Chapter IV: Front Matter (4)

Health Line commences at center of the Rascettes, takes an oblique course from Fate Line, ending toward Mount Mercury. If straight and well defined, there is little liability to constitutional diseases; when it does not extend to Head Line, steady mental labor cannot be performed; when it is broad and deep on Mount Mercury, diminishing as it enters the Life Line, death from heart disease is indicated; small lines cutting it denote sickness from biliousness. When joined to Heart Line, health and business are neglected for Love; if made up of short, fine lines, there is suffering from stomach catarrh; if it is checked by islands there is a constitutional tendency to lung disease.

Marriage Lines extend straight across Mount Mercury; if short, affairs of the heart without marriage are denoted. When near Heart Line early marriage is indicated; if it turns directly to Heart Line, marriage will occur between the ages of 16 and 21; if close to the top of the mount, marriage will not take place before the 35th year; if it curves upward it indicates a single life; when pronged and running toward the center or to Mount Mars, divorce will occur. If the end at this line droops the subject will outlive wife or husband; if broken, divorce is implied; if it ends in a cross, the wife or husband will die from an accident. A branch from this line upward implies a high position attained by marriage. A black spot on this line means widowhood.

Children's Lines are small and upright, extending from the end of Marriage Lines. If broad and well defined, males; if fine and narrow, females are indicated. A line of this order that is deep and well defined denotes prominence for that child.

Small Lines have a signification depending upon their position and number.

A single line on Jupiter signifies success; on Saturn, happiness; on Apollo, fame and talent.

Ascending small lines are favorable, while descending lines are unfavorable signs.

Several small lines on Mars indicate warfare constantly.

Cross lines, failure.

RIDDLES, OLD AND NEW.

Feet have they, but they walk not--stoves.

Eyes have they, but they see not--potatoes.

Noses have they, but they smell not--tea-pots.

Mouths have they, but they taste not--rivers.

Hands have they, but they handle not--clocks.

Ears have they, but they hear not--corn stalks.

Tongues have they, but they talk not--wagons.

What thing is that which is lengthened by being cut at both ends? A ditch.

Why do we all go to bed? Because the bed will not come to us.

Why Paris like the letter F? Because it is the capital of France.

In which month do ladies talk least? In February.

Why is a room full of married folks like an empty room? There is not a single person in it.

Why is a peach-stone like a regiment? It has a kernel (Colonel).

Why is an island like the letter T? Because it is in the midst of wa-t-er.

Why is a bee-hive like a spectator? Because it is a beeholder (beholder).

What is that which a train cannot move without, and yet is not the least use to it? A noise.

When is a man over head and ears in debt? When the hat he has on is not paid for.

Why is a man led astray like one governed by a girl? He is misled (miss-led).

Why is a Jew in a fever like a diamond? He is a Jew ill (jewel).

Why are fixed stars like pen, ink and paper? They are stationary (stationery).

What is that which is always invisible and never out of sight? The letter I.

Why is a cook like a barber? He dresses hare (hair).

Why is a waiter like a race horse? He often runs for a plate or a cup.

Why is a madman like two men? He is one beside himself.

Why is a good story like a church bell? It is often told (tolled).

What is the weight of the moon? Four quarters.

What sea would make the best bed-room? Adriatic (a-dry attic).

Why is Ireland likely to become rich? Because the capital is always Dublin (doubling).

What two letters make a county in Massachusetts? S. X. (Essex).

Why is a good saloon like a bad one? Both inn convenient

Why do dentists make good politicians? Because they have a great pull.

Why is the Hudson River like a shoe? Because it is a great place for tows (toes).

Why is a race at a circus like a big conflagration? Because the heat is in tents (intense).

Which is the left side of a plum pudding? The part that is not eaten.

Why is a man who runs in debt like a clock? He goes on tick.

Why is the wick of a candle like Athens? It is in the midst of grease (Greece).

Why are deep sighs like long stockings? Heigh-ho's (high hose).

What occupation is the sun? A tanner.

Why are your eyes like stage horses? They are always under lashes.

Why are your teeth like verbs? Regular, irregular and defective?

What word makes you sick if you leave out one of its letters? Music.

What word of ten letters can be spelled with five? Expediency (X P D N C).

Why should red-headed men be chosen for soldiers? They carry fire-locks.

Why is the letter D like a sailor? It follows the sea (C).

Why is a theological student like a merchant? Both study the Prophets (profits).

If the alphabet were invited out to dine what time would U, V, W, X, Y and Z go? After tea (T).

How can you take one from nineteen and leave twenty? XIX--XX

LAST WORDS OF FAMOUS MEN AND WOMEN.

"'Tis well."--George Washington.

"Tete d'armee."--Napoleon.

"I thank God that I have done my duty."--Admiral Nelson.

"I pray thee see me safe up, but for my coming down I can shift for myself," were the last words of Sir Thomas More when ascending the scaffold.

"God bless you."--Dr. Johnson.

"I have finished."--Hogarth.

"Dying, dying."--Thos. Hood.

"Drop the curtain, the farce is played out."--Rabelais.

"I am what I am. I am what I am."--Swift.

"I still live."--Daniel Webster.

"How grand these rays. They seem to beckon earth to heaven."--Humboldt.

"It is now time that we depart--I to die, you to live: but which is the better destination is unknown."--Socrates.

"Adieu, my dear Morand, I am dying."--Voltaire.

"My beautiful flowers, my lovely flowers."--Richter.

"James, take good care of the horse."--Winfield Scott.

"Many things are becoming clearer to me."--Schiller.

