Nor does this false modesty expose us to such actions only as are indiscreet, &c.
The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to the north-east side of Lilliput, from whence it is parted only by a channel of 800 yards wide.
Gulliver’s Travels, part 1. chap. 5.
The ambiguity may be removed thus:
———— from whence it is parted by a channel
of 800 yards wide only.
In the following examples the sense is left doubtful by a wrong arrangement of members.
The minister who grows less by his elevation, like a little statue placed on a mighty pedestal, will always have his jealousy strong about him.
Dissertation upon parties, dedication. Bolingbroke.
Here, so far as can be gathered from the arrangement, it is doubtful, whether the object introduced by way of simile, relate to what goes before or to what follows. The ambiguity is removed by the following arrangement.
The minister who, like a little statue placed on a mighty pedestal, grows less by his elevation, will always, &c.