too close a contact with that part of the sentence with which it has the least affinity. For the sentence is obviously divisible into two portions, less connected than others which require to be pointed; the first ending, in the former of these examples, with the verb " says." and, in the latter, with the adjective "certain."

e. The comma may be omitted before that, when the clause on which the conjunction depends does not precede 'the remark, but is thrown in between its parts; as, "In the ancient world, it is well known that the name of poet was the same as that of prophet." This omission takes place because a comma is put after the first portion of the sentence, and because the repetition of the point would tend to give a false view of the construction, and thereby obscure the sense.

f. But when, in similar sentences, the conjunction is omitted, the comma should be substituted, agreeably to the principle adopted in parenthetical expressions; as, " In the ancient world, it is well known, the name of poet was the same as that of prophet.". See page 64, Rule VIII.

g. A clause which begins with what, when, where, if, or how, indicating an indirect question or remark, is not usually separated from its antecedent clause; as, "Will no one tell me what she sings?" "Revelation clearly informs us how we may obtain happiness."

ORAL EXERCISES.

Say why, according to Rule XVIII., the following sentences are punctuated :—

Patrick Henry commenced by saying, "It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope."

The great and decisive test of genius is, that it calls forth power in the souls of others.

I am not now to discuss the question, whether the souls of men are naturally equal.

The very correct remark has been made, that "it is a great loss to lose an affliction."

I reply, I do and must regard heaven as a world of intercourse

and sympathy.

His grand excellence was this, that he was a true man. is much in the proverb, Without pains, no gains."

Such seems to be the disposition of man, whatever makes a distinction produces rivalry.

It is a law of man's nature, that he should endeavor to act beforehand the part to which he is destined in a higher state of being.

How do the preceding Remarks (pp. 108-9) apply to the insertion or the omission of commas in the sentences that follow? —

St. John says that God is love. wished himself younger.

Swift asserts that no man ever

Every one knows James is a very prolific writer.—I trust you feel the importance of the subject.

It cannot be questioned, that we are, as yet, only in the rudiments of the great science of education.

Wirt writes, that, as a statesman, Alexander Hamilton was distinguished for the great extent of his views.

Ere another day pass, I hope that you will find yourself surrounded by your wife and children.

By the sweat of our brow, I say, we have to earn the little which we possess.

We all know how a man of mighty genius can impart himself to other minds.

EXERCISE TO BE WRITTEN.

Insert commas or not between the clauses of the following sentences, in accordance with the eighteenth Rule and the Remarks:

Seneca tells us "There is a settled friendship, nay, a near relation and similitude, between God and good men." (Rule.)

In the great science of society, it must be confessed that we have much to learn. (Remark e.)

They know not what they say who cry out " Let us build tabernacles of rest." (Rule.)

Thou knowest that virtue can never be despoiled of its deathless crown. (Remark c.)

It may be laid down as an unfailing and universal axiom that "all pride is abject and mean." (Rule.)

We know it is wrong.-I tell you that I have not your book. He said she bought it. (Remark c.)

The true ennoblement of our nature consists in the feeling that our existence stretches beyond the bounds of this globe. (Rule.) It is well known what strange work there has been in the world. under the name and pretence of reformation. (Remark g.)

Thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say "How hath the oppressor ceased!" (Rule.)

In the din and bustle of business, it may be the voice of conscience and duty speaks unheard. (Remark f.)

I

say unto all Watch. It is a true saying that we are never too old to be taught. (Rule.)

Coleridge said he had the habit of seeking for the "good and beautiful" in all his eyes beheld. (Remark c.)

There is no foundation for the popular doctrine that a state may flourish by arts and crimes.

(Rule.)

Some dream that they can silence, when they will, The storm of passion, and say "Peace, be still." (Rem. c, and Rule.) It has long been a subject of inquiry whether there existed in nature a universal language. (Rule.)

Keep it in view that the great object of study is to fit the mind to be an instrument of usefulness in life. (Rule.)

