ts as have reached me,
altogether in the right.

Mild interjections:

Well, we shall see.

Come now, let's talk it over.

But alas, the cupboard was bare.

The custom is, oh, very old.

Absolute phrases:

This being admitted, I shall proceed to my other evidence.

Geographical names which explain other names and dates which explain
other dates:

The convention met at Madison, Wisconsin, on March 24, 1916.

Words in apposition:

We arrived at Austin, the capital of Texas.

It was Archie, my best friend in boyhood.

Exception.--The comma is omitted (1) When the appositive is
part of a proper name. Right: William the Silent, Alexander the
Great. (2) When there is unusually close connection between the
appositive and the noun it modifies. Right: My one confidant
was my brother Robert. (3) When the appositive is a word or
phrase to which attention is called by italics or some other
device which sets it apart. Right: The word _sequent_ is
derived from Latin. Right: The expression "That's fine" is one
which I use indiscriminately.

Note.--When the parenthetical element occurs in the middle of a
sentence, "set off by commas" means _punctuate before and after_.

Wrong: I was, madam at home yesterday.

Right: I was, madam, at home yesterday.

Wrong: I am to say the least, provoked.

Right: I am, to say the least, provoked.

=f. Consecutive adjectives that modify the same noun are separated from
each other by commas. If, however, the last adjective is closely linked
in meaning with the noun, no comma is used before it.=

Right: A short, slight, pitiable figure.

Right: A shrewd professional man. [_Shrewd_ modifies, not _man_
alone, but _professional man_.]

Right: A bedraggled old rooster. [_Old rooster_ has almost the
force of a compound word. _Bedraggled_ modifies the general
idea _old rooster_.]

Note.--The commas in a series of adjectives are used to separate the
adjectives from each other. No comma should intervene between the final
adjective and the noun. Wrong: He was only a frail, unarmed, frightened,
youngster. Right: He was only a frail, unarmed, frightened youngster.

=g. Words or phrases in series are separated by commas.=

When the series takes the form _a, b, and c_, a comma precedes the
_and_.

Confusing: The railroads in question are the