OBS. 16.--On Rule 13th, concerning Poetry, it may be observed, that the principle applies only to regular versification, which is the common form, if not the distinguishing mark, of poetical composition. And, in this, the practice of beginning every line with a capital is almost universal; but I have seen some books in which it was whimsically disregarded. Such poetry as that of Macpherson's Ossian, or such as the common translation of the Psalms, is subjected neither to this rule, nor to the common laws of verse.
OBS. 17.--On Rule 14th, concerning Examples, Speeches, and Quotations, it may be observed, that the propriety of beginning these with a capital or otherwise, depends in some measure upon their form. One may suggest certain words by way of example, (as see, saw, seeing, seen,) and they will require no capital; or he may sometimes write one half of a sentence in his own words, and quote the other with the guillemets and no capital; but whatsoever is cited as being said with other relations of what is called person, requires something to distinguish it from the text into which it is woven. Thus Cobbett observes, that, "The French, in their Bible, say Le Verbe, where we say The Word."--E. Gram., p. 21. Cobbett says the whole of this; but he here refers one short phrase to the French nation, and an other to the English, not improperly beginning each with a capital, and further distinguishing them by Italics. Our common Bibles make no use of the quotation points, but rely solely upon capitals and the common points, to show where any particular speech begins or ends. In some instances, the insufficiency of these means is greatly felt, notwithstanding the extraordinary care of the original writers, in the use of introductory phrases. Murray says, "When a quotation is brought in obliquely after a comma, a capital is unnecessary: as, 'Solomon observes, "that pride goes before destruction."'"--Octavo Gram., p. 284. But, as the word 'that' belongs not to Solomon, and the next word begins his assertion, I think we ought to write it, "Solomon observes, that, 'Pride goeth before destruction.'" Or, if we do not mean to quote him literally, we may omit the guillemets, and say, "Solomon observes that pride goes before destruction."
IMPROPRIETIES FOR CORRECTION.
ERRORS RESPECTING CAPITALS.
[Fist][The improprieties in the following examples are to be corrected orally by the learner, according to the formules given, or according to others framed from them with such slight changes as the several quotations may require. A correct example will occasionally he admitted for the sake of contrast, or that the learner may see the quoted author's inconsistency. It will also serve as a block over which stupidity may stumble and wake up. But a full explanation of what is intended, will be afforded in the Key.]
UNDER RULE I.--OF BOOKS.
"Many a reader of the bible knows not who wrote the acts of the apostles."--G. B.
[FORMULE OF CORRECTION.--Not proper, because the words, bible, acts, and apostles, here begin with small letters. But, according to Rule 1st, "When particular books are mentioned by their names, the chief words in their titles begin with capitals, and the other letters are small." Therefore, "Bible" should begin with a capital B; and "Acts" and "Apostles," each with a large A.]
"The sons of Levi, the chief of the fathers, were written in the book of the chronicles."--SCOTT'S BIBLE: Neh., xii, 23. "Are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?"--SCOTT, ALGER: I Kings, xi, 41. "Are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?"--ALGER: 1 Kings, xxii, 39. "Are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"--SCOTT: ib., ver. 45. "Which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms."--SCOTT: Luke, xxiv, 44. "The narrative of which may be seen in Josephus's History of the Jewish wars."--Scott's Preface, p. ix. "This history of the Jewish war was Josephus's first work, and published about A. D. 75."--Note to Josephus. "'I have read,' says Photius, 'the chronology of Justus of Tiberias.'"--Ib., Jos. Life. "A philosophical grammar, written by James Harris, Esquire."--Murray's Gram., p. 34. "The reader is referred to Stroud's sketch of the slave laws."--Anti-Slavery Mag., i, 25. "But God has so made the bible that it interprets itself."--Ib., i, 78. "In 1562, with the help of Hopkins, he completed the psalter."--Music of Nature, p. 283. "Gardiner says this of Sternhold; of whom the universal biographical dictionary and the American encyclopedia affirm, that he died in 1549."--Author. "The title of a Book, to wit: 'English Grammar in familiar lectures,'" &c.--Kirkham's Gram., p. 2. "We had not, at that time, seen Mr. Kirkham's 'Grammar in familiar Lectures.'"--Ib., p. 3. "When you parse, you may spread the Compendium before you."--Ib., p. 53. "Whenever you parse, you may spread the compendium before you."--Ib., p. 113. "Adelung was the author of a grammatical and critical dictionary of the German language, and other works."--Univ. Biog. Dict. "Alley, William, author of 'the poor man's library,' and a translation of the Pentateuch, died in 1570."--Ib.
UNDER RULE II.--OF FIRST WORDS.
"Depart instantly: improve your time: forgive us our sins."--Murray's Gram., p. 61.
[FORMULE.--Not proper, because the words improve and forgive begin with small letters. But, according to Rule 2nd, "The first word of every distinct sentence should begin with a capital." Therefore, "Improve" should begin with a capital I; and "Forgive," with a capital F.]
EXAMPLES: "Gold is corrupting; the sea is green; a lion is bold."--Mur. Gram., p. 170; et al. Again: "It may rain; he may go or stay; he would walk; they should learn."--Ib., p. 64; et al. Again: "
