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PRACTICE ON PRONUNCIATION.

(See page 51.)

The vi-o-let bloom-ing on the dew-y ground fills the air with its per'-fumes, and the in-no-cent lily, amidst the gaudier flowers of the gar-den, is an emblem of unassum-ing modesty, remain-ing unpol-luted and uncontam-i-nated by the van-i-ties and vices of the world.

Honor was the virtue of the Pagan; but Christi-an-ity teaches a more enlarged and a nobler codecall-ing into activ-ity all the best feel-ings of our nature-il-lu-ming our path through this world with deeds of iner-cy and char-ity, mutual-ly done and received-and sustain-ing us amidst difficulties and temptations, by the hope of a glorious immortal-ity, in which peace shall be invi-o-lable and joy e-ter-nal.

Thirst, hunger, and naked-ness are ills inci-dent to hu-man-ity, which-however secure we may at present pre-sume ourselves to be from them-we may one day be reduced to experi-ence. Let us, therefore, not abuse prosper-ity, that we may not be ter-ri-fied at ad-ver-sity.

As I walked in the gar-den I suddenly heard the noise of the en'gine. Looking round, I observed the

cars approaching, and the ide'-a instant-ly struck me that you might be in one of them, and that you were com-ing on a mi's-chiev-ous design; especially as you had not previously ad'-vertised me of your intention.

The are-a gate was open, and I observed the servant in a yel-low dress standing before the door.

The pre'-ce-dent relied on was decided when Madison was Pres-i-dent; but that was pre-ce'-dent to the pass-ing of the act of Congress, and, of course, an act of the Legis-la-ture takes prece'dence of a pre'-ce-dent, however solemn, and by whatever author-ity it may be supported.

After a se-ri-es of wet days, the sky became clear; the garden looked beautiful; and, as the cars were ready, I conclu-ded to go to Philadelphia, where I presumed I might see you without being thought guilty of intru-sion.

The vi-o-lence of his dis-po-sition will one day lead him into danger and difficulty. He has already fought a du-el; he is a reb'el against pa-ren-tal authority; his principal occupation is pleasure; his princi-ples are unfixed, and the pur-suits in which he delights lead him into so-ci-ety fa-tal to his respecta-bil-ity. His prone-ness to play is very prejudicial to his health and happi-ness: his fi-nan'ces are low, and his credit is shaken.

SECOND DIVISION.

PART I.

ELOCUTION, as an art, is imitative; it copies, it mimics as it were-the inflections, tones and variations of the voice in ordinary unrestrained speech. As a science, its rules-which are drawn from observation of these natural tones, inflections and variations-teach us to invest the language of others, or our own pre-meditated and pre-written effusions, with the same variations of voice, inflection and tone, as we should use, were they the spontaneous and extempore outpourings of our immediate thoughts and feelings. And, as in rhetoric we acquire a good habit or style of composition, by a study and analysis of the styles and compositions of others;-so, in Elocution, we acquire an easy habit or style of delivery, by exercising ourselves in giving voice and expression to the language and sentiments of others;-till, from practice, what we have done continually by rule and art, in set and studied speech, we execute at last easily and naturally, in spontaneous and original effusions. After mere distinctness of articulation, and correctness of pronunciation, this is the first object of Elocution, to read and speak easily and naturally.

And this we acquire by the following

PRINCIPLES:

1. PAUSE.-2. INFLECTION.-3. EMPHASIS.

1. PAUSE.

RHETORICAL PAUSES.

The grammatical pauses which are addressed to the eye of the reader are insufficient for the speaker; who addresses himself to the understanding "through the porches of the ear." He requires more frequent stopping-places, at more equal intervals, and of better regulated proportionate duration; both for his own ease and relief, to enable him to acquire fresh impetus on his journey; and for the convenience of those who follow his steps, that they may be able with facility to keep in his track.

We have, therefore, rhetorical pauses, which are independent of, (though consistent with, and assistant to,) the grammatical pauses. It is essential that the doctrine of rhetorical pause should be distinctly understood; as it not only marks the proper division · of thought, and the condition and relation of one part of the sense to another, but its practice is indispensable to the perfect effect of the orator: without it, he must totter and stumble through every long and intricate sentence with pain to himself and his auditory: with its aid, his movements become regular, certain, and

easy.

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