PUNCTUATION is the art of dividing written composition into sentences or
parts of sentences, by points or stops, in order to mark the different
pauses which the sense and an accurate pronunciation require.
The _Comma_ represents the shortest pause; the _Semicolon_, a pause
double that of the comma; the _Colon_, double that of the semicolon; and
the _Period_, double that of the colon.
Punctuation is a modern art. The ancients were entirely unacquainted
with the use of points; and wrote, not only without any distinction of
members and periods, but also without any distinction of words. This
custom continued till the year 360 before Christ. How the ancients read
their works, written in this manner, it is not easy to conceive. After
the practice of joining words together had ceased, notes of distinction
were placed at the end of every word. This practice continued a
considerable time.
As it appears that the present usage of points did not take place while
manuscripts and monumental inscriptions were the only known methods of
conveying knowledge, we must conclude, that it was introduced with the
art of printing. The introduction was, however, gradual: all the points
did not appear at once. The colon, semicolon, and note of admiration,
were produced some time after the others. The whole set, as they are now
used, became established, when learning and refinement had made
considerable progress.
As the rules of punctuation are founded altogether on the grammatical
construction of sentences, their application pre-supposes, on the part
of the student, a knowledge of Syntax. Although they admit of
exceptions, and require a continual exercise of judgment and literary
taste in applying them properly, they are of great utility, and justly
merit our particular attention.
The great importance of acquiring a thorough knowledge of punctuation,
and of attending strictly to the application of its rules, is
established by the single fact, that _the meaning of a sentence is often
totally perverted by the omission or misapplication of points_. To
illustrate the correctness of this remark, numerous example might be
selected. The following border on the ridiculous: "Mr. Jared Hurton
having gone to sea his wife, desires the prayers of this church:"
"Tryon, who escaped from the jail on Friday last, is 22 years of age,
has sandy hair, light eyes, thin visage, with a short nose turned up
about six feet high, &c." Corrected; "Mr. Jared Hurton having gone to
sea, his wife desires the prayers of this church;" "thin visage, with a
short nose turned up, about six feet high, &c."
Before one enters upon the study of punctuation, it is necessary for him
to understand what is meant by an _adjunct_, _a simple sentence_, and a
_compound sentence_.
An _adjunct_ or _imperfect phrase_ contains no assertion, or does not
amount to a proposition or sentence; as, "Therefore;" "studious of
praise;" "in the pursuit of commerce."--For the definition of a
sentence, and a compound sentence, turn to page 119.
When two or more adjuncts are connected with the verb in the same
manner, and by the same preposition or conjunction, the sentence is
compound, and may be resolved into as many simple ones as there are
adjuncts; as, "They have sacrificed their _health_ and _fortune_, at the
_shrine_ of vanity, _pride_, and _extravagance_." But when the adjuncts
are connected with the verb in a different manner, the sentence is
simple; as, "Grass of an excellent _quality_, is produced in great
_abundance_ in the northern regions of our country."