To the same class of words belong _pains_, _news_, and perhaps some others. Every person who has read good English authors, or lived where the language is spoken in purity, must have observed that the word _pains_ is usually preceded by _much_, and followed by a verb in the singular number; _much pains was taken_. If the word is a plural noun, it should neither be followed by a singular verb, nor preceded by _much_; for we never prefix _much_ to plurals. The most untutored ear would be offended at _much papers_, _much labors_. But do we not always say _much pains_? Do we ever say _many pains were_ taken? I confess I never yet heard or saw the expression. Yet Lowth contends that _pains_ is plural. This criticism upon the word is an authority in vindication of an erroneous practice of using it with a plural verb, even when it is preceded by _much_. So in Sheridan's Art of Reading, we observe these words; "If so _much pains were_ thought necessary among them," &c. Temple indulges the same mistake; "I know how _much pains have been_ taken to deduce the words _Baro_ and _feudum_ from the Latin and Greek, and even from the Hebrew and Egyptian tongue." Works, vol. 3. p. 365. Might not these writers have used, _much sheep were killed_, with the same propriety? The sense of the word _pains_ does not require that we should consider it as a plural; for it signifies _labor_ or _fatigue_, in contradistinction to those uneasy sensations, each of which singly is called a _pain_, and to express a number of which _pains_ is used as a plural. On the other hand we have the authority of general practice for uniting with it _much_, which can in no case be used with a plural, and also a verb in the singular number. --"And taken _much pains_ so to proportion the powers of the several magistrates."----Sidney on Gov. sect. I. "I found _much art_ and _pains_ employed."----Middleton. "He will assemble materials with _much pains_."----Bolling. on Hist. letter 4. "As to our own language, several persons have taken _much pains_ about the orthography of it."----Wilkins Real Char. book I. chap. 5. There are a few instances in which good authors have considered _news_ as a plural; as "From all regions where the best _news are_ made."----B. Johnson, Staple of News. "And seal the news and issue _them_."----The same. But can an English ear relish this affected correctness? Hear the language of Cowley and Shakespear, who wrote as the nation spoke: "A GENERAL joy at _this glad newes_ appear'd." Cowley's Davideis, book 1. "Now by St. Paul _this news_ is bad indeed!" The same. "No news so bad abroad as _this_ at home." Rich. III. scene 1. Such is the language at this day, and a man would expose himself to ridicule, who should say, _these news are good_.