_Stops, when first introduced_ (Vol. v., p. 1.).--The semicolon had been
freely used in England some years before the date (1589) of Puttenham's
_Arte of English Poesie_. If Sir Henry Ellis will turn to the first
edition of Archbishop Sandys' Sermons, _Sermons made by the most
reuerende Father in God, Edwin, Archbishop of Yorke_: At London, printed
by Henrie Midleton, for Thomas Charde, 1585, he will find semicolons in
abundance. I see that the note of interrogation occurs in _A Compendiovs
and very frvtefvl treatyse teachynge the waye of Dyenge well_, _by
Thomas Lupsete;_ London, 1541. It is no doubt to be found at an earlier
date, but my poor library does not afford an older English book. The
same mark, I may add, was used as a note both of interrogation and of
exclamation.