PART IV. EXERCISES IN PUNCTUATION. CHAP. I. Sentences which require the application of the Comma, dise posed under the particular Rules. RULE I. Gram. 15th edit. p. 258. THE tear of repentance brings its own relief. Manhood is disgraced by the consequences of nega lected youth Idleness is the great fomenter of all corruptions in the human heart. It is honourable to be a friend to the unfortunate, Slovenliness and indelicacy of character commonly go hand in hand. The friend of order has made half his way to virtue. Too many of the pretended friendships of youth are mere combinations in pleasure. The indulgence of harsh dispositions is the introduction to future misery, The intermixture of evil in human society serves to exercise the suffering graces and virtues of the good. RULE II. 'Gentleness is in truth the great avenue to mutual enjoyment. Charity like the sun brightens all its objects. tences, we cannot do this; "The dog smells disagreeably; George feels exquisitely; How pleasantly she looks at us!" The directions contained in this note are offered as useful, not as complete and unexceptionable. Anomalies in language every where encoun er us-but we must not reject rules because they are attended with exceptions. The tutor by instruction and discipline lays the foundation of the pupil's future honour. Trials in this stage of being are the lot of man. No assumed behaviour can always hide the real character. The best men often experience disappointments. RULE III. Self conceit presumption and obstinacy blast the prospect of many a youth. In our health lite possessions connexions pleasures there are causes of decay imperceptibly working. Discomposed thoughts agitated passions and a ruffled temper poison every pleasure of life. fill Vicissitudes of good and evil of trials and consolations up the life of man. Health and peace a moderate fortune and a few friends sum up all the undoubted articles of temporal felicity. We have no reason to complain of the lot of man or of the world's mutability. RULE IV. An idle trifling society is near a kin to such as is corrupting. Conscious guilt renders us mean-spirited timorous and base. An upright mind will never be at a loss to discern what is just and true lovely honest and of good report. The vicious man is often looking round him with anxious and fearful circumspection. True friendship will at all times avoid a careless or rough behaviour. Time brings a gentle and powerful opiate to all misfortunes. RULE V. The man of virtue and honour will be trusted relied apon and esteemed. Deliberate slowly execute promptly. A true friend unbosoms freely advises justly assists. readily adventures boldly takes all patiently defends resolutely and continues a friend unchangeably. Sensuality contaminates the body depresses the understanding deadens the moral feelings of the heart and degrades man from his rank in the creation. Idleness brings forward and nourishes many bad passions. We must stand or fall by our own conduct and cha racter. The man of order catches and arrests the hours as they fly. The great business of life is to be employed in doing justly loving mercy and walking humbly with our Creator. RULE VI. This unhappy person had often been seriously af fectionately admonished but in vain. To live soberly righteously and piously comprehends the whole of our duty. When thy friend is calumniated openly and boldly espouse his cause. Benefits should be long and gratefully remembered. RULE VII. True gentleness is native feeling heightened and im proved by principle. The path of piety and virtue pursued with a firm and constant spirit will assuredly lead to happiness. Human affairs are in continual motion and fluctuation altering their apparance every moment and passing into some new forms. What can be said to alarm those of their danger who intoxicated with pleasures become giddy and insolent; who flattered by the illusions of prosperity make light of every serious admonition which their friends and the changes of the world give them? RULE VII. If from any internal cause a man's peace of mind be disturbed in vain we load him with riches or honours. Gentleness delights above all things to alleviate distress; and ifit cannot dry up the falling tear to south at least the grieving heart. Wherever Christianity prevails it has discouraged and in some degree abolished slavery. We may rest assured that by the steady pursuit of virtue we shall obtain and enjoy it. RULE IX. Continue my dear child to make virtue thy principal study. To you my worthy benefactors am I indebted under Providence for all I enjoy. Canst thou expect thou betrayer of innocence to escape the hand of vengeance? Come then companion of my toils let us take fresh courage persevere and hope to the end. RULE x. Peace of mind being secured we may smile at misfor tunes. Virtue abandoned and conscience reproaching us we become terrified with imaginary evils. Charles having been deprived of the help of tutors his studies became totally neglected. To prevent further altercation I submitted to the terms proposed. To enjoy present pleasure he sacrificed his future ease and reputation. To say the least they have betrayed great want of prudence, RULE XI. Hope the balm of life sooths us under every misfortune. Content the offspring of virtue dwells both in retirement and in the active scenes of life. Confucius the great Chinese philosopher was eminently good as well as wise. The patriarch Joseph is an illustrious example of chast ity resignation and filial affection. RULE XII. Nothing is so opposite to the true enjoyment of life as the relaxed and feeble state of an indolent mind. The more a man speaks of himself the less he likes to hear another talked of. Nothing more strongly inculcates resignation than the experience of our own inability to guide ourselves. The friendships of the world can subsist no longer than interest cements them. Expect no more from the world than it is able to afford you. RULE XIII. He who is a stranger to industry may possess but he cannot enjoy. Contrition though it may melt ought not to sink or overpower the heart of a Christian. The goods of this world were given to man for his occasional refreshment not for his chief felicity.. It is the province of superiors to direct of inferiors to obey; of the learned to be instructive of the ignorant to be docile; of the old to be communicative of the young to be attentive and diligent. Though unavoidable calamities make a part yet they make not the chief part of the vexations and sorrows that distress human life. An inquisitive and meddling spirit often interrupts the good order and breaks the peace of society. RULE XIV. Vice is not of such a nature that we can say to it Hitherto shalt thou come and no further." One of the noblest of the Christian virtues is "to love our enemies Many too confidently say to themselves " My mountain stands strong and it shall never be removed." We are strictly enjoined "not to follow a multitude to do evil." RULE XV. The gentle mind is like the smooth stream which reflects every object in its just proportion and in its fairest colours. Beware of those rash and dangerous connexions which may afterwards load thee with dishonour. Blind must that man be who discerns not the most striking marks of a Divine government exercised over the world. It is labour only which gives the relish to pleasure; |