V 0' O0 v 5c c> % \V -/v. 'V 4 : ^'%°^ V «. ^ ^ * V <^ K. V ^> ,#■ <£ % o, " o . ^ ■» <6* - - 1 '^ ", '/h r ' 'Kt £? \ v .00 1 J* O V" rC* A- > A» v. A^ r> ^ <£ M^ 1 * "*b * "%, THE ART OF ELOCUTION, AS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF RHETORIC : WITH IETSTBTJCTIOlSrS IN GESTURE; AND AN APPENDIX OP ORATORICAL, POETICAL, AND DRAMATIC EXTRACTS. BY GEORGE VANDENHOFF. " Ego nee studium sine divite ven&, Nee rude quid possit video ingenium ; alterius sic Altera poscit opem res, et conjurat amice." Horace. LONDON: SAMPSON LOW AND SON, 47. LUDGATE • HILL. 1861. ,/3'f PREFACE. The system of Elocution laid down in this work, is one which the Author has found suc- cessful in his own practice, with a large number of pupils ; it has also the advantage of tne ap- proval of several professors of Elocution, and others interested in the art; which circumstances have induced him to publish it, with the hope that it will, at least, be found simple, easy of comprehension, and of assistance to teacher as well as pupil. London, May 1. 1855* AM OF ELOCUTION, INTRODUCTION. The value of Elocution; particularly to the Orator — Elo- cution a necessary part of Oratory — "Can Elocution be taught?" — Answer to the Eight Eeverend Dr. Whately's (Archbishop of Dublin) objections to a System of Elocu- tion — the arguments in his Elements of Rhetoric combated by his arguments in his Elements of Logic — Advice to the Student. Elocution, as its derivation (eloquor) indicates, is the art of speaking, or delivering language ; and it embraces every principle and constituent of utter- ance, from the articulation of the simplest element- ary sounds of language, up to the highest expression of which the human voice is capable in speech. It has for object to give clearness and force to the meaning of what may be spoken, and full ex- pression to the feelings under which it may be spoken. Perspicuity and energy are as essential to Elocution as they are to Rhetoric; of which Elocution is a part. For " in its primary signifi- cation Rhetoric had reference to public speaking alone, as its etymology implies." * Elocution there- fore is a most essential element of Rhetoric. * Whately's Elements of Rhetoric — Introduction. B 2 ART OF ELOCUTION. Of the importance, if not the necessity, of such an art to a perfect system of education, one would think thsre coald not be two opinions We must all speak; it must therefore be desirable to speak with propriety and force ; as much so as regards the utterance of our language as its grammatical accuracy. And though any language, however meagre and however mean, and any utterance, however imperfect and inelegant, so that it be barely intelligible, may be sufficient for the com- monest purposes of speech, yet something more refined is surely necessary even to the ordinary conversation of the gentleman and the man of education. Most of us are called upon occasionally in public, even though we may not belong to any of the learned professions, to express our opinions, to state our views, to offer our advice, or to justify some course we may have pursued in relation to affairs in which others besides ourselves are interested ; and on such occasions the advantage of a natural, ele- gant, and easy delivery cannot but have its effect in securing the ready attention and favour of the audience. Let me add, that a good Elocution will make itself felt in the reading aloud of even a paragraph from a newspaper; and will lend a charm to the tone of voice, and a polished ease to the common utterance of the man who has culti- vated the art merely as a gentlemanly accom- plishment. But to him who desires to make a figure in the Pulpit, in the Senate, or at the Bar, a good delivery, INTRODUCTION. 3 a nervous and elegant style of Elocution, are as essential, almost, as force of argument and grace of language. How many a good story is marred in the telling : how many a good sermon is lost in the preaching : how many a good speech, excellent in matter, argument, arrangement, language, falls list- less on the ear, from the apathetic, inelegant, and powerless manner of the speaker! Elocution is indeed a part of oratory essential to its 'perfection. He who would touch the heart, " and wield at will the fierce democracie," must have " wit, and words, and worth, Action and utterance, and the power of speech. To stir men's blood !" And how is this power and grace of delivery to be acquired ? — for acquired it must be — it is born with no man : it is indeed to this part of oratory that the saying " orator jit" is peculiarly applicable. It is an art ; and is to be attained by rule, by train- ing and discipline, by constant and well regulated exercise, by using the mental faculties to a quick power of analysis of thought, and by the cultivation of the ear and vocal organs for a ready appreciation and execution of tone. Let me here take the opportunity of answering the objections of those who are in the habit of promulgating the opinion, that Elocution cannot be taught — that is, that it is not an art ; for to deny that it admits of rules, and principles, is to deny it b 2 4 ART OF ELOCUTION* the place of an art. The name of the Right Rev. Di\Whately, Archbishop of Dublin, is the greatest that I find among the list of these objectors; and in answering his objections to all or any System of Elocution, I shall be able, I think, to dispose of the whole question — " Can Elocution be taught?" Dr. Whately, in his Elements of Rhetoric (Part IV. c. 2.), while he admits, and indeed insists on the importance of a good Elocution, emphatically protests against any system for its attainment ; his own directions being that every person should read and speak in a natural manner; and he says (§3. p. 356,), " that in reading the Bible, for example, or anything which is not intended to appear as his own composition, it is desirable that he should deliver it as if he were reporting another's senti- ments, which were both fully understood and felt in all their force by the reporter." Admitted : this is one of the objects of Elocution : and how is it to be attained?- He tells us — "the only way to do this effectually, with such modulations of voice, fyc. as are suitable to each word and passage, is to fix the mind earnestly on the meaning, and leave nature and habit to suggest the utterance :" and for this plan " he lays claim to some originality of his own" (Part IV. c. i. § 1.), though he says (c. ii. § 2.) that " it is not enough that the reader should himself actually understand a composition ; it is possible, notwithstanding, to read it as if he did not ; and, in the same manner, it is not sufficient that he should himself feel and be impressed with the force of what he utters ; he may, notwithstanding, deliver it as if he INTRODUCTION. 5 were unimpressed." Now, can anything be so vague and so contradictory as such directions as these ? " Don't use any system of Elocution ; it will give you a false style ; hut read and speak naturally, as if you understood and felt what you are reading and speaking ; nature and habit ivill show you how ; though, at the same time, hoivever clearly you may understand, and however deeply you may feel tvhat you are delivering, it is quite possible that you may, notwithstanding, deliver it with an utter absence of understanding and feeling '." And why? Clearly for the ivant of a system, which by rules and principles of art shall render such a contradiction next to impossible. The right reverend and learned Doctor (c. ii. § 2.) lays it down that, " To the adoption of any such artificial scheme of Elocution — (that is, by a peculiar set of marks for denoting the pauses, em- phases, &c.) — there are three weighty objections:" and the reverend and learned logician states the objections to be, — " 1st. That the proposed system must necessarily be imperfect ; ic 2dly. That if it were perfect, it would be a cir- cuitous path to the object in view : and, u 3dly. That even if both these objections were removed, the object would not be effectually obtained." That is, even if the system were perfect, and not only perfect, but direct, still it would not be effec- tual ! To the learned Doctor, who is a master of the syllogism, and of every form of argument, this B 3 b ART OF ELOCUTION. may be clear ; but I confess it puzzles my duller apprehension to understand how inefficiency can follow from the perfection of means working di- rectly to their end. However, let us examine how the learned and reverend Doctor proceeds to prove the validity of his objections to this artificial system of Elocution. He says in the same section, " First, such a system must necessarily be imperfect, be- cause, though the emphatic word in each sentence may easily be pointed out in writing, no variety of marks would suffice to indicate the different tones in which the different emphatic words should be pronounced : though on this depends frequently the whole force, and even sense of the expression." As an instance, he gives the following passage, (Mark iv. 21.): "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed?" And he adds, " I have heard this so pronounced as to imply that there was no other alternative, and yet the emphasis was laid on the right words ! " What emphasis ? The Doctor (with respect I speak it) clearly is not versed in the distinction between inflection and emphasis, or in the difference between one species of emphasis and another. I reply to him, that a pupil who had had three lessons only in Elocution, on a good analytical system, could not have been guilty of the gross perversion of sense, by false reading, instanced above ; for he would have learnt very early in his course the in- flection due to a simple interrogative, — that ap- position of meaning requires apposition of inflection — and that, to make antithetical inflections and INTRODUCTION. 7 emphasis on words having apposition of meaning, is such a total subversion of every rule of Elocution and common sense, as to excite wonder at the pos- sibility of any rational being falling into so absurd an error.