When a sentence is complete, and so independent as not to be connected
with the one which follows it, a period should be inserted at its close;
as, "Fear God." "Honor the patriot." "Respect virtue."
In the use of many of the pauses, there is a diversity of practice among
our best writers and grammarians. Compound sentences connected by
conjunctions, are sometimes divided by the period; as, "Recreations,
though they may be of an innocent kind, require steady government to
keep them within a due and limited province. _But_ such as are of an
irregular and vicious nature, are not to be governed, but to be banished
from every well-regulated mind."
The period should follow every abbreviated word; as, "A.D. N.B. U.S. Va.
Md. Viz. Col. Mr."