How to parse. ...

238

THE PARTICIPLE. [Par. 411, 412.

"In talking," or "a-talking" (compare the French "en
attendant "), might also naturally be contracted into " talking," and might then be confused with the Participle.
4II The Participle with Implied Noun.
It is scarcely correct, though not very uncommon,
to say(1) "Having disposed of his first argument, his
second argument remains to be considered," instead of " we have to consider."
(2) " My farm consisted of twenty acres of excellent
land, (I) having given a hundred pounds for my
predecessor's good will." - GOLDSMITH.1
412 Where a Possessive Adjective is used, e.g. " his,"
it may be sometimes said that "his " is the same as
" of him," and that the Participle qualifies " him,"
which is implied in "his ":(3) " Iaving finished his breakfast, his thoughts
began to run on dinner."
(4) " Repulsed at all points, their courage grew
cold."
Adjectives, as well as Participles, are thus
used:
(5) "Once free from debt, his best course is to
emigrate."
Such an expression as the following is by no
means to be imitated:1 Matzner, vol. iii. page 80.