The same rule applies to semi-colons that has been applied to colons; viz., they must be used to illustrate a preceding member, and for that purpose only. From what has been just set forth, it appears, that when in English composition many members, having immediate relation to each other, meet together, and every one but the first is used to illustrate a preceding member, they form a piece of workmanship which is sometimes called a period, and more frequently a sentence, and its close is marked with a full-point. If the theory now propounded be correct, discourses do not consist of so many sentences or periods, as has been generally conjectured: in the preface to Pope's Works is to be found a passage, printed and pointed as follows; I confess, it was want of consideration that made me an author. I writ, because it amused me. I corrected, because it was as pleasant to me to correct as to write. I published, because I was told I might please such as it was a credit to please. Now it is submitted that the pointing of this passage should be as follows; I confess, it was want of consideration that made me an author: I writ, because it amused me: I corrected, because it was as pleasant to me to correct as to write: I published, because I was told I might please such as it was a credit to please. Again ; The work is unique as a specimen of typography. Nothing more exquisite has met our eye since the days of Foulis or Elzevir. The maps too, are at once correct and beautiful. In modern times there has not appeared any other Bible, that can bear the slightest comparison with it. It is submitted that this should stand; The work is unique as a specimen of typography: nothing more exquisite has met our eye since the days of Foulis or Elzevir: the maps too, are at once correct and beautiful: in modern times there has not appeared any other Bible, that can bear the slightest comparison with it. The celebrated dispatch of Cæsar to the Roman Senate is a sentence of three colons; not three simple periods as it is sometimes pointed: I came: I saw : I conquered. 1 came. I saw. I conquered. It may be objected that the system now propounded, will lead to periods of inconvenient lengths; but if the rule, that only members used for the purpose of illustrating a preceding member, and for that purpose only, are colons and semi-colons, be kept, the perpetration of a period to an inconvenient length will be of rare occurrence. The perpetration of a sentence of inconvenient length, arising from its being formed of many members, may be avoided by repeating the principal member, and giving on each repetition, only one or some of the subordinate members. From a consideration of what has been said on the period, colon, and semi-colon, it follows, that a complex sentence consists of one principal member and one or more subordinate members; such subordinate members being used only for the purpose of illustrating the principal member. The main proposition of a sentence is contained in the principal member. To illustrate a proposition, it is sometimes necessary to use two or more members of great length, or many subordinate members: in such a case to avoid a sentence of inconvenient length, the proposition should be repeated, and the illustrative members divided among the several repetitions :-for instance, the three sentences or periods, included between the fourteenth line of the second, and the twentythird line of the third pages of this work, have the same proposition; viz., that the distinction between periods and members and their points, is not a new one now these three periods or sentences might be framed as one; what is there said of Lowth and Campbell and the quotations from their works, might be added as illustrative members (colons) and marked with colon-points; but such a sentence would be found of inconvenient length and not readily intelligible; therefore the proposition is three times repeated, and to each repetition different illustrative members have been added. The practice of marking colons with full points, leads to an inconvenience similar to that spoken of in note 6, in regard to modern versions of the Scriptures being divided into verses; viz., by this practice many passages are looked upon as distinct, when they ought to be considered as united; consequently the interpetration is likely to be injured. Periods, colons, and semi-colons, having been debated at great length, what is a colon or semi-colon will be summed up in a general description:-a colon or semicolon is the more which cometh after, used only to illustrate what goeth immediately before; the more which cometh after and that which goeth before forming a period.30 THE COMMA. In treating of the colon the object was to shew, that it is a member of a sentence; but it is not so with the comma: a comma is only a fragment of a sentence. Comma is a Greek word which is variously translated; -segment; fragment; a slice; a piece cut off or cut out; part of a period; a short division of a period; a part of a member in a sentence; the smallest part or fragment of a sentence; a mark; a sign; the smallest part in music.31 Cicero says, what the Greeks called commas and colons, the Latins incorrectly termed incisa and membra.32 A comma may be thus defined;-it is a fragment, consisting of one or more words, conveying by itself no intelligible idea to the mind, and generally may be removed from a sentence and the sentence remain sense. The use of a comma is to qualify other words and phrases of the sentence, of which it is a fragment. Vossius says, that with the ancient rhetoricians the comma was accounted an imperfect sentence, or a part of a period composed without a verb :33 if, in English composition, a rule can be laid down that a comma has not its verb, to such a rule there must be some exceptions. As a further help to the student some rules upon the comma, mainly framed from what Bishop Lowth says upon the comma, and what Lindley Murray says upon the comma-point, shall be given. Two or more nouns occurring in the same construction, are severally commas and are usually pointed; as, Reason, virtue, answer one great aim. The husband, wife, and children, suffered extremely. Two or more adjectives belonging to the same substantive, are likewise commas and are usually pointed; as, Plain, honest truth. David was brave, wise, and pious. The most innocent pleasures are the sweetest, the most rational, the most affecting, and the most lasting. Two or more verbs, having the same nominative case, are commas and are usually pointed; as, Virtue supports in adversity, moderates in prosperity. Participles are subject to a like rule; as, A man fearing, serving, and loving his creator. And so are adverbs; as, We are fearfully, wonderfully made. Success depends on acting prudently, steadily, and vigorously, in what we undertake. To the above rules there are exceptions: if two nouns, or two adjectives, or two verbs, or two participles, or two adverbs, are connected by a conjunction, it is not usual to point them; as, Virtue and vice form a strong contrast to each other. True worth is modest and retired. The study of natural history expands and elevates the mind. Whether we eat or drink, labour or sleep, we should be moderate. By being admired and flattered we are often corrupted. Some men act deliberately and presumptously. To the exceptive rule, last above given, an exception may be made, which is this; that when commas of many words are connected by a conjunction, they are not uncommonly pointed; as, Intemperance destroys the strength of our bodies, and the vigour of our minds. The case absolute is a comma and is often pointed; as, His father dying, he succeeded to the estate. Commas, which begin with a relative pronoun, are commonly pointed; as, He preaches sublimely, who leads a sober, righteous, and pious life. |