Here we have "application" incorrectly put for "applicability." What Dr. Latham doubts is that the Danish rule is "applicable," not that it has been actually applied, as his words would leave us to suppose.

Participate-Concur.

"We cannot read a page of Virgil without perceiving what has fascinated the world, without concurring in the fascination."-ALISON. History of Europe.

To concur in the fascination would be to cooperate with Virgil in producing it. It is not to be supposed, however, that the writer would carry his pretensions beyond a simple participation in the thing produced. In this instance, Sir Archibald employs "concur" instead of "participate :" in the following he puts "participate" instead of "concur."

"The act of accusation abounded in the most severe and cutting invectives against the imperial government, in the justice of which posterity, from the evidence of facts, must almost entirely participate."—Ibid.

Overspread-Pervade.

"The warlike establishments which pervaded the country were admirably calculated to foster the growing enthusiasm." -ALISON. Ibid.

"This arises from the number of nomad tribes, who, in almost all Asiatic states, pervade every part of its territory."

99

"tribes pervading a country? Does the writer mean to say that the establishments and the tribes were underground?

Curiously enough, the writer who thus em"ploys pervade" instead of "overspread," has, in another place," overspread " instead of

"pervade:"

"It is hardly credible to what an extent this passion for everything English overspread all classes in the nation."Ibid.

Bind up-Wind up.

“Frederick William was well aware that his political existence was thenceforth wound up with the success of Russia in the German war."-ALISON. Ibid.

In this sentence "wound up " is improperly put for "bound up." To "wind up a thing is to bring it to a close or termination, as when we wind up the affairs of a partnership, or an estate. To "bind up" means to unite, to blend. In the phrase above quoted, the writer wished to say that Frederick William's political existence was "inseparably blended "_" interwoven," with the success of Russia; and he should therefore have said "bound up." By using the expression "wound up," he tells us that Frederick William's political existence was put an end to by the success of Russia; which is the contrary of what he intended.

That this is no accidental error in Alison, but

a confirmed blunder, the following further instances will show :

"It is evident, on a dispassionate review of the great debate, and the mighty interests which were wound up with it, that the repeal of the Orders in Council was a necessary measure.' -Ibid.

"Their interests were wound up with the maintenance of pacific relations with this country."—Ibid.

"When the important questions, now wound up with the policy of the East, are considered."—Ibid.

“Mahmoud, the last of the race of Othman, with which the existence of the empire was thought to be wound up, became the subject of veneration."-Ibid.

"General causes are there too much wound up with personal agency."—Ibid.

"Wound up in his own elevation, yet ever identifying it with the glory of France."—Ibid.

"When great interests are wound up with the maintenance of a particular position, it must be maintained at all hazards." -Ibid.

"Bernadotte's interests were evidently wound up with the maintenance of the Russian power in the north of Europe." -Ibid.

"A true German in his heart, his whole soul was wound up in the welfare of the Fatherland."-Ibid.

"Though the passions of the people were in favour of France, their interests were indissolubly wound up with those of England."-Ibid.

Numerous instances of this absurdity will also be found in Alison's "Essays," and in his "History of Europe from the Fall of Napoleon."

Observation-Observance.

"There were but two lines to be taken, either to relax and

modify the regulations which gave offence, or to enforce a more punctual observation of them."-HALLAM. Constitutional History of England.

Esteem-Deem.

Of the erroneous employment of "esteem" instead of "deem,"-" consider,"-" regard," numerous instances are to be found in some of our ablest writers. Examples :

"The latter pronunciation, though a gross deviation from orthography, will still be esteemed the more elegant."WALKER. Preface to Dictionary.

"The question would hardly have been esteemed dubious, if the bishops had been at all times sufficiently studious to maintain a character of political independence."-HALLAM. Constitutional History of England.

The following are from Sir Walter Scott, in whose writings this inaccuracy is of frequent

Occurrence :

"The nobles and clergy might esteem themselves fortunate, if they could maintain an effectual defence."-Life of Napoleon.

“The apprehension neither altered his firmness upon points to which he esteemed his conscience was party, nor changed the general quiet placidity of his temper."—Ibid.

Through most parts of France the king was esteemed the enemy whom the people had most to dread."-Ibid.

"Such being the case, he would esteem himself but little indebted to any one who should blot the harbour of refuge out of the chart."-Ibid.

"The true Sans-Culottes were disposed to esteem a taste, which could not generally exist without a previous superior education, as something aristocratic."--Ibid.

"Buonaparte took for granted his good-will towards his brother-in-law, the Emperor of Austria, and esteemed it a crime deserving atonement."—Ibid.

"We have elsewhere said that Buonaparte at this time was esteemed a steady republican."-Ibid.

"The hopes of a complete and final victory over their natural rival and enemy, as the two nations are but over apt to esteem each other, presented a flattering prospect."-Ibid.

"Buonaparte esteemed himself strong enough to obtain a decisive victory without resorting to any such obnoxious . violence."-Ibid.

It is surprising to what an extent certain phrases, to the exclusion of more accurate modes of speech, take possession of some writers, and drop, as it were, mechanically from them. Sir Walter's use of "esteem" is an instance; and such is his partiality for that word, that he generally discards, or seems to ignore, the verbs "deem,' “consider,” “regard,” “hold," "look upon." Such locutions as "to esteem one's-self happy" are merely nonsensical; but "to esteem a thing a crime,"—" to esteem a man an enemy,' -border on the ludicrous.

Lay-Lie.

A flagrant example of this species of blunder is the use of lay instead of lie. "Lie" makes lay" in the imperfect tense, and this, to a certain extent, may account for the error. It is customary to say "the ship lays at anchor,'