OBS. 4.—­The relative position of the article and the adjective is seldom a matter of indifference.  Thus, it is good English to say, “both the men,” or, “the two men;” but we can by no means say, “the both men” or, “two the men.”  Again, the two phrases, “half a dollar,” and “a half dollar,” though both good, are by no means equivalent.  Of the pronominal adjectives, some exclude the article; some precede it; and some follow it, like other adjectives.  The word same is seldom, if ever used without the definite article or some stronger definitive before it; as, “On the same day,”—­“in that same hour,”—­“These same gentlemen.”  After the adjective both, the definite article may be used, but it is generally unnecessary, and this is a sufficient reason for omitting it:  as, “The following sentences will fully exemplify, to the young grammarian, both the parts of this rule.”—­Murray’s Gram., i, p. 192.  Say, “both parts.”  The adjective few may be used either with or without an article, but not with the same import:  as, “The few who were present, were in the secret;” i. e., All then present knew the thing. “Few that were present, were in the secret;” i.e., Not many then present knew the thing.  “When I say, ‘There were few men with him,’ I speak diminutively, and mean to represent them as inconsiderable; whereas, when I say, ’There were a few men with him,’ I evidently intend to make the most of them.”—­Murray’s Gram., p. 171.  See Etymology, Articles, Obs. 28.

OBS. 5.—­The pronominal adjectives which exclude the article, are any, each, either, every, much, neither, no, or none, some, this, that, these, those.  The pronominal adjectives which precede the article, are all, both, many, such, and what; as, “All the world,”—­“Both the judges,”—­“Many a[336] mile,”—­“Such a chasm,”—­“What a freak.”  In like manner, any adjective of quality, when its meaning is limited by the adverb too, so, as, or how, is put before the article; as, “Too great a study of strength, is found to betray writers into a harsh manner.”—­Blair’s Rhet., p. 179.  “Like many an other poor wretch, I now suffer all the ill consequences of so foolish an indulgence.” “Such a gift is too small a reward for so great a labour.”—­Brightland’s Gram., p. 95.  “Here flows as clear a stream as any in Greece. How beautiful a prospect is here!”—­Bicknell’s Gram., Part ii, p. 52.  The pronominal adjectives which follow the article, are few, former, first, latter, last, little, one, other, and same; as, “An author might lean either to the one [style] or to the other, and yet be beautiful.”—­Blair’s Rhet., p. 179. Many, like few, sometimes follows the article; as, “The many favours which we have received.”—­“In conversation, for many a man, they say, a many men.”—­Johnson’s Dict. In this order of the words, a seems awkward and needless; as,