OBS. 3.—­The innumerable discrepancies in respect to capitals, which, to a greater or less extent, disgrace the very best editions of our most popular books, are a sufficient evidence of the want of better directions on this point.  In amending the rules for this purpose, I have not been able entirely to satisfy myself; and therefore must needs fail to satisfy the very critical reader.  But the public shall have the best instructions I can give.  On Rule 1st, concerning Books, it may be observed, that when particular books or writings are mentioned by other terms than their real titles, the principle of the rule does not apply.  Thus, one may call Paradise Lost, “Milton’s great poem;” or the Diversions of Purley, “the etymological investigations of Horne Tooke.”  So it is written in the Bible, “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias.”—­Luke, iv, 17.  Because the name of Esaias, or Isaiah, seems to be the only proper title of his book.

OBS. 4.—­On Rule 2d, concerning First Words, it may be observed, that the using of other points than the period, to separate sentences that are totally distinct in sense, as is sometimes practised in quoting, is no reason for the omission of capitals at the beginning of such sentences; but, rather, an obvious reason for their use.  Our grammarians frequently manufacture a parcel of puerile examples, and, with the formality of apparent quotation, throw them together in the following manner:  “He is above disguise;” “we serve under a good master;” “he rules over a willing people;” “we should do nothing beneath our character.”—­Murray’s Gram., p. 118.  These sentences, and all others so related, should, unquestionably, begin with capitals.  Of themselves, they are distinct enough to be separated by the period and a dash.  With examples of one’s own making, the quotation points may be used or not, as the writer pleases; but not on their insertion or omission, nor even on the quality of the separating point, depends in all cases the propriety or impropriety of using initial capitals.  For example:  “The Future Tense is the form of the verb which denotes future time; as, John will come, you shall go, they will learn, the sun will rise to-morrow, he will return next week.”—­Frazee’s Improved Gram., p. 38; Old Edition, 35.  To say nothing of the punctuation here used, it is certain that the initial words, you, they, the, and he, should have commenced with capitals.

OBS. 5.—­On Rule 3d, concerning Names of Deity, it may be observed, that the words Lord and God take the nature of proper names, only when they are used in reference to the Eternal Divinity.  The former, as a title of honour to men, is usually written with a capital; but, as a common appellative, with a small letter.  The latter, when used with reference to any fabulous deity, or when made plural to speak of many, should seldom, if ever, begin with