studio pulices industrios videndi:I am transported with the desire of seeing the industrious fleas.
Efferor studio pulices industrios videndi:
I am transported with the desire of seeing the industrious fleas.
two women with two children
“When Dido found Æneas would not come,She mourned in silence, and was Di-do-dum.”
“When Dido found Æneas would not come,
She mourned in silence, and was Di-do-dum.”
Gerunds in di have the same construction as genitive cases, and depend both on certain substantives and adjectives, as
Londinensem innatus amor civem urget edendi:An innate love of eating excites the London citizen.
Londinensem innatus amor civem urget edendi:
An innate love of eating excites the London citizen.
People are accustomed to utter a great deal of cant about the intellectual poverty of civic magistrates, and common councilmen in general; but it must be allowed that those respectable individuals have oftena great deal in them.
Gerunds in do have the same construction with ablative, and gerunds in dum with accusative cases, as
Scribendi ratio conjuncta cum loquendo est:The means of writing are joined with speaking.
Scribendi ratio conjuncta cum loquendo est:
The means of writing are joined with speaking.
Some things are written precisely after the writer’s way of speaking. We once, for example, saw the following notice posted in a gentleman’s preserve.
Whear ’as Gins and Engens are Set on Thes Grouns for the Destruction Of Varmint, Any trespussing Will be prossy-Cuted a-cordin Too Law.
Locus ad agendum amplissimus:A place very honourable to plead in.
Locus ad agendum amplissimus:
A place very honourable to plead in.
It may be questioned whether Cicero would have said this of the Old Bailey.
When necessity is signified, the gerund in dum is used without a preposition, the verb est being added.
Cavendum est ne deprênsus sis:You must take care you ’re not caught out.
Cavendum est ne deprênsus sis:
You must take care you ’re not caught out.
three boys smoking
A piece of advice of special importance to schoolboys on many occasions, such as the following: shirking down town; making devils, or letting off gunpowder behind the school, or in the yard; conducting a foray or predatory excursion in gardens and orchards; emulating Jupiter, à la Salmoneus,—in his attribute of Cloud-Compelling—by blowing a cloud, or to speak in the vernacular, indulging in a cigar; hoisting a frog; tailing a dog or cat, or in any other way acting contrary to the precepts of the Animals’ Friend Society; learning to construe on the Hamiltonian system; furtively denuding the birch-rods of their “budding honours.” Cum multis aliis quæ nunc perscribere longum est.
Gerunds are also changed into nouns adjective, as
Ad faciendos versus molestum est:It is a bore to make verses.
Ad faciendos versus molestum est:
It is a bore to make verses.
This being a self-evident proposition, we shall not enlarge upon it.
The supine in um signifies actively, and follows a verb expressing motion to a place, as
Spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsæ:They come to see, they come that they themselves may be seen.
Spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsæ:
They come to see, they come that they themselves may be seen.
So said, or sung the poet Ovid. Was there an opera at Rome in his time?
The supine in u signifies passively, and follows nouns adjective, as
Quod olfactu fœdum est, idem est et esu turpe:That which is foul to be smelled, is also nasty to be eaten.
Quod olfactu fœdum est, idem est et esu turpe:
That which is foul to be smelled, is also nasty to be eaten.
Except venison, onions, and cheese.
Tempus—time. There is a story, mentioned (we quote from memory) by the learned Joe Miller; of a fellow who seeing “Tempus Fugit” inscribed upon a clock, took it for the name of the artificer.
Persons who have lived a longtimein the world, are generally accountedsage; and are sometimes considered to have had a goodseasoning.
Nouns which signify a part of time are put more commonly in the ablative case, as
Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit:No mortal man is wise at all hours.
Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit:
No mortal man is wise at all hours.
The excuse of a philosopher for getting married.
But nouns which signify the duration of time are commonly put in the accusative case, as
Pugna inter juvenem Curtium et Titum Sabinum tres horas perduravit.The fight between young Curtius and Sabine Titus lasted three hours.
Pugna inter juvenem Curtium et Titum Sabinum tres horas perduravit.
The fight between young Curtius and Sabine Titus lasted three hours.
It is an error to suppose that Roman mills were only water-mills and wind-mills. The above millmust have been rather a “winder” though, and must have cost the combatants muchpains.
We say also: in paucis diebus, in a few days: de die, by day, de nocte, by night, &c.
A jest upon the nouns ofTimewould, perhaps, be somewhat ill timed: we hope, however, to haveSpacefor one presently.
