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of each is bound down by the superio usage: and from this last authority, t true, the province of each allows him usage is, and to inculcate principles ac analogies and idioms of the language good usage; and, moreover, to point such as are not adopted by a great m ligent and the most learned; but fart legally, go.

In pronouncing the words, jail, pail give to the vowel a precisely the soun an attentive observer will readily pe this vowel is different, and becomes longed, in air, chair, stair, prayer, a words are pronounced in a natural n statement of the case, this different so in fare, air, and so forth, is the corre give the long sound of a, as in fate rare, compare, to e in there, and the

neous.

There is, also, a more distressing many who, in the pronunciation of p pret, determine, and the like, attempt sound of e in imperative. It is diffic sound alluded to; but that it is not Walker has directed that it should b outrage on good taste and common parent. The sound of when exp to approach as near to that of e in without betraying the affected sound

e,

Another affected pronunciation of very common among the clergy of York, deserves the most marked rep ening to be endured by civilized bein frequently given to a in heart, part, stead of giving a, in words of this heard in far, bar, par, they attempt to in imperative.

But there is another affectation in sounds of y in sky, i in kind, ui in g like, which is far more common tha and but little less nauseating. Unde many pronounce these words as if w ge-ard. This is abominable, and a tota

the like sit to ex12 station, ladies to

Tunounce

[graphic]

life in late?

smart, die-of y in

of the letters & and d

und petitions of the

and laugh'st at the

ut stir you up to any

t expect an entire exinst them; and that not the fortitude to

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no light in heaven but a few stars;
out off o'ercrowded with their crews:
gave a heel-a lurch to port,
own head foremost-sunk, in short.

m sea to sky the wild farewell;
ked the timid, and stood still the brave;
aped overboard, with dreadful yell,
anticipate their grave:

awned around her "in its swell,"
he sucked with her the whirling wave,
grapples with his enemy,

to strangle him before he dies.

universal shriek there rushed,

n the loud ocean, like a crash
under; and then... all was hushed,
ild wind and the remorseless dash
ut at intervals there gushed,

ed with a convulsive splash,
iek, the bubbling cry

g swimmer in his agony.

se examples, those letters most liable to an ed articulation, are designated by Italick er imperfect such helps may be, it is hoped some assistance to the ambitious student, Le attention of the teacher to this particular teacher and learner, the author begs leave ety of frequently referring the corrections exercises, back to the principles that are

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udent may deem a scientifick and an anathe elementary principles of vocal sounds, ous than useful; but so erroneous would hat, on the contrary, he ought to considis description, of paramount importance These elementary principles form f the science; and the want of a knowlncipal cause of multitudinous errours in

on.

It is, therefore, incumbent on him who ice of elocution, to obtain a perfect mastary and primary principles, before he ing:—and of the truth of these remarks, ough has been displayed in the foregoent of the subject now under considerae most skeptical.

of each is bound down by the superiour authority of general usage and from this last authority, there is no appeal. It is true, the province of each allows him to ascertain what good usage is, and to inculcate principles according to it, and to the analogies and idioms of the language as far as sanctioned by good usage; and, moreover, to point out bad usages, that is, such as are not adopted by a great majority of the most intelligent and the most learned; but farther than this, he cannot, legally, go.

In pronouncing the words, jail, pail, sail, pray, lay, say, we give to the vowel a precisely the sound of long a in fate; but an attentive observer will readily perceive, that the sound of this vowel is different, and becomes more open, and less prolonged, in air, chair, stair, prayer, and the like, when these words are pronounced in a natural manner. If this is a true statement of the case, this different sound commonly given to a in fare, air, and so forth, is the correct one; and the attempt to give the long sound of a, as in fate, to a in prayer, air, fare, rare, compare, to e in there, and the like, is affected and erro

neous.

There is, also, a more distressing affectation displayed by many who, in the pronunciation of perfect, person, mercy, interpret, determine, and the like, attempt to give the accented e the sound of e in imperative. It is difficult to describe the affected sound alluded to; but that it is not the same as e in met, as Walker has directed that it should be, and that it is a shocking outrage on good taste and common sense, are facts equally apparent. The sound of e, when exploded in such words, ought to approach as near to that of e in imperative as is possible, without betraying the affected sound alluded to.

Another affected pronunciation of a vowel sound, which is very common among the clergy of New England and New York, deserves the most marked reprehension, as it is too sickening to be endured by civilized beings. I allude to the sound frequently given to a in heart, part, smart, and so forth. Instead of giving a, in words of this class, its correct sound, as heard in far, bar, par, they attempt to sound it somewhat like e in imperative.

