A
_perfect_ grammar will not be produced, until some _perfect_ being
writes it for a _perfect_ language; and a perfect language will not
be constructed, until some _super-human_ agency is employed in its
production. All grammatical principles and systems which are not
_perfect_, are _exceptionable_.
NOTES.
1. The article is _omitted_ before nouns implying the different
virtues, vices, passions, qualities, sciences, arts, metals, herbs,
&c.; as, "_Modesty_ is becoming; _Falsehood_ is odious; _Grammar_ is
useful," &c.
2. The article is not prefixed to proper nouns; as, _Barron_ killed
_Decatur_; except by way of eminence, or for the sake of
distinguishing a particular family, or when some noun is understood;
as, "He is not _a_ Franklin; He is _a_ Lee, or of the family of
_the_ Lees; We sailed down _the_ (river) Missouri."
3. An _adjective_ is frequently placed between the article and the
noun with which the article agrees; as, "A _good_ boy; an
_industrious_ man." Sometimes the adjective precedes the article;
as, "As _great_ a man as Alexander; _Such_ a shame.
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