But when the antecedent is used in a general sense, a comma is properly inserted before the relative; as, “Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days and full of trouble;” “There is no charm in the female sex, which can supply the place of virtue.”

This rule is equally applicable to constructions in which the relative is understood; as, “Value duly the privileges you enjoy;” that is, “privileges which you enjoy.”

Exercises.—­How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!  The friendships of the world can exist no longer than interest cements them.  Eat what is set before you.  They who excite envy will easily incur censure.  A man who is of a detracting spirit will misconstrue the most innocent words that can be put together.  Many of the evils which occasion our complaints of the world are wholly imaginary.

The gentle mind is like the smooth stream which reflects every object in its just proportion and in its fairest colors.  In that unaffected civility which springs from a gentle mind there is an incomparable charm.  The Lord whom I serve is eternal.  This is the man we saw yesterday.

RULE 8.  When two words of the same sort, are connected by a conjunction expressed, they must not be separated; as, “Libertines call religion, bigotry or superstition;” “True worth is modest and retired;” “The study of natural history, expands and elevates the mind;” “Some men sin deliberately and presumptuously.”  When words are connected in pairs, the pairs only should be separated; as, “There is a natural difference between merit and demerit, virtue and vice, wisdom and folly;” “Whether we eat or drink, labor or sleep, we should be temperate.”

But if the parts connected by a conjunction are not short, they may be separated by a comma; as, “Romances may be said to be miserable rhapsodies, or dangerous incentives to evil.”

Exercises.—­Idleness brings forward and nourishes many bad passions.  True friendship will at all times avoid a rough or careless behavior.  Health and peace a moderate fortune and a few friends sum up all the undoubted articles of temporal felicity.  Truth is fair and artless simple and sincere uniform and consistent.  Intemperance destroys the strength of our bodies and the vigor of our minds.

RULE 9.  Where the verb of a simple member is understood, a comma may, in some instances, be inserted; as, “From law arises security; from security, curiosity; from curiosity, knowledge.”  But in others, it is better to omit the comma; “No station is so high, no power so great, no character so unblemished, as to exempt men from the attacks of rashness, malice, and envy.”

Exercises.—­As a companion he was severe and satirical; as a friend captious and dangerous.  If the spring put forth no blossoms in summer there will be no beauty and in autumn no fruit.  So if youth be trifled away without improvement manhood will be contemptible and old age miserable.