"I feel the daisies growing over me."--John Keats.

"What, is there no bribing death?"--Cardinal Beaufort.

"Taking a leap in the dark. O, mystery."--Thomas Paine.

"There is not a drop of blood on my hands."'--Frederick V.

"I am taking a fearful leap in the dark."--Thomas Hobbes.

"Don't let that awkward squad fire over my grave."--Burns.

"Here, veteran, if you think it right, strike."--Cicero.

"My days are past as a shadow that returns not."--R. Hooker.

"I thought that dying had been more difficult,"--Louis XIV.

"O Lord, forgive me specially my sins of omission."--Usher.

"Let me die to the sounds of delicious music."--Mirabeau.

"It is small, very small," alluding to her neck.--Anna Boleyn.

"Let me hear those notes so long my solace and delight."--Mozart.

"We are as near heaven by sea as by land,"--Sir Humphrey Gilbert.

"I do not sleep. I wish to meet death awake."--Maria Theresa.

"I resign my soul to God; my daughter to my country."--Jefferson.

TOASTS AND SENTIMENTS

Merit to gain a heart, and sense to keep it.

Money to him that has spirit to use it.

More friends and less need of them.

May those who deceive us be always deceived.

May the sword of justice be swayed by the hand of mercy.

May the brow of the brave never want a wreath of laurel.

May we be slaves to nothing but our duty, and friends to nothing but real merit.

May he that turns his back on his friend, fall into the hands of his enemy.

May honor be the commander when love takes the field.

May reason guide the helm when passion blows the gale.

May those who would enslave become slaves themselves.

May genius and merit never want a friend.

May the road of happiness be lighted by virtue.

May life last as long as it is worth wearing.

May we never murmur without a cause, and never have a cause to murmur.

May the eye that drops for the misfortunes of others never shed a tear for its own.

May the lovers of the fair sex never want means to support and spirit to defend them. May the tear of misery be dried by the hand of commiseration.

May the voyage of life end in the haven of happiness.

Provision to the unprovided.

Peace and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Riches to the generous, and power to the merciful.

Short shoes and long corns to the enemies of freedom.

Success to the lover, and joy to the beloved.

The life we love, with whom we love.

The friend we love, and the woman we dare trust.

The union of two fond hearts.

The lovers of honor, and honorable lovers.

The unity of hearts in the union of hands.

The liberty of the press without licentiousness.

The virtuous fair, and the fair virtuous.

The road to honor through the plains of virtue.

The hero of Saratoga--may his memory animate the breast of every American.

The American's triumvirate, love, honor and liberty.

The memory of Washington.

May the example of the new world regenerate the old.

Wit without virulence, wine without excess, and wisdom without affectation.

What charms, arms and disarms.

Home pleasant, and our friends at home.

Woman--She needs no eulogy, she speaks for herself.

Friendship--May its lamp ever be supplied by the oil of truth and fidelity.

The American Navy--May it ever sail on the sea of glory.

May those who are discontented with their own country leave their country for their country's good.

Discretion in speech is more than eloquence. May we always remember these three things: The manner, the place and the time.

Here's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate,
And whatever sky's above me,
Here's a heart for every fate.
Were't the last drop in the well,
As I gasped upon the brink,
Ere my fainting spirit fell,
'Tis to thee that I would drink.
--Byron.

Caddy's Toast in "Erminie"--'Ere's to the 'ealth o' your Royal 'Ighness; hand may the skin o' ha gooseberry be big enough for han humbrella to cover hall your enemies."

Here's to the girl I love,
And here's to the girl who loves me,
And here's to all that love her whom I love,
And all those that love her who love me.

I will drink to the woman who wrought my woe,
In the diamond morning of long ago;
To the splendor, caught from Orient skies,
That thrilled in the dark of her hazel eyes,
Her large eyes filled with the fire of the south,
And the dewy wine of her warm red mouth.
--Winter.

May those that are single get wives to their mind, And those that are married true happiness find.

Here's a health to me and mine, Not forgetting thee and thine; And when thou and thine Come to see me and mine, May we and mine make thee and thine As welcome as thou and thine Have ever made me and mine.

Industry.--The right hand of fortune, the grave of care, and the cradle of content.

Here's to the prettiest, Here's to the wittiest, Here's to the truest of all who are true. Here's to the sweetest one, Here's to them all in one--here's to you.

Our Country.--May she always be in the right--but, right or wrong, Our Country.-- Stephen Decatur.

Here's to our sweethearts and our wives. May our sweethearts soon become our wives and our wives ever remain our sweethearts.

Here's to the girls of the American shore;
I love but one, I love no mare.
Since she's not here to drink her part,
I drink her share with all my heart.

Here's to one and only one,
And may that one be she
Who loves but one and only one,
And may that one be me.

A glass is good and a lass is good,
And a pipe to smoke in cold weather.
The world is good and the people are good,
And we're all good fellows together.

Yesterday's yesterday while to-day's here, To-day is to-day till to-morrow appear, To-marrow's to-morrow until to-day's past, And kisses are kisses as long as they last.

Our Country.--
To her we drink, for her we pray,
Our voices silent never;
For her we'll fight, come what may;
The Stars and Stripes forever.

Woman.--The fairest work of the great Author; the edition is large, and no man should be without a copy.

Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge thee mine;
Or leave a kiss within the cup,
And I'll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove's nectar sip,
I would not change from thine.
--Ben Jonson.

Drink to-day and drown all sorrow; You shall perhaps not do't to-morrow; Best while you have it, use your breath; There is no drinking after death. --Beaumont and Fletcher.

Home.--The father's kingdom; the child's paradise; the mother's world.

Here's to those I love; Here's to those who love me; Here's to those who love those I love, And here's to those who love those who love those who love me. --Ouida's Favorite Toast.

A little health, a little wealth,
A little house and freedom,
With some friends for certain ends,
But little cause to need 'em.

Here's to the lasses we've loved, my lad, Here's to the lips we've pressed; For of kisses and lasses, Like liquor in glasses, The last is always the best.

Come in the evening, come in the morning, Come when you're looked for, come without warning.

Here's to a long life and a merry one, A quick death and an easy one, A pretty girl and a true one, A cold bottle and another one.

The Man We Love.--He who thinks the most and speaks the least ill of his neighbor.

False Friends.--May we never have friends who, like shadows, keep close to us in the sunshine only to desert us on a cloudy day or in the night.

Here's to those who'd love us if we only cared. Here's to those we'd love if we only dared.

Here's to one another and one other, whoever he or she may be.

The world is filled with flowers,
And flowers are filled with dew,
And dew is filled with love
And you and you and you.

Here's to you as good as you are,
And to me as bad as I am;
And as good as you are and as bad as I am,
I'm as good as you are as bad as I am.

The Law.--The only thing certain about litigation is its uncertainty.

The Lawyer--Learned gentleman, who rescues your estate from your enemies and keeps it for himself.

A Spreadeagle Toast.--The boundaries of our country: East, by the rising sun; north, by the north pole; west by all creation; and south, by the day of judgment.

When going up the bill of prosperity may you never meet a friend coming down.

May the hinges of friendship never grow rusty.

Come, come, good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well used.--Shakespeare.

Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights by my side in the cause of mankind whether our creeds agree?

May all single men be married, and all married men be happy.

Our Country's Emblem:--
The lily of France may fade,
The thistle and shamrock wither,
The oak of England may decay,
But the stars shine on forever.

The Good Things of the World.--Parsons are preaching for them, lawyers are pleading for them, physicians are prescribing for them, authors are writing for them, soldiers are fighting for them, but true philosophers alone are enjoying them.

My life has been like sunny skies
When they are fair to view;
But there never yet were lives or skies
Clouds might not wander through.

The Three Great American Generals.--General Peace, General Prosperity and General Satisfaction.

America.--
Our hearts, our hopes are all with thee,
Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears,
Our faith triumphant o'er our fears,
Are all with thee, are all with thee.

Our National Birds.--The American Eagle, the Thanksgiving Turkey: may one give us peace in all our States--and the other a piece for all our plates.

OPPORTUNITY.

Master of human destinies am I. Fame, Love and Fortune on my footsteps wait. Cities and fields I walk; I penetrate Deserts and seas remote, and, passing by Hovel, and mart, and palace, soon or late I knock unbidden once at every gate! If sleeping, wake--if feasting, rise before I turn away. It is the hour of fate, And they who follow me reach every state Mortals desire, and conquer every foe Condemned to failure, penury, and woe. Save death; but those who doubt or hesitate, Seek me in vain and uselessly implore: I answer not, and I return no more. --John J. Ingalls.

A health to Our Dearest.--May their purses always be heavy and their hearts always light.

An Irishman's Toast.--
Here's to the land of the shamrock so green,
Here's to each lad and his darling colleen,
Here's to the ones we love dearest and most.
And may God save old Ireland--that's an Irishman's toast.

Here's a health to the future,
A sigh for the past.
We can love and remember,
And hope to the last,
And for all the base lies
That the almanacs hold.
While there's love in the heart,
We can never grow old.

Some hae meat and canna' eat,
And some wad eat who want it;
But we hae meat and we can eat,
So let the Lord be thankit.
--Burns.

A little health, a little wealth,
A little house and freedom,
With some few friends for certain ends,
But little cause to need 'em.

If I were a raindrop and you a leaf,
I would burst from the cloud above you,
And lie on your breast in a rapture of rest,
And love you--love you--love you.

If I were a brown bee and you were a rose,
I would fly to you, love, nor miss you;
I would sip and sip from your nectared lip,
And kiss you--kiss you--kiss you.
--Ella Wheeler Wilcox, in Three Women.

Strange--is it not?--that of the myriads who Before us passed the door of darkness through, Not one returns to tell us of the road, Which to discover, we must travel too? --Omar.

Away with the flimsy idea that life with a past is attended. There's now--only now--and no past. There's never a past; it has ended. Away with the obsolete story and all of its yesterday sorrow! There's only Today, almost gone, and in front of Today stands Tomorrow. --Eugene Ware.

God made man
Frail as a bubble;
God made Love,
Love made trouble;
God made the vine;
Was it a sin
That man made wine
To drown trouble in?

"My character may be my own, but my reputation belongs to any old body that enjoys gossiping more than telling the truth."

May your joy be as deep as the ocean, Your trouble as light as its foam.

The man that has no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night, And his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted. Mark the music. --Shakespeare.

See the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower would be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?
--Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Jest a-wearyin' for you, All the time a-feelin' blue; Wishin' for you, wonderin' when You'll be comin' home again; Restless--don't know what to do-- Jest a-wearyin' for you. --Frank Stanton.

Here's to Love, the worker of miracles. He strengthens the weak and weakens the strong; he turns wise men into fools and fools into wise men; he feeds the passions and destroys reason, and plays havoc among young and old! --Marguerite de Valois.

"Good Bye, God Bless You."

I like the Anglo--Saxon speech
With its direct revealings;
It takes a hold, and seems to reach
Way down into our feelings
That Some folks deem it rude, I know,
And therefore they abuse it;
But I have never found it so--
Before all else I choose it.
I don't object that men should air
The Gallic they have paid for,
With "Au revoir," "Adieu, ma chere,"
For that's what French was made for.
But when a crony takes your hand
At parting to address you,
He drops all foreign lingo and
He says, "Good--bye, God bless you."
--Eugene Field.

LANGUAGE OF PRECIOUS STONES.

The ancients attributed marvelous properties to many of the precious stones. We give in tabular form the different months and the stones sacred to them, as generally accepted, with their respective meanings. It has been customary among lovers and friends to notice the significance attached to the various stones in making birthday, engagement and wedding presents.

January, Garnet.--Constancy and fidelity in every engagement.

February, Amethyst--Preventive against violent passions.

March, Bloodstone--Courage, wisdom and firmness in affection.

April, Sapphire--Free from enchantment; denotes repentance.

May, Emerald--Discovers false friends, and insures true love.

June, Agate--Insures long life, health and prosperity.

July, Ruby--Discovers poison; corrects evils resulting from mistaken friendship.

August, Sardonyx--Insures conjugal felicity.

September, Chrysolite--Free from all evil passions and sadness of the mind.

October, Opal--Denotes hope, and sharpens the sight and faith of the possessor.

November, Topaz--Fidelity and friendship. Prevents bad dreams.

December, Turquoise--Prosperity in love.

Tiffany's list of birth stones is somewhat different from the above and is given below:

Birth Stones. (As given by Tiffany & Co.)

January--Garnet.

February--Amethyst, hyacinth, pearl.

March--Jasper, bloodstone.

April--Diamond, sapphire.

May--Emerald, agate.

June--Cat's-eye, turquoise, agate.

July--Turquoise, onyx.

August--Sardonyx, carnelian, moonstone, topaz.

September--Chrysolite.

October--Beryl, opal.

November--Topaz, pearl.

December--Ruby, bloodstone.

GRAMMAR-SPELLING-PRONUNCIATION

Five Hundred Common Errors Corrected

Concise Rules for the Proper Use of Words in Writing or Speaking.

The most objectionable errors in speaking or writing are those in which words are employed that are unsuitable to convey the meaning intended. Thus, a person wishing to express his intention of going to a given place says, "I propose going," when, in fact, he purposes going. The following affords an amusing illustration of this class of error: A venerable matron was speaking of her son, who, she said, was quite stage-struck: "In fact," remarked the old lady, "he is going to a premature performance this evening!" Considering that most amateur performances are premature, it cannot be said that this word was altogether misapplied, though, evidently, the maternal intention was to convey quite another meaning.

Other errors arise from the substitution of sounds similar to the words which should be employed; that is, spurious words instead of genuine ones. Thus, some people say "renumerative," when they mean "remunerative." A nurse, recommending her mistress to have a perambulator for her child, advised her to purchase a preamputator!

Other errors are occasioned by imperfect knowledge of English grammar; thus, many people say, "Between you and I," instead of "Between you and me." And there are numerous other departures from the rules of grammar, which will be pointed out hereafter.

Misuse of the Adjective--"What beautiful butter!" "What a nice landscape!" They should say, "What a beautiful landscape!" "What nice butter!" Again, errors are frequently occasioned by the following causes:

Mispronunciation of Words--Many persons say pronoun-ciation instead of pronunciation; others say pro-nun-ce-a-shun, instead of pro-nun-she-a-shun.

Misdivision of Words and Syllables--This defect makes the words an ambassador sound like a nambassador, or an adder like a nadder.

Imperfect Enunciation--As when a person says hebben for heaven, ebber for ever, jocholate for chocolate.

To correct these errors by a systematic course of study would involve a closer application than most persons could afford, but the simple and concise rules and hints here given, founded upon usage and the authority of scholars, will be of great assistance to inquirers.

ENGLISH GRAMMAR IN A NUTSHELL.

Who and whom are used in relation to persons, and which in relation to things. But it was once common to say, "the man which." This should now be avoided. It is now usual to say, "Our Father who art in heaven," instead of "which art in heaven."

Whose is, however, sometimes applied to things as well as to persons. We may therefore say, "The country whose inhabitants are free."

Thou is employed in solemn discourse, and you in common language. Ye (plural) is also used in serious addresses, and you in familiar language.

The uses of the word it are various, and very perplexing to the uneducated. It is not only used to imply persons, but things, and even ideas, and therefore in speaking or writing, its assistance is constantly required. The perplexity respecting this word arises from the fact that in using it in the construction of a long sentence, sufficient care is not taken to insure that when it is employed it really points out or refers to the object intended. For instance, "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to market, and he was delayed so long that it was over before he arrived." Now what is to be understood by this sentence: Was the rain over? or the market? Either or both might be inferred from the construction of the sentence, which, therefore, should be written thus: "It was raining when John set out in his cart to go to market, and he was delayed so long that the market was over before he arrived."

Rule--After writing a sentence always look through it, and see that wherever the word it is employed, it refers to or carries the mind back to the object which it is intended to point out.

The general distinction between this and that may be thus defined: this denotes an object present or near, in time or place; that something which is absent.

These refers, in the same manner, to present objects, while those refers to things that are remote.

Who changes, under certain conditions, into whose and whom; but that and which always remain the same, with the exception of the possessive case, as noted above.

That may be applied to nouns or subjects of all sorts; as, the girl that went to school, the dog that bit me, the opinion that he entertains.

The misuse of these pronouns gives rise to more errors in speaking and writing than any other cause.

When you wish to distinguish between two or more persons, say: "Which is the happy man?" not who--"Which of those ladies to you admire?"

Instead of "Whom do you think him to be?" say, "Who do you think him to be?"

Whom should I see.

To whom do you speak?

Who said so?

Who gave it to you?

Of whom did you procure them?

Who was he?

Who do men say that I am?

Self should never be added to his, their, mine or thine.

Each is used to denote every individual of a number.

Every denotes all the individuals of a number.

Either and or denote an alternative: "I will take either road, at your pleasure;" "I will take this or that."

Neither means not either, and nor means not the other. Either is sometimes used for each--"Two thieves were crucified, on either side one."

"Let each esteem others as good as themselves," should be, "Let each esteem others as good as himself."

"There are bodies each of which are so small," should be, "each of which is so small."

Do not use double superlatives, such as most straightest, most highest, most finest.

The term worser has gone out of use; but lesser is stilt retained.

The use of such words as chiefest, extreamest, etc., has become obsolete, because they do not give any superior force to the meanings of the primary words, chief, extreme, etc.

Such expressions as more impossible, more indispensable, more universal, more uncontrollable, more unlimited, etc., are objectionable, as they really enfeeble the meaning which it is the object of the speaker or writer to strengthen. For instance, impossible gains no strength by rendering it more impossible. This class of error is common with persons who say, "A great large house," "A great big animal," "A little small foot," "A tiny little hand."

Here, there and where, originally denoting place, may now, by common consent, be used to denote other meanings, such as, "There I agree with you," "Where we differ," "We find pain where we expected pleasure," "Here you mistake me."

Hence, whence and thence, denoting departure, etc., may be used without the word from. The idea of from is included in the word whence--therefore it is unnecessary to say "From whence."

Hither, thither and whither, denoting to a place, have generally been superseded by here, there and where. But there is no good reason why they should not be employed. If, however, they are used, it is unnecessary to add the word to, because that is implied--"Whither are you going?" "Where are you going?" Each of these sentences is complete. To say, "Where are you going to?" is redundant.

Two negatives destroy each other, and produce an affirmative. "Nor did he not observe them," conveys the idea that he did observe them.

But negative assertions are allowable. "His manners are not impolite," which implies that his manners are in some degree marked by politeness.

Instead of "Let you and I." say "Let you and me."

Instead of "I am not so tall as him," say "I am not so tall as he."

When asked "Who is there?" do not answer "Me," but "I,"

Instead of "For you and I," say "For you and me."

Instead of "Says I," say "I said."

Instead of "You are taller than me," say "You are taller than I."

Instead of "I ain't," or "I arn't," say "I am not."

Instead of "Whether I be present or no," say "Whether I be present or not."

For "Not that I know on,"' say "Not that I know."

Instead of "Was I to do so," say "Were I to do so."

Instead of "I would do the same if I was him," say "I would do the same if I were he."

Instead of "I had as lief go myself," say "I would as soon go myself," or "I would rather."

It is better to say "Six weeks ago" than "Six weeks back."

It is better to say "Since which time," than "Since when,"

It is better to say "I repeated it," than "I said so over again."

Instead of "He was too young to have suffered much," say "He was too young to suffer much."

Instead of "Less friends," say "Fewer friends." Less refers to quantity.

Instead of "A quantity of people," say "A number of people."

Instead of "He and they we know," say "Him and them."

Instead of "As far as I can see," say "So far as I can see."

Instead of "A new pair of gloves," say "A pair of new gloves."

Instead of "I hope you'll think nothing on it," say "I hope you'll think nothing of it."

Instead of "Restore it back to me," say "Restore it to me."

Instead of "I suspect the veracity of his story," say "I doubt the truth of his story."

Instead of "I seldom or ever see him," say "I seldom see him."

Instead of "I expected to have found him," say "1 expected to find him."

Instead of "Who learns you music?" say "Who teaches you music?"

Instead of "I never sing whenever I can help it," say "I never sing when I can help it."

Instead of "Before I do that I must first ask leave," say "Before I do that I must ask leave."

Instead of saying "The observation of the rule," say "The observance of the rule,"

Instead of "A man of eighty years of age," say "A man eighty years old."

Instead of "Here lays his honored head," say "Here lies his honored head."

Instead of "He died from negligence," say "He died through neglect," or "in consequence of neglect."

Instead of "Apples are plenty," say "Apples are plentiful."

Instead of "The latter end of the year," say "The end, or the close, of the year."

Instead of "The then government," say "The government of that age, or century, or year, or time."

Instead of "A couple of chairs," say "Two chairs."

Instead of "They are united together in the bonds of matrimony," say "They are united in matrimony," or "They are married," '.

Instead of "We travel slow," say "We travel slowly."

Instead of "He plunged down into the river," say "He plunged into the river."

Instead of "He jumped from off the scaffolding," say "He jumped off the scaffolding."

Instead of "He came the last of all," say "He came the last."

Instead of "universal," with reference to things that have any limit, say "general," "generally approved," instead of "universally approved," "generally beloved," instead of "universally beloved."

Instead of "They ruined one another," say "They ruined each other,"

Instead of "If in case I succeed," say "If I succeed."

Instead of "A large enough room," say "A room large enough."

Instead of "I am slight in comparison to you," say "I am slight in comparison with you."

Instead of "I went for to see him," say "I went to see him."

Instead of "The cake is all eat up," say "The cake is all eaten."

Instead of "Handsome is as handsome does," say "Handsome is who handsome does."

Instead of "The book fell on the floor," say "The book fell to the floor."

Instead of "His opinions are approved of by all," say "His opinions are approved by all."

Instead of "I will add one more argument," say "I will add one argument more," or "another argument."

Instead of "A sad curse is war," say "War is a sad curse."

Instead of "He stands six foot high," say "He measures six feet," or "His height is six feet."

Instead of "I go every now and then," say "I go sometimes (or often)."

Instead of "Who finds him in clothes," say "Who provides him with clothes."

Say "The first two," and "the last two" instead of "the two first" "the two last."

Instead of "His health was drank with enthusiasm," say "His health was drunk enthusiastically."

Instead of "Except I am prevented," say "Unless I am prevented."

Instead of "In its primary sense," say "In its primitive sense."

Instead of "It grieves me to see you," say "I am grieved to see you."

Instead of "Give me them papers," say "Give me those papers."

Instead of "Those papers I hold in my hand," say "These papers I hold in my hand."

Instead of "I could scarcely imagine but what," say "I could scarcely imagine that."

Instead of "He was a man notorious for his benevolence," say "He was noted for his benevolence."

Instead of "She was a woman celebrated for her crimes," say "She was notorious on account of her crimes."

Instead of "What may your name be?" say "What is your name?"

Instead of "I lifted it up," say "I lifted it."

Instead of "It is equally of the same value," say "It is of the same value," or "equal value."

Instead of "I knew it previous to your telling me," say "I knew it previously to your telling me."

Instead of "You was out when I called," say "You were out when I called."

Instead of "I thought I should have won this game," say "I thought I should win this game."

Instead of "This much is certain," say "Thus much is certain," or "So much is certain."

Instead of "He went away as it may be yesterday week," say "He went away yesterday week."

Instead of "He came the Saturday as it may be before the Monday," specify the Saturday on which he came.

Instead of "Put your watch in your pocket," say "Put your watch into your pocket."

Instead of "He has got riches," say "He has riches."

Instead of "Will you set down?" say "Will you sit down?"

Instead of "No thankee," say "No, thank you."

Instead of "I cannot do it without farther means," say "I cannot do it without further means."

Instead of "No sooner but," or "No other but," say "than."

Instead of "Nobody else but her," say "Nobody but her."

Instead of "He fell down from the balloon," say "He fell from the balloon."

Instead of "He rose up from the ground," say "He rose from the ground."

Instead of "These kind of oranges are not good," say "This kind of oranges is not good."

Instead of "Somehow or another," say "Somehow or other."

Instead of "Will I give you some more tea?" say "Shall I give you some more tea?"

Instead of "Oh, dear, what will I do?" say "Oh, dear, what shall I do?"

Instead of "I think indifferent of it," say "I think indifferently of it."

Instead of "I will send it conformable to your orders," say "I will send it conformably to your orders."

Instead of "To be given away gratis," say "To be given away."

Instead of "Will you enter in?" say "Will you enter?"

Instead of "This three days or more," say "These three days or more."

Instead of "He is a bad grammarian," say "He is not a grammarian."

Instead of "We accuse him for." say "We accuse him of."

Instead of "We acquit him from," say "We acquit him of."

Instead of "I am averse from that," say "I am averse to that."

Instead of "I confide on you," say "I confide in you."

Instead of "As soon as ever." say "As soon as."

Instead of "The very best," or "The very worst," say "The best or the worst."

Avoid such phrases as "No great shakes," "Nothing to boast of," "Down in my boots," "Suffering from the blues." All such sentences indicate vulgarity.

Instead of "No one hasn't called," say "No one has called."

Instead of "You have a right to pay me," say "It is right that you should pay me."

Instead of "I am going over the bridge," say "I am going across the bridge."

Instead of "I should just think I could," say "I think I can."

Instead of "There has been a good deal," say "There has been much."

Instead of "The effort you are making for meeting the bill," say "The effort you are making to meet the bill."

To say "Do not give him no more of your money," is equivalent to saying "Give him some of your money." Say "Do not give him any of your money."

Instead of saying "They are not what nature designed them," say "They are not what nature designed them to be."

Instead of saying "I had not the pleasure of hearing his sentiments when I wrote that letter," say "I had not the pleasure of having heard," etc.

Instead of "The quality of the apples were good," say "The quality of the apples was good."

Instead of "The want of learning, courage and energy are more visible," say "is more visible."

Instead of "We die for want," say "We die of want."

Instead of "He died by fever," say "He died of fever."

Instead of "I enjoy bad health," say "My health is not good."

Instead of "Either of the three," say "Any one of the three."

Instead of "Better nor that," say "Better than that."

Instead of "We often think on you," say "We often think of you."

Instead of "Mine is so good as yours," say "Mine is as good as yours."

Instead of "This town is not as large as we thought," say "This town is not so large as we thought."

Instead of "Because why?" say "Why?"

Instead of "That there boy," say "That boy."

Instead of "The subject-matter of debate," say "The subject of debate."

Instead of saying "When he was come back," say "When he had come back."

Instead of saying "His health has been shook," say "His health has been shaken."

Instead of saying "It was spoke in my presence," say "It was spoken in my presence."

Instead of "Very right," or "Very wrong," say "Right" or "Wrong."

Instead of "The mortgagor paid him the money," say "The mortgagee paid him the money." The mortgagee lends; the mortgagor borrows.

Instead of "I took you to be another person," say "I mistook you for another person."

Instead of "On either side of the river," say "On each side of the river."

Instead of "There's fifty," say "There are fifty."

Instead of "The best of the two" say "The better of the two,"

Instead of "My clothes have become too small for me" say "I have grown too stout for my clothes."

Instead of "Two spoonsful of physic," say "Two spoonfuls of physic."

Instead of "She said, says she," say "She said."

Avoid such phrases as "I said, says I," "Thinks I to myself," etc.

Instead of "I don't think so," say "I think not."

Instead of "He was in eminent danger," say "He was in imminent danger."

Instead of "The weather is hot," say "The weather is very warm."

Instead of "I sweat," say "I perspire."

Instead of "I only want two dollars," say "I want only two dollars."

Instead of "Whatsomever," say "Whatever," or "Whatsoever."

Avoid such exclamations as "God bless me!" "God deliver me!" "By God!" "By Gosh!" "Holy Lord!" "Upon my soul!" etc., which are vulgar on the one hand, and savor of impiety all the other, for--"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain."

ACCENT AND PRONUNCIATION.

Accent is a particular stress or force of the voice upon certain syllables or words. This mark in printing denotes the syllable upon which the stress or force of the voice should be placed.

A word may have more than one accent. Take as an instance aspiration. In uttering the word we give a marked emphasis of the voice upon the first and third syllables, and therefore those syllables are said to be accented. The first of these accents is less distinguishable than the second, upon which we dwell longer; therefore the second accent in point of order is called the primary, or chief accent of the word.

When the full accent falls on a vowel, that vowel should have a long sound, as in vo'cal; but when it falls on or after a consonant, the preceding vowel has a short sound, as in hab'it.

To obtain a good knowledge of pronunciation it is advisable for the reader to listen to the examples given by good speakers, and by educated persons. We learn the pronunciation of words, to a great extent, by imitation, just as birds acquire the notes of other birds which may be near them.

But it will be very important to bear in mind that there are many words having a double meaning or application, and that the difference of meaning is indicated by the difference of the accent, Among these words, nouns are distinguished from verbs by this means: nouns are mostly accented on the first syllabic, and verbs on the last.

Noun signifies name; nouns are the names of persons and things, as well as of things not material and palpable, but of which we have a conception and knowledge, such as courage, firmness, goodness, strength; and verbs express actions, movements, etc. If the word used signifies has been done, or is being done, or is, or is to be done, then that word is a verb.

Thus when we say that anything is "an in'sult," that word is a noun, and is accented all the first syllable; but when we say he did it "to insult' another person," that word insult' implies acting, and becomes a verb, and should be accented on the last syllable.

Simple Rules of Pronunciation.

C before a, o and u, and in some other situations, is a close articulation, like k. Before e, i and y, c is precisely equivalent to s in same, this; as in cedar, civil, cypress, capacity.

E final indicates that the preceding vowel is long; as in hate, mete, sire, robe, lyre, abate, recede, invite, remote, intrude.

E final indicates that c preceding has the sound of s; as in lace, lance, and that g preceding has the sound of j, as in charge, page, challenge.

E final in proper English words never forms a syllable, and in the most used words in the terminating unaccented syllables it is silent. Thus, motive, genuine, examine, granite, are pronounced motiv, genuin, examin, granit.

E final, in a few words of foreign origin, forms a syllable; as syncope, simile.

E final is silent after l in the following terminations: ble, cle, dle, fle, gle, kle, ple, tle, zle; as in able, manacle, cradle, ruffle, mangle, wrinkle, supple, rattle, puzzle, which are pronounced a'bl, mana'cl, cra'dl, ruf'fl, man'gl, wrin'kl, sup'pl, puz'zl.

E is usually silent in the termination en; as in taken, broken; pronounced takn, brokn. OUS, in the termination of adjectives and their derivatives, is pronounced us; as is gracious, pious, pompously.

CE, CI, TI, before a vowel, have the sound of sh; as in cetaceous, gracious, motion, partial, ingratiate; pronounced cetashus, grashus, moshun, parshal, ingrashiate.

SI, after an accented vowel, is pronounced like zh; as in Ephesian, coufusion; pronounced Ephezhan, confushon.

GH, both in the middle and at the end of words is silent; as in caught, bought, fright, nigh, sigh; pronounced caut, baut, frite, ni, si. In the following exceptions, however, gh is pronounced as f: cough, chough, clough, enough, laugh, rough, slough, tough, trough.

When WH begins a word, the aspirate h precedes w in pronunciation: as in what, whiff, whale; pronounced hwat, hwiff, hwale, w having precisely the sound of oo, French ou. In the following words w is silent:---who, whom, whose, whoop, whole.

H after r has no sound or use; as in rheum, rhyme; pronounced reum, ryme.

H should be sounded in the middle of words; as in forehead, abhor, behold, exhaust, inhabit, unhorse.

H should always be sounded except in the following words:--heir, herb, honest, honor, hour, humor, and humble, and all their derivatives,--such as humorously, derived from humor.

K and G are silent before n; as know, gnaw; pronounced no, naw.

W before r is silent; as in wring, wreath; pronounced ring, reath.

B after m is silent; as in dumb, numb; pronounced dum, num.

L before k is silent; as in balk, walk, talk; pronounced bauk, wauk, tauk.

PH has the sound of f; as in philosophy; pronounced filosofy.

NG has two sounds, one as in singer, the other as in fin-ger.

N after m, and closing a syllable, is silent; as in hymn, condemn.

P before s and t is mute; as in psalm, pseudo, ptarmigan; pronounced salm, sudo, tarmigan.

R has two sounds, one strong and vibrating, as at the beginning of words and syllables, such as robber, reckon, error; the other is at the termination of the words, or when succeeded by a consonant, as farmer, morn.

Common Errors in Pronunciation.

--ace, is not iss, as furnace, not furniss.

--age, not idge, as cabbage, courage, postage, village.

--ain, ane, not in, as certain, certane, not certin.

--ate, not it, as moderate, not moderit.

--ect, not ec, as aspect, not aspec; subject, not subjec.

--ed, not id, or ud, as wicked, not wickid or wickud.

--el, not l, model, not modl; novel, not novl.

--en, not n, as sudden, not suddn.--Burden, burthen, garden, lengthen, seven, strengthen, often, and a few others, have the e silent.

--ence, not unce, as influence, not influ-unce.

--es, not is, as pleases, not pleasis.

--ile should be pronounced il, as fertil, not fertile, in all words except chamomile (cam), exile, gentile, infantile, reconcile, and senile, which should be pronounced ile.

--in, not n, as Latin, not Latn.

--nd, not n, as husband, not husban; thousand, not thousan.

--ness, not niss, as carefulness, not carefulniss.

--ng, not n, as singing, not singin; speaking, not speakin.

--ngth, not nth, as strength, not strenth.

--son, the o should be silent; as in treason, tre-zn, not tre-son.

--tal, not tle, as capital, not capitle; metal, not mettle; mortal, not mortle; periodical, not periodicle.

--xt, not x, as next, not nex.

SHORT RULES FOR SPELLING.

Words ending in e drop that letter on taking a suffix beginning with a vowel. Exceptions--words ending in ge, ce, or oe.

Final e of a primitive word is retained on taking a suffix beginning with a consonant. Exceptions--words ending in dge, and truly, duly, etc.

Final y of a primitive word, when preceded by a consonant, is generally changed into i on the addition of a suffix. Exceptions--retained before ing and ish, as pitying. Words ending in ie and dropping the e by Rule 1, change the i to y, as lying. Final y is sometimes changed to e, as duteous.

Nouns ending in y, preceded by a vowel, form their plural by adding s; o as money, moneys. Y preceded by a consonant is changed to ies in the plural; as bounty, bounties.

Final y of a primitive vowel, preceded by a vowel, should not be changed into i before a suffix; as, joyless.

In words containing ei or ie, ei is used after the sound s, as ceiling, seize, except in siege and in a few words ending in cier. Inveigle, neither, leisure and weird also have ei. In other cases ie is used, as in believe, achieve.

Words ending in ceous or cious, when relating to matter, end in ceous; all others in cious.

Words of one syllable, ending in a consonant; with a single vowel before it, double the consonant in derivatives; as, ship, shipping, etc. But if ending in a consonant with a double vowel before it, they do not double the consonant in derivatives; as troop, trooper, etc.

Words of more than one syllable, ending in a consonant preceded by a single vowel, and accented on the last syllable, double that consonant in derivatives; as commit, committed; but except chagrin, chagrined; kidnap, kidnaped.

All words of one syllable ending in l, with a single vowel before it, have ll at the close; as mill, sell.

All words of one syllable ending in l, with a double vowel before it, have only one l at the close: as mail, sail.

The words foretell, distill, instill and fulfill retain the double ll of their primitives. Derivatives of dull, skill, will and full also retain the double ll when the accent falls on these words; as dullness, skillful, willful, fullness.

PUNCTUATION.

A period (.) after every declarative and every imperative sentence; as, It is true. Do right.

A period is also used after every abbreviation; as, Dr., Mr., Capt.

An interrogation point (?) after every question.

The exclamation point (!) after exclamations; as, Alas! Oh, how lovely!

Quotation marks (" ") inclose quoted expressions; as Socrates said: "I believe the soul is immortal."

A colon (:) is used between parts of a sentence that are subdivided by semi-colons.

A colon is used before a quotation, enumeration, or observation, that is introduced by as follows, the following, or any similar expression; as, Send me the following: 10 doz. "Armstrong's Treasury," 25 Schulte's Manual, etc.

A semicolon (;) between parts that are subdivided by commas.

The semicolon is used also between clauses or members that are disconnected in sense; as, Man grows old; he passes away; all is uncertain. When as, namely, that is, is used to introduce an example or enumeration, a semicolon is put before it and a comma after it; as, The night was cold; that is, for the time of year.

A comma is used to set off interposed words, phrases and subordinate clauses not restrictive; as, Good deeds are never lost, though sometimes forgotten.

A comma is used to set off transposed phrases and clauses, as, "When the wicked entice thee, consent thou not."

A comma is used to set off interposed words, phrases and clauses; as, Let us, if we can, make others happy.

A comma is used between similar or repeated words or phrases; as, The sky, the water, the trees, were illumined with sunlight.

A comma is used to mark an ellipsis, or the omission of a verb or other important word.

A comma is used to set off a short quotation informally introduced; as, Who said, "The good die young"?

A comma is used whenever necessary to prevent ambiguity.

The marks of parenthesis ( ) are used to inclose an interpolation where such interpolation is by the writer or speaker of the sentence in which it occurs. Interpolations by an editor or by anyone other than the author of the sentence should be inclosed in brackets--[ ].

Dashes (--) may be used to set off a parenthetical expression, also to denote an interruption or a sudden change of thought or a significant pause.

THE USE OF CAPITALS.

1. Every entire sentence should begin with a capital.

2. Proper names, and adjectives derived from these, should begin with a capital.