E97.) 
fuch occafions a fa/, but indefinite time, is to be exprefled, the 
firft aorift is generally ufed*, 
THE diftinction that I mean to imprefs (I repeat it again) is 
this, that the fecond aorift is the only proper indefinite ; that 
when it is introduced as a definitef, it errs from its primogenial 
ufe; that it is even doubtful whether it ever be a definite, at leaft 
verbally} or exprefsly, though it may by implication—That, on the 
contrary, the primogenial ufe of the firft aorift is to exprefs a paft 
definite, and of a peculiar nature, viz. an action totally paft, and not 
now continued, wherein it differs from the preterperfect ; that the 
fecond aorift, even when it is ufed definitely, if it ever be fo, 
only fhews that the adion was perfected at a time paft, without 
determining the time when it was done, whether a long or a 
fhort time fince ; whereas the firft aorift, when ufed in its ftri@ 
(E.2) and 
“ If definite and indefinite therefore be referred to time, the firft aorift is indefinite, “ 
the fecond definite. If to action (in which manner it has been applied through this 
treatife) the converfe takes place.--Vide Prefatory Remarks, Section 5. 
+ Quere, whether it ever is properly a definite, for I fearcely remember an inftance 
where it may not be conftrued indefinitely; for inftance, where id» and iaaGov are con- 
ftrued, I have feen, and I have taken, it would be as eafy to tranflate them, J /aw, and 
I took. But this is not the cafe with the firft aorift, which it is very often impotlible 
to tranflate indefinitely ; for inftance, how could Neftor’s expreffion above-mentioned, 
ipianzey be conftrued, but, I Aave been converfant, or I was converfant, among fu- 
petior men. Conftrue it, I converfed, and obferve how the paffage will found. | 
t By a verbal definite I mean that where the perfection or imperfe@tion of the 
aétion is actually exprefled, by means of the auxiliary verbs to have or to be. Perhaps 
this note, as well as many preceding it, are unneceflary ; but the abftra&t nature of 
the fubject muft apologife for poflibly too much anxiety to be explicit. 
