when the conjunction is
omitted, and therefore we use a stronger point. The two parts of an
antithesis are generally separated in this way.

XXIII. A pause generally indicated by a comma may be indicated by a
semicolon when commas are used in the sentence for other purposes.
(See _Introduction: Relativity of Points_.)

I got several things of less value, but not all less useful
to me, which I omitted setting down before: as, in
particular, pens, ink, and paper; several parcels in the
captain's, mate's, gunner's, and carpenter's keeping; three
or four compasses, some mathematical instruments, dials,
perspectives, charts, and books of navigation.

In this I was certainly in the wrong too, the honest,
grateful creature having no thought but what consisted of
the best principles, both as a religious Christian and as a
grateful friend; as appeared afterward to my full
satisfaction.

In the first sentence the semicolon enables us to group the objects
enumerated. Had commas been used throughout, the reader would have
been left to find out the arrangement for himself.

THE COLON

XXIV. The colon is used to indicate pauses more abrupt than those
indicated by the semicolon.

God has willed it: submit in thankfulness.

The wind raged, and the rain beat against the window: it was
a miserable day.

Nevertheless, you will say that there must be a difference
between true poetry and true speech not poetical: what is
the difference?

The first example contains two clauses that are connected in such a
way as to justify us in putting them into one sentence; that it is
God's will, is a reason for submitting. The proper point therefore
should be something less than the full stop. But there is a striking
difference between the clauses; for we pass from an affirmation to a
command. Therefore something more than the semicolon is needed. Had
the clauses been similar in construction, the pause would have been
sufficiently indicated by the semicolon: "God has willed it; man has
resisted."

In the second example there is not the same change of grammatical
construction, but the change in thought is equally great; we pass from
a statement of details to a statement of the general result. The colon
is frequently used in sentences of this kind, where the phrase "in
short" is implied but is not expressed.

Many writers indicate such abrupt ch