COMPLEMENTARY PROPOSITIONS.

Propositions used as Complements.

Propositions themselves are often used as complements. In this view, they may be considered as 1. Introductory; 2. Determinative; and 3. Explanatory.

2. HE SHOWED me the books you spoke of.

prin. complementary proposition.

3. The SUN, which had been obscured during the

proposition.

whole morning, now BURST FORTH with unusual splendour.

Explanation.

In the first of the above sentences, the leading proposition is "the magistrate remanded ;" and the complementary proposition, introductory to the principal, is "he had examined."

In the second sentence, the proposition "you spoke of" determines the books in question, and is therefore called determinative.

In the third, "the sun burst forth" is the principal; and "which had been obscured," inserted

between its parts, explains something connected with the other proposition.

EXERCISE XXI.

The learner is required to point out the principal and the complementary propositions in the following sentences; also, to distinguish between the determinative and the explanatory forms in each of them.

ANALYSIS.

Forms of Sentences.

1. Soon after we arrived here, a report was spread that the duke and his suite were daily expected.

2. No one can conceive with what pleasure I revisited these scenes.

3. The district where most of their town-houses stood lies between the city and the regions which are now considered as fashionable.

4. When the lands of the vanquished people were at length divided, the nobles despised the subjects too much to court. their assistance in periods of danger.

5. How far this change ought to be lamented is not now a point of great dispute.

6. The Roman laws, though corrupted, were, in general, the best that human wisdom had framed.

7. The Roman arts and literature, though they had greatly declined, were still superior to anything found among rude nations.

8. The first London Coffee-house was set up, in the time of the Commonwealth, by a Turkey merchant, who had acquired among the Mahometans a taste for their favourite beverage.

9. All Europe had shuddered at the atrocious and prolonged cruelty with which Damiens, who had attempted the life of Louis in 1757, was executed.

10. The proud spirit of Charles could not submit to a rigour that had never been exercised against any of his predecessors.

11. The future proceedings of the parliament, if a fanatical junto entirely under the direction of the army can deserve that honourable name, were worthy of the members who composed it.

12. But while this monarch persecuted the French Protestants, in opposition to all the principles of humanity and sound policy, he was no dupe to the Court of Rome.

FORMS OF SENTENCES FOR IMITATION.

EXERCISE XXII.

The learner is to write sentences constructed like the following models:

FIRST MODEL.

[Subject qualified-passive proposition-time-place

-agent.]
Examples.

1. This beautiful nosegay was bought in Covent Garden yesterday afternoon by my brother.

2. The art of printing was invented in Germany, about the year 1445, by Guttemberg of Mainz.

3. A great sensation was produced in the House of Commons last night, by the speech of a new member, &c.

SECOND MODEL.

LA passive, followed by an active proposition (a consequence of the former), the two connected by the words "so" or "such," and "that."]

Examples.

1. The king was so displeased with this conduct of the parliament, that he refused positively to give his consent to the Bill.

2. The town was defended with such vigour by the inhabitants, that the hostile army soon abandoned the enterprise in despair.

3. Their cause was pleaded so eloquently by the advocate, that the prisoners felt sure of their immediate acquittal.

THIRD MODEL.

[Principal subject (inserted complementary explanatory proposition), principal copula and predicate ||conjunction, second proposition (subject understood), complement, &c.]

Examples.

1. The young marquis, who had been entered at King's College, Cambridge, was seized with the smallpox, and died at the early age of sixteen.

2. This terrible disaster, which filled the whole nation with alarm, was after all productive of no serious consequences, and served but to render the government more on the alert for the future.

3. The war, which had been protracted to an unusual length, languished for a few years longer, and was at length brought to a close by the Treaty of Westphalia.

EXERCISE XXIII.

The following models are to be imitated in sentences of the pupil's construction :

FOURTH MODEL.

[An impersonal passive form, beginning with "it" or "there; "—the conjunction "that," followed by a second proposition (subject expressed).]

Examples.

1. It has been often remarked, that there is generally a wide difference between the principles and the practice even of the best men.

2. There is no doubt that the adoption of this plan would have eventually secured success.

3. It is of the greatest importance that we contract our desires to our condition; and, whatever may be our expectations, that we should live within the compass of what we actually possess.

FIFTH MODEL.

[Two propositions connected by the conjunction "and," the second being a consequence of the first, and having a different subject.]

Examples.

1. The Marquis of Newcastle, by his extensive influence, had raised a considerable force for the king, and high hopes were entertained of success, from the known loyalty and abilities of that noble

man.

2. Fears were now entertained for the safety of the party, and an expedition was fitted out at the expense