But there is another affectation in exploding the diphthongal sounds of y in sky, i in kind, ui in guide, ua in guard, and the like, which is far more common than the last two referred to, and but little less nauseating. Under a false view of elegance, many pronounce these words as if written ske-i, ke-ind, ge-ide ge-ard. This is abominable, and a total perversion of the sounds

intended to be described and recommended by Mr. Walker. The diphthongal sounds of y, i, ui, and ua, in such words, are not represented by ei and ea when separately pronounced, but when united and blended, as it were, into one sound. Hence, the common people, who know nothing of the diphthongal character of these sounds, nor of Walker's directions concerning them, generally pronounce such words correctly, and as Mr. Walker intended they should be pronounced.

The y in my, when emphatical by being contrasted with some other possessive pronoun, is pronounced like long i; but when not emphatical, it may take the sound of short e, as in met. To give i in wind, its long sound, as in mind, and ou in pour, its legitimate sound, as in our, appears, in prose, a little affected, because they are generally pronounced wind and póre, but when these words rhyme with others, at the end of a line in poetry, it is strictly in accordance with good taste, to give i its long, and ou its diphthongal, sound.

"For, as in bodies, thus in souls, we find

"What wants in blood and spirits, swelled with wind.”

"Ye heavens! from high the dewy nectar pour,
"And in soft silence shed the kindly shower."

A strange perversion of the sounds of t and d is sometimes made in words like the following: duty, produce, fortitude; which are not unfrequently pronounced juty, projuce, fortitshude, ingratitshude.

Under a false conceit of cleverness and elegance, some are in the habit of giving the vowel a, in the words glass, pass, mass, brass, flaunt, &c. demand, command, and the like, a flat sound, somewhere between that of a in hat (its proper sound in the first class of these words) and o in note.

Another disagreeable perversion often occurs in pronouncing the termination ed as a separate syllable in those verbs in which it ought to be contracted; such as walk-ed, talk-ed, lov-ed, smil-ed, and the like; but, in the participial adjective, where the ed should be sounded, it is frequently contracted: thus, “A learn-ed man;""The bless-ed Redeemer;" are often pronounced, "A learn'd man;" ""The bless'd Redeemer."

But a more important caution is to be given in regard to the pronunciation of the unaccented vowels e and a in such terminations as ment, nent, dent, lent, cent-ence, nence, denceant, nant, vant, man-lar, lance, and so forth. Although these vowels should have their distinct, natural sounds in such words as commandment, ardent, innocent, influence, confidence, infant,

covenant, servant, gentleman, secular, vigilance, and the like, yet the slightest stress laid upon them, or the least effort to explode their sounds in a very distinct manner in this situation, will cause the pronunciation of these terminating syllables to appear affected. Care should, therefore, be taken to pronounce them in a perfectly easy and natural manner.

QUESTIONS.

Repeat Rule 5.-Repeat Rule 6.

Should a and e in fare, there, air, &c. be pronounced like a in late ?— Illustrate the difference between the two sounds.

What is said of affectation in delivery?

What is the standard of accuracy in the use o fletters and words? Is there any appeal from this standard authority?

What is said of the affected sounds of e in person, mercy, &c. ? What is said of the affected sound of a in heart, smart, &c.-of y in sky, i in kind, ui in guide, &c.—of y in my, and of ́i in wind, and ou in pour ?

What is said of affectation in the pronunciation of the letters t and d in duty, fortitude, and the like?

What more is said of affectation in the pronunciation of words?

EXERCISES.

Prayer is an offering up of the desires and petitions of the heart.

From thy throne in the sky, thou look'st, and laugh'st at the storm, and guid'st the bolt of Jove.

Kind friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up to any sudden flood of mutiny and rage.

Bias used to say, that it was in vain to expect an entire exemption from misfortunes by guarding against them; and that that man was unfortunate indeed who had not the fortitude to bear up against those which had befallen him.

A tart temper never mellows with age; and a sharp tongue is the only edgetool that grows keener by constant use.

The hidden ocean showed itself anew,

And barren wastes still stole upon the view.

The flag of freedom floats once more

Around the lofty Parthenon;

It waves as waved the palm of yore,

In days departed long and gone.

Twas twilight, for the sunless day went down
Over the waste of waters, like a veil,

Which, if withdrawn, would but disclose the frown
Of one who hates us; so the night was shown,

And grimly darkled o'er their faces pale,

And hopeless eyes, which o'er the deep alone
Gazed dim and desolate: twelve days had fear
Been their familiar; and now... DEATH was here!

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