Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-09-01
PHILOLOGY.

contains another paper on philology, by
Noah Webster, l.. l.. D., in which are
many critical observations of interest to
The English scholar. Mr. Webster con-
dennis the use of q or an as a distinct part
and says that an is merely the
Saxon spelling of the Latin word anus,
the first syllable of which I'm as the Sax
on an. An, he says, is merely an adec-
tive expressing one, and is no more dis
tinct part ofspeech than taoo, three, four,
or any other adjective of number in the
language. Consequently or an may be
used BY writer at his own option, before
any noun, definite or Indefinite Hence
the IMPROPERLY says he, of the use of
or an before onc-such q one. In this
use the same original word occurs twice;
such one one. The true phrase is such
one.
In this paper large number of instan-
ces are given in which, for want ola more
thorough knowledge of the structure of
the language, numerous errors have be-
come incorporated even with its supposed
correct grammatical construction. Scot
ticisms, he says, and Irisbisms occur fire.
quentl y in language of many gentlemen
Of distinction. But they are not English,
and ought never to be printed. Blair's
Lectures, and many other books written BY
Scottish authors, ought, before they are
published, to be thoroughly examined and
purified from the peculiar Scottish forms
of speech, by some person with whom the
English language is rcrnacular.
Besides critical observations, many spe-
cimens Of false grammar are given in the
compositions of various writers, which
may serve as fine theme for thought and
comparison to young writers, for whose
especial benefit we extract the following.
Bait AthGneum.
For want of a more thorough under
standing Of the structure Of languages, and
he consequent want ola correct grammar
to serve as a guide to learners, mistakes
and improprieties of speech occur in the
compositions OF most of our best authors
Some of these are so wrough into our cur
rent oral language, that it may be imprac-
ticable to Danish them from popular use.
EXAMPLES
Nothing but the expectation of this,
could hare engaged him to hare undertak-
en- this voyage. '-JeFerson's Works, Vol.
i, Letter "a.
In this sentence, could haze enga ged,
expresses the past time, the time ofengag g.
ing, and the words to hare undertaken ex-
press time past, anteri0r to engaging
| Lost hD,,l1
take.
The merchants erere certainly dispos-
ed to hare consented Ito consent) to accom-
modatlon as to the article of debts Vol.
ii, Let. Is.
L expected to hare sent Ito send) also a
coin of "copper" VOL ii, Let As
Here the sending is expressed at time
past, the time Of erpecting
/ did fully antend writing line on
Wednesday, to hare told you of the glori
Gus opening of the great cause of aboli.
ton Memoirs of H. More: VOL i, PIP
300.
Here the telling is epresented as past
be.|ore 1t acas intended.
| had intended to haze said more in an.
swer to your letter. H. More: VOL ii
1876.
1t aoas not my intention to haze said SC
much. Bennington Memoir Of H. More
VOL ii, l59
eff had known that DR. Woodward
still remained in the neighborhood | 1couId
haze found him out, in order to hare sci
Ito set) his mind completely at rest Vol
ii, l2l.
L could not SO long haze torborn" tc
hare troubled Ito troubIe) you with let
ter Mrs Montague: Memoir Of H
More Vol. i, 1877.
1t furnished US with great laugh a.
the catastrophe, when it aoouId haze been
decent to haze been Ito beg little sorrow
full Ibidem, PIP. So.
And truly, if they had been mindful O.
that country from whence they came, they
might haze had opportunity to hare re-
turned, TO return,) xi, Is.
So in common discourse BY his tact,
turnity | should think he pas difident.'-
(I should think he is difidt nt-or what is
preferable, should think him to be diff
dent) See my Im2rOred Grammar, PIP
SO.
He would show what Romanism haC
been, and prove it ao0s the same nom.' =
Prove it is or to be)
What day of the month is it?' The
third Il thought it aoGs the fourth q
thoughts to be.)
is it as warm as it was yesterday? i
should think it aoas.' Better thus: Ishouc
think it is, or | should think it to be.
He commenced with asserting, tina
youth aoas probably, the most favorable
period of life That youth IS or assert
; ing youth to be.
: 1t is not so late as | thought it ,o0s.