Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

200. Accent. The intentions of the mind--are manifested by the accent of the voice, as are those of a tailor, when he makes a gentleman's coat; or of a mantuamaker, when she makes a lady's gown; there is a meaning, an end, in all. The three great categories of knowledge are end, cause and effect; reflection and experience will convince those who would be wise, that the end or purpose, is the first thing,--the cause or medium, the second, and the effect, or ultimation of the co-operation of end and cause, the third thing. Now the feeling, or affection, is the first thing; the thought-is the second thing: and the action-the third thing: the affection and the vowel sound are connected, the thought and the consonant, and all become manifest, when the word is properly made, by the application of accent, and enunciation.

201. Now, as the affectuous part of the mind operates, especially, on those lower nerves and muscles, that are combined to produce the vowel sounds, and the intellectual part of the mind co-operates with the lungs, to form the consonant sounds, and the two unite-to make the word, by the use of the accent, through the agency of which, feelings and thoughts are conveyed,-it will be perceived, that whenever there is a change of the seat of accent, there may be a corresponding change of the meaning of the word: or rather, a change of feeling produces a change of thought, and the two produce a corresponding change in the seat of accent: as-august, au-gust; prod-uce, pro-duce; gallant, gal-lant.

202. Change of the seat of accent according to sense. They bom-bard the town, with bom-bards, and ce-ment their cannon with cem-ent, and call upon their col-leagues to col-league together, col-lect their soldiers, and offer up their col-lects. He com-ments upon their com-ments, while they com-merce about the com-merce, and com-mon-place their common-place business. The com-pact was entered into in a com-pact manner, while the soldiers com-plot together in a com-plot, and com-port themselves with a becoming comport. The farmer com-posts his fields with excellent com-post, and out of the com-pound he com-pounds a fruitful soil; which, when com-press'd, makes a very fine com-press for the grain.

My birthday! what a different sound
That word had-in my youthful ears!
And how, each time-the day came round,
Less, and less white-its mark appears!
When first-our scanty years are told,
It seems like pastime-to grow old.
And as youth-counts the shining links,
That time-around him binds so fast,
Pleased with the task, he little thinks,
How hard that chain will press-al last.

Anecdote. When Lieutestant O Brien' was blown up, in the Edgar, and thrc wn on board the Admiral, all black and wet, he said to the commander, with pleasantry, “I hope sir, you will excuse my dirty appear. ance; for I left the ship in so great a hurry, that I had not time to change my dress."

Proverbs. 1. Every thing great-is comstronger resemblance to a mad-man than a drunposed of minute particles. 2. Nothing-bears a kard. 3. Pleasure, purchased by pain, is always injurious. 4. The act is to be judged of, by the intention of the person, who does it. 5. Theory, without practice, however plausible, seldom tends to a successful issue. 6. Reflect well, before you say yes, or no. 7. Be cautious—in giving advice, and consider-before you follow it. 8. A man, fond of disputing, will, in time, have few friends to dispute with. 9. Young people are apt to think themselves wise enough; as drunkards-think themselves sober enough. Injustice-cannot exist without agents. 11. No great loss, but some small gain. 12. No smoke, without some fire.

10.

Reading Discourses. As the reading of written discourses is so common, it is very desirable, that the speaker should unite the advantages of written, or printed composition, with extemporaneous speaking; which can be done by mastering the principles of this system; then, though the essay be a month, or a year old, the orator may give it all the appearance and freshness of oral discourse. Many public men have injured their health by slavishly reading their discourses, instead of speaking them; there being such an inseparable connection beto read, especially from a manuscript, tends tween thinking and breathing, that the effort to the use of the thorax, or lungs. If we were taught to read by ear, instead of by sight, there would be no difficulty in this exercise: there must be a revolution-in regard to teaching and learning this important art, or sad will continue to be the consequences.

Varieties. 1. Were the Texians right, in rebelling against Mexico? 2. If woman taught the philosophy of love, who would not learn? 3. Do not yield to misfortunes; 4. Procrastination—is the thief of time. 5. but resist them, with unceasing firmness. No one is qualified to command, who has not learned to obey. 6. A laugh-costs too much, if purchased at the expense of pro priety. 7. Words, fitly spoken from a life of love, are exceedingly sweet, and profitable to all.

