WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Pens and Types / or Hints and Helps for Those who Write, Print, Read, Teach, or Learn cover

Pens and Types / or Hints and Helps for Those who Write, Print, Read, Teach, or Learn

Chapter 24: VI. THE NOTE OE EXCLAMATION.
By Benjamin Drew
Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Encyclopedias/Dictionaries/ReferenceHow To ...Journalism/Media/WritingLanguage & CommunicationTeaching & Education

About This Book

The volume presents a proofreader’s practical handbook for producing clear printed material, treating writing for the press, proofreading methods, principles of style, punctuation, orthography, capitalization, and the history and forms of old-style typography. It supplies rules and illustrative examples, lists of preferred spellings and troublesome variants, explanations of ligatures and letterforms, plus technical terms and type-size references. Aimed at writers, printers, teachers, and learners, the text stresses legible manuscripts, consistent usage of capitals and spellings, and careful revision to minimize printing errors, and it includes an index and appendices for quick consultation.

VI. THE NOTE OE EXCLAMATION.

30. The note of Exclamation is applied to expressions of sudden or violent emotion; such as surprise, grief, joy, love, hatred, etc.

O piteous spectacle! O noble Cæsar! O woful day!

An old lady one day importuning Mahomet to know what {p114} she ought to do, in order to gain Paradise,—“My good lady,” answered the Prophet, “old women never get there.”—“What! never get to Paradise!” returned the matron in a fury. “Never!” says he, “for they grow young by the way!”

Why was this heart of mine formed with so much sensibility! or why was not my fortune adapted to its impulse! Poor houseless creatures! The world will give you reproaches, but will not give you relief.

Ah! well of old the Psalmist prayed
“Thy hand, not man’s, on me be laid!”
Earth frowns below, Heaven weeps above,
And man is hate, but God is love!

31. The exclamation point is used in invocations.

Father of all! in every age adored.

Gentle spirit of sweetest humor who erst did sit upon the easy pen of my beloved Cervantes!

Oh, my brothers! oh, my sisters!
Would to God that ye were near!

32. Several exclamation points are sometimes used together, to express ridicule, or to intensify surprise, etc.

Malherbe observed, that a good poet was of no more service to the church or the state, than a good player at ninepins!!