Hypothetic Use of the Article.

In all the foregoing cases the article, and the predicate annexed, together recal some familiar idea. But there are instances, where the article, even with the aid of its predicate, does not carry back the mind to any object with which it has been recently or frequently conversant. It is merely the represen tative of something, of which, whether known or unknown, an assumption is to be made. Demosth. : Πονηρὰν ὁ συκο αυτής τ Aristot.: Qaradais yàp ŝnas a noiva dejong7 Oruxopaxis relates, in Dem. de Corona 71, not to a particular person, but every person of that de&cription,

In the same manner the article is employed, in the plural number, to denote whole classes of persons or things. Xen.: TOTE ¿yask; nal TOTS xanes ehibager-i. e. the two classes.

To one of these beads we may refer every insertion of the article. Either the article, with its predicate, denotes a relation, immediately recognized by the hearer; or else they serve conjointly to indicate a hypo

thesis.

The following are the

Cases of Omission.

1. In propositions which merely afirm or deny existence, the name of the person or thing is without the article. Το adiirrn the existence of that, of which the existence is already assumed, would be superfluous, and to deny it would be absurd. Atschin.: "E121 yop na caixas TPAPAI-ESTA EIPHNII.

Ps. 52. 1.: 'Oux 'EETI ØE€2.

2. Nouns preceded by verbs substantive or nuncupative, or by their participle, omit the article. Demosth.: AITICE EIMI 72 70Eschin. Aus cop & AlKAOS EHKAAOTMENO. --

3. Hence, in verbs of appointing, choosing, creating, the article is omitted, for az is understood. Demosth.: 'HIEMON HPEOH CINIT τος απανίων. schin.: ΜΑΡΤΥPAZ Topεvor.

4. On the same principle, nouns iu ap osition, expressive of the end. to which the person or thing is subservient, are always without the article. Dem.: ATNAMIN X πόλις τὸς νησιώτας, for είναι οι ώς alva is understood.

5. In universally exclusive propositions the article is omitted. Aschin.: Mydè гHN naρrods pepeiv, unde ΓΥΝΑΙΚΑΣ τεκνα τίκτειν, μηδὲ BOEKIMATA yoyas πOLEIĴAI.

6. If the article is wanting in the noun governed, it will be wanting in the governing noun. We cannot say TO cxupo Rec970s, but r A80755. Dem.: Oixela TAZIN, 8× sheptape mzibbs ex. Dem.: Hoyour dinejav ТPOйOTE.

Even where the governed noun is definite in its sense, if it be without. an article, the governing noun will also, not unfrequently, be without it.. Plutarch: Air AOгON. Idem : Toy wrapavoy BIBAIA HIλarwvos.

7. When the noun governing is indefinite, the governed becomes anarthrous. Plut.: TXIIE yavon. to own.

Cases of Insertion and Omission combined.

1. The subject is generally with the article, and the predicate without it. Plato: Quiz ὁ παλὴρ ΥΙΟΣ sw, rsd dog HATUP. Job: 'IL Θεοσέβεια και ΣΟΦΙΑ.

The article is inserted in the subject for the sake of hypothesis, and omitted in the predicate on account of the verb substantive.

Hence in reciprocating propositions, where, either of the terms being made the subject, the other may be affirmed as a predicate, both must have or both want the article. Aristot.: Egw 'I aperi 'I peasing.

2. When two or more attributives,

joined by a copulative or copulatives, are assumed of the same person or thing, before the first attributive the article is inserted; before the remaining ones it is omitted. Plut.: Poxios O vids KAI λpovouos e εντέλης. Dem.: "Ο τη πόλει λε ywv KAI уpaquv, &c. Dem.: Toubeλos KAI 'Plop s/.

By attributives are to be understood not only adjectives and participles, but a large class of nouns significant of character, relation, or dignity.

This rule is in substance the same with that of Mr. Granville Sharp. But it was reserved to Dr. Middleton to discover the principle upon which it is founded, and the limitations to which it is subject.

Names of substances, considered as substances; proper names; and names of abstract ideas, are excepted. Eschin.: ' Sos KAI ouros. TON ̓Αλεξάνδρου ΚΑΙ τον. A KAIP . Plato: ΤΗΝ απειρία ΚΑΙ απαιδευσίαν.

