[16] The Double Superlative most highest is a Phrase peculiar to the Old Vulgar Translation of the Psalms, where it acquires a singular propriety from the Subject to which it is applied, the Supreme Being, who is higher than the highest.
[17] “Lesser, says Mr. Johnson, is a barbarous corruption of Less, formed by the vulgar from the habit of terminating comparisons in er.”
“Attend to what a lesser Muse indites.”
Addis.
Worser sounds much more barbarous, only because it has not been so frequently used:
“A dreadful quiet felt, and worser far
Than arms, a sullen interval of war.”
Dryden.
[18] A greater variety of endings to distinguish the Persons in the Verb is not necessary; as the Verb is always attended with the Personal Pronoun, wherever an ambiguity would otherwise arise. For the same reason the Plural termination in en, they loven, they weren, which was formerly in use, hath been long obsolete.
[19] Thou, in the Polite, and even in the Familiar Style, is disused, and the Plural You is employed instead of it: we say You have, not Thou hast. Tho’ in this case we apply You to a single Person, yet the Verb too must agree with it in the Plural Number: it must necessarily be You have, not You hast. You was, the Second Person Plural of the Pronoun placed in agreement with the First or Third Person Singular of the Verb, is an enormous Solecism: and yet Authors of the first rank have inadvertently fallen into it. “Knowing that you was my old master’s good friend.” Addison, Spect. No 517. “Would to God you was within her reach.” Lord Bolingbroke to Swift, Letter 46. “If you was here.” Ditto, Letter 47. “I am just now as well, as when you was here.” Pope to Swift, P. S. to Letter 56. On the contrary the Solemn Style admits not of You for a Single Person. This hath led Mr. Pope into a great impropriety in the beginning of his Messiah: