TO THE TEACHER. We give below a model for writing the parsing of adjectives. A similar form may be used for adverbs. Exercises for the parsing of adjectives and adverbs may be selected from Lessons 12, 14, 29, 30, 31, 44, 46, 47, 48, 60, 63, 64, 65.

Caution. In stating a comparison avoid comparing a thing with itself.*

Remark. The comparative degree refers to two things (or sets or things) as distinct from each other, and implies that one has more of the quality than the other. The comparative degree is generally followed by than.†

* A thing may, of course, be compared with itself as existing under different conditions; as The star is brighter to-night; The grass is greener to-day.

†The comparative is generally used with reference to two things only, but it may be used to compare one thing with a number of things taken separately or together; as, He is no better than other men; I contains more than all the others combined.

Direction. Study the Caution and the Remark, and correct these errors:

1. London is larger than any city in Europe.

Correction. The second term of comparison, any city in Europe, includes London, and so London is represented as being larger than itself. It should be, London is larger than any other city in Europe, or, London is the largest city in Europe.

2. China has a greater population than any nation on the globe. 3. I like this book better than any book I have seen. 4. There is no metal so useful as iron.

(A comparison is here stated, although no degree form is employed.)

5. All the metals are less useful than iron. 6. Time ought, above all kinds of property, to be free from invasion.

Caution. In using the superlative degree be careful to make the latter term of the comparison, or the term introduced by of, include the former.

Remarks. The superlative degree refers to one thing (or set of things) as belonging to a group or class, and as having more of the quality than any of the rest. The superlative is generally followed by of.

Good writers sometimes use the superlative in comparing two things; as, This is the best of the two. But in such cases usage largely favors the comparative; as, This is the better of the two.

Direction. Study the Caution and the Remarks, and correct these errors:

1. Solomon was the wisest of all the other Hebrew kings. Correction. Of (= belonging to) represents Solomon as

belonging to a group of kings, and other excludes him from this group—a contradiction in terms. It should be, Solomon was the wisest of Hebrew kings, or Solomon was wiser than any other Hebrew king.

2. Of all the other books I have examined, this is the most satisfactory. 3. Profane swearing is, of all other vices, the most inexcusable. 4. He was the most active of all his companions.

(He was not one of his own companions.)

5. This was the most satisfactory of any preceding effort. 6. John is the oldest of any boy in his class.

Caution. Avoid double comparatives and double superlatives, and the comparison of adjectives whose meaning will not admit of different degrees.*

Direction. Correct these errors:

1. A more beautifuler location cannot be found. 2. He took the longest, but the most pleasantest, route. 3. Draw that line more perpendicular.

Correction. Draw that line perpendicular, or more nearly perpendicular.

4. The opinion is becoming more universal. 5. A worser evil awaits us. 6. The most principal point was entirely overlooked. 7. That form of expression is more preferable.

* Many words which grammarians have considered incapable of comparison are used in a sense short of their literal meaning, and are compared by good writers; as, My chiefest entertainment. Sheridan. The chiefest prize. — Byron. Divinest Melancholy. — Milton. Extremest hell. - Whittier. Most perfect harmony - Longfellow. Less - Macaulay. The extension of these exceptional

perfect imitations.
forms should not be encouraged.

Caution. When an adjective denoting one, or an adjective denoting more than one, is joined to a noun, the adjective and the noun must agree in number.

Remark. A numeral denoting more than one may be prefixed to a singular noun to form a compound adjective; as, a ten-foot pole (not a ten-feet pole), a three-cent stamp.

Direction. Study the Caution and the Remark, and correct these errors:

1. These kind of people will never be satisfied. 2. The room is fifteen foot square; I measured it with a twofeet rule. 3. The farmer exchanged five barrel of potatoes for fifty pound of sugar. 4. These sort of expressions should be avoided. 5. We were traveling at the rate of forty mile an hour. 6. Remove this ashes and put away that tongs.

Miscellaneous

1. He was more active than any other of his companions. Correction. As he is not one of his companions, other is unnecessary.

2. He did more to accomplish this result than any other man that preceded or followed him. 3. The younger of the three sisters is the prettier.

(This is the construction which requires the superlative. See the second Remark in this Lesson.)

4. This result, of all others, is most to be dreaded. 5. She was willing to take a more humbler part. 6. Solomon was wiser than any of the ancient kings. 7. I don't like those sort of people. 8. I have the most entire confidence in him. 9. This is the more preferable form. 10. Which are the two more important ranges of mountains in North America? 11. He writes better than any boy in his class.

GENERAL REVIEW

TO THE TEACHER. See suggestions to the teacher, page 298.

1. Define the adjective and its classes. Lesson 89. 2. Define comparison and the degrees of comparison. Lesson 127.

3. Give and illustrate the regular method and the irregular methods of comparison. - Lesson 127.

4. Give and illustrate the principles which guide in the use of adjectives. Lessons 90, 91.

5. Give and illustrate the principles which guide in the use of comparative and superlative forms.-Lesson 128.