It is not enough that we have great qualities: we must also have the management of them. (Remark c.)

A celebrated modern writer says "Take care of the minutes, and the hours will take care of themselves." (Rule.)

We affirm that, without some portion of enthusiasm, no person ever became a true poet or painter. (Remark d, second sentence.) It was said of Socrates that he brought philosophy down from heaven to dwell among men. (Rule.)

I may say that, of all the men we meet with, nine parts of ten are what they are, good or evil, useful or not, by their education. (Remark d, second sentence.)

Tell me when was it that you felt yourself most strongly inclined to go astray?—Tell me when it was that you felt yourself most strongly inclined to go astray. (Rule, and Remark g.)

It is one among the pious and valuable maxims which are ascribed to Francis de Sales "A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity." (Rule.)

In delineating the character of Dr. Bowditch, it deserves to be mentioned that he was eminently a self-taught and self-made man. (Remark e.)

Let me ask you are your resolutions as firm as when you first set out in the spiritual life? - Let me ask you if your resolutions are as firm, &c. (Rule, and Remark g.)

The poet Gray, one of the most intellectual and fastidious of men, says "Happy they who can create a rose-tree, or erect a honeysuckle!" (Rule.)

Thou knowest that principle, grounded in the eternal laws of mind and emanating from the unchangeable essence of God, cannot perish. (Rule, and first of Remark d.)

RULE XIX.

Numeral Figures and Words.

With the exception of dates, figures consisting of four or more characters are pointed with a comma before every three from the end, or between each class of hundreds.

EXAMPLE.

The population of China in 1743, according to the French missionaries, was 150,029,855; in 1825, according to Dr. Morrison, 352,866,002.

REMARKS.

a. Properly speaking, the comma, as here used, is neither a gram matical nor a rhetorical point; but, for the easy understanding of the value of sums, it is exceedingly useful. The rule is inserted in this place, merely because a more appropriate situation could not be found for it in the book.

b. When put in words, numbers are usually left unpointed; as, to take the first calculation in the example, "The population of China in 1743 was fifteen millions twenty-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-five."

c. When round numbers are used, and no comparison is made between one sum and another, words are preferable to figures; as, "According to Balbi, the entire population of Africa is thirty-nine millions."

EXERCISE TO BE WRITTEN.

Punctuate the figures, except those expressive of dates :

The sun is 883210 miles in diameter, about 2774692 miles in circumference, and distant from the earth about 95000000 of miles. The Rocky Mountains rise 12500 feet above the level of the ocean; the Andes, 21440 feet.

On April 17, 1790, Dr. Franklin died at Philadelphia, aged eightyfour, and bequeathed $4444 to the people of Boston, for the benefit of young married artificers.

Population of the city of New York in 1790 was 33131; in 1800, 60489; in 1810, 96373; in 1820, 123706; in 1830, 202589; in 1840, 312710; in 1850, 515507.

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SECT. II. THE SEMICOLON.

The SEMICOLON [;] is used to separate such parts of a sentence as are somewhat less closely connected than those separated by a comma.

RULE I.

A Sentence consisting of Two Conjoined Clauses.

--

When two clauses are united by either of the conjunctions for, but, and, or an equivalent word, — the one clause perfect in itself, and the other added as a matter of inference, contrast, or explanation, are separated by a semicolon.

EXAMPLES.

they

1. Economy is no disgrace; for it is better to live on a little than to outlive a great deal.

2. Genius breaks from the fetters of criticism; but its wanderings are sanc

tioned by its majesty and wisdom.

8. Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth; and it has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit.

REMARK S.

a. When a conjunction unites two clauses incapable of being subdivided by a comma, in the last of which the nominative is understood, the insertion of a comma between the clauses is prefer able to that of the semicolon. Thus, were the nominative" it," in the third example, omitted, the sentence would be punctuated as follows: "Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth, and has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit." See page 98.

b. When a sentence consists of three or more clauses, united by a conjunction, none of which are susceptible of division, a semicolon