363. INFLECTIONS. Although there are given rules, for making these inflections, or slides of the voice, either up or down, yet it should be borne in mind, that every sentence, which has been read with the upward slide, can, under other circumstances, be read correctly with the downward slide: the sense governs everything here, as in emphasis. Ex. 1. Are you going to tow'n? 2. Are you going to town? 3. Why did you speak to her? 4. Why did you speak to her? 5. Do you hear me? 6. Do you hear me? In the first example, we have a simple, direct question; in the second, the same form of words, but so spoken, as if one said, I wish to know, positively, whether you go to town; so of the rest. Thus you see, the sense, the object, the intention determines the manner. 364. 1. Some poets may be compared to others; but Milton and Shakspeare are incomparable. 2. He, who considers himself wise, while his wisdom does not teach him to acknowledge the Lord, is in the profoundest ignorance. 3. We see the effects of many things, the causes of but few; experience, therefore, is a surer guide than imagination, and inquiry than conjecture. 4. It is the indispensable duty, and the inalienable right, of every rational being, to prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. Get but the truth-once uttered, and 'tis like A star, new-born, that drops into its place, And which, once circling its placid round, Not all the tumult of the earth-can shake. 365. The nearer your delivery agrees with the freedom and ease of common discourse, (if you keep up the dignity and life of your subject, and preserve propriety of expression,) the more just, natural and agreeable it will be. Study nature; avoid affectation, and never use art, if you have not the art to conceal it: for, whatever does not appear natural, is neither agreeable nor persuasive. Anecdote. A brutal teacher, whipped a a little boy, for pressing the hand of a little girl, who sat next to him at school. After which, he asked the child, "Why he squeezed the girl's hand?" "Because," said the little fellow," it looked so pretty, I could not help it." What punishment did the teacher deserve? THE EPITAPH. Here rests his head-upon the lap of earth, A youth-to fortune, and to fame-unknown: Fair Science-frown'd not on his humble birth, And Melancholy-mark'd him for her own. Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere; Heaven-did a recompense-as largely send. He gave to mis'ry all he had-a tear; [friend. He gain'd from heav'n ('twas all he wish'd)—a No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, "There, they, alike, in trembling hope repose) The bosom of his Father, and his God. Proverbs. 1. It is much easier to defend the innocent, than the guilty. 2. Let the press and speech, be free; no good government has anything to fear from paper shot, or airy words. 3. Three things are necessary to make an able man,-nature, study, and practice. 4. Cultivate a spirit of love toward all. 5. Always distinguish between and causes. 6. God-is best known and honored, apparent truths, and real truths; between effects when his word and works are best understood and appreciated. 7. Industry-is essential to useful ness, and happiness. 8. Every one ought to do something. 9. Nothing is stationary; and the hu man family-the least of all. 10. Mankind are tending to a better condition, or to actual extinction. 11. Trade-knows neither friends nor kindred. 12. Physicians-rarely take medicine. If the Wisdom of our Ancestors. "wisdom of our ancestors"-had not taught them to recognize newly discovered truths, and to discard those errors, to which ignorance had given birth, we should not have been indebted to them for the improvements, which, however well they may have served their purpose for a time, are destined to be superseded by still more important discoveries. In the year 1615, a Florentine had the presumption and audacity to assert, contrary to the prevailing opinions of the learned, "the great, the good, and the wise among men," and contrary to the conclusions of all preceding ages, "that the earth revolved round. the sun," and, although he was threatened with death for his heresy, Galileo was right. Varieties. 1. What is the image of God, and what the likeness of God, into which man was created? 2. What grace is more valuable, than humility? 3. Is hereditary depravity an actual sin, or a calamity? 4. Was not the genius of Ar-chim-i-des the parent of the mechanical arts? 5.. Did not the first single pair of mankind-possess the type of all the distinct races of men,-their innate tendency and genius, which has, or will, reappear in their offspring? 