GREEK PREPOSITIONS. 367 



the nouns with which the different prepofitions are joined, and 

 which, in technical language, they are faid to govern. In lay- 

 ing down the grammatical principles of the language, this is un- 

 doubtedly a matter of fome importance ; but in inveftigating the 

 origin and radical fenfe of the prepofitions, little light, I appre- 

 hend, can be derived from that circumftance. Even in regard 

 to their fignification and ufe, it is far from being a certain or ac- 

 curate guide. Dr Moor has indeed conftructed an ingenious 

 theory about the mode of their application, deduced from the 

 cafes they are found to govern ; but the principles of this theory 

 are in many cafes contradicted by the ufes of the prepofitions in 

 the moft accurate Greek writers *. And, indeed, I fufpect the the- 

 ory 



* Dr Moor fuppofes, for inftance, that the following diftinclion in the ufe of 

 the prepofitions, with the different cafes, may be regarded as conftant and certain. 

 With the genitive, he thinks, that the peculiar relation denoted by the prepofition 

 is reprefented as in a ftate of reft or continued junction with the objecl: : with the 

 accufative, as in a ftate of tendency towards : with the dative, as in a ftate of junc- 

 tion under fome particular modification. Thus, he fays, E7n with the genitive de- 

 notes reft or fituation upon - y with the accufative, motion directed upon ; with the 

 dative, fome particular mode in which one objecl: maybe faid to be upon another. 

 He applies the fame theory to 1x1, and fome of the other prepofitions governing 

 different cafes. But many examples might be brought in direct oppofition to this 

 theory. Thus, in Thucydides, vrl <3>^%>ir^ ^*rtU» »«ga<r*stu«£&T«<», u he prepares an 

 '• expedition, — direBed upon or againft Thrace." 'Esw "AiywTX 'pss<», « to flow to- 

 " wards Egypt." In Homer we find, 



ovtu /*«» tuK\eiv «>i t7r' ivQpuxii;. 



" So may my fame be eftablifhed or exift among men, — refting upon or amon°- 

 " men." In like manner, we find fori with the genitive denoting tendency under. 



'ixun ino Tlgiciutio- Quint. Smyrn. 



" He comes towards the prefence,— or under the view of Priam." The fame pre- 

 pofition occurs with the accufative very frequently, denoting reft or fituation 

 under. K.*rx»fimu fal rh Mg*y, (Herod.), " he conceals it, refting under or 

 " behind the door." 



Vol. V.— P. II. 3 B 



XCtTC'.eilT* 



