EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

COMMA.

The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the foundation of the pupil's future honor. Self-conceit presumption and obstinacy blast the prospect of many a youth.

Deliberate slowly execute promptly.

To live soberly righteously and piously comprehends the whole of our duty.

The path of piety and virtue pursued with a firm and constant spirit will assuredly lead to happiness.

Continne my dear child to make virtue thy principal study.

Peace of mind being secured we may smile at misfortunės.

He who is a stranger to industry may possess but he cannot enjoy.

Beware of those rash and dangerous connexions which may afterwards load thee with dishonor.

SEMICOLON

The path of truth is a plain and safe path that of falsehood is a perplexing maze.

Modesty is one of the chief ornaments of youth and has ever been esteemed a presage of rising merit.

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Heaven is the region of gentleness and friendship hell of fierceness and animosity,

COLON.

Often is the smile of gaiety assumed whilst the heart aches within though folly may laugh guilt will sting.

There is no mortal truly wise and restless at the same time wisdom is the repose of minds.

PERIOD.

We ruin the happiness of life when we at tempt to raise it too high a tolérable and com fortable state is all that we can propose to ourselves on earth peace and contentment. not bliss nor transport are the full portion of man perfect joy is reserved for heaven.

INTERROGATION AND EXCLAMATION.

To lie down on the pillow after a day spent in temperance in beneficence and in piety how sweet it is.

we

We wait till to-morrow to be happy alas why not to-day shall we be younger are sure we shall be healthier will our passions become feebler and our love of the world less

RULES OF SYNTAX.

[Several of Murray's Rules of Syntax are too complicated for young learners; and in some cases have little or no bearing on the examples given to illustrate them. They have therefore, been rejected by some teachers, and others have been substituted. The following system of Rules collected from the best grammarians, is offered to such instructers as are not disposed to use Murray's.]

ARTICLE.

RULE 1. The indefinite article a, or an agrees with nouns in the singular number only. Example. A house, an officer.

RULE 2. The definite article the, agrees with nouns either in the singular or plural number. Ex. The eartin, the

men.

NOUN.

RULE 3. Nouns signifying the same thing are put in the same case. Ex. Portsmouth, the capital of New-Hamp

shire.

RULE 4. One noun in the possessive case is governed by another noun. Ex. Moore's Poems.

RULE 5. When a person or thing is addressed, the noun or pronoun is in the nominative case independent. E Look, my lord, it comes

RULE 6. A noun joined to a participle, and dependent on no other word, is in the nominative case absolute. Ex. The general being slain.

RULE 7. Two or more nouns in the singular number joined by a connective conjunction, require a verb, noun, òr pronoun in the plural number. Ex. Washington and Franklin were eminent men.

RULE 8. Two or more nouns in the singular number connected by a disjunctive conjunction, require a verb, noun, or pronoun, in the singular number. Ex. Neither knowledge, nor wisdom is there.

RULE 9. Nouns signifying time, place, distance, direction, value, or dimension, following intransitive verbs, are in the objective case, and governed by a preposition understood. Ex. He rode ten miles.

RULE 10. A noun of multitude singular, may have a verb, or pronoun, in the singular or plural number after it. Ex. The nation is powerful.

PRONOUN.

RULE 11. The relative pronoun agrees in number, getder, and person, with its antecedent. Ex. They adore God, who made them.

RULE 12. If a nominative cas come between the relative and the verb, the relative is governed by the verb. or some other word in the sentence. Ex. The man whom I saw.

RULE 13. If no nominative case come between the relative and the verb, the relative is the nominative. Ex. He is the master who taught us.

RULE 14. When the relative is preceded by two words of different persons, the relative and verb may agree in person with either, according to the sense. Ex. I am the man who command you; or, who commands you.

RULE 15. Pronouns implying doubt, or uncertainty, govern the potential and subjunctive modes. Ex. Whoever may have reported it. Whoever it be.

RULE 16. The relatives who and which when they fol low than, are in the objective case.

ADJECTIVE.

RULE 17. Adjectives refer to nouns, either expressed or understood. Ex. "A good man." "Few are happy."

RULE 18. Adjectives of value and likeness govern the objective case. Ex. He spake like an angel.

VERB.

RULE 19. The verb must agree with its nominative case in number and person. Ex. She improves.

RULE 20. Neuter verbs have the same case after as before them. Ex. She moves a queen.

RULE 21. Active verbs govern the objective case. I love Joseph.

Ex.

RULE 22. Some active verbs govern two objective cases. Ex. "Cease then, nor order imperfection name.

RULE 23. A verb in the infinitive mode is governed by a verb, noun, adjective, or participle. Ex. He is willing to persevere, &c.

RULE 24. A verb in the infinitive mode sometimes