"IS" OR .e ARE e ?
(,To THE EDITOR or THZ " SPECTATOR.") Sine—Our Prayer Book is generally considered a model of English style. I find in it two prayers, in each of which there is a verb in, the singular number governed by two nominatives. " 0 God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, Ac., &c.," where the usual explanation is that the word "nature " and the word "property " mean the same thing, and therefore may rightly govern a verb in the singular number. Again, I find A prayer " that those evils which the craft and subtilty of the devil, or man worketh against us may be brought to nought, &c., Ac.," where the same explanation applies, the words " craft " and subtilty " being. synonymous. Of course I admit that the word " barley " and the word "sugar " do not mean the same thing, and that " J. H. L." is right thus far; but I offer my plea in mitigation of judgment for what you may consider it worth.—I am, Sir, &c., • S. B.
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