The Fourth Reader

spring'; let us listen to the warbling of the birds', and sport ourselves on the new grass'.

7. Who, then, can be saved'? How sleep the brave' who sink to rest, by all their country's wishes blest! 8. Mr. L. Do you like' to work' ?

Boy. Yes, sir', very well', this fine weather.

Mr. L. But would you not rather play'?

Boy. This is not hard work. It is almost as good as play.

Mr. L. Who set you to work?

Boy. My father', sir.

Mr. L. What is your name'?

Boy. Peter Hurdle', sir.

Mr. L. How old are you?

Boy. Eight years old, next June'.

Mr. L. How long have you been' here?
Boy. Ever since six o'clock this morning'.
Mr. L. Are you not hungry'?

Boy. Yes, sir', but I shall go to dinner soon.
Will you go to town' to-day' ?

will'.

Yes', perhaps I

9. Strike', you slave'! stand', rogue'! stand'! you base slave, strike'! O that I knew where I might find Him! that I might come even to His seat'!

10. Is this book yours', or mine'? It was black' or white', soft' or hard', rough' or smooth'. He preferred hon' or to dis'honor, worth to wealth'.

11. I come not to destroy', but to fulfil'. Show that you are brave by deeds', not by words'. Did he go will'ingly' or un'willingly'? He went will'ingly, not unwillingly'.

12. John', John'. Mr. Speaker', Mr. Speaker. Did you see him there'? Sir'? Did you see him there`?

Will you deny' it?

ing the question in

Will you deny it? said he, repeata louder and more emphatic tone'.

CIRCUMFLEX.

The union of the two inflections is called the circumflex, or wave, and is marked thus, ^, or thus, .

The circumflex is used to indicate the emphasis of strong assertion, surprise irony, contrast, mockery, or hypothesis; also, in expressions used in a peculiar sense, or with a double meaning. Its effect is sometimes upon single words, and sometimes it takes the form of a wave, or gradual sweep, extending through the sentence, the voice ascending to the emphatic word, and falling after it, (see figures 3 and 4,) as in language of supplication, or when a proposition is expressed with such confidence in its truth as precludes contradiction: also in an indirect question, that is, when a declarative sentence is spoken in the form of a question.

The two inflections combine so as to form different kinds of circumflex, which may be represented by the following figures:

The application of the different forms of the circumflex to the various classes of sentences, must be left, in a great measure, to the taste and judgment of the teacher.

EXAMPLES OF THE CIRCUMFLEX.

1. What is it yours? Are you a traitor?

2. A fine man you will make if you go on in this way!

3. The cat will play with a ball, but she thinks it râre sport to torture a mouse.

4. You are not angry, sure!

5. Some have sneeringly asked, Are the Americans soo poor to pay a few pounds on stamped pa'per?

6. And they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hâil! King of the Jews!

7. Mother, let me stay at home with you to-day.

8. So, you never knew the history of this man'?

9. My dear, you have some pretty beads there? Yes, papa. And you seem to be vastly pleased with them? Yes, papa.

10. Truly, we would not offend you.

11. "Tried and convicted traitor ?" Who says this? Who'll prove' it at his peril on my head'?

"Banished?" I thank you for 't. It breaks my chain

MONOTONE.

When no inflection is used, a monotone, or sameness of tone, is produced.

The term monotone, in the language of elocution, should not be understood in its literal signification, as "a sound never varied," but rather to imply the successive recurrence of the same radical pitch or tone, with a full, smooth, and prolonged stress of voice. Its low-pitched, solemn utterance may be said to resemble the repeated sounds of a deep-toned bell, with its perpetually recurring low note.

It is the language of awe, reverence, solemnity, grandeur, majesty, and power; especially when connected with the idea of supernatural agency, or influence. Emotions of amazement, terror, and horror are often expressed in monotone. In its proper place, monotone can be employed with beauty and effect; but one of the most prominent faults in reading is a prevalent use of this mode of voice, without reference to appropriateness. This habit destroys every thing like feeling or expression, and is the chief cause of that wearisome sameness so common in the reading exercise of the school room. Teachers should be unremitting in their efforts to counteract this tendency. To this end they should omit no opportunity of showing the use and effect of the inflections and the circumflex; also, of leading the child to study the meaning of the selection to be read, and to give expression to the author's ideas by means of the proper tones, stress, pitch, and movement of the voice.

EXAMPLES OF MONOTONE.

The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and nature sink in years. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: it stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes; there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

WORDS OFTEN MISPRONOUNCED.

The correct pronunciation of the following words should be learned by the pupil from a Pronouncing Dictionary. Worcester's Dictionaries are the most complete and accurate in this department. See Pronunciation,on page 21.

Abdomen accent (v.) accessory