The fortune was all but spent (Thackeray, van Dal.). The amalgamation of the races was all but complete (Mac. I, 17). He believed that this was a premeditated scene to find a pretence for breaking off an engagement that was already all but concluded (W. Godwin, Caleb Williams II). While in these passages the meaning of all«< and >but<< is still discernable, there has arisen by a forgetfulness of the original sense of the two words, as it were, a compound word with the above meaning, which is made use of without respect to its origin. Two dogs all but won that desperate game (Scott, Hr. 397). None must know what idle. dream . . . all but gave Thy monarch's life to mountainglaive (Scott, Hr. 417). Amidst the all but universal joy of the country (Brougham, Historical Sketches of Statesmen, I, 273). They had all but forced him to make war with France (Mac. I, 237). So he was all but forbidden the house (Kingsley, Yeast X). The hot blood that rose to my throat all but stifled me at the thought (Mrs. Gore, Castles in the air III).

Also the ancient meaning of »all but« is still met with in modern writers, but indeed very rarely. Achilles, who was unvulnerable all but the heel (Th. Hood, Tylney Hall XX).

>> But for«.

Methinks they are such a gentle nation that, but for the mountain of mad flesh, that claims marriage of me, I could find in my heart to stay here still and turn witch (Sh. C. of Err. IV, 4, 157). O, but for my love day would turn to night (Sh. L. L. L. IV, 3, 233). My body which but for him that has your husband's ring, Had quite miscarried (Sh. Merch. of V. V, 248). And in their rage such signs of rage thei bear, As, but for loss of Nestor's golden words, It seem'd they would debate with angry swords (Sh. Lucr. 1420). Woman, happy but for

me (Sh. C. of Err. I, 1, 38). I would have proceeded, but for the interruption of a servant (Goldsm. Vic. V). The task would have been more difficult but for our recent calamity (Goldsm., Hr. Gr.). She might have succeeded but for the interposition of Sir Clement (Burney, ib.). But for a strange mishap my sword had revenged all our injuries (Scott, ib.). He would have put me into the hands. of the Prince of Orange, but for God's special providence (Mac. III, 323).

The verb may also stand in the indicative: She's well indeed but for two things (Sh. All's well II, 4, 48). That makes himself, but for our honour therein, Unworthy thee (Sh. W. Tale IV, 4, 447). The fellow but for his unaccountable bashfulness, is pretty well (Goldsm. van Dal.). In these passages »but for« is used almost in the sense of >>apart from«.

In the same manner and with the same meaning we find but joined to »from«; but this phrase it but rarely met with. Far less than this is shocking in a race Most wretched, but from streams of mutual love; And uncreated, but for love divine (Young, N. Th. 3, 205).

>>But for<< occurs also in negative sentences (we anticipate this use here). These mine eyes but for thy piteous lips, no more had seen (Sh. Ven. and Adon. 504). The means of your deliverance, Which but for Hastings' death I had not gain'd (Rowe, J. Shore 5, 1). The room was so very much crowded, that, but for the uncommon assiduity of Sir Clement, we should not have been able to procure a box (Burney, Hr. Gr.). Where but for him they had not dined (Bulwer, ib.). scarcely have been possible but for the fortunate discovery of Sanskrit in last century (Spalding, Hist. of Engl. Lit. >>But from in a negative sentence: Nor should

p. 440).

The Science of Philology could

I have taken this trouble but from some opinion of your. good sense (Fielding, Hr. Gr.).

2. Negative principal sentence.

Nothing was given to King Henry . . . but onely the bare name of a King (Spenser, A view ect.). Be except to no sight but thine and mine (Sh. Temp. I, 2, 302). I have done nothing but in care of thee (ib. I, 2, 16). Aged custom, but by your voices, will not so permit me (Sh. Coriol. II, 3, 177). As to the explanation of some peculiar instances of the elliptical use of »but« in Shakespeare, such as: K. John III, 1, 92; Tim. of Ath. I. 1, 107; Rich. III. I, 3, 214, cf. Abbott, Sh. Gr. § 127 and § 385. Entertained by none but cowards (Massinger, Hr. 100). No man commandeth in the King's presence, but by the King's direction (Raleigh, Hr. 104). No receipt openeth the heart but a true friend (Bacon, Hr. 110). None but the brave deserves the fair (Dryden, Hr. 129). English poetry is nothing at present but a combination of luxuriant images (Goldsm. Vic. VIII). He will not return but renowned (Macph., Hr. 322). It is thy father, O Morar! the father of no son but thee (Macph., Hr. 323). For they don't choose anybody should have a character but themselves (Sheridan, Sch. f. Sc. II, 1). Which blooms nowhere but in Paradise (Moore, Lala Rookh, Parad. and Peri). She has no idea of poverty but in the abstract (Irv. Sk. B. p. 22). That he should show favour to none but Whigs (Mac. IV, 12).

