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."

DASH.

The Dash, though often used improperly by hasty and incoherent writers,
may be introduced with propriety, where the sentence breaks off
abruptly; where a significant pause is required; or where there is an
unexpected turn in the sentiment; as, "If thou art he, so much respected
once--but, oh! how fallen! how degraded!" "If acting conformably to the
will of our Creator;--if promoting the welfare of mankind around us;--if
securing our own happiness;--are objects of the highest moment: then we
are loudly called upon to cultivate and extend the great interests of
religion and virtue."

A dash following a stop, denotes that the pause is to be greater than if
the stop were alone; and when used by itself, requires a pause of such
length as the sense only can determine.

"Here lies the great--False marble, where?
"Nothing but sordid dust lies here."

INTERROGATORY POINT.

The note of interrogation is used at the end of an interrogative
sentence; as, "Who adorned the heavens with such exquisite beauty?"

NOTE. The interrogative point should not be employed in cases where
it is only said, that a question has been asked; as, "The Cyprians
asked me, why I wept."

EXCLAMATORY POINT.

The note of exclamation is applied to expressions of sudden emotion,
surprise, joy, grief, &c. and sometimes to invocations and addresses;
as, "How much vanity in the pursuits of men!" "What is more amiable than
virtue!" "My friend! this conduct amazes me!" "Hear me, O Lord! for thy
loving kindness is great!"

PARENTHESIS.

A parenthesis is a clause containing some useful remark, which may be
omitted without injuring the grammatical construction; as, "To gain a
posthumous reputation, is to save a few letters (for what is a name
besides?) from oblivion."

"Know then this truth, (enough for man to know,)
"Virtue alone is happiness below."

NOTE. The parenthesis generally denotes a moderate depression of the
voice; and, as the parenthetical marks do not supply the place of a
point, the clause should be accompanied with every stop which the
sense would require, if the parenthetical characters were not used.
It ought to terminate with the same kind of point which the member
has that precedes it; as "He loves nobly, (I s