In the first of these two Sentences the Adjuncts chastity, fidelity, devotion, are connected with the Verb by the word instances in the same manner, and in effect make so many distinct Sentences: “how many instances have we of chastity? how many instances have we of fidelity? how many instances have we of devotion?” They must therefore be separated from one another by a Point. The same may be said of the Adjuncts “education of their children, &c” in the former part of the next Sentence: as likewise of the several Subjects, “the making of war, &c” in the latter part; which have in effect each their Verb; for each of these “is an atchievement by which men grow famous.”
As Sentences themselves are divided into Simple and Compounded, so the members of sentences may be divided likewise into Simple and Compounded members: for whole Sentences, whether Simple or Compounded, may become members of other Sentences by means of some additional connexion.
Simple members of Sentences closely connected together in one Compound member or sentence, are distinguished or separated by a Comma: as in the foregoing examples.
So likewise the Case Absolute; Nouns in Apposition, when consisting of many terms; the Participle with something depending on it; are to be distinguished by the Comma: for they may be resolved into Simple members.
When an address is made to a person, the Noun, answering to the Vocative Case in Latin, is distinguished by a Comma.
EXAMPLES.
“This said, He form’d thee, Adam; thee, O man,
Dust of the ground.”
“Now Morn, her rosy steps in th’ eastern clime
Advancing, sow’d the earth with orient pearl.”