* And the same pupil, if called upon to mark to the eye the correct reading of the above sentence, could immediately do it, so as to preclude the commission of so gross an error — equal, in its absurdity, to that of the aspiring youth, who, reck- less of pause, inflection, or emphasis, stated that " His name was Norval on the Grampian hills," — leaving the hearer to imagine that in the lowlands he went under another cognomen. The right reverend Doctor proceeds to say, that such a system, if perfect, must be circuitous, be- cause it professes to teach the tones, emphasis, &c, which nature, or custom, which is a second nature, suggests — that is, because its principles must be founded on nature. And he asks triumphantly — ci Then, if this be the case, why not leave nature to do her own work?" The answer is obvious : because were we to leave nature to do her own work, we should never emerge from a rude state of nature ; her work would be "ferox, dura, aspera." It is natural to man to walk erect; but the infant is assisted in its earliest efforts : and though every person can walk, it is not every person, by any means, who carries himself firmly, easily, and * Vide Apposition, pp 115. !16 3 « ART OF ELOCUTION. gracefully. We see a stooping carriage, rounded shoulders, a shuffling gait, an uneven, uncertain step: yet all walk, and walk as their nature, or custom (which, as Dr. Whately says, is second na- ture) leads them ; and every time they indulge this their nature, they confirm themselves in the practice of a vicious habit. Hence, it is not thought prepos- terous, or unworthy of a gentleman, to learn to walk, or at least to improve his personal carriage, under the directions of a drill-serjeant and a fencing-master ; and to acquire by art and exercise the bearing and manly step which distinguish the gentleman from the uncultivated hind. Thus, it is clear, that it is not always enough to leave nature to herself: when so left, she frequently degenerates and becomes vitiated ; and we are obliged to go back to certain principles, drawn even from herself, to restore her to her perfect form, complexion, and condition. " ISTature is made better by no mean, But nature makes that mean ; so o'er that art, Which you say adds to nature, is an art That nature makes." " Lastly," says the right reverend Doctor, u if a person could learn thus to read and speak, as it were by note, with the same fluency and accuracy as are attainable in the case of singing, still the desired object of a perfectly natural as well as correct elocution, would never be in this way attained. The reader's attention being fixed on his own voice, the inevitable consequence would be, that he would betray more or less his studied and artificial de- INTRODUCTION. 9 livery ; and would, in the same degree, manifest an offensive affectation." Now, the very object of a system of Elocution, such as the right reverend Doctor so strenuously con- demns, is to give, by practice on just principles, an habitual power of vocal intonation, inflection, and ex- pression, suited to every condition of sense, every style of composition, every variety of feeling, every vicissi- tude of passion : and the Elocutionist who is tho- roughly master of his art, no more jixes his attention, while speaking, on his own voice, or on the rules by which he is producing his effects, than the Rhetorician, in the course of a composition or an oration, is think- ing minutely of every rule of grammar, logic, or rhe- toric, by which to construct his sentences, to round his periods, to divide his discourse, or to conduct his argument. The skilful fencer, whom practice has made master of his weapon, uses it rapidly and with effect, without thinking of the names of the guards or parades that he is executing. " When one is learning a language, he attends to the sounds; but when he is master of it, he attends only to the sense of what he would express." — Reid on the Mind. So, in pursuing a system of Elocution, the pupil acquires an easy habit, or style of delivery, by exercising himself, on rule, in giving voice and expression to the language of others, or to his own. premeditated and pre- written effusions, — till, from practice, what he has done continually by rule and art, in set and studied speech, he comes at last to execute easily and naturally, and without 10 ART OF ELOCUTION. thought of the means, in spontaneous and original effusions. Just in the same manner the young rhetorician will find in Dr. Whately's Elements valuable di- rections for composition, for the construction of periods, for perspicuity, energy, and elegance, and on every point that can tend to clearness and ele- gance of style. In these rules and instructions he will exercise himself deliberately in written com- positions, and frequent practice will give him facility and readiness in their application ; he will soon come to write on strict principles of Rhetoric with- out once thinking of the rules that guide him, and which by habit he will come to follow almost in- stinctively ; and, if he have " wit and words " and knowledge, he will doubtless arrive at last at the grand object of Rhetoric, the fluent, clear and forcible viva voce and extemporaneous expression of his opinions, sentiments, and feelings, so as to sway the minds and passions of his hearers. And yet he will have arrived at this result by following certain rules ; but without fixing his attention on them at the moment that he is carrying them into effect. He will, in fact, be practising an art of which education has made him master. His power as an orator will be doubled if to the skill of the Rhetorician he shall add the art of the Elocutionist, an art also to be acquired by rule and practice. I shall conclude my answer to Dr. Whately's objections by an extract from his preface to his own Elements of Logic : the remarks in which, in de- INTRODUCTION. 