6. What is the meaning of the command to Moses, "See that thou make all things after the pattern, which I have shown thee in the Mount ?" 7. If we are hardened under affliction, does it not indicate a very bad state of mind? 8. Are miracles--violations of the laws of Nature? 9. Does not the state and character of parents -affect their offspring? 10. What is the conclusion of the whole matter? Fear God, and keep his commandments. When Summer's heats-the verdure sear, 5. 365. WAVES, OR CIRCUMFLEXES OF THE Maxims. 1. The love of sensual pleasure, is VOICE of these, there are two; which are temporary madness. 2. Sacrifice-can be made called the rising circumflex [v] and the fall-on bad principles; obedience-only on good ones. ing circumflex [^]: they are formed by the and the', and are generally connected with the accented vowels of the emphatic words. Doubt, pity, contrast, grief, supposition, comparison, irony, implication, sneering, railery, scorn, reproach, and contempt, are expressed by them. Be sure and get the right feeling and thought, and you will find no difficulty in expressing them properly, if you have mastered the voice. 366. Exs. of the rising v. 1. I may go to town to-morrow, though I cannot go today. 2. The sun sets in the west, not in the east. 3. He lives in London, not in New York. 4. The desire of praise-produces excellent effects, in men of sense. 5. He is more a knave, than a fool. 6. I see thou hast learn'd to răil, if thou hast learned nothing else. 7. Better to do well late, than něver. 8. A pretty fellow you are, to be sure! 9. In some countries-poverty-is considered a misfortune; in others—a crime. 10. The young-are slaves to nôvelty; the ôld-to custom. 3. Great cry and little wool; applies to those who promise much, but practice little. 4. Do what you think is right, whatever others may think. Learn to disregard alike, the praise and the censure of bad men. 6. Covet that popularity that follows; not that which must be run after. 7. What sculpture is-to a block of marble, education is to the human mind. 8. He, who is unwilling to amend, has the devil on his side. 9. Extensive, various reading, without reflection, tends to the injury of the mind. 10. Proverbs bear age, and arc full of various instruction. Anecdote. John Randolph's Mother. The late John Randolph, some years before his death, wrote to a friend as follows: "I used to be called a Frenchman, because I took the French side in politics; and though that was unjust, yet the truth is, I should have been a French atheist, if it had not been for one recollection, and that was-the memory of the time, when my departed mother-used to take my little hands in hers, and cause me, on my knees, to say, 'Our Father who art in heaven.'” School Teachers. It is important, that 367. PROMISCUOUS EXAMPLES. 1. A just teachers of youth, should not only be respected, appreciation of our duties—is worth any sa but respectable persons. They, who are incrifice, that its attainments may cost. 2. trusted with the responsible office of developDearly do we sometimes pay for our wis- ing the mind, and directing the affections of dom, but never too dearly. 3. Is not the life the young, ought to be worthy of sharing in of animals dissipated at death? 4. The an- all the social enjoyments of the most refined cients had the art of singing, before that of society; and they ought never to be excluded writing; and their laws and histories were from such participation. Yet it is scandalsung, before they were written. 5. This heav-ously true, in some parts of our country, that enly Benefactor claims-not the homage of our lips, but of our hearts; and who can doubt that he is entitled to the homage of our hearts? 6. If we have no regard to our own character, we ought to have some regard to the character of others. 7. Tell your invaders this; and tell them, too, we seek no change; and least of all-such change as they would bring us. 368. We must avoid a mechanical variety, and adopt a natural one: this may be seen in children, when relating anything that comes from themselves; then, their intonations, melody, and variety, are perfectly natural, and true to the object in view: let us go and sit at their feet and learn, and not be offended. Let us turn our eye and ear, to TRUTH and NATURE; for they will guide their votaries right. Give us the soul of elocution and music, and that will aid in forming the body. CONFIDENCE, NOT TO BE PLACED IN MAN. teachers, however worthy, are excluded from the houses of the very parents, who send their children to their schools. This is not only contrary to all republican principles, but is in direct opposition to the dictates of common sense. Wherever such a state of things exists, the people are but half civilized, whatever pretensions wealth, and other circumstances afford them. Varieties. 