exercises, the voice rises at the first column, and falls at the second. The corresponding marks are given. RISING, FALLING. Sir? Stan'd. What'? Read. Shall I si't ? No, 'Sir. Is it trule? Perfectly true. Was he rigʻht ? Quite right. Very much so'. Does he write correctly or incorrec'tly? Rules for inflection are only, in a few cases, to be regarded as absolute. Individual taste and judgment must decide, in general, where the voice is to rise or fall. Some of the leading canons may be noticed. I. Let the voice fall at the semicolon and colon, but more decidedly at the end of a sentence. II. Raise the voice (1.) between subject and predicate; (2.) between subordinate and principal sentences ; (3.) between the parts of an antithesis or contrast ; (4.) at the end of an interrogative sentence beginning with a verb; (5.) at exclamations and echoes ; (6.) on the last of a series of words or subordinate sentences when it precedes the main statement, but on the second-last when it follows the main state. ment. II. MONOTONE. The pupil should next practise the sustaining of the voice at the same note. In some parts of the country, children read almost entirely upon the falling inflection ; in other places the rising prevails. In the following exercises, let the voice be sustained throughout each sentence, falling only at the end. EXERCISES. (1.) He who is self existent, omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, is likewise infinitely holy, just, and good. (2.) When we cast our eye over the broad sea, and look at the country on the other side, we see nothing but the blue land stretching obscurely over 'the distant horizon. (3.) Were he ever so benighted or forgetful of his high calling, there is always hope in a man that actually and earnestly works. (4.) The lofty vessel, as it retires from the coast, shrinks into littleness, and at last disappears in the form of a small speck on the verge of the horizon. (5.) I shall never forget the delightful sensation with which I exchanged the dark, smoky, smothering atmosphere of the Highland hut, in which we aad passed the night so uncomfortably, for the refreshing fragrance of the morning air. As a general rule, sustain the voice at the comma, allowing, of course, for the exceptions referred to under Infection. The Monotone is peculiar to poetry, and is very effective in sublime and solemn passages. We think the following reads better with the Monotone than with Inflection: “ Of man's first disobedience and the fruit Rose out of chaos." Let the pupils be accustomed to repeat the Lord's Prayer, and other solemn passages, in the Monotone. III. EMPHASIS. This element in Modulation is often absolutely necessary to bring out the sense of a statement, EXERCISES. Place emphasis on the word in italics in each of the following sentences : Did you give him that book ? you give him that book ? gave him that book. I gave him that book. Emphasis implies opposition. When I say, “They will come,” the emphatic will is given in opposition to the statement or opinion that they will not come. It follows, therefore, that words opposed to other ords expressed or understuod, should be pronounced with emphasis. IV. TONE. The regulation of the tone of the voice in reading or recitation is as difficult as it is important. Some passages require a low tone of voice; others a high tone. In many sentences the voice should be soft at the commencement, and swell gradually towards the conclusion. Then there are all the varieties of tone necessary to express the different shades of passion and emotion. A few of the simpler exercises are all that we purpose to give here. EXERCISES. The village smithy stands; With large and sinewy hands; Are strong as iron bands. ORDINARY LIVELY TONE. Blithesome and cumberless, Emblem of happiness, Blest is thy dwelling-place- ORDINARY GRAVE TONE. Thou hollow-sounding and mysterious main ? Bright things which gleam unreck'd of, and in vain. Keep, keep thy riches, Melancholy Sea ! We ask not such from thee. THE HIGH TONE OF DELIGHT. An Orpheus ! an Orpheus ! he works on the crowd, He sways them with harmony merry and loud ; He fills with his power all their hearts to the brim, Was aught ever heard like his fiddle and him ? THE HIGH TONE OF BRAVERY AND CONFIDENCE. Then out spake brave Horatius, The captain of the gate : Death cometh soon or late. Than facing fearful odds, And the temples of his gods? “ Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, With all the speed ye may ; Will hold the foe in play. yon strait path a thousand And keep the bridge with me?" THE HIGH TONE OF PATRIOTISM. Ye crags and peaks, I'm with you once again! THE LOW TONE OF SORROW FOR THE DEAD. Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note, As his corse to the rampart we hurried; Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot O’er the grave where our hero was buried. The sods with our bayonets turning, And the lantern dimly burning. From the field of his fame, fresh and gory, We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone, But we left him alone with his glory. TAE Low TONE OF MYSTERIOUS WARNING. Lochiel ! Lochiel ! beware of the day When the Lowlands shall meet thee in battle array! For a field of the dead rushes red on my sight, And the clans of Culloden are scatter'd in fight! |