DECLENSION OF THE PERSONAL PRONOUNS.

FIRST PERSON.
Sing.                            Plur_.
Nom.  I,                         we,
Poss. my or mine,        our or ours,
Obj. me.                        us.

SECOND PERSON.
Sing.                           Plur.
Nom. thou,                      ye or you,
Poss. thy or thine,      your or yours,
Obj. thee.                      you.

THIRD PERSON.
Mas.  Sing.                      Plur.
Nom, he,                        they,
Poss. his,                      their or theirs,
Obj. him.                       them.

THIRD PERSON.
Fem.  Sing.                      Plur.
Nom. she,                       they,
Poss. her or hers,       their or theirs.
Obj. her.                       them.

THIRD PERSON.
Neut.  Sing.                     Plur.
Nom. it,                        they,
Poss. its,                      their or theirs,
Obj. it.                        them.

* * * * *

    NOTES.

1.  When self is added to the personal pronouns, as himself, myself, itself, themselves, &c. they are called compound personal pronouns, and are used in the nominative or objective case, but not in the possessive.

2.  In order to avoid the disagreeable harshness of sound, occasioned by the frequent recurrence of the terminations est, edst, in the adaptation of our verbs to the nominative thou, a modern innovation which substitutes you for thou, in familiar style, has generally been adopted.  This innovation contributes greatly to the harmony of our colloquial style. You was formerly restricted to the plural number; but now it is employed to represent either a singular or a plural noun.  It ought to be recollected, however, that when used as the representative of a singular noun, this word retains its original plural form; and, therefore, the verb connected with it, should always be plural.  Inattention to this peculiarity, has betrayed some writers into the erroneous conclusion, that, because you implies unity when it represents a singular noun, it ought, when thus employed, to be followed by a singular verb; as, “When was you there?” “How far was you from the parties?” Such a construction, however, is not supported by good usage, nor by analogy.  It is as manifest a solecism as to say, We am, or we is.  Were it, in any case, admissible to connect a singular verb with you, the use of was would still be ungrammatical, for this form of the verb is confined to the first and third persons, and you is second person. Wast being second person,