on points are _intermediate_ as to their
quantity or time, and may be equivalent in that respect to a semicolon, a
colon, or a period, as the sense may require."--_Octavo Gram._, p. 280. But
Sanborn, in regard to his "_Question Point_," awkwardly says: "_This pause_
is generally _some longer_ than that of a period."--_Analytical Gram._, p.
271. Buchanan, as long ago as 1767, taught as follows: "The Pause after the
two Points of Interrogation and Admiration ought to be equal to that of the
Period, or a Colon at least."--_English Syntax_, p. 160. And J. S. Hart
avers, that, "A question is reckoned as equal to a complete sentence, and
the mark of interrogation as equal to a period."--_Hart's English Gram._,
p. 166. He says also, that, "the first word after a note of interrogation
should begin with a capital."--_Ib._, p. 162. In some instances, however,
he, like others, has not adhered to these exceptionable principles, as may
be seen by the false grammar cited below.

OBS. 2.--Sometimes a series of questions may be severally complete in
sense, so that each may require the interrogative sign, though some or all
of them may be so united in construction, as not to admit either a long
intermediate pause or an initial capital; as, "Is there no honor in
generosity? nor in preferring the lessons of conscience to the impulses of
passion? nor in maintaining the supremacy of moral principle, and in paying
reverence to Christian truth?"--_Gannett_. "True honour is manifested in a
steady, uniform train of actions, attended by justice, and directed by
prudence. Is this the conduct of the duellist? will justice support him in
robbing the community of an able and useful member? and in depriving the
poor of a benefactor? will it support him in preparing affliction for the
widow's heart? in filling the orphan's eyes with tears?"--_Jerningham's
Essay_, p. 113. But, in this latter example, perhaps, commas might be
substituted for the second and fourth erotemes; and the word _will_ might,
in both instances, begin with a capital.

OBS. 3.--When a question is mentioned in its due form, it commonly retains
the sign of interrogation, though not actually asked by the writer; and,
except perhaps when it consists of some little interrogative word or
phrase, requires the initial capital: as, "To know when this point ought to
be used, do not say:[,] 'Is a question asked?' but, 'Does the sentence ask
a question?'"--_Churchill's Gram._, p. 368. "They put