Note 78 — SENTENCES.

I have been the more particular in noting the proper uses of these Conjunctions, because they occur very frequently, and, as it was observed before of Connective words in general, are of great importance with respect to the clearness and beauty of style. I may add too, because mistakes in the use of them are very common; as it will appear by the following Examples.

Neither is sometimes supposed to be included in its correspondent nor:

⸺ “That all the application he could make, nor the King’s own interposition, could prevail with Her Majesty.” Clarendon, Hist. Vol. III. p. 179. Sometimes to be supplied by a subsequent Negative: “His rule holdeth still, that nature, nor the engagement of words, are not so forcible as custom.” Bacon, Essay xxxix. “The King nor the Queen were not at all deceived.” Clarendon, Hist. Vol. II. p. 363. These forms of expression seem both of them equally improper.

So ⸺, as, was used by the Writers of the last Century, to express a Consequence, instead of So ⸺, that: Examples; “The relations are so uncertain, as [that] they require a great deal of examination.” Bacon, Nat. Hist. “So as [that] it is a hard calumny to affirm, ⸺.” Temple. “This computation being so easy and trivial, as [that] it is a shame to mention it.” Swift, Conduct of the Allies. “That the Spaniards were so violently affected to the House of Austria, as [that] the whole kingdom would revolt.” Ibid. Swift, I believe, is the last of our good Writers, who has frequently used this manner of expression: it seems improper, and is deservedly grown obsolete.

As instead of that, in another manner: “If a man have that penetration of judgement, as [that] he can discern what things are to be laid open.” Bacon, Essay vi. “It is the nature of extreme self-lovers, as [that] they will set an house on fire, and it were but to roast their eggs.” Id. Essay xxiii. “They would have given him such satisfaction in other particulars, as [that] a full and happy peace must have ensued.” Clarendon, Vol. III. p. 214. “We should sufficiently weigh the objects of our hope; whether they be such, as [that] we may reasonably expect from them what they propose in their fruition; and whether they are such, as we are pretty sure of attaining.” Addison, Spect. Nᵒ 535. “France was then disposed to conclude a peace upon such conditions, as [that] it was not worth the life of a granadier to refuse them.” Swift, Four last years of the Queen, B. ii.

As instead of the Relative that, or which: “The Duke had not behaved with that loyalty, as [which] he ought to have done.” Clarendon, Hist. Vol. II. p. 460. “⸺ With those thoughts as [which] might contribute to their honour.” Ibid. p. 565. “In the order, as they lie in his Preface.” Middleton, Works Vol. III p. 8. It ought to be, either, “in order, as they lie;” or, “in the order, in which they lie.” “Securing to yourselves a succession of able and worthy men, as [which] may adorn this place.” Atterbury, Sermons, Vol. IV. 12.

The Relative that instead of as: “Such sharp replies, that [as] cost him his life in few months after.” Clarendon, Hist. Vol. III. p. 179.

The Relative who ⸺, instead of as: “There was no man so sanguine, who did not apprehend some ill consequence from the late change.” Swift, Examiner Nᵒ 24. It ought to be, either, “so sanguine, as not to apprehend, ⸺” or, “There was no man, how sanguine soever, who did not apprehend.”

As improperly omitted: “They are so bold [as] to pronounce ⸺.” Swift, Tale of a Tub, Sect. vii.

Too ⸺, that, improperly used as Correspondent Conjunctions: “Whose Characters are too profligate, that the managing of them should be of any consequence.” Swift, Examiner Nᵒ 24. And, too ⸺, than: “You that are a step higher than a Philosopher, a Divine; yet have too much grace and wit than to be a Bishop.” Pope to Swift, Letter 80. So ⸺, but: “If the appointing and apportioning of penalties to crimes be not so properly a consideration of justice, but rather [as] of prudence in the Lawgiver.” Tillotson, Vol. I. Serm. 35. And to conclude with an example, in which, whatever may be thought of the accuracy of the expression, the justness of the observation will be acknowledged; which may serve also as an apology for this and many of the preceding Notes: “No errors are so trivial, but they deserve to be mended.” Pope to Steele, Letter 6.