Punctuation.

LIT. DEF. The word, punctuation,' means that which pierces, stabs.

182. PUNCTUATION is a name given to the science and art of using certain Points, Signs, or Marks, in written language, as aids in distinguishing sentences, parts of sentences, phrases, or words.

NOTE I. As far as these points enable the reader to distinguish Sentences and the character of Sentences, it is of great importance that they be known and observed by the reader; but, it will not do to teach the student that, "These Points are only to be observed as stopping places for the purpose of resting the organs of speech." A good reader will often pause where these points are inadmissible. For, when the words, representing the different Logical Parts of a thought, are not mingled, so as to prevent it, we should make a slight pause between each of the Logical and, also, some of the Rhetorical Parts of a sentence; as

1. "God-moves-in a mysterious way,

His wonders-to perform;

He-plants his footsteps-in the sea,

And rides-upon the storm."

The dashes show that the voice pauses at places, in which no Point could be inserted.

NOTE II. The thought or meaning of a sentence frequently depends on its Punctuation. A barber put up the following;

2. "What do you think I shave for a penny and give you a drink."

As it had no Punctuation, some of his customers read it ;—

3. "What do you think? I shave for a penny and give you a drink."

But, when a customer demanded the drink, the cunning barber read it ;

4. What! do you think I shave for a penny and give you a drink!

183. The Characters, used in Punctuation, are of five kinds; First, those used at the end of sentences; Second, those used to show the parts, or interruptions of sentences; Third, those used to show contractions; Fourth, those used for reference; and Fifth, those used for pronunciation.

184. First. The Characters, used at the end of sentences, are the Terminal, the Interrogative, and the Exclamative Periods.

LIT. DEF. The word, period,1 means circular path.

185. The TERMINAL Period [.] is used at the end of simple and of compound sentences, where the thought and text both end at the same word.

1. "No man may put off the law of God."

2. "Covet earnestly the best gifts, and yet show I unto you a more excellent way."

186. The INTERROGATIVE Period or INTERROGATION Point [?] is used in the place of a Terminal Period when the sentence asks a question.

3. "Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased ?"

4. "How now, Tubal? What news from Genoa? Hast thou found my daughter?"

5. "

Angelo. Now, what is the matter, provost?

"Provost. Is it your will Claudio shall die to-morrow?

Angelo. Did not I tell thee, yea? Hadst thou not order? Why dost thou ask again?"

187. The EXCLAMATIVE Period or EXCLAMATION Point [!] is used in the place of the Terminal, when an emotion or a passion is expressed.

6. "Can gold gain friendship? Impotence of hope!"

1 PERIOD. od, path, road; peri -- circum, about, around.

7. "Oh, monstrous! Oh, strange! We are haunted. Pray, masters! Fly, masters! Help!"

188. Second. The Characters, used to show the parts or interruptions of sentences, are the Colon, Semicolon, Comma, Quotation, Dash, Parenthesis, and Brackets.

LIT. DEF. The word, colon, means a member or a division.

189. The COLON [:] is used where the text stops, while the thought continues.

NOTE I. The Colon is used before a distinct, or formal list of particulars, separated by Semicolons; as,

1. We will consider the parts of a plant as follows: first, the roots; second, the stem; third, the foliage.

NOTE II. The Colon is used between the larger clauses of compound sentences, when the less clauses are separated by the semicolon; as,-2. "He sunk to repose where the red heaths are blended; One dream of his childhood, his fancy passed o'er:

But his battles are fought, and his marching is ended; The sound of the bagpipe shall wake him no more.”

NOTE III. The Colon is used between the parts of a compound sentence, when one explains the cause, the reason, or the effect of the other, and the connector is omitted; as,-

3. Beware of idleness: it tendeth to poverty. Beware of idleness; for it tendeth to poverty.

NOTE IV. The above rules are given for those, who prefer to use the Colon; rather than because we deem it a necessary, or even a convenient character in Punctuation, except it be in proportions. Of the many Systems of Punctuation, which we have examined, not one contains rules distinguishing the use of the Colon from that of the other characters; nor do we think it possible to give such rules; and hence, we agree with those who reject it altogether.

