A is used before words beginning with a consonant sound; as, a boy, a union, a green apple.

An is used before words beginning with a vowel sound; as, an apple, an old union.

To be Learned: Limiting adjectives are those which point out or denote number or amount.

Exercise. Select all the limiting adjectives in these sentences, and tell what each adjective modifies:

1. It was difficult to find a name for the lady.

2. No sign of the schooner appeared.

3. My residence at that time was in Charleston, a distance of nine miles from the island.

4. Few coaches were abroad, for riders in coaches were liable to be suspected.

5. Next morning, before I was awake, our strange lodger was gone.

6. Each ivied arch and pillar lone

Pleads haughtily for glories gone.

7. Three fishers went sailing away to the west.

8. The family display of glass consisted of two tumblers and a custard cup without a handle.

9. There are many subjects in which I feel no interest because they are stupid.

10. The skirmish continued for several minutes without either party receiving a wound.

11. One side was completely paralyzed, but she could still partially control her left arm.

12. We had reached a depth of five feet, and yet no signs of any treasure became manifest.

13. At each of these portals were stationed two heralds attended by six trumpeters, as many pursuivants, and a strong body of men at

arms.

Exercise. Why should we say six feet instead of six foot, two quarts instead of two quart, ten dollars instead of ten dollar? When we make adjectives of these expressions, we use the singular noun instead of the plural. We say,a six-foot pole, a two-quart pail, a ten-dollar hat.

Supply a correct word in each of these sentences. Tell why the word is singular or plural.

I saw a high mountain in Germany, a higher one in France, and the highest of all in Switzerland.

We call

What change has the word high undergone? this change comparison. When we give the three forms of an adjective, we say that we compare it. Compare sweet, heavy, kind, bitter, easy.

100. We say that high is in the positive degree, higher is in the comparative degree, and highest is in the superlative degree.

101. It does not sound well to compare some adjectives by adding er and est, so we prefix the words more and most; as, painful, more painful, most painful; expensive, more expensive, most expensive.

102. We may also compare adjectives by prefixing less and least. Compare the following adjectives by using the two sets of prefixes: likely, lonely, absurd, agreeable, conspicuous.

103. Some adjectives have a meaning that does not admit of comparison; as, oaken, perfect, almighty, everlasting.

104. Comparison by means of the suffixes er and est, and by means of the prefixes more and most, less and least, is called regular comparison.

105. Some adjectives are compared irregularly. Learn the following:

106. Should we say, "Which of the two is the younger,' or, "which of the two is the youngest"? Why? What should we say if we are speaking of more than two? Think of similar instances, and then make a statement

about when to use the comparative degree and when the superlative.

To be Learned: Comparison, in an adjective, is a change of form to express quality or quantity in different degrees.

-

Exercise. Tell the degree of each adjective in the following sentences. Give the reason for the use of each comparative degree and each superlative degree.

1. Fairest of all the maids was Evangeline, Benedict's daughter. 2. “I am richer," said Gurth, "than ever was swineherd or bondman."

3. At the foot of the elm tree bubbled up a spring of the softest and sweetest water.

4. I am sorry that I cannot give you fuller information about the comet.

5. The struggle between liberty and authority is the most conspicuous feature in history.

6. The search for a more direct passage to the South Sea was then undertaken, and continued for three centuries.

7. Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought. 8. Mrs. Gummidge's peculiar corner of the fireside seemed to me to be the warmest and snuggest in the place.

9. The eldest of the sisters had not yet reached her twentieth year.

10. In the first decade of our national history antislavery was stronger in Virginia than in New England.

11. The old dame who was sweeping the threshold appeared less rude than her neighbors.

12. Noisiest fountains soonest run dry.

13. Cupid was the youngest, but also the most beautiful, most irresistible god of all.

14. Cassius claimed to be an elder soldier than Brutus.

15. The river is bluer than the sky.

16. Of all these beverages coffee is the least harmful.

XXXV. REVIEW OF ADJECTIVES.

PARSING

107. When we parse an adjective we should tell

1. Its class - descriptive, proper, or limiting.

2. Its degree-positive, comparative, or superlative. 3. Its use

(a) As a modifier of a noun.

(b) As subjective complement of a verb and modifier of the subject.

(c) As objective complement of a verb and modifier of the object.

If an adjective cannot be compared, we should state that fact.

Exercise.Parse the adjectives in the following sen

tences:

MODEL. - French lace is finer.

French is a proper adjective modifying the noun lace. It cannot be compared.

Finer is a descriptive adjective in the comparative degree used as subjective complement of the verb is and modifying the subject French lace.

1. The broad Indian river, that looked more like a chain of little lakes than a stream, was as smooth as glass.

2. The back view of this great bird was immensely respectable, for he was nearly six feet high, and looked like a very proper baldheaded parson.

3. The twenty-four-foot crocodile was older than any man in the village.

4. The crane was a most notorious coward, but the jackal was

worse.

5. Polly was the greatest coward I ever saw in feathers; being