Saxon prefixes are certainly not as numerous as those derived from the classical languages, although, as we have seen, five-eighths of the English language is Anglo-Saxon; but then words thus introduced are for the most part monosyllables, having an independent meaning at the present time. The Anglo-Saxon prefixes are capable of implying great force; even the letter A, signifying in or on, alters the meaning of a word materially, as, abed, around; also the letter N, signifying not, as, never neither, nor, &c. Other prefixes are over, signifying above, as in overdone, un, signifying not, as unskilled, mis, signifying failure, as mishap, for, signifying the contrary, as forbid, out, signifying excelling, as outrun. Notice also such words as be-half, by-path, fore-father, on-slaught, out-burst, over-scer, twi-light, up-start, wel-come (A.S. wel-Mod. Eng. well). There are of course many other Saxon prefixes. It has occurred to us to remind candidates that when they are asked to state the force of a prefix or affix of a word, they should not give the meaning of the whole word, which anyone who knows his mother tongue can do, but merely the exact signification of the prefix or affix, just as we have given above.

The Latin prefixes are extremely important; as bene (signifying well), as benefit; co, con, com, col, cor, coun (with), as in co-operate, connect, communicate, collective, corrosive, council; de (down), as in descent; dis, di (difference or separation), as in discord, diverge; in, im, il, ir, em, en (signifying in, into, on), as insect, impulse, illusion, irruption, embrace, envy; male, mali, mal (ill), as malefactor, malignity, malcontent; pro, por, pol (for or before), promise, portent, pollution; sub, sup, suf, suc, sug (up or under), as in subject, support, suffix, success, suggestion; trans, tra (across), as in transit, tradition; ultra (beyond), ultramontane.

With reference to the Greek prefixes, we think that, unless a candidate possess a tolerable knowledge of the language, he will doubtless find some difficulty in giving their exact signification; but with ordinary attention a knowledge of them may be easily acquired. We give a few:-Amphi (app), signifying both, as amphibious; ana (ava), up, as anatomy; arch (apxuc), first or chief, as archangel; cata (kara), down, as catastrophe; hemi (hi), half, as hemisphere; hetero (repos), different, as heterogeneous; para (mapa), beside, as paradox; dia (da), through, as diameter; peri (Ep), around, as perimeter; ex (e), out of, as exodus.

Affixes also play a very important part in the structure of words in our language. In most cases the affixes have become radical, and for this reason many writers are inclined to doubt whether certain syllables which are regarded as affixes were ever disconnected. We have certainly some very extraordinary affixes, one of the most interesting of which is er (A. S. and O. E. ere) as in speaker and reader. It was originally a masculine affix, and once a significant word meaning man, but it is now used without reference to sex. It is sometimes changed, as in lawyer, sailor, &c. There was also, in Anglo-Saxon, a feminine affix-estre or istre, later English ster, as in maltster, spinster, brewster, &c. The occupations of brewing, baking, spinning, &c. were carried on principally by women, hence these names. The ster is now found in such words as

seamstress, duchess, countess, &c.

Saxon affixes are capable of signifying the agent or doer, also of forming diminutives, as ling, in (dear) darling; ock in hillock; et, as in floweret; also expressing abstract ideas, such as state, condition, &c., as dom in

kingdom, ship in friendship, ter in laughter, ness in goodness, age in tillage; also denoting instrument, as le in girdle, et in hatchet. There is also a very large number of affixes derived from the French, Latin and Greek languages, but we cannot find space for examples here. It may, however, interest the student to notice, that the parts of the words in italics are supposed to be affixes, and that they are or were diminutives; stick, talk, laugh, swallow, draw, strive, glimmer, sparkle, kneel, listen, barn, wring, blot, blotch, sift, scratch, brush, blush, wrench, seem, pant. The following affixes are also peculiar, as cleanse, tease, freeze, sneeze, lower.

We believe that we have given our readers a comprehensive idea that the English is a composite language, and also that they are to some extent capable of appreciating the remarks of Professor Max Müller, that almost "every country of the globe seems to have brought some of its verbal manufactures to the intellectual market of England." We have occupied, it may be seen, considerable space in this and previous numbers of our Journal in discussing the peculiarities of the English language; and with the exception of a few additional remarks and notices on its structure which will appear in our next number, we shall allow the matter to rest for a while, in the hope that what we have already written will induce candidates to devote more time to the study of the English language,—a correct knowledge of which not only "covereth a multitude of sins" in an Examination, but, as the late Dr. Whewell remarked, is absosolutely "essential to a good education." We shall in future numbers notice the peculiarities of other languages in which candidates are required to be examined.

CHAPTER III.

