lative degree of the adjective (or adverb) is used
regularly in comparing more than two things, but is also frequently
used in comparing only two things.

Examples of superlative with several objects:--

It is a case of which the _simplest_ statement is the
_strongest_.--MACAULAY.

Even Dodd himself, who was one of the _greatest_ humbugs who ever
lived, would not have had the face.--THACKERAY.

To the man who plays well, the _highest_ stakes are
paid.--HUXLEY.

[Sidenote: _Superlative with two objects._]

Compare the first three sentences in Sec. 428 with the following:--

Which do you love _best_ to behold, the lamb or the lion?
--THACKERAY.

Which of these methods has the _best_ effect? Both of them are
the same to the sense, and differ only in form.--DR BLAIR.

Rip was one of those ... who eat white bread or brown, whichever
can be got _easiest_.--IRVING.

It is hard to say whether the man of wisdom or the man of folly
contributed _most_ to the amusement of the party.--SCOTT.

There was an interval of three years between Mary and Anne. The
_eldest_, Mary, was like the Stuarts--the _younger_ was a fair
English child.--MRS. OLIPHANT.

Of the two great parties which at this hour almost share the
nation between them, I should say that one has the _best_ cause,
and the other contains the _best_ men.--EMERSON.

In all disputes between States, though the _strongest_ is nearly
always mainly in the wrong, the _weaker_ is often so in a minor
degree.--RUSKIN.

She thought him and Olivia extremely of a size, and would bid
both to stand up to see which was the _tallest_.--GOLDSMITH.

These two properties seem essential to wit, more particularly the
_last_ of them.--ADDISON.

"Ha, ha, ha!" roared Goodman Brown when the wind laughed at him.
"Let us see which will laugh _loudest_."--HAWTHORNE.

[Sidenote: _Double comparative and superlative._]

431. In Shakespeare's time it was quite common to use a double
comparative and superlative by using _more_ or _most_ before the word
already having _-er_ or _-est_. Examples from Shakespeare are,--

How much _more elder_ art thou than thy looks!--_Merchant of
Venice._

Nor that I am _more better_ than Prospero.--_Tempest._

Come you _more nearer_.--_Hamlet._

With the _most boldest_ and best hear