Lectures on Language Part 12

"He spoke ( ), and _it_ was done; he commanded ( ), and _it_ stood fast."

"_Bless_ ( ), and _curse_ ( ) not."--_Bible._

"_Strike_ ( ) while the iron is hot."--_Proverb._

"I _came_ ( ), I _saw_ ( ), I _conquered_ ( )."--_Caesar's Letter._

He lives ( ) contented and happy.

"The _life_ that I now _live_, in the flesh, I _live_ by the faith of the son of G.o.d."--_Paul._

"Let me _die_ the _death_ of the righteous, and let my last _end be_ like his."--_Numbers._

As bodily exercise particularly strengthens ( ), as it invites ( ) to sleep ( ), and secures ( ) against great disorders, it is to be generally encouraged. Gymnastic exercises may be established for all ages and for all cla.s.ses. The Jews were ordered to _take a walk_ out of the city on the Sabbath day; and here rich and poor, young and old, master and slave, met ( ) and indulged ( ) in innocent mirth or in the pleasures of friendly intercourse.--_Spurzheim on Education._

"Men will wrangle ( ) for religion; write ( ) for it; fight ( ) for it; die ( ) for it; any thing but live ( ) for it."--_Lacon._

"I have addressed this volume to those that think ( ), and some may accuse me of an ostentatious independence, in presuming ( ) to inscribe a book to so small a minority. But a volume addressed to those that think ( ) is in fact addressed to all the world; for altho the proportion of those who _do_ ( ) think ( ) be extremely small, yet every individual _flatters himself_ that he is one of the number."--_Idem._

What is the difference whether a man _thinks_ or not, if he produces no _thoughts_?

"He that _thinks himself_ the happiest man, really is so; but he that _thinks himself_ the wisest, is generally the greatest fool."--_Idem._

"A man _has_ many _workmen employed_; some to plough ( ) and sow ( ), others to chop ( ) and split ( ); some to mow ( ) and reap ( ); one to score ( ) and hew ( ); two to frame ( ) and raise ( ). In his factory he has persons to card ( ), spin ( ), reel ( ), spool ( ), warp ( ), and weave ( ), and a clerk to deliver ( ) and charge ( ), to receive ( ) and pay ( ). They eat ( ), and drink ( ), heartily, three times a day; and as they work ( ) hard, and feel ( ) tired at night, they lay ( ) down, sleep ( ) soundly, and dream ( ) pleasantly; they rise ( ) up early to go ( ) to work ( ) again. In the morning the children wash ( ) and dress ( ) and prepare ( ) to go ( ) to school, to learn ( ) to read ( ), write ( ), and cipher ( )." All neuter or intransitive verbs!!

"The celebrated horse, Corydon, will perform ( ) on Tuesday evening in the circus. He will leap ( ) over four bars, separately, in imitation of the english hunter. He will lie ( ) down, and rise ( ) up instantly at the _word of command_. He will move ( ) backwards and sideways, rear ( ) and stand ( ) on his hind feet; he will sit ( ) down, like a Turk, on a cus.h.i.+on. To conclude ( ), he will leap ( ), in a surprising manner, over two horses."--_Cardell's Grammar._

The gymnastic is not a mountebank; he palms off no legerdemain upon the public. He will stretch a line across the room, several feet from the floor, over which he will leap ( ) with surprising dexterity. He will stand ( ) on his head, balance, ( ) on one foot, and swing ( ) from side to side of the room; lay ( ) crosswise, and sideways; spring ( ) upon his feet; bound ( ) upon the floor; dance ( ) and keel ( ) over with out touching his hands. He will sing ( ), play ( ), and mimic ( ); look ( ) like a king, and act ( ) like a fool. He will laugh ( ) and cry ( ), as if real; roar ( ) like a lion, and chirp ( ) like a bird. To conclude ( ): He will do all this to an audience of neuter grammarians, without either "_action_ or _pa.s.sion_," all the while having a "_state of being_," motionless, in the center of the room!!

What a lie! say you. _A lie?_ I hope you do not accuse _me_ of lying. If there is any thing false in this matter it all _lies_ in the quotation, at the conclusion, from the standard grammar. If that is false, whose fault is it? Not mine, certainly. But what if I should _lie_ ( ), intransitively? I should tell no falsehoods.