Beware, ye slaves of vice and infamy, Beware-choose not religion's sacred name, To sanctify your crimes-your falsehood shield. Profane not your Creator's boundless power, Or lest his vengeance-fall upon, and crush ye It is an awful height-of human pride, When we dare-robe ourselves in sanctity, While all is dark impiety within! This, surely, is the aggregate of sin, The last to be forgiven-by heaven, or man.

Proverbs. 1. Beware of reading, without thinking of the subject. 2. A man rarely deceived another but once. 3. A good paymaster is lord of another man's purse. 4. He is most secure fro danger, who, even when conscious of safety, in on his guard. 5. The pitcher may go often to the well, and be broken at last. 6. A good companion, makes good company. 7. Let every one choose, according to his own fancy. A comparison—is no reason. 9. Your looking-glass-will tell you what none of your friends will. 10. The human

203. The subject of accent, being of primary importance, should be dwelt upon, till its principles, and their application, are perfectly familiar. Remember, it is the principal external means, of making words-out of letters and syllables: comparatively, it is the thread with which we make the garments for our thoughts, and thus manifest the objects which the mind has in view in clothing them in different ways, and making them alive with feeling. The mental power of ac-heart wants something to be kind to. 11. Many cent, is in the will, or voluntary principle, hands make light work. 12. Ask your purse and the physical force is from the combined what you shall buy. action of the lower muscles, in connection with the diaphragm; hence, it may be perceived, that in simply expelling vowel sounds, as always insisted upon, we at the same time, acquire the power of making the accent; for expulsion-is accent, radical, or stress. If you do not master accent, you cannot succeed in becoming an elocutionist.

Anecdote. Blundering on the Truth. An ignorant fellow, who was about to be married, resolved to make himself perfect in the responses of the marriage service; but, by mistake, he committed the office of bap tism for those of riper years: so, when the clergyman asked him, in the church,"Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife?" The bridegroom answered, in a very solemn tone; "I renounce them all." The astonished minister said "I think you are a fool :"-to which he replied, “All this I steadfastly believe."

Analogies. As, in the succession of the seasons, each, by the invariable laws of nature, affects the productions of what is next in course; so, in human life, every period of our age,-according as it is well or ill spent, influences the happiness of that which

204. Change of the seat of accent. On her en-trance, she was en-tranced at being es-cort-ed by a grand es-cort: I es-say to make an es-say to ex-ile the ex-iles: ex-port the ex-ports, with-out ex-tract-ing the extracts for the ex-tract-ors: the ab-ject fel-lows ab-ject the gifts, and the ab-sent minded absent themselves from the party: he ab-stracts the ab-stracts and at-trib-utes the at-tri-butes to others: I lay the ac-cent on the ac-cent-ed vowel, and af-fix the af-fix to the final sylla-is to follow. ble, and make aug-ment in the right place and aug-ment the word in Au-gust, and thus make the idea au-gust.

or-tho-e-py, ar-is-toc ra-cy, ac-cept-a-ble, Ar-e-op-a-gus, ac-ces-so

Virtuous youth-- generally brings forward accomplished and flourishing manhood; and such manhood passes off, without uneasiness, into respectable and tranquil old age. When nature-is turned Notes. 1. Be careful in placing the accent on the right out of its regular course, disorder takes syllable: ad-ver-tisc-ment, al-lies, com-pen-sate, in-qui-ry, de-co-rus, place-in the moral, just as in the vegetable ry, up-right-ly: for if you place the accent on the wrong vowel, world. If the spring-put forth no blossome, you partially pervert the meaning, or render it ridiculous: as, in summer-there will be no beauty, and in saw an au-gust spectacle in Au-gust. 2. In singing, accent is al- the autumn-no fruit. If youth-be trifled ways made by stress: and the first note of each full measure ac-away without improvement, manhood will be Laconics. Labor is honorable in all, from the king on the throne to the mendicant in the street; and let him or her, who is ashamed to toil for themselves, or the benefit of their race, be more ashamed to consume the industry and labor of others, for which they do not render an equivalent.

cent-ed.

The rose had been washed, just washed in a shower,
Which Mary--to Anna-conveyed;
The plentiful moisture-encumbered the flower,
And weighed down its beautiful head.

