SECTION II

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

Supply the points omitted in the following paragraphs, and correct those which are wrong.

The Comma.

I. The soil of the earth, is not the same in all places. To do unto others, as we would be done unto is the sum of our duty towards our fellow-creatures. To indulge in continual regrets for what cannot be remedied is only magnifying the evil. The God of our faith, dwells in light inaccessible. The frequent study, of the great volume of nature, is sufficiently worth the attention of man. That men are afflicted with sorrow and misery is frequently the consequence of their own actions.

II. Beware of pleasure the mother of all evils. Milton, the poet, was afflicted with blindness. Sir Isaac Newton, the eminent astronomer was remarkable for his modesty. Howard the celebrated philanthropist was no less distinguished for courage than benevolence. King, John of France, was taken prisoner in battle. Charles V. King of Spain and Emperor of Germany died in a convent. Socrates the Greek philosopher, never gave way to anger. The Roman emperor, Severus, died at York.

III. An embattled wall fortified with towers encompassed the city of Jerusalem. The creation demonstrates the power, and wisdom of the Deity. The bodies of the greater part of insects are composed of several rings which close on each other and have a share in all the motions of the animal. The righteous

shall flourish, like the palm tree. The soil of Campania being full of sulphur the water contracts a disagreeable taste. Virtue strengthens in adversity moderates in prosperity supports in, sickness and comforts in the hour of death. The study of astronomy expands, and elevates the mind. The less we are able to comprehend the works of nature the more eagerly should we seize every opportunity of inquiring into them. He is a good man, who readily forgives an injury. If the world were to see our real motives we should be ashamed of some of our best actions. When I stand upon the summit of some lofty cliff and see the star of day rise slowly out of the ocean I feel a mingled sensation of sublimity and adoration.

IV. It is quite unnecessary indeed to insist further upon the point. Consider on the other hand the advantages of truth. "A faithful friend" it is beautifully said "is the medicine of life." Mountains then we find are essential to the due preservation of the earth. With respect to man no doubt there are many new things which take place in the earth. In the first place let us represent to ourselves the immense space, in which the heavenly bodies are placed. In short the wisdom, and goodness of God are conspicuous in all parts of the creation. Avoid as much as possible the company of the wicked. "Habit" says the proverb "is a second nature."

V. The principal metals, are gold silver mercury copper iron tin, and lead. The cocoa-nut tree supplies the inhabitants with bread milk and oil. We should live soberly righteously and piously in the present world. The soul can understand will imagine see hear love, and discourse. A man that is temperate generous valiant faithful and honest may at the same time have wit humour mirth and good-breeding. The characteristics of chivalry, were valour humanity courtesy justice and honour. Power riches and prosperity are sometimes conferred on the worst of men.

VI. The wise, and the foolish the virtuous, and the

evil the learned, and the ignorant the temperate, and the profligate must often be blended together. Absalom's beauty Jonathan's love David's valour and Solomon's wisdom though faintly amiable in the creature are found in unspeakable perfection in the Creator. Manners and customs virtues and vices knowledge and ignorance principles and habits are with little variation transmitted from one generation to another. He alter

nately commanded and entreated threatened and implored defied and flattered. Death levels the rich, and the poor, the proud, and the humble, the strong, and the feeble, the young, and the old.

VII. Go on young men and pursue the study of learning. Learn good people, what a virtue it is to live on a little. My son give me thy heart. Observe

I beseech you men of Athens how different your conduct appears, from the practices of your ancestors. Romans countrymen and lovers! Hear me for my cause. Go then ye defenders of your country accompanied with every auspicious omen. Stop O mighty stream in thy course! Go to the ant thou sluggard. Once more unto the breach dear friends once more!

VIII. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. Poverty is apt to betray a man into envy; riches into arrogance. The vineyards of France, may be called our gardens; the Spice Islands our hotbeds; the Persians our silk weavers; and the Chinese our potters. Meekness controls our angry passions; candour our severe judgments. The Egyptian style of building, is derived from the cavern or mound; the Chinese from the tent; the Grecian from the wooden cabin; and the Gothic from the bower of trees.

IX. The poet says that anger is a short madness. Ovid says that it is a sort of pleasure to weep. Swift observes that no wise man, ever wished himself younger. It is written by Solomon that the wise shall inherit glory. It is remarked by Pope that fools have an itching to deride. It is an ancient saying that history is

philosophy, teaching by example. Hannibal acted upon the maxim that the Romans could be conquered only at Rome.

X. You are old Father William the young man cried. Vanity of vanities saith the preacher all is vanity. The Emperor exclaimed to those around him: My friends I have lost a day! The preacher first broke silence with the following quotation: Socrates died like a philosopher; Jesus Christ like a God. Descending from his throne and ascending the scaffold he said: Live incomparable pair. The mountain before thee said he is the Hill of Science.

Semicolon.

I. The Dutch have a saying that thefts never enrich, alms never impoverish, prayers hinder no work. The most remarkable precious stones are the diamond which is colourless and transparent, the sapphire blue, the topaz yellow, the amethyst purple, and the garnet a deep red. The first nations who paid attention to architecture were the Babylonians who built the Temple of Belus and the hanging gardens, the Assyrians who filled Nineveh with splendid buildings, the Phoenicians whose cities were adorned with magnificent structures, and the Israelites whose temple was considered wonderful. There are tears for his love joy for his fortune honour for his valour and death for his ambition.

II. His manner was humble, but his spirit was haughty. When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice, but when the wicked beareth rule the people mourn. The duty of a soldier is to obey his general; not to direct him. Your enemies may be formidable by their numbers and their power, but He who is with you is mightier than they. We have taken up arms not to betray our country but to defend it. The dog wolf and bear are sometimes known to live on vegetables or farinaceous food but the lion the tiger the leopard and other animals of this class devour nothing but flesh.

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III. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Mary was impatient of contradiction, because she had been accustomed from her infancy to be treated as a queen. Too much anxiety to avoid evils often brings them upon us, and we frequently cause misfortunes by the very efforts we make to escape them. A great advantage in the manufacture of almost every article is the division of labour for when each man has only one thing to do he soon acquires great neatness and proficiency in the performance. Gold the most precious metal is found in every part of the world but the most productive mines are those of America and the East Indies.

Colon.

I. Choose what is most fit, custom will make it most agreeable. I do not repine at my condition, it is the decree of Heaven. Guard with vigilance against the habit of procrastination, nothing is more injurious to success in life. The origin of a virtuous and happy life is derived from early years whoever would reap happiness in old age must plant virtue in youth. To reason with him was vain he was infatuated. Do not flatter yourself with the idea of perfect happiness there is no such thing in the world.

II. The feebleness of the body and the weakness of the mind the dimness of the eye and the failure of the limbs the restless night and the day that can no longer be enjoyed; these are some of the frailties and afflictions of old age as described by the sacred Preacher. Since man is on his very entrance into the world the most helpless of all creatures since he is for a series of years entirely dependent on the support and protection of others, and since he must at last be laid down in the dust from which he was taken, how vain and absurd does it appear that such a being should indulge in worldly pride!

III. In my youth I saw the sepulchre of Cyrus, which bore this inscription; I am Cyrus, he who subdued the Persian empire. Tiberius interrupted him