Of NUMBER.
Number expresses the Difference betwixt one Thing and many, and is either Singular or Plural.
When a Thing is considered as single, or a Multitude of Things considered as united together, it is of the Singular Number; as a Man, a Troop.
When several Things are considered as distinct from each other it is of the Plural Number, as Men, Soldiers.
The Plural is usually formed in Noun Substantives by adding s to the Singular; as Article Articles, Noun Nouns.
But when the Pronunciation requires it, or when the Singular ends in s, x, sh, or ch, the Plural is usually formed by adding the Syllable es; as Ass Asses, Fox Foxes, Sash Sashes, Church Churches.
When the Singular ends in f or fe, the Plural is usually form'd by changing the f or fe into ves; as Wife Wives, Self Selves.
Sometimes the Plural is formed by adding the Syllable en; as Ox Oxen; sometimes by changing the Vowel; as Man Men; and sometimes the Vowels and Consonants; as Penny Pence, Mouse Mice, Louse Lice.
Some of the Pronouns form their Plural very irregular; as I We, Me Us, Thou Ye, Thee You, He They, Him Them, She They, Her Them.
Some Nouns have no Singular Number; as Scissors, the East-Indies, the West-Indies.