RULE IX.

SERIES OF WORDS, OF THE SAME PART OF SPEECH.

In a series of words, of the same part of speech, whether connected by conjunctions or otherwise, each word is separated by a comma; as,

There is no precept like a great principle, wrought into the mind, the heart, the life.

CLASSIFIED EXAMPLES.

1. NOUNS AND PRONOUNS. In the least insect there are muscles, nerves, joints, veins, arteries, and blood. Send the books to him, her,

or me.

2. ADJECTIVES.-Alfred was a brave, pious, and patriotic prince.The most innocent pleasures are the sweetest, the most rational, the most affecting, the most durable.

3. VERBS.-Happy is the man who honours, obeys, loves, or serves his Creator. We may advise, exhort, comfort, entreat the sinner. 4. PARTICIPLES.- -A youth fearing, serving, and loving God.— The man of virtue and honour will be trusted, relied upon, esteemed.

5. ADVERBS.-You should seek after knowledge steadily, and patiently, and perseveringly.

REMARK 1.- In a succession of particulars, some punctuators would omit the comma between the last two enumerated words when preceded by the conjunctions or and and; as, "A discreet, virtuous and worthy man will strive to do nothing unworthy of himself." The propriety, however, of using. the comma will perhaps be obvious to any one who attentively examines the construction of such sentences, and who perceives that the last two words of a series are not more closely connected in sense with each other than with those which precede.

REMARK 2.-By some grammarians it is said, that, when three or more words of the same kind follow in the same sentence, severally connected by the conjunction and or or, the comma may be omitted after each word; as in the example, "Riches and pleasure and health become evils to those who do not know how to use them." If this rule were reversed, it would probably be more correct, inasmuch as the repetition of the particle clearly implies a wish, on the part of the writer, that sentences of this kind should be read with considerable deliberation, in order to bring out fully the sense. Such passages, therefore, require the use of commas as the representatives of the pauses.

REMARK 3. It will be seen, that, in examples of series which do not conclude sentences, some of which are given under the rule, the comma is omitted after the last word of the series; as, " Alfred was a brave, pious, and

patriotic prince;" the reason being, that its qualifying or governing force is so great as necessarily to combine it with what follows. To the omission of the comma, however, before the modified or depending word, there are some exceptions, which will be mentioned in the next rule.

RULE X.

THE LAST NOUN, PRONOUN, ADVERB, OR PREPOSITION, OF THE SERIES.

The last noun or pronoun of the series requires after it a comma, when the sentence is not finished; as,

Riches, honours, pleasures, frivolities, entice the heart away from religion. Power, and wisdom, and goodness, shine forth in the works of creation. — He, she, and they, are well.

REMARK. The particulars of the series are distinguished by commas from each other; and the last particular is separated from the context, because its dependence on what follows is not greater than that of the series of which it forms a part. In these examples, the verbs entice, shine, and are, agree, not with the single noun or pronoun which precedes them, but with the whole series taken together, and therefore severally require a comma before them.

In similar circumstances, the last adverb or preposition requires after it a comma, unless when followed by only one or two words; as,

To live soberly, righteously, and piously, comprehends the whole of our duty. The discourse was beautifully, elegantly, and forcibly delivered.

The Jews expected God to reward; but the reward was not in, or by, or from, the act itself.- The spirit of the Almighty is within, and around, and above us.

EXERCISES.

Write and point the following examples, in accordance with the principles laid down in the two preceding rules:

Industry honesty and temperance are essential to happiness. Sacred history contains a simple chaste faithful dispassionate impartial detail of facts. -Men are happy in being loved esteemed or respected. Remember that you and I and they are equally liable to disappointment sickness and death. The impostor professed neither to eat drink nor sleep. - Christianity displays itself to each generation, as if for that generation alone it was originally and peculiarly and exclusively designed. Reputation virtue happiness

C

greatly depend on the choice of companions. Success depends on acting prudently steadily and vigorously in what we undertake. A youth a boy a child might understand the question. — The hermit's life is private active calm and contemplative. — A man may continually exercise the Christian spirit, in the ordinary walks of life, with family or friends or foes or strangers. To be sold, the great and small tithes tenths oblations obventions and all other dues whatsoever growing renewing and increasing or due and payable upon of from or in respect of the farms lands fields and other hereditaments in the several townships of Poynton Worth, &c.

RULE XI.

A DIRECT ADDRESS.