...

>>But<< may be followed by a complete accessory sentence, introduced by »that«. — There is no news but that he writes (Sh. Gentl. I, 3, 56). Your subjects, Sir, wish for nothing, but that you should distinguish between the conduct ect. (Junius, Hr. 294), T'was nothing but that she

could not bear to hear Charles reflected on (Sheridan, Sch.

f. Sc. I, 1).

A man that ap

>>But<< after negative comparatives. prehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep (Sh. Meas. f. M. IV, 2, 150). These poor informal women are no more but instruments of some more mightier member (Sh. ib. V, 237). They would have no more discretion but to hang us (Sh. Mids. I, 2, 83). Thou knowest no less but all (Sh. Tw. N. I, 4, 13). With no worse nor better guard but with a knave (Sh. Oth. I, 1, 126). They cherish it (the virtue) to make it stay there; and yet it will no more but abide (Sh. W. T. IV, 3, 99). He knows not what to do with it (the world); he can use no more, but according to the capacities of a man

(Taylor, Hr. 137). In our time this use is quite absolete. - >> But<< followed by a substantive sentence, introduced by »that«: It (my purpose) is no more But that your daughter, ere she seems as won, Desires the ring (Sh. All's well III, 7, 32).

>>But<< referring to the comparative »sooner«, preceded by >>no and being followed by a complete accessory sentence, is used to denote simultaneousness or immediate consequence of two actions. No sooner sayd, but streight he after sent His yron page (Spenser, F. Q. V, 1, 20). No sooner had this painful wombe brought foorth His eldest sonne... But straight he chargde a trustie man of his To beare the childe into a desert wood (Gascoygne, Jocasta I, 1). The which no sooner had his prowess confirmed, But like a man he died (Sh. Macb. V, 8, 42). Which they shall have no sooner achieved but we'll set upon them (Sh. 1 Henry IV. I, 2, 193). The breath no sooner left his father's body, But that his wildness. . . Seem'd to die too (Sh. Henry V. I, 1, 25). In the last instance »but that< is remarkable, which does not occur after »no sooner« else

where. No sooner she th'advantage found but in she flew (Butl. Hudibr. Hr. 128). This extraordinary dialogue was no sooner ended but he began to launch out into a long dissertation upon the affairs of the north (Addison, Hr. 186). The false varlet no sooner saw me falling to work but he sent word (Addison, Hr. 188). My friend had no sooner taken up him my short face, but he made so grotesque a figure, that ect. (Addison, Hr. 193). No sooner had the Almighty ceased, but all The multitude of angels . . . heaven rung With jubilee (Milton, P. L. III). He was therefore no sooner discharged out of the custody of physic, but he thought of fulfilling his engagement (Fielding, Tom Jones VI, 3). >>No sooner but« is very predominant in the earlier stage of M. E., down to the beginning of the 18th century; during this time no sooner than« is only rarely met with; still in Addison we almost always find »no sooner but<<. Since the first half of the 18th century »no sooner than<< begins to predominate, so that already in Swift, Fielding, Smollet, Robertson it is almost exclusively in use. In our time »no sooner but« seems hardly to

occur.

...

>>But<< after >other<< in a negative sentence. — I think it be no other but e'en so (Sh. Haml. I, 1, 108). The duke knows him for no other but a poor officer of mine (Sh. All's well IV, 3, 225) . . . who know no other good but indulgere genio (Sidney, Hr. 103). With no other purposes but to rally him (Tatler 241). Incapable .. of any other sentiments but those of pity or admiration (Robertson, Hr. 260). I wish no other here knew you but myself (Fielding, Tom Jones VIII, 5). I desire no other reward but the pleasure of having served my friend (Goldsm. Hr. Gr.). I observed that no other motive but their welfare could induce me to this (Goldsm. ib.). They had no