But enough of this. If there is any thing irrational or inconsistent, any thing false or ridiculous, in this view of the subject, it should be remembered that it has been long taught, not only in common schools, but in our academies and colleges, as serious, practical truth; as the only means of acquiring a correct knowledge of language, or fitting ourselves for usefulness or respectability in society. You smile at such trash, and well you may; but you must bear in mind that grammar is not the only thing in which we may turn round and _laugh_ ( ) at past follies.

But I am disposed to consider this matter of more serious consequence than to deserve our _laughter_. When I see the rising generation spend months and years of the best and most important part of their lives, which should be devoted to the acquisition of that which is true and useful, studying the dark and false theory of language as usually taught, I am far from feeling any desire to laugh at the folly which imposes such a task upon them. I remember too distinctly the years that have just gone by. I have seen too many blighted hopes, too many wearisome hours, too many sad countenances, too many broken resolutions; to say nothing of corporeal chastis.e.m.e.nts; to think it a small matter that children are erroneously taught the rudiments of language, because sanctioned by age, or great names. A change, an important change, a radical change, in this department of education, is imperiously demanded, and teachers must obey the call, and effect the change. There is a spirit abroad in the land which will not bow tamely and without complaint, to the unwarranted dictation of arbitrary, false, and contradictory rules, merely from respect to age. It demands reason, consistency and plainness; and yields a.s.sent only where they are found.

And teachers, if they will not lead in the reformation, must be satisfied to follow after; for a reformation is loudly called for, and will be had. None are satisfied with existing grammars, which, in principle, are nearly alike. The seventy-three attempts to improve and simplify Murray, have only acted _intransitively_, and accomplished very little, if any good, save the employment given to printers, paper makers, and booksellers.

But I will not enlarge. We have little occasion to wonder at the errors and mistakes of grammar makers, when our lexicographers tell us for sober truth, that =to act=, _to be in action_, _not to rest_, to be in _motion_, to _move_, is _v. n._ a verb neuter, signifying _no action_!!

or _v. i._ verb intransitive, producing _no effects_; and that a "_neuter verb_ =expresses= (active transitive verb) _a state of being_!!

There are few minds capable of adopting such premises, and drawing therefrom conclusions which are rational or consistent. Truth is rarely elicted from error, beauty from deformity, or order from confusion.

While, therefore, we allow the neuter systems to sink into forgetfulness, as they usually do as soon as we leave school and shut our books, let us throw the mantle of charity over those who have thoughtlessly (without _thinking thoughts_) and innocently lead us many months in dark and doleful wanderings, in paths of error and contradiction, mistaken for the road to knowledge and usefulness. But let us resolve to save ourselves and future generations from following the same unpleasant and unprofitable course, and endeavor to _reflect_ the _light_ which may _s.h.i.+ne_ upon our minds, to dispel the surrounding darkness, and secure the light and knowledge of truth to those who shall come after us.

Many philologists have undertaken to explain our language by the aid of foreign tongues. Because there are genitive cases, different kinds of verbs, six tenses, etc. in the Latin or Greek, the same distinctions should exist in our grammars. But this argument will not apply, admitting that other languages will not allow of the plan of exposition we have adopted, which we very seriously question, tho we have not time to go into that investigation. We believe that the principles we have adopted are capable of universal application; that what is action in England would be action in Greece, Rome, Turkey, and every where else; that "_like causes will produce like effects_" all the world over. It matters not by whom the action is seen, it is the same, and all who gather ideas therefrom will describe it as it appears to them, let them speak what language they may. But if they have no ideas to express, they need no language to speak. Monkeys, for aught I know to the contrary, can speak as well as we; but the reason they do not, is because they have nothing to say.

Let Maelzael's automaton chess-player be exhibited to a promiscuous mult.i.tude. They would all attempt a description of it, so far as they were able to gain a knowledge of its construction, each in his own language. Some might be unable to trace the _cause_, the moving _power_, thro all the curiously arranged _means_, to the _agent_ who acted as prime mover to the whole affair. Others, less cautious in their conclusions, might think it a perpetual motion. Such would find a _first cause_ short of the Creator, the great original of all things and actions; and thus violate the soundest principles of philosophy. Heaven has never left a vacuum where a new and _self_ sustaining power may be set in operation independent of his ever-present supervision; and hence the long talked of _perpetual motion_ is the vainest chimera which ever occupied the human brain. It may well appear as the opposite extreme of neuter verbs; for, while one would give no action to matter according to the physical laws which regulate the world, the other would make matter act of itself, independent of the Almighty. Be it ours to take a more rational and consistent stand; to view all things and beings as occupying a place duly prescribed by Infinite Wisdom, _acting_ according to their several abilities, and subject to the regulation of the all-pervading laws which guide, preserve, and harmonize the whole.

