And hear, aloof, the human tempest beat. Speaking from his throne', the sky? RULE 2. That sentence, or member of a sentence, which, in prose, would, according to the foregoing rules, require the inflection, must, in poetry, adopt the same inflection. EXAMPLES. I am monarch of all I survey`, My right there is none to dispute; Communion sweet', communion large and high, RULE 3.-Almost every kind of verse admits a short pause, in or near the middle of the line, the observance of which gives great beauty to the reading of poetry. EXAMPLES. A little rule',, a little sway`, A sunbeam,, in a winter's day', And see the rivers',, how they run Thro' woods,, and meads', in shade', and sun`? Sometimes swift',, sometimes slow`; Wave succeeding wave',, they go A various journey',, to the deep, Like human life',, to endless sleep'. RULE 4.-At the end of every line in poetry, a pause should be made, proportioned to the intimacy or remoteness of the connexion between the words that terminate the one, and commence the other. EXAMPLES. Now the pine tree's',, waving top', Did sweeter sounds',, adorn my flowing tongue, EXCEPTION. When the break between the lines separate the article from the noun which it limits; the adjective, in its natural order, from the noun which it modifies; or the preposition from the noun which it governs, no pause can be admitted. EXAMPLE. O'er their heads',, a crystal fountain', On a sudden', open fly', With impetuous recoil,, and jarring sound', DIRECTIONS TO THE LEARNER. In taking up the English Reader with a view of applying the principles of elocution to the pronunciation of the lessons, the learner will commence with the Key, and make himself complete master of the definitions and rules, and familiar with the examples. In the mean time he may exercise his judgment, by selecting from any other book examples under the several rules and exceptions, and apply the appropriate characters. In a little time he will feel himself prepared to enter upon the select sentences, and progress through the book. Great care should be taken to guard against a drawling indistinct utterance, and a hurried clipping mode of pronouncing words and phrases. Guard also against extending the rising inflection too high, or the falling too low; and be careful to make no pause in rising or falling, unless a pause is inserted. In spirited interrogatives, and at the period, the inflections adopt their greatest extremes; but in dispassionate, and especially pathetic pieces, they should resemble the undulations of a gently agitated lake. In pronouncing a series of particulars, to which the falling inflection is applied, or a simple series of three or more members, the first particular or member should be read in the low pitch, a small increase of force applied to the second, another advance to the third, and so on, to the last in the commencing series, and the last but one in the closing series; this will produce a climax in utterance, and add force to the delivery. Generally speaking, lessons should be read upon the mid dle pitch of the voice. In this pitch, utterance will be easi est to the reader, and most pleasing to the hearer; and in this too, the voice has the greatest strength, and most play. The principles have been purposely omitted in several chapters toward the close of a few sections, for the purpose of having the pupil apply them in pencil mark, as a test of his knowledge of the Key, and of their application to general reading. PART I. PIECES IN PROSE. CHAPTER I. SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS. D SECTION I. ILIGENCE, industry, and proper improvement of time', are material duties of the young`. The acquisition of knowledge', is one of the most honourable occupations of youth`. Whatever useful or engaging endowments we possess', virtue is requisite', in order to their shining with proper lustre'. Virtuous youth gradually brings forward accomplished' and flourishing manhood. Sincerity and truth' form the basis of every virtue`. Disappointments` and distress', are often blessings in dis guise. Change and alteration', form the very essence of the world'. True happiness' is of a retired nature; an enemy to pomp and noise. In order to acquire a capacity for happiness', it must be our first study to rectify inward disorders. Whatever purifies, fortifies also the heart`. From our eagerness to grasp', we strangle' and destroy pleasure`. A temperate spirit, and moderate expectations', are excellent safeguards of the mind', in this uncertain and changing state'. NOTE. In the first chapter, the compiler has exhibited sentences in a great variety of construction, and in all the diversity of punctuation. If well practised upon, he presumes they will fully prepare the young reader for the various pauses, infections, and modulations of voice, which the succeeding pieces require. The Author's " English Exercises," under the head of Punctuation, will afford the learner additional scope for improving himself in reading sentences and paragraphs variously constructed. There is nothing, except simplicity of intention', and purity of principle, that can stand the test of near approach' and strict examination`. The value of any possession, is to be chiefly estimated', by the relief which it can bring us', in the time of our greatest need. No person who has once yielded up the government of his mind, and given loose rein to his desires and passions', can tell how far they may carry him`. Tranquillity of mind', is always most likely to be attained, wher the business of the world', is tempered with thoughtful and serious retreat`. He who would act like a wise man', and build his house on the rock, and not on the sand, should contemplate human life', not only in the sunshine, but in the shade`. Let usefulness and beneficence', not ostentation` and vanity, direct the train of your pursuits. To maintain a steady and unbroken mind', amidst all the shocks of the world', marks a great and noble spirit. Patience, by preserving composure within', resists the impression which trouble makes from without`. Compassionate affections', even when they draw tears from our eyes for human misery, convey satisfaction to the heart. They who have nothing to give, can often afford relief to others, by imparting what they feel. Our ignorance of what is to come, and of what is really good or evil', should correct anxiety about worldly success. The veil which covers from our sight the events of succeeding years', is a veil woven by the hand of mercy`. The best preparation for all the uncertainties of futurity', consists in a well-ordered mind, a good conscience', and a cheerful submission to the will of Heaven`. SECTION II. HE chief misfortunes that befall us in life', can be traced us Were we to survey the chambers of sickness and distress', we should often find them peopled with the victims of intemperance and sensuality', and with the children of vicious indolence' and sloth`. To be wise in our own eyes', to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, are three things so very different, as rarely to coincide. Man', in his highest earthly glory, is but a reed floating on the stream of time, and forced to follow every new direction of the current`. |