HMTORY OF THE ATOMIC THEORY. 35 



past or future. But for the purposes of speech we must 

 have a present time of some duration, which must necessarily 

 be comprised of a portion of past and a portion of future, 

 having the present, now or instant, as a boundary between 

 them. Its length may be what we please to make it. 



" Grammatically speaking therefore, there are three times, 

 present, past, and future ; though strictly and mathematically 

 speaking, we can admit only two, past and future. Moreover 

 we find it expedient in the course of conversation, not only to 

 mention actions as whole and entire, but also their commence- 

 ment, their being in a passing or middle state, and their 

 termination ; accordingly our language furnishes us with four 

 forms of speech for each of the times or tenses, which are 

 exemplified in their proper place, both for the active and 

 passive verb, with appropriate names to them." 

 His active verb is given thus : — 

 Indicative mood. 



Present time. 



I serve, &c. 



Beginning present. 



I am about to serve, &c. 



Middle present. 



I am serving, &c. 



Ending present. 



I have served or been serving, &c. 



Past time, 



I served, &c. 



Beginning past. 



I was about to serve, &c. 



Middle past. 



I was serving, &c. 



Ending past. 



I had served or been serving, &c. 



Future or present time. 



I shall, will, may, can or must serve, &c. 



