2. A Concluding Series.

A concluding series is one which closes a sentence, and completes the sense of the whole, as shown by the brackets.

EXAMPLES.

1. Belief in the existence of a God, is [the great incentive to duty, and the great source of consolation.]

2. His display has reflected [the highest honor on himself, luster upon letters, renown upon parliament, and glory upon the country.]

SECTION II.

The general division of sentences into simple and compound, and the different kinds of series in sentential structure, have been fully illustrated on the preceding pages; at the same time, however, sentences in themselves, or their component parts, may differ from each other in the following general particulars; and hence, are denominated Affirmative, Negative, Conditional, Interrogative, and Exclamatory.

1.

AFFIRMATIVE AND NEGATIVE SENTENCES.

An affirmative sentence asserts or declares what exists, and is the exact opposite of a negative one, which contains or implies a denial.

EXAMPLES.

1. Simple Affirmative.

1. The Romans were a brave people

2. Cæsar conquered Gaul.

3. Virtue is a shining ornament.

4. Titus, a Roman general, took Jerusalem.

5. An honest man is the noblest work of God.

QUESTIONS. What is a concluding series? Give an example. In what other par ticulars may sentences differ from each other? What is an affirmative sentence? What is a negative sentence? Give an example of a single affirmative sentence.

2. Single Negative.

1. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not lie.

2. The depth of the ocean is not known.

3. It is not wise to meddle with other men's matters.

4. Wealth alone will not make men happy

5. The stars are not opaque bodies.

6. The sun is not as far from us as the stars.

3. Single Affirmative and Negative.

1. The year has past and will not return.

2. He went to Europe and has not come back.

3. Some men claim honors which they do not merit.
4. It is a sin to be vicious, but not, to be poor.

5. Bonaparte invaded Russia, but did not conquer it.
6. Death destroys the body, but cannot impair the soul.

4. Successive Affirmations.

1. Religion, morality, and virtue, render men happy in all ages, in all countries, and in all climes.

2. The heavens are clear; the red glare of the morning sun gleams through the lower branches of the lofty trees; and the dew hangs in pearly drops on every leaf.

3. I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards; I made me gardens.

1. The sun did not shine; the moon did not shed her light; the stars were not seen, nor was any portion of clear sky visible.

2. The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill.

3. The tree which does not blossom, in the spring, cannot furnish fruit in autumn.

QUESTIONS. Give an example of a single negative. Of a single affirmative and negative of successive affirmatives. Of successive negatives.

6. Successive Affirmatives and Negatives.

1. The General visited Boston, and went to New York, but did not go to Philadelphia, nor to Washington city.

2. Hannibal passed through Gaul, crossed the Alps, came down into Italy, and defeated several Roman generals; but he could not conquer the country, nor take the city of Rome.

3. When the northern Barbarians poured down upon the fertile plains of Italy, and desolated the country with fire and sword, the Romans had become so effeminate, they were not able to withstand their enemy, protect their capital, or even save their noble works of Art from a general destruction. 7. Indiscriminate occurrence of Affirmative and Negative Clauses.

The blind are deprived of numberless sources of pleasure, common to the human family, although not wholly shut out from the external world. The sun shines, but they behold it not; the stars gild the evening sky, but their beauty is not seen; the green grass spreads a soft carpet for their feet, but they perceive not its richness; the flowers unfold their delicate colors, but their eyes receive no delight; the gorgeous rainbow spans the heavens, but they are unconscious of its beautiful hues; they hear the sweet music of birds, but cannot witness their graceful sports on the wing; they behold not the golden harvest, waving before the gentle wind, nor the forest, bending before the blast; they perceive not, nor can they have an adequate conception of the grandeur of mountain scenery, nor the exquisite beauty of the broad landscape.

2. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES.

A conditional sentence is one involving a supposition wherein nothing is positively affirmed or denied, independently of such circumstances as are therewith connected. The condition may be confined to a single clause, or extended to two or more.

1. If health permit, I shall ride out.

2. If there should be no rain, the grass would soon wither. 3. Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience.

4. If men were wise, they would avoid intemperance.
5. If all men were strictly honest, lawyers would starve.
6. If you would gain knowledge, study with attention.

2. Successive Conditions.

1. If the season of youth is misspent, if wholesome instructions are disregarded, and good advice rejected, there can be little hope of respectable manhood.

2. If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; if my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands, then let me sow, and let another eat.

An interrogative sentence is one which is employed in asking a question.

NOTE. The interrogatory may be direct or indirect, and the indirect may involve a condition.

EXAMPLES.

1. Direct Interrogatives.

1. Are you unwell?

Have you been sick?

2. Were we not made right, and have we not unmade ourselves? 3. Do you love to gaze on the sun, moon, and stars?

4. Ought any principles to be adopted without examination? 5. Can we intentionally offend one whom we love? 6. Do you wish to become a good reader and speaker? 7. Is there any difference between thoughts and feelings?

8. Do you rejoice in truth and resolve to maintain it?

QUESTIONS. Give examples of a single condition. Of successive conditions. What is an interrogative sentence? What is the note? Give examples of direct interrogatives.

Indirect Interrogatives.

1. What man is free from sin?

2. How many inhabitants are there on the globe?
3. Who first invented the magnetic telegraph ?
4. What grace is more valuable than humility?
5. How came the Indians on this continent?
6. Where can a man go to avoid pain and sickness?
7. Who first taught the art of navigation?
8. When will the next eclipse of the sun occur?

4. EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES.

Exclamatory sentences are such as are employed to express the passions or emotions of the mind.

NOTE. Exclamatory sentences, in grammatical construction, may be affirmative or negative, interrogative, conditional, or imperative. An exclamation may be confined to one word or more, but it commonly extends to a clause, a series, or a sentence.

EXAMPLES.

1. Amazing! Alas! that he dies. O, wretched man that I am!

2. O, unexpected stroke! worse than of death!

3. O, happiness! our being's end and aim!

4. Alas! I am stripped of all my honor!

5. O, for a single week! I ask not for years!

6. Why should I suffer so much pain! how can I endure it! 7. What could thus have roused his anger!

8. Oh, if my soul were formed for woe!

9. Leave me! O, leave me to repose! Depart!

10. On! ye brave, who rush to glory or the grave!

11. Avaunt, monster! Leave my sight! Begone!

QUESTIONS. Give examples of indirect interrogatives. What are exclamatory sentences? What is said of them in the note? Give examples.