colon, or a period, as the case may require. They mark an elevation of the voice..

OF THE PARENTHESIS. ( )

A Parenthesis is a clause containing some necessary information, or useful remark, introduced into the body of a sentence obliquely, and which may be omitted without injuring the grammatical construction: as,

"And was the ransom paid? It was; and paid

(What can exalt his bounty more ?) for thee."

The parenthesis marks a moderate depression of the voice, and may be accompanied with every point which the sense would require if the parenthetical characters were removed.

DIRECTIONS

RESPECTING THE USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS.

It is proper to begin with a capital.

1. The first word of every book, chapter, letter, note, or any other piece of writing

2. The first word after a period; and if the two sections are totally independent, after a note of interrogation or exclamation.

3. The appellations of the Deity; as, God, Jehovah, the Almighty, the Supreme Being, the Lord, Providence, the Messiah, the Holy Spirit.

4. Proper names of persons, places, streets, mountains, rivers, ships; as, George, York, the Strand, the Alps, the Thames, the Seahorse.

5. Adjectives derived from the proper names of places; as, Grecian, Roman, English, French, Italian, &c.

6. The first word of a quotation, introduced after a colon, or when it is in a direct form: as, Always remember this ancient maxim: Know thyself.""

The first word of an example may also very properly begin with a capital.

7. Every substantive and principal word in the title of books; as, Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language. Thompson's Seasons.

8. The first word of every line in poetry.

9. The pronoun I, and the Interjection O, are written in capitals.

Other words, besides the preceding, may begin with capitals, when they are remarkably emphatical, or the principal subject of the composition.

EXERCISES IN SYNTAX,
CONTAINING

Instances of false Syntax, adapted to the most important rules.

N. B. Such words as need correction are printed in Italic letters. Of these, some are wrong and others superfluous. In some cases words must be added.

RULE 1.

The profligate man is seldom or never found to be the good husband, the good father, or the beneficent neighbour.

True charity is not the meteor, which occasionally glares; but the luminary, which, in its orderly and regular course, dispenses be nignant influence.

Drunkenness renders the man of the brightest parts, the common jest of the meanest clown.

Purity has its seat in the heart, but extends its influence over so much of the outward conduct, as to form the great and material part of the character.

He is a much better writer than a reader.

RULE 2.

The fire, the air, the earth, and the water, are a four elements of the philosophers.

Drunkenness impairs the understanding; wastes an estate; destroys reputation; and consumes a body.

The king has confered, on him the title of the duke.

Man is the noblest work of a creation.
Wisest and best men sometimes commit er.

rors.

Reason was given to the man to control his passions.

RULE 3.

These kind of indulgence softens the mind. Instead of improving yourselves, you have been playing this two hours.

Those sort of favours did real injury, under the appearance of kindness.

The chasm made by the earthquake, was one hundred fathom in depth, and twenty foot

broad.

How many a sorrow should we avoid, if we were not industrious to make them.

By discussing what relates to each particulars in their order, we shall better understand the subject.

RULE 4.

My ancestors virtue is not mine.

His brothers offence will not condemn him. I will not destroy the city for ten sake. Nevertheless Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord.

A mothers tenderness and a fathers care, arc natures gifts for mans advantage.

Wisdoms precepts form the good mans in

tent.

A mans manners frequently influence his fortune.

RULES 5, 6, 7.

Disappointments they sinks the heart of man: but the renewal of hope it give consolation. He dare not act contrary to his instructions.

Fifty pounds of wheat contains forty pounds of flour.

The mechanism of clocks and watches were totally unknown five centuries ago.