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tion it may be answered, that if we consider the word ornamental as an adjective qualifying only the word cloud, the words every ornamental cloud may be considered only as one object, as the words every ornamental are only like an adjective before the substantive which refuses a pause (See Elements of Elocution, page 23). But if we consider every ornamental to qualify spot and vein as well as cloud, and only omitted for the sake of brevity, these words do not so much form one distinct class, as three distinct classes forming altogether one compound class, governed by the verb discovers. Here, too, we may perceive the general rule takes place which forbids a pause between the adjective and the substantive in the natural order, and which makes it improper to pause at ornamental. But if we suppose this word elliptically omitted before spot, another general rule obliges us to pause after cloud, that the mind may supply the word ornamental; for nothing can be more uniform in correct pronunciation, than the rule that enjoins us to make a pause wherever there is an ellipsis in the language.

This appears to be the true rationale of Punctuation; and, with this principle in view, we shall be enabled to enter into a detail of those rules which are commonly laid down in our grammars, to judge of the justness of them, and to add such others as none of our punctuists have taken notice of.

But, first, it will be necessary to make a distinction of punctuation, which will sound new to every one, and that is into visible and audible. Visible Punctuation is that which separates a sentence into its several parts, and shows the degree of separation that exists by the time of the pause between the several parts; and Audible Punctuation annexes to these pauses such a turn or elevation and depression of the voice as the sense and structure of sentence seem to require. Of both these in their order.

A Practical System of Rhetorical Punctuation.

Of Visible Punctuation.

BEFORE we give such directions for pausing, or dividing a sentence, as will in some measure enable us to avoid the errors of common punctuation, it will be necessary to inquire into the nature of a sentence, and to distinguish it into its different kinds. Sentences are of two kinds: a period, or compact sentence, and a loose sentence. A period, or compact sentence, is an assemblage of such words, or members, as do not form sense independent of each other; or, if they do, the former modify the latter, or inversely. A loose sentence is an assemblage of such words, or members, as do form sense, independent of those that follow, and at the same time are not modified by them: a period, or compact sentence, therefore, is divisible into two kinds; the first, where the former words and members depend for sense on the latter, as in the following sentence: As we cannot discern the shadow moving along the dial-plate, so the advances we make in learning are only perceived by the distance gone over. Here we find no sense formed till the last word is pronounced; and this sentence, for distinction's sake, we may call a direct period: the second kind of period, or compact sentence, is that, where, though the first part forms sense without the latter, it is nevertheless modified by it; as in the following sentence: There are several arts which all men are in some measure masters of, without being at the pains of learning them. Here, if we stop at masters of, we find complete sense formed, but not the whole sense; because what follows modifies or alters the meaning of it: for it is not said simply, that there are several arts, which all men are in some measure masters of, but with this qualification or change in the sense, without being at the pains of learning them, which reduces the general to a particular meaning: and this sentence we may call an inverted period. The loose sentence has its first members forming sense, without being modified by the latter; as in the following sentence: Persons of good taste expect to be pleased at the same time they are informed; and think that the best sense always deserves the best language. In which example we find the latter member adding something to the former, but not modifying or altering it.

This difference of connexion between the members of sentences, and consequently the different pauses to be annexed to them, will be better understood by attending to the different influence of the conjunction that and the relative which in the following passage:

A man should endeavour to make the sphere of his innocent pleasures as wide as possible, that he may retire into them with safety, and find in them such a satisfaction as a wise man would not blush to take. Of this nature are those of the imagination, which do not require such a bent of thought as is necessary to our most serious employments, nor at the same time

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suffer the mind to sink into that negligence and remissness, which are apt to accompany our more sensual delights.

Spectator, N° 411.

In the first of these sentences we find the conjunction that modifies or restrains the meaning of the preceding member; for it is not asserted in general, and without limitation, that a man should make the sphere of his innocent pleasures as wide as possible, but that he should do so for the purpose of retiring into himself: these two members, therefore, are necessarily connected, and might have formed a period, or compact sentence, had they not been followed by the last member; but as that only adds to the sense of the preceding members, and does not qualify them, the whole assemblage of members, taken together, form but one loose sen

tence.

The last member of the last sentence is necessarily connected with what precedes, because it modifies or restrains the meaning of it; for it / is not meant, that the pleasures of the imagination do not suffer the mind to sink into negligence and remissness in general, but into that particular negligence and remissness which is apt to accompany our more sensual delights. The first member of this sentence affords an opportunity of explaining this by its opposite: for here it is not meant, that those pleasures of the imagination only are of this innocent nature which do not require such a bent of thought as is necessary to our more serious employments; but that, of this nature are the pleasures of the imagination in general; and it is by asking the question, whether a preceding member affirms any thing in general, or only affirms something

as limited or qualified by what follows, that we shall discover whether these members are either immediately or remotely connected; and, consequently, whether they form a loose or a compact sentence: as the former member, therefore, of the last sentence is not necessarily connected with those that succeed, the sentence may be pronounced to be a loose sentence.

Sentences thus defined and distinguished into their several kinds, we shall be better enabled to give such rules for dividing them by pauses, as will reduce punctuation to some rational and steady principles. Previously, however, to these rules, it will be necessary to observe, that, as the times of the pauses are exceedingly indefinite, the fewer distinctions we make between them, the less we shall embarrass the reader; -I shall beg leave, therefore, to reduce the number of pauses to three: namely, the smaller pause, answering to the comma; the greater pause, answering to the semicolon, and colon; and the greatest pause, answering to the period. The ancients knew nothing of the semicolon; and, if we consider practice, and real utility, I believe it will be found, that the three distinctions of the ancients answer every useful purpose in writing and reading.

Rules for Pausing.

The principal Pause in the compact Sentence.

RULE I. Every direct period consists of two principal constructive parts, between which parts the greater pause must be inserted: when

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