Your patrons, if (they are) not already dissatisfied, will soon become so.

Though (I am) not a prophet, I can easily foretell this man's fate. If you are not fond of wine, it may sometimes be beneficial; if you are (fond of wine), it will always be hurtful.

§ 189. A complex sentence may also be contracted by the abridgment of its dependent clause.

§ 190. A dependent clause is said to be abridged when it is converted into an infinitive or participial phrase, the finite verb becomes the infinitive or participle that constitutes the basis of the phrase, and the connective of the clause is omitted. Of course the infinitive or participle into which the finite verb is reduced may have modifying, complementary, or supplementary accompaniments, just as the verb has before its change.

Dependent clauses.

When no man pursueth

Because he is wasteful

*

EXAMPLES.

As the birds were sweetly singing
That you would speak distinctly.

Abridged phrases.

No man pursuing.

He being wasteful.

The birds sweetly singing
You to speak distinctly.

§ 191. It is a general rule, governing all abridgments, that if the subject of the dependent clause refers to the same person or thing as the subject of the leading clause, the dependent subject is dropped, being absorbed, as it were, in the leading subject.

§ 192. But if the subject of the dependent clause is dif ferent from that of the leading clause, it is generally

* In the abridgment this verb becomes absorbed in the participle.

retained, but changed in case. In the construction that is generally called the nominative absolute, however, the case is not changed, but the relation is.

§ 193. There are three cases or sorts of abridgment: 1. A substantive clause abridged to a participial substantive phrase;

2. An objective substantive clause abridged to an objective infinitive phrase;

3. An adverbial clause abridged to a participial phrase, or to a so-called absolute substantive phrase.

§ 194. I. A substantive clause, whose connective is the conjunction that, may be abridged by changing the verb into a participle corresponding in voice and tense, dropping the connective, and either omitting the subject, according to the foregoing rule, or else reducing it to the possessive case. Thus:

§ 195. II. An objective substantive clause may be abridged by changing the verb into an infinitive, cor

* Of is inserted because the verb hear is not used in its transitive sense.

responding in voice and tense, dropping the connective, and either omitting the dependent subject, or changing it into the objective, as the primary object of the verb Thus:

§ 196. III. An adverbial clause that states the occasion whereupon, the manner how, or the reason why, any event took place, may be abridged by changing its predicate verb into a corresponding participle, omitting the connective, and conforming to the general rule as to the retaining or dropping of the subject.

§ 197. If the subject is dropped, then the participle of the abridgment limits the subject of the leading verb. § 198. But if the subject is retained, it is apparently* separated from all syntactical connection with the leading clause, only limited by its own participle, and whatever modifier may accompany it. Thus:

*This is generally called the nominative absolute, but it is only apparently absolute.

When shame is lost, all virtue is lost.

If we have secured peace of mind,

we may smile at misfortune. If peace of mind has been se

cured, we may smile, etc. After the doors were shut, he came and stood in the midst.

Shame being lost, all virtue is lost.

Having secured peace of mind,

we may smile at misfortune. Peace of mind being secured, we may smile, etc.

The doors being shut, he came and stood in the midst.

EXERCISE.

Abridge the following complex sentences in any of the three modes that will suit:

They met daily that they might concert plans of opposition.

His favorite project was that he might make Scotland a republic. These sycophants well know that they deserve punishment.

Some persons may think that Burt was a man of vulgar and prosaical mind.

While they had a constant apprehension of danger, how could they enjoy the fine scenery?

The English then considered that the Highland Scotch were mere savages.

If this point is admitted, we proceed to the next argument. Since the conquest of Spain was their object, they left no means untried that they might effect a landing on the Peninsula.

When the summing up on both sides was completed, the judge proceeded to charge the jury.

As we were passing through the straits, we were detained by a dense fog.

Because some truths are difficult of comprehension, the weak reject them.

Johnson declared that wit consists in finding out resemblances.
If my reputation is utterly gone, what a wretch am I!

When this scheme was disclosed to the Helvetii, they compelled Orgetorix that he should plead his cause in chains.

As you were present, he would not tell all that he knew.

I believe that you are an impostor.

CHAPTER XIV.

PUNCTUATION.*

§ 199. Punctuation is the art of dividing written or printed discourse into certain larger or smaller portions by means of points or marks, in order that the relations of the words and clauses may be clearly seen, and their meaning readily understood.

§ 200. It is a common impression that points are intended as guides to the voice in oral reading. It is true that they serve this purpose incidentally: but their primary use has reference to the syntactical arrangement of the sentence, and the dependence of its component parts. The pupil must bear in mind that good enunciation or delivery requires many a pause where syntax does not recognize any break in the discourse; and sometimes a point is required where no pause should be made by the voice.

§ 201. Another general direction which the pupil must observe is the following: Never insert a point unless there is some rule requiring it, or unless it is necessary to prevent a misunderstanding of the sentence. Be guided by the rules, no matter how few or how many points they may require.

202. The art of Punctuation may be conveniently discussed under four general divisions, viz.:

1. Terminal Punctuation, which has reference to the end of sentences;

2. Interclausal Punctuation, which has reference to the separation of the clauses and members of sentences;

3. Interstitial Punctuation, which has reference to the more minute divisions of sentences;

4. Quotation Pointing.

*The teacher is cautioned against hurrying the pupils in this chapter.