THE COLON.

THE word Colon is derived from the Greek and signifies a limb, or member. The Colon marks a division of a sentence very nearly complete, yet not sufficiently separated in sense to form an independent sentence.

Two clauses, of which the former raises the expectation of the latter, or which express a comparison or a contrast one with another, but without the use of a connecting word, require a colon between them; as,

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Anger is like rain: it breaks itself upon that upon which it falls."

"Cowards die many times: the valiant never taste of death but once."

The proper use of this mark, which, however, is much neglected, aids materially in showing the exact meaning of the sentence, and the few rules for its application should receive particular attention.

THE COLON BEFORE QUOTATION.

RULE 1.-A Colon should be placed before a quotation, a speech, a course of reasoning, or an enumeration of particulars, when formally introduced.

EXAMPLE.

1.-Speaking of party zeal, Pope makes this judicious remark: "There never was any party, faction, sect, or cabal whatsoever, in which the most ignorant were not the most violent."

2. It is only necessary to make the experiment to find two things: one, how much useful knowledge can be acquired in a very little time; and the other, how much time can be spared, by good management, out of the busiest day.

3.-All our conduct towards men should be influenced by this important precept: "Do

unto others as you would that others should do unto you."

RULE 1.-Continued.

NOTE 1.-If the quotation is of considerable length, consisting of several sentences, or begins a paragraph, it should be preceded by both a colon and a dash.

EXAMPLE.

At the close of the meeting the president arose and said:

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is with extreme reluctance that I address you on this occasion, etc."

NOTE 2.-If the quotation is short and informal, the comma should be used.

EXAMPLE.

As for Paoli, he told them, proudly, "He is a good man. I wish I could be like him.”

NOTE 3.-In dignified address, the colon is frequently used.

EXAMPLE.

Mr. President: It is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

THE COLON WITH "YES" AND
YES" AND "NO."

RULE II.-The words "yes" and "no "when in answer to a question, should be followed by a colon,

if the words which follow are a continuation or repetition of the answer.

EXAMPLES.

1. Can they do it? Yes: they can do it. Or, Yes, sir: they can do it.

2. Will he pretend to say that this is an offensive war,- -a war of conquest?-Yes: the gentleman has dared to make this assertion, and for reasons no less extraor dinary than the assertion itself.

NOTE 1.-When the words which follow yes or no are not repetitions of the same idea, these words should not be followed by the colon; but should be punctuated as complete propositions.

EXAMPLES.

1.-"Will you play again?"-"No, sir; God bless you! I will ! I will go home now." 2.-" You will come again?"-"Yes, and I shall bring a friend with me."

NOTE 2.-When not used as answers to questions, yes and no may be punctuated as adverbs used independently.

EXAMPLE.

Yes, man's life is short. and art is long.

THE COLON BEFORE INFERENCE, ETC.

RULE III-A Colon should be put after a clause that is complete in itself, but is followed, without a conjunction, by some remark, inference, or illustration. EXAMPLES.

1. Avoid affectation: it is a contemptible weak

ness.

2. It is dreadful to live in suspense: it is the life of a spider.

3.-Nor was the religion of the Greek drama a mere form: it was full of truth, spirit, and

power. 4.-There is no mortal truly wise and restless at the same time: wisdom is the repose of the mind.

5. The present life is not wholly prosaic, precise, tame, and finite: to the gifted eye, it abounds in the poetic.

6. To be free, to have the mind of a freeman, is not to consider liberty as a privilege which a few only are to enjoy, and which, like some narrow and limited good, would become less by distribution: it is to wi ardently that all partook of the blessing.