Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 4.djvu/321

. iv. SEPT. so, iocs.] NOTES AND QUERIES. 263 ' In Saxon manuscripts abbreviations were numerous, and the circumflex was in com- mon nse ; the colon, or probably its equiva- lent, thus;- was also used; but neither comma nor semicolon, unless what I have supposed to represent a colon was really a semicolon. Of course a " period " was used. In Scottish written documents (Latin) of 1200 we find the period and colon—the period usually, and the circumflex always, indicat- ing that a word is abridged. In 1236, in a Latin charter, the circumflex serves its usual purpose; while the period is the only punc- tuating mark. In a charter of 1370. also in Latin, punctuation is absent, but the circum- flex is used. In an indenture of 1374 the- observance of " points" is practically nil, but for an occasional full stop. The circum- flex plays its allotted part, and it may be- observed that the dotting of the " i" is frequently a stroke, right to left, thus /. In 1415 the circumflex is used, punctuating symbols being practically absent in a charter of the date named. A Homer I have, in Greek, printed in 1535, has punctuating marks : comma, semi- colon, and full stop ; the contracting symbol' T take to be the circumflex, but the lettering.