Strictly speaking, the double interrogative is a declarative single compact sentence, with the correlative words, whether-or: the former nearly always understood. I say nearly always because I have met with a few exceptions. The following are examples: "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee? or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk " "Whether is he the author of the flame, who lays down the fuel; or who applies the torch " Of course, the interrogation between its parts, properly represents the comma; though it may, in view of allowable deviations, represent the semicolon. (See Examples below.)

The semi-interrogative is distinguished from all other interrogatives, by being in part declarative or declarative exclamatory. The interrogative portion may be either definite, indefinite, indirect or double; and both the interrogative and the declarative or declarative exclamatory, may be either simple or compound: if compound, either close, compact or loose. Besides this variety of construction of each separately considered, the interrogative, and the declarative or exclamatory portion, form together, relatively to one another, either a close, compact, or loose sentence. (See Examples below.) They are punctuated like the sentences which, independently or relatively, they form.

1. THE DEFINITE INTERROGATIVE.

(See Definition of a Definite Interrogative, Simple sentences, Class II. 1.)

1. Examples of the Close.

Are John and James residing at home this summer? Is not virtue rewarded and vice punished? Is it true, that the woman died of mere joy, on being told that her long-lost child had been discovered? Do you think it wise or humane, at this moment, to insult them by sticking up in the pillory the man who dared to stand forth their advocate? Do you think that a blessing of that kind, that a victory, obtained by justice over bigotry and oppression, should have a stigma cast upon it, by an ignominious sentence upon men, bold and honest enough to propose that measure? Has he not himself, have not all the martyrs after him, poured forth their blood in the conflict?

2. Examples of the Single Compact.

The examples are confined to the illustration of single compacts. Though I have looked diligently for a double compact, I have hitherto been unable to find one. The nature of a double compact seems to be incompatible with interrogation. At most, I have found and that rarely, a mixture of this sentence with the predominance of some other species in the same question.

Almost all compacts purely interrogative, appear with the correlative words and parts reversed. With the parts in the natural order, they would cease to be purely interrogative, and become semi-interrogative.

1st FORM with both correlative words expressed.

Is it then a time to remove foundations, when the earth itself is shaken? Is eloquence therefore less excellent in itself, because it has been abused? Is he so seriously ill, in consequence of the accident which occurred the other day, that he cannot leave his room?

2d FORM: with one of the correlative words expressed.

Is this a time to forfeit the protection of God, when the hearts of men are failing them for fear? Is it because foreigners are in a condition to set our malice at defiance, that we are willing to contract engagements of friendship? Must we remain here, while he is absent on this expedition? Shall we proceed, though the expected aid should not arrive? Am I to forgive, if he will not repent?

3d FORM with neither of the correlative words expressed. Could you succeed, had you the means of which you speak? Would you perform a benevolent action, did you not know that others would see and applaud it? Can you insult a man, unable, by reason of his physical infirmities, to avenge himself? Should we oppress a man, already driven to despair, by the miseries of those who are depending on him for support? Did he die, still hoping for pardon?

3. Examples of the Loose.

The loose interrogative, and the loose interrogative exclamation, of the different species, have the interrogation and exclamation point sometimes inserted between the parts, and sometimes only at the end: the semicolon and colon taking their place. The student should bear this in mind; that, when he meets with a loose sentence having the interrogation or exclamation point between the parts, he may not mistake such parts for independent sentences. In this work, when the interrogation or exclamation point is thus inserted, he will be kept from error by observing that the first letter succeeding it, is not a capital. This is the manner, I conceive, in which the loose interrogative, or loose interrogative exclamatory, should always be printed; and this is the manner of the older works. The modern practice, however, at least on this side of the Atlantic, is almost uniform in neglecting it.

1. Of the Perfect Loose.

Had not the shepherd made them to lie down in green pastures; had he not led them beside the still waters; restored he not their souls; did he not lead them, for his own name sake, in paths of righteousness; and was he not with them, still keeping them from evil?

Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

Are we formed with a passionate longing for immortality, and yet destined to perish after this short period of existence? are we prompted to the noblest actions, and supported through life under the severest hardships, and the most delicate temptations, by the hope of a reward which is visionary and chimerical?

2. Of the Imperfect Loose.

Do we never meet with the charity which melts at suffering: with the honesty which disdains, and is proudly superior to false

hood with the active beneficence which gives to others its time and its labor: with the modesty which shrinks from notice, and gives all its sweetness to retirement: with the gentleness which breathes peace to all, and throws a beautiful lustre over the walks of domestic society?