1. Enter on the performance of your duties, with willing hearts, and never seek to avoid them. 2. The heart-is woman's world; it is there-her ambition strives for the mastery. 3. The object of recreation is-to soften and refine, not to render ferocious; as is the case with amusements that brutalize. 4. Is capital punishment right? 5. Who has done the more injury— Mahomet, or Constantine? 6. Is tobacconecessary? 7. Why is the figure of a viper -used to express ingratitude? 8. Is it right to go to war on any occasion? 9. What is the usual quantity of blood-in a common sized body? About twenty-five or thirty pounds. 10. Is it not singular that Pope's translations should be very profuse, and his original compositions very concise? A. 1. Who Maxims. 1. A wounded reputation is seldom cured. 2. Conciliatory manners always command esteem. 3. Never deride any one's infirmities. 4. Detraction-is a sin against justice. 5. Modesty-has more charms than beauty. 6. No fear should deter us from doing good. 7. Pin not Your faith to another one's sleeve. 8. Reckless youth-makes rueful age. 9. The example of the rigid examination. 11. Sickness is felt, but not 369. Exs. of the falling cares for you? 2. He is your friend, is he? 3. You tell me so, do you? 4. If I were to do so, what would you say? 5. It is not prûdence, when I trust my secrets to a man who cannot keep his own. 6. You are a very wise man, strông, brave, peaceable. 7. If you had told me so, perhaps, I should have believed you. 8. Sir, you are a föôl and I fear you will remâin so. 370. MANNER. What we mean, does good is visible philosophy. 10. Truth-never fears health. Reason. As the field of true science en not so much depend on what we say, as how larges, as thought becomes more free, an inwe say it; not so much on our words, as on our manner of speaking them: accordingly, and searching; a voice louder and still loudquiry upon all subjects becomes more bold in elocution, great attention must necessarily er comes up from the honest and thinking be given to this, as expressive of what our words do not always indicate: thus, na-in religion, as well as in every thing else; men in Christendom, calling for rationality ture-fixes the outward expression of every calling for such principles of biblical interintention and sentiment. Art only adds ease and gracefulness to the promptings of be indeed, and in truth, the WORD OF GOD. pretation, as shall show the scriptures to nature: as nature has ordained, that man Every ray of truth, which has been sent shall walk on his feet, and not on his hands, from heaven-to enlighten and bless manart-teaches him to walk gracefully. kind, has gained admittance into the world by patient struggling and persevering contest. 371. COMBINATION OF THE WAVES. 1. But you forsooth, are very wise men, deeply learned in the trûth; wě, weak, contemptibie, mean persons; but yôu, strông, gallant. 2. Mere hirelings, and time-servers are always opposed to (5) improvements, and (6) originality so are tyrants-to liberty, and publicanism. 3. WISDOM alone is truly fair; vice, only appears so. 4. How like a fawning publican he looks! 5. How green you are, and fresh in this old world! 6. Whât! can so young a thorn begin to prick? 7. Môney-is your suit? What should I say to you? Should I not say, Hath a dog money? Is it possible—a căr can lend thrêê thousand ducats? 7. They tell us to be moderate; but they, THEYare to revel in profûsion ! Miscellaneous. 1. Can one phenomenon of mind be presented, without being connected with another? if so,-how? 2. Reputation-often effects that, which did not belong to one's character. Make a childbelieve that he is considered aimable, by his friends, and he will generally become so. 3. Affection-is the continuous principle of love, -which is spiritual heat; and hence the very vital principle of man. 4. Must not the first possible idea--of any individual, have been the product of the relation--between two states of the mind, in reference to external objects? Anecdote. Danger of Bad Campany. St. Austin compares the danger of bad company-to a nail driven into a post; which, after the first, and second stroke, may be drawn out with little difficulty; but being once driven up to the head, the pincers can take no hold to draw it out; which can be done only by the destruction of the wood. Varieties. 1. The words of Seneca, the virtuous Pagan, put to the blush—many a pagan christian. 