In like manner some persons have felt disposed to say _many an one _instead of _many a one_ because of the presence of the vowel _o_. But the sound is the consonant sound of _w_ as in _won_, and the article should be _a_ and not _an._
There is a difference of opinion among writers concerning the use of _a_ and _an,_ before words beginning with _h,_ when not silent, especially when the accent falls on the second syllable; as, _a_ harpoon, _a_ hegira, _a_ herbarium, _a_ herculean effort, _a_ hiatus, _a_ hidalgo, _a_ hydraulic engine, _a_ hyena, _a_ historian. The absence of the accent weakens the _h _sound, and makes it seem as if the article _a_ was made to precede a vowel. The use of _an_ is certainly more euphonious and is supported by _Webster’s Dictionary_ and other high authority.
Such titles as _Honorable_ and _Reverend_ require the article _the;_ as, “The Honorable William R. Gladstone is often styled ‘The Grand Old Man,’” “The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher was an eloquent orator,” not _Honorable William, E. Gladstone,_ or _Reverend Henry Ward Beecher._
“A clergyman and philosopher entered the hall together.” _“A _clergyman and philosopher” means one person who is both clergyman and philosopher. The article should be repeated. _“A_ clergyman and _a_ philosopher entered the hall together.”
_“A_ red and white flag” means one flag of two colors. _“A_ red and _a_ white flag” means two flags, a red flag and a white flag. _“A _great and _a_ good man has departed.” The verb _has_ implies that only one man has departed, hence the sentence should be, “A great and good man has departed.”
“They sang the first and second verse,” should be, “They sang _the_ first and _the_ second verse.” “The literal and figurative meaning of words” should be, _“The_ literal and _the_ figurative meaning of words.”
“In framing of his sentences he was very exact,” should be, “In _the _framing,” etc., or, “In framing his sentences he was very exact.” “The masculine and feminine gender,” should be, “_The_ masculine and _the _feminine gender.”
“After singing a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address.” If Miss Willard alone sang the hymn the sentence is correct. If the congregation sang the hymn the sentence should be, “After _the_ singing of a hymn, Miss Willard made a stirring address.”