1 1 fence of a System of Logic, are, mutatis mutandis, exactly applicable to his own objections to a System of Elocution ; so that I am happy to have it in my power to be able to bring against him a much higher authority than myself — his own ; and to let the just reasoning contained in his "Elements of Logic" refute the false positions put forth in his " Elements of Rhetoric" He thus ably and happily maintains the utility of Logic, and shows the im- portance and necessity of a system for its attain- ment : — " One preliminary observation it may be worth while to offer in this place. If it were inquired, what is to be regarded as the most appropriate intellectual occupation of man, as man, what would be the answer ? The statesman is engaged with political affairs ; the soldier, with military ; the mathematician, with the properties of numbers and magnitudes; the merchant, with commercial con- cerns, &c. : but in what are all and each of these employed ? — employed, I mean, as men. Evidently in reasoning. They are all occupied in deducing, well or ill, conclusions from premises ; each con- cerning the subject of his own particular business. If, therefore, it be found that the process going on daily, in each of so many different minds, is, in any respect, the same, and if the principles on which it is conducted can be reduced to a regular system, and if rules can be deduced from that system, for the better conducting of the process, then, it can hardly be denied, that such a system and such rules must be especially worthy the attention — not of 12 ART OF ELOCUTION. the members of this or that profession merely, but — of every one who is desirous of possessing a cultivated mind. To understand the theory of that which is the appropriate intellectual occupation of Man in general, and to learn to do that well, which every one will and must do, whether well or ill, may surely be considered as an essential part of a liberal education," Tin's is most true, apt, clear, and conclusive ; and it is as applicable to Elocution as to Logic. Speech, as much as reason, distinguishes man from the brute ; all men must use it, whether well or ill, in the daily concerns of their lives, or in more public affairs, and in a more extensive arena : and the advantages of a system for doing it well are equally apparent. The following passage from the same preface is a direct answer to the right reverend Doctor's own objections to an artificial system of Elocution : "It has usually been assumed, however, in the case of the present subject, that a theory which does not tend to the improvement of practice is utterly unworthy of regard ; and then, it is con- tended that Logic {Elocution) has no such ten- dency, on the plea that men may and do reason (speak) correctly without it : an objection which would equally apply in the case of Grammar, Music, Chemistry, Mechanics, &c, in all of which systems the practice must have existed previously to the theory." How alive the right reverend Doctor is to the weakness of the argument against a system for his INTHODUCTION. 13 favorite art, and yet with what triumph he uses the same defeated argument against another, — ex- claiming, " Then why not leave nature, or custom, which is second nature, to do her own work?" He proceeds, and I go with him heartily : — "But many who allow the use of systematic principles in other things, are accustomed to cry up common sense as the sufficient and only safe guide in reasoning." This is exactly ivhat the reverend Doctor himself does in the case of Elocution, — and therefore let him give the coup de grace to his own position. " Now, by common sense, is meant, I apprehend (when the term is used with any distinct meaning), an exercise of the judgment unaided by any art or system of rules ; such an exercise as we must necessarily employ in numberless cases of daily occurrence ; in which, having no established prin- ciples to guide us— no line of procedure, as it were, distinctly chalked out, — we must needs act on the best extemporaneous conjectures we can form. But that common sense is only our second best guide — that the rules of art, if judiciously framed, are always desirable when they can be had — is an assertion for the truth of which I may appeal to the testimony of mankind in general ; which is so much the more valuable, inasmuch as it may be accounted the testimony of adversaries. For the generality have a strong predilection in favour of common sense, except in those points in which they respectively possess the knowledge of a system