When, however, the substantive singular ends in x, ch soft, sh, ss, or s, we add es in the plural.
But remember, though box
In the plural makes boxes,
That the plural of ox
Should be oxen, not oxes.
A few Singular Plurals, or Plurals popularly varied, are as follow:—
| SINGULAR. | PLURAL. | |
| Beast | Beastes, beastices. | |
| Crust | Crustes. | |
| Gust | Gustes. | |
| Ghost | Ghostes. | |
| Host | Hostes. | |
| Joist | Joistes. | |
| Mist | Mistes. | |
| Nest | Nestes. | |
| Post, &c. | Postes, postices, &c. |
Note.—The singular is often used, by a kind of licence conceded to persons of refinement, for the plural; as, “May I trouble you for a bean?” “Will you assist Miss Spriggins to a pea?” So also people say, “A few green.” “Two or three radish,” &c.
SECTION IV.
OF CASE.
There is nearly as much difference between Latin and English substantives, with respect to the number of cases pertaining to each, as there is between a quack-doctor and a physician; for while in Latin substantives have six cases, in English they have but three. But the analogy should not be strained too far; for the fools in the world (who furnish the quack with his cases) more than double the number of the wise.