Truth and simplicity are twin sisters, and generally go hand in hand.
The foregoing exposition of the "relative pronouns," is in accordance
with the usual method of treating them; but if they were unfolded
according to their true character, they would be found to be very
simple, and, _doubtless_, much labor and perplexity, on the part of the
learner, would thereby be saved.
Of the words called "relatives," _who_, only, is a pronoun; and this is
strictly _personal_; more so, indeed, if we except _I_ and _we_, than
any other word in our language, for it is always restricted to persons.
It ought to be classed with the personal pronouns. _I, thou, he, she,
it, we, ye, you_, and _they, relate_ to antecedents, as well as _who.
Which, that_, and _what_, are always adjectives. They never _stand for_,
but always _belong_ to nouns, either expressed or implied. They
_specify_, like many other adjectives, and _connect_ sentences.
_Who_ supplies the place of _which_ or _what_ and its _personal noun_.
_Who_ came? i.e. _what man, what woman, what person;--which man, woman_,
or _person_, came? "They heard _what_ I said"--they heard _that_ (thing)
_which_ (thing) I said. "Take _what_ (or _whichever_) course you
please;"--take _that_ course _which_ (course) you please to take.
"_What_ have you done?" i.e. _what thing, act_, or _deed_ have you
done? "_Which thing_ I also did at Jerusalem." "_Which_ will you
take?"--_which book, hat_, or something else? "This is the tree _which_
(tree) produces no fruit." "He _that_ (man, or _which_ man) acts wisely,
deserves praise."
They who prefer this method of treating the "relatives," are at liberty
to adopt it, and parse accordingly.