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RULE XVIII.

SECONDARY CLAUSES.

Secondary or subordinate clauses, whether parenthetical, commencing, or concluding, that is, whether introduced in the middle, or at the beginning or end of a sentence, must be separated from the principal clauses, by means of commas; as,

It may with justice be said, that his work was formerly very imperfect; but, having executed a masterpiece of art, he has now attracted the envy of the wise ones, as philosophers are quaintly termed.

REMARK 1.- By omitting the words in Italics, which are of a secondary description, the principal clauses will be as follow:-"His work was formerly very imperfect; but he has now attracted the envy of the wise ones." The imperfect and subordinate portions of the sentence are therefore properly divided by commas from those parts which exhibit complete ideas.

REMARK 2.- This is a canon of very extensive application. To exemplify it, however, in its various ramifications, and to point out exceptions or modifications which could scarcely be mentioned here, it is thought of greater practical utility to break it down into various subordinate rules.

EXERCISES.

Write and point the following sentences:—

Speak the speech I pray you as I pronounced it to you trippingly on the tongue.A good man will be happy either in this world or the next.- -When I am in a serious humour I very often walk by myself in Westminster Abbey. A strong idea of religion has generally prevailed even among the most uncultivated savages. - Prepare for thyself by the purity of thy manners and thy love of virtue a place in the happy seats of peace.— Some people endeavour to divert their thoughts lest their minds should reproach them. — A true and sound philosopher takes care to preserve an evenness of mind both in prosperity and in adversity.—Virtue the strength and beauty of the soul is the best gift of Heaven. · - The love of truth a deep thirst for it a deliberate purpose to seek it and hold it fast may be con-sidered as the very foundation of human culture and dignity. I conclude with this observation that gentleness of manners with firmness of mind is a short but full description of human perfection on this side of religious and moral duties.

RULE XIX.

PARENTHETICAL PHRASES AND CLAUSES.

Expressions of a parenthetical nature- that is, intermediate phrases or clauses, which may be omitted without affecting the construction of the passage, or injuring its sense are separated from the context by commas; as,

Truth, when reduced to practice, easily becomes subject to caprice and passion. The king, approving the plan, put it into execution.The travellers set out early, and, before the close of the day, arrived at the destined place.

REMARK 1. Many persons are accustomed to omit the comma, in all cases, after a conjunction; but, from the foregoing rule, compared with the last example, it is evident, that, when a conjunction is divided, by a phrase or clause, from the verb or other word to which it belongs, such intervening phrase or clause should have a comma at each extremity.

REMARK 2. Short expressions of a parenthetical kind, when closely united in sense to the context, do not require to be pointed; as, "Poesy can pourtray with much energy the excesses of the passions."

EXERCISES.

Write and punctuate the following sentences:

The pious man even when persecuted is a happy man. - The prince his father being dead succeeded. — Benevolence is on whatever side we may contemplate the subject a godlike virtue. - Trials in this stage of our being are the lot of man. - Some by being too artful forfeit the reputation of probity: some by being too open are accounted to fail in prudence.— Fine writing according to Addison consists of sentiments which are natural, without being obvious.. All excellence whether intellectual or moral involves as its essential elements freedom, energy, and moral independence; so that the invader of these whether from the throne or the pulpit invades the most sacred interest of the human race. - Two brothers named Timon and Demetrius having quarrelled with each other, Socrates their common friend was solicitous to restore amity between them. - The childhood of Pellico seems to have been peculiarly subject to those physical affections arising from a remarkably delicate frame both of body and mind which may be termed ocular delusions. He was accustomed towards the close of day to behold a number of strange fantastic shapes running all around him.

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RULE XX.

PARTS OF A SENTENCE, ONE DEPENDING ON THE OTHER.

When a sentence consists of two parts, of which one depends on the other for sense, a comma is inserted between them; as,

If you would be revenged on your enemies, let your life be blameless.

CLASSIFIED EXAMPLES.

1. THE COMMA INSERTED BETWEEN THE PARTS OF A SENTENCE, THE FIRST OF WHICH IS INTRODUCED BY AN ADJECTIVE. Full of desire to answer all demands, the truly benevolent do not think it troublesome to aid the cause of the wretched.

2. INTRODUCED BY AN INFINITIVE.

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To say the least, they have betrayed great want of candour. To confess the truth, he was greatly to blame.

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3. INTRODUCED BY A PREPOSITION. By the faults of others, wise men correct their own. In the ruffled and angry hour, we view every appearance through a false medium.

4. BETWEEN THE PARTS OF A SENTENCE, CONtaining CorrELATIVE WORDS OR EXPRESSIONS. - Neither flatter yourselves, nor

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permit others to flatter you. - Art is not only able to imitate nature in her graces, but even to adorn her with graces of her own.