2. When Socrates was informed, that the judges had sentenced him to death, he replied," And hath not Nature passed the same sentence on them?" 4. There is more eloquence, in the tone of voice, Dear Patience-too, is born of woe, High natures-must be thunder-scarred, Law, that shocks equity, is reason's murder. Full many a gem-of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Thy shadow-o'er the vale moves slow : occur. 372. Remember, that Nature abhors monotony, or sameness of sound, as much as she does a vacuum. Hence, give variety in emphasis, inflections, and waves, if they often 1. (3) Happy, (5) happy, (6) hǎpPy páir! none but the (2) brave! (6) none but the (5) brave; none (8) BUT the brave deserve the fair! 2. (6) What a piece of work-is man! how noble in (5) reasm! how infinite in (6) FACULTIES! in (4) form, and (5) moving, how express and (6) admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, (4) how like a God! 3. My JUDGMENT-approves this measure, and my whole HEART is in it: all that I have; (4) all that I am; and all that I HOPE, in this life, I am now ready here to stake upon it; and I leave off as I began; th't (4) sink or swim; (5) live or die; survive or (6) PERISH,-I am for the DECLARATION. It is my living sentiment, and (2) by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment: (5) Independence. (6) nów and Independence (9) FOREVER! 373. EFFECT. What is the use of reading, speaking, and singing, if the proper effect is not produced? If the singing in our church choirs, and the reading and speaking in the desk and pulpit, were what they ought to be, and what they may be, the house of God would be more thronged than theatres ever have been. Oh! when will the best of truths be delivered in the best of manners? May the stars of elocution and music, be more numerous than the stars of heaven! Because I cannot flatter, and speak fair, Heaven its timely succour doth interpose, [grief,) If there's a sin-more deeply black than others, Ye gentle gales, beneath my body blow, Anecdote. Point of Law. Blackstone, speaking of the right of a wife to dower, asserts, that if land abide in the husband a sin gle moment, the wife shall be endowed thereof; and he adds, that the doctrine was extended very far, by a jury in Wales, where the father and son were hanged at the same the father, by appearing to struggle the longtime; but the son was supposed to survive er; whereby he became seized of an estate by survivorship; in consequence of which seizure, his wife-obtained a verdict for her dower. Riches and Talent. Nothing is more common than to see station and riches-preferred to talent and goodness; and yet few things are more absurd. The peculiar superiority of talent and goodness-over station and riches, may be seen from hence ;—that the influence of the former-will always be the greatest, in that government, which is the purest; while that of the latter-will always be the greatest-in the government that is the most corrupt: so that from the preponderance of the one, we may infer the soundness and vigor of the commonwealth; but from the other, its dotage and degeneracy. Varieties. 1. Indolence and indecision, tho' not vices in themselves, generally prepare the way for much sin and misery. 2. If the mind be properly cultivated, it will produce a storehouse of precious fruits; but if neglected, it will be overrun with noxious weeds and poisonous plants. 3. A kind benefactor-makes one happy-as soon as he can, and as much as he can. 4. The only sure basis of every government, is in the offection of a people, rendered contented, and happy, by the justness and mildness, with which they are ruled. 5. As moisture is required to the formation of every seed, so natural truth-to the formation of first principles. They whom Nature's works can charm, with God himself The devil can cite scripture for his purpose- A goodly apple, rotten at the heart; O, what a goodly cutside-falsehood hath! 374. As the principles of elocution are Proverbs. 1. Forbearance-is requisite in few and simple, and as practice alone makes youth, in middle age, and in old age. 2. Peculiarperfect, there are all kinds of examples pro-ities—are easily acquired; but it is very difficult to vided for those, who are determined to develop their minds through their bodies, and become all that God and nature-intended them to be. As the ear is most intimately connected with the affections-the motivepower of the intellect, it is absolutely necessary that the student should exercise aloud, that the voice and ear, as well as the thoughts and feelings, may be cultivated in harmony and correspondence. If, then, he finds the task severe, let him persevere, and never mind it. eradicate them. 3. Good principles are of no use to us, unless we are governed by them. 4. Coquetry-is the vice of a small mind. 5. Pure metals--shine brighter, the more they are rubbed. 