The space of a place is put in the accusative, and sometimes also in the ablative, as
Cæsar jam mille passus processerat, summâ diligentiâ.Cæsar had now advanced a mile with the greatest diligence—
Cæsar jam mille passus processerat, summâ diligentiâ.
Cæsar had now advanced a mile with the greatest diligence—
not on the top of the vehicle so named, as a young gentleman was once flogged for saying.
Qui non abest a scholâ centenis millibus passuum, balatronem novi.I know a blackguard who is not absent a hundred miles from the school.
Qui non abest a scholâ centenis millibus passuum, balatronem novi.
I know a blackguard who is not absent a hundred miles from the school.
“Cantare et apponere” to sing and apply, is the maxim we would here inculcate on our youthful readers.
Every verb admits a genitive case of the name of a city or town in which any thing takes place, so that it be of the first or second declension, and of the singular number, as
Quid Romæ faciam? mentiri nescio:What shall I do at Rome? I know not how to lie.
Quid Romæ faciam? mentiri nescio:
What shall I do at Rome? I know not how to lie.
What a bare-faced perversion of the truth that cock and bull story is of Curtius jumping into the hole in the forum. How the Romans managed to getcreditfrom any body but the tailors is to us a mystery.
These genitive cases, humi, on the ground, domi, at home, militiæ, in war, belli, in war, follow the construction of proper names, as
Parvi sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi:Arms are of little worth abroad unless there be wisdom at home.
Parvi sunt foris arma nisi est consilium domi:
Arms are of little worth abroad unless there be wisdom at home.
Cicero must have said this with a prospective eye to Canada.
But if the name of a city or town shall be of the plural number only, or of the third declension, it is put in the ablative case, as
Aiunt centum portas Thebis fuisse:They say there were an hundred gates at Thebes.
Aiunt centum portas Thebis fuisse:
They say there were an hundred gates at Thebes.
You needn’t believe it unless you like.
Egregia Tibure facta videnda sunt:Fine doings are to be seen at Tivoli.
Egregia Tibure facta videnda sunt:
Fine doings are to be seen at Tivoli.
The name of a place is often put after verbs signifying motion to a place in the accusative case without a preposition, as
Concessi Cantabrigiam ad capiendum ingenii cultum:I went to Cambridge to become a fast man.
Concessi Cantabrigiam ad capiendum ingenii cultum:
I went to Cambridge to become a fast man.
After this manner we use domus, a house, andrus, the country, as Rus ire jussus sum, I was rusticated. Domum missus eram, I was sent home.
Goingtoo fastat Cambridge sometimes necessitates, in two senses, a dose of country air.
The name of a place is sometimes added to verbs signifying motion from a place, in the ablative case without a proposition, as
Arbitror te Virginiâ veteri venisse:I reckon you’ve come from old Virginny.
Arbitror te Virginiâ veteri venisse:
I reckon you’ve come from old Virginny.
Verbs impersonal have no nominative case, as
Scenas post tragicas multum juvat ire sub umbras:After a tragedy it is very pleasant to go under theShades.
Scenas post tragicas multum juvat ire sub umbras:
After a tragedy it is very pleasant to go under theShades.
The worst of these “Shades” is, that people are now and then apt to get rather “too much in the sun” there.
These impersonals, interest, it concerns, and refert, it concerns, are joined to any genitive cases, except these ablative cases feminine, meâ, tuâ, suâ, nostrâ, vestrâ, and cujâ, as
Interest magistratûs tueri insulsos, animadvertere in acres.It concerns the magistrate to defend the flats; to punish the sharps.
Interest magistratûs tueri insulsos, animadvertere in acres.
It concerns the magistrate to defend the flats; to punish the sharps.
These genitive cases also, are added, tanti, of so much, quanti, of how much, magni, of much,parvi, of little, quanticunque, of how much soever, tantidem, of just so much; as
Tanti refert honesta agere;Of such consequence is it to do honest things.
Tanti refert honesta agere;
Of such consequence is it to do honest things.
judge in wig
By this course of conduct, you certainly render yourself worthy of the protection of the magistrate; although whether you thereby constitute yourself a flat or not, is perhaps a doubtful question. Much may be said on both sides. Dishonesty, it is true, may lead to being taken up; but then honesty often leads to being takenin. Yet honesty is said to be the best policy. Policy is a branch of wisdom, and “wisdom” they say “is in thewig.”Certainwigsare retained at thehead—of affairs, by a good deal ofpolicy; perhaps thebestthey could adopt—a fact that throws considerable doubt on the truth of the old maxim.
