We have already noticed Rule 18, which teaches the use of conjunctions.  Under that rule, you may examine these examples.  “As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be.”—­Common Prayer. “What I do, have done, or may hereafter do, has been, and will always be matter of inclination, the gratifying of which pays itself:  and I have no more merit in employing my time and money in the way I am known to do, than another has in other occupations.”—­Howard.

The following examples must suffice.

=If.= This word is derived from the saxon gifan, and was formerly written giff, gyff, gif, geve, give, yiff, yef, yeve.  It signifies give, grant, allow, suppose, admit, and is always a verb in the imperative mood, having the following sentence or idea for its object. “If a pound of sugar cost ten cents, what will ten pounds cost?” Give, grant, allow, suppose, (the fact,) one pound cost, etc.  In this case the supposition which stands as a predicate—­one pound of sugar cost ten cents, is the object of if—­the thing to be allowed, supposed, or granted, and from which the conclusion as to the cost of ten pounds is to be drawn.

“He will assist us if he has the means.”  Allow, admit, (the fact,) he has the means, he will assist us.

    “Gif luf be vertew, than is it leful thing;
    Gif it be vice, it is your undoing.”
                              Douglas p. 95.

    “Ne I ne wol non reherce, yef that I may.”
                              Chaucer.

    “She was so charitable and so pytous
    She wolde wepe yf that she sawe a mous
    Caught in a trappe, if it were deed or bledde.”
                              Prioresse.

    “O haste and come to my master dear.”

    “Gin ye be Barbara Allen.”
                              Burns.

=But.= This word has two opposite significations.  It is derived from two different radicals. But, from the saxon be and utan, out, means be out, leave out, save, except, omit, as, “all but one are here.” Leave out, except, one, all are here.

    “Heaven from all creation hides the book of fate
    All but (save, except) the page prescribed our present state.”

    “When nought but (leave out) the torrent is heard on the hill,
    And nought but (save) the nightingale’s song in the grove.”

“Nothing but fear restrains him.”  In these cases the direct objects of the verb, the things to be omitted are expressed.