place." Watts, also, remarks on this subject, "Do not suffer every oc casional thought to carry you away into a long parenthesis." The propriety of such observations is so evident that good writers at the present day avoid formal parentheses as much as possible. The marks by which they are denoted have now, therefore, become comparatively rare; but in the cases covered by the following rule they cannot well be dispensed with. § 183. RULE I.-Marks of parenthesis are used to encloso words which explain, modify, or add to, the leading proposition of a sentence, when introduced in such a way as to break the connection between dependent parts and interfere with their harmonious flow. EXAMPLES. 1. Matilda (such was the lady's name) smiled sweetly at this address. 2. The doctrine of the immortality of the soul and a system of future rewards and punishments was taught explicitly (at least as explicitly as could be expected of an ancient philosopher) by Socrates. 3. Are you still (I fear from the tone of your letter you must be) troubled with these apprehensions? § 184. Doubts may sometimes arise as to whether it is better to use parentheses, or commas, as prescribed in § 122 for parenthetical clauses. The latter point is preferable when the words in question coalesce readily with the rest of the sentence, but is inadmissible when a complete or independent member is inserted; particularly if it is brought in abruptly or its construction differs from that of the parts between which it stands. The following examples will illustrate these cases. 1. Every star, as we infer from indisputable facts, is the centre of a planetary system. 2. Every star (and this great truth is inferred from indisputable facts) is the centre of a planetary system. § 185. The proper place for parentheses is the middle of a sentence; yet loose writers sometimes place them at the end; as, "Such is the wonderful account given by travellers of the natives of Patagonia (travellers, you know, are sometimes fond of the marvellous)." ject? What does Watts advise? What is said of the use of parentheses at the present day? § 183. Repeat Rule I., relating to the purpose for which marks of parentheses are used. § 184. What is sometimes a matter of question? When is the comma preferable? When is it inadmissible? § 185. What is the proper place for parentheses? Where do loose writers sor times place them? § 186. Expressions of approbation or disapprobation introduced inte reports of speeches as having been made by the audience, as well as remarks by the person reporting or publishing them, must be enclosed in parentheses; as, This doctrine, as long as I have breath, I shall oppose. (Hear! hear!) I shall oppose it in this hall; I shall oppose it on the hustings. (Cheers, mingled with hisses.) Nor shall I hesitate to publish to the world on whom rests the responsibility of advocating so arbitrary, unjnst, and in all respects infamous, a measure. (Cries of "Order!” "Order!" from all parts of the hall.) § 187. In dramatic compositions, directions to the performers and all other parts not strictly belonging to the dialogue are enclosed in parentheses; except the names of the speakers, as they successively take up the discourse, which, constituting side-heads, are set off by a period and dash, or by a period alone; thus:— CICERO.-Expel him, lictors. Clear the senate-house. (They surround him.) CATILINE (struggling through them).—I go,—but not to leap the gulf alone. You build my funeral-pile, but your best blood Shall quench its flame.-(To the lictors) Back, slaves!—I will return. (He rushes out. The scene closes.) § 188. RULE II.-Matter within parentheses must be punc tuated just as it would be in any other position, except before the last parenthetical mark. There, if the matter introduced is complete in itself as regards both construction and sense, an interrogation-point, an exclamation-point, or (in the case of the remarks and directions alluded to in § 186, 187) a period, may be used, according to the character of the sentence. If the parenthesis is incomplete in sense, however, there must be no point before the last mark. See the examples under § 186, 187, as well as the following: 1. Men are born equal (here I see you frowning, biting your lip, and shaking your head); it is circumstances only that cast their lots in different stations. § 186. In reports of speeches, what are parentheses used for enclosing? § 187. In dramatic compositions, what are enclosed within parentheses? What points follow the names of the speakers, used as side-heads? § 188. Repeat Rule II., relating to matter within parentheses. 2. Robert is wasting his time (was it for this his family made such sacrifices?) in idle amusements. 3. The poets (tender-hearted swains!) have portrayed love as no prosewriter has ever been able to paint it. § 189. RULE III.-Marks of parenthesis are not necessarily accompanied with other points; neither, on the other hand, do they supersede the latter. Whatever point would be needed between the parts if the parenthesis were left out, must be retained. If a colon or semicolon is required, it must stand after the last parenthetical mark; if a comma, it must occupy the same position unless a parenthetical clause immediately precedes, in which case it must stand before the first mark of parenthesis. "Matilda (such was the lady's name) smiled sweetly at this address." Here we have no comma, because none would be needed if the parenthesis were left out;-"Matilda smiled sweetly at this address." "If a tree is known by its fruits (and who that believes Scripture can doubt it?), what must we think of these men?" Here the comma required after the hypothetical clause is inserted after the last mark of parenthesis. "Are you still, my friend, (I fear from the tone of your letter you must be) troubled with these apprehensions?" Here the required comma is placed before the parenthesis because the parenthetical clause, my friend, immediately precedes. § 190. RULE IV.