Remarks. For the sake of a more pleasing variety in modulation, it would be no unwarrantable liberty to depart so far from the rule for inflecting this last example, as to give the falling concrete to the words "tomb" and "roar." Many more rules for regulating the various inflections of the voice, might easily be given; but an unreasonable multiplicity of rules on this, or any other, subject, tends to embarrass and perplex the learner, and, in a measure, defeat the object secured by a less number, judiciously selected and arranged. Notwithstanding that the happy application of the foregoing rules, requires no small degree of judgment and taste, both on account of their liability to be misconceived, and in consequence of the numerous exceptions (besides those already pointed out) which ought to be, and which, without detriment to a good elocution, might be, made to them, it is believed, that a careful observance of them will prove highly beneficial to such as are anxious to attain an elegant and an accurate style in reading and speaking. In elocution, as in every other department of science which pertains to language, there are not wanting, at least, a few, leading, fixed principles, which may be laid down as landmarks in the form of rules, and prove highly serviceable to the novitiate, to guide him on his way to excellence in this department of learning but because rules have their exceptions, it is no good reason why they should be rejected. There are few rules in any science (except the exact sciences) which have not their exceptions. Therefore, to reject them, on this ground, would be to do away all science. But an unnecessary and an unreasonable multiplicity of rules, is an opposite extreme, equally to be avoided. QUESTIONS. Repeat and explain Rule 1, without looking into the book. Repeat and explain Exception 1st, to Rule 2. Repeat and explain Exception 2d, and the Remarks which follow. What is Exception 3?-What is the second part to it?-Please to read the examples which follow it. When judiciously applied, what is the effect of the rules of elocution? Please to read the exercises which follow, and explain the inflections by applying the Rules and Notes. What is the design of the rules and principles of elocution? illustrate the rule. What are Exceptions 1, 2, and 3, to Rule 5? Have the goodness to illustrate them by examples. Will you enunciate the Exercises under Exceptions 1 and 2, and ex plain the application of the Exception to the inflections of each example? What is Rule 6?-Please to read and explain all the examples under it. What is Rule 7?-Illustrate it by numerous examples. What is the 1st Exception to Rule 7?-What, the 2d? What Exception is there to the principle contained in Exception second? Read and explain the numerous Exercises which follow Rule 7. The following rules being deemed of minor importance, an admitting, also, of a greater number of exceptions than the foregoing, it has been thought most appropriate to present them in the form of NOTES. A SERIES. A SERIES denotes a succession of similar or opposite particulars, words, or portions of a sentence, following each other in the same construction. A series may be single, double, triple, or compound. It most frequently occurs either at the commencement, or at the close, of a compound sentence. By Mr. Walker, the various kinds of series are reduced to three general divisions : 1. The SIMPLE SERIES. 2. The COMPOUND SERIES. In the delivery of almost every separate portion of a sentence, a chaste and an appropriate elocution requires, that the tones and the inflections of the voice should be varied; but far more necessary is this variation where the sentence is so constructed that perfectly similar portions succeed each other to a considerable extent. To attempt to lay down rules by which to regulate the voice in all its appropriate modulations and inflections by which to mark the definite character of every tone, the exact direction of every wave or concrete vanish, or the precise extent of every upward and downward slide, would be worse than idle; for such directions, as far as they would produce any effect, would prove highly pernicious, as they would lead to a stiff, formal, artificial enunciation-an enunciation the most execrable that scholastick dulness could invent. But notwithstanding the absurdity of such an extreme as the one here alluded to, something may be effected by the observance of a few rules judiciously arranged and cautiously applied, by their pointing out the most harmonious and agreeable variety that may be adopted in the enunciation of the different kinds of series. If they merely prevent that tasteless and unendurable monotonous manner so often exhibited in the pronunciation of such constructions, they effect, not merely a negative, but a positive, good. SIMPLE SERIES. A SIMPLE SERIES consists of two or more single words or particulars, following each other in the same construction, either in commencing or in closing a sentence. NOTE 1. When a sentence commences with two particulars, the first may have the falling, and the second, the rising, inflection. Example: "Exercise and temperance' strengthen the constitution." Observation 1. It has already been shown, that the upward and the downward slides of the voice vary very greatly in degree or extent. Care should be taken in reading the foregoing example, that the downward slide on the word exercise, be but slight—not more than one tone, or the falling slide of a second. Obs. 2. In Mr. Walker's zeal to build up, and support, a the ory, possibly it never occurred to him, that neither the foregoing, nor the following, rules, are grounded in the philosophy of language, nor on the philosophical principles of vocal sounds, but merely on the ideal principles of good taste. Very well. But may not the principles of good taste, vary? Unquestionably they may:* and with every variation of these principles, the rules that are founded on them, must, of necessity, undergo a corresponding change. Hence, it would be no