Impersonal verbs which are put acquisitively, require a dative case; but those which are put transitively an accusative, as—
A ministris nobis benefit:We enjoy blessings from Ministers.
A ministris nobis benefit:
We enjoy blessings from Ministers.
For instance—No—We cannot think of any just at present.
Me juvat per lunam errare, et “Isabellam” cantare:I like to wander by moonlight, and sing “Isabelle.”
Me juvat per lunam errare, et “Isabellam” cantare:
I like to wander by moonlight, and sing “Isabelle.”
The connexion between love and moonlight is as interesting as it is certain. We shrewdly suspect that the said planet has more to do with the tender passion than lovers are aware of.
But the prepositionadis peculiarlyadded to these verbs—attinet, it belongs, pertinet, it pertains, spectat, it concerns, as
Spectat ad omnes bene vivere:It concerns all to live well—
Spectat ad omnes bene vivere:
It concerns all to live well—
When they can afford it.
An accusative case with a genitive is put after these verbs impersonal—pœnitet, it repents, tædet, it wearies, miseret, miserescit, it pities, pudet, it shames, piget, it grieves, as—
“Nihil me pœnitet hujus nasi”—Trist: Shand:“My nose has been the making of me.”
“Nihil me pœnitet hujus nasi”—Trist: Shand:
“My nose has been the making of me.”
A verb impersonal of the passive voice may be elegantly taken for each person of both numbers; that is to say, by virtue of a case added to it.
Thus statur is used for sto, stas, stat, stamus,statis, stant. Statur a me; it is stood by me, that is, I stand; statur ab illis: it is stood by them, or they stand.
King George the Fourth’s statue at King’s Cross is astanding joke.
statue on large pedestal
Participles govern the cases of the verbs from which they are derived, as—
Duplices tendens ad sidera palmas,Talia voce refert:
Duplices tendens ad sidera palmas,
Talia voce refert:
Stretching forth his hands to heaven, he utterssuchthings.
(opera singer as described)
This reminds us of the Italian opera.
A dative case is sometimes added to participles of the passive voice, especially when they end in dus, as—
Sollicito nasus rutilans metuendus amanti est:A fiery nose is to be feared by an anxious lover.
Sollicito nasus rutilans metuendus amanti est:
A fiery nose is to be feared by an anxious lover.
Participles, when they become nouns, require a genitive case, as—
Vectigalis appetens, linguæ profusus:Greedy ofrint, lavish of blarney.
Vectigalis appetens, linguæ profusus:
Greedy ofrint, lavish of blarney.
Exosus, hating, perosus, utterly hating, pertæsus, weary of, signifying actively, require an accusative case, as—
Philosophus exosus ad unam mulieres:A philosopher hating women in general,i.e.a Malthusian.
Philosophus exosus ad unam mulieres:
A philosopher hating women in general,i.e.a Malthusian.
Exosus, hated, and perosus, hated to death, signifying passively, are read with a dative case, as
Comœdi sanctis exosi sunt:The comedians are hated by the saints.
Comœdi sanctis exosi sunt:
The comedians are hated by the saints.
We mean the spiritual Quixotes, or Knights of the Rueful Countenance. We “calculate” that they will be the greatest patrons of rail roads, considering their dislike to thestage.
Natus, born, prognatus, born, satus, sprung, cretus, descended, creatus, produced, ortus, risen, editus, brought forth, require an ablative case, and often with a preposition, as—
Taffius, bonis prognatus parentibus, cerevisiam haud tenuem de sese existimat:Taffy, sprung of good parents, thinks no small beer of himself.De Britannis Antiquis se jactat editum:He boasts of being descended from the Ancient Britons.
Taffius, bonis prognatus parentibus, cerevisiam haud tenuem de sese existimat:
Taffy, sprung of good parents, thinks no small beer of himself.
De Britannis Antiquis se jactat editum:
He boasts of being descended from the Ancient Britons.
Q.Why is the eldest son of a King of England like a Leviathan?
A.Because he is the Prince ofWales.
En and ecce, adverbs of showing, are joined most commonly to a nominative case, to an accusative case but seldom, as
En Romanus: See the Roman (q. rum-un.)Ecce Corinthium: Behold the Corinthian.
En Romanus: See the Roman (q. rum-un.)
Ecce Corinthium: Behold the Corinthian.
Modern Corinthians, we fear, know but little Greek, except that of the Ægidiac, or St. Giles’s dialect.
boys laughing at well-dressed boy
En and ecce, adverbs of upbraiding, are joined most commonly to an accusative case only, as—
En togam squamosam!Look at his scaly toga!Ecce caudam! Twig his tail!
