OF AN INTERJECTION.
An interjection is a word expressing a sudden emotion or feeling, as Hei! Oh dear!—Heu! Lack-a-day!—Hem! Brute, Hollo! Brutus.—Euge! Tite, Bravo! Titus.
We here find ourselves approaching the delightful subject of the three Concords, with which we shall make short work, first, for fear of further Accidence, and, secondly, because we are no fonder than boys are of repetitions, which, were we to follow the Eton Grammar in the Concords, we should be obliged to make in the Syntax.
However, there are just one or two points to be mentioned.
Rule. (Text-hand copy-books.) “Ask no questions.”
Exception. When you want to find where the concord should be, ask the following—
Who? or what?—to find the nominative case to the verb.
Whom? or what? with the verb, for the accusative after it.
Who? or what? with the adjective, for the substantive to the adjective.
Who? or what? with the verb, for the antecedent to the relative.
But remember, that the use of the interrogatives who? and what? however justifiable in grammar, is very impertinent in conversation. What, for example, can be more ill-bred than to say, Who are you? Indeed, most questions are ill mannered. We do not speak of such expressions as, Has your mother sold her mangle? and the like, used only by persons who have never asked themselves where they expect to go to? but of all unnecessary demands whatever. “Sir,” said the great Dr. Johnson, “it is uncivil to be continually asking, Why is a dog’s tail short, or why is a cow’s tail long.”