-for I do pass through Macedonià-and it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that you may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

But, as our Introduction has enlarged considerably beyond what we at first anticipated, we shall now hasten to the last circumstance with which the question and answer may be encumbered. We have seen that all sentences belong to one or other of these states-that the one under the regulation of emphasis, with the prospect of an answer, assumes either the falling or the rising inflection; while the other, re-echoing to the question and emphasis, strictly confines itself to the former. From this exhibition of the subject, we see that Nature does not require an almost endless variety of rules, and as endless a variety of exceptions; and this altogether originating from her unlimited views presenting the simple and obvious principle which we have endeavoured to explain-a principle which is not confined to one language or one people, but which unites, in its grasp, all languages and all peoples-a principle which attends, as well the collected, grave, and serious manner of the Asiatic, as the trifling and frivolous air of the Frenchman-a principle which regulates no less the inflection of the untutored inhabitant of the desert, than that of the civilized inhabitant of a dense and thickly-peopled London or Pekin-in short, a principle which cannot be numbered among the many-marked distinctions, which divide the rich and the poor, the learned and the unlearned, the sablecountenanced and despised African, and his imperious and tyrannizing master.

But, in adverting particularly to the last circumstance in which we sometimes find the question and answer, we have

E S

to say that, were every sentence what is called simple, we should have no need for any other rule than that which we have already given. Were every sentence confined to one particular, we should not be obliged to seek for another rule. But we are aware that this is not the case. We are sensible that either the question or answer may be attended, not with one or two only, but with six, seven, eight, nine, or more particulars. We are also sensible that these particulars may consist of one word or more than one. The question, then, how are we to inflect such a sentence? meets us at the very threshold. But, on the other hand, we have to ask, What does Nature say? However much or little we may have consulted Nature, we entertain some doubt on this part of the subject. We could still come forward and crave time for a farther consultation. And the subject is certainly not without its difficulties. Here the indefatigable man had to wade through these almost alone. Scarcely one of the thousands around him could give him a helping hand. And since his time, not one has made a single successful attempt to simplify or point out the inconsistencies of this part of his system. In expressing our opinion on the difficulties in which the subject is involved, we have to add, that we do not conceive that these exist in Nature: of them, we believe she is ignorant. Why, then, any doubt about the matter? In relation to some parts of it we ourselves have none. But of all others we cannot affirm the same. Neither have we any hesitation in expressing these doubts. Walker himself had his. Besides, how many of our literary men are here mere children! What ignorance do most of our public speakers display on this subject! How little light have the thousands who have passed through our various universities, since the

announcement of Walker's system, thrown on any part of it! To be sure this is not Latin or Greek. But if they could inflect either of these languages with propriety, the difficulties of English, in so far as inflection is concerned, would soon disappear. From the time and attention bestowed upon them, a stranger might be forgiven, should he imagine that their devotees find every thing there. But the fact is, they are read as wretchedly ill as ever English was. If their native tongue is in this respect unworthy of notice, do they deem the Latin or Greek, to which some of our universities almost exclusively devote their attention, equally despicable? In this department, they seem to be blind to their own interests. They seem to have forgot the end for which all this knowledge of theirs is intended or hoarded up. They seem to have forgot the influence which true and natural oratory must ever exercise over a people learned or unlearned. Tottering as this system of theirs is to its very foundation, why is it that they do not see it? Why is it that these literati do not see homines, in many respects, rudes et indoctos gaining an ascendency over those who have spent the best part of their lives at these distinguished sedes literarum ?* Tell it not in Gath! But the circumstances to which we now turn our attention are to be found in the following sentences:→→

If it were possible to imagine that any jealousy of popular rights, any idle dread of popular excesses, any indifference to the sufferings of the people, in short, or any reverence for their oppressors, should exist in such an assembly, I think I may say that the people of Scotland would not readily believe that I

*This applies more decidedly to South Britain.

should voluntarily stand forward as the advocate of such opinions.

I tell you, though you, though all the world, though an angel from heaven, were to affirm the truth of it, I could not believe it.

The clanking of the chains, the groaning of the pumps, the hallooing of the miners, the creaking of the blocks, the beating of the hammers, and the loud and subterraneous thunder from the blasting of the rocks by gunpowder, in the midst of all this scene of excavation and uproar, produced an effect which no stranger can behold unmoved.

We think of Astartè as young, beautiful, innocent, guilty, lost, murdered, judged, pardoned.

Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness faith, meekness, temperance, are the fruits of the Spirit.

Among Elocutionists, the following terms are well known-simple series, compound series, simple commencing and concluding serieses, compound commencing and concluding serieses, series of serieses, &c.

We have a simple concluding series in Astartè. Love, joy, peace, is an example of a simple commencing series. The other sentences belong to the compound series. It is in relation to the simple series, as it is called, that we have some doubt, particularly when extended to a considerable length, as is the case in these two examples. And yet we firmly believe, that here Nature knows none. Our doubts altogether arise from the limited number of the data which alone can remove these doubts. We seldom can find, in the children of nature, such sentences, and such sentences uttered completely free from the influence of habits, education, and circumstances. The question is not, what variety is necessary? what Walker recommends. This we deny. Our object, and that of all Elocutionists should be, what does Nature recommend? Before proceeding farther, we

shall give the table which Elocutionists have put into our hands for the reading of a simple series :—

The great objection to this table is, that it cannot be reduced to practice, particularly when the members amount to six, seven, eight, &c. It is plain that if we have always time to number the members before we read, it may be capable of being reduced. But this can very seldom happen. Though there were no other reason than this, it of itself is quite sufficient to put it aside. We therefore do consider it in this state. It is easy to make theories, but it is another thing to show that they are well founded or practicable. In proposing any other mode for the reading of sentences including a number of particulars, we are to be understood as having practicability, whatever other reason we may have in view. We may sacrifice a part of the variety of this systematical table, but we may after all be as near the dictates of Nature. But be that as it may, the charge of impracticability is not trifling. It ought to have a hearing a charge which we have frequently heard made -and made too, not by those who had any sinister motive to gratify-in fact, a charge advanced by the children of Nature. We are indeed astonished, that it has been