Ise or ize are energetic particles both in sound and sense, at once converting into action the objects or qualities to which they may be applied,-as,

2

Ate is a termination by which Latin verbs are readily anglicised, more elegant, but less energetic, than the termi nation preceding, although of somewhat similar meaning: 650 of our verbs have this ending.

E final, Elphinston observes, has frequently the same effect; but it must be remembered, that the e final was, before the time of Chaucer, followed by n; and, therefore, whatever the e final may seem to denote, is rather to be attributed to the termination en, once an, with which our verbs formerly ended,*

Ct.-One hundred of our verbs terminate with these consonants, and they are mostly of Latin origin; indeed, there can be little doubt that the abbreviating principle, before referred to, originated this ending, by dropping the final syllable of the Latin supines,-as,

To refract, from refrango, refractum.

It only remains that we make a few remarks on the verbs to be, to make, and to get; which are, either from their etymology or use, of a somewhat peculiar character.

* "The Saxon termination of the infinitive in an," says Mr. Tyrwhite, "had been changed into en, to loven, to liven, &c., and they were beginning to drop the n, to love, to live."-Essay on the Language and Versification of Chaucer.

This remark will be confirmed by a reference to Chaucer's works:-

“Som tyraunt is, as ther ben many on,

That hath an herte as hard as any ston,

Which wold hau lette him sterven in the place
Wel rather than hau granted him hire grace,

And hem rejoycen in hir cruel pride,

And rekken not to ben an homicide."-Marchante's Tale.

The great irregularity of the auxiliary verb to be, deserves distinct attention. It is composed of words which do not possess the slightest resemblance; for instance, am, are, is, was, be.

Mr. Bosworth has extracted from Turner's History of the Anglo-Saxons, and from the valuable manuscripts of the late Mr. Webb, some curious particulars concerning it, which may not be unacceptable.

The Anglo-Saxon verb to beon, from which our auxiliary is derived, is traced to no fewer than five sources.

The latter gentleman considers that the verb to be does not contain the modern philosophical abstract idea of being, or existence in itself, but that the abstract idea is a refined and improved addition to its primitive meaning, produced by our association of ideas. That the various roots from which this variegated verb has sprung, originally signified to grow, to dwell, to stand, &c.

In order to convince himself, suspecting that this verb, in most languages, possessed more than ordinary analogy, he wrote it in parallel columns in as many languages as he was acquainted with; and states, that the first glimpse of light on the primitive meaning of any part of the verb was caught from the Italian past participle stato, been, which is evidently derived from the Latin status, stood. This word occurs in that part of the verb where we say been, and answers the same purpose. That circumstance led to the notice of one similar in the imperative of the Latin sum, I am, which is Sis, es, esto, &c., where Esto, este, estate, are evidently derived from the Latin preposition è, out, from, and sto, I stand: so the Latin imperative is either be thou or stand thou.

He observed further, that the Spanish verb estar may be used in all its moods and tenses indifferently with the verb ser, to be.

The use of these observations was to convince him that abstract being was not the primitive meaning of this verb, but that its diversified words proceeded from as many sources, and being ultimately collected into the form of one verb, they were made to conform to one meaning.

The Saxon beo, the direct parent of to be, he considered as coming from the Greek verb Blow, I live; which, pronounced as other nations would pronounce it, would have a kindred sound.

Am he traced to the Greek verb, signifying I am, which, by a little adaptation of its pronunciation, would not be so dissimilar. Eim-i; is, he traced at once to the

*Elements of Saxon Grammar, part ii. ch. 5.

second person of the same tense, as, which would only require the omission of the incipient letter to make it is.

Was, he conjectured to come from the Gaelic fas, to grow, f, v, and w, being letters of the same organ, and often interchanged.

Concerning are and were he was not so decided, but thought it probable they might come from the Icelandic and Danish er and wer.

The only observations which remain, relate to the verbs to make, to get; which, if they do not prove useful, may, at least, afford entertainment. The vocabulary of the uneducated is usually scanty, hence their wants are expressed by but few verbal signs; and, as intercourse with them is both unavoidable, and, on many accounts, desirable, it sometimes requires circumspection not unduly to be influenced by their customs. The person of cultivated taste avoids the too frequent application of the same terms, desirous that his style should be harmonious as well as intelligible. Those, on the contrary, who are strangers to such feelings of delicacy and propriety, content themselves if they are but understood, and therefore are regardless of wearing out a word by excessive use. The multiplied meanings of the verbs in question doom them to this lot, particularly the latter.

To the verb make, Dr. Johnson has assigned fifty-nine significations, which may moderate our surprise at its frequent use; accordingly it is not difficult to substitute it, in some of its forms, in connexion with suitable nouns, for most verbs in the language.

This is still more remarkably so with the verb to get, which, although given by the same authority but in eighteen significations, from the general nature of those significations, will be found of very universal application. To any one who has overlooked this circumstance, we would recommend the observance of how frequently this verb is used in the course of an hour in familiar conversation.

The accommodating nature of this verb is well illustrated by the following imaginary letter to a friend, which appeared some years since, in a singular work, entitled "Aristarchus :" "I got on horseback within ten minutes after I got your letter. When I got to Canterbury, I got a chaise for town. But I got wet through before I got to Canterbury; and I have got such a cold as I shall not be able to get rid of in a hurry. I got to the treasury about noon, after I had got shaved and dressed. I soon got into the secret of getting a memorial before the board, but I could not get an answer then; however, I got intelligence from the messenger, that I should most likely get one next morning. As soon as I got

back to my inn, I got my supper and got to bed: it was not long before I got to sleep. When I got up in the morning, I got my breakfast, and got myself dressed, that I might get out in time to get an answer to my memorial. As soon as I got it, I got into the chaise, and got to Canterbury by eight, and about tea-time got home. I have got nothing more particular for you; and so adieu."

ASTREA: A POE M;

ADDRESSED TO MYRA.

THE SEVENTH CANTO.

"Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."—GENESIS ix. 6. "What we sow, we shall reap; and the seeds whereof earth is not worthy "Strike their roots in a kindlier soil, and ripen to harvest."

SOUTHEY-Vision of Judgment.

I.

SABINA, from her window, looked abroad
Upon the distant scene of hill and wood;
The sport suspended, she had 'vantage ta'en
Of brief retirement from the giddy train:
To her the prospect could no cheer impart,
A boding heaviness subdued her heart
She knew not why-and many a thought distrest
Flash'd o'er her brain, and laboured at her breast.
Ye faithful consorts! feel ye not the same
Dart in suspense along the trembling frame,
While fond affection leagues with fonder fear,
And forms strange images of tender care?
But her's was more-'twas preternatural pain;
She mused, in doubt to go or to remain-
When, lo! a hideous sight to blast her view,
And prove her terror's secret warning true,-
The murderer past, with wild and phrensied stare,
And in his grasp the blood-red dagger bare:
He rolled his eyes on her, and gazed with dread-
Then turn'd-and, like a sprite of evil, fled.
What burning thoughts then crowded fast on thee,
Sabina! and o'erwhelm'd thy spirit, like a sea?
"His blood-red steel-his mad distempered glare-
His bosom stain'd-his dark mysterious air;
What means it all?-good heav'ns, uphold me now,
Or I shall fall beneath the threatened blow:
My husband-oh, my husband!"

-then amain

She flew-she saw his blood-she found him slain !