Exception. To the rule, however, there are numerous exceptions, on account of the difficulty of separating the adverbs from the clauses which they modify, without affecting the sense or the construction; as,

ADVERB.

- Perhaps I will give it. — Flatterly is certainly pernicious. He was formerly a wealthy citizen.

ADVERBIAL EXPRESSIONS.-Anger is in a manner like madness.He was moved for a moment with a pensive feeling.

REMARK. In punctuation there is scarcely any thing so uncertain and varied, as the use or the omission of commas in relation to adverbs and adverbial phrases, when they qualify sentences or clauses. This, undoubtedly, arises in a great measure from loose and incorrect composition. But, as it is the province of the punctuator to do with sentences as they are written, and not with the mode in which they ought to be composed, it may be observed, -1. That generally, at the commencement of a sentence or clause, an adverb or an adverbial expression has a comma put after it.-2. That, when placed at the termination of the sentence or clause, the comma may with propriety be omitted before the adverbial word or phrase. -3. That the comma should be omitted, when the word or phrase is short, or when the sentence would be manifestly imperfect without them.-4. That the adverbial phrase, when placed in the middle of the sentence, and belonging more closely to one part than to the other, is used without the comma at the part which is closely connected, and with it at the other.-5. That, when the adverb or adverbial phrase equally belongs to both parts of the sentence, but may be omitted without seriously affecting the sense, the comma is used both before and after. The following sentence will, in respect to punctua tion, be found to accord with the four observations just made:

1. In a short time, I hope to send you some of the articles. 2. I hope to send you some of the articles in a short time.

3. Soon I hope to send you some of the articles; or, I hope to send you soon some, 4. I hope, in a short time to send you some of the articles.

5. I hope to send you, in a short time, some of the articles.

EXERCISES.

&e.

Write the following sentences; pointing the adverbs and adverbial expressions, with the exception of those the sense or construction of which will not bear commas: —

Few probably ever accomplish nearly so much as they expected.This conduct may heal the difference; nay it may prevent any misunderstanding in future. They were formerly very studious. At length some pity warmed the master's breast.I proceed secondly to point out the proper state of our temper with respect to one another. Formerly he was in respectable circumstances. This is

perhaps one of them. He was at last convinced of his error. Besides it may be advantageous to you. But lastly let us examine the truth of these arguments. - There was great scarcity of corn, and consequently dearth of all other victuals. This was the object to which the meeting first directed its attention. Unfortunately he thinks too highly of himself. - Still shall her streamers float on the breeze. Undoubtedly the statement he has made is incorrect. There is now and then a youth of more than youthful powers. -There are without doubt multitudes now under the process of education, who never will reach a high standard of education. - Here every thing is in stir and fluctuation; there all is serene and orderly.

RULE XV.

THE SAME WORDS USED AS ADVERBS AND CONJUNCTIONS.

When used as conjunctions, however, now, then, therefore, too, and indeed, are divided by commas from the context; but, when employed as adverbs, they modify the words with which they are associated, and do not require to be separated from them by commas.

EXAMPLES.

1. CONJUNCTION AND ADVERB. We must, however, pay some deference to the opinions of the wise, however much they are contrary to our own.

2. ADVERB AND CONJUNCTION.

I have now shown the con

sistency of my principles; and, now, what is the fair and obvious conclusion?

3. CONJUNCTION AND ADVERB.

On these facts, then, I then rested my arguments, and afterwards made a few general observations on the subject.

4. ADVERB AND CONJUNCTION.

- Music has charms, and therefore ought to be admired: if, therefore, you have an opportunity of learning music, study it with avidity.

5. CONJUNCTION AND ADVERB. I found, too, a theatre at Alexandria, and another at Cairo; but he who would enjoy them must not be too particular.

6. ADVERB AND CONJUNCTION. The young man was indeed culpable in that act; though, indeed, he conducted himself very well in other respects.

REMARK 1. In the example given, No. 4, of the word therefore, used as an adverb and a conjunction, it is employed in the first instance to mean consequently; in the second, for that reason, referring to something previously stated. If this distinction be found too nice in every instance, the punctuator will have to be guided in the use of the comma by the parenthetical nature of the word therefore, or in the omission of this point by the circumstance of the particle seeming to form an essential part of the sentence or clause.

REMARK 2. — In example 6, the word indeed signifies, in the former clause, really, in truth: in the latter, it notes concession, or admission.

REMARK 3. It will be seen, from the kind of examples given in the preceding page, that they are not to be regarded as models of composition. But, however inelegant, they are conceived to illustrate the rule better, by the juxtaposition of the different particles, than if these were given separately in sentences less liable to critical objection.