The cup was all filled, and the leaves were all wet,
And it seemed, to a fanciful view,

To weep for the buds-it had left with regret,
On the flourishing bush-where it grew.

I hastily seized it, unfit as it was

For a nosegay, so dripping and drowned
And swinging it rudely, too rudely, alas!
I snapped it,--it fell to the ground.
And such, I exclaimed, is the pitiless part,
Some act-by the delicate mind,
Regardless of wringing-and breaking a heart,
Already to sorrow resigned.

This elegant rose, had I shaken it less,

Might have bloomed with its owner awhile:

And the tear, that is wiped, with a little address,
Alay se followed, perhaps, by a smile.

the beginnings of life-have been vanity, — contemptible and old age-miserable. If its latter end can be no other than vexation of spirit.

Varieties. 1. Is there any such thing as time and space, in the world of mind? 2. Any book that is worth reading once, is worth reading twice. 3. Most misfortunes -may be turned into blessings, by watching the tide of affairs. 4. When the wicked are in power, innocence and integrity are sure to be persecuted. 5. Give people proper' books, and teach them how to read them, and they will educate themselves. 6. Unlimited powers-should not be trusted in the hands of any one, who is not endowed with perfection, more than human. 7. The truths of the Bible are the seeds of order; and as is the reception, such will be the produce.

Faults-in the life, breed errors in the brain,
And these, reciprocally, those again :
The mind, and conduct-mutually imprint,
And stamp their image-in each other's mint.

Proverbs. 1. Instead of saying "I can't, say "I will." 2. Acquire knowledge that may be useful. 3. If possible, remove your own difficulties. 4. Husband your time, and waste neither that, nor your money. 5. Try to exert a good

205. To accomplish the objects in view, | the development and perfection of the voice for reading, speaking and singing, a great variety of exercises and examples, are introduced, containing sense and nonsense; and attention can be given to both kinds, accord-influence, wherever you are. 6. A little stone can ing to their uses. Let it be remembered, that the forty-four sounds of the language are the fountains, from which are to flow every stream of elocution and music: and these are con

tinually before us. No one can succeed in silently reading, or thinking over the subjects: practice is the great thing; therefore, frequently repeat the sounds, read by vowels, spell by sounds, and exercise in accent and emphasis, with all the other modifications.

206. They con-cert a plan to get up a concert, and as they con-cord the con-cords of the notes, they con-crete the con-crete tones with such admirable con-duct, as to con-duct the whole to the satisfaction of the audience. He con-fects the sugar with delicious con-fects, although he con-fines his efforts to the confines of the room; and without con-flic-ting in any serious con-flict, he con-serves the conserves in such a way as to con-sort with his con-sort without con-test-ing with any serious con-test. I will con-text the con-text, so as to con-tract the con-tract-ing in a strong con-tract, the con-vent, so as to con-vent its

inmates, while they con-verse in familiar con

verse.

207. Among the more difficult acquisitions, is the ability to prolong sounds in strongly marked accented and emphatic words, involving the kindlier feelings of our nature; to succeed in which, practice single long vowel sounds in separate words, and also in short and long phrases; as ale; a l; ee-1; ile; o ld; ooze; mu- -te; pu-ss; oi-1; our; also, old armed chair; wheel to the right; roll the flames and join the muse; glowing hope; praise the lofty dome.

a-re;

1

Notes. 1. The attempt is not made any where, to give a fect notation of the manner in which one is to read; and me words are more or less emphatic, that are printed in common type; while certain words, which are not very important as to meaning, are printed in italics. 2. Never mind the rough appear ance of the examples; but make them smooth in your delivery.

Anecdote. Self-love. The first consideration of a knave is-how to help himself; and the second, how to do it with an appearance of helping others. Dionysius, the tyrant, stripped the statue of Jupiter Olympus, of a robe of massy gold, and substituted a cloak of wool, saying-" Gold is too cold in winter, and too heavy in the summer-it behooves us to take care of Jupiter.'

When was public virtue to be found,
Where private was not?

Can he love the whole,

Who loves no part?

He-be a nation's friend,

Who, in truth, is the friend of no man there ?¦

make a great bruise. 7. Unwearied diligence the point will gain. 8. Cultivate good domestic habits. 9. Some rather reflect truth than practics it. 10. Man is a mi-cro-cosm, or little world.

