In the following line the pause is at the end of the third foot, because it cannot take place in the middle of a word:

The crested basilisk" and speckled snake.

In the following, it takes place in the middle of the fourth foot, because all the preceding words are so intimately connected that a pause would mar the sense:

It

And on the sightless eyeball" pour the day.

may fall even in the middle of the first foot, or of the last, but then there is usually a second pause.

But not to me returns

Day" or the sweet approach of even or morn.

No sooner had the Almighty ceased," but all
The multitude of angels" with a shout

Loud" as from numbers without number," sweet
As from blest voices" uttering joy.

Besides the cesural pause there are often demicesuras, or half pauses. Thus :

Warms' in the sun," refreshes' in the breeze,
Glows' in the stars," and blossoms' in the trees;
Lives' through all life," extends' through all extent,
Spreads' undivided," operates' unspent.

Show the place of the cesural pause in the following:

Rapt into future times, the bard begun!

A virgin shall conceive, a virgin bear a son!
From Jesse's root behold a branch arise,
Whose sacred flower with fragrance fills the skies;
The ethereal spirit o'er its leaves shall move,

And on its top descend the mystic dove.

These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good,
Almighty; thine this universal frame,

Thus wondrous fair; thyself how wondrous then!

Mention an heroic verse in which this

pause takes place at the end of the third foot.

Mention an heroic verse in which this

pause occurs in the middle of the fourth foot.

In what other places may the cesural pause occur?

What is a demicesura?

Unspeakable, who sitt'st above these heavens,
To us invisible; or dimly seen

In these thy lower works: yet these declare
Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.
Speak ye who best can tell, ye sons of light,
Angels; for ye behold him, and with songs
And choral symphonies, day without night,
Circle his throne, rejoicing; ye in heaven,
On earth, join all ye creatures to extol

Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.

PUNCTUATION.

PUNCTUATION treats of the points and marks which are used in writing.

These marks are used chiefly to denote pauses.

The following are the principal marks used in writing:

The Comma [,], the Semicolon [;), the Colon [:], the Period [.], the Note of Interrogation (?], the Note of Exclamation [], the Dash [-], and the Parenthesis [()].

The comma marks the shortest pause; the semicolon, a pause double that of the comma; the colon, a pause double that of the semicolon; and the period, the longest pause.

Note. The duration of the pauses must be left to the taste of the reader.

COMMA.

The general rule is, that a comma is used in those parts of a sentence in which a short pause is required.

In general, the comma is not used in a simple sentence; as, "Hope is necessary in every condition in life."

Of what does punctuation treat?

For what purpose are these marks used?
Describe the principal marks.

What is the relative duration of the
pauses?

What is the general rule for the comma?
Is the comma used in a simple sentence?

But when the logical subject is rendered long by the addition of adjuncts to the grammatical subject, a comma may be placed after the logical subject; as, "The necessity of an early acquaintance with history, has always been acknowledged;" "To be totally indifferent to praise or censure, is a real defect in character."

EXERCISES.

Are the following sentences correctly punctuated?

All finery, is a sign of littleness. Idleness is the great fomenter of all corruptions in the human heart. The tear of repentance, brings its own relief. To be, contents his natural desire. The fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom.

A steady and undivided attention to one pursuit will give success. The punishment of the reckless disturbers of society tends to secure peace.

RULE II.

The clauses of a compound sentence are generally separated by a comma; as, "Phocion was poor, though he might have been rich;" "Phocion, though he might have been rich, was poor;" "This principle, which had been instilled into his mind from his youth, influenced all his conduct;" "This work, said he, is amusing."

But when the members are closely connected, the comma is not used; as, "Revelation teaches us how we may attain happiness;" "Principles which are instilled into the mind in youth, have the greatest influence."

In the first example, the dependent clause is the object of the verb teaches, and is, of course, closely connected; in the second, the relative clause modifies the noun principles, and forms with that noun the logical subject.

Where is the comma used in compound | Are the clauses always separated by the sentences? comma?

EXERCISES.

Are the following sentences correctly punctuated?

If ignorance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise. Love not sleep lest thou come to poverty. Cast out the scorner and contention shall go out.

He, that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord. He knows how weak we are.

RULE III.

Two words of the same class--whether nouns, adjectives, verbs, or adverbs-connected by a conjunction, do not admit of a comma between them; as, "Reason and virtue answer one great aim;" "He is a plain and honest man;""Religion expands and elevates the mind;" "We must live virtuously or viciously."

But if the connected words have adjuncts, the comma may be inserted; as, "Intemperance destroys the vigor of our bodies, and the strength of our minds."

When a pause between two words will give distinctness or emphasis, the comma is inserted; as, ""Tis certain he could write, and cipher too;" "A good man will love himself too well to lose, and his neighbor too well to win, an estate by gaming."

When the conjunction is understood, the comma is used; as, "Reason, virtue answer one great aim ;" "He is a plain, honest man."

EXERCISES.

Point out the errors in punctuation in the following examples.

The man of virtue, and honor will be trusted. We are fearfully, and wonderfully made. The earth, and the moon are planets. She is gentle, and affectionate.

What is the rule concerning two words | When may the comma be inserted? of the same class connected by a con

junction?

A proper love for our country and a proper love for the human race are consistent with each other. He is studious of change and pleased with novelty. He can read but not write. I mean virtue and not selfishness.

He was a brave pious man.

woman.

She is a gentle affectionate

RULE IV.

When three or more words of the same class are connected by conjunctions expressed or understood, the comma is used after every one but the last; as, "He was a brave, wise, and pious man."

If several nouns are connected to form a compound subject, the comma is inserted after every one; as, "Poetry, music, and painting, are fine arts."

When words are used together in pairs, they should be separated in pairs by the comma; as, "Truth is fair and artless, simple and sincere, uniform and consistent;" "We should be moderate, whether we eat or drink, labor or sleep."

EXERCISES.

Insert the comma where it is required in the following sentences.

The

Success generally depends on acting prudently steadily and vigorously. He ruined himself by self-conceit presumption and obstinacy. He is a noble high-minded generous man. sight the hearing the taste the smell and the feeling are the five senses. Self-conceit presumption and obstinacy blast the prospects of many a youth.

Anarchy and confusion poverty and distress desolation and ruin are the consequences of civil war. There is a natural difference between merit and demerit virtue and vice wisdom and folly.

What is the rule with respect to three or more words of the same class connected by a conjunction?

What takes place when several nouns are connected to form a compound subject? -When words are used together in pairs?