RULE XX.

See Vol. ii. Part 4. Exercises. Chap. 1. Rule 20.

THE words nay, so, hence, again, first, secondly, formerly, now, lastly, once more, above all, on the contrary, in the next place, in short, and all other words and phrases of the same kind, must generally be separated from the context, by a comma: as, "Remember thy best and first friend; formerly, the supporter of thy infancy, and the guide of thy childhood; now, the guardian of thy youth, and the hope of thy coming years." "He feared want, hence, he over-valued riches. "This conduct may heal the difference, nay, it may constantly prevent any in future." "Finally, I shall only repeat what has been often justly said." "If the spring put forth no blossoms, in summer there will be no beauty, and in the autumn, no fruit; so, if youth be trifled away without improvement, riper years may be contemptible, and old age miserable."

In many of the foregoing rules and examples, great regard must be paid to the length of the clauses, and the proportion which they bear to one another. An attention to the sense of any passage, and to the clear, easy communication of it, will, it is presumed, with the aid of the preceding rules, enable the student to adjust the proper pauses, and the places for inserting the commas.

CHAPTER II.

OF THE SEMICOLON.

THE Semicolon is used for dividing a compound sentence into two or more parts, not so closely connected as those which are separated by a comma, nor yet so little dependent on each other, as those which are distinguished by a colon.

See Vol. ii. Part 4. Exercises. Chap. 2.

THE semicolon is sometimes used, when the preceding member of the sentence does not of itself give a complete sense, but depends on the following clause and sometimes when the sense of that member would be complete without

the concluding one: as in the following instances: "As the desire of approbation, when it works according to reason, improves the amiable part of our species in every thing that is laudable; so, nothing is more destructive to them, when it is governed by vanity and folly."

"Experience teaches us, that an entire retreat from worldly affairs, is not what religion requires; nor does it even enjoin a long retreat from them."

"Straws swim upon the surface; but pearls lie at the bottom."

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Philosophers assert, that nature is unlimited in her operations; that she has inexhaustible treasures in reserve; that knowledge will always be progressive; and that all future generations will continue to make discoveries, of which we have not the least idea."

THE Colon is used to divide a sentence into two or more parts, less connected than those which are separated by a semicolon; but not so independent as separate distinct sentences.

See Vol. ii. Part 4. Chap. 3.

THE Colon may be properly applied in the three following

cases.

1. When a member of a sentence is complete in itself, but followed by some supplemental remark, or further illustration. of the subject: as, "Nature felt her inability to extricate herself from the consequences of guilt: the Gospel reveals the plan of Divine interposition and aid." "Nature confess eth some atonement to be necessary: the Gospel discovers that the necessary atonement is made."

"Great works are performed, not by strength, but perseve rance: yonder palace was raised by single stones; yet you see its height and spaciousness."

All must be false that thwarts this one great end;

"And all of God, that bless mankind or mend."

2. When a semicolon, or more than one, have preceded, and a still greater pause is necessary, in order to mark the connecting or concluding sentiment: as, "As we perceive the shadow to have moved along the dial, but did not perceive it moving; and it appears that the grass has grown, though nobody ever saw it grow: so the advance we make in knowledge, as they consist of such insensible steps, are only perceivable by the distance."

"A Divine Legislat r, uttering his voice from heaven; an Almighty Governor, stretching forth his arm to punish or reward; informing us of perpetual rest prepared hereafter for the righteous, and of indignation and wrath awaiting the wicked: these are the considerations which overawe the world, which support integrity, and check guilt."

3. The Colon is commonly used when an example, a quotation, or a speech, is introduced: as, "The Scriptures give us an amiable representation of the Deity, in these words: 'God is love."" "He was often heard to say: 'I have done with the world, and I am willing to leave it."""

The propriety of using a colon, or semicolon, is sometimes determined by a conjunction's being expressed, or not expressed: as, "Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness: there is no such thing in the world." “Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness; for there is no such thing in the world."

"Where grows ?-where grows it not? If vain our toil,
"We ought to blame the culture, not the soil:

"Fix'd to no spot is happiness sincere ;

"'Tis no where to be found, or ev'ry where."

CHAPTER IV.

OF THE PERIOD.

WHEN a sentence is complete and independent, and not connected in construction with the following sentence, it is marked with a period.

See Vol. ii. Part 4. Exercises. Chap. 4.

SOME sentences are independent of each other, both in their sense and construction: as, "Fear God. Honour the king. Have charity towards all men." Others are independent only in their grammatical construction: as, "The Supreme Being changes not, either in his desire to promote

our happiness, or in the plan of his administration. One light always shines upon us from above, One clear and direct path is always pointed out to man."

A period may sometimes be admitted between two sentences, though they are joined by a disjunctive or copulative conjunction. For the quality of the point does not always depend on the connective particle, but on the sense and structure of sentences: as, "Recreations, though they may be of an innocent kind, require steady government to keep them within a due and limited province. But such as are of an irregular and vicious nature, are not to be governed, but to be banished from every well-regulated mind."

"He who lifts himself up to the observation and notice of the world, is, of all men, the least likely to avoid censure. For he draws upon himself a thousand eyes, that will narrowly inspect him in every part."

The period should be used after every abbreviated word: as, “M. S. P. S. N. B. A. D. O. S. N. S." &c.

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CHAPTER V.

OF THE DASH, NOTES OF INTERROGATION AND EXCLAMATION, AND THE PARENTHESIS.

THE Dash, though often used improperly by hasty and incoherent writers, may be introduced with propriety, where the sentence breaks off abruptly; where a significant pause is required; or where there is an unexpected turn in the sentiment: as, "If thou art he, so much respected once-but, oh! how fallen! how degraded!" "If acting conformably to the will of our Creator;-if promoting the welfare of mankind around us ;-if securing our own happiness;-are objects of the highest moment :-then we are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great interests of religion and virtue." A dash following a stop, denotes that the pause is to be greater than if the stop were alone; and when used by itself, requires a pause of such length as the sense alone can determine.

"Here lies the great- -False marble, where?
Nothing but sordid dust lies here."

"Whatever is, is right-This world, 'tis true,
"Was made for Cæsar-but for Titus too."

Besides the points which mark the pauses in discourse, there are characters, which denote a different modulation of voice, in correspondence to the sense. These are

A NOTE of interrogation is used at the end of an interrogative sentence; that is, when a question is asked: as, "Who will accompany me?" "Shall we always be friends?"

Questions which a person asks himself in contemplation, ought to be determined by points of interrogation: as, "Who adorned the heavens with such exquisite beauty?" whose command do the planets perform their constant revolutions?"

"To whom can riches give repute or trust,

"Content or pleasure, but the good and just ?"

A point of interrogation is improper after sentences which are not questions, but only expressions of admiration, or of some other emotion.

"How many instances have we of chastity and excellence in the fair sex !"

"With what prudence does the son of Sirach advise us, in the choice of our companions!"

A note of interrogation should not be employed, in cases where it is only said a question has been asked, and where the words are not used as a question. "The Cyprians asked me why I wept." To give this sentence the interrogative form, it should be expressed thus: "The Cyprians said to me, 'Why dost thou weep?"

SECTION III.

Of the Exclamatory Point.

THE note of exclamation is applied to expressions of sudden emotion, surprise, joy, grief, &c. and also to invocations or addresses: as, "My friend! this conduct amazes me !" "Bless the Lord, O my soul! and forget not all his benefits!"