Under this head, I shall remark on a single article only, the use of _you_ in the singular number, with a plural verb. The use of the plural _nos_ and _vos_, for _ego_ and _tu_ in Latin; of _nous_ and _vous_ for _je_ and _tu_ in French; seems to have been very ancient, and to have been originally intended to soften the harshness of egotism, or to make a respectful distinction in favor of great personages. But the practice became general in the French nation, was introduced by them into England, and gradually imitated by the English in their own tongue. _You_, in familiar discourse, is applied to an individual, except by a single sect of Christians; the practice is general and of long standing; it has become correct English, and ought to be considered, in grammar, as a pronoun in the singular number. It may be objected, that we unite with it a verb in the plural number, _you are_, _you have_; this is true, but the verb, in these instances, becomes singular; and both the pronoun and verb should be placed in the singular number. In the union of _you_ with a plural verb in the present time, we are all unanimous; but in the past time, there is a difference between books and common practice in a single instance. In books, _you_ is commonly used with the plural of the verb _be_, _you were_; in conversation, it is generally followed by the singular, _you was_. Notwithstanding the criticisms of grammarians, the antiquity and universality of this practice must give it the sanction of propriety; for what but practice forms a language? This practice is not merely vulgar; it is general among men of erudition who do not affect to be fettered by the rules of grammarians, and some late writers have indulged it in their publications. I should therefore inflect the verb _be_ in the past time after this manner; _I was_, _thou wast_, or _you was_, _he was_, &c. Whatever objections may be raised to this inflection, _it is the language of the English_, and rules can hardly change a general practice of speaking; nor would there be any advantage in the change, if it could be effected. AUXILIARIES. There are several verbs in English, which, from the necessity of their union with other verbs, have obtained the name of _auxiliaries_. Originally they were principal verbs, with regular Saxon infinitives, and the usual inflections; as may be observed by any person, who has the smallest acquaintance with the modern German, which retains more of the ancient structure, than any other branch of the primitive language. The verbs, called _auxiliaries_ or _helpers_, are _do_, _be_, _have_, _shall_, _will_, _may_, _can_, _must_. The three first are often employed alone, and are therefore acknowleged to be sometimes principal verbs. That the others were so, will be made obvious by a specimen from the German, with the corresponding English. _German._ _English._