200. The Points are as follows:

Comma , Semicolon ; Colon : Period, or Full Point .

Apostrophe '

Hyphen - Note of Interrogation ?

Note of Exclamation !

Parenthesis ( ) Asterisk, or Star *

As these are all the points required in simple epistolary composition, we will confine our explanations to the rules which should govern the use of them.

201. The Other Points,

however, are:

the paragraph -- the section -- the dagger [can not be shown in a .txt file]

the double dagger [ditto]

the parallel

the bracket [ ]

and some others.

These, however, are quite unnecessary, except for elaborate works, in which they are chiefly used for notes or marginal references. The rule --is sometimes used as a subst.i.tute for the bracket or parenthesis.

202. Pauses

The Comma , denotes the shortest pause; the semicolon ; a little longer pause than the comma; the colon : a little longer pause than the semicolon; the period . or full point the longest pause.

203. The Relative Duration

of these pauses is described as:

Comma While you count One.

Semicolon " " " Two.

Colon " " " Three.

Period " " " Four.

This, however, is not an infallible rule, because the duration of the pauses should be regulated by the degree of rapidity with which the matter is being read. In slow reading the duration of the pauses should be increased.

204. The Other Points

are rather indications of expression, and of meaning and connection, than of pauses, and therefore we will notice them separately.

205. The Misplacing

of even so slight a point, or pause, as the comma, will often alter the meaning of a sentence. The contract made for lighting the town of Liverpool, during the year 1819, was thrown void by the misplacing of a comma in the advertis.e.m.e.nts, thus:

"The lamps at present are about 4,050, 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 quant.i.ty, the commissioners 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 was ordered.

206. Without Punctuation.

The Following Sentence shows how difficult it is to read without the aid of the points used as pauses:

Death waits not for storm nor sunshine within a dwelling in one of the upper streets respectable in appearance and furnished with such conveniences as distinguish the habitations of those who rank among the higher clashes of society a man of middle age lay on his last bed momently awaiting the final summons all that the most skillful medical attendance all that love warm as the glow that even an angel's bosom could do had been done by day and night for many long weeks had ministering spirits such as a devoted wife and loving children are done all within their power to ward off the blow but there he lay his raven hair smoothed off from his n.o.ble brow his dark eyes lighted with unnatural brightness and contrasting strongly with the pallid hue which marked him as an expectant of the dread messenger.

[COALS FIRST BROUGHT TO LONDON A.D. 1357.]

207. With Punctuation.

The same sentence, properly pointed, and with capital letters placed; after full-points, according to the adopted rule, may be easily read and understood:

Death waits not for storm nor sunshine. Within a dwelling in one of the upper streets, respectable in appearance, and furnished with such conveniences as distinguish the habitations of those who rank among the higher cla.s.ses of society, a man of middle age lay on his last bed, momently awaiting the final summons. All that the most skilful medical attendance--all that love, warm as the glow that fires an angel's bosom, could do, had been done; by day and night, for many long weeks, had ministering spirits, such as a devoted wife; and loving children are, done all within their power to ward off the blow. But there he lay, his raven hair smoothed off from his n.o.ble brow, his dark eyes lighted with unnatural brightness, and contrasting strongly with the pallid hue which marked him as an expectant of the dread messenger.

208. The Apostrophe '

is used to indicate the combining of two words in one,--as John's book, instead of John, his book; or to show the omission of parts of words, as Glo'ster, for Gloucester--tho' for though. These abbreviations should be avoided as much as possible. Cobbett says the apostrophe "ought to be called the mark of _laziness_ and vulgarity." The first use, however, of which we gave an example, is a necessary and proper one.

209. The Hyphen, or conjoiner -

is used to unite words which, though they are separate and distinct, have so close a connection as almost to become one word, as water-rat, wind-mill, &c. It is also used in writing and printing, at the end of a line, to show where a word is divided and continued in the next line. Look down the ends of the lines in this column, and you will notice the hyphen in several places.

210. The Note of Interrogation ?

indicates that the sentence to which it is put asks a question; as, "What is the meaning of that a.s.sertion? What am I to do?"

211. The Note of Exclamation or of admiration !

indicates surprise, pleasure, or sorrow; as "Oh! Ah! Goodness!

Beautiful! I am astonished! Woe is me!"

Sometimes, when an expression of strong surprise or pleasure is intended, two notes of this character are employed, thus!!

212. The Parenthesis ( )

is used to prevent confusion by the introduction to a sentence of a pa.s.sage not necessary to the sense thereof. "I am going to meet Mr.

Smith (though I am not an admirer of him) on Wednesday next." It is better, however, as a rule, not to employ parenthetical sentences.