The first of these sentences exemplifies the parenthesis, with its appropriate marks; the second, such expressions as are merely parenthetical or intermediate. In the former sentence, the main sentiment would be perfect, both as to its sense and the construction of the language, if the intermediate clause were thrown out from its present place; in the latter, the omission of the phrases between the commas even when persecuted," and " on the whole " would sensibly affect the meaning intended to be conveyed. For the sake of distinction and convenience, this easy kind of parenthesis loses the more generic name, and is commonly termed a parenthetical expression.

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c. Many short expressions which were formerly enclosed within marks of parenthesis, and which, on account of their construction differing from that of the other portions of the sentence, may properly be called parentheses, are now usually pointed off by commas; as, "Study, I beseech you, to store your minds with the exquisite learning of former ages." - "Thirst for glory,' says a great writer, 'is often founded on ambition and vanity." As these short expressions interfere but slightly with the unity of thought conveyed in the context, commas are preferable to the parenthetical marks.

d. Many writers are accustomed to omit the comma, in all cases, after a conjunction; but is evident, that, when a word of this or any other part of speech is divided by a phrase or clause from the portion of the sentence to which it belongs, such intervening expression should have a comma before as well as after it, as in the following example: "Agamemnon still lives before us in the 'tale of Troy divine;' but, were not his name embalmed in that imperishable song, there would not now be a wreck of it."

e. Short phrases of a parenthetical kind, when closely united in sense to the context, and particularly when introduced into what is itself parenthetical, should be left unpointed; as, "Poesy can portray with much energy the excesses of the passions." This is further exemplified in the intermediate clause of the remark just made, — "when closely united in sense to the context;" in which the Italicized words partake somewhat of the nature of a parenthetic phrase, but are better read in union with the words that precede and follow them.

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f. Conjunctions, adverbs or adverbial phrases, words or expressions in a direct address, and absolute or other phrases, are sometimes used parenthetically; but, occurring as they do in a variety of ways, their punctuation will be best explained under different rules.

ORAL EXERCISES.

Assign the reason, as given in the eighth Rule, for the insertion of commas in the following sentences: —

A contract, to be valid, must be for some legal object or purpose.
Every passion, however base or unworthy, is eloquent.

Some men are refined, like gold, in the furnace of affliction.
It is mind, after all, which does the work of the world.
Nature, through all her works, delights in variety.

The ship leaps, as it were, from billow to billow.

A spiritual nature, to grow in power, demands spiritual liberty.
The ocean, in its mighty heavings, makes you serious.
Dismiss, as soon as may be, all angry and wrathful thoughts.
But, if education cannot do every thing, it can do much.
Let us send light and joy, if we can, to every one around us.
Man, in his highest mood of thought, aspires to God.
There, where knowledge ceases, faith should strongest prove.
Take your lot, as it is assigned you, without murmuring or complaint.
Christianity, in the highest sense, is the religion of sorrow.

Why, according to the Rule or the Remarks (pp. 64, 65), are the parenthetical expressions in the following sentences pointed or unpointed? —

Thou knowest, come what may, that the light of truth cannot be put out.

Of nothing may we be more sure than this, that, if we cannot sanctify our present lot, we could sanctify no other.

The travellers set out early, and, before the close of the day, arrived at the destined place.

But, in the formation of character, we know that man is to lay its foundations for himself.

Yet, after leaving school, Cowper threw away the next twenty or thirty years of his life almost in doing nothing.

We can sometimes trace extraordinary skill in the liberal arts to the existence of a quarry of fine marble.

Civilization, which on the whole has never gone backward, is new-shaped and modified by each particular people.

The greatest of all human benefits, that at least without which no other benefits can be truly enjoyed, is independence.

Burke and Painé were incarnations of the spirits whose conflict has for ages divided the world.

EXERCISE TO BE WRITTEN.

Punctuate the parenthetical expressions, except those to which Remark e, p. 65, will apply:

A single hour in the day steadily given to the study of an interesting subject brings unexpected accumulations of knowledge. (Rule.) Benevolence is on whatever side we may contemplate the subject a godlike virtue. (Rule.)

True it is, that were we cast from birth into solitude we should grow up in brutal ignorance. (Rule, and Remark d.)

Excellence is in any position almost the infallible result of the determination to excel. (Rule.)

"The virtuous man" it has been beautifully said "proceeds without constraint in the path of his duty." (Remarks c, e.)

