Was (1) there no bad men in the world, who (12 App 1) vex and distress the good, they (8 n 2) might appear in the light of harmless innocence; but (21 p 2) could have no opportunity for (17 n 4) displaying fidelity and magnanimity, patience and fortitude.

The most ignorant, and the most savage tribes of men, when they have (13) looked round on the earth, and on (21 n 7) the heavens, could not avoid ascribing their origin to some invisible, designing cause, and felt (18) a propensity to adore their Creator.

Let us not forget, that something more than gentleness and modesty, something more than complacency of temper and affability of manners, are (2 n 2) requisite to form a worthy man, or a true Christian.

One of the first, and the most common extreme (8 n 7) in moral conduct, is (21 p 2) placing all virtue (19 n 9 p 3) in justice, (21 p 2) or in gener

osity.

It is an inflexible regard to principle, which has ever marked the characters of them (5 n 4 Rem) who (13 & 15) distinguished themselves eminently in publick life; who (7 App) patronised the cause of justice against powerful oppressors; (5 App 4) in critical times, have supported the falling rights and liberties of men; and (21 p 2) reflected honour on their nation and country.

When it is with regard to trifles, that diversity or contrariety of opinions show themselves, (3) it is childish in the last degree, if this becomes (19 p 1) the ground of estranged affection. When, from such a cause, there arise (2 n 2) any breach of friendship, human weakness is discovered then (22) in a mortifying light. In matters of serious mo

ment, the sentiments of the best and worthiest might (13) vary from that (8 p 2) of their friends, according as their lines of life diverge, or as their temper, and habits of thought, presents (3 n 2) objects under different points of view. But with candid and liberal minds, unity of affection still will (15) be preserved.

Desires and wishes are the first spring (2) of ac tion. When they become exorbitant, the whole of the character is like (8 n 4 p 1) to be tainted. If we should (19 p 1) suffer our fancies, (22) to create to themselves worlds of ideal happiness; if we should (19 p 1) feed our imagination with plans of opulence and of (21 n 7) splendour; if we should (19 p 1) fix to our wishes certain stages of a (9 n 1) high advancement, or certain degrees of an (9 n 1) uncommon reputation, as the sole station (22) of our felicity; the assured consequence shall (note page 139) be, that we will (note page 139) become unhappy under (17 n 4) our present state; that we shall be (21 p 1) unfit for acting the part, and for discharging the duties that belong to it; and (21 p 1) we shall discompose the peace and order of our minds, and shall foment many hurtful passions.

Maria always appears amiably. She never speaks severe or contemptuous.* (8n4p 2, 1)

*Young persons who study grammar, find it difficult to decide, in particular constructions, whether an adjective, or an adverb, ought to be used. A few observations on this point may serve to inform their judgment, and direct their determination. They should carefully attend to the definitions of the adjective and the adverb; and consider whether, in the case in question, quality or manner, is indicated. In the former case, an adjective is proper; in the latter, an adverb. A number of examples will illustrate this direction, and prove useful on other occasions.

She looks cold-She looks coldly on him.

He feels warm-He feels warmly the insult offered to him.

He became sincere and virtuous-He became sincerely virtu

ous.

She lives free from care-He lives freely at another's expense. Harriet always appears neat-She dresses neatly.

Charles has grown great by his wisdom-He has grown greatly in reputation.

They now appear happy-They now appear happily in earnest. The statement seems exact-The statement seems exactly in point.

The verb to be, in all its moods and tenses, generally requires the word immediately connected with it to be an adjective, not an adverb; and, consequently, when this verb can be substituted for any other, without varying the sense or the construction, that other verb must also be connected with an adjective. The following sentences elucidate these observations: "This is agreeable to our interest: That behaviour was not suitable to his station; Rules

is

should be conformable to sense:""The rose smells sweet: How is

is

sweet the hay smells! How delightful the country appears! How

pleasant the fields look! The clouds look dark: How black the

was

is

were

sky looked! The apple tastes sour; How bitter the plums tasted! is

He feels happy" In all these sentences, we can, with perfect pro priety, substitute some tenses of the verb to be for the other verbs. But in the following sentences, we cannot do this: "The dog smells disagreeably; George feels exquisitely; How pleasantly she looks at us!"

The directions contained in this note are offered as useful, not as complete and unexceptionable. Anomalies in language every where encounter us; but we must not reject rules, because they are attended with exceptions.

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

PUNCTUATION is the art of dividing a written composition into sentences, or parts of sentences, by points or stops, for the purpose of marking the different pauses, which the sense and an accurate pronunciation require.

The Comma represents the shortest pause; the Semicolon, a pause double that of the comma; the Colon, double that of the semicolon; and the Period, double that of the colon.

The precise quantity or duration of each pause, cannot be de. fined; for it varies with the time of the whole. The same composition may be rehearsed in a quicker or a slower time; but the proportion between the pauses should be ever invariable.

COMMA.

The Comma usually separates those parts of a sentence, which, though very closely connected in sense and construction, require a pause between them.

CHAP. I.

Sentences which require the application of the Comma, disposed under the particular Rules.

RULE 1.

(a) With respect to a simple sentence, the several words of which it consists have so near a relation to each other, that, in general, no points are requisite, except a full stop at the end of it; as, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." part of matter swarms with living creatures."

66

Every

(a 2) A simple sentence, however, when it is a long one, and the nominative case is accompanied with inseparable adjuncts, may admit of a pause immediately before the verb; as, "The good taste of the present age, has not allowed us to neglect the cultivation of the English language:" "To be totally indifferent to praise or censure, is a real defect in character."

The tear of repentance brings its own relief. Manhood is disgraced by the consequences of neglected youth.

Idleness is the great fomenter of all corruptions in the human heart.

It is honourable to be a friend to the unfortunate.
All finery is a sign of littleness.

Slovenliness and indelicacy of character commonly go hand in hand.

The friend of order has made half his way to virtue.

Too many of the pretended friendships of youth are mere combinations in pleasure.

The indulgence of harsh dispositions is the introduction to future misery.

The intermixture of evil in human society serves to exercise the suffering graces and virtues of the good.

RULE II.

(b) When the connexion of the different parts of a simple sentence, is interrupied by an imperfect phrase, a comma is usually introduced before the beginning, and at the end of this phrase; "His work as, "I remember, with gratitude, his goodness to me;" is, in many respects, very imperfect. It is, therefore, not much approved.'

(b2) But when these interruptions are slight and unimportant, the comma is better omitted; as, "Flattery is certainly pernicious;" "There is surely a pleasure in beneficence."

Gentleness is in truth the great avenue to mutual enjoyment.

Charity, like the sun brightens all its objects. The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the foundation of the pupil's future honour.