SYNOPSIS OF LEADING AUTHORS, STATESMEN, POETS AND PHILOSOPHERS. [ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.]

Stuart Period - continued.

THOMAS HOBBES: a distinguished philosopher and writer on government; was born in 1588 A.D., at Malmesbury, Wilts. He was appointed mathematical tutor to the Prince of Wales in 1647. Hẹ conceived the state of nature as the state of war, and government as the result of a compact suggested by self-love or reason for the sake of peace. His principal works are the treatises "De Cive," "Leviathan," both of which were censured by Parliament in 1666, "Human Nature," "De Corpore Politico," "De Libertate, Necessitate, et Casu," and "Behemoth," a history of the civil war. died 1679 A.D.

He

GEORGE VILLIERS (DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM): was born in Leicestershire in 1592 A.D. He was knighted, pensioned, made K.G., viscount, earl and marquis, and was rapidly raised to the highest offices in the State. In 1623 he accompanied Prince Charles on his romantic journey to Spain. He was impeached for the failure

of the expedition to Cadiz. He continued to be the favorite of Charles I. on the death of James I. Assassinated at Portsmouth by Lieutenant Felton, August 23rd, 1628 A.D.

THOMAS WENTWORTH (EARL OF WENTWORTH): the great minister of Charles I. and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; was born at London in 1593 A.D.; he was returned to Parliament as a member for Yorkshire in 1614, and the next year was named custos rotulorum for the West Riding. In 1628 he was created Baron Wentworth, then Viscount, Lord President of the Council of the North, and in 1629 Privy Councillor. Beheaded on Tower Hill, 12th May, 1641 a.d. SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT: poet; was born at Oxford in 1605 a.d. On the death of Ben Jonson he was appointed poet-laureate. On the restoration of Charles II. he obtained a patent for a theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields. His works consist of plays and poems, which are now forgotten. Died 1668, and was buried at Westminster Abbey.

EDWARD HYDE (EARL OF CLARENDON): High Chancellor of England; was born at Dinton, in Wiltshire, 1608 A.D.; studied law under his uncle Nicholas Hyde, chief justice of the King's Bench. In 1643 he was made Chancellor of the Exchequer and Privy Councillor ; he was an exile during the Commonwealth, and contributed to the Restoration, and accompanied Charles to London; removed from his high employments by act of parliament; wrote "History of the Rebellion;" his daughter Anne was married to the Duke of York, afterwards James II., and their two daughters Anne and Mary both ascended the English throne.

GEORGE MONK (DUKE OF ALBEMARLE): a distinguished military commander, and the great promoter of the restoration of Charles II.; was born at Potheridge, near Farrington, in Devonshire, 1608 a.d.; appointed Governor of Dublin, subsequently made a privy councillor, and invested with the Order of the Garter. Died in 1670, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.

SIR MATTHEW HALE: an eminent judge; was born at Alderley, in Gloucestershire, 1609 A.D.; entered Lincoln's Inn; he rose to eminence at the bar. He acted as counsel for Strafford, Laud, Hamilton, and even for Charles himself; yet Cromwell prevailed upon him to become one of the justices of the Common Pleas. Soon after the Restoration he was made chief baron of the Exchequer; from which he was advanced to the chief justiceship of the King's Bench. writings are numerous, on theological, philosophical and legal subjects. The principal are, "The History of the Pleas of the Crown," "History of the Common Law," and "Contemplations, Moral and Divine." He died 1676 a.d.

His

HENRY IRETON: a soldier and statesman of the Commonwealth; was born at Attenton, in Nottinghamshire, in 1610 A.D.; studied at Trinity College, Camb., and the Middle Temple. He married a daughter of Oliver Cromwell, whom he succeeded as commander in chief in Ireland, where he died in 1651 A.D.

SAMUEL BUTLER (author of "Hudibras," a mock-heroic poem): was a native of Worcestershire, and was born about 1612 A.D. His witty poem was intended to throw ridicule on the Presbyterian and Independent parties. It appeared in three parts, the first in 1663, the second soon after, and the third in 1678; died in London in 1680 A.D. SIR HENRY VANE: was born in 1612 A.D.; emigrated to America, and was elected governor of Massachusetts; on his return to England he was appointed joint treasurer of the navy. In 1640 he was elected member of parliament for Hull, and took an active part against the royalists. He was the principal mover of the Solemn League and Covenant, and also of the Self-denying Ordinance; beheaded on Tower Hill, 1662 A.D.