Expressions in a direct address, corresponding to the vocative case of the Latin and other languages, are separated from the context by commas; as,

My son, give me thy heart. - Boast not, my friends, of to-morrow.

REMARK.This rule will not hold good, when the expressions partake of the nature of wonder or awe, or of any other strong emotion. In such instances, it is better to use the note of exclamation; as, "Almighty virtue! now do I own and worship thee."

EXERCISES.

Write and punctuate the following sentences:

I thank you Madam.—I have slept my Lord already. — I remain Sir your obedient servant. -I am obliged to you ladies for your kindness. Come companion of my toils let us take fresh courage.

- Canst thou expect thou betrayer of innocence to escape the hand of vengeance?—Now Verres I ask what you have to advance against this charge. I know not soldiers whether you or your prisoners be encompassed by fortune with the stricter bonds and necessities. I cannot but feel gentlemen how much I stand in need of your favourable attention and indulgence. - Continue my dear James to make virtue thy principal study. —Acquire my daughters the habit of doing every thing well. - Beloved children yours is the time to cultivate a pure and heavenly frame of mind. Yours is the time my young friends for forming good mental habits, and acquiring liberal and rational tastes. Have courage my child and pray to the good God that you may be as happy as I am.

RULE XII.

SHORT QUOTATIONS.

A short quotation, or any remarkable expression that resembles a quotation, is preceded by a comma; as,

Plutarch calls lying, the vice of slaves.· - Such seems to be the disposition of man, whatever makes a distinction produces rivalry.— I cannot mention the name of Howard, without remarking, that his labours and writings have done much to open the eyes and hearts of mankind.

REMARK 1. Some punctuators annex a dash to the comma, which may not be unnecessary before emphatic passages; as, "It hurts a man's pride to say, I do not know."

REMARK 2. A colon is usually put before quotations, when long, and formally introduced.

REMARK 3.- Quotations, even of a brief nature, are sometimes preceded and followed by what are termed inverted commas; as, "Plutarch calls lying, 'the vice of slaves.' The use of these marks will be explained more at length, under the head, "Marks of Quotation."

Exception. If the clauses or phrases succeeding each other are very closely connected, the comma is superfluous; as,

He says he loves me. He bade her go home. - I doubt not that mind is immortal.

EXERCISES.

Write and punctuate those sentences which require the insertion of commas, and state the reason why the others should not be pointed:I say unto all Watch. There is much truth in the proverb Without pains, no gains.—St. John says that God is love. - Swift asserts that no wise man ever wished himself younger. You may lay it down as a maxim, confirmed by universal experience that every man dies as he lives. — Vice is not of such a nature that we can say to it Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further. — I am not now to discuss the question whether the souls of men are naturally equal. Keep it in view, that the great object of study is to fit the mind to be an instrument of usefulness in life. - Cicero styled history the mistress of life. — It was said of Socrates that he brought philosophy down from heaven to dwell among men. -I desired the servant to leave me the books.

RULE XIII.

ADVERBS AND ADVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS.

Adverbs or adverbial expressions, qualifying adjectives or verbs, should have no commas between them and the words qualified; as,

ADVERBS.

- Crombie is a truly good grammarian.

deceive themselves.

ADVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS. -The scholar was reproved in a severe manner, though he was in general attentive to his lessons. - The Roman troops were in a great degree domesticated among the Jews.

EXERCISES.

Write the following sentences, underscore the adverbs and adverbial expressions, and state the reason why they should not be pointed:The army has been entirely defeated. The preacher spoke in a manner distinct enough to be heard by the whole assembly. Shakspere was a very keen observer of human nature. — If you are naturally blessed with a good memory, exercise it with care. -Laws of coercion, perhaps necessary, certainly severe, you have put forth already. A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and live upon contentedly.

RULE XIV.

ADVERBS MODIFYING CLAUSES.

Adverbs or adverbial expressions, when they modify, not single words, but the whole clause or sentence to which they belong, are separated by commas from the context.

The following is a list of those which most frequently occur in this way:—Again, besides, moreover, nay, hence, thus, formerly, first, firstly, secondly, lastly, namely, once more, in short, in truth, above all, on the contrary, in the next place.

ADVERBS.- Lastly, let me repeat what I stated before. — A kind word, nay, even a kind look, often gives comfort to the afflicted.

ADVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS. In general, his work is superior to mine. Gentleness delights, above all things, to alleviate distress, and to soothe, at least, the grieving heart.