A great stone, that, after a long search, I happened to find by the sea-shore, served me for anchor.
Next of a wrong arrangement where the sense is left doubtful; beginning, as in the former sort, with examples of the wrong arrangement of words in a member.
These forms of conversation by degrees multiplied and grew troublesome.
Spectator, Nº 119.
Here it is left doubtful whether the modification by degrees relate to the preceding member or to what follows. It should be,
These forms of conversation multiplied by degrees.
Nor does this false modesty expose us only to such actions as are indiscreet, but very often to such as are highly criminal.
Spectator, Nº 458.
The ambiguity is removed by the following arrangement.