The constituent parts of a proposition are the subject, the predicate, and the copula. The two first are called terms, because they are the extremes of the proposition; and they may consist of a single word each, or of a collection of words, representing some person, thing, or

attribute.

48. The subject of a proposition is that, concerning which something is either asserted, denied, commanded, or inquired. The predicate is that, which is asserted, denied, commanded, or inquired, concerning the subject. The copula is that, by which the other two parts are connected.

Body is divisible.

Man is not omniscient.
Be ye filled.

Is Cæsar dead?

Body, man, ye, and Cæsar, are the subjects of these four propositions ; divisible, omniscient, filled, and dead, are the predicates; is, is not, and be, the copulas. In the first example, the agreement between the subject and predicate is asserted; in the second, it is denied ; in the third, it is ordered; in the fourth, it is inquired for.

49. One part of a proposition is often contained in another. In the following examples, the copula is contained in the predicate:

I think.

The sun rises.

These imply,

I am thinking.

The sun is rising.

So the copula sometimes includes the whole, or a part of the predicate; as, Troy was; that is, Troy was existent. The copula is always some inflection of the verb to be, either expressed or understood.

A single word may contain a complete proposition. Thus scribo implies ego sum scribens, I am writing. So rejoice, attend, imply be thou rejoicing; be thou attentive.

50. The subject of the proposition usually stands first, and the predicate last; but this order is sometimes inverted, as in the following example :

That is,

In China are many ingenious artists.

Many ingenious artists are [existent] in China.

The words, which constitute the two terms, are sometimes so blended together, that the whole, or a part, of one is placed between parts of the other. In the following example, the whole subject intervenes between parts of the predicate:

"But too often different is rational conjecture from melancholy fact." Burke.

In imperative and interrogative propositions, the copula is usually placed first. As,

Be thou faithful.

Is the controversy settled?

51. An identical proposition is one, whose subject and predicate are composed of the same word or words, and express precisely the same idea. Sometimes the terms are the same, and the ideas different. Thus, home is home. This proposition is not identical; for home, as subject, means only a place of residence; but as predicate, it denotes that it is an agreeable residence. Sometimes the terms are different, but express the same idea. Thus, three times three are nine; twelve is the fifth part of sixty. Here the terms are reciprocal, and may be substituted for each other; but the propositions are not strictly identical.

CHAPTER FOURTH.

SIMPLE, COMPLEX, AND MODAL PROPOSITIONS.

52. A simple proposition is one, whose subject and predicate are composed of simple terms. [See No 27.] As,

Time is precious.

Virtue will be rewarded.

A complex proposition has one or both of its terms complex. They are formed in different ways. A proposition is sometimes rendered complex, by having for its subject or predicate some other proposition, or words equivalent. Thus,

That one man should be punished for the crimes of another is unjust.

The words, which precede is, and which form the subject of this example, obviously contain an entire proposition.

53. Frequently the subject of a proposition is first represented by the pronoun it, and afterwards distinctly expressed; as in the following expression :

"It is impossible to guess at the term, to which our forbearance would have extended."*

The words, constituting the real subject, are here represented by the word it, which being discarded, and the subject stated first, the proposition will stand thus:

To guess at the term, to which our forbearance would have extended, is impossible.

54. Another manner of rendering a proposition complex is by introducing the pronoun who, which, or that, for the purpose of explaining the subject or predicate. Thus,

Cyrus, who founded the Persian empire, was the son of Cambyses.

The words, introduced by the relative, form a complete proposition, which is called the incident; and the whole proposition, including this, is called, in reference to it, primary, or principal. As the design of the incident proposition is purely to explain the subject or predicate of the primary, it can be considered only as a part of the term, in which it is placed.

55. Lastly, any proposition is complex, whose subject or predicate is defined, by annexing to it a word of limitation, or restriction. As,