LIT. DEF. The word, semicolon,1 means a half colon.

190. The SEMICOLON [;] is used where the text is interrupted, while the idea continues or is not fully completed.

1 SEMICOLON. colon, member, limb, division; semi-hemi, half.

NOTE V. Those, who use the colon, teach that it is to be placed between sentences more remotely related; while, the semicolon is to be placed between those more nearly related; so that the whole difference between the two is made to depend on the kind of relation between the sentences. Now, since this relation is entirely a matter of opinion, it follows, that no definite test exists, by which to determine its remoteness, or nearness; and, of course, no way to distinguish the use of the one from the use of the other, except by arbitrary rules.

NOTE VI. The Semicolon is used before a distinct list of particulars, separated by commas; as,

4. The human race is divided into four classes; the European, the American, the Asiatic, and the African.

NOTE VII. The Semicolon is used between two sentences, where one explains the reason, or the effect of the other; as,

5. Beware of idleness; for it tendeth to poverty.

If the colon be not used at all, example, 3, should be punctuated with the Semicolon, and example, 5, with the comma, or as it is.

6. The name of the defendant in this action having been called, Mr. Jay responded as counsel, and said;

"May it please the court," etc.

If it be written;-and said, "May it please-" etc., then the dash should be omitted; but, when the part belonging after the affirmer--as in example, 6, or, after the connector, as before example, 5,—is transferred, the dash takes its place.

7. "Read; not for the purpose of contradicting and confuting; nor, of believing and taking for granted; nor, of finding material for argument and conversation; but, in order to weigh and consider the thoughts of others."

NOTE VIII. A Semicolon is placed between the clauses of a compound sentence, which are farther divisible by commas; as,—

8. "In youth we are looking forward to things, that are to come; in old age, we are looking backward to things, that are gone past; in manhood, although we appear, indeed, to be more occupied in things, that are present, yet even that is too often absorbed in vague determinations to be vastly happy on some future day, when we have time."

NOTE IX. A Semicolon is used, when several sentences in the same period are dependent, whether contracted or uncontracted.

9. "For to one, is given by the spirit the word of wisdom; to another, the word of knowledge by the same spirit; to another, faith by the same spirit," etc.

10. "Philosophers assert, that Nature is unlimited in her operations; that she has inexhaustible treasures in reserve; that knowledge will always be progressive; and, that all fu ture generations will continue to make discoveries, of which we have not the slightest idea."

Example, 10, might be punctuated by using commas instead of the Semicolons. Some would use the colon, or the Semicolon, in examples like the following, in which the exclamative is manifestly the proper point;

11. Yes; the gentleman has dared to assert. Yes! the, etc. 12. No; you have judged, as I have. No! you, etc.

LIT. DEF. The word, comma,1 means a part cut off.

191. The COMMA [,] is used to show a break or interruption in a sentence.

NOTE X. The Comma may be understood, when no ambiguity will be occasioned by omitting it. Such cases are to be considered the same as contractions, and on the same principle.

NOTE XI. In simple sentences, a comma is used after transposed parts; and, after a break preceding a transposed part; as,—

13. Without labor, there is no excellence.

14. To the true, virtue becomes habitual.

In example, 13, the comma may be understood; but, not so in example, 14; lest the reader mistake true as an adjunct of virtue-true virtue.

15. To the intelligent and virtuous, old age presents a scene of tranquil enjoyment.

16. Vice, to the pure in heart, is never attractive.

NOTE XII. A Comma should be expressed, or understood at the end of every clause of a compound sentence, except those requiring a period, a colon, or a semicolon.

1 COMMA. ma, a part; com, cut, separated.