ts of Rome.--_J. Caesar._

Also from the same period,--

Imitating the manner of the _most ancientest_ and _finest_
Grecians.--BEN JONSON.

After the _most straitest_ sect of our religion.--_Bible_, 1611.

Such expressions are now heard only in vulgar English. The following
examples are used purposely, to represent the characters as ignorant
persons:--

The artful saddler persuaded the young traveler to look at "the
_most convenientest_ and _handsomest_ saddle that ever was
seen."--BULWER.

"There's nothing comes out but the _most lowest_ stuff in nature;
not a bit of high life among them."--GOLDSMITH.

_THREE FIRST_ OR _FIRST THREE_?

432. As to these two expressions, over which a little war has so
long been buzzing, we think it not necessary to say more than that
both are in good use; not only so in popular speech, but in literary
English. Instances of both are given below.

The meaning intended is the same, and the reader gets the same idea
from both: hence there is properly a perfect liberty in the use of
either or both.

[Sidenote: First three, _etc._]

For Carlyle, and Secretary Walsingham also, have been helping
them heart and soul for the _last two_ years.--KINGSLEY.

The delay in the _first three_ lines, and conceit in the last,
jar upon us constantly.--RUSKIN.

The _last dozen_ miles before you reach the suburbs.--DE QUINCEY.

Mankind for the _first seventy thousand_ ages ate their meat
raw.--LAMB.

The _first twenty_ numbers were expressed by a corresponding
number of dots. The _first five_ had specific names.--PRESCOTT.

[Sidenote: Three first, _etc._]

These are the _three first_ needs of civilized life.--RUSKIN.

He has already finished the _three first_ sticks of it.--ADDISON.

In my _two last_ you had so much of Lismahago that I suppose you
are glad he is gone.--SMOLLETT.

I have not numbered the lines except of the _four first_ books.
--COWPER.

The _seven first_ centuries were filled with a succession of
triumphs.--GIBBON.

ARTICLES.

[Sidenote: _Definite article_.]

433. The definite article is repeated before each of two modifiers
of the same noun, when the purpose is to call attention to the noun
expressed and the one understood. In such a case two or more separate
objects are usually indicated by the separation of the modifiers.
Exampl