The Queen's English vs The Dean's English [pp. 558-585]

18(37.] Tite rean's ~ngltsit. 573
correspond, ought not to be e'est moz, but c'est ~e; and we
hence conclude that me is wrong in English as well as in
French. The argument from the analogy of the French, to
which be and Dr. Latham appeal, entirely fails. The Dean's
statement that in Christ's words, "It is I, be not afraid," the
use of the nominative is explained by the majesty of the speaker,
and his purpose of reassuring the disciples, appears to us to be
entirely refuted by other passages in the Scriptures. The
sorrowing question of his disciples, "Lord, is it I?" and the
interrogation even of the traitor, "Master, is it I?" show that
the translators adopted the nominative form because it was correct, and not simply from some sentimental or metaphysical
rca son.
In this connection we may take up the question whether titan
does or does not govern the objective case. Because in a
single anomalous instance, and that chiefly in poetry, it is used
with the objective case is no more a proof that it is allowable
in other instances than the fact that Dryden, contrary to his own
habit in all other cases, and that of the other poets, says eon'tem~late instead of eontem'rlate is a proof that it is correct to accent
the first syllable of this word instead of the second. The truth
is, that leaving out this case, of which it may truly be said,
Grainmatici certant, et adhuc sub judice lis est,
titan does not govern a case. We may say "titan 1," or
"titan me," but these forms of expression are elliptical, and so
far from meaning the same thing, as the Dean's rule would
imply, they differ greatly in their signification. "lie loves
you better titan I," i. e., titan I [love you]; but "he loves you
better titan me," means "he loves you better titan [ite loves]
me." lie is wiser titan me, can never be correct.
In illustrating the correct mode of expression from the
Scriptures it will be seen that the Dean's statement that solemnity or majesty is the reason why the nominative is used in the
Bible in these cases, again vanishes before the test of fact.
Christ says, "My Father is greater than I"; but Joseph also,
when only a servant, says, "there is none greater in the house
than I." A critic says, "when Solomon asked (Eccl. ii. 25),
~~\Tho can eat more than I?' according to the Dean it ought