s.--A. HAMILTON.

(3) _By asking a question to find out some fact_; as,--

Is private credit the friend and patron of industry?--HAMILTON.

With respect to novels what shall I say?--N. WEBSTER.

[Sidenote: _Definition._]

216 .The indicative mood is that form of a verb which represents a
thing as a fact, or inquires about some fact.

SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD.

[Sidenote: _Meaning of the word._]

217. _Subjunctive_ means _subjoined_, or joined as dependent or
subordinate to something else.

[Sidenote: _This meaning is misleading._]

If its original meaning be closely adhered to, we must expect every
dependent clause to have its verb in the subjunctive mood, and every
clause _not_ dependent to have its verb in some other mood.

But this is not the case. In the quotation from Hamilton (Sec. 215, 2)
several subjoined clauses introduced by _if_ have the indicative mood,
and also independent clauses are often found having the verb in the
subjunctive mood.

[Sidenote: _Cautions._]

Three cautions will be laid down which must be observed by a student
who wishes to understand and use the English subjunctive:--

(1) You cannot tell it always by the form of the word. The main
difference is, that the subjunctive has no _-s_ as the ending of the
present tense, third person singular; as, "If he _come_."

(2) The fact that its clause is dependent or is introduced by certain
words will not be a safe rule to guide you.

(3) The _meaning_ of the verb itself must be keenly studied.

[Sidenote: _Definition._]

218. The subjunctive mood is that form or use of the verb which
expresses action or being, not as a fact, but as merely conceived of
in the mind.

Subjunctive in Independent Clauses.

I. Expressing a Wish.

219. The following are examples of this use:--

Heaven _rest_ her soul!--MOORE.

God _grant_ you find one face there You loved when all was
young.--KINGSLEY.

Now _tremble_ dimples on your cheek, Sweet _be_ your lips to
taste and speak.--BEDDOES.

Long _die_ thy happy days before thy death.--SHAKESPEARE.

II. A Contingent Declaration or Question.

220. This really amounts to the conclusion, or principal clause, in
a sentence, of which the condition is omitted.

Our chosen specimen of the hero as literary man [if we were to
choose one] _would be_ this Goethe.--CARLYLE.

I _could lie_ down like a tired child,
And _weep_ away th