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 their huge inarticulate question, ‘What do you mean to do with us?’ in a manner audible to every reflective soul in the kingdom.”—­Carlyle’s Past and Present, p. 16.  “An adverb may be generally known, by its answering to the question, How? how much? when? or where? as, in the phrase, ’He reads correctly,’ the answer to the question, How does he read? is correctly.”—­L.  Murray’s Gram., p. 28.  This passage, which, without ever arriving at great accuracy, has been altered by Murray and others in ways innumerable, is everywhere exhibited with five interrogation points.  But, as to capitals and commas, as well as the construction of words, it would seem no easy matter to determine what impression of it is nearest right.  In Flint’s Murray it stands thus:  “An adverb may generally be known by its answering the question, How?  How much?  When? or Where?  As in the phrase, ’He reads correctly.  The answer to the question, ’How does he read?’ is, ‘correctly.’” Such questions, when the pause is slight, do not, however, in all cases, require capitals:  as,

“Rosal.  Which of the visors was it, that you wore?
Biron.  Where? when? what visor? why demand you this?”
Shakspeare, Love’s Labour Lost, Act V, Sc. 2.

OBS. 4.—­A question is sometimes put in the form of a mere declaration; its interrogative character depending solely on the eroteme, and the tone, or inflection of voice, adopted in the utterance:  as, “I suppose, Sir, you are his apothecary?”—­SWIFT:  Burgh’s Speaker, p. 85.  “I hope, you have, upon no account, promoted sternutation by hellebore?”—­Id., ib. “This priest has no pride in him?”—­SINGER’S SHAK., Henry VIII, ii, 2.

IMPROPRIETIES FOR CORRECTION.

FALSE PUNCTUATION.—­ERRORS CONCERNING THE EROTEME.

UNDER RULE I.—­QUESTIONS DIRECT.

“When will his ear delight in the sound of arms.”—­O.  B. Peirce’s Gram., 12mo, p. 59.

[FORMULE.—­Not proper, because here is a finished question with a period set after it.  But, according to Rule 1st for the Eroteme, “Questions expressed directly as such, if finished, should always be followed by the note of interrogation.”  Therefore, the eroteme, or note of interrogation, should here be substituted for the period.]

“When shall I, like Oscar, travel in the light of my steel.”—­Ib., p. 59.  “Will Henry call on me while he shall be journeying South.”—­Peirce, ib., p. 133.