Thus far have I followed. the common Method, and written thefe Chapters in the way of Question and Answer: Tis eafy for any Mafter to teach Children the following Chapters in the fame Manner: But it would have taken up too much room to have written the whole Book, in this Method.

CHAP. XIII.

Of the Notes or Points used in Writing or Printing.

A

FTER fuch an Account of Letters and Syllables as I thought neceffary, in order to pronounce Single Words aright, we.come now to confider how they are to be pronounced when they are joined together to make up Sentences; and this is what we call Reading in the most proper Sense.

But before I lay down particular Directions how to read, we must take notice of feveral Sorts of Points: and Marks, that are used in Wri

ting or Printing, to diftinguifh the feveral Parts of a Sentence, and the feveral Kinds of Sentences and Ways of Writing which are used, that the Learner may know how to manage his Voice, according to the Sense.

The Points, or Marks, ufed in Writing or Printing, may be distinguifh'd into three Sorts, and called Stops of the Voice, Notes of Affection, and Marks in Reading.

The Stops of the Voice fhow us where to make a Paufe, or reft, and take breath; and are these four.

1. Comma

2. Semicolon

3. Colon :

; 4. Period

1. A Comma divides betwixt all the leffer Parts of the fame Sentence, and directs us to reft while we can tell two, as Neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor Powers, nor Things prefent, nor Things to come, shall separate me from thy Love.

2. A Semicolon feparates betwixt the bigger Parts or Branches of the fame Sentence, and directs us to

reft

reft while we can tell three, as Wo to them that call Evil Good, and Good Evil; that put Darkness for Light, and Light for Darkness; that put Bitter for Sweet, and Sweet for Bitter. And especially where there is a fort of Oppofition between the one and the other, as, And fuch were fome of you; but ye are washed, but ye are juftified, &c.

3. A Colon divides between two or more Sentences that belong to the fame Senfe, and have any proper Connexion with one another; and it requires a Paufe a little longer than a Semicolon, as My Soul followeth hard after thee: thy Right Hand upholdeth me.

But let it be noted, that a Colon and a Semicolon are often used one for the other, especially in our Bibles.

4. A Period, or full Stop, fhows either the Senfe, or that particular Sentence to be fully finish'd, and requires us to reft while we can tell five or fix, if the Sentence be long; or while we can tell four, if it be fhort:

fhort as Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceafing. In every thing give Thanks. Quench not the Spirit.

The Notes of Affection are these two. 1. Interrogation ? 2. Exclamation!

1. A Note of Interrogation requires as long a Stop as a Period, and is always used when a Question is asked; as, What Advantage bath a few? or what Profit is there of Circumcifion?

2. A Note of Exclamation, (or as fome call it Admiration) requires alfo a Stop as long as a Period, and betokens fome fudden Paffion of the Mind, as admiring, wishing, or crying out; as, O that I might have my Request! Alas! Alas! How is the City fallen!

The other Marks used in Reading. are these twelve:

1. Apoftrophe (or, as it may be written in English, Apoftrophy) is fet over a Word where fome Letter is left out; as 'tis, thro', lov'd, fear'd, for it is, through, loved, feared.

2. An Hyphen joins two Words to. gether, which make a Compound, as Coach-man, Apple-pye; or if a Line end in the middle of a Word, 'tis ufed to how that thofe divided Syllables fhould be joined together in Reading, and make but one Word.

3. A Parenthefis is used to include fomething that is not neceffary to the Senfe, but brought in by the by, to explain or illuftrate it; as, To their Power (I bear Record) they were willing of themselves. I know that in me (that is, in my Flesh) dwelleth no good Thing.

Note, That before and after a Parenthefis you muft ftop as long as at a Comma; and the Words inclofed in the Parenthesis, must be pronounced with a little different Sound of Voice fometimes.

4. Brackets, or Crotchets, are ufed to include a Word or two which is mentioned in the Sentence, as the