WILLIAM RUSSELL (fifth Earl and first Duke of Bedford): was born 1614 A.D.; he was a member of the Long Parliament in 1640, and commanded the reserve of horse at the battle of Edgehill; at the Restoration he was elected a Knight of the Garter; died 1700 a.D. RICHARD BAXTER, the eminent Nonconformist preacher and writer, was born in Shropshire in 1615 a.d. His most popular books are the "Saints' Everlasting Rest," "Dying Thoughts," and "Call to the Unconverted;" his theological views are set forth in the Methodus-Theologiæ" and "Catholic Theology;" died 1691 A.D. JOHN MAITLAND (DUKE of LAUDERDALE): was born at Lethington, 1616 A.D.; he was with Charles II. at the unfortunate battle of Worcester, where he was taken prisoner and committed to the Tower; at the Restoration he was appointed Secretary of State and High Commissioner of Scotland. In 1670 he was one of the mem

66

bers of the Cabal Ministry; died 1682 A.D.

RALPH CUDWORTH: philosopher and theologian; one of the most eminent of the Latitudinarian divines; was born in Somersetshire, 1617 A.D. In 1654 he was appointed master of Christ College, Cambridge, and in 1678 prebendary of Gloucester; his principal work is the "True Intellectual System of the Universe;" also author of a "Treatise on Eternal and Immutable Morality." Died 1658 A.D.

ABRAHAM COWLEY: an eminent English poet; born in London, 1618 A.D. While only in his fifteenth year he published a volume entitled "Poetical Blossoms;" in 1636 he was elected a scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he produced a pastoral comedy entitled "Love's Riddle," and "Naufragium Joculare," a Latin comedy; died 1667 A.D.

JAMES SHARP: Archbishop of St. Andrews; a distinguished prelate; was born in Banffshire, 1618 A.D. The Presbytery being abolished by parliament under Charles II., Sharp, who had treacherously promoted that measure, was rewarded with the primacy and appointed Archbishop of St. Andrews; he was assassinated on the 3rd of May, 1679 a.d.

ALGERNON SYDNEY: second son of Robert, Earl of Leicester; was born about 1620 A.D. He was early trained to a military life; having

displayed skill in various engagements he was made Governor of Dover. During the Commonwealth he retired to Penshurst, and there occupied himself in composing his celebrated "Discourses on Government." Being engaged in the Rye House Plot, he was arrested, tried and executed on Tower Hill, December 7th, 1687 A.D. SIR HENEAGE FINCH (first EARL OF NOTTINGHAM): was born 1621 A.D. Charles II. made him solicitor-general, and created him a baronet. In 1670 he was appointed attorney-general, and soon after lord-keeper, with the rank of a peer. In 1675 he was made lordchancellor, and in 1681, created Earl of Nottingham; died 1682

A.D.

GEORGE VILLIERS (DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM): was born in 1627 a.d. He became minister to Charles II. and was one of his courtiers; died at Kirby Mooreside, Yorkshire, 1688 a.d.

SIR WILLIAM TEMPLE, an eminent statesman, was born in London 1628 A.D. He was employed in negociating the triple alliance between England, Sweden and Holland. He next became the resident minister at the Hague, and in that capacity promoted the marriage of the Prince of Orange with Mary, eldest daughter of James II. He retired from public business, and employed his leisure time in writing his "Observations on the United Provinces," and part of his "Miscellanies." In 1679 he was appointed secretary of state; died 1700 A.D.

JOHN BUNYAN, author of the "Pilgrim's Progress," was born at Elstow, near Bedford, in 1628 A.D. His father was a tinker, but gave his son such education as could be had at the village school, and brought him up to his trade. In 1645 he served a short time in the parliamentary army. In 1660 he shared the persecution then carried on against dissenters, and was thrown into Bedford gaol; there he lay for twelve years, and during this time he partly wrote the "Pilgrim's Progress." He also wrote the "Holy War." His other works are very numerous, the most known being the "Grace Abounding," and "Jerusalem Sinner Saved." He died in London, August, 1688 a.d.

ISAAC BARROW: theologian and mathematician; was born in London 1630 A.D. He was appointed Professor of Greek at Cambridge in 1660, and, soon after, Gresham Professor of Geometry. He frequently relinquished lucrative offices for conscience' sake. His works consist of Euclid, "Lectiones Optica," "Lectiones Geometrica," "Lectiones Mathematica," and a collection of his sermons, addresses, &c. Died 1677 a.d.

GEORGE SAVILLE (MARQUIS OF HALIFAX): an eminent statesman, was born in 1630 A.D.; contributed to the restoration of Charles II., who made him a privy councillor, and rewarded him with a coronet. In the convention parliament he was chosen speaker of the House of Lords, and at the accession of William and Mary was made lord privy seal. He wrote various political tracts; died 1695 A.D. JOHN SPENSER: a learned divine and critic; was born at Broughton in Kent 1630 A.D.; he became Master of Corpus Christi College,