constituting the complement of the predicate, come before it; but
that in the structure of that complement also, the same order is
followed: each line being so arranged that the qualifying words
are placed before the words suggesting concrete images.

22. The right succession of the principal and subordinate
propositions in a sentence manifestly depends on the same law.
Regard for economy of the recipient's attention, which, as we find,
determines the best order for the subject, copula, predicate and
their complements, dictates that the subordinate proposition shall
precede the principal one when the sentence includes two. Containing,
as the subordinate proposition does, some qualifying or explanatory
idea, its priority prevents misconception of the principal
one; and therefore saves the mental effort needed to correct such
misconception. This will be seen in the annexed example: "The
secrecy once maintained in respect to the parliamentary debates, is
still thought needful in diplomacy; and in virtue of this secret
diplomacy, England may any day be unawares betrayed by its ministers
into a war costing a, hundred thousand lives, and hundreds of
millions of treasure: yet the English pique themselves on being
a self-governed people." The two subordinate propositions, ending
with the semicolon and colon respectively, almost wholly determine
the meaning of the principal proposition with which it concludes;
and the effect would be lost were they placed last instead of first.

23. The general principle of right arrangement in sentences,
which we have traced in its application to the leading divisions of
them, equally determines the proper order of their minor divisions.
In every sentence of any complexity the complement to the subject
contains several clauses, and that to the predicate several others;