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 same ness 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 >mit 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 se 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 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 mor just than God? shall a man be more pure than hi 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 Massacre, -d scallop mercantile scath, -ing advertise comely Fairy mirage scries mischievous sinecure aged compensate fertile aggrandize com.plaisance finale museum sloth agile compromise alabaster comrade financier soirce spanicl specialty species spectacle amenable consummate nothing splenetic squirrel ancient contrary gather antipodes contumely genuine often suite Arab coquetry get opponent summary Arabic courier girl glacier synod governor Panegyric arctio guardian partridge defalcation patent (n.) Tedious tenet threshold demonstrate Half patent (adj.) thyme harass, -ing patriot asylum devastate, -ec hearth patriotism aye diplomacy discern homage pianist tortoise toward transparent truculent baths discrepancy horizon piquant truths beard dishabille humble placard tune platina precedent (n.) Uranus precedent (adj.) precise Vagary bivouac does impetus preface vehement blasphemous viguette blithe E'er primary bonnet elegiac interested progress isolate protege Weapon well whole puissant why Italian Quay wiscacre withes buoyant ephemeral Recess epicurean Calf epoch cartridge ere Lamentable catch rhubarb yonder European learned (adj.) robust legislative roof legislature root youths Zoology 1. COME, let us praise God, for He is exceeding'great; let us bless God, for He is very good. 2. He made all things; the sun to rule the day, the moon to shine by night. 3. He made the great whale, and the elephant,' and the little worm that crawleth on the ground. 4. The little birds sing praises to God when they war ble sweetly in the green shade. 5. The brooks and rivers praise God, when they murmur' with melody amongst the smooth pebbles.' 6. I will praise God with my voice; for I may praise Him though I am but a little child. 831 7. A few years ago, and I was a little infant, and my tongue was dumb within my mouth. 8. And I did not know the great name of God, for my reason was not come unto me. 9. But now I can speak, and my tongue shall praise Him; I can think of all His kindness, and my heart shall love Him. 10. Let Him call me, and I will come unto Him; let Him command, and I will obey Him. 11. When I am older, I will praise Him better; and I will never forget God, so long as my life remaineth in 1. A FATHER and his son were once sitting under a tree upon a hill. It was near sunset, and a flock of sheep were feeding near them. A strange' man came by, who had a dog with him. As soon as the sheep saw the dog, they became alarmed, and ran into some thorny bushes which grew near by. Some of their wool caught upon the thorns, and was torn off. 3 2. When the boy saw this, he was troubled, and said, "See, father, how the thorns tear away the wool from the poor sheep. These bushes ought to be cut down, so that hereafter they may not harm the sheep." His father was silent a while, and then said, " So you think the bushes ought to be cut down?" "Yes," answered his son, "and I wish I had a hatchet to do it with." The father made no reply, and they went home. 3. The next day they came to the same place with a hatchet. The boy was full of joy, and very eager to have his father begin to cut down the bushes. They sat down upon the hill, and the father said, "Do you hear how sweetly the birds sing? Are they not beautiful creatures?" "O, yes," replied the boy; "the birds are the most beautiful of all creatures." 4 4. As they were speaking, a bird flew down among the bushes, and picked off a tuft of wool, and carried it away to a high tree. See," said the father, "with this wool the bird makes a soft bed for its young in the nest. How comfortable the little things will be! and the sheep could well spare a little of their fleece. Do you now think it well to cut down the bushes?" "No," said the boy; "we will let them stand." 5 5. "My dear son," said the father, "the ways of God are not always easy to understand. It seemed to you very hard, yesterday, that the poor sheep should lose their wool; but to-day you see that without this wool the little bird could not have made its warm nest. So, many things happen to us which seem hard; but God ordains them for our good, and they are meant in kindness and love." 1 STRANGE. Unknown. 2 ALARMED. Frightened, scared. 5 COMFORTABLE. In a state of com. fort, free from distress or uneast ness, at ease. 6 UNDERSTAND. Comprehend, know. 7 ORDAINS. Appoints, decrees. |