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very pleasant tone and manner; in a sullen, surly manner; in a careless, indifferent, sleepy tone and manner; in a very irritable or excited tone and manner; in a scornful or ironical tone; in a respectful, deferential tone; in a very serious tone, and in a merry, laughing tone, etc.

These exercises, carefully practiced, will facilitate the progress of the student in acquiring a command of the tones, looks, and action by which different meanings can be conveyed, and the various emotions and passions of the soul expressed.

EMPHASIS.

Emphasis does not consist in any peculiar force or stress of voice. It includes every tone, look, posture, gesture, or movement that it may be necessary to employ to express clearly the meaning, and to give the full signification intended by the words spoken.

Generally, emphasis consists chiefly in an increase of vocal force on those words, or parts of a discourse, to the significance of which the speaker intends to call special attention.

No rules can be given which will guide the reader or speaker to a correct use of emphasis. The feeling that prompts to utterance, and the meaning that the speaker wishes to convey, must determine the seat and the kind of emphasis. Nature left to herself will best guide to its right use, when we express our real feelings and convictions. who fully understands and appreciates what he says will seldom make a mistake in emphasis. A want of knowledge of the sense or sentiment of what is read or spoken is the chief cause of faults in emphasis.

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The delivery of persons who read, recite, or declaim without understanding the meaning of the language used, is generally either monotonous, or the emphasis is distributed

at random, and makes nonsense out of language which, if properly expressed, would make good sense.

When an idea is perfectly conceived, and entirely engrosses the attention at the moment it is delivered, nature will always suggest the correct emphasis and the right expression.

EMPHASIS IN DECLARATIVE SENTENCES.

Deliver each passage deliberately, distinctly, and precisely as if the thought was suggested at the moment of its utterance. Carefully avoid all recitative, declamatory, and artificial tones. Aim at simplicity, directness, and naturalness, and deliver each passage according to your own conception of its meaning.

EXAMPLES.

1. The perfection of art is to conceal art.

2. He is a very ingenuous person.

3. Any innocent employment or harmless amusement is better than idleness or emptiness.

4. It is useless to discuss any theory until we know what the theory is.

5. He is the greatest man who does the greatest service to his fellow men.

6. Science is the investigation of facts and phenomena, and of the causes which have brought them into existence.

7. Industry is a virtue that is highly valued among all people and in all nations.

8. The resisting of one temptation tends to disarm the next of its force.

9. The sweetest pleasure is that of imparting pleasure.

10. It is easier to acquire knowledge than to resist temptation.

DIRECTNESS.

One of the qualifications most necessary to successful delivery, either in private conversation or in public speaking or reading, is directness of manner. By directness is meant

the manner that we unconsciously have when we talk to others with the desire to engage their attention to what we

have to say.

Make sure that you understand the meaning of the passage which you intend to deliver, and, if an emotional piece, the spirit with which it should be given. Then speak it exactly as if expressing your own thoughts or feelings to some one near you. Have your own way, just as if the thoughts and the language used were suggested by your own mind at the moment of utterance.

EXERCISES IN DIRECTNESS.

Speak the name of some one as if addressing him, first in a quiet, unemotional manner, then with gradually increasing earnestness, emotion, or passion.

EXAMPLES OF DIRECT ADDRESS.

1. Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice;

Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

2. Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself are much condemned to have an itching palm, to sell and mart your offices for gold to undeservers.

3. Look here, young man, hold on; which way

Are you traveling to-day?

4. Fellow gladiators, you stand here now like giants, as ye are. 5. I profess, sir, in my career hitherto, to have kept steadily in view the prosperity and honor of the whole country, and the preservation of our federal Union.

6. This is a case, gentlemen of the jury, in which the plaintiff is a widow; yes, gentlemen of the jury, a widow.

7. Friends, Romans, countrymen! lend me your ears.

to bury Cæsar, not to praise him.

I come

8. I can not, my lords, I will not join in congratulation on misfortune and disgrace.

9. My brave associates, partners of my toil, my feelings, and my fame, can Rolla's words add vigor to the virtuous energies that now inspire your hearts?

10. I am amazed, yes, my lords, I am amazed at his grace's speech.

11. Romans, countrymen, and lovers: hear me for my cause, and be silent that you may hear.

12. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: by that sin fell the angels.

13. A gentleman, Mr. President, speaking of Cæsar's benevolent disposition, and the reluctance with which he engaged in the civil war, observes, "How long did he pause on the brink of the Rubicon?"

INTERROGATION.

When men are moved by passion, or are intensely in earnest in argument, they naturally express what they would affirm or deny by earnest interrogation. Many of our finest examples of senatorial and argumentative eloquence abound with interrogation.

Carefully study the examples given until clearly understood, then bring yourself under the influence of the proper spirit, and give the passage in an appropriate tone and manner, with directness, force, and earnestness. Pause at the end of every question, as if you waited an answer. Keep the voice full and clear, and in a pitch in which you can readily control its modulations.

EXAMPLES.

1. Our brethren are already in the field. Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?

2. They tell us, sir, that we are weak-unable to cope with so formidable an adversary; but when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely upon our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until

our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of the means which the God of nature hath placed in our power.

3. Do you remember all the sunny places

Where, in bright days long past, we played together?
Do you remember all the old home faces

That gathered round the hearth in wintry weather?

would be a bondman? If any, Who is here so rude that would

4. Who is here so base that speak! for him have I offended. not be a Roman? If any, speak! for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak! for

him have I offended. None! then none have I offended.

5. And shall we think of ratifying the acts of Charles, yet abolish his laws? Those laws which he in our sight repeated, pronounced, enacted? Laws which he valued himself on passing? Laws in which he thought the system of our government was comprehended? Laws which govern our provinces and our trials? Are we, I say, to repeal such laws, yet ratify his acts?

6. Came I not forth, upon thy pledge, my father's hand to kiss? Be still, and gaze thou on, false king, and tell me

What is this?

7. To purchase heaven, has gold the power? Can gold remove the mortal hour?

In life can love be bought with gold?

Are friendship's treasures to be sold?

8. If seasons of indolence be dangerous, how much more so are chronic habits of idleness?

9. Who would be a traitor knave?
Who would fill a coward's grave?
Who so base as be a slave?
Traitor! Coward! turn and flee!

ANTITHESIS.

Antithesis is founded upon contrast, expressed or implied. It occurs in a sentence in which two or more words are opposed to each other in meaning. Words that express opposite ideas must be marked by different modulations,

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