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REMARK S.

a. A full point is, in the first example, put after chapters vi., lxv. lxxviii., ii., and i.; and, in the second, after M., DCCC., and LV.,— not as being equivalent to the grammatical period, but merely be cause, of all the marks, it is the least offensive to the eye, and has been generally employed in such cases.

b. In referring to the chapters of the Bible, some writers use the Arabic figures; as, “Gen. 6. 12, 13,” or “6: 12, 13;" putting after them a colon or a period. But the mode exhibited in the first example under the rule is supported by the best usage, and is, we think, much preferable in its more clearly distinguishing the chapters from the verses.

c. Bible and other references are sometimes made by the insertion of a comma after the period; as, "Gen., vi., 12, 13;" "Vol. i., part iv., sect. ii., § 3." But, though this mode of punctuation is more accurate than that which omits the comma, it is less simple; and, because uncouth in its appearance, should not be adopted, unless as in Remark a, it is essential to a clear discerning of the sense. See p. 100, second portion of Remark j.

ORAL EXERCISE.

Assign the reasons given in the four preceding Rules and the Remarks for the punctuation of headings, names of books, abbreviations, marks, figures, and numeral capitals, as they occur in the following sentences: —

What will £100 amount to in 34 years, at 4 per cent per annum, compound interest? (Rule IV.; and Remark d, under Rule III.) The train leaves New York at 9 o'clock, A.M., and 44, P.M.; returning at 10 in the evening. (Rules IV. and III.)

But the seasons are not alike in all countries of the same region, for the reasons already given. See chap. vi. § xii. ¶ 4, p. 530. (Rule III.; and Rule V., Remark c.)

Poetical Works. Mark Akenside. Lond. 1855. 2 vols. 12mo

(Rule II. and Rem. a; Rule III., last of Rem. a, Rem. e; Rule IV.)

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To R. H. Dana, jun., Esq., the well-known author of "Two Years before the Mast," the community are greatly indebted. (Rule III. and first of Remark a.

Titus died in the third year of his reign, and the 41st year of his age, not without suspicion of being poisoned by his brother Domitian, who succeeded him. (Remark e, under Rule III.)

Young as he was, the gentleman earned the approbation of his friends, and at length became M.D., F.R.S., F.A.S. (Rule III. and first of Remark a.)

Constantine the Great was advanced to the sole dominion of the Roman world, A.D. 325, and soon after openly professed the Christian faith. (Rule III.; Rule IV., last portion of Remark b.)

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LECTURE II.-The later Literature of the Greeks. Their Sophists and
Philosophers.-The Alexandrian Age

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(Rule II. and Remark a.)

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(Rule III.; and

Thomas Campbell wrote some beautiful lines on the Scottish king, James IV., who fell at the battle of Flodden. Remark a, first portion.)

The sentiments which chivalry inspired had a wonderful influence on manners and conduct during the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries. (Remark e, under Rule III.)

"Why so crusty, good sir?"-"Zounds!" cries Will, in a taking,
"Who wouldn't be crusty with half a year's baking?"

(Remark g, under Rule III.)

There are only two common principles on which every work of imagination must more or less proceed, 1st, On the expression of those feelings which are common to all men of elevated thinking; and, 2d, On those patriotic feelings and associations peculiar to the people in whose language it is composed, and on whom it is to exert its nearest and most powerful influence. (Remark e, under Rule III.) INTRODUCTION. 1. The Early Years of Elizabeth's Reign; Summary of their Literature.-2. Literary Greatness of the next Eighty Years; Division into Three Eras. - REIGN OF ELIZABETH FROM 1580.-3. Social Character of the Time; its Religious Aspect; Effects on Literature. 4. Minor Elizabethan Writers; their Literary Importance; the Three Great Names. (Rule II. and Remark b.)

The following are some of the marble statues, in the Museum of Naples, which most impressed me:

Psyche; a fragment, but full of feeling, grace, and beauty; by some,

ascribed to Praxiteles.

A bust of Caracalla, animated and lifelike.

Two equestrian statues of Balbus and his son, found at Herculaneum; simple, noble, and dignified.

A beautiful bas-relief of Dædalus and Icarus.

A fine head of Alexander.

(Rule II.)

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CHAPTER III.

THE GRAMMATICAL AND RHETORICAL POINTS.

BESIDES the Comma, the Semicolon, the Colon, and the Period, which are properly regarded as the most essential points in bringing out the sense of a written or printed composition, there are a few other marks, partly grammatical and partly rhetorical, well deserving the attention of those who desire to have their writings, whether of an epistolary or of a more elaborate nature, easily understood :

1. The NOTE OF INTERROGATION

2. The NOTE OF EXCLAMATION

3. The MARKS OF PARENTHESIS
4. The DASH.

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In classifying these points as both grammatical and rhetorical, we mean to imply, not that those which have come under consideration afford no facilities in delivery, but that the Marks of Interrogation, Exclamation, and Parenthesis, and the Dash, have a more direct bearing on that art. They are rhetorical, in proportion to the degree in which they exhibit the force and intensity of a style that is rhetorical in its structure; but they are also grammatical, because they often serve to indicate, in connection with other marks, the nature, construction, and sense of the passages in which they occur.

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SECT. 1.—THE NOTES OF INTERROGATION AND EXCLAMATION.

1. The NOTE OF INTERROGATION [?] shows that a question is denoted by the words to which it is annexed.

2. The NOTE OF EXCLAMATION [!] indicates pas

sion or emotion.

REMARKS.

a. The notes of interrogation and exclamation de not mark the relative pauses of the voice; occupying, as they do, sometimes the place of the comma or the semicolon, and sometimes that of the colon or the period. But they are usually put at the end of sentences, and are equivalent to a full point; requiring, therefore, in the majority of instances, the word that follows to begin with a capital letter, as after the period.

b. In some cases, it is difficult to distinguish the difference between an interrogative and an exclamatory sentence. As a general rule, however, it may be observed, that after words in which an answer is implied, or to which one is expected to be given, the note of interrogation is added; and after those, though apparently denoting inquiry, where no answer is involved or intended, the note of exclamation is the proper and distinctive mark. If the writer of such passages has a clear conception of his own meaning, he can be at no loss which of the points should be used; but if the language is ambiguous, and requires to be punctuated by a printer or an editor, either of the marks may, under the circumstances, be regarded as admissible.

c. In treating of the interrogative and exclamative marks, writers on punctuation, laying too much stress on the rhetorical character of these points, are wont to say that they cause an elevation of the voice. But, though it must be acknowledged that they assist much in the proper delivery of the passages in which they occur, it will

not be denied that this results only from a knowledge of a writer's meaning, and from the kind of phraseology which he employs. That the notes of interrogation and exclamation have far less to do with the inflections of the voice than is commonly imagined, will be fully apparent from the following sentences, some of which require a rise, and others a fall, in their pronunciation: "Shall we in your person crown' the author of the public calamities, or shall we destroy` him?"—"What is the happiness that this world can give`? Can it defend us from disasters ́?" "Oh that these lips had language ́!"—"How mysterious are the ways of Providence`!"

RULE I.

Expressions in the Form of Questions.

An interrogative mark is placed at the termination of every question, whether it requires an answer, or, though in its nature assertive, is put, for the sake of emphasis, in an interrogative form.

EXAMPLES.

1. Why, for so many a year, has the poet or the philosopher wandered amid the fragments of Athens or of Rome; and paused, with strange and kindling feelings, amid their broken columns, their mouldering temples, their deserted plains? It is because their day of glory is past.

2. How can he exalt his thoughts to any thing great or noble who only believes, that, after a short term on the stage of existence, he is to sink into oblivion, and to lose his consciousness for ever?

REMARK S.

a. The first of these passages exemplifies a sentence expressive of direct inquiry; the second, one that is assertive in its meaning, but interrogative in its structure or form.

b. The mark of interrogation should not be used when it is only affirmed that a question has been asked, and the expression denoting inquiry is put in any other shape than that of a direct question; as, "I was asked if I would stop for dinner." If put in the interrogative form, this sentence would be read and punctuated according to the rule: “I was asked, 'Will you stop for dinner?'”

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