cution? The swift dark whirlwind that uproots the woods, God journeyeth* in the heavens. Refulgent stars That morning, thou that slumber'dst not before, QUESTIONS.-What should be the first object of the student of eloWhat is said of the advantage of practice upon elementary sounds? Which are the vowels elements? Give examples of each. (Let the pupil explode them as directed.) What are the advantages of thus exploding the elementary sounds? Can the consonants be exploded? Which can not, and why? What is said of uttering the consonants distinctly? (Let the pupil explode them as directed.) II. INFLECTIONS. INFLECTION is a bending, or sliding of the voice either upward or downward. The upward, or rising inflection, is marked by the acute acent, thus, (); and in this case the voice is to slide upward; as, Did you call? Is he sick ́? The downward, or falling inflection, is marked by the grave accent, thus, (`); and indicates that the voice is to slide downward; as, Where is London? Where have you been? Who has come`? * Beware of running words together. Sometimes both the rising and falling inflection are given to the same sound. Such sounds are designated by the circumflex, thus, (~) or thus (4). The former is called the rising circumflex; the latter, the falling circumflex. When several successive syllables are uttered without either the upward or downward slide, they are said to be uttered in a monotone, which is marked thus, (—). EXAMPLES. Does he read correctly or incorrectly? In reading this sentence, the voice should slide somewhat as represented in the following diagram: incorrect 17. you said vinegar, I said sûgar. To be read thus: Do they act prudently, or imprudently? Must I say cap, or cap`? You should say flat`, not flat". My father, must I stay"? Oh! but he paûsed upon the brink. It shall go hard with me but I shall ûse the weapon. Heard ye Borne by the tide of words along, One voice, one mind, inspired the throng, Lead us to Phillippi's lord; Let us conquer him or die." First ́, Fear`, his hand, its skill to try ́, Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. Where are your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table in a roar? Thus saith the High and lofty One that inhābiteth eternity, whose name is Hōly; "I dwēll in the high and hōly place. QUESTIONS.-What is inflection? How does the voice slide in the rising inflection? Give an example. How, in the falling inflection? Give an example. How are these inflections marked? Define the circumflex. The monotone. Give an example of each. FALLING INFLECTION. RULE I.-Sentences and clauses which make complete sense in themselves, require the falling inflection. REMARK. This rule is applicable, whatever may be the punctuation, and whatever other words may follow, provided they do not vary, though they may explain or strengthen, the meaning of the clause preceding. EXAMPLES. 1. By virtue we secure happiness. 2. One deed of shame is succeeded by years of penitence`. 3. For thou hast said in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven`: I will extend my throne above the stars of God: I will sit upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north. 4. The wind and the rain are over; calm is the noon of the day: the clouds are divided in heaven`; over the green hills flies the inconstant sun`; red through the stormy vale comes down the stream. 5. This proposition was, however, rejected, and not merely rejected, but rejected with insult. 6. There was a pause of death-like stillness, and the bold heart of Macpherson grew faint. EXCEPTION 1.-Negative sentences. See Rule V. EXCEPTION 2.-Antithesis, in cases where the first member requires the falling inflection. See Rule IX, and Exception 1 to Rule IV. EXCEPTION 3.-Where harmony of sound requires the rising inflection, even though the sense should be complete. See Rule VI. EXCEPTION 4.-Emphasis. See Rule II, and Article on Emphasis and Inflection, page 43. RULE II. The language of emphasis generally requires the falling inflection. EXAMPLES. 1. Charge, Chester, charge, on, Stanley, on. 2. Were I an American, as I am an Englishman, while a single foreign troop remained in my country, I would never lay down my arms-never, never`, never. 3. Does any one suppose that the payment of twenty shillings, would have ruined Mr. Hampden's fortune? No. But the payment of half twenty shillings, on the principle it was demanded, would have made him a slave`. 4. I insist upon this point: I urge you to it; I press it, demand it. 5. All that I have`, all that I am`, and all that I hope in this life, I am now ready`, here`, to stake upon it. 6. Hurrah`! Hurrah`! a single field hath turned the chance of war. 7. To arms! they come! the Greek! the Greek`! 8. Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side? Been my sworn soldier? bidding me depend Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength? EXCEPTION.-Emphasis sometimes reverses this rule, and requires the rising inflection, apparently for the purpose of calling attention to the idea by an unusual manner of expressing it. See Art. on Emphasis, page 40. RULE III.-Interrogative sentences and members of sentences which can not be answered by yes or no, generally require the falling inflection. |