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Latest post Sun, Nov 30 2008 1:37 AM by wholegrain. 2 replies.
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wholegrain  +  599169 Sat, 29 Nov 08 10:01 PM
Why aren't there a comma after "withal" and "with the true outlook of the poet"??

He was a wide reader, one who, from natural bent, dipped into the curious and out-of-the-way corners of literature, as will be noticed in his references to other works in the course of the lectures, particularly to Rowbotham's picturesque and fascinating story of the formative period of music. Withal he was always in touch with contemporary affairs. With the true outlook of the poet he was fearless, individual, and even radical in his views. This spirit, as indicated before, he carried into his lectures, for he demanded of his pupils that above all they should be prepared to do their own thinking and reach their own conclusions. He was accustomed to say that we need in the United States, a public that shall be independent in its judgment on art and art products, that shall not be tied down to verdicts based on tradition and convention, but shall be prepared to reach conclusions through knowledge and sincerity.

Joined on Thu, Jun 19 2008
Regular Member 534
Clive  +  599216 Sat, 29 Nov 08 11:06 PM
Hi,
Why aren't isn't there a comma after "withal" and "with the true outlook of the poet"??

He was a wide reader, one who, from natural bent, dipped into the curious and out-of-the-way corners of literature, as will be noticed in his references to other works in the course of the lectures, particularly to Rowbotham's picturesque and fascinating story of the formative period of music. Withal he was always in touch with contemporary affairs. With the true outlook of the poet he was fearless, individual, and even radical in his views. This spirit, as indicated before, he carried into his lectures, for he demanded of his pupils that above all they should be prepared to do their own thinking and reach their own conclusions. He was accustomed to say that we need in the United States, a public that shall be independent in its judgment on art and art products, that shall not be tied down to verdicts based on tradition and convention, but shall be prepared to reach conclusions through knowledge and sincerity.

I would put them, but the author apparently decided that a pause at those points was not necessary. Such comma usage can often be subjective.
It's nevertheless true that there are some common conventions for comma usage, but these can vary somewhat from era to era. I don't think this is a modern text ('withal' is a pretty archaic word), so the comma conventions may well have been different at the time it was written.

Best wishes, Clive
Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004
Canada
Veteran Member 29,575
El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo
wholegrain, 356 days ago
I appreciated your help.
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