6. Pride-lives on very costly food,-its keeper's happiness. 7. Extremes are generally hurtful; for they often expose us to damage, or render us ridiculous. 8. In the days of affluence, always think of poverty. 9. Never let want come upon you, and make you remember the days of plenty. 10. No one can become a good reader or speaker, in a few weeks, or a few months. 375. EXAMPLES. 1. The queen of DenWoman. I have always observed, says mark, in reproving her son, Hamlet, on ac- Ledyard, that women, in all countries, are count of his conduct towards his step-father, civil, obliging, tender, and humane; that whom she married, shortly after the murder they are inclined to be gay and cheerful, timof the king, her husband, says to him, "Ham-orous and modest, and that they do not, like let, you have your father much offended." man, hesitate to perform a generous action. To which he replies, with a circumflex on Not haughty, arrogant, or supercilious, they you, "Madam, (3) yôu have my father are full of courtesy, and fond of society; more much offended." He meant his own father: liable, in general, to err than man, but in she-his step-father; he would also intimate, general, also, more virtuous, and performing that she was accessory to his father's mur-whether civilized or savage, I never addressmore good actions than he. To a woman, der; and his peculiar reply, was like daggers ed myself in the language of decency and in her soul. 2. In the following reply of friendship, without receiving a decent and Death to Satan, there is a frequent occurrence friendly answer. With man it has been often of circumflexes, mingled with contempt: otherwise. In wandering through the barren "And reckon'st thou thyself with spirits of plains of inhospitable Denmark; thro' honheaven, hell-doomed, and breath'st defiance est Sweden, and frozen Lapland, rude and here, and scorn, where I reign king? and, churlish Finland, unprincipled Russia, and to enrage thee môre,-thy king, and lord ?" the wide-spread regions of the wandering The voice is circumflected on heaven, hell- Tartar; if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, doomed, king and thy, nearly an octave. 3. and uniformly so; and to add to this virtue, the women-have ever been friendly to me Come, show me what thoul't do; woul't (so worthy to be called benevolence,) their weep? woul't fight? woul't fast? woul't tear actions have been performed in so free and thyself? I'll do't. Dost thou come here to kind a manner, that if I were dry, I drank whine? to outface me, with leaping in her the sweetest draught, and if hungry, ate the grave? be buried quick with her, and so will coarsest morsel, with a double relish. I; and if thou prate of mountains, let them throw MILLIONS of acres on us, till our ground, singeing her pate against the burning zone, make Ossa-like a wart. Nay, an thoul't mouthe, I'll rant as well as thou Anecdote. A clergyman, once traveling in a stage-coach, was abruptly asked by one of the passengers, if any of the heathens would go to heaven. "Sir," answered the clergyman, "I am not appointed judge of the world, and, consequently, cannot tell; but, if ever you get to heaven, you shall either find some of them there, or a good reason why they are not there." Too High or too Low. In pulpit eloquence, the grand difficulty is to give the subject all the dignity it so fully deserves, without attaching any importance to our selves. The christian minister cannot think too highly of his Master, or too humbly of himself. This is the secret art which captivates and improves an audience, and which all who see, will fancy they could imitate; while many who try, will not succeed, because they are not influenced by proper motives, and do not use the right means. Varieties. 1. When Baron, the actor, came from hearing one of Massillon's sermons, he said to one of his comrades of the stage; here is an orator; we are only acthe sake of being clean; others, for the sake tors. 2. Some people-wash themselves for of appearing so. 3. Of all the pursuits, by which property is acquired, none is preferable to agriculture, none more productive, and none more worthy of a gentleman. 4. It is a maxim with unprincipled politicians, to destroy, where they cannot intimidate. nor persuade. 5. Good humor, and mental charms, are as much superior to external beauty, as mind is superior to matter. 6. Be wise, be prudent, be discreet, and temperate, in all things. Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause M |