To those who are acquainted with musical notation, the subject may be further illustrated by expressing on the five lines all the inflections in the following example :*

Modu lation in speaking de serves Our at tention.

In pronouncing this sentence, the voice slides gently upwards on the two first syllables of the word modulation, and then descends with forcible accent through its remaining syllables together with the unaccented preposition. It then reascends on the word speaking to a higher note than it reached at its first ascent. After a slight pause, it passes feebly downward on the unaccented syllable de; rises again with renewed force on serves; passes quickly upwards through the unaccented syllables; and concludes by descending on the last portion of the final word to a note lower than that with which the sentence began. The tapering of the marks in the above example is intended to shew that the force of pronunciation, which begins upon the accented syllable,

This mode of illustration is adopted, with slight alterations, from Mr. Smart's ingenious work, p. 54.

с

gradually decreases in pronouncing the unaccented

ones.

But though it is possible to mark all the inflections adopted by a deliberate speaker, yet it would be highly absurd to prescribe what all of them ought to be; because the management of them is seldom so fixed and determinate, especially in long sentences, as to prevent good speakers from differing from each other, though each might convey the intended meaning with clearness and force. Still, however, something important may be accomplished. The principal inflections-i.e., those which are applied to the most important words, may be marked, because as they are distinguished either by some degree of emphasis, or at least by making the less important words subordinate to them, a nearly general agreement will prevail respecting them. Considerable uniformity will also exist with regard to those inflections which are given to the words immediately preceding the principal pauses. It is likewise to be remarked that the inflections thus circumstanced, as well as those on the most important words, are easily distinguished in the public reading of the Holy Scriptures and of the Liturgy. This facility arises partly from the deliberate manner which is required in the delivery of those compositions,

and partly from their abounding in short sentences and strong language.

But here an objection may probably be urged: if, as already stated, a general agreement prevails respecting the principal inflections used to convey the meaning of a sentence, why is instruction on this point required in reading the Liturgy? It is required to counteract the common effects produced by repetition of the same words. However careful a Clergyman may have been at the beginning of his Ministry to ascertain the true meaning of what he may have to deliver, and the best method of conveying that meaning to the hearers, still, by frequent repetition of the same Service, he will almost inevitably fall into a mannerism. There will be great danger of his becoming unmeaning. Whining cadences will be introduced, emphasis will be laid on the wrong words, or accompanied with wrong inflections.

The preceding explanation, it is hoped, will enable most readers to understand the application of the inflections used in the following work. But for the benefit of those who have not studied the subject of elocution, and who may desire to know something of what has been written on it, a selection is subjoined of the principal Rules recom

mended by the best authors, and founded on a careful observation of the usage of the most eminent readers and speakers.

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Finally, observe that in reading, it is necessary to keep the eye always in advance of the tongue, so as to be able to anticipate the sense and the probable run of the sentence. It is easy, on each pause, to throw the eye forward through the next member or two; so that the mind being informed as to what follows, the tongue may not stumble or trip from uncertainty, and the reader may not, from want of foresight into the context, fall into that worst of all habits in reading aloud, the habit of self-correction."*

*Vandenhoff's Clerical Assistant, p. 101.

A SELECTION OF THE PRINCIPAL

RULES IN READING.

Rule I. In pronouncing a simply declarative sentence, which is intended to mean no more than the words express, the two inflections will usually be very perceptible at two particular places: the highest upward slide will be heard, followed generally by a pause, at the end of the words, or phrases, which form the subject of the verb; and the downward slide will be heard at the conclusion of the sentence. The first may be called THE SUSPENSIVE SLIDE, sometimes distinguished by a double accent ("); and the other THE CONCLUSIVE SLIDE.

Ex.-He that thinks he can afford to be negligent of his expenses, is not far from being poòr.

N.B.-On reference to the musical notation (page 7) it will appear that the conclusive slide descends to a lower note than in any other part of the sentence; but, though lower on the scale, must often be the loudest and most forcible of all because the meaning of the passage requires the conclusion to be strongly emphatic. "This may be illustrated by playing a musical passage which,