Knowest thou it because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great.

2. THE INDEFINITE INTERROGATIVE.

(See Definition of Indefinite Interrogative, Simple sentences, Class II. 2.)

1. Examples of the Close.

Where is the man whose moral courage is equal to the task of rising and pleading this cause against this host of the licentious and profane When did patriotism attempt or moral courage achieve a more signal victory Whose house is that which I perceive on the hill yonder! Who does not feel, what reflective American does not acknowledge, the incalculable advantage, derived to this land, out of the foundations of civil, intellectual and moral truth, from which we have drawn in England!

Examples of Fragmentary Close.

The man and woman, with her child! What virtues and vices !

The context of the first example implies "What became of" at the beginning; and of the second, "approximate in the way you mention;" i. e. certain virtues to vices: certain vices to virtues.

2. Examples of the Single Compact.* *

1st FORM: with both of the correlative words expressed.

What is so calculated to impress them with the importance of prayer, as the being called at stated intervals to take part in our devotional supplications to God! Who can tell how often there the waves of barbarous migrations may have broken harmless against the cliffs, where nature was the strong ally of the defenders of the land!

2d FORM with one of the correlative words expressed.

Why should I question his veracity, when he assured me that this man had never done an act of beneficence in his life! When can you hope for such another, if this be neglected! To what shall we impute the misfortunes that have overtaken and overwhelmed the country within the last five years, if not to an officious,

The double not found.

arbitrary, tyrannical meddling with the natural currents and laws of trade !

3d FORM: with neither of the correlative words expressed.

Who would not have committed the same crime, had he been exposed to the same temptation ! What would be the result, were he to fail in the very outset of the enterprise !

The indefinite compact is often made fragmentary, by the suppression of all of the first part except the interrogative what, thus: What, if he did! What, though he fled? What, when you met him! (See Ch. VI. Rule XIV. Note at the end of examples.)

3. Examples of the Loose.

1. Of the Perfect Loose.

By what authority doest thou these things; or who gave thee this authority! When shall these things be and what sign shall there be, when these things come to pass Ş Where is now that splendor of the most exalted dignities where are those marks of honor and distinction what has become of that pomp of feastings and rejoicings! what is the issue of those frequent acclamations, and extravagantly flattering encomiums, lavished by a whole people assembled in the circus to see the public shows!

2. Of the Imperfect Loose.

Where is her splendor: her wealth: her power: her glory! To whom do we owe it, that in this favored land the gospel of the blessed God has best displayed its power to bless humanity, by uniting the anticipations of a better world with the highest interests and pursuits of this by carrying its merciful influence into the very business and bosoms of men: by making the ignorant wise, and the miserable happy: by breaking the fetters of the slave, and teaching the "babe and the suckling" those simple and sublime truths which give life its dignity and virtue, and fill immortality with hope f

3. THE INDIRECT INTERROGATIVE.

(See Definition of Indirect Interrogative, Simple sentences, Class II. 3.)

These sentences, like other compounds, are close, compact and loose; but as they seldom occur, I shall content myself with giving examples without reference to these divisions: trusting that the student is well enough acquainted, at this stage, with their distinctive features, to recognise them, whenever they appear.

1. Examples of the first kind.

You do not think, I hope, that I will join in conversation with such a man; or that I will so far betray my character, as to give countenance to such desperate proceedings

This sentence is, alone, an illustration of close, compact and loose. As a whole, it is imper. fect loose: having in the first part a close, and in the second, a compact construction.

And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy; who, seeing Jesus, fell on his face and besought him saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean! And he put forth his hand and touched him: saying, I will thou clean.

be

I quote no more of this sentence, as example, than the question it contains: the question of the leper.

3. Examples of the third kind.

You surely will not say, I am bound to read such books? Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master's table! Sure he that made us, made us to enjoy !

4. THE DOUBLE INTERROGATIVE.

(See Definition of a Double Interrogative.)

Examples.

Is it lawful to give tribute unto Cæsar, or not! Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another! Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do evil to save life, or to destroy it! Has God forsaken the works of his own hands, or does he always graciously preserve and keep and guide them?

5. THE SEMI-INTERROGATIVE.

(See Definition of a Semi-interrogative sentence.)

Examples.

He approached the man and said, what place is this! And he turned unto the woman and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman?

If you reasoned aright, and probed the soul well, would you not find that from these, as from hidden springs, a great deal of all the best felicity, you have tasted, has welled up?