EXERCISES.

Write and punctuate those sentences which the rule requires to be pointed, and make a separate list of the others :

Every desire, however innocent or natural, grows dangerous, as it becomes ascendant in the mind. Whence then is this increased love of life, which grows upon us with our years?

The happiness

of the dead however is affected by none of these circumstances. Any attempt therefore to destroy religion must be considered as an attempt against the happiness and virtue of the human race.. - You are young, and therefore inexperienced. He went then [at that time] to London. So indeed it turned out to be. Praise however should be due, before it is given. If then this whole system be so very diminutive, what is a kingdom or country?— Having now removed all the objections that have been made to our conduct, I shall take up very little more of your lordships' time. Then it is that man learns wisdom, when it is too late; then it is that every thing will forsake him, but his virtues or his crimes. -As to modes of politeness indeed they vary according to persons, places, and circumstances. The children of our cottagers too appear to derive peculiar pleasure from the soft breath of spring. The author therefore commences his undertaking by an analysis of names. — However much he was persecuted, he loved his persecutors not the less. If therefore you find that you have a hasty temper, watch it narrowly. Alas! I loved the lady too well. - The magistrates thought him unfit for the office, and therefore discharged him. Every man is more or less actuated by ambition; but it is indeed no uncommon thing to see men who aspire not to the heights of power.

RULE XVI.

VERBS UNDERSTOOD.

When a verb is understood in the clauses of a compound sentence, the ellipsis, or place of the verb, must be supplied by a comma; as,

Reading maketh a full man; conference, a ready man; and writing, an exact man.

REMARK. If, in this sentence, the ellipses were supplied by the verb, commas would be unnecessary; as, "Reading makes a full man; conference makes a ready man; and writing makes an exact man."

Exception.

When the clauses are undistinguished from each other by means of a semicolon, the comma is not used in place of the verb understood; as,

REMARK.

Life is precarious, and death certain.

Were a semicolon placed after the word precarious, then would it be requisite to separate death and certain by a comma; as, "Life is precarious; and death, certain." But this mode of pointing such sentences is evidently stiff, and quite unnecessary for elucidating the sense.

EXERCISES.

Write, and point where necessary, the following sentences: — Passion overcame shame; boldness fear; and madness reason. Chaucer most frequently describes things as they are; Spenser as we wish them to be; Shakspere as they would be; and Milton as they ought to be. The minor longs to be of age, then to be a man of business, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at honours, then to retire. Semiramis built Babylon; Dido Carthage;

and Romulus Rome.

Manners with fortune, humours turn with climes,
Tenets with books, and principles with times.

The Grecians excel in precepts; the Romans in examples. - From law arises security; from security inquiry; from inquiry knowledge. - To mourn without measure is folly; not to mourn at all insensibility. In describing a gliding stream, the members should be easy and flowing; in describing a rough torrent sonorous and swelling. Anger prompts men to contention; avarice to oppression.— Strength and energy distinguish the characters of Michael Angelo and Homer; beauty and propriety those of Virgil and Raphael.

RULE XVII.

CONSECUTIVE PHRASES AND CLAUSES.

Clauses and phrases, similarly constructed, if put together in the same sentence, and incapable of subdivision, are separated by commas from each other, and, when the sentence is unfinished, from the context; as,

Intemperance destroys the strength of our bodies, and the vigour of our minds. True charity cannot be confined to near relations, intimate friends, or particular pursuits.

OTHER EXAMPLES.

No station is so high, no power so great, no character so unblemished, as to exempt men from the attacks of malice or envy.

To be wise in our own eyes, to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, seldom coincide. Human society requires distinctions of property, diversity of conditions, subordination of ranks, and a multiplicity of occupations, in order to advance the general good.

EXERCISES.

Write and punctuate the following sentences:

There is a time for

He reads correctly and writes neatly. amusement as well as a time for labour.- Crafty men contemn studies simple men admire them and wise men use them.

Regret for the past grief at the present and anxiety respecting the future are plagues which afflict the generality of mankind. That fortitude which has encountered no dangers that prudence which has surmounted no difficulties that integrity which has been attacked by no temptations can at best be considered but as gold not yet brought to the test. To relieve the indigent to comfort the afflicted to protect the innocent to instruct the ignorant to reward the deserving is a great and noble employment. - Friendship eases and unloads the mind clears and improves the understanding animates virtue and good resolutions and finds employment for our most vacant hours. The astonishing multiplicity of created beings the wonderful laws of nature the beautiful arrangement of the heavenly bodies the elegance of the vegetable world the operations of animal life and the amazing harmony of the whole creation loudly proclaim the wisdom of the Deity.