4. The Period [.], which denotes a pause double that of a colon.

5. The time denoted by the other marks, the Point of Interrogation [?] and of Exclamation [!], the Dash [-] and the Parenthesis [()], varies according to the structure of the sentence, and their place in it. The time denoted by them may be equal to that of any of the preceding signs.

COMMA.

§ 274. The comma generally separates those parts of a sentence which, though very closely connected in sense and construction, require a slight pause between

them.

RULE I.

A short simple sentence is not generally separated by the comma; as, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;" "God rules over all."

REMARK. When the nominative in a long sentence is followed by two or more inseparable qualifying terms, the comma should be put before the verbs; as, "The good taste of the present age, has not allowed us to neglect the cultivation of the English language."

False Punctuation.

The intermixture of evil, in human society, serves to exercise the suffering graces, and virtues of the good. The friend of order, has made half his way to virtue. The tear of repentance, brings its own relief. All finery, is a sign, of littleness. Slovenliness, and indelicacy of character, commonly go hand in hand.

RULE II.

The members of a compound sentence, whether completely or partially expressed, should generally be separated by the comma; as, "When our vices leave us, we flatter ourselves, we leave them." "James, when he saw his brother, ran and embraced him." "Such events have occurred, and will again. so shall thy strength be."

"As thy days,

REMARK 1. When a member of a compound sentence is

contained in another member, it is separated by the comma, as, "Very often, while we are complaining of the vanity and the evils of human life, we make that vanity and increase those evils."

REM. 2. When verbs of the same construction are closely connected by conjunctions, or connective adverbs, the members of the compound sentence are not separated by commas ; as, "Learning enlarges and enriches the mind;" He is in fault as well as I;” “John learns faster than his brother;" "I know not whether he has left or not."

REM. 3. When a relative pronoun restricted in its meaning, immediately follows its antecedent, the members are not separated by a comma; as, "The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."

False Punctuation.

Gentleness is in truth the great avenue to mutual enjoyment. The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the foundation of the pupil's future honor. Trials in this stage of being are the lot of man.

RULE III.

Two words of the same construction, closely connected by a conjunction expressed, should not generally be separated by the comma; but if the conjunction is not expressed, they are usually separated; as, "Falsehood and truth are opposed to each other." "Poetry pleases and instructs." "You and I will go." "He is wise and generous.” "The book was revised carefully and critically." "He spoke promptly and decidedly."

REMARK. Words of the same construction, having two or more qualifying terms, though connected by a conjunction, are separated by a comma; as, "Wisdom in planning, and efficiency in executing, are very important in the business of life."

False Punctuation.

Presumption, and obstinacy, blast the prospect of many a youth. We have no reason to complain of the lot of man or of the world's mutability. John, and James, went to the

theatre last evening. Oxygen, and nitrogen, are the components of air.

RULE IV.

When more than two words after the same construction are connected by conjunctions expressed or understood, those should be separated by commas, which are not connected by conjunctions expressed; as, "Ungoverned passions are the storms, the tempests and the hurricanes of the soul." He, you and I have each much responsibility in this matter." "He acted wisely, prudently and efficiently.”

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False Punctuation.

In our health life possessions connections pleasures there are causes of decay imperceptibly working. Discomposed thoughts agitated passions and a ruffled temper poison every pleasure of life. Vicissitudes of good and evil of trials and consolations fill up the life of man. Health and peace a moderate fortune and a few friends sum up all the undoubted articles of temporal felicity.

RULE V.

When words are connected in pairs, the pairs only should be separated by commas; as, "Pride and ambition, envy and malice, have blighted the most thriving hopes."

False Punctuation.

Justice and truth candor and plainness were the principal characteristics of his speech. Beauty and humor elegance and wit were finely developed in the picture.

RULE VI.

Nouns in apposition when accompanied by qualifying terms should be separated by a comma; as, “Luther, the great reformer of the church." "John Tyler, the President of the United States, vetoed the Bank Bill, August 16, 1841."

REMARK 1. When two nouns in apposition follow the verbs which signify to name or call, to render or constitute, to reckon

or esteem; they are not separated by a comma; as, "They made him President."

REM. 2. When a proper and common noun are closely joined and have no qualifying terms, they are not separated by a comma; as, “John the Evangelist ;' River St. Law

rence."

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REM. 3. When a pronoun is annexed to a noun for the sake of intensity, it is not separated from it by a conna; as, "I myself have done it."

False Punctuation.

The patriarch Joseph is an illustrious example of chastity resignation and filial affection. Content the offspring of virtue dwells both in retirement and in the active enes of life. Confucius the great Chinese philosopher was ample good as well as wise. Hope the balm of life soles us under every misfortune. You, yourself, are the only one to be blamed. And they crowned him, emperor.

RULE VII.

When a finite verb is understood, a comma is inserted; as, "Homer was the greater genius; Virgil, the better artist."-Pope. "From la w arises security; from security, curiosity; from curiosity, knowledge."

False Punctuation.

Providence never intended that any state here should be either completely happy or entirely miserable. If the spring put forth no blossoms in summer there will be no beauty and in autumn no fruit. So if youth be trifled away without improvement manhood will be contemptible and old age miserable. As a companion he was severe and satirical; as a friend captious and dangerous; in his domestic sphere jealous and irascible.

RULE VIII.

When the infinitive is separated from its governing word by a sentence or clause, a comma should be inserted before it; as, "He traversed hills and dales, to gratify his taste for scenery."

REMARK 1. When the infinitive is absolute, it is separated

from the sentence by a comma; as, "To conclude, he amused his audience with a happy combination of wit and sarcasm.

REM. 2. Where the infinitive is used as a verbal noun, it is set oil by a comma, if it has two or more qualifying terms; as, "To see the sun in all its richness and splendor, is pleasant."

REM. 3. When the verb to be is followed by a verb in the infinitive mode, which by transposition might be made the nominative case to it, the former is generally separated from the latter by a comma; as, "The first and most obvious remedy again t the infection, is, to withdraw from all associations with baden."

False Punctuation.

The greast misery that we can endure is to be condemned by our own hearts. The highest enjoyment that Charles ever experienced vas to relieve the distressed and to do good. To enjoy pret pleasure he sacrificed his future ease and reputation. prevent further altercation I submitted to the terms prosed. Charles having been deprived of the help of his tut his studies became totally neglected.

RULE IX.

A comma is ften used to denote contrast, antithesis, or strong emphasis; as, "Prosperity gains friends, and adversity tries them." "Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull.”

False Punctuation.

He who is a stranger to industry may possess but cannot enjoy. It is the province of superiors to direct of inferiors to obey; of the learned to be instructive of the ignorant to be docile; of the old to be communicative of the young to be attentive and diligent. An inquisitive and meddling spirit often interrupts the good order and breaks the peace of society.

RULE X.

When participles or adjectives are followed by terms that depend upon them, they are generally separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma; as, Approving the plan, the king put it in execution.

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REMARK. When they have the import of a dependent clause,