alytical practical grammar - Toronto Public Library

16 ENG LISH GRAMMAR.
CAPITALS.
77. Formerly every noun began with a capital letter, both in writing
anll in printing; but at present only the following words begin with capital
lettel'8:-
1. The first word of every book, chapter, Ictter, note, or of any othel'
piece of writing.
:!. The first wvrd after a period; also after a note of interrogation, or
exclumation, when the sentence before, and the one after it, are independent
of each othcr.
But if several interrogutory or exclamatory sentences are so connected,
that the latter sentences depend on the former, all of them, except the
fird, may beg-in with a small letter; as, "How doth the city sit solital'Y,
that was Cllll of people I how are her habitations become as desolate!
holV is she become as a willow!
S. Proper nalll€~, titl·;s of otlice or honor; as, George Washington, General
Lee, Ju1gc Sto"Y, Sir J,Valter Scott, .america, the Ohio, Pratt, Woodford
~- Co., Pearl Strut, RfW York.
4. The pronoun I, and the inteQection 0, are written in capitals.
6. The first word of every line in poetry.
6. The appel!ations of the Deity; as, God, Most l1igh, the .almighty,
the Supreme Being, &c.
7. Adjectives derived from the proper naIDes of places; as, Grecian,
Roman, English, .le.
8. The first word of II direct quotation (1l24), when the qaotation would
form II complete sentence by itself; as, "Alway~ lem"mber this ancient
maxim: 'Know thyself.'''
'Yhen a quotation is not iutroduced in the direct form (1l26), but follows
II comma, the first word must not begin with a capital; as, "Solomon
ob"erves, that' pride goes before destruction.' "
9. Common nouns when personified j as, .. Come, gentle Spring."
10. Every substantive and principal word in the titles of books; as,
h Euclid's Elements. of Geometry;" ., Goldsmith', Delerted Village."
78. Other words, besides !he preceding, .m~y begin with capitals, when
they are remarkably empbatlCal, or tbe prlUclpal subject of the composi.
tion.