adopt it. It has
the advantage of being _new_; and, moreover, it sounds _large_, and
will make the _commonalty stare_. Let it be distinctly understood,
that you teach _"philosophical grammar, founded on reason and common
sense_," and you will pass for a very learned man, and make all the
good housewives wonder at the rapid march of intellect, and the vast
improvements of the age.

MOOD.

Verbs have three moods, the indicative, (embracing what is commonly
included under the _indicative_, the _subjunctive_, and the
_potential_,) the imperative, and the infinitive.--For definitions,
refer to the body of the work.

TENSE OR TIME.

Verbs have only two tenses, the present and the past. A verb
expressing action commenced and not completed, is in the present
tense; as, "Religion _soars_: it _has_ gained many victories: it
_will_ [to] _carry_ its votaries to the blissful regions."

When a verb expresses finished action, it is in the past tense; as,
"This page (the Bible) God _hung_ out of heaven, and _retired_."

A verb in the imperative and infinitive moods, is always in the
_present_ tense, high authorities to the contrary notwithstanding.
The _command_ must _necessarily_ be given in time present, although
its _fulfilment_ must be future. John, what are you doing? Learning
my task. Why do you learn it? Because my preceptor _commanded_ me to
do so. When _did_ he command you? _Yesterday_.--Not _now_, of
course.

That it is inconsistent with the nature of things for a command to
be given in _future_ time, and that the _fulfilment_ of the command,
though future, has nothing to do with the tense or time of the
command itself, are truths so plain as to put to the blush the gross
absurdity of those who identify the time of the fulfilment with
that of the command.

* * * * *

EXERCISES IN PARSING.

You _may read_ the book which I _have printed_. _May_, an irregular
active verb, signifying "to have and to exercise might or strength,"
indic. mood, pres. tense, second pers. plur. agreeing with its nom.
_you. Read_, an irregular verb active, infinitive mood, pres. tense,
with the sign _to_ understood, referring to _you_ as its agent.
_Have_, an active verb, signifying to _possess_, indic. present, and
having for its object, book understood a