En togam squamosam!
Look at his scaly toga!
Ecce caudam! Twig his tail!
Certain adverbs of time, place, and quantity, admit a genitive case, as
Ubi gentium est Quadra Russelliana?Where in the world is Russell Square?
Ubi gentium est Quadra Russelliana?
Where in the world is Russell Square?
We must confess that this question isexquisitelyabsurd.
Nihil tunc temporis amplius quam flere poteram:I could do nothing more at that time than weep.
Nihil tunc temporis amplius quam flere poteram:
I could do nothing more at that time than weep.
Talking of weeping—how odd it is that an affectionate wife should cry when her husband istransportedfor life.
small boy spouting in a chairDOMESTIC ELOCUTION“MY NAME IS NORVAL ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS”
small boy spouting in a chair
DOMESTIC ELOCUTION“MY NAME IS NORVAL ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS”
Satis eloquentiæ, sapientiæ parum:Eloquence enough, wisdom little enough.
Satis eloquentiæ, sapientiæ parum:
Eloquence enough, wisdom little enough.
This quotation applies very forcibly to domestic oratory as practised by small boys at the instigation of their mamma, for theamusementof visitors. Those on whom “little bird with boothom wed,”“deepinthe windingthsofa whale,” or “my name is Nawval,” and the like recitations are inflicted, have “satis eloquentiæ”—enough of eloquence, in all conscience; and we cannot but think that “sapientiæ parum,” “wisdom little enough” is displayed by all the other parties concerned.
Some adverbs admit the cases of the nouns from which they are derived, as
Juvenis benevolus sibi inutiliter vivit:The good-natured young man lives unprofitably to himself—
Juvenis benevolus sibi inutiliter vivit:
The good-natured young man lives unprofitably to himself—
Especially if he have a large circle of female acquaintance.
These adverbs of diversity, aliter, otherwise, and secus, otherwise; and these two, ante, before, and post, after, are often joined to an ablative case, as—
Plure aliter. More t’other.Multo ante. Much before.Paulo post. Little behind.
Plure aliter. More t’other.
Multo ante. Much before.
Paulo post. Little behind.
large-bellied man with wife
Those who are muchbefore, are guilty of a greatwaste—of time;and those who are little behind should make it up by abustle.
Instar, like or equal to, and ergo, for the sake of, being taken as adverbs, have a genitive case after them, as—
Instar montis equum divinaPalladisarteÆdificant:
Instar montis equum divinaPalladisarte
Ædificant:
By the divine assistance of Pallas they build ahorseas big as a mountain.
This may appear incredible; yet the learned Munchausenius relates prodigies much more astonishing.
Mentitur Virgilius leporis ergo:Virgil tells lies for fun.
Mentitur Virgilius leporis ergo:
Virgil tells lies for fun.
As may be sufficiently seen in the example before the last, and also in the sixth book of the Æneid, passim.
Conjunctions copulative and disjunctive, couple like cases, moods, and tenses, as
Socrates docuit Xenophontem et Platonem geographiam, astronomiam, et rationem globorum:Socrates taught Xenophon and Plato geography, astronomy, and the use of the globes.
Socrates docuit Xenophontem et Platonem geographiam, astronomiam, et rationem globorum:
Socrates taught Xenophon and Plato geography, astronomy, and the use of the globes.
Q.How may a waterman answer the polite interrogation “Who are you?” correctly, and designate at the same time, an educational institution.
A.By saying A-cad-am-I.
The foregoing rule (not riddle) holds good, unless the reason of a different construction requires it should be otherwise, as
Emi librum centussi et pluris:I bought a book for a hundred pence, and more,“100d.are 8s.4d.” —Walkinghame.
Emi librum centussi et pluris:
I bought a book for a hundred pence, and more,
“100d.are 8s.4d.” —Walkinghame.
The conjunction, quam, than, is often understood after amplius, more, plus, more, and minus, less, as
Amplius sunt sex menses:There are more than six months.
Amplius sunt sex menses:
There are more than six months.
For this interesting piece of information we are indebted to Cicero. The author to whom reference has just been made, has somewhere, if we mistake not, a similar observation. In thususheringtheTutor’sAssistant into notice, we feel that we are citing a work of which it is impossible to make too comical mention.
Thank goodness there are not more than six months in a half year!
Ne, an, num, whether put doubtfully or indefinitely, are joined to a subjunctive mood, as—