There are some other cases of nouns, both in the plural and singular number, where the attributives cannot be predicated of the same subject without evident absurdity. Thucyd. : Τας ΜΕΓΙΣΤΑΣ καὶ EAAXIETAE. Plato: 8 AIKAIOT καὶ ΑΔΙΚΟΥ.

It is no solid objection against the truth of this rule, that it is not always observed. It is sometimes neglected, in cases where there is no possibility of misconception.

In Chap. IV. it is shewn that proper names, and names of abstract ideas, are not always subject to the general laws by which other words are governed. Proper names of men never have the article, except, 1. When the same person has been recently mentioned. 2. When the person is of great celebrity.

Proper names of deities, heroes, places, usually have the article.

On the subject of abstract nouns Dr. Middleton remarks, (Chap. V.) that they may be used in a more or

*We do not see the propriety of excepting names of substances and proper names. Not being attributives, they do not belong

to the rule.

Chap. VI. It was not to be expected that any theory concerning the Greek article should be subject to no anomalies. But it is to be ob served, that they are omissions of the article, where it might have been inserted, not insertions irreconcilable with its alleged nature.

1. The article is frequently omitted, before nouns, which otherwise would have it, if they are governed by a preposition. Plato: E5 AIMENA, the Piræus. Herodot. П1995 'HAIOY Suvovlas.

2. Where several nouns are coupled by conjunctions, or where the conjunctions are omitted by the figure asyndeton.

3. Ordinals, though monadic, are generally anarthrous. Thucyd. 'ApTeie vos TETAPTH.

4. So are superlatives, sometimes. Chap. VII. treats of the Greek usage in certain words.

IIas, when it signifies the whole, has the article; a5 THN 7. But when it means every individual, it rejects the article. Plut.: Iaons Texs xxi duvaμews av&pw

EKEINOE. Nouns joined with this word have the article.

Chap. VIII. treats of the Position of the Article in the Concord of the Adjective with the Substantive,

1. When the attribute is assumed of the substance, if one article only be used, it is placed immediately before the adjective. Dem. ίσα προσηκε ΤΟΝ ΑΓΑΘΟΝ πολίτην. Where it is not assumed, but predicated, the position is different. Isoc. : κοινής ΤΗΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΔΟΣ ἔσης.

2. If both the substantive and the adjective have the article, the substantive, with its article, is placed first, Xen. Tois vous tous apχαιοις χρήθαι.

Here we conclude our abstract of the first part of Dr. Middleton's treatise, hoping by this brief analysis to excite the Greek student to a diligent perusal of the whole work, in which he will find a copious and most luminous illustration of all the preceding rules. If, in the course of his studies, he should sometimes imagine that he has discovered cases inconsistent with our author's principles, let him not hastily decide that they are erroneous. These very cases, upon a nearer inspection, will probably deserve to be considered as confirmations of Dr. Middleton's theory.

The second part, or the application of the doctrine of the article to the criticism and illustration of the New Testament, must be reserved for some future number or numbers of the Christian Observer.

(To be continued.)

Three Sermons on the Jubilee, preach ed at Welbeck Chapel, London. By the Rev. CLAUDIUS BUCHANAN, D. D. 1. The Mosaic Jubilee. 2. The British Jubilee. 3. The heavenly Jubilee, London: Cadell and Davies. 1810.

I was naturally to be expected,

that the late solemn and joyful commemoration of our gracious Sovereign's entrance on the fiftieth year of his reign, would call forth various effusions of piety and loyalty, in honour, and for the political and religious improvement, of that auspicious occasion. We have already

noticed one sermon of this description, and should have noticed more, had we been able to do justice to all that had fair claims upon us *. We are unwilling, however, even at the hazard of being deemed partial, to permit the interesting publication of Dr. Buchanan, on the same subject, to pass unreviewed. We think it clearly entitled to the distinction, because, without meaning any disparagement to his competitors for the palm of loyalty, we think it decidedly the best which has appeared.

The text on which the first sermon is founded is from Levit. xxv. 9. which contains the command to observe the year of Jubilee †. From this passage, Dr. Buchanan gives an accurate view of the general character and purpose of the Mosaic Jubilee, as a religious, moral, and political institution. And first of the sabbatical, or seventh hallowed year of the Jews, on which the Jubilee was founded.