11. Winter finds what Summer conceals. 12. Twe of a trade seldom agree.

Important. Let the orator consider himself the connecting link, or medium, between the mental and natural world: i. e. that the spiritual world is progressing down into the material world; and that all his muscles and vocal powers are the proper organs, thro' which it is to flow. Hence, the necessity of developing and training, perfectly, those mediums of communication, that every thing in the matter, may tell, effectually, in the manner. Much, very much depends upor. the state of his own mind; for, according to that minds of others. Conceive yourself the rep-will be the influence shed abroad on the

resentative of a vast concourse of associated minds, and be the true representative of your constituents.

Varieties. 1. Are fictitious writings beneficial? 2. E-go-tism (or self-commendation,) is always disgusting, and should be carefully avoided. 3. A man cannot call a better physician than himself, if he will take all the good advice he gives to others. 4. Why is the human mind like a garden? because you can sow what seeds you please in it. 5. Good and bad fortune are necessary, to prepare us to meet the contingencies of ife. 6. Be not too much afraid of offending others, by telling the truth: nor stoop to fluttery nor meanness, to gain their favor. 7. The whole outward creation, with its every particular and movement, is but a theatre and scene of effects, brought forth into existence, and mov ed by interior spiritual causes, proper to the spiritual world.

To the curious eye
A little monitor-presents her page
Of choice instruction, with her snowy bells-
The lily of the vale. She, not affects
The public walk, nor gaze of mid-day sun:
She--to no state or dignity aspires,
But, silent and alone, puts on her suit,

And sheds her lasting per-fume, but for which
We had not known--there was a thing-so sweet
Hid-in the gloomy shade. So, when the blast
Her sister tribes confounds, and, to the earth
Stoops their high heads, that vainly were exposed,
She feels it not, but flourishes anew,
Still sheltered and secure. And so the storm,
That makes the huge elm couch, and rends the o
The humble lily spares. A thousand blows,
That shake the lofty monarch, on his throne,
We lesser folks feel not. Keen are the paina
Advancement often brings. To be secure.
Be humble; to be happy, be content.

208. The question is often asked-which Proverbs. 1. Show me a 'iar, and I will receives the accent, the vowel or the conso-show you a thief. 2. The best mode of instrucnant? The reply is, sometimes one, and at tion is-to practice what we teach. 3. Vain gloothers, both, when they are connected. In a- ry blossoms, but never bears. 4. Well to judge, ble, the accent is all on a; in no-ble, then depends on well to hear. 5. He who is wicked and o receive the accent, but principally the in the country, will be wicked in the town. 6. He who preaches war, is the devil's chaplain. o; in pre-sume, the accent is mostly on u; 7. You will never have a friend, if you must and is imparted to s and m, terminating on the m. Although this fact is perfectly obvi- have one without failings. 8. A bad man in office, is a public calamity. 9. That war only is ous, yet one book that purports to have pass-just, which is necessary. 10. The worst of law ed through seven editions, insists that vowels is, that one suit breeds twenty. 11. Be not ruinare never accented. I would ask that author, ed by your neglect. 12. Ignorance is a misfortuna what letter receives the accent of the proper name A-i in the Bible, since it has two syllables, and yet there are no consonants. Let us beware of wrong guides as well as blinding-room and library, to which he was not a subscriber, had his pet dog turned out by the crusty old sexton; who gave him a kick, saying-" you are not a subscriber at any rate." The intruder took the hint; and never appeared again in the establishment, till he be

ones.

A

Anecdote. An Unwelcome Visitor. person, who often intruded himself in a read

209. Half accented vowel sounds. There is an inferior, or half accent, on certain words of three or more syllables, which should be observed; and, although given distinctly, must be kept within the vanish of the accent-caine a patron. ed ones. The dem-o-CRAT-ic con-ver-sa-tion HORACE, a celebrated Roman poet, relates, re-spect-ing the ti-A-ra was het-e-ro-GE-ne-us to a dem-on-STRA-tion; a met-a-PHIS-i-cal hyp-O-CHON-dria is rec-om-MEN-da-to-ry of super-a-BUN-dant prod-i-GAL-i-ty: the in-compre-нEN-si-ble plen-i-po-TEN-ti-a-ry is an ampli-fi-ca-tion of hy-dro-PHO-bi-a; the per-pendic-u-LAR-i-ty of the gen-er-al-Is-si-mo, and the mag-na-NIM-i-ty of the phil-an-тHROP-ical re-ca-pit-u-LA-tion was char-ac-ter-is-tic of the in-cor-rup-ti-BIL-i-ty of his in-conSID-er-a-ble-ness.

