Our object, however, on the present occasion, is distinct, both from that of the grammarian, and that of the etymologist. We have shewn, that a set of marks are exceedingly useful to connect single words, and by what contrivances this end is accomplished; it remains for us to shew, what use there is of marks {214} to connect Predications; and by what contrivances that object is attained. The occasions for the use of marks to connect Predications, seem to be of two kinds. First, When two Predications are to be marked, as following one another. Secondly, When they are to be marked, as modified, the one by the other. 1. Those of the first kind need but few words for their explanation. I may say, "Newton was a mathematician," "Locke was a metaphysician," "Milton was a poet." So stated, these Predications do not mark any particular order in my thoughts. I desire, however, to show, that the ideas thereby expressed, were proximate parts of the train in my mind. The word _and_, which means _add_, placed between every pair, affords the requisite indication. Like _and_, the conjunction _nor_ marks predications in sequence. It differs from _and_ only in uniting negative predications. "The act is not honourable, _nor_ is the man honest." In this case, it is obvious that _nor_, whatever its origin, has the meaning of _and not_. The predications then are two negative predications, the sequence of which, is marked by the word _and_. _But_, though it has been otherwise classed, and called adversative, is of the same kind, and simply marks the sequence. Thus we say, "Catiline was a brave man, but Catiline was a wicked man." The meaning of _but_ is scarcely different from that of _and_, addition being the fundamental idea signified by both of them. The _opposition_ between the two predications is signified by the predications themselves, not by the {215} connective.[63] In fact, the sense would not be changed, if we substituted _and_ for _but_. It is only because, in use, _but_ has been commonly confined to the sequence of two _opposing_ predications, that the word _but_ is no sooner expressed, than an _opposing_ predication is anticipated. This is a simple case of association. [Findlater's footnote 63: This is not strictly correct. _But_ is compounded of the two prepositions or local particles _by_ and _out_ (Ang. Sax. _bi utan_); and the force of it, in the example given in the text, may be thus paraphrased: "Catiline was a brave man; _but_ (_by_, near or beside that fact, put another fact, which is _out_, away, or different from it, namely) Catiline was a wicked man." This is something more than a simple case of association; the opposition is expressed as well as the addition.--_F._] 2. It is not necessary for us to do more than exemplify the principal cases in which one Predication is modified by another. "The space is triangular, _if_ it is bounded by three straight lines."