Punctuation Personified, or Pointing Made Easy by Mr. Stops: A Facsimile

Punctuation Personified, or Pointing Made Easy by Mr. Stops: A Facsimile by Bodleian Library. paperback edition. ISBN: 9781851241941.

This charming and quirky childrens grammar book first appeared in 1824 as one of several beautifully hand-colored instructional texts published by John Harris in his "Cabinet of Amusement and Instruction." Intended to help children learn the art of grammar, the book is presented here in a faccsimilie edition. A series of larger-than-life characters in the book, including Mr. Stops, Counsellor Comma, and the hero, Young Robert, humorously bring its lessons to life with witty and amusing verse such as: "See, how Semicolon is strutting with pride; Into two or more parts hell a sentence divide." Lively and colorful engravings, meanwhile, infuse the book with an entertaining spirit, while also reinforcing the lessons laid out in its cheerful rhymes. It is evident to see how a child would have enjoyed learning about grammar through Punctuation Personified, as its simple but instructive verse and vibrant illustrations skillfully open up a fresh world of knowledge. This new edition, featuring a modern introduction, will delight and amuse readers of all ages.