cess generally depends on acting prudently, steadily and vigorously.

When an address is made, the word or phrase containing the address, is separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma; as, Charles, you may now recite your lesson. I rise, fellow citizens, to address you on an important subject. My son, give me thine heart. Sir, I am happy to meet you. Brethren, give audience.

The nominative case absolute, and the infinitive mood absolute, should be separated by a comma from the rest of the sentence; as, His father dying, he succeeded to the estate. To confess the truth, I was greatly in fault.

When the nominative is widely separated from the verb on which it terminates, a comma may be inserted immediately before the verb; as, A person who is wholly indifferent to praise or censure, has not a proper estimate of character.

When any slight circumstance, or explanatory phrase is introduced, which causes a separation in the sense, it should be separated from the body of the sentence by a comma; as, None of the audience, except those who were very near, were able to hear the performance. They were, I confess, brave men. It was not, however, his intention to deceive. He was influenced, perhaps, by considations with which we are not acquainted. Adversities, when rightly improved, often prove to be blessings in disguise. The dog, poor creature, continued to howl. The butterfly, child of summer, flutters in the sun. Vices, like shadows, grow great and monstrous towards the evening of life.

When two phrases, or simple sentences, arc con

nected together, they should be separated by a comma; as, Very often when we are complaining of the vanity, and talking of the evils of human life, we are ourselves instrumental of making that vanity, as well as of increasing those evils.

When a verb is understood, the comma is often properly introduced; as, From law arises security; from security, industry; from industry, wealth. That is,from security arises industry: from industry arises wealth. The omission of the verb, requires the insertion of the comma.

The adverbs nay, formerly, first secondly, finally, and all other words and phrases of this description, should generally be separated by a comma; as, Finally, this argument is confirmed from the fact, that it corresponds with the experience of mankind. Nay, not so much.

OF THE SEMICOLON.

The semicolon is chiefly used to separate compound sentences, and requires about double the pause that is required at a comma; as, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools, shall be destroyed. Philosophers assert, that nature is unlimited in her operations; that she has inexhaustible treasure 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. Straws swim upon the surface;but pearls lie at the bottom.

OF THE COLON.

The colon is a point which is little needed inregular sentences. It is chiefly useful in introducing an example, a quotation, or a speech; as, He arose and made the following remarks: "I am

aware," &c. The scriptures describe the moral character of the divine Being in these words: "God is love." To whom our general ancestor replied: "Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve."

When a quotation is made from scripture, the colon is useful in distinguishing the figures which refer to the chapter, from those which designate the verse; as, Luke 4: 10. That is, Luke 4th chapter, 10th verse.

The colon, if used at all in regular sentences, may be inserted at the end of a sentence which is complete in itself, but followed by some supplementary 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.

In almost all such cases, however, the semicoIon, or period, may be substituted for the colon, and answers equally well.

OF THE PERIOD.

This point is used for the division of whole sentences, and requires a longer pause than any of the preceding; as, Riches and pleasures are the chief temptation to crime. The appearances of safety are often deceitful. Fear God.. Honor the King. Have charity towards all men. The supreme Being changes not, either in his desire to promote our happiness, or in the plan of his administration.

The period is also used in abbreviations; as, do (ditto.) Ed. (edition.) No. (number.) N. T. (New Testament.)

THE DASII.

The dash is often found in composition. When

used properly, it indicates a special suspension in the sense, or some sudden pause or change in the sentiment; as, All this dread order break-for whom? "And then, look at the monstrous-but I forbear-It is a shame even to speak of such things."

The dash is sometimes placed after another point. Its effect then is, to increase the length of the pause, and give a greater degree of expression to the sentiment; as, O sacred privilege of Roman citizenship!-Once sacred!-now trampled upon! -But what then? "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."

The dash, as well as the colon, should be sparingly used. The comma, semicolon, and period, are, in general sufficient to mark the necessary pauses.

In manuscript, the dash placed under a word, shews that peculiar stress should he laid upon it. The same thing is implied when a line is drawn under a phrase or sentence. Words or phrases thus underscored, when printed, are put in italics.

Besides the points which mark the pauses in discourse, there are others which denote a different modulation of the voice, in correspondence with the sense, viz.

The Interrogation?
The Exclamation!
The Parenthesis( )

INTERROGATION.

A note of interrogation is used at the end of an

interrogative sentence; that is to say, when a question is asked; as, Who will accompany me? Are you sincere?

EXCLAMATION.

The exclamation point denotes passion, or some sudden emotion; as, What! Has it come to this? Alas! I am a stranger to peace. O! Whither shall I fly? My friend, this conduct amazes me!

PARENTHESIS.

The parenthesis serves to inclose some word or phrase which is thrown into a sentence, without any necessary connexion and which may be omitted without injuring the grammatical construction; as, Every planet (as the Creator has made nothing in vain) is most probably inhabited. He found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither knew they what to answer Him.

The parenthesis requires a moderate depression of voice, and may be accompanied with the points which the sense would require, if the parenthetical characters were omitted. It ought to terminate with the same kind of stop, which the member has that precedes it; and to contain that stop within the parenthetical marks. We must, however, except cases of interrogation and exclamation; as, While they wish to please, (and why should they not wish it?) they disdain dishonorable means. "It was represented by an analogy, (Oh, how inadequate!) which was borrowed from paganism." There are other characters, which are frequently made use of in composition.

An apostrophe, marked thus ' is used to abbreviate or shorten a word as 'tis for it is; tho' for though; e'en for even: judg'd for judged. Its chief