O Time! who know'st a lenient hand to lay Softest on sorrow's wound.—Bowles.
Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which never come.—Lowell.
A disputed point.
415. This prepares the way for the consideration of one of the vexed questions,—whether we should say, "one of the finest books that has been published," or, "one of the finest books that have been published."
One of ... [plural] that who, or which ... [singular or plural.]
Both constructions are frequently found, the reason being a difference of opinion as to the antecedent. Some consider it to be one [book] of the finest books, with one as the principal word, the true antecedent; others regard books as the antecedent, and write the verb in the plural. The latter is rather more frequent, but the former has good authority.
The following quotations show both sides:—
Plural.
He was one of the very few commanders who appear to have shown equal skill in directing a campaign, in winning a battle, and in improving a victory.—Lecky.
He was one of the most distinguished scientists who have ever lived.—J. T. Morse, Jr., Franklin.