SIXTH EDITION, PAGES xii. AND 334, 16M0,

Price $1,

Treatise on English Punctuation;

DESIGNED FOR

LETTER-WRITERS, AUTHORS, PRINTERS, AND CORRECTORS OF THE PRESS; AND FOR THE USE OF SCHOOLS

AND ACADEMIES.

WITH AN APPENDIX,

CONTAINING

Rules on the Use of Capitals, a List of Abbreviations, Hints on Preparing Copy and on Proof-reading, Specimen of Proof-Sheet, &c.

BY JOHN WILSON.

NOTICES OF PRECEDING EDITIONS.

This is undoubtedly the most complete work yet published on the subject, both as regards the amount of instruction conveyed, and the lucid arrangement adopted; and we cannot commend it too highly for general use, the more especially as the typographical execution of the work is so superior. Norton's Literary Gazette for March 15, 1855.

Rarely have we seen a book so attractive to the eye. Its rules of punctuation are, in the main, accurate and perspicuous, far superior to any other system of directions which we have read on this theme. The volume contains much information on the minutia of literature, with which every scholar ought to be familiar, but of which many eminent authors are lamentably ignorant. We know not where so many particulars relating to the finish of copy for the press can be learned. A study of this volume would save youthful scholars from many careless and uncouth habits of writing. The spirit and genius of the English language are intimately connected with some of the questions involved in an accurate punctuation. He who can punctuate accurately can write perspicuously. - Bibliotheca Sacra, April, 1855.

A treatise that proposes to familiarize the principles of Punctuation, easily accessible in price and readily intelligible in its composition, cannot be other than welcome to all who write or print; and Mr. Wilson's is certainly the most comprehensive and the most instructive that has come under our observation. . . . It is prepared with great care and good judgment, and no printing-office ought to be without it; as, from its simple arrangement, the compositor and reader will be enabled in an instant to solve any doubt that may arise in the course of their labors. In schools and families, it cannot fail to be useful, equally to teacher and pupil; and even the accomplished author may read it with advantage. Mr. Wilson has done good service to literature by this little volume; and we thank him for it. London Critic.

It is an excellent work for schools and academies, and for those who would become self-taught. — Christian Freeman.

We have never before met with any work on Punctuation which gave us so great satisfaction as this. - The Student.

The best book [on Punctuation] to be recommended is this by Mr. Wilson: there is no other so elaborate and trustworthy. - Ladies' Repository.

This is a valuable manual. . . . The work of Mr. Wilson is well calculated to supply the want, which has long been felt to exist, of a suitable text-book upon Punctuation. - Boston Daily Journal.

We advise any one, who wishes to understand thoroughly the whole art and mystery of Punctuation and Proof-reading, to get this volume. — Christian Register.

A more elegantly printed book than this little volume it would be difficult to find. Mr. Wilson has evidently bestowed upon it the best workmanship of his hand, as well as of his mind. — Boston Post.

This treatise of Mr. Wilson, a thorough practical printer, is the best we have ever seen, and in fact the only one we have ever seen worth having. — Chronotype.

We invite attention to this truly admirable work. It is one which no printer can afford to want, while to ordinary English scholars its importance is incalculable. — Belfast (Ire.) News-Letter.

A work which should be in the possession of every student who aspires even to write a letter. . . . It is a perfect guide in all matters covered by the title. Water-cure Journal.

This is a useful and valuable work on English Punctuation, and every one can read it with profit and pleasure. . . . The subject is treated in an agreeable, instructive, and entertaining manner. - Boston Daily Atlas.

A very useful and carefully executed treatise on a subject justly claiming attention, and commonly too much neglected. . . . The classes are so large who feel their want of this kind of instruction, that we must anticipate for our author the success which its merits deserve. — London Inquirer.

This work seems to us worthy of being in the hands of every letter-writer, author, printer, editor, and teacher. . . . The work of Mr. Wilson shows much familiarity with the principles of language, and the examples with which he illustrates his text are well chosen. — Springfield Daily Republican.

This is a very neatly printed volume, on a subject much neglected, and very imperfectly understood, even by accomplished scholars.... This treatise appears to have been prepared with great care and accuracy, and deserves a circulation as wide as the country. - Liberator.

From a careful examination of the work, we hesitate not to pronounce it one of the most valuable treatises in the English language. We trust it will be adopted as a text-book in all the institutions in the country. - Prisoners' Friend.