—An interrogation-point within parentheses is often placed after an assertion or supposition, to throw doubt on it; and an exclamation-point similarly enclosed is used to denote wonder, irony, or contempt; as, "When I get the office (?), I shall spend my leisure time in reading." "This accurate scholar (!), who went to Eton and graduated at Cambridge has actually made a dozen grammatical mistakes within the compass of one short paragraph." BRACKETS. § 191. BRACKETs are used principally in quoted passages, 189. What does Rule IIL say respecting the use of other marks when parentheses are employed? Where must a colon or semicolon, if required, stand? Where, a comma? Give the examples, and show why they are so punctuated. 190. Repeat Rule IV., relating to the enclosing of interrogation-points and exclama tion-points within parentheses. to enclose words improperly omitted by the author or intro duced to correct a mistake. Sometimes, like parentheses, they enclose an observation, an explanatory word, or a critical remark, that does not belong to the quotation. They are also employed in dictionaries and similar works to enclose the figured pronunciation of a word, the primitive from which it is derived, or a reference to some other term. EXAMPLES. 1. He might have been happy, and now [he] is convinced of it. 2. A variety of pleasing objects meet [meets] the eye. 3. Mrs. Hemans was born to be a great poet. [She may have been born to be a great poet; but, if so, we cannot help thinking that she woefully missed her mark.] 4. PETIT-MAITRE [pet'te-ma'tr] n. A coxcomb. As regards the points to be used in connection with brackets, and the proper method of punctuating the matter contained within them, the same principles apply as those laid down for parentheses in § 188, 189. When an independent sentence is enclosed, as in Example 3 given above, a period, an interrogation-point, or an exclamation-point must be used before the last bracket, according to the character of the sentence. EXERCISE. In the following sentences, supply the points required:UNDER § 183, 185. Is it I must take the liberty of asking because no law touches the case that you thus violate justice For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing-He had not been there so I was informed by those who lived in the neighborhood since the year 1840 He Mr. Brown had never before found himself in so embarrassing a position He was overcome and he begged the company would no think he was exaggerating his feelings with this unexpected mark of esteem I expected to find every thing that great wealth for my friend is a man of property and taste for his taste is admitted to be unexceptionable could bestow- Here we took dinner though conscience will hardly allow me to dignify sour bread and musty eggs by so highsounding a name UNDER $186, 187. I agree with the honorable gentleman Mr Allen that it is pleasing to every generous mind to obey the dictates of sympathy but sir truth and justice impose on us higher obligations Length ened applause and confusion in the galleries during which several sen. § 191. For what are brackets used? What use is made of them in dictionaries! What points may be used in connection with brackets? How must the matter they enclose be punctuated? When an independent sentence is enclosed, what point must precede the last bracket? tences were lost Mr Chairman I cannot vote for this resolution Cheers I owe it not only to my country but to the rights of man of which so much is said to preserve the wise and long-established policy of the former and to stand by the principle of non-intervention as a high moral defence and security for the latter The speaker took his seat amid loud applause SENTINEL Go in Exit Sentinel ROLLA calls Alonzo Alonzo Enter Alonzo speaking as he comes in ALONZO How Is my hour elapsed Well I am ready UNDER § 188. The honorable gentleman on the right Mr Doubleday of Louisiana has overlooked one important point-I wish and why should I deny it that this compliment had been paid to any one rather than myself-She had managed this matter so well oh she was the most artful of women that my father's heart was gone before I suspected it was in danger Consider and oh may the consideration sink deep into your heart that one crime inevitably leads the way to others UNDER § 189. While we earnestly desire the approbation of our fellow-men and this desire the better feelings of our nature cannot fail to awaken we should shrink from gaining it by dishonorable means Such was the creed of the Stoics see Tenneman's Manual Vol II p 230 and their principles were for the most part strictly carried out in life The baron left to himself malice itself could not wish him a worse adviser resolved on a desperate course- - Could he possibly have committed this crime I am sure he could not which as all will acknowledge is at variance with the whole tenor of his life - UNDER 190. This would-be scholar once declared that the Iliad was the noblest poem in the Latin language — Her intellectual beauty is certainly surpassed only by her physical charms - Entering into conversation with his most Christian Majesty I was shocked to hear views advanced which would almost have disgraced a heathen. UNDER § 191. A man had four sons and he divided his property between among them -- Be more anxious to acquire knowledge than about showing to show it - He has little more of the scholar besides than the name Some alas too few for the well-being of society place their bliss in action some in ease - ELUDE Latin cludo v. t. to escape- ENNUI ong-we weariness dullness of spirit - PETER-WORT n. A plant. See SAINT PETER'S WORT LESSON XXVIII. APOSTROPHE.-HYPHEN.-QUOTATION-POINTS. Besides the grammatical points, various other marks are employed in written and printed matter; the principal of these are the Apostrophe ('), the Hyphen (-), and Quotation-points (" ") Besides the grammatical points, what other marks are employed! |