If there is a subject which teaches us beyond controversy the existence of a Supreme Power, a Universal Father, an all-wise and ever-present G.o.d, it is found in the order and harmony of all things, produced by the regulation of Divine laws; and man's superiority to the rest of the world is most clearly proved, from the possession of a power to adapt language to the communication of ideas in free and social converse, or in the transmission of thought, drawn from an observation and knowledge of things as presented to his understanding.

There is no science so directly important to the growth of intellect and the future happiness of the child, as the knowledge of language.

Without it, what is life? Wherein would man be elevated above the brute?

And what is language without ideas? A sound without harmony--a shadow without a substance.

Let language be taught on the principles of true philosophy, as a science, instead of an arbitrary, mechanical business, a mere art, and you will no longer hear the complaint of a "_dry_, _cold_, uninteresting study." Its rules will be simple, plain, and easy; and at every step the child will increase in the knowledge of more than _words_, in an acquaintance with principles of natural and moral science. And if there is any thing that will carry the mind of the child above the low and grovelling things of earth, and fill the soul with reverence and devotion to the Holy Being who fills immensity with his presence, it is when, from observing the laws which govern matter, he pa.s.ses to observe the powers and capabilities of the mind, and thence ascends to the Intellectual Source of _light_, _life_, and _being_, and contemplates the perennial and ecstatic joys which flow from the presence of Deity; soul mingling with soul, love absorbed in love, and G.o.d all in all.

LECTURE XI.

ON VERBS.

The verb =to be=.--Compounded of different radical words.--=Am=.

--Defined.--The name of Deity.--_Ei_.--=Is=.--=Are=.--=Were=, =was=.--=Be=.--A dialogue.--Examples.--Pa.s.sive Verbs examined.-- Cannot be in the present tense.--The past participle is an adjective.

We have gone through the examination of _neuter_ and _intransitive_ verbs, with the exception of the verb =to be=, which we propose to notice in this place. Much more might be said on the subjects I have discussed, and many more examples given to ill.u.s.trate the nature and operation of actions as expressed by verbs, and also in reference to the _objects_ of action; but I trust the hints I have given will be satisfactory. I am confident, if you will allow your minds to _think_ correct _thoughts_, and not _suffer_ them _to be_ misled by erroneous teaching, you will arrive at the same conclusion that I have, viz. that all verbs depend on a _common principle_ for their explanation; that they are alike active, and necessarily take an object after them, either expressed or understood, in accordance with the immutable law of nature, which teaches that like causes will produce like effects.

The verb =to be=, as it is called, is conjugated by the aid of six different words, in its various modes and tenses; _am_, _is_, _are_, _was_, _were_, _be_. _Am_ is unchanged, always in the indicative mood, present tense, agreeing with the _first_ person singular. _Is_ is also unchanged, in the same mood and tense, agreeing with the _third_ person singular. _Art_, in the singular, is the same as _are_ in the plural.

_Was_ and _wast_, are the same as _were_ and _wert_ in meaning, being derived from the same etymon. _Be_, _being_, and _been_, are changes of the same word. _Be_ was formerly extensively used in the indicative present, but in that condition it is nearly obsolete. _Were_ was also used in the singular as well as plural, especially when coming before the agent; as, "were I to go, I would do your business." But it is now more common to have _was_ correctly used in that case. But, as one extreme often follows another, people have laid _were_ quite too much aside, and often crowd _was_ into its place in common conversation; as "we _was_ (were) there yesterday." "There _was_ (were) five or six men engaged in the business." This error appears to be gaining ground, and should be checked before it goes farther.

The combination of these different words was produced by habit, to avoid the monotony which the frequent recurrence of one word, so necessary in the expression of thought, would occasion: the same as the past tense of _go_ is made by the subst.i.tution of another word radically different, _went_, the past tense of _wend_ or _wind_. "O'er hills and dales they _wend_ their way." "The lowing herd _wind_ slowly o'er the lea." _Go_ and _wend_ convey to our minds nearly the same ideas. The latter is a little more poetical, because less used. But originally their signification was quite different. So with the parts of the verb =to be=. They were consolidated as a matter of convenience, and now appear in their respective positions to express the idea of being, life, or existence.

I have said this verb expresses the highest degree of action. I will now attempt to prove it. I should like to go into a labored and critical examination of the words, and trace their changes thro various languages, was it in accordance with the design of these lectures. But as it is not, I shall content myself with general observations.