particular detriment to the elocution of the foregoing example, were we to give the rising inflection to both of the commencing particulars; for a pleasing variety (which a just elocution absolutely demands) may be given to their enunciation merely by modula Possibly the fastidiously critical in the use of terms, will take exceptions to this remark. But without wishing to provoke criticism, or to start the supposition that he is willing to handle words loosely, the author begs leave to remark, that all he means by the phrase, "the principles of good taste may vary," is, perhaps, expressed in the phrase, "good taste may vary." This last proposition, however, he maintains to be true and its correctness, he believes, is fully established by some of the illustrations which follow. One man may enunciate a series, sentence, or passage, in a masterly and an elegant manner, and another may pronounce the same in a manner equally elegant and chaste, though in a style widely different from the first; and at the same time, it might defy all the laws of philosophy, of rhetorick, and elocution, to prove which of the two has the advantage in elegance and accuracy of taste. tron and expression, or, in other words, by varying the tone and force of the voice, as it passes from one word to the other, without perceptibly varying the inflection: thus, "Exercise' and temperance' strengthen the constitution." It may be proper to add, however, that the rule is useful, as its observance will be sure to enforce a variety in the enunciation of the two words, which, without it, might be pronounced in a disagreeable monotone: and, furthermore, its direction will suggest a very pleasing and natural variety, perhaps the best that can be given. NOTE 2. When a sentence closes with two single particulars, the first takes the rising, and the second, the falling, inflection: Eg. “The constitution is strengthened by exercise' and temperance'." Observation. As it is necessary that this sentence should close with the falling inflection, or with that peculiar, falling vanish called a cadence, the principles of melody require, that the voice should rise on the last word but one of the closing series. Hence, this rule is based upon a principle of vocal utterance, and cannot be set aside by any notion of arbitrary taste. NOTE 3. When three single particulars occur at the commencement of a sentence, the first and second may take the fall'ing, and the third, the rising, inflection: Eg. "Manufactures', trade, and agriculture', employ the greater portion of the human species." Obs. Here it may be observed, again, that, although the three words, "manufactures, trade, and agriculture," ought not to have the same inflection of voice given to each, yet, whether the rising inflection should be given to the first, and the falling, to the second, or, vice versa, or whether they should be inflected according to the directions of the rule, is a mere matter of taste. This may appear more obvious by reading the sentence successively, in the three following, different ways: "Manufactures', trade', and agriculture', employ the greater portion of the human species: "Manufactures, trade', and agriculture', employ the greater portion of the human species:" "Manufactures', trade, and agriculture', employ the greater portion of the human species." It may be proper to observe, however, in regard to the second of these readings, that, as the words "trade and agriculture," take the same inflection, it becomes the more important that the modulation given to each, should be varied, the one from the other. 66 NOTE 4. When three single particulars occur at the close of a sentence, the first and third may take the falling, and the second, the rising, inflection: Eg. Whatever obscurities may involve religious tenets, the essence of true piety consists in humility', love', and devotion`.” Obs. It may be useful again to caution the learner against the very common, but not very tolerable, errour of giving the voice too intense a downward slide on ordinary, unemphatick words which take the falling inflection. The purport and the propriety of this caution will appear more obvious to the unpractised student, if, in pronouncing the foregoing example, he be particular to observe, that a correct enunciation allows his voice to slide only half as low on the word "humility," (if he give it the falling inflection; which is by no means necessary,) as on the word "devotion," where the voice takes the intense, downward slide of a third, which belongs to the cadence. NOTE 5. When four single words form a commencing series, the first and fourth may take the rising, and the second and third, the falling, inflection: Eg. "Metals', minerals', plants', and meteors', contain a thousand curious properties which are as engaging to the fancy as to the reason." "Proofs of the immortality of the soul may justly be drawn from the nature of the Supreme Being, whose justice', goodness', wisdom', and veracity', are all concerned in this great point." NOTE 6. When four single words form a concluding series, the first and fourth may have the falling, and the second and third, the rising, inflection: Eg. "The four elements of which, according to the old philosophers, the material world is composed, consist of fire', water', air', and earth'." "He who resigns the world, has no temptation to envy', hatred', malice', anger', but is in constant possession of a serene mind; he who follows the pleasures of it, which are in their very nature disappointing, is in constant search of care', solicitude', remorse', and confusion"." Obs. It will readily be perceived, that similar observations may be applied to Rules 5 and 6, to those which were made in reference to the rules that precede them. Indeed, as the number of particulars under these last two rules, is increased, so may the variety of inflections applicable to the particulars, be proportionately increased. It should be observed, however, that whatever may be the number of particulars in a simple series, |