same kind of stop which the member has, that precedes it; and to contain that stop within the parenthetical marks*. We must, however, except cases of interrogation and exclamation: as, " While they wish to please, (and why should they not wish it?) they disdain dishonourable means." "It was represented by an analogy, (Oh, how inadequate!) which was borrowed from," &c.

* As the parenthesis includes the whole clause, and the point is a part of the clause, and properly belongs to it, there can be no doubt that the point should be contained within the parenthetical marks. To place it on the outside of the parenthetical characters, would he, to point those characters, and not the clause. The phrase which precedes the parenthesis should, doubtless, have its proper point and pause attached to it; and not be left without its necessary appendages till the parenthesis is completed: the suspense is forced and irregular. That the parenthesis itself does not supply the place of a point between the parenthetic clause, and the words immediately preceding it, is evident from this circumstance, that the preceding clause frequently requires a point and tone essentially different from those which belong to the parenthetic clause. This will be seen in the following sentence: "If I grant this request, (and who could refuse it?) I shall secure his esteem and attachment." The real and proper office of the parenthetical marks, is simply to denote, not a point, but the parenthetical clause.—We should not have so far extended this note, were it not that many writers, and some grammarians, are divided in their opinions and practice, on the subject.

CHAPTER VI.

OF THE APOSTROPHE, CARET, &c.

There are other characters, which are frequently made Use of in composition, and which may be explained in this place, viz.

An Apostrophe, marked thus is used to abbreviate or shorten a word: as, 'tis for it is; tho' for though; e'en for even; judg'd for judged. Its chief use is to show the gcnitive case of nouns: as, "A man's property; a woman's ornament."

A Caret, marked thus is placed where some word happens to be left out in writing, and which is inserted over the line. This mark is also called a circumflex, when placed over a particular vowel, to denote a long syllable: as," Euphrates."

A Hyphen, marked thus is employed in connecting compounded words: as, " Lap-dog, tea-pot, pre-existence, self-love, to-morrow, mother-in-law."

It is also used when a word is divided, and the former part is written or printed at the end of one line, and the latter part at the beginning of another. In this case, it is placed at the end of the first line, not at the beginning of the second.

The Acute Accent, marked thus: as, " Fancy." The Grave thus': "Favour."

as,

In English, the Accentual marks are chiefly used in spelling-books and dictionaries, to mark the syllables which require a particular stress of the voice in pro

nunciation.

The stress is laid on long and short syllables indiscriminately. In order to distinguish the one from the other, some writers of dictionaries have placed the grave on the former, and the acute on the latter, in this manner: "Minor, mineral, lively, lived, rival, river."

The proper mark to distinguish a long syllable, is this ~ : as, "Rosy:" and a short one this: as, "Folly." This last mark is called a breve.

A Diæresis, thus marked ", consists of two points placed over one of the two vowels that would otherwise make a diphthong, and parts them into two syllables: as, "Creätor, coadjutor, aerial."

A Section, marked thus 5, is the division of a discourse, or chapter, into less parts or portions.

A Paragraph q denotes the beginning of a new subject, pr a sentence not connected with the foregoing. This character is chiefly used in the Old, and in the New Testaments.

A Quotation "". Two inverted commas are generally placed at the beginning of a phrase or a passage, which is quoted or transcribed from the speaker or author in his own words; and two commas in their direct position, are placed at the conclusion: as,

"The proper study of mankind is man."

Crotchets or Brackets [] serve to enclose a word or sentence, which is to be explained in a note, or the explanation itself, or a word or sentence which is intended to supply some deficiency, or to rectify some mistake.

An Index or Handpoints out a remarkable passage, or something that requires particular attention.

A Brace

} is used in poetry at the end of a triplet or

three lines, which have the same rhymes

Braces are also used to correct a number of words with one common term, and are introduced to prevent a repetition in writing or printing.

An Asterisk, of little star *, directs the reader to some note in the margin, or at the bottom of the page. Two or three asterisks generally denote the omission of some letters in a word, or of some bold or indelicate expression, or some defect in the manuscript.

An Ellipsis is also used, when some letters in a word, or some words in a verse, are omitted: as, k—g," for "the king."

(6 The

An Obelisk, which is marked thus t, and Parallels thus, together with the letters of the Alphabet, and figures, are used as references to the margin, or bottom of the page.

Cc 3

CHAPTER VII.

DIRECTIONS RESPECTING THE USE OF CAPITAL

LETTERS.

As The commencement of every sentence is distinguished by a capital letter, and as capitals frequently occur in other parts of a sentence; it is necessary to give the learner some directions respecting their proper application.

It was formerly the custom to begin every noun with a capital: but as this practice was troublesome, and gave the writing or printing a crowded and confused appearance, it has been discontinued. It is, however, very 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 sentences are totally independent, after a note of interrogation or exclamation.

But if B number of interrogative or exclamatory sentences, are thrown into one general group; or if the construction of the latter sentences depends on the former, all of them, except the first, may begin with a small letter: as, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simand the scorners delight in their scorning? and fools hate knowledge?" "Alas! how different! yet how like the same!"?

plicity

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