210. The mere mention of Oratory, reminds us of the early times of Egypt, Greece, and Rome; when there flourished a LEVITE, who was an important instrument in delivering an ancient people from captivity; one of whose qualifications for his high office, was, that he could "speak well;"-a Demosthenes, the magic, music, and witchery of whose elequence, it is impossible to translate or describe;-a Cicero, whose oratory was copious, correct, ornate, and magnificent ;-each of whom was pre-eminent in his own style and manner, the Grecian-carrying the citadel by storm, and the Roman taking it after a regular and most beautifully conducted siege; --of a Peter, and Paul, pleading in the cause of Heaven, and holding vast multitudes in breathless silence, making even Judges tremble in their high places;-of more modern times, whose history presents us the name of a Chatham, a Burke, and a Fox, in the assembly; and those of a Bourdaloue, Massillon, Bridane, and Whitfield, in the pulpit; also the orators of our own time and land; some of whom, in many respects, will not suffer by a comparison with any of their illustrious predecessors.

Praising what is lost,

Makes the emen brance-dear.

that a countryman, who wanted to pass a river, stood loitering on the banks of it, in the foolish expectation, that a current so rapid would soon discharge its waters. But the stream still flowed, (increased perhaps by fresh torrents from the mountains,) and it must forever flow; because the source from which it is derived, is inexhaustible. Thus, the idle and irresolute youth, trifles over his books, or squanders, in childish pursuits, his precious moments, deferring the business of improvement, (which at first might be rendered easy and agreeable, but which, by delay, becomes more and more difficult,) until the golden sands of opportunity have all run, and he is called to action, without possessing the requisite ability.

3.

Varieties. 1. Has the invention of gunpowder been beneficial to the world? The mind, like the soil, rises in value, according to the nature and degree-of its cultivation. Labor and prudence, relieve us from three great evils,-vice, want, and indolence. 4. A wise man reflects, before he speaks; a foolish one speaks, and then reflects on what he has said. 5. Our happiness does not consist in being without passions, but in having command of them. 6. Good-is never more effectually accomplished, than when produced by slow degrees. 7. True charity-cannot be conjoined to a persuasion of falsity, flowing from evil.

There's quiet-in the deep :-
Above, let tides-and tempests rave,

And earth-born whirlwinds-wake the wave;
Above, let care-and fear contend
With sin and sorrow-to the end:
Here, far beneath the tainted foam,
That frets-above our peaceful honu,
We dream in joy, aud wake in love,
Nor know the rage-tnat yells above!
There's quiet in the deep!

3. The

Proverbs. 1. Our best security consists in innocence, and the cheering influence of approving conscience. 2. Tardiness and precipitation are extremes equally to be avoided. brave may fall, but never yield. 4. Books alone fame-is often a common liar. 6. Words--are

can never teach the use of books. 5. Common

211. Unaccented Vowels. There is great beauty in pronunciation, where each letter, that is not silent, tells upon the ear its true character, and all contribute to produce the desired effect: hence, the great necessity of giving to all letters, syllables, and words, their proper sounds; especially, the vowels, whether long or short, accented or unaccentleaves; deeds are fruits. 7. Deserve success, and you shall command it. 8. False friends are ed: as,―on the pres-ent oc-ca-sion I shall not worse than open enemies. 9. Goodness alone, at-tempt to prej-u-dice your o-pin-ions or e-enriches the possessor. 10. He who avoids the mo-tions to ac-com-plish my ob-jects; is it temptation, avoids the sin. 11. Knowledge is no pos-si-ble, the ter-ri-ble of-fence of the gen-er-burden. 12. Man proposes, and God disposes. al, in ref-er-ence to the man-u-scripts, is partic-u-lar-ly con-spic-u-ous in the red-o-lent can-o-py of heav-en! the del-e-gate re-quests me to give an oc-cu-lar ed-u-ca-tion to his deli-cate child, and be par-tic-u-lar in its e-nun-soldier-becomes a lightsome boy at her feet; ci-a-tion and pro-nun-ci-a-tion.

