ctive noun, and in this way may take a
plural verb; for example, Burke's sentence, "A _sort_ of uncertain
sounds _are_, when the necessary dispositions concur, more alarming
than a total silence."

COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE FORMS.

[Sidenote: _Use of the comparative degree._]

428. The comparative degree of the adjective (or adverb) is used
when we wish to compare two objects or sets of objects, or one object
with a class of objects, to express a higher degree of quality; as,--

Which is _the better_ able to defend himself,--a strong man with
nothing but his fists, or a paralytic cripple encumbered with a
sword which he cannot lift?--MACAULAY.

Of two such lessons, why forget
The _nobler_ and the _manlier_ one?
--BYRON.

We may well doubt which has the _stronger_ claim to civilization,
the victor or the vanquished.--PRESCOTT.

A _braver_ ne'er to battle rode.--SCOTT.

He is _taller,_ by almost the breadth of my nail, than any of his
court.--SWIFT.

[Sidenote: Other _after the comparative form._]

429. When an object is compared with the class to which it belongs,
it is regularly excluded from that class by the word _other_; if not,
the object would really be compared with itself: thus,--

The character of Lady Castlewood has required more delicacy in
its manipulation than perhaps any _other_ which Thackeray has
drawn.--TROLLOPE.

I used to watch this patriarchal personage with livelier
curiosity than any _other_ form of humanity.--HAWTHORNE.

Exercise.

See if the word _other_ should be inserted in the following
sentences:--

1. There was no man who could make a more graceful bow than Mr.
Henry.--WIRT.

2. I am concerned to see that Mr. Gary, to whom Dante owes more
than ever poet owed to translator, has sanctioned,
etc.--MACAULAY.

3. There is no country in which wealth is so sensible of its
obligations as our own.--LOWELL.

4. This is more sincerely done in the Scandinavian than in any
mythology I know.--CARLYLE.

5. In "Thaddeus of Warsaw" there is more crying than in any novel
I remember to have read.--THACKERAY.

6. The heroes of another writer [Cooper] are quite the equals of
Scott's men; perhaps Leather-stocking is better than any one in
"Scott's lot."--_Id._

[Sidenote: _Use of the superlative degree._]

430. The super