RULE IV.

Marks or Figures used instead of Words.

When either marks or Arabic figures are substituted for words, the period should not be used, except at the end of a sentence; but the full point is inserted before decimals, and between pounds and shillings.

EXAMPLES.

1. He borrows $5,000, and agrees to pay interest at 6 per cent per annum. 2. As an illustration of our remarks, see § 2, T 10, notes and †. 3.8+9+7X 135 + 10 X6-12 X 2÷5+21=777.

4. £1. 10s. 6d. sterling is equivalent to $6.78, United States money.

REMARKS.

a. Marks and figures are considered as representative signs, not abbreviations. Hence the propriety of the rule.

b. When figures are put in a tabular or columnar form, periods are not inserted; but, when they occur in regularly constructed sentences or in dates or headings, that point should be used which would be adopted if they were written in words.

RULE V.

Letters used for Figures or Words.

When numerals are written in characters of the alphabet, instead of words or Arabic figures, it is usual to insert periods after them in all situations; and, when employed as dates, to separate by periods the portions into which they are divided when audibly read.

EXAMPLES.

1. In proof of his position, the learned divine referred to Gen. vi. 12, 13. Ps. lxv. 2; lxxviii. 39. Acts ii. 17. 1 Cor. i. 29.

2. In the title pages of books and in inscriptions, dates are sometimes put in capitals, instead of figures; as, M.DCCC.LV. for 1855.

REMARKS.

a. A full point is, in the first example, put after chapters vi., lxv., lxxiii., ii., and i.; and, in the second, after M., DCCC., and LV., not as being equivalent to the grammatical period, but merely because, 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.

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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.)

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

(Rule II. and Remark a.)

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Thomas Campbell wrote some beautiful lines on the Scottish king, James IV., who fell at the battle of Flodden. (Rule III.; and 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.

[?]

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. I.-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 passion or emotion.

REMARKS.

a. The notes of interrogation and exclamation do 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