It is lamentable to observe the short continuance of the first or golden age of Israel, during which the chosen people hallowed the seventh year. It does not seem, says Dr. Buchanan, to have extended much beyond a hundred years from the time of their arrival in Canaan. From this example of the Israelites in disobeying the divine ordinance, and from the punishment which followed, according to prophetic denunciation, when the people were led into captivity, and "the land enjoyed her sabbaths," the author

The titles of many of those sermons will be found in our List of New Publica tions for Novamber and December last,

+ The word Jubilee, in the Hebrew language, signifies "the sounding of a trompet," But it is restricted to some occasion of joy and festivity.

draws some important lessons for the admonition of every Christian nation which neglects the sabbath of the seventh day.

Dr. Buchanan next prooeeds to consider the grand sabbatical year, called the Jubilee, in its characters of mercy, and in its analogy to the Gospel. The Jubilee had two chief characters of mercy-the restoration of property, and the deliverance of the man who had been in bondage.

The chief analogy, between the Jubilee and the Gospel, is in the blessings conferred, -namely, restoration to the inheritance, and redemption of the man. But there is also a great difference here. The blessings of the Jubilee were temporal; whereas those of the Gospel are eternal. We can conceive with what sensations of joy the trumpet was heard by those who were to be redeemed on the morning of the Jubilee. How lively, then, how ardent, ought to be the emotions of those who hear the herald of the Gospel, and hope to be among the redeemed of the Lord' in the morning of the resurrection! With what joy and satisfaction would the Jewish herald proclaim the arrival of the Jubilee! And shall not the Christian herald magnify his office, who hath this grace given him to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ?"" p. 23.

The author directed his hearers to apply this subject in a practical way, by redeeming the captive *, releasing the debtor, and forgiving the trespasses of our brethren. We insert a few extracts from this part of the sermon, because we are desirous to give currency to those enlarged and benevolent principles which the author inculcates, and which have received so many striking illustrations in his own exertions and conduct.

"Would, then, a man know whether he hath a just sense of Christ, as giving his life a ransom for his soul; let him ask himself whether he hath any concern about the souls of others: whether he hath ever done any thing, or means to do any thing, for the soul of his neighbour. For his concern about the spiritual welfare of others, will be propor

A favourable opportunity is afforded to those who are desirous of assisting in this "labaur of love," by subscribing to the Edinburgh Mission to Tartary.

CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 99.

tionate to the solicitude he hath felt about his own soul.

"Again, would the Christian know whe ther ، God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven him his debts; let him ask himself, whether he hath forgiven the debts of others. First, whether he hath forgiven injuries received in word and in deed, and, especially offences that wound his pride. And these, perhaps, are the debts most difficult to forgive. But these debts MUST be forgiven...Secondly, whether he hath forgiven debts of money and obligation, in cases where the debtor could not pay, or could only pay with extreme difficulty... My brethren, there are many excellent persons, we apprehend, who do not sufficiently consider their obligations in this respect. But it ought to be remembered, that the law of the Jubilee, for the release of the debtor, was merely a TYPE of that generous compassion which should animate every true Christian under the grace of the GOSPEL."

"Let those, therefore, who enjoy wealth and ease, consider their responsibility; for they will soon be called to account for the

TALENTS which have been committed to them. If religion hath acquired a due influence over their minds, they will begin to consider themselves as stewards of God;" and their desire will be to dispose of their means in such a manner as shall be most agreeable to HIS will. For the highest praise of the good man, in a practical sense, is, that he is a DISPENSER OF THE BOUNTY OF GOD." p. 28-31.

The British Jubilee forms the subject of the second sermon. Buchanan considers (though his view, we think, is somewhat questionable) all the circumstances which constitute a Jubilee, in the highest sense, to have centered with us on the late grand national festival. He thinks, also, that in strict conformity to the name we gave it, " every debtor, in these realms, ought to have been released; and every criminal ought to have been forgiven." We agree with the learned author that it would have accorded well with the character of the day, that an illustrious act of national mercy had commemorated it for ever; but we must admit, at the same time, that various considerations of a political, and some even of a moral nature, to which Dr. Buchanan does not advert, might have been justly urged against his proposition; and, on the whole, X