PART IV.

PUNCTUATION.

CHAPTER I.

Containing applications of the Comma, disposed under. the particular Rules.

Grammar, p. 257. Exercises, p. 141.

RULE I

THE tear of repentance brings its own relief. Manhood is disgraced by the consequences of neglected youth.

Idleness is the great, fomenter of all corruptions. in the human heart.

A

It is honourable to be a friend to the unfortunate. All finery is a sign of littleness.

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 11.

Grammar, p. 258. Exercises, p. 142.

Gentleness is, in truth, the great avenue to mutual enjoyment.

Charity, like the sun, brightens all its objects.

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.
Advice should be seasonably administered.

RULE III.

Self-conceit, presumption, and obstinacy, blast the prospect of many a youth.

In our health, life, possessions, connexións, pleasures, there are causes of decay imperceptibly working.

Discomposed thoughts, agitated passions, and a ruffled temper, poison every pleasure of life.

Vicissitudes of good and evil, of trials and consolations, fill 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.

Grammar, p. 259. Exercises, p. 142.

An idle, trifling society is near akin 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 upon, 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 character.

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.

Grammar, p. 260. Exercises, p. 1441

This unhappy person had often been seriously, affectionately 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 improved 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 appearance 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 VIII.

Grammar, p. 260. Exercises, p. 144.

If, from any internal cause, a man's peace of mind. be disturbed, in vain we load him with riches or ho

nours.

Gentleness delights, above all things, to alleviate distress; and, if it cannot dry up the falling tear, to sooth 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 misfortunes.

Virtue abandoned, and conscience reproaching us, we become terrified with imaginary evils.