Chapter XVI: Section III: Of the Adjective Pronouns

Adjective pronouns partake of the nature of both pronouns and adjectives. They may be subdivided into four sorts: the possessive, the distributive, the demonstrative, and the indefinite.

The possessive pronouns are those which imply possession or property. Of these there are seven; namely, _my_, _thy_, _his_, _her_, _our_, _your_, _their_.

The word _self_ is added to possessives; as, myself, yourself, “Says I to myself, says I.” _Self_ is also sometimes used with personal pronouns; as, himself, itself, themselves. _His_ self is a common, but not a proper expression.

The distributive are three: _each_, _every_, _either_; they denote the individual persons or things separately, which, when taken together, make up a number.

_Each_ is used when two or more persons or things are mentioned singly; as, “_each_ of the Catos;” “_each_ of the Browns.”

_Every_ relates to one out of several; as, “_Every_ mare is a horse, but _every_ horse is not a mare.”

_Either_ refers to one out of two; as,

“When I between two jockeys ride,
I have a knave on _either_ side.”

_Neither_ signifies “not either;” as “_Neither_ of the Bacons was related to Hogg.”

The demonstrative pronouns precisely point out the subjects to which they relate; such are _this_ and _that_, with their plurals _these_ and _those_; as, “_This_ is a foreign Prince; _that_ is an English Peer.”

_This_ refers to the nearest person or thing, and to the latter or last mentioned; _that_ to the most distant, and to the former or first mentioned; as, “_This_ is a man; _that_ is a nondescript.” “At the period of the Reformation in Scotland, a curious contrast between the ancient and modern ecclesiastical systems was observed; for while _that_ had been always maintained by a _Bull_, _this_ was now supported by a _Knox_.”

The indefinite are those which express their subjects in an indefinite or general manner; as, _some_, _other_, _any_, _one_, _all_, _such_, &c.

When the definite article _the_ comes before the word _other_, those who do not know better, are accustomed to strike out the _he_ in _the_, and to say, _t’other_.

The same persons also use _other_ in the comparative degree; for sometimes, instead of saying quite the reverse, or perhaps re_w_erse, they avail themselves of the expression, _more t’other_.

So much for the Pronouns.