LECTURE IX.
STRUCTURE of LANGUAGE.
Of the whole clafs of words that are called L e c T.attributive, indeed, of all the parts of Speech, IX.the moft complex , by far , is the verb. It ischiefly in this part of Speech, that the fubtileand profound metaphyfic of Language appears;and , therefore , in examining the nature anddifferent variations of the verb, there might beroom for ample difcuflion. But as I am fenfiblethat fuch grammatical difcuffions, when they arepurfued far , become intricate and obfcure , Ifhall avoid dwelling any longer on this fubjed,than feems abfolutely neceffary.
The verb is fo far of the fame nature withthe adjedive , that it expreffes , like it, anattribute, or propriety, of fome perfon or thing.
But it does more than this. For, in all verbs,in every Language, there are no lefs than threethings implied at once ; the attribute of fomefubftantive, an affirmation concerning that attri-bute, and time. Thus, when I fay, “ the fun51 fhineth. ” Shining, is the attribute afcribed to
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