In Dante for the first time in an uninspired bard the dawn of a spiritual day breaks upon us. (Rule.)

A people should honor and cultivate as unspeakably useful that literature which calls forth the highest faculties. (Rule.)

Simple truths when simply explained are more easily comprehended I believe than is commonly supposed. (Rule, and Remark c.) I would stamp God's name and not Satan's upon every innocent pleasure. (Rule.)

Fanaticism in its ill sense is that which makes a man blind to perceive the falseness of an error. (Rule.)

Cursed be the verse how well soe'er it flow

That tends to make one worthy man my foe. (Rule.)

I maintain, that as knowledge extends the range of all imagery is enlarged; and what is far more important that the conception kindles by the contemplation of higher objects. (Remarks c, d.)

The love of the beautiful and true like the dewdrop in the heart of the crystal remains for ever clear and liquid in the inmost shrine of man's being. (Rule, and Remark e.)

Numerous instances there have been as every reader knows of those who have thrown down every obstacle in the way of their mental elevation. (Remark c.)

Without fairness of mind which is only another phrase for disinterested love of truth great native powers of understanding are perverted. (Rule.)

We cannot see an individual expire though a stranger or an enemy without being prompted by compassion to lend him every assistance in our power. (Rule, and Remark e.)

RULE IX.

Vocative Words, Phrases, and Clauses.

A word or an expression, denoting a person or an object addressed, is separated by a comma from the rest of the sentence.

EXAMPLES.

1. Antonio, light my lamp within my chamber.
2. Take these two savages to your care, Charon.
3. Boast not, my dear friends, of to-morrow.

REMARKS.

a. When the terms or expressions in a direct address indicate awe, wonder, or any other strong emotion, it is better to use after them the note of exclamation; as, "My sister! O my sister!"

b. For the punctuation of the personal pronoun in a vocative expression, see page 42, Remark j.

ORAL EXERCISE.

Assign the reason for the insertion of commas in the following sentencos :— Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your long-expected letter. I am obliged to you, ladies, for the kindness you have shown. Come hither, Moor. — What would you, Desdemona? From childhood, seignior, you have been my protector. Idle time, John, is the most ruinous thing in the world. Come, companion of my toils, let us take fresh courage.

All hope abandon, ye who enter here. — I am, dear madam, yours.

EXERCISE TO BE WRITTEN.

Punctuate these sentences in accordance with the above Rule:Continue my dear James to make virtue your principal study. Acquire my daughters the habit of doing every thing well.

Descend from heaven Urania.

- You weep good Ethelbert.

Sir the declaration will inspire the people with increased courage. This my lords is a perilous and tremendous moment.

Verres what have you to advance against this charge?

Morning is the best time to study my beloved children.

Thou who despisest the outward forms lose not the inward spirit.

RULE X.

Adjectival, Participial, and Absolute Phrases.

Adjectival, participial, and absolute phrases are each separated by a comma from the remainder of the sentence.

EXAMPLES.

1. Awkward in his person, James was ill qualified to command respect. 2. Cradled in the camp, Napoleon was the darling of his army. 3. Having approved of the plan, the king put it into execution. 4. Peace of mind being secured, we may smile at misfortune. 5. To speak candidly, I do not understand the subject.

6. Generally speaking, the conduct of that man is honorable.

REMARKS.

a. The first three examples show the punctuation of adjectival and participial phrases, each of these being separated by a comma from the clause which follows, and with which it is associated. The next three severally exhibit that of phrases containing the nominative, the infinitive, and the participle absolute; so called because they are grammatically independent of the rest of the sentence in which they occur.

b. The phrase which begins the following sentence may be treated as an example of the imperative absolute, and should therefore be pointed as the other independent phrases: "Take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again."

c. The nominative absolute when used pleonastically, or the expression to which it belongs, is also divided by a comma from what follows it; as, "The captain, I hope he will not act thus.". "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."

d. Though followed by a participle, a nominative, if it be the subject of a verb, is not absolute or independent. In this construction, a comma should be inserted both before and after the participial phrase; as, "He, being dead, yet speaketh." — See p. 50, c.

e. All the phrases referred to, when used intermediately or parenthetically, are enclosed by commas; as, "James, awkward in his person, was ill qualified to command respect."- See p. 64.

f. The objective absolute or independent is subject to the same kind of punctuation; as, "Alfred, than whom a greater king never reigned, deserves to be held up as a model to all future sovereigns."