CHAP. VI.

Of Adverbs.

VERBS as well as nouns substantive receive adjectives, but in a manner peculiarly adapted to them. These adjectives are called adverbs, because they are put before or after verbs, to increase or lessen the signification. For example, I say, I have struck; but if I add, forcibly, this adjective increases the signification of the verb. If, on the contrary, I add feebly, this last adjective lessens its signification. This species of adjective is indeclinable, having no case, number, or gender.

We represent it by signs in this way :—If greatly is to be expressed, we elevate the right hand a convenient height; then place it over the left hand, which is the sign for

adjective, to signify great: but to adverbify

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this adjective, we transport our right hand to our side, because an adverb is placed beside a verb, to modify it, as our right hand is now placed against our side. This third sign, joined to the two preceding, signifies greatly. This example will suffice for all other adverbs derived from nouns adjective.

CHAP. VII.

Of Prepositions.

PREPOSITIONS are so called, because they are put before the words they govern.

Each preposition has its peculiar sign, conformable to its signification; but the general sign agreeing to all, is made by bending the fingers of the left hand, and drawing this hand thus from left to right upon the line we are reading or writing, because we then meet with the prepositions before we find the word to which they relate, or, rather, which they govern.

Conceiving that for this article the general sign is not enough, we proceed to give separate signs for the prepositions which

occur most.

With, is expressed in signs, by holding both hands bent opposite one another, and

showing that there are two or more things together between: the two hands are then in the figure of a parenthesis ().

Afore, after:-We write down the word noon: all the hours of the morning are afore, all the hours which follow it are after, it is in the middle between them.

Before, behind :-Every thing that I can see directly facing me, is before me; every thing I cannot see without turning my head round, is behind me.

In, into, have different signs. Into expresses an entrance or penetration; we shut all the fingers of the left hand, and thrust the right fore-finger between; or we put a hand into one of our pockets. In, notes the place or state of a thing:- he works in 'doors;' we keep the right fore-finger perpendicularly over the table, and put it upon different places successively, without stopping at any one.

Against:-We move the two fore-fingers against one another several times, as if they

were going to assault each other, to indicate contrariety. When this preposition signifies contiguity, as, against the wall,' we approach our hand to the object denoted.

Since, announces the commencement and continuance of a thing. We show the time at which the thing commenced, and run the hand along till it comes to us, or to the time at which the thing ended. As an adverb, this word signifies seeing that, which is easily rendered by signs.

During, marks the duration of time :-' I have worked during eight hours,' means, 'I ' have employed eight hours at work.' We therefore make, 1. The sign for hour, (with the meaning of which word our pupil is well acquainted, by seeing the graduation of hours on the dial plates of clocks, the sound of whose bells, we tell him, strikes upon our ear, just as the little hammer of an alarm watch strikes upon his fingers); 2. By

runnning our hand round the dial plate,