EXAMPLES.

1. Wòe unto thee, Choràzin, Wòe unto thee Bethsaida!

2. Cesar cried, Help me, Càssius, or I si'nk!

3. He woke to hear his sentry's shriek,

"To àrms! they come! the Greek! the Greek!"

4. What a piece of work is màn! How noble in reason! How infinite in faculties! In form and moving, how express and admirable! In action, how like an àngel! In apprehénsion, how like a gòd!

Remark. This Rule is the reverse of Rule V., having reference to expressions of emotions of an opposite nature,that to those of kindness, this of unkindness; that of delicate affection, this of excited passion. Generally, expres sions which come under this rule, are accompanied with strong emphasis, while those of Rule V. with a slight stress of voice.

RULE VIII.

Emphatic succession of particulars, and emphatic repetition, require the falling inflection.

EXAMPLES.

1. True gentleness teaches us to bear one another's bùrdens; to rejoice with those who rejoice; to weep with those that weep; to please every one his neighbor for his good; to be kind and tender hearted; to be pitiful and courteous; to support the weak; and to be patient oward all men.

2. This, this, is thinking frèe, a thought that grasps

Beyond a gràin, and looks beyond an hour.

3. Are you going home? Are you going home?

Rock-ribb'd and ancient as the sun; the vales
Stretching in pensive quietness between;
The venerable woods; rivers that move

In majesty, and the complaining brooks

That make the meadows green; and, pour'd round all,
Old ocean's gray and melancholy waste;

Are but the solemn decorations all

Of the great tomb of màn.

Remark 1.-Whatever inflection may have been given a word or passage, when first expressed, it has the falling, if repeated. The reason of this is, by the variation of the voice, to arrest the attention, which otherwise might not have been secured, or to fix more intently on the mind some important word or passage, which, without this inflection, might have escaped notice. Thus, when a person is repeat

edly addressed, as, "Hénry, Hènry;" "Abrahám, Abrahàm." So, also, to fix the attention on each, the falling inflection is used in case of emphatic succession of particulars.

NOTE I-The stress of voice on each successive particu lar, should gradually be increased as the subject advances. In general the same may be said in regard to each repetition.

Remark 2.-This Rule has reference to the reading of pas sages, which are in some instances so very similar to those embraced under the rule for the pause of suspension, which requires the rising inflection, that it is often difficult to determine which reading is to be preferred. Whichever prevails, will depend on the degree of emphasis necessarily employed. If the sense requires an intense degree, this rule is applicable, if only a slight degree, that of the pause of suspension.

1

QUESTIONS.-1. What is Rule VII.? 2. What other particulars, besides those first mentioned, are embraced in this rule? 3. In what respect does this rule differ from Rule V.? 4. Repeat Rule VIII. 5. What reason can you assign for the use of the falling inflection in cases of repetition? 6. What in the case of a succession of particulars? 7. With what stress of voice should each successive particular be read? 8. To the passages of what other rule, are those of this similar? 9. How do you determine which reading should prevail?

LESSON VII.

CIRCUMFLEX.-Rule for its use.

RULE IX.

The Circumflex is mainly employed in the language of irony, and in expressing ideas implying some condition, either expressed or understood.

EXAMPLES.

1. I fear I wrong the honorable men,
Whose daggers have stabb'd Cesar.
2. Bold can he speak, and fairly ride,
I warrant him a warrior tried.

3. Cassius. And this man

Is now become a god; and Cassius
A wretched creature.

4. He is a good scholar, though his advantages have been small. 5. He would like to enjoy the reputation of a good reader, though he has not the perseverance requisite to become one.

6. Men are willing to endure the most severe toil to gain wealth.

Remark 1.-By the use of the circumflex in the last example, there is suggested some negative circumstance as follow, "though they will take no pains to gain knowledge." If one inquires of another concerning the state of a friend, who is dangerously sick, and should receive the reply, “he is better," the use of the circumflex would denote that "he is still dangerously sick;" but if he replies, "he is better," the falling inflection would convey the idea of a positive amendment and hopes of recovery.

