Mistakes of Our Best Writers
Besides the rhetorical blunders and inaccuracies of our best writers, their pages are sprinkled with violations of the plainest grammatical rules. Take, by way of illustration, a few specimens from some of the masters of the English language:
Blair, the rhetorician, says, “The boldness, freedom, and variety of our blank verse is infinitely more favorable than rhyme to all kinds of sublime poetry.”
Latham, the philologist, says, “The following facts may or have been adduced as reasons on the other side.”
Addison says, “I do not mean that I think any one to blame for taking due care of their health.”
Junius says, “Both minister and magistrate is compelled to choose between his duty and his reputation.”
Dryden says, “The reason is perspicuous why no French plays when translated have or ever can succeed on the English stage.”
Gibbon says, “The use of fraud and perfidy, of cruelty and injustice were often subservient to the propagation of the faith.” And again, “The richness of her arms and apparel were conspicuous in the foremost ranks.”
Macaulay says, “The poetry and eloquence of the Augustan age was assiduously studied in Mercian and Northumbrian monasteries.”