,
improper to say, _a_ apple, _a_ humble suppliant, _an_ hero, _an_
university, because the word _apple_ begins with a vowel, and _h_ is not
sounded in the word _humble_, for which reasons _a_ should be _an_ in
the first two examples; but, as the _h_ is sounded in _hero_, and the
_u_ is long in _university, a_ ought to be prefixed to these words:
thus, _an_ apple, _an_ humble suppliant: _a_ hero, _a_ university. You
may correct the following

EXAMPLES.

A enemy, a inkstand, a hour, an horse, an herald, an heart, an heathen,
an union, a umbrella, an useful book, many an one. This is an hard
saying. They met with an heavy loss. He would not give an hat for an
horse.

NOTE 1, TO RULE 2. The articles are often properly omitted: when used
they should be justly applied, according to their distinct character;
as, "Gold is corrupting; _The_ sea is green; _A_ lion is bold." It would
be improper to say, _The_ gold is corrupting; Sea is green; Lion is
bold.

The grass is good for horses, and the wheat for men. Grass is good for
the horses, and wheat for the men. Grass looks well. Wheat is blighted.

In the first of these sentences, we are not speaking of any particular
kind of _grass_ or _wheat_, neither do we wish to limit the meaning to
any particular crop or field of grass, or quantity of wheat; but we are
speaking of grass and wheat generally, therefore the article _the_
should be omitted. In the second sentence, we do not refer to any
definite kind, quality, or number of _horses_ or _men_; but to horses
and men generally; that is, the terms are here used to denote _whole
species_, therefore, the article should be omitted, and the sentence
should read thus, "Grass is good for horses, and wheat for men."

In the third and fourth examples, we wish to limit our meaning to the
crops of _grass_ and _wheat_ now on the ground, which, in
contradistinction to the crops heretofore raised, are considered as
_particular_ objects; therefore we should say, "_The_ grass looks
well; _The_ wheat is blighted."

NOTE 2. When a noun is used in its _general_ sense, the article should
be omitted; as, "_Poetry_ is a pleasing art;" "_Oranges_ grow in New
Orleans."

FALSE SYNTAX.

Corn in the garden, grows well; but corn in the field, does not. How
does the tobacco sell? The tobacco is dear. How do you like the study of
the grammar? The grammar is a pleasing study. A candid temper is proper
for the man. World is wide. The man is mortal.