2. It has been previously remarked, that the rising inflection and circumflex are so nearly allied, that, in many instances, it may be very difficult to determine which should receive the preference in the reading of a passage. This is particularly the case where intense inflection is not required. But the difference between the circumflex and the falling, is so obvious, as it regards the modification of the voice as connected with the true meaning of whatever is read, that no one would be liable to mistake which should be employed. The one implies a conditional assertion, the latter denotes a positive one.

3. The most important rules for the use of inflections have now been presented. Those whose early instruction has been judicious, and whose reading books have been of the right character, will find no difficulty in applying them, provided that familiarity with their principles be acquired, which is necessary.

4. It is particularly recommended, in order that a practical knowledge of these rules be acquired, and that the judgment be improved in discriminating the difference in inflections, that exercise be frequently had in marking the different inflections which the reading of various passages may require, referring at the same time to the several rules given, why they are thus inflected. For this purpose portions of the reading lessons may be selected. be selected. It can not be too earnestly urged on all who are desirous of becoming familiar with the principles of inflection, to adopt this, or some similar practice. It will be found not only a pleasing exercise, but likewise the most direct means of applying practically what is otherwise learned only in theory.

QUESTIONS.-1. What is the general rule for the use of the circumflex? 2. In the last example given, what is implied in the use of the circumflex? 3. To what inflection is the circumflex nearly allied? 4. When is it most difficult to discern the difference between them? 5. What is said of the difference between the circumflex and the falling inflection? 6. What does each imply? 7. What plan is recommended in order to apply the several rules given?

LESSON VIII.

EMPHASIS.

EMPHASIS is that peculiar stress of voice on a certain significant word, or words, in a sentence, by which their due importance and meaning are best expressed.

NOTE I.—Emphatic words are usually derroted by being printed in Italics, those more emphatic, in small CAPITALS, and those still more, in large CAPITALS.

NOTE II.—As in the case of inflection, it is by no means to be considered that the degree of emphasis is always the same, or that it occurs on the same word in a sentence under all circumstances. It is varied both as to intensity and position by the sentiment and circumstances in which the sentence is uttered.

Thus, if one kindly informs another of an offense received, he says, "You wrong me," with a slight degree of emphasis on wrong; but if he is not understood, he repeats it with a more intense degree on the same word; thus, "You WRONG me." Or, if the accused denies that he is guilty of the charge, but declares it to be some other one, the accuser re-asserts it by changing the position of the emphasis from wrong to you; thus, γου wrong me."

NOTE III-In expressing the thoughts and emotions of the mind, emphasis may be considered the most important principle in Elocution. It often has the governing influence of varying the inflection of a passage from what is either; customary or harmonious. Thus, the falling inflection is ordinarily employed at the end, and the rising, at the penultimate pause of a sentence, but by emphasis they are re

versed; as, "I said an èlder soldier, not a bétter.' By it, also, the accent of a word is frequently changed from its ordinary position; as, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

NOTE IV. In addition to the important influence which emphasis has in conveying the true meaning of a sentence, it also has that of varying the sense by a change of its position.

For example, let the reader emphasize the successive words in the following sentence, and point out the varied import as thus expressed.

EXAMPLES.

1. His object was not to injure his friend.
2. His object was not to injure his friend.
3. His object was not to injure his friend.
4. His object was not to injure his friend.
5. His object was not to injure his friend.

6. His object was not to injure his friend.

As each successive word is emphasized in this negative assertion, its opposite is suggested in the affirmative. Thus, (4.) "His object was not to injure his friend," but to benefit him.

NOTE V-In general, emphasis is employed simply to add force and beauty to the utterance of a passage, and affects not merely words but often entire sentences. Hence, it has been very properly styled, "the soul of delivery."

EXAMPLES.

1. Who steals my purse steals trash,

But he that filches from me my good name,

Robs me of that which not enriches him,

And makes me poor indeed.

2. Look on this picture of happiness and honor, and say-WE, TOO, ARE CITIZENS OF AMERICA.

3. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.

NOTE VI. In the utterance of successive particulars, and also in the repetition of words and clauses, the degree of emphasis is gradually increased, being more intense on the last than the first.