The phrases “most supreme,” and “chiefest,” in the first sentence, are incorrect, because supreme and chief are in the superlative degree without having the superlative form superadded, which addition makes them double superlatives.  They should be written, “confers supreme dignity,” and, “his chief desire.”

We can say, one thing is less than another, or smaller than another, because the adjectives less and smaller are in the comparative degree; but the phrase “lesser light,” in the second sentence, is inaccurate. Lesser is a double comparative, which, according to the preceding Note, should be avoided. Lesser is as incorrect as badder, gooder, worser.  “The smaller light,” would be less exceptionable.  You can correct the following without my assistance.  Correct them four times over.

The pleasures of the understanding are more preferable than those of imagination or sense.  The tongue is like a race-horse, which runs the faster the lesser weight it carries.  The nightingale’s voice is the most sweetest in the grove.  The Most Highest hath created us for his glory, He was admitted to the chiefest offices.  The first witness gave a strong proof of the fact; the next more stronger still; but the last witness, the most stronger of all.  He gave the fullest and the most sincere proof of the truer friendship.

LECTURE V.

OF PARTICIPLES.

A PARTICIPLE is a word derived from a verb, and partakes of the nature of a verb, and also of an adjective.

Verbs have three participles, the present or imperfect, the perfect, and the compound.

The present or imperfect participle denotes action or being continued, but not perfected.  It always ends in ing; as, ruling, being:  “I am writing a letter.”

The perfect participle denotes action or being perfected or finished.  When derived from a regular verb, it ends in ed, and corresponds with the imperfect tense; as, ruled, smiled: “The letter is written.”

The compound participle implies action or being completed before the time referred to.  It is formed by placing having before the perfect participle; as, having ruled, having been ruled:  “Having written the letter, he mailed it.”

The term Participle comes from the Latin word participio, which signifies to partake:  and this name is given to this part of speech, because it partakes of the nature of the verb and of the adjective.

By many writers, the participle is classed with the verb, and treated as a part of it; but, as it has no nominative, partakes of the nature of an adjective, requires many syntactical rules which apply not to the verb, and, in some other respects, has properties peculiar to itself, it is believed that its character is sufficiently distinct from the verb, to entitle it to the rank of a separate part of speech.  It is, in fact, the connecting link between, not only the adjective and the verb, but also the noun and the verb.