212. A con-vert is one, who is con-vert-ed from one side to another, and a con-vict is one who has been con-vic-ted of some crime. The con-voy con-voyed the king to his throne, and placed a cor-o-nal on his co-ro-nal brow. I will coun-ter-bal-ance that coun-ter-bal-ance, and coun-ter-buff the enemy's coun-ter-buff. They will coun-ter-charge the coun-ter-charge on England, and coun-ter-charm the broker's coun-ter-charm, while we coun-ter-check the private's coun-ter-check. The general counter-mands his officer's coun-ter-mand, as we coun-ter-march our coun-ter-march. We will coun-ter-plot your coun-ter-plots, and -coun-ter-mine your coun-ter-mines. He counter-poised their coun-ter-poise, and coun-tervailed their coun-ter-vail.

Notes. 1. Different words, as well as the same words, By be ascented on different vowels, according to the object contemplated; thus-vi-brate, pro-pose, brig-ade, hus-band, au-gust, an-gust, com-pound. 2. The accent is generally on the root, or theme of the word; but sometimes on the subordinate part. 3. In reading poetry, the accent may be different from what it would be in prose, for the sake of the melody of the verse. 4. Remember, vowels must be prolonged on their radical parts, not on their vanishing movements. 5. Observe how lively, varied and interesting a passage is, when pronounced with proper accentual force; and see how ineipid and monotonous without it. 6. Always let vour accent be well marked and sustained; then your delivery will be brilliant, sprightly and effective.

Anecdote. Undergoing a great hardship. During a trial in Court, where judge Parsons presided, a lawyer desired to know what a witness meant by keel-hauling. "Do you not know?" replied the judge; "he means that it is undergoing a great hard ship, to be sure!"

Fare thee well! the ship is ready,
And the breeze-is fresh and steady.
Hands are fast the anchor weighing;
High in air-the streamer's playing.
Spread the sails-the waves are swelling
Proudly round thy buoyant dwelling;
Fare thee well! and when at sea,
Think of those who sigh for thee.
Acquaintance grew; the acquaintance they improved
To friendsh; friendship-ripenend into love.

Woman. What a consoler is woman! None but her presence can so win a man from his sorrow, make placid the knit brow, and wreathe the stern lip into a smile. The

the anxious statesman-smiles himself back to free-hearted youth beside her; and the still and shaded countenance of care-brightens beneath her influence, as the closed flower blooms in the sunshine.

Varieties. 1. What is truth? Heaven and earth, are interested in this momentous question. 2. Flee from sloth; for the indolence of the soul, is the decay of the body. 3. Eloquence is of two kinds,-that of the heart which is called divine; and that of the head, which is made up of conceit and sophistry. 4. It is no small grief to one's good nature, to try his friends. 5. Talk not of the love that outlives adversity; the love, that remains with it, is a thousand times more rare. 6 Deliberate with caution, and act with preci sion; yield with grace, and oppose with firmness. 7. The internal man is formed in the body, as a tree in the ground, or a seed in the fruit.

AUTUMN EVENING.
Behold-the western evening light!
It melts in deepening gloom;
So calmly-Christians sink away,
Descending-to the tomb.

The winds-breathe low, the withering leaf
Scarce whispers-from the tree;
So gently-flows the parting breath,
When good men-cense to be.
How beautiful-on all the hills,
The crimson light is shed!
"Tis like the peace-the Christian gives
To mourners-round his bed.
How mildly-on the wandering cloud,
The sunset beam-is cast!
"Tis like the memory-left behind,

When loved ones-breathe their last.
And now, above the dews of night,
The yellow star-appears;
So-faith springs in the heart of those,
Whose eyes-are bathed in tears.
But soon-the morning's happler ligh
Its glory shall restore;

And eyelids, that are sealed in death
Shall wake-to close no more.
True religion--

Is always mild, propitious, and humane,
Plays not the tyrant, plants no faith in blood;
But stoops to succor, polish, and redress,
And builds her grandeur-on the public good

« ElőzőTovább »