junction does not change the punctuation of the sentence. The repetition of the connective is called polysyndeton. The omission of the connective is called asyndeton.

c. Avoid the Splitting of Particles.-The separation of the preposition from its object is called the splitting of particles. The following is an example of this fault:

"The strength of our cause is not dependent upon, nor is to be decided by, any critical points of history."

The sentence should be arranged by placing the object with its modifying words after the first preposition, and a pronoun representing the object after the second preposition. Thus, "The strength of our cause is not dependent upon any critical points of history, nor is it to be decided by them."

EXERCISE.

Reconstruct the following sentences:

1. They are not disconnected with, nor independent of, the appropriate objects of observation and consciousness.

2. The stores of literature lie before him, and from which he may collect, for use, many lessons of wisdom.

3. About the time of Solon, the Athenian legislator, the custom is said to have been introduced, and which still prevails, of writing in lines from left to right.

4. Mr. Johnson offered his proposition first, and then Mr. Williams offered an objection, and then Mr. Johnson replied, and so the discussion kept up until all present were tired and wished it at an end.

5. Time is involved in, and given along with, the very idea of succession.

6. Has this word which represents an action, an object after it, and on which it terminates?

7. Some of the goods, and for which we paid the highest price, were damaged.

8. I had a conversation with, and found out a great deal about, him.

He walked past, but did not come into, the room. They are capable of, and placed in, different stations in ciety of mankind.

I have often spoken to you upon matters kindred to, or at te not distinctly connected with, my subject for Easter. It has taken the place of an instinctive living under, and e acquiescence in, the traditional.

A man who can pause in, or stand apart from, the rush man action may learn a great deal worth knowing.

The Misplacing of Important Words.-The importwords of a sentence should have prominent posi3. What these positions are depends somewhat on length of the sentence. It is necessary that the er should know, first, the subject of discourse in sentence, and, secondly, what is the principal thing about that subject. All other parts of the sentence properly subordinate to the subject and the predicate, these elements should, therefore, be so placed that may at once be apparent.

distinction must be made between the subject of ourse and the grammatical subject of the sentence. ally, the subject of discourse and the grammatical ject are the same, but not always. These same reks will apply with equal force to the predicate.

the following sentence from Pope, "On whatever side we template Homer, what principally strikes us is his wonderinvention," the subject of discourse is the word "inven," while the grammatical subject of the sentence is the -d "what."

n the following, however, both the grammatical subject and subject of discourse are the same: "The pleasures of imnation, taken in their full extent, are not so gross as those sense, nor so refined as those of the understanding."

course is near the beginning of the sentence, but there are many cases where the sentence is strengthened by putting the subject near the end. The sentence above quoted from Pope is a good example of this arrangement, which is known as inversion.

The word there used as an introductory word, and the word it used indefinitely, are the chief means used for producing inversion. Thus,

"There was a man sent of God, whose name was John." "It was Washington that was elected first President."

It is often of advantage to introduce the main thought by first disposing of a participial or abridged proposition. Thus,

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Having slept soundly during the night, the soldiers arose at daybreak and eagerly engaged the enemy in battle."

In like manner, clauses and phrases which modify the main subject may sometimes be placed before it.

The remarks here made with reference to the subject of thought apply in the main also to that which is said of the subject. The natural place, however, for the predicate is near the end of the sentence, but there are many cases of inversion where the sentence is thereby strengthened. Thus in the sentences

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted"; "Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

The Principal Words to be Distinct.-On this subject Blair writes as follows:

"In whatever part of the sentence we dispose of the capital words, it is always a point of great moment that these capital words shall stand clear and disentangled from any other words that would clog them. Thus, when there are any circumstances of time, place, or

other limitations which the principal object of the sentence requires to have connected with it, we must take especial care to dispose of them so as not to cloud that principal object, nor to bring it under a load of circumstances."

4. The Closing of a Sentence with an Insignificant Word. -As a general rule, a sentence should not end with a short or unemphatic word. The reason for this is that the mind naturally dwells upon the last word. Such short or unemphatic words as may be necessary to the structure of the sentence should be disposed of in less prominent places.

The most serious errors in violation of this rule are the closing of sentences

1. With Adverbs. Thus, "Such practices were not common formerly." Better, "Formerly, such practices were not common."

2. With Prepositions. Thus, "Which of the books can I find the sentence in?" Better, "In which of the books can I find the sentence?"

3. With the Word It.-A sentence should not end with the pronoun it following a preposition; as, with it, in it, etc. Thus, "You have announced the proposition very suddenly; I must have time to think on it." Better, "You have announced the proposition very suddenly; I must have time to give it some thought."

Exceptions.-1. When the adverb is emphatic, it may end a sentence, especially when used in contrast. Thus, in the sentence from Bolingbroke: "In their prosperity, my friends shall never hear of me; in their adversity, always."

2. Such complex verbs as was laughed at, were looked for, had set in, lay hold of, and the like, where the preposition becomes part of the verb, are exceptions to the rule; and where an equivalent cannot be found, it is allowable to end a sentence with any of these expressions.

EXERCISE.

Reconstruct the following so as to add to their strength:

1. I think it is the best book of the kind I have ever met with.

2. Prevention is, when an author starts an objection which he foresees may be made, and gives an answer to it. 3. I myself was a little inclined to visit her once. 4. The young man will, I fear, be discontented always. 5. Have you decided whom you will go with? 6. This is a town I should hardly like to live in. 7. I will come on Wednesday, perhaps.

to.

8. That is one thing that you cannot accuse me of.

9. Can you tell me what street the post-office is on?

10. I have not been able to determine where I shall remove

11. We should constantly aim at perfection, though we may have little hope of ever arriving at it.

12. We traveled toward the rainbow for some minutes, but we had little hopes of ever getting to it.

13. Life is a burden, and we find but little pleasure in it.

14. We shall have to decide this question in either one way or another ultimately.

5. Unbalanced Contrasts. When contrasts are drawn, a sentence is rendered more effective by making the construction of the contrasted members alike.

Thus, "Force was resisted by force; valor opposed by valor; and art encountered or eluded by similar address." Better, "Force was resisted by force, valor opposed by valor, and art encountered or eluded by art."

Pope draws some admirable parallels illustrating the force of this caution.

Much of the force of the writings of Junius also was due to the perfection of his contrasted sentences.