Increases is a verb, a word that signifies to do—­active, it expresses action—­intransitive, the action does not pass over to an object—­of the third person, singular number, because its nominative “flock” conveys unity of idea, and it agrees with “flock” agreeably to

RULE 10. A noun of multitude conveying unity of idea, must have a verb or pronoun agreeing with it in the singular.

“The divided multitude hastily disperse.”

Multitude is a noun, a name that denotes persons—­a collective noun, or noun of multitude, it signifies many—­masculine and feminine gender, it implies both sexes—­third person, spoken of—­singular number, it represents but one multitude, or collective body; (but in another sense, it is plural, as it conveys plurality of idea, and, also, implies more individuals than one;)—­and in the nominative case, it is the actor and subject of the verb “disperse,” which it governs, according to RULE 3. The nom. case governs the verb.—­Declined.—­Sing. nom. multitude, poss. multitude’s, obj. multitude—­Plur. nom. multitudes, poss. multitudes’, obj. multitudes.

Disperse is a verb, a word that signifies to do—­active, it expresses action—­intransitive, the action does not terminate on an object—­third person, plural number, because its nominative “multitude” conveys plurality of idea; and it agrees with “multitude” agreeably to RULE 11. A noun of multitude conveying plurality of idea, must have a verb or pronoun agreeing with it in the plural.

Rules 10, and 11, rest on a sandy foundation.  They appear not to be based on the principles of the language; and, therefore, it might, perhaps, be better to reject than to retain them.  Their application is quite limited.  In many instances, they will not apply to nouns of multitude.  The existence of such a thing as “unity or plurality of idea,” as applicable to nouns of this class, is doubtful.  It is just as correct to say, “The meeting was divided in its sentiments,” as to say, “The meeting were divided in their sentiments.”  Both are equally supported by the genius of the language, and by the power of custom.  It is correct to say, either that, “The fleet were dispersed;” “The council were unanimous;” “The council were divided;” or that, “The fleet was dispersed;” “The council was unanimous;” “The council was divided.”  But, perhaps for the sake of euphony, in some instances, custom has decided in favor of a singular, and in others, of a plural construction, connected with words of this class.  For example; custom gives a preference to the constructions, “My people do not consider;” “The peasantry go barefoot;” “The flock is his object;” instead of, “My people doth not consider;” “The peasantry goes barefoot;” “The flock are his object.”  In instances like these, the application of the foregoing rules may be of some use; but the constructions in which they do not apply, are probably more numerous than those in which they do.