low all these words are intelligible and common, but they convey no distinct or limited ideas. Let it not be conjectured that, because we are unassuming, we are imbecile; that forbearance is any indication of despondency, or humility of demerit. 7. The Parenthesis encloses a supplementary phrase, clause, or combination of clauses, abruptly introduced in a sentence. Examples. The right honourable gentleman (Mr. Rose) has told us, that there was the most perfect unanimity. The larynx, or rather the whole of the windpipe taken together, (for the larynx is only the upper part of the windpipe,) besides its other uses, is also a musical instrument. It appears that upwards of 8000 books (a late writer says 12000, but he certainly exaggerates) were printed during that brief period. 8. The Dash, or Break, precedes a lingering reference to what has been previously said, or a sudden diversion from it. This mark is also used, sometimes, before and after an expression of a parenthetical character. Examples. Their hearts are now ardent with hope-with the hope of fame, of honour, or of happiness. The mountain which towers into the clouds, the far-resounding and unfathomed ocean, the vast and lofty canopy of heaven, — these objects fill and elevate the mind. If I were but it is needless to dwell on what is now impossible. To controvert they prudently decline, Commend his wisdom, and imbibe - his wine. He was converted to Christianity by the perusal of a Bible, belonging-as is supposed-to a Christian from Armenia, then residing at Cabul. 9. The Interrogation is a period surmounted by a cor rupted form of the letter Q, denoting that the words preceding it form a direct Question. Examples. Who adorned the heavens with such exquisite beauty? Who painted the clouds with such inimitable colours? Whence comes it, that we thus make greater efforts to preserve our existence, at a period when it becomes scarce worth the keeping? 10. The Exclamation, or Admiration, is a period surmounted by a radiation or star line, denoting an exclamatory appeal to the heart. Examples. How submissive ought we to be to the disposal of Providence! How temperate in our desires and pursuits! How much more attentive to preserve our virtue, and to improve our minds, than to gain the doubtful and equivocal advantages of worldly prosperity! O Cromwell! Cromwell! Had I but served my God with half the zeal CHAP. II. SPECIAL USES OF THE COMMA. 1. Ir is of general service, in the study of Punctuation, to remember, that a phrase exemplifying a Rule of Syntax, if not disturbed by the interposition of words, should not be disturbed by the interposition of points. Thus; there should, generally, be no comma, nor a point of any kind, between a nominative and its verb, an adjective and its substantive, a preposition and its antecedent or its consequent term, a conjunction and two words connected by it, a transitive verb and its object, an infinitive and its governing word, an auxiliary and its principal verb, an adverb and the word it modifies. 2. When, however, the subject of a verb consists of many words, it is sometimes expedient to indicate the collectiveness or unity of the subject, by placing a comma between it and the verb.* Examp. The veil that covers from our sight the events of futurity, is a veil drawn by the hand of mercy. The giddy laughter of the illiterate and the profane, quelled not the ardour of this advocate of truth. 3. In a series of three or more simple expressions, of kindred grammatical character, and explicitly or virtually connected by one of the conjunctions and, or, a comma should follow each expression except the last; which last may have a comma, a point stronger than a comma, or no point at all, according to the position at which the series terminates. When the last expression of a copulative series is an adjective immediately followed by the noun qualified, an adverb by the word modified, a verb or preposition by the noun governed, no point should be interposed. Examp. There is a natural difference between virtue and vice, wisdom and folly, merit and demerit. Let Geography, History, or Grammar, be the subject of the lesson. Exercise ferments the humours, casts them into their proper channels, throws off redundancies, and assists nature in her necessary operations. * Mr. William Day, in a very excellent Treatise, protests against this liberty; but I cannot help concurring with most grammarians in asserting its expediency. Ambiguity is sometimes precluded by it. See Day's Punctuation Reduced to a System. London, 1847. I could see no incentive to disobey, to remonstrate, or even to complain; nor could I believe that any dissatisfaction prevailed. The Scripture history is a simple, dispassionate, impartial record of facts. His solution of the problem was neatly, correctly, and expeditiously performed. The Ablative Case signifies with, from, in, or by, a person, place, or thing. 4. Two simple expressions connected by one of the conjunctions and, or, are not separated by a comma; unless where the former conjunction is, for rhetorical effect, suppressed, or when either of the expressions is of such length, or the latter is so parenthetic, as to require the distinction of a comma. Examp. The earth and the moon are planets. Libertines call the religious man bigoted or superstitious. The Egean Sea, or Archipelago, lies between Greece and Asia Minor. We do not find any thing described falsely or imaginatively in that performance. No honours, no rewards, were thought too great for him. The original strength and dignity of nature and of man, and the subsequent degeneracy of both into weakness and worthlessness, are frequent themes in the poetry of Æschylus. 5. Distinct and closely related clauses generally require a comma between them. But a relative pronoun, or a relative adverb, when introducing a clause which forms an inseparable adjunct of the antecedent term, should not have a preceding comma. Note. Comparative clauses, introduced by as or than, are often so greatly abridged as to render a comma unnecessary. Examp. We could not be happy amidst the ills of life, if we had not the comforts of religion. I desisted from controversy, being unconvinced of any error in my persuasion, while I had nothing but prejudice and ill-nature opposed to me. I travelled through Scotland with my cousin, who was previously well acquainted with that country. This world is a state of pilgrimage, (and it is) not a place of rest. Reverence that Being who is the author of all that is sublime, and beautiful, and good in nature. Italy is a large peninsula, (which is) bounded on the north by the Alps. The time when I shall arrive, is quite uncertain. The first beauty of style is propriety, without which all ornament is puerile and superfluous. Rice acquires its greatest perfection in Asia, where it is the usual food of the inhabitants. The tail of the crocodile is nearly as long as its body. The motions of this animal are very slow, as its legs are short, and its body is hard and inflexible. 6. Clauses and phrases, introduced parenthetically, but not so abruptly or incidentally as to require the parenthetic curves, are often, at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma, - at the end preceded by a comma, and in the middle, preceded and followed by a comma. - Examp. In the opinion of Dr. Halley, the Julian star was a comet. Homer describes the parting of Hector and Andromache, with exquisite pathos. The mind, if not stored with useful knowledge, will become a magazine of trifles and follies. 'Rejoice not," says Solomon, "when thine enemy falleth.” Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear in all my miseries. Homer, the greatest poet of antiquity, is said to have been blind. This story, perhaps, is not entitled to much credit. He exhorted them, in an eloquent and sensible speech, to abandon the undertaking. 7. A clause which in position has the precedence of another, but in grammatical relation is subsequent to it, is ter |