If every author and letter-writer could be put in possession of this perfect little work, printers and correctors of the press would canonize Mr. Wilson forthwith; for it would create a new era in their profession. Monthly Religious Magazine.

The whole system is so simply and thoroughly explained in this book of Mr. Wilson's, that any one may clearly comprehend the whole system of Punctuation by a careful perusal and study of this book. We warmly recommend it to all persons. Newport Daily News.

This very excellent work should be in the hands of every aspirant to a true and correct method of English Punctuation. . . . The Appendix and Hints on Proof-reading, with an exemplification of typographical marks, are alone worth the price of the book. -New-York Day-book.

My dear Sir, I have carefully read your volume on English Punctuation, and consider it a most excellent treatise. It places the whole subject upon which you write on a surer basis than any work I have ever before seen. — Extract of a Letter from the Rev. R. C. Waterston.

Dear Sir, Many thanks for your excellent "Treatise on English Punctuation." We have long needed a work which could show the philosophy and common sense of this department of letters. Your book meets the want fully. It is a most scholar-like production, and I hope every writer will be familiar with it. Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Charles Brooks.

We remember purchasing an English edition of this work some years since, and prizing it so highly that we tried several times, without success, to replace it, after it had disappeared from our collection. . . . Not only to professional authors, teachers, and letter-writers, but to the intelligent public at large, this work especially commends itself. - Boston Transcript.

...

Such was the experience, also, of a graduate from our excellent University, who said that he had acquired more useful hints on Punctuation from a few moments given to the perusal of this book in the intervals of leisure, than he had from all the attention, voluntary or acquired, of an entire course of collegiate study. Evening Traveller.

It contains all the necessary directions for self-taught writers and editors, a very large class in this country, and is a book of a kind absolutely necessary to be read by every type-setter and proof-reader who intends to be master of his art. . . . Every person, who intends publishing his own productions or those of others, should have Mr. Wilson's book upon his writing-desk. American Whig Review.

It is the best book on the subject with which we are acquainted. The rules are deduced from the best usage, and commend themselves to the judgment of practical men, and men of taste. The directions for Proofreading and Correcting, appended to the main work, are concise and clear. We would recommend to every person, who in public or private writes the English language, to procure a copy of this treatise. Quincy Patriot

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Dear Sir, We have used your "Treatise on Punctuation " in my school for more than two years, as the text-book on that subject. I feel it due to you to say, that it has given me great satisfaction. In its arrangement, its fulness, in the great number of exercises, and the demand which they make on the learner for study, and in its completeness, your work seems to me to be all that could be desired in such a treatise. From N. Tillinghast, Esq.,

Principal of the Normal School at Bridgewater, Jan. 18, 1851.

Our educational library has lately been enriched by a copy of Wilson's "Treatise on English Punctuation." We have read it through with great pleasure, and find little or nothing in it opposed to our own notions, but much that will be useful to us and to every teacher and author. . . . The definitions are generally clear and simple, and the exercises such as are appropriate and sufficient: any one of ordinary intelligence can understand them. Besides valuable instruction in regard to Punctuation, there is much other matter, which none but a practised proof-reader could give. — Commonschool Journal.

Mr. Wilson has just issued another volume, to be very earnestly recommended to all.... The Appendix, among other useful matter, contains capital and much-needed remarks and directions on Proof-reading. We have heard good judges speak of this manual as an "authority;" and such is our own opinion. Were it thoroughly studied and followed, what improvements would follow in all manner of manuscripts! what songs of joy would resound throughout the printing establishments of the land! and what blessed changes for the better would be witnessed in periodicals and newspapers! It is an excellent book for schools, and no family should be without it for purposes of reference. -New-York Christian Inquirer.

In itself a most beautiful specimen of the noble art of printing, this book is designed to secure accuracy, elegance, and lucidness in works that issue from the press. . . . All necessary information upon this important subject will be found, presented in a very simple and forcible way, in Mr. Wilson's "Treatise on Punctuation." It is an exceedingly valuable book; and a copy of it should be at the service of every one who is directly or indirectly interested in the large subject of which it treats, all who have to write important letters, records, and documents, as well as those who write for the press. . . . Its title is a very full exposition of its contents; and a reader of it will be equally surprised and instructed by the amount of knowledge which its perusal will impart. We heartily commend it to the masters and pupils of all our high schools and academies. - Christian Examiner.

BOSTON:

CROSBY, NICHOLS, AND COMPANY, 111, WASHINGTON STREET.

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