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XIV.

OF PUNCTUATION.*

Punctuation is the art of dividing a written composition into sentences, or parts of sentences; and is principally used to mark the grammatical divisions of a sentence. The marks employed in punctuation are sometimes used to note the different pauses and tones of voice, which the sense and an accurate pronunciation require.

The characters or marks, used in punctuation are:

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*The importance of correct punctuation may be seen by the following extract from the London Times of September, 1818.

"The contract lately made for lighting the town of Liverpool, during the ensuing year, has been thrown void by the misplacing of a comma in the advertisement, which ran thus: The lamps at present are about 4050 in number, and have in general two spouts each, composed of not less than twenty threads of cotton.' The contractor would have proceeded to furnish each lamp with the said twenty threads; but, this being but half the usual quantity, the commissioner discovered that the difference arose from the comma following, instead of preceding, the word each. The parties agreed to annul the contract, and a new one is now ordered."

Again; the meaning of the following sentence is materially affected by the punctuation:

"I said that he is dishonest it is true and I am sorry for it."

Now the pause placed after dishonest, will imply that it is true that he is dishonest, thus: "I said that he is dishonest; it is true, and I am sorry for it." But, if the pause be placed after true, the sentence implies that it is true that I said he is dishonest, and I am sorry that I said so, thus: "I said that he is dishonest, it is true; and I am sorry for it."

The misplacing of a comma, by a Mr. Sharpe, converted an innocent remark into a piece of horrid blasphemy: "Believing Richard Brothers to be a prophet sent, by God I have engraved his portrait." Had the comma been removed two words forward, the assertion would have been innocent. †The word comma is derived from the Greek language, and properly designates a segment, section, or part cut off from a complete sentence. In its usual acceptation, it signifies the point, which marks the smaller segments, or portions of a period. It, therefore, represents the shortest pause, and consequently marks the least constructive or most dependent parts of a sentence.

The word semicolon is derived from the Latin word semi, which mean half, and the Greek word kolon, which signifies a member.

The word period is derived from the Greek language, and means circuit."

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To these may be added the marks of reference:

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1. When two or more words are connected without the connecting word being expressed, the comma supplies the place of that word; as, "Alfred was a brave, pious, patriotic prince."

2. Those parts of a sentence which contain the relative pronoun, the case absolute, the nominative case independent, any parenthetical clause, and simple members of sentences, connected by words expressing a comparison, must be separated by commas; as, The elephant, which you saw in the menagerie, took the child up with his trunk into his cage." "Shame being lost, all virtue is lost." Peace, O Virtue, peace is al thine own." "Better is a dinner of herbs with love, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

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3. The following words and phrases, and others similar to them, are generally separated by commas from the rest of the sentence; namely Nay, so, however, hence, besides, perhaps, finally, in short, at least, morever, again. first, secondly, thirdly, lastly, once more, on the contrary, &c.

4. The words of another writer, not formally introduced as a quotation, and words and clauses expressing contrast or opposition, though closely connected in construction, are separated by a comma; as, "I pity the man, who can travel from Dan to Beersheba and cry, 'T is all barren."

"Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong, without rage; without o'erflowing, full."

5. When the absence of a word is indicated in reading or speaking by a pause, its place may be supplied by a comma; as, "From law arises security from security, inquiry; from inquiry, knowledge."

6. Nouns in apposition, accompanied by explanatory words or phrases, are separated by commas; but if such nouns are single, or only form a proper name, they are not divided: as, “Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles was eminent for his zeal and knowledge."

7. When a sentence consists of several members, each constituting a distinct proposition, and having a dependence upon each other, or upon some common clause, they are separated by semicolons; as, "Wisdom has builded her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars; she hath

killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table."

8. The colon is used to divide a sentence into two or more parts, which, although the sense be complete in each, are not wholly independent; as, "Nature felt her inability to extricate herself from the conse quences of guilt: the gospel reveals the plan of Divine interposition and aid."

9. The colon is used when an example, a quotation, or a speech is introduced; as, "The Scriptures give us an amiable representation of the Deity in these words: God is love."

10. The period is used at the end of a complete and independent sentence. It is also placed after initial letters, when used alone; and, likewise, after all abbreviations; as, "One clear and direct path is pointed out to man." "Fear God." "Have charity towards all men." W." for " George Washington." "Geo." for "George." Benj." for "Benjamin." "U. S." for "Old Style." "F. R. S." for "Fellow of the Royal Society."

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In a general view, the period separates the paragraph into sentences; the semicolon divides a compound sentence into simple ones; and the comma collects into clauses the scattered circumstances of manner time, place, relation, &c., belonging to every verb and to every noun.

The note of interrogation,† or the question, as it is sometimes called, is placed after every sentence which contains a question; as, "Who is this?" "What have you in your hand?" "The Cyprians said to me, Why do you weep?"

The exclamation point is used to express any sudden or violent emotion; such as surprise, joy, grief, love, hatred, anger, pity, anxiety, ardent wish, &c. It is also used to mark an exalted idea of the Deity; and is generally placed after the nominative case independent; and after the noun or pronoun which follows an interjection; as, "How mischievous are the effects of war!" "O blissful days! Ah me! how soon ye pass! The exclamation point is also used after sentences containing a question when no answer is expected; as, "What is more amiable than virtue!"

