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allowed to rear its head, even for a moment, in the thinking world, especially when such a charge could be substantiated. By right, the inventor of this table ought to have given us another. If he reckoned it so full of variety, and, by consequence, so well fitted, as he thought, to please the ear, he should have given us another for reading such sentences at sight, in other words, without any previous consideration or preparation. To remedy this defect, we have been in the habit of reading such sentences, by using the falling inflection, without dropping the voice on every word except the last of a commencing series, and if a concluding, on the last but one. We likewise consider ourselves called upon to begin the falling inflection on a low key, and to increase gradually in force and elevation, which any ordinary voice may do at least for five members-and if the number extend beyond this, to begin this climax anew,—remembering, however, what we have just said, to use the rising inflection on the last member of a commencing, and, on the last but one of a concluding series. This is what we believe practicable; and whatever defects it may have, we are convinced that it is as near the sense as the table of variety. If this increase of force and elevation, accompanied with the falling suspended inflection, be properly given, we do think it will form a very good variety, but by no means a bad auxiliary to the sense. We are of opinion, too, that this reading could be defended on principles, upon which we at present must not enter. Let us apply this mode of reading to one of the examples.

I tell you, though you, though all the world, though an angel from heaven, were to affirm the truth of it, I could not believe it.

Here, we have our questioning state, requiring in itself

the rising inflection, which terminates at it. But by giving the suspended falling inflection to you, world, and heaven, we make an approach to this rising inflection. Even heaven might admit of a gentle rise, but if so, it must be much inferior to the final rising inflection which truth begins.

The same inflection we would apply to Mr. Jeffrey's sentence. We likewise apply the same mode of reading and inflection to all sentences whether simple or compound. When the particulars consist of a considerable number of words, as is the case in and the loud and frequent subterraneous thunder from the blasting of the rocks by gunpowder, we do what Nature admits of, and that is, what we can to increase our force and elevation. We by no means wish, however, to quarrel with those who will take another mode of reading sentences connected with the series.

The general rule for the inflection of a compound series is, when a commencing series, the falling inflection is given to every member but the last, and to a concluding, the falling inflection to every member except the last but one. This, it is evident, is easily put in practice. If it has any fault, it is rather dull.

In the examples which we have given, there is no compound concluding series. But the clanking of the chains is an instance of a commencing compound series. When the particulars end the sentence, whether they begin it or not, it then receives the name of compound concluding series. As many examples of the different kinds of sentences will be noticed in the extracts, we have refrained from enlarging in the Introduction.

There are many things, in themselves very important, which we might term minutiæ, but which we must pass un

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noticed. There are also other things, such as accent, rhetorical division of words, rhetorical phrase, and punctuation, and harmonic inflection, which our Introduction will not permit us to particularize. Of accent, it might be said that when the syllable of a word is opposed to the syllable of another word, it may lead to a change of accent, as, we have no sooner con-ceived the thought, than we are obliged to confess that we are de-ceived.

There are sentences or members of sentences, all of whose words are emphatic, which give rise to the name emphatic phrase. But, in relation to rhetorical punctuation, which of late years has become so fashionable, and which has easily imposed on the unthinking, we agree cordially with Mr. Knowles, that a nice attention to it has an extremely mischievous tendency-that it is totally inconsistent with Nature.

We have hitherto proceeded on the supposition that there are only two inflections-the rising and falling. We, however, occasionally meet with a tone both in reading and speaking, which belongs neither to the one nor the otherthat which is generally called the monotone. In some sentences we find of course more of it than in others. Poetry probably furnishes a greater number of examples than prose. Subjects, which are dignified and sublime, require more of it than the colloquial and familiar. The greater part of the following lines, which are taken from Milton, may be read in this tone:

High on a throne of royal state, which far
Outshone the wealth of Ormus or of Ind,
Or where the gorgeous east with richest hand
Show'rs on her kings barbaric pearl and gold,
Satan exalted sat.

Besides this, there is a union formed by the rising and falling inflections, which has received the name, circumflex, of which there are two-the rising and falling, the falling and rising.

Rising and Falling.

If you called him such a name, I did not do sô.

Falling and Rising.

Nothing but merit should decide the fate of a măn.

First word emphatic, terminating in the downward in

flection :

Since he did so?

Why has he done it?

If that is the case?

Can he do any thing?

When will you value a man according to his merit?

How few men think for themselves?

Should you judge candidly?

Is she only accomplished?

Does he act manly?

Is that man a cringer?
Will you disgrace yourself?

Have you acted properly?

Would you aggravate his sufferings?

Should you rest your happiness on the opinion of others?

First word not emphatic, terminating in the rising inflection:

What is the cause of so much thought?

She may, indeed, be a very accomplished lady?

Did he strive to acquire the good-will of wise men ?

Can any good thing come out of Galilee?

Is man the child of circumstances?

Since he acted in such a manner ?

Why is it done in that way?

Does he speak to publicans and sinners?

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Do some think that we degrade ourselves by speaking to a

poor man ?

Is there a guide to show that path?

Can intellect be degraded by poverty?

Should we look merely to terrestrial things?

Is the essence of Christianity love?

Do some of its professors act as if its essence were hatred ?

Do some of its professors

Now, at the conclusion of our Introduction, many observations might be made, many cautions might be presented, but we shall only remark that, if we intend to act as rational creatures, we shall sit down, and, unbiassed by one suggestion or another, study nature, who, in this department of education, is our only lawgiver, our only umpire. By her dictates we stand or fall. For it is here as in many other departments of nature, that we behold creeds, systems, and theories, fleeing like stubble before the wind. It is here that we behold mind embodying itself in language, struggling for expression, put to a stand-dumb; but Nature coming up with the mighty orator or actor leaning on her one arm, and the inductive philosopher on the other, terminates her pangs by soothingly telling her, that

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