_I am._

This word is not defined in our dictionaries. It is only said to be "_the first person of to be_." We must look for its meaning some where else. It is a compound of two ancient words, _ah_, _breath_, to _breathe_, life, to _live_, _light_, to _light_; and _ma_, the _hand_, or to _hand_. It signifies to _vivify_, _sustain_, or _support_ one's self in being or existence. In process of time, like other things in this mutable world, its form was changed, but the meaning retained. But as one person could not _vivify_ or _live_ another, _inflate_ another's lungs, or breathe another's breath, it became restricted to the first person. It means, I _breathe breath_, _vivify myself_, _live life_, or _exercise_ the power of _being_ or _living_. It conveys this fact in every instance, for no person incapable of breathing can say _I am_. Let any person p.r.o.nounce the word _ah-ma_, and they will at once perceive the appropriateness of the meaning here given. It is very similar to the letter _h_, and the p.r.o.noun, (originally _noun_,) _he_, or the "_rough breathing_" in the Greek language. _Ma_ is compounded with many words which express action done by the hand; as, _ma_nufacture, _ma_numit. It denoted any action or work done by the hand as the instrument; but, like other words, it gradually changed its import, so as to express any _effective_ operation. Hence the union of the words was natural and easy, and _ahma_ denoted _breathing_, _to live_ or sustain life. _H_ is a precarious letter in all languages that use it, as the p.r.o.nunciation of it by many who speak the English language, will prove. It was long ago dropt, in this word, and after it the last _a_, so that we now have the plain word _am_.

It was formerly used as a noun in our language, and as such may be found in Exodus 3: 13, 14. "And Moses said unto G.o.d, Behold when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The G.o.d of your fathers sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his _name_? what shall I say unto them? And G.o.d said unto Moses, I =am= the I AM; and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Chap. 6: 3.--"I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of G.o.d Almighty; but by my name =Jehovah= (I AM) was I not known unto them." The word _Jehovah_ is the same as _am_. It is the name of the _self-existent_, _self-sustaining_ =Being=, who has not only power to uphold all things, but to perform the still more sublime action of _upholding_ or _sustaining himself_. This is the highest possible degree of action. Let this fail, and all creation will be a wreck. He is the _ever-living_, _uncontrolled_, _unfailing_, _una.s.sisted_, and _never-changing_ G.o.d, the Creator, Preserver, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End of all things. He is the _First Cause_ of all causes, the _Agent_, original moving Power, and guiding Wisdom, which set in motion the wheels of universal nature, and guides and governs them without "variableness or the shadow of turning."

"I AM the first, and I, the last, Thro endless years the same; I AM is my memorial still, And my eternal name."

_Watts' Hymn._

Ask the Jews the meaning of this _neuter verb_ in their language. They hold it in the most profound and superst.i.tious reverence. After the captivity of their nation they never dared p.r.o.nounce the name except once a year when the high priest went into the Holy of Holies, and hence the true p.r.o.nunciation of it was lost. Unto this day they dare not attempt to utter it. In all their writings it remains in characters untranslated. When their Messiah comes they expect he will restore the p.r.o.nunciation, and by it they shall be able to accomplish all things.[15]

According to Plutarch the Greeks had the letters EI, =thou art=, engraven on the temple of Apollo at Delphi, which is the second person of =Eimi=, _I am_.[16]

This motto was doubtless borrowed from the Jews, to whom it was given as the name of the G.o.d of Jacob. The same name you may see engraven on monuments, on pictures of the bible, on masonic implements, and in various places, untranslated.

Who can suppose that this word "expresses no action," when the very person incapable of it can not utter it, and no one else can speak it for him? It denotes the highest conceivable action applied to Deity or to man, and it is questionable philosophy which dares contradict this fact. The action expressed by it, is not changed, because it does not terminate on a foreign object. It remains the same. It is self-action.

_He is._

This word is constructed from an old verb signifying _to stand forth_, _to appear_, _to show one's self_, and may be traced, I think, to the latin _eo_, _to go_, and _exist_, to _exeo_, _to go from_; that is, our _being_ or _existence_, _came_ or _stood forth_ from G.o.d. It is certainly a contraction from the old english _to exist_. _Ist_ is the spelling still retained in the german and some other languages. It denotes self-action. One man does not _exist_ another, but himself. He _keeps himself_ in existence.

_We are_, _thou are-est_, _arst_, or _art_.