Several exclamation points are sometimes used together, either in a parenthesis or by themselves, for the purpose of expressing ridicule, or a great degree of surprise, &c.

A parenthesis ‡ is a sentence, or a part of a sentence, inserted within

* Some very respectable grammarians tell us, that the propriety of using a colon or semicolon is sometimes determined by the use or omission of a conjunction; as, "Do not flatter yourself with the hope of perfect happiness: there is no such thing in the world:" "Do not flatter yourselves with the hope of perfect happiness; for there is no such thing in the world." But many respectable writers make no use of the colon; and it may well be questioned, whether the retention of this character among the marks of punctuation adds any thing to the clearness or precision of written language.

The word interrogation is derived from the Latin, and means a ques tion.

The word parenthesis is derived from the Greek language, and means an insertion.

another sentence, but which may be omitted without injuring the sense or construction, and is enclosed between two curved lines like these ; ( ). The curved lines between which a parenthesis is enclosed are called crotchets.

Sometimes a sentence is enclosed between marks like these, [] which are called brackets

The following difference is to be noticed in the use of crotchets and brackets: Crotchets are used to enclose a sentence, or part of a sentence, which is inserted between the parts of another sentence: Brackets are generally used to separate two subjects, or to enclose an explanatory note or observation standing by itself. When a parenthesis occurs within another parenthesis, brackets enclose the former and crotchets the latter; as in the following sentence from Sterne: "I know the banker I deal with, or the physician I usually call in [there is no need, cried Dr. Slop (waking), to call in any physician in this case] to be neither of them men of much religion."

It may be here remarked, that a parenthesis is frequently placed between commas, instead of crotchets, &c.; but the best writers avoid the use of parentheses as much as is possible.

The hyphen is a small mark placed between the parts of a compound word; as, sea-water, semi-circle.

The hyphen is also used to denote the long sound of a vowel; as, Epicurean, decō-rum, balcō-ny.

The hyphen must always be put at the end of the line when part of a word is in one line and part in another; but, in this case, the letters of a syllable must never be separated; as, extraor

dinary, not ext-
raordinary.

The dash is a straight mark longer than a hyphen; thus,

The proper use of the dash is to express a sudden stop, or change of the subject; but, by modern writers, it is employed as a substitute for almost all of the other marks; being used sometimes for a comma, semi colon, colon, or period; sometimes for a question or an exclamation, and sometimes for crotchets and brackets to enclose a parenthesis.

An ellipsis † or omission of words, syllables, or letters, is indicated by various marks; sometimes by a dash; as, the kg, for the king; sometimes by asterisks or stars, like these, ****; sometimes by hy phens, thus, --; sometimes by small dots or periods, like these:

The breve (thus) is placed over a vowel to indicate its short sound; as, St. Hělena.

The apostrophe is a comma placed above the line. It is used as the sign of the possessive case, and sometimes indicates the omission of a letter or several letters; as, John's; ""Tis" for "it is"; "tho'" for "though;" "lov'd" for "loved"; "I'll" for "I will."

The quotation marks, or inverted commas, as they are sometimes

The word hyphen is derived from the Greek language, and signifies under one, or together; and is used to imply that the words or syllables, between which it is placed, are to be taken together as one word.

†The word ellipsis is derived from the Greek language, and means an

omission.

The word apostrophe is derived from the Greek language, and signifies the turning away, or omission, of one letter or more.

called, consist of four commas; two inverted, or upside down, at the be-ginning of a word, phrase, or sentence which is quoted or transcribed from some author in his own words; and two others, in their direct position, placed at the conclusion; as, An excellent poet says:

"The proper study of mankind is man."

Sometimes the quotation is marked by single, instead of double,

commas.

The diæresis consists of two periods placed over the latter of two vowels; to show that they are to be pronounced in separate syllables; as, Laocoön, Zoönomia, coöperate.

The brace is employed to unite several lines of poetry, or to connect a number of words with one common term; and it is also used to prevent a repetition in writing or printing; thus,

"Waller was smooth; but Dryden taught to join

The varying verse, the full-resounding line,

The long majestic march and energy divine."

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The cedilla, or cerilla, is a curve line placed under the letter c, to show that it has the sound of s. It is used principally in words derived from the French language.

Thus, garçon, in which word the ç is to be pronounced like s.

The accents are marks used to signify the proper pronunciation of words.

The accents are three in number;

The grave accent thus,、

The acute accent; thus,

The circumflex accent; thus,

The grave accent is represented by a mark placed over a letter, or syl lable, to show that it must be pronounced with the falling inflection of the voice; as, Reuthàmir.

The acute accent is represented by a similar mark, pointing in the opposite direction, to show that the letter or syllable must be pronounced with the rising inflection of the voice; thus, Epicuréan, European.

The meaning of a sentence often depends on the kind of accent which is used; thus, the following sentence if the acute accent be used on the word alone, becomes a question.

"Pleased thou shalt hear, and thou alóne shalt hear?"

But, if the grave accent be placed on the word alone, it becomes a simple declaration; as,

*The word diaresis is derived from the Greek language, and signifies taking away, or a division.

↑ The word accent is derived from the Latin language, and signifies the tone of the voice.

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