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As the works of several writers on Elocution have acquired a considerable circulation, the present volume may fall into the hands of some, who, having been already well versed in the system, will instantly understand all that the author intends. Even to such readers, he trusts that his labours may offer some advantage; for, though they may be very good readers, still they may not hitherto have examined the Liturgy with sufficient minuteness; and having been accustomed to hear it from their infancy, the true and full meaning of many passages may have been passed over without due consideration, and the different characters belonging to the different parts, may, from constant repetition, have escaped their notice. A reference to the notes will show them those instances which demand the Minister's peculiar care.-Some readers perhaps may be unable to distinguish the difference of the inflections, or may feel difficulty in applying them according to the notation. To such the present work may still be useful, by its suggestions respecting the pauses, and

tions" which are prescribed by the construction, and are therefore of a determinate character;" and which cannot be changed without producing a change of meaning. See Smart's Practice of Elocution, 2d edition, p. 41; also p. 15, of the present Work.

the general manner of delivery, suited to the several parts of the Service. And even if they should not concur with the author in the propriety of some of the directions, still they cannot fail to be benefited by having been induced to enter upon a careful and minute examination of the ENGLISH LITURGY;-concerning which a competent and an impartial judge, a learned Dissenter from our Church, has pronounced, that it is " a work almost universally esteemed by the devout and pious of every denomination, and the greatest effort of the Reformation, next to the translation of the Scriptures into the English language*." The pious Minister who takes the pains to institute a fair comparison between our Book of Common Prayer and the Liturgies from which it was compiled, will be convinced that this is no exaggerated praise.

Let then this acknowledged superiority of our Liturgy form a powerful motive for not debasing it by a feeble or careless delivery. Culpable indeed must be our indifference, if we pronounce in a cold and lifeless manner

* See Dr. Adam Clarke's General Preface to his edition of the Holy Scriptures, p. xxiv.

this sublime Ritual,-so admirably adapted to kindle in our own hearts a sacred flame, which may be quickly communicated to the hearts of our congregations.

KENSINGTON,
November, 1826.

THE INTRODUCTION.

Section

1. Instructions in reading the Service, derivable from books

Defects of preceding writers, Sheridan and others

2. Inducement to the present attempt

3. The Inflections-Objections against them obviated 4. Explanation of the Inflections

5. Method of ready application

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8. Their extent variable

9. Only the principal require to be marked

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10. Two most perceptible, the Suspensive and the Con

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Rule

THE RULES.

Primary Uses of the Inflections.

I. Conclusive Slide at the end of a sentence
II. Suspensive Slide before the verb

III. Suspensive Slide in sentences consisting of two

parts

IV. Conjunctive Slide, to connect sentences

V. Interrogative Sentences beginning with a verb

VI.

noun or adverb

VII.

junctive 'or'

VIII.

junctive 'or'

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