260 Darwinism and Other Essays. 



forms of the noun or verb, before we have been 

 introduced to a single sentence in which these 

 forms are presented. In mute dismay we con- 

 template ingeniously framed rules of syntax, be- 

 fore we have been shown a glimpse of the facts 

 upon which these rules depend. We get the gen- 

 eralization before the particulars, the abstract be- 

 fore the concrete ; we learn to repeat formulas 

 before we have the notions needful for filling 

 them. As a natural result, our Latin and Greek 

 seem very difficult. To enhance our perplex- 

 ity, the same thing is generally introduced to us 

 under different names, or, quite as often, differ- 

 ent things under the same name. We are told 

 that the genitive in Greek denotes possession, and 

 next that it likewise denotes origin, and again 

 that it denotes separation. We are informed that 

 the Latin genitive, primarily denoting possession, 

 may, however, if of the first or second declension 

 and singular number, be used to signify place, an 

 idea conveyed by the ablative also, which for the 

 time being kindly neglects its proper function of 

 expressing removal. The genitive, moreover, may 

 express one kind of resemblance, another kind 

 being, by a mysterious dispensation of Providence, 

 indicated by the dative. Even if all these cum- 

 brous rules for learning ancient languages were 



