Exceptional grievances are ever those which most readily attract the attention of the public.

The natural tendency to extremes, from which few minds are altogether free, has led many people to imagine that some conditions in life are wholly and unqualifiedly evil.

From those to whom much has been given much will be expected.

We must not forget that the whole object of the composition is to prove the truth of these opinions.

The passion of avarice frequently attacks those who have outlived all their other affections.

It might be a question whether the object of the penal law should be to reform the criminal, or to secure the lives and property of the community.

Subordinate propositions are of three classes:I. The noun proposition; II. The adjective proposition; III. The adverbial proposition.

THE NOUN PROPOSITION.

The noun proposition is one which, in relation to the principal, has the same construction as a noun; as,

What man has done man may do.'

That we are ignorant is often our own fault.'

The noun proposition may occupy the same place in the construction of a sentence as the noun itself:—

1. It may be used as a subject; as, 'What then took place will never be known.'

2. As a predicate after the verb 'to be;' as, 'My advice is that you should start immediately.' 3. As an object; as, I hear that he is much improved.'

EXERCISE 1.

Underline all the noun propositions in the following extracts, and explain their construction.

What is done cannot be undone.

It is scarcely possible to believe that he could act so unreasonably.

How he should escape from his critical position was now his chief thought.

They know perfectly well what they are doing.

'It is due to the memory of Frederic to say that he earnestly laboured to secure to his people the great blessings of cheap and speedy justice.'

Why he took this step has never been satisfactorily explained.

Who perpetrated this foul deed does not appear.

'How I have sped among the clergymen,

The sums I have collected shall express.'

'It is impossible to explain how one spirit may operate upon and afflict another.'

I knew to what issue things would come.

I have reason to believe that these writings gave him great pain.

'You have done that you should be sorry for.'

'What credit James gave to this representation does not appear.'

Have you heard what has happened to him?

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His answer was that he would comply with their wishes.

EXERCISE 2.

Let the learner construct a certain number of sentences similar to those given in Exercise 1.

ON THE ADJECTIVE PROPOSITION.

The adjective proposition is constructed as an adjective, and occupies the same place with respect to the principal proposition in the sentence. The knife that I gave my brother is very sharp. Hence arise the perils to which they are exposed. The adjective proposition may be used to qualify :

1. The subject of the principal proposition; as, The boy who won the first prize is the captain of the school. 2. The object of the principal proposition; as, Show me the book that you are reading.

3. The predicate of the principal proposition; as, Julius Cæsar was the most illustrious general that we read of in ancient history.

EXERCISE 1.

Let the learner copy out the following sentences, underlining the adjective proposition, and showing to which of the above three cases it applies.

This was not the only danger which the empire had now to fear.

The duke, who had distinguished himself in the cause, now received a new appointment.

This writer states opinions which he cannot maintain. I hardly know what opinion he holds on this subject. Here we find comparisons which have every mark of originality.

Nothing can be said in defence of a ruler who is at once indifferent and intolerant.

The man, who had been all this time asleep, suddenly started up.

You have bestowed that favour on a man who gratefully remembers your goodness.

I shall certainly adopt the plan you recommended. Some of his adherents, who had settled in the country, were known to be stirring up rebellion.

The Magi were wise men who applied themselves to the study of nature and religion.

EXERCISE 2.

The learner is to construct a given number of sentences, similar to those in the last Exercise, and illustrating the three ways of using the adjective proposition.

THE ADVERBIAL PROPOSITION.

The adverbial proposition is constructed as an adverb, and occupies the same place with regard to the principal proposition in the sentence; as,

When the orator had finished his speech, the people dispersed. While one was reading, the others worked.

The adverbial proposition is chiefly used to extend the predicate by qualifying it as to time, place, manner, &c. :

1. Time; as,

I arrived before they had done breakfast.

When peace reigns, the arts and sciences flourish.
I will send you the book after I have read it.

2. Place; as,

They pitched their tent where there was a good supply of water.

We caught sight of the village whither we were bending our steps.

They could still see the point whence they had started.

3. Manner; as,

I'll come by Naples.'

'As thou gottest Milan,

The older we grow, the more we should improve.

The speaker's voice was so weak, that no one could hear him.

4. Cause and Effect; as,

He failed, because he would not listen to his friend's advice. If he had listened to his friend's advice, he would have succeeded.

Whatever you may think, you will never persuade him.

He took this step, that he might ingratiate himself with the people.

EXERCISE 1.

Let the learner copy out the following sentences, marking in each the adverbial proposition, and referring it to No. 1, 2, 3, or 4, accordingly as it may illustrate time, place, manner, or cause and effect.

As soon as Charles had dismissed the Parliament, he threw several members of the House of Commons into prison.

The secretary read the newspaper to the gentleman while he was breakfasting.