EXERCISE III.

RULE 3. Language which is grave, grand, or sublime, should generally be read on the low pitch, with a distinct and deliberate utterance, slow movement, and prevailing monotone.

THE ROSE.

1. I saw a rose perfect in beauty; it rested gracefully upon its stalk; and its perfume filled the air. Many stopped to gaze upon it; many bowed to taste its fragrance; and its owner hung over it with delight.

2. I passed it again, and behold it was gone! Its stem was leafless, its root had withered! The inclosure which surrounded it was broken down. The spoiler had been there! He saw that many admired it; he knew it was dear to him who planted it; and, beside it, he had no other plant to love.

3. Yet he snatched it secretly from the hand that cherished it. He wore it on his bosom till it hung its head and faded; and when he saw that its glory was departed, he flung it rudely away. But it left a thorn in his bosom, and vainly did he seek to extract it; for now it pierces the spoiler, even in his hour of mirth!

4. And when I saw that no man, who had loved the beauty of the rose, gathered its scattered leaves, or bound up the stalk which the hand of violence had broken, I looked earnestly at the spot where it grew, and my soul received instruction.

5. And I said, "Let her who is full of beauty and admiration, sitting like the queen of flowers in majesty among the daughters of women, let her watch, lest vanity enter her heart, beguiling her to rest proudly

upon her own strength. Let her remember that she standeth on slippery places, and be not high-minded, but fear!'

QUESTIONS.-What is the rule for language which is grave, grand, or sublime? What is the moral of this reading lesson?

EXERCISE IV.

RULE 4. In reading dialogues, and all those compositions in which the writer introduces two or more individuals as speaking, consider the condition, feelings, and temperament of the characters to be represented, and vary the voice in such a manner as best to personate them.

1. Fanny. Mother, I bit my tongue as I was eating breakfast this morning. It hurt me so much that I almost cried.

Then I'll tell you what I

2. Mother. Did it? would advise you to do: say what is either proper or useful. tongue a fine time to rest.

nothing to-day but This will give your

3. Fanny. Well, I know I talk a great deal; but I will try to keep quiet for once. I am going to begin mother.

now,

4. Mother. Well, do so; and if you attempt to speak, and it hurts your tongue, be sure to ask yourself whether what you were going to say would be of any use, or would be proper.

5. Fanny. Yes, yes, mother, I will; but don't you talk to me, for fear.

6. So saying, she screwed up her lips, took her work, and sat about five minutes as still as a mouse. She then looked up, smiled, and nodded to her mother, as much as to say, "See how well I can hold my tongue." She still kept her lips very tight, for fear she should speak.

7. But, in a few minutes more, she began to feel a great desire to say something; and she was glad to know that if she could think of any thing useful and proper, she might say it.

8. She looked round the room, and at last said, "Mother, don't you think the fire needs stirring?" "Not at present, my dear," said her mother.

9. Then there came a long silence. long silence. Fanny found it much harder than she thought, to find any thing useful to talk about; and she knew her mother would laugh at her if she said what was idle and silly.

10. She was about to repent having made such a promise, when her three older sisters came into the She thought it quite proper to tell them of her sad misfortune.

room.

11. This she did at great length, and with many needless words, as is the custom with great talkers. Her sisters feared that her firmness would not last half an hour; and they laughed at her for telling so long a story with a sore tongue.

12. Soon after, some ladies called to pay her mother a morning visit. This gave Fanny's tongue so long a rest, that the moment they were gone, it began to run as fast as ever.

13. Fanny. How long old Mrs. Wilson has had that brown satin pelisse! Really, poor old lady, I am quite tired of seeing her in it!

14. Mother. How is your tongue, Fanny?

15. Fanny. O better, mother, I thank you. It is almost well.

16. Mother. I am sorry for it. I was in hopes it would be sore enough to prevent you from making such remarks about any body to-day.

17. Fanny. No; but truly, mother, isn't it an old, rusty thing?

18. Mother. Pray, Fanny, was that question proper, or a useful one?

19. Fanny. O but, mother, I assure you, my tongue is quite well now.

20. Mother. I am sorry for it, my dear. I should think it well worth while to bite my tongue every day, if there were no other means of keeping it in order.

21. Fanny. Who would have thought that my biting my tongue this morning would have given me all this trouble?

22. Mother. It would be a good bite for you, Fanny, and for others, too, if it should make you more careful in the use of it. Foolish talking always pains a tender conscience, just as constant speaking does a sore tongue.

QUESTIONS. -What is the rule for reading dialogues, &c.? What lesson is this dialogue designed to teach?

ERRORS IN PRONUNCIATION - Avoid saying jest for just; chil'durn for children; con-sist'in for con-sist'ing; an for and; young'ist for young'est.

FANNY'S SUM.

1. ONE afternoon, just before dark, a group of children, consisting of two boys and two girls, were assem

* For the manner of correcting the errors in this and the following lessons, see Exercise under Section V., page 39.