In the above examples, it is evident that the sense requires the repetition of the article; as bon and mauvais cannot qualify the same object; for a thing cannot be good and bad at the same time: two kinds of fruit, therefore, must be contrasted together; one good and the other bad. The article must consequently be repeated, as there are two nouns implied, though only one be expressed. The same reasoning applies to the second example, as also to all others of the same kind.

In the preceding examples, the two adjectives concur to qualify an object which is the same individually, as there is but one woman who is both sage and belle, and one shepherdess who is both chaste and timide.

I shall conclude, by observing, that the manner in which the above rule is treated in French Grammars will not hinder the scholar from making blunders; for, in them, it is generally thus explained:

"If a substantive be accompanied by several adjectives, the article is to be repeated before both adjectives, when they, each of them, imply opposite qualities; otherwise the article is used before the first adjective only."

According to this rule, we could not say, in French,

Les beaux et les jolis objets n'in-Handsome and pretty objects do spirent pas les mêmes sentimens. not inspire the same feelings.

For beaux and jolis are nearly synonymous terms: but logic, which is more obligatory than the rules of grammar, would reprove this construction; and, though the two epithets be nearly synonymous, yet, as the matter does not relate to objects altogether beaux and jolis, but to some that are exclusively beaux, and some that are exclusively jolis, it requires that the article be repeated. Our rule, being founded on a distinction of objects (which distinction precludes any error,) must, of consequence, be more correct than theirs, which is founded only on the vague and oftentimes fanciful comparison of opposite or synonymous meanings of adjectives.

RULE VIII. Whenever a noun is preceded by an adjective, in the superlative, the article is used but once.

EXAMPLES WITHOUT THE REPETITION OF THE ARTICLE.

Les plus habiles gens font quelque

fois les plus grandes fautes.

Il parle d'un des plus savans hom

mes.

Les plus profondes pensées et les plus brillantes idées sont toujours les fruits du génie.

The most skilful men sometimes

commit the greatest blunders. He speaks of one of the most learned men.

The most profound thoughts and most brilliant ideas are always the fruits of genius.

RULE IX. But, should the adjective be placed after the noun, the article is repeated immediately before the adjective.

EXAMPLES WITH THE REPETITION OF THE ARTICLE.

Les gens les plus habiles font quelquefois les fautes les plus grossières.

Il parle d'un des hommes les plus savaus.

Les pensées les plus profondes et les idées les plus brillantes sont toujours les fruits du génie.

M. Though it must appear to you that the French delight in using the article where it might often be dispensed with, as in English, in correspondent cases, yet they suppress it, in several cases, where, in English, it must be expressed. Your attention to the following, concerning the suppression of the indicative or definite article, will serve to secure you effectually, in such cases, from Anglicisms.

RULE X.-The indicative or definite article, le, &c. is not expressed, in French, before ordinal numbers: 1st. When the preceding noun is mentioned with a view of quoting it, or as a title of a book; 2dly, when they are annexed to proper names, to distinguish the same proper names from one another.-EXAMPLES:

Livre premier, chapitre second, | Book the first, chapter the se

RULE XI. The indicative or definite article is also suppressed in the following modes of expression, and the like.-EXAMPLES:

RULE XII. Before a noun common, modifying and immediately following one preceding it, the indicative or definite, and declarative or indefinite, articles are suppressed.-EXAMPLES:

RULE XIII.-Nouns common stand without articles, when an appeal is made, or an exclamation used.-EXAMPLES:

O héros de la France! c'est à toi | O hero of France! it belongs to de rétablir la religion de nos pères.

Rois! soyez attentifs. Peuples! prêtez l'oreille.

Courage! matelots, à l'abordage.

thee to restore the religion of our fathers.

Kings! be attentive. Nations! listen.

Courage! sailors, let us board.

RULE XIV. The article may also be omitted in the enumeration of objects, in the most general sense, or for the purpose of rendering the diction more lively.-EXAMPLES:

Femmes, enfans, vieillards, trou- | Women, children, old men, flocks,

peaux, cabanes, maisons, palais, tout fut englouti par les flots de la mer.

Cet homme n'a ni vice ni vertu; ni talens ni défauts; ni passions d'aucune espèce.

huts, houses, palaces, every thing was swallowed up by the waves of the sea.

This man has neither vices nor virtues; neither talents nor defects; nor passions of any kind.

RULE XV.-No article is used after the preposition en, and other prepositions, when they, with the following noun, have the sense of an adjective, or of an adverb.-EXAMPLES:

Il regarde tout le monde en pitié. | He looks on every body with con

Il me reçut avec amitié.

Il est sans amis.

tempt.

He received me kindly (or with kindness).

He is without friends.

Note.-Many French verbs will admit of no article between them and the following noun, which is their complement. A list of such of them as occur most frequently in conversation, is subjoined to this lesson.

RULE XVI. The declarative or indefinite article, used in English after the verb to be, before a noun expressing title, profession, trade, country, or other attribute of the preceding noun, is omitted, in French; but, should être be preceded by ce, then the declarative or indefinite article must be used.-EXAMPLES:

Il est marchand ou c'est un marchand.

On m'a dit qu'il était négociant,

ou que c'était un négociant. Il se vante que son père est noble, et moi, je crois qu'il est roturier, ou que c'est un roturier.

He is a shopkeeper.

I was told that he was a merchant.

He boasts of his father being a nobleman, and I believe that he is a plebeian.

Il est ou Français, ou Italien, ou Espagnol, ou c'est ou un Français, ou un Italien, ou un Espagnol.

He is either a Frenchman, an Italian, or a Spaniard.

RULE XVII. In the following cases, the declarative or indefinite article is not expressed in French: 1st. Before a noun beginning an incidental phrase, which is an observation on what has before been said.-EXAMPLES:

Cet artiste a obtenu cinq cents | This artist has obtained five hunguinées: récompense qu'il méri

tait bien.

Fontenelle était membre de l'Académie Française, et de celle des Sciences: preuve de l'universalité de ses talens.

dred guineas; a reward which he well deserved.

Fontenelle was a member of the French Academy, and that of the Sciences: a proof of the universality of his talents.

2dly. Before the title of a book, or any other performance.-EXAMPLES:

Dictionnaire Critique de la Lan- | ACritical Dictionary of the French gue Française.

Histoire d'Angleterre, par Hume.

Plan de la ville de Londres.

Language.

The History of England, by
Hume.

A Plan of the city of London.

3dly. After the word quel, (what!) &c. when used to express sur

prise.-EXAMPLES:

Quel homme vous êtes!

Quel tintamarre vous faites!

What a man you are!

What a thundering noise you make !

Quelle nouvelle vous m'apprenez! What a piece of news you tell

me!

M. Your particular attention is now required to a mode of expression, which is truly idiomatical. The following rules will explain it.

RULE XVIII-Whenever two nouns are joined together, in English, if the first adjectively modify the second, and, without trespassing on the sense, may be placed after the second, by placing the preposition with, or such an equivalent as having, containing, &c. before it; then, in French, the first noun is put last, and is joined to the second by the preposition and articles, au, à l', à la, aux, according to circumstances of gender and number.-EXAMPLES: