1. When a conjunction is separated by a phrase or member from the
member to which it belongs, such intervening phrase appears to
require a comma at each extremity; as, "They set out early, _and_,
before the close of the day, arrived at the destined place." This
rule, however, is not generally followed by our best writers; as,
"If thou seek the Lord, he will be found of thee; _but_ if thou
forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever;" "_But_ if the parts
connected are not short, a comma may be inserted."
2. Several verbs succeeding each other in the infinitive mood, and
having a common dependance, may be divided by commas; as, "To
relieve the indigent, to comfort the afflicted, to protect the
innocent, to reward the deserving, are humane and noble
employments."
3. A remarkable expression, or a short observation, somewhat in the
form of a quotation, may be properly marked with a comma; as, "It
hurts a man's pride to say, _I do not know_;" "Plutarch calls lying,
_the vice of slaves_."
4. When words are placed in opposition to each other, or with some
marked variety, they must be distinguished by a comma; as,
"Tho' _deep_, yet _clear_; tho' _gentle_, yet not _dull_;
_Strong_, without _rage_; without _o'erflowing_, _full_."
"Good men, in this frail, imperfect state, are often found, not only
in union _with_, but in opposition _to_, the views and conduct of
each other."
Sometimes when the word with which the last preposition agrees, is
single, the comma may be omitted; as, "Many states were in alliance
_with_, and under the protection _of_ Rome."
The same rule and restrictions apply, when two or more nouns refer
to the same preposition; as, "He was composed both under the
_threatening_, and at the _approach_, _of_ a cruel and lingering
death;" "He was not only the _king_, but _the father of_ his
people."
5. The words, "as, thus, nay, so, hence, again, first, secondly,
formerly, now, lastly, once more, above all, on the contrary, in the
next place, in short," and all other words and phrases of a similar
kind, must generally be separated from the context by a comma; _as_,
"Remember thy best friend; _formerly_, the supporter of thy infancy;
_now_, the guardian of thy youth;" "He feared want; _hence_, he
overvalued riches;" "_So_, if youth be trifled away," &c. "_Again_,
we must, have food and clothing;" "_Finally_, let us conclude."
The foregoing rules and examples are sufficient, it is presumed, to
suggest to the learner, in all ordinary instances, the proper place for
inserting the comma; but in applying these rules, great regard must be
paid to the length and meaning of the clauses, and the proportion which
they bear to one another.