1885.] *^51 [Brinton. 



If there are two objects, an accusative and a dative, then two cor- 

 responding pronouns are inserted ; and if no object is named, but the 

 verb is of tliat class wliich is followed by an immediate or remote 

 object, or both, then two indefinite pronouns appear in the verb. The 

 Mexican verb therefore, expresses either a complete sentence, or else a 

 complete scheme of one, which merely requires to be filled out. It 

 says, in one word, " I give something to somebody," nititlamaca, and 

 then defines what it is and to whom. 



It follows necessarily that a part of the verbal form is fluctuating 

 according to the sense and connection of the sentence, and that the 

 governing pronoun stands sometimes immediately before the verb, and 

 sometimes is separated from it by indefinite pronouns or even nouns. 



In the Totonaca language, the prefixes and suffixes make room for 

 the governed words between themselves and the stem. 



This examination of the languages whose conjugations approach a 

 fixed form, shows clearly that this fixedness is seriously shaken pre- 

 cisely where it is most important, through this insertion of the governed 

 words. 



JiTow if we reflect on the structure of the various verbal forms here 

 analyzed, certain general conclusions are reached, which are calculated 

 to throw light upon the whole organism of these languages. 



The leading and governing part of speech in them is the Pronoun; 

 every subject of discourse is connected with the idea of Personality. 



Xoiui and Verb are not separated ; they first become so through the 

 pronouns attached to them. 



The employment of the Pronoun is two-fold, one applying to the 

 Noun, the second to the Verb. Both, however, convey the idea of 

 belonging to a person ; in the noun appearing as Possession, in the 

 verb as Energy. But it is on this point, on wdiether these ideas are 

 confused and obscure, or whether they are defined and clear, that the 

 grammatical perfection of a language depends. The just discrimina- 

 tion of the kinds of pronouns is therefore conclusive, and in this respect 

 we must yield the decided pre-eminence to the Mexican. 



It follows that tlie speaker mu.st constantly make up his verbs, instead 

 of using those already on hand ; and also that the structure of the verb 

 must be identical throughout the language, that there must be only 

 one conjugation, and that the verbs, except a few irregular ones, can 

 possess no peculiarities. 



This is different in the Greek, Latin and ancient Indian. In those 

 tongues many verbs must be studied separately, as they have numerous 

 exceptions, phonetic changes, deficiencies, etc., and in other respects 

 carry with them a marked individuality. 



The difference between these cultivated and those rude languages is 

 chiefly merely one of time, and of the more or less fortunate mixture 



