CHAPTER VIII.

OF PREPOSITIONS.

Prepositions serve to connect words with one another, and to show the relation between them. They are, for the most part, put before nouns and pronouns: as, "He went from London to York;" "She is above disguise;" "They are instructed by him."

Of

The following is a list of the principal prepositions :

Verbs are often compounded of a verb and a preposition as, to uphold, to invest, to overlook: and this com position sometimes gives a new sense to the verb: as, to understand, to withdraw, to forgive. Bat in English, tho preposition is more frequently placed after the verb, and separately from it, like an adverb; in which situation it is not less apt to affect the sense of it, and to give it a new meaning; and may still be considered as belonging to the verb, and as a part of it. As, to cast, is to throw; but to cast up, or to compute, an account, is quite a different thing; thus, to fall on, to bear out, to give over; &c. So that the meaning of the verb, and the propriety of the phrase, M

depend on the preposition subjoined. As the distinct component parts of these words, are, however, no guide to the sense of the whole, this circumstance contributes greatly towards making our language peculiarly difficult to foreigners.

In the composition of many words, there are certain syllables employed, which grammarians have called inseparable prepositions: as, be, con, mis, &c. in bedeck, conjoin, mistake: but as they are not words of any kind, they cannot properly be called a species of preposition.

See

One great use of prepositions, in English, is, to express those relations, which, in some languages, are chiefly marked by cases, or the different endings of nouns. page 18. The necessity and use of them will appear from the following examples. If we say, "he writes a pen," "they ran the river," "the tower fell the Greeks," "Lambeth is Westminster-abbey," there is observable, in each of these expressions, either a total want of connexion, or such a connexion as produces falsehood or nonsense: and it is evident, that, before they can be turned into sense, the vacancy must be filled up by some connecting word: as thus, "He writes with a pen;" "they ran towards the river;" "the tower fell upon the Greeks;" "Lambeth is over against Westminster-abbey." We see by these instances, how prepositions may be necessary to connect those words, which in their signification are not naturally connected.

Prepositions, in their original and literal acceptation, seem to have denoted relations of place; but they are now used figuratively to express other relations. For example, as they who are above have, in several respects, the advantage of such as are below, prepositions expressing high and low places, are used for superiority and inferiority in general: as, "He is above disguise;" "we serve under a good master;" "he rules over a willing people;" "we should do nothing beneath our character."

The importance of the prepositions will be farther per ceived by the explanation of a few of them.

Of denotes possession or belonging, an effect or consequence, and other relations connected with these: as, "The house of my friend;" that is, "the house belonging to my friend;" "He died of a fever;" that is, "in consequence of a fever."

To, or unto, is opposed to from: as, "He rode from Salisbury to Winchester."

For indicates the cause or motive of any action or circumstance, &c.: as, "He loves her /br (that is, on account of) her amiable qualities."

By is generally used with reference to the cause, agent, means, &c. as, " He was killed by a fall;" that is, "a fall was the cause of his being killed;" "This house was built by him;" that is," he was the builder of it."

With denotes the act of accompanying, uniting, &c.: as, "We will go with you ;" "They are on good terms with each other."—With also alludes to the instrument or means: as, "He was cut with a knife."

In relates to time, place, the state or manner of being or acting, &c.: as, " He was born in (that is, during) the year I720;"" He dwells in the city;"" She lives in affluence."

Into is used after verbs that imply motion of any kind: as, "He retired into the country;" "Copper is converted into brass."

Within, relates to something comprehended in any place or time: as, "They are within the house;" "He began and finished his work within the limited time."

The signification of without is opposite to that of within: as, "She stands without the gate:" But it is more frequently opposed to with: as, "You may go without

me."

The import and force of the remaining prepositions will be readily understood, without a particular detail of

them. We shall, therefore, conclude this head with observing, that there is a peculiar propriety in distinguishing the use of the prepositions by and with; which is observable in sentences like the following: "He walks with a staff by moonlight;" "He was taken by stratagem, and killed with a sword." Put the one preposition for the other, and say, "he walks by a staff with moonlight;" "he was taken with stratagem, and killed by a sword;" and it will appear, that they differ in signification more than one, at first view, would be apt to imagine.

Some of the prepositions have the appearance and effect of conjunctions: as, "After their prisons were thrown open," &c." Before I die;" "They made haste to be prepared against their friends arrived" but if the noun time, which is understood, be added, they will lose their conjunctive form: as, "After (the time when] their prisons," &c.

The prepositions after, before, above, beneath, and several others, sometimes appear to be adverbs, and may be so considered: as, "They had their reward soon after;' "He died not long before;"" He dwells above:" but if the nouns time and place be added, they will lose their adverbial form as, "He died not long before that time," &c.

Prepositions, as well as some other species of words, have a variety of significations. It will both gratify and instruct the inquisitive learner, to examine some of the various meanings which are attached to the preposition For. He will find, that each of the phrases denoting these meanings, may, with propriety, be substituted for the preposition.

I. It signifies, because of: as, "Let me sing praises for his mercies and blessings."

2. With regard to, with respect to as,

other happiness I own."

"For me, no

3. In the character of: as, "Let her go for an ungrateful woman."

4. By means of; by interposition of: as, "If it were not for Divine Providence, the world would be a scene

of confusion."

5. For the sake of: as, "He died for those who knew him not."

6. Conducive to as, "It is for the general good."

7. With intention of going to a certain place: as, "We sailed from Peru for China."

8, In expectation of: as, " He waited long for the return of his friend."

9. Instead of: as, "We take a falling meteor for a

star."

10. In search of: as,

ments."

"He went far back for argu

11. In favour of: as, "One party was for the king; the other for the people."

12. Becoming as, "It were more for his honour to submit on this occasion."

13. Notwithstanding: as, "For any thing we know to the contrary, the design may be accomplished." 14. To preserve: as, "I cannot for my life comply with the proposal."

15. In proportion to: as, " He is not very tall, yet for his years, he is tall."

16. For the purpose of: as, "It was constructed for sailing in rough weather."

17. To be: as, "No one ever took him for a very prudent

man."

18. In illustration of: as, "Thus much, for the first point under consideration."

19. In exchange for: as, They received gold for their glass beads."

20. During: life."

as, "He was elected to the office for his