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5. BETWEEN THE PARTS OF A SENTENCE, ONE OF WHICH CONTAINS A PARTICIPLE. - Shame being lost, all virtue is lost. — Employed in little things, an elevated genius appears like the sun in his evening declination. I went into the pinnace, accompanied by Mr. Bancks.

6. ONE OF WHICH INDICATES PURPOSE OR CONSEQUENCE. - That we may die well, we must live well. — To prevent further altercation, I submitted to the terms proposed. — The winter brings cold, and we must freeze: the summer returns with heat, and we must melt.

7. ONE OF WHICH INDICATES TIME OR PLACE. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.-We sometimes forget our faults, when we are not reminded of them. Wherever we are, we are not unforgotten by a kind Providence.

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8. ONE OF WHICH IS CONDITIONAL. If there were no cowardice, there would be little insolence. We should be ashamed of

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many of our actions, were the world acquainted with our motives.

9. ADMISSIVE.

sake of her beauty. · often disregarded.

10. CAUSATIVE.

Though he praises the lady, it is only for the
-The good which men do is not lost, though

· Because they are regular, the pleasures of the temperate man are durable. People are unpolite, because they

are ignorant.

11. EXCEPTIVE.

Unless it blossoms in the spring, the tree will

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not bear fruit in autumn. - Valuable knowledge cannot be obtained, but by study. Wealth is of no real use, except it be well employed.

REMARK. - In reference to No. 4 of the classified examples, it is worthy of remark, that sometimes one of the correlatives is understood, as in the example, "As soon as comparisons are made between different productions of the same kind, true taste is brought into action;" that is, "so soon is true taste brought into action." The punctuation is the same as when both the corresponding words are expressed.

Exception to the application of the Rule in No. 4. — When correlatives are closely connected in construction, or when, in the latter portion of a sentence, several words are understood, not expressed, the comma should be omitted; as,

Whether he go or stay. - It is

John is as good as William. much better to get wisdom than gold.

REMARK 1.—The simple reading of these sentences is sufficient to indicate, that points are unnecessary. If the ellipses were supplied in the last two sentences, the comma would be inserted between the clauses, as, "Whether he go, or whether he stay.". "It is much better to get wisdom, than it is to obtain gold."

REMARK 2.- The exceptions in correlative clauses may appear inconsistent with Rule XVI.; but it will be manifest to any attentive reader, that the sentences adduced here and in page 32 are very different in construction. Here, even by the insertion of the elliptical words, both clauses will not respectively make sense: there, the reverse is the fact.

Exception to the application of the Rule in No. 7.When the part of the sentence marking time or place is put last, the comma is sometimes unnecessary, particularly when the clauses are short; as,

He went away as soon as I came. — I love my kind where'er I roam.

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EXERCISES.

Write, classify, and punctuate such sentences as accord with the preceding rule; omitting those which belong to the exceptions:

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The friendships of the world can subsist no longer than interest cements them. Unless he put a bridle on his tongue the babbler will soon shut himself out from all society. It is no part of wisdom to be miserable to-day because we may happen to be so to-morrow. -Admitting the action to be criminal he might have been hurried into it by inadvertency and surprise. If truth dwells in the boldest fictions of the poet much more may it be expected in his delineations of life. When we discern the faults of others we should not forget our own. — Live well that you may die well. Peace of mind being secured we may smile at misfortune. -Moral and religious instruction derives its efficacy, not so much from what men are taught as from what they are brought to feel. Of all ill habits that of idleness is the most incorrigible. To prevent further altercation I submitted to the terms proposed. — Awkward in his person James was ill qualified to command respect; partial and undiscerning in his affections he was ill fitted to acquire general love. To give authenticity to these concessions Henry lodged a copy of his charter in some abbey of each county. - To all the charms of beauty, and the utmost elegance of external form Mary added those accomplishments which render their impression irresistible. As virtue is its own reward so vice is its own punishment. - The more a man speaks of himself the less he likes to hear another talked of. - What is sweeter than honey, stronger than a lion, or hotter than fire? Conquered and enslaved it is not boldness, but necessity, that urges them to battle. - Be diligent in order that you may become learned. The smile of gaiety is often assumed while the heart aches within. A man may comfort himself for the wrinkles in his face provided his heart be fortified with virtue. — Though the capacities of human nature are various they are intimately united, and make progress together. The life of the temperate man is calm and serene because it is innocent. -No man can rise above the infirmities of nature unless assisted by God. Although men are accused for not knowing their own weakness yet perhaps as few know their own strength. - Because he was proud he ought to sufRobert is not so wise as his brother. -Such is the course of

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fer. nature that whoever lives long must outlive those whom he loves.

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