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

A SELECTION OF THE PRINCIPAL

RULES IN READING.

Rule I.-A simply declarative sentence requires the upward inflection, and frequently a slight pause, at the end of the words or phrases which form the subject of the verb. The downward inflection is required at the close: e.g.,

1. Modulation in speaking' deserves our attèntion.

2. The predominance of a favourite stúdy' affects all the subordinate operations of the ìntellect.

3. To be ever active in laudable pursuits' is the distinguishing characteristic of a man of mèrit.

Rule II.-Sentences which follow in the same train of thought, are connected by the upward inflection: e.g.,

1. Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days.

2. Two are better than one: because they have a good reward for their labour.

3. My son, be wise and make thy heart glád; that I may answer him that reproveth me.

4. Feed me with food convénient-for-me; lest I be full and deny Thee, and say, who is the Lord? Rule III.-A negative sentence or member of a sentence, opposed to an affirmative sentence or

member of a sentence, expressed or implied, generally ends with the upward inflection e.g.,

1. The region beyond the grave is not a sólitary-land. There your fathers are, and thither shall every other friend follow you.

2. The fated flash not always falls upon the head of guilt.

Rule IV.-A question beginning with a verb commonly ends with the upward inflection: e.g., 1. Is the weather favourable?

2. Would you make your homage most agréeably? would you render your services most accéptable? Offer unto God thanksgiving.

Rule V.-A question asked by means of a pronoun or adverb, commonly ends with the downward inflection: e.g.,

1. Which is the lètter? where is the màn ?

Rule VI.-When interrogative sentences are connected by the disjunctive 'or,' expressed or implied, the questions that precede the 'or' end with the upward inflection, and those that follow, with the downward: e.g.,

1. Are you toiling for fáme, or labouring to heap up a fortune?

2. Do the perfections of the Almighty lie dórmant? Does he possess them as if he possessed them nót? Are they not rather in continual èxercise?

Rule VII.-Interrogative sentences, joined by

the conjunctive 'or,' expressed or implied, end with the upward inflection: e.g.,

1. Should these credulous infidels, after all, be in the right, and the pretended revelation all a fable-from believing it, what hàrm would ensue ? Would it render princes more tyrannical, or subjects more ungóvernable?-the rich more insolent, or the poor more disorderly? Would it make worse parents or children, husbands or wives, masters or sérvants, friends or neighbours?

Rule VIII.-Supplicatory sentences usually terminate with the upward inflection: e.g., Píty me! hear my supplicátions.

Rule IX.-The downward inflection is used to give distinctness and force in the enumeration of particulars: e.g.,

The description of this allegory (of Sin and Death in the Second Book of " Paradise Lost") is likewise very strong, and full of sublime ideas: -the figure of Death, the regal crown upon his hèad, his menace of Satan, his advancing to the còmbat, the cry at his bírth-are circumstances too noble to be passed over in silence, and extremely suitable to the king of terrors.-Addison.

Rule X.-The upward inflection is commonly used at the end of the penultimate member of a sentence, or succession of sentences, to prepare for the conclusion: e.g.,

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like mén, be stròng.

INTERVENING CLAUSES.

Intervening clauses are of two sorts; one is

called the modifying clause, and the other the parenthesis.

A modifying clause qualifies or affects the meaning of the sentence: e.g.,

"A man, conspicuous in a high station, who multiplies hopes that he may multiply dependents, may be considered as a beast of prey."

Rule XI.-Modifying clauses, adverbial phrases, words or phrases in opposition, the case absolute, are separated by short pauses, and, the reader having availed himself, if requisite, of the advantage of taking breath, are commenced in a lower voice than the preceding part of the sentence; the voice must afterwards rise gradually to the end of the clause, phrase, or case absolute.

THE PARENTHESIS.

A parenthesis is a member which does not affect the construction of the sentence within which it is inserted.

Rule XII.-A parenthesis requires to be pronounced with a depression of voice, and somewhat faster than the rest of the sentence, with a pause before and after it: e.g.,

1. - If there's a power above us— (And that there is, all nature cries aloud Through all her works)-he must delight in virtue.

2. Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law) that the law hath dominion

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