The Dash and Parenthesis are chiefly used in rhetorical composition.

The Paragraph.

The paragraph marks a greater pause in the construction of a discourse than the period, and is indicated by an indented line.

The paragraph is used to divide a discourse into distinct parts, the sentences of which are closely connected in narrative or sentiment.

The following narrative, given as an example, contains three paragraphs:

Henry V., King of England, when Prince of Wales, abandoned himself to the society of dissolute and riotous men, freely participating in all their disorderly actions. One of his companions, having been guilty of some offence against the laws, was tried and condemned by Sir William Gascoigne. The prince personally exerted himself in favour of his friend; and, on the refusal of the judge to accede to his wishes, forgot himself so far as to strike him on the bench. Sir William, disregarding the rank of the prince, and without considering the danger of offending the king, his father, instantly committed him to prison.

Having recovered his temper, the prince became fully conscious of his error, and submitted to the punishment inflicted on him, being well aware that, in such circumstances, he was entitled to no consideration on account of his rank.

The king, on being informed of the circumstance, thus expressed his feelings: "How happy am I in having a magistrate who has the courage to administer justice with impartiality; and still more, in having a son who does not rebel against a just sentence."

The following characters are also employed in composition.

The apostrophe (') indicates the omission of one or more letters in a word; as, Mov'd for Moved.

The hyphen (-) is used to connect compound words; as, Tooth-brush. It is also placed at the end of a line to connect part of a word with the remainder in the next line.

The ellipsis (

to be supplied.

The brace {

-) shews that some letters or words are

is used to enclose words or lines that have reference to something in common.

Brackets or crotchets [] are used to enclose a word or sentence to be explained, or the explanation itself, to supply some deficiency or rectify some mistake.

The diæresis (...) is used when two vowels come together making distinct syllables; as, Aërial.

The index or hand () points to something that requires particular attention.

The asterisk (*), the dagger (†), the double dagger (†), the section (§), the parallels (I), and the paragraph (¶), direct the attention to some note on the margin or at the bottom of the page.

Italic characters are chiefly employed when words are to be made emphatic.

The caret (A) is used to indicate the omission of words in manuscript.

Capital Letters.

Capital letters are used in the following circum

stances.

1. Names of the Supreme Being, and pronouns that refer to Him.

2. All proper nouns, and adjectives derived from them.

3. Names of the days of the week and of the months of the year.

4. Names of objects personified.

5. Any very important word; as, The Reformation. 6. Every word in the title of a book.

7. The first word of every sentence.

8. The first word of every line of poetry.

9. The first word of an example or a direct quotation.

10. The pronoun I and the interjection O.

11. Single letters forming abbreviations; as, D.D.

Every line in a discourse must conclude with the last letter of a word or syllable.

SECTION II.

EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION.

The Comma.

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

.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. says the proverb "is a

second nature."

"Habit "

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 some

times 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 alternately 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