PRONOUNS WITH ANTECEDENTS CONNECTED BY AND.

“Discontent and sorrow manifested itself in his countenance.”—­Brown’s Inst., p. 146.

[FORMULE—­Not proper, because the pronoun itself is of the singular number, and does not correctly represent its two antecedents discontent and sorrow, which are connected by and, and taken conjointly.  But, according to Rule 12th, “When a pronoun has two or more antecedents connected by and, it must agree with then, jointly in the plural, because they are taken together.”  Therefore, itself should be themselves; thus, “Discontent and sorrow manifested themselves in his countenance.”]

“Both conversation and public speaking became more simple and plain, such as we now find it.”—­Blair’s Rhet., p. 59.  “Idleness and ignorance, if it be suffered to proceed, &c.”—­JOHNSON:  Priestley’s Gram., p. 186.  “Avoid questions and strife; it shows a busy and contentious disposition.”—­Wm. Penn.  “To receive the gifts and benefits of God with thanksgiving, and witness it blessed and sanctified to us by the word and prayer, is owned by us.”—­Barclays Works, i, 213.  “Both minister and magistrate are compelled to choose between his duty and his reputation.”—­Junius, p. 9.  “All the sincerity, truth, and faithfulness, or disposition of heart or conscience to approve it, found among rational creatures, necessarily originate from God.”—­Brown’s Divinity, p. 12.  “Your levity and heedlessness, if it continue, will prevent all substantial improvement.”—­Brown’s Inst., p. 147.  “Poverty and obscurity will oppress him only who esteems it oppressive.”—­Ib. “Good sense and refined policy are obvious to few, because it cannot be discovered but by a train of reflection.”—­Ib. “Avoid haughtiness of behaviour, and affectation, of manners:  it implies a want of solid merit.”—­Ib. “If love and unity continue, it will make you partakers of one an other’s joy.”—­Ib. “Suffer not jealousy and distrust to enter:  it will destroy, like a canker, every germ of friendship.”—­Ib. “Hatred and animosity are inconsistent with Christian charity; guard, therefore, against the slightest indulgence of it.”—­Ib. “Every man is entitled to liberty of conscience, and freedom of opinion, if he does not pervert it to the injury of others.”—­Ib.

   “With the azure and vermilion
    Which is mix’d for my pavilion.”—­Byron’s Manfred, p. 9.

RULE XIII.—­PRONOUNS.

When a Pronoun has two or more antecedents connected by or or nor, it must agree with them singly, and not as if taken together:  as; “James or John will favour us with his company.”—­“Neither wealth nor honour can secure the happiness of its votaries.”

   “What virtue or what mental grace,
    But men unqualified and base
        Will boast it their possession?”—­Cowper, on Friendship.