How to parse. ...

Par. 353-355.] "AT," "BY."

213

353 Note that "at" is used with reference to points,
while " on " and " in" are used with reference to
places. Hence "at" is used for a point of time,
but " on," "in," or " by" for a space of time:(9) " On Monday," "at dawn; " " by day," "at sunset;" " in the afternoon," " at noon."
10) "At first;" ' at last;" "at length."
So also of place, "at" is used for small places
regarded as points, " in " of large places regarded
as spaces:
(11) "In London;" "at Clifton."
Hence, metaphorically: -
(12) "Distinguished in war, literature, &c.;" "Skilful at jumping, dancing, &c."
354 " In " denotes the sphere of action regarded as
influencing the agent, e.g., "in wrath," " in anger,"
in haste." " At" denotes the point at which
one rests, without the notion of influence, e.g., " at
ease," " at peace," "at liberty," " at large," " at
rest," " at leisure ": -
(13) " He that marries in haste will repent at leisure."
355 3. " By," meaning originally "near the side of,"
i.e., neighborhood, is used to denote "time " ( by
four o'clock "), " instrumentality," and " agency."
- 1 "At night" really means " at night-fall."