was guided by interests always different, sometimes contrary, to those of the community.

I have still to walk six miles, which I shall be very glad when I get to the end of it.

The ship of war, with all her appurtenances, might have its history carried back to the Indian canoe.

Consider both the works of nature and of art, how they mutually assist and complete each other.

It is of little use to offer consolation, or to think of elevating the spirits of a man groaning under ideal calamities.

A statesman and distinguished author were conversing with each other in the adjoining room.

I do not mean, by that I have said, that I think any one to blame for taking care of their health; but I apprehend he will neither be the better nor worse for that treatment.

A great flood, he said, swept away the rest of the arches, and leaving the bridge in the ruinous condition I now beheld it.

As every accessible source of aid had been applied to, and no prospect of deliverance appearing, abandoned them to despair.

Memory is the purveyor of reason: it is a power which places before the mind images; and the judgment is to be exercised upon them.

At Palos, a small maritime town in the province of Andalusia, where the ships had been ordered by Isabella to be fitted out, of which Columbus was to take the command.

It is relics of this kind that a historian should produce, and make them the subject of our philosophic meditation, not offer us modern views and sentiments of his own.

There are few, in my opinion, more interesting or nobler considerations in religion, than the continual progress towards the perfection of its nature which the soul makes, and never arrives at a period in it.

To the citizen of ancient Rome, the names of the Tiber, the Forum, the Capitol, &c., conveyed none other ideas but those of the particular divisions of the city in which he dwelt, and were heard, of consequence, with the same indifference that the citizen of London now hears of the Strand or Tower.

Nebuchadnezzar was the most renowned of all earthly princes that preceded him. For the extent of his dominion, and the great revenues it supplied, his unparalleled success in war, and his mag

nificent and splendid court, and for his stupendous works and ́ improvements at Babylon, he was the greatest monarch, not only of his own times, but incomparably the greatest the world had

ever seen.

This prince saw a tree, in a dream, strong and flourishing, and it pierced the clouds with its summit, while its branches overshadowed the whole extent of his dominions, which were of vast extent. The tree was laden with luxuriant foliage and with fruit, and the cattle reposed in its shade; the fowls of the air lodge in its branches, and multitudes partake of its delicious fruit.

PART IV.

PUNCTUATION.

CHAP. I.

GENERAL USES OF THE STOPS.

1. PUNCTUATION is the method of using certain grammatical points, or stops, as helps to indicate the structure and import of discourse. These signs derive their names from the nature of the sentence or clause which they are employed to distinguish, and are the following:

2. As these points mark divisions of the thoughts in discourse, they also naturally indicate the positions at which a reader should make pauses of greater or less duration; but, frequently, a pause may be made in reading, where no written stop is requisite; and, occasionally, a pause may be neglected in reading, where a written stop occurs. We cannot, therefore, punctuate by sound alone. Indeed, sound can at no time be regarded as a self-sufficient reason for grammatical punctuation, although the interference of its decision may be allowed, when the structure of a sentence permits a choice of methods. At the same time, we must admit that, while the rules which we are about to deliver, exhibit the principles by which punctuation is mainly regu

lated, they are not so absolute, as to constitute a source of final appeal respecting certain diversities of practice, which the taste of various writers may exemplify. Only let it be observed that, while taste should not be fettered by these rules, it should be guarded and instructed by them.

In the present chapter, we shall state only the general effect of the punctual signs; introducing a few examples, which the teacher may explain, in detail, as far as he considers necessary.

3. The Period, or Full Stop, marks the conclusion of a simple or a compound sentence, that is not dependent on one following.

Examples.

The beaver is possessed of great sagacity.

The beaver shows great sagacity in the formation of its dwelling, for which purpose the structure of the animal is admirably adapted.

We value lands and money, and account them wealth, because they purchase many things in themselves agreeable. If then, though without lands or money, we have that which procures enjoyments still more agreeable, we are truly rich.

4. The Colon divides a period into members, generally into no more than two members, which are themselves sentences not syntactically united, and of which the latter generally serves to increase the force or meaning of the former.

Examples.

Nothing has been created in vain: every thing has its use.

Shakspeare had not the advantage of high birth: he came to London a needy adventurer, and lived for a time by very mean employments.

Shakspeare, whether life or nature be his subject, shows plainly that he has seen with his own eyes: he gives the image which he receives, not weakened or distorted by the intervention of any

other mind the ignorant feel his representations to be just, and the learned see that they are complete.

5. The Semicolon divides a Period or a Colon into two or more members, nearly as distinct from each other as Colon members, but between which there is syntactical union by means of some conjunctive phrase expressed or else obviously understood; the understood conjunctive being very often the copulative and.

Examples.

Of such religion, discover, on every proper occasion, that you are not ashamed; but avoid making any unnecessary ostentation of it.

Here is infinite power to impress you with awe; here is infinite wisdom to fill you with admiration; here is infinite goodness to call forth your gratitude and love.

Cæsar was celebrated for his great bounty and generosity; Cato for his unsullied integrity; the former became renowned by his humanity and compassion; an austere severity heightened the dignity of the latter.

6. The Comma divides a Period, a Colon, or a Semicolon, into two or more clauses, or portions of clauses, forming notions or thoughts that are distinct but very closely related.

Examples.

Such is the emptiness of human enjoyment, that we are always impatient of the present.

The loss of Calais accelerated, if it did not occasion, the death of Mary.

Every hour brings additions to the original scheme, suggests some new expedient to ensure success, or discovers consequential advantages not hitherto foreseen.

He that sees a building as a common spectator, contents himself with relating that it is great or little, mean or splendid, lofty or