But as a numerous style (strictly so called) is not frequently, and indeed but seldom admissible in forensic causes,--it seems necessary to enquire, in the next place, what are those _commas_ and _colons_ before-mentioned, and which, in real causes, should occupy the major part of an Oration. The _period_, or complete sentence, is usually composed of four divisions, which are called _members_, (or _colons_) that it may properly fill the ear, and be neither longer nor shorter than is requisite for that purpose. But it sometimes, or rather frequently happens, that a sentence either falls short of, or exceeds the limits of a regular period, to prevent it from fatiguing the ear on the one hand, or disappointing it on the other. What I mean is to recommend an agreeable mediocrity: for we are not treating of verse, but of rhetorical prose, which is confessedly more free and unconfined. A full period, then, is generally composed of four parts, which may be compared to as many hexameter verses, each of which have their proper points, or particles of continuation, by which they are connected so as to form a perfect period. But when we speak by _colons_, we interupt their union, and, as often as occasion requires (which indeed will frequently be the case) break off with ease from this laboured and suspicious flow of language; but yet nothing should be so numerous in reality as that which appears to be least so, and yet has a forcible effect. Such is the following passage in Crassus:--"_Missos faciant patronos; ipsi prodeant_." "Let them dismiss their patrons: let them answer for themselves." Unless "_ipsi prodeant_" was pronounced after a pause, the hearer must have discovered a complete iambic verse. It would have had a better cadence in prose if he had said "_prodeant ipsi_." But I am only to consider the species, and not the cadence of the sentence. He goes on, "_Cur clandestinis consiliis nos oppugnant? cur de perfugis nostris copias comparant contra nos_?" "Why do they attack us by clandestine measures? why do they collect forces against us from our own deserters?" In the former passage there are two _commas_: in the latter he first makes use of the _colon_, and afterwards of the _period_: but the period is not a long one, as only consisting of two _colons_, and the whole terminates in _spondees_. In this manner Crassus generally expressed himself; and I much approve his method. But when we speak either in _commas_, or _colons_, we should be very attentive to the harmony of their cadence: as in the following instance.--"_Domus tibi deerat? at habebas. Pecunia superabat? at egebas_." "Was you without a habitation? You had a house of your own. Was your pocket well provided? You was not master of a farthing." These are four _commas_; but the two following members are both _colons_;--"_Incurristi omens in columnas, in alienos insanus insanisti_."