of rules; but in these points they deride any one 14 ART OF ELOCUTION. who trusts to unaided common sense. A sailor, e. g., will perhaps despise the pretensions of medical men, and prefer treating a disease by common sense; but he would ridicule the proposal of navigating a ship by common sense, without regard to the maxims of nautical art. A physician, again, will perhaps contemn systems of political economy, of logic, or metaphysics, and insist on the superior wisdom of trusting to common sense in such mat- ters ; but he would never approve of trusting to common sense in the treatment of diseases. Nei- ther, again, would the architect recommend a reli- ance on common sense alone in building, nor the musician in music, to the neglect of those systems of rules, which, in their respective arts, have been deduced from scientific reasoning, aided by ex- perience. And the induction might be extended to every department of practice. Since, therefore, each gives the 'preference to unassisted common sense only in those cases where he himself has nothing else to trust to, and invariably resorts to the rules of art wherever he possesses the knowledge of them, it is plain that mankind universally bear their testimony, though unconsciously, and often unwillingly, to the preferableness of systematic knowledge to conjectural judgments." Now, could any one have furnished a clearer, more logical, or more satisfying answer than the above, to the learned and right reverend Doctor's own objections to a system of Elocution ; and to his doctrine, in his Elements of Rhetoric, in favour of " unaided common sense," against " the rules of art" INTKODtJCTlOIf. 15 in delivery, viz. : " The practical rule to be adopted is not only to pay no studied attention to the voice, but studiously to withdraw the thoughts from it, and to dwell as intently as possible on the sense : trusting to nature (i. e. common sense) to suggest spontaneously the proper emphases and tones ! w I am contented that the learned prelate's doctrine should be adjudged on his own arguments, and that his objections to a system of Elocution, which he does not profess, should be answered by his able defence of a system of Logic, of the rules of which he is master. I have dwelt thus long on the right reverend prelate's opposition to Elocution as an art, because I have felt that his testimony might be of great weight in deterring many from a study pronounced useless or impracticable by so high an opinion, — and one deserving great consideration and respect, from the station, erudition, and attainments of its author : and it is therefore a source of satisfac- tion to me, to find that he has himself— in his Elements of Logic — furnished arguments against himself — in his Elements of Rhetoric — of a clear- ness and force that no effort of mine could have attained to.* I will once more take advantage of the same ad- mirable preface, to adopt for my own purpose the language of the right reverend Doctor : * Goethe, in his Memoirs, says: — " In Logic, it struck me as strange that I was so to pull to pieces, dismember, and, as it were, destroy those very op°«*- 16 ART OF ELOCUTION. " I am not so weak as to imagine that any system can ensure great proficiency in any pursuit what- ever, either in all students, or in a very large pro- portion of them : ' We sow many seeds to obtain a few flowers/ " But I am happy to be able to add, that I have been gratified by finding my efforts rewarded by the marked improvement in voice, delivery, ex- pression and gesture, of many pupils who have attended my course of instruction for but a short period : and in the still greater advance of those who have patiently, and steadily, and laboriously carried out the system that I have laid down. I have added to the system a full practice in reading and declamation, extracted from the works of the best authors in prose and verse, and in every variety of style. The mere reading aloud of tions of the mind which I had gone through with the greatest ease from my youth, in order to perceive the proper rise of them." And Butler writes : — " And all a Rhetorician's rules Teach nothing but to name his tools/ 9 HUDIBRAS. I quote the above by way of protest against the authority of Dr. Whately's name being allowed to decide the question of the value of a system of Elocution. Goethe scoffs at Logic, and Butler mocks at Rhetoric, as mere useless lumber and cumbersome machinery. But I imagine neither Dr. Whately's Elements of Logic nor his Elements of Rhetoric will be the less consulted for the scoff of the poet, or the ridicule of the satirist. INTRODUCTION. 17 these extracts, as a practice in reading and decla- mation, after a careful study of the rules and prin- ciples laid down in the system, even without an instructor, wili be of great advantage to the student. He will reap at least the benefit of accustoming his car to the flow of the language, and so, insensibly, catching something of the strength and spirit of their diction. If he go a step further, and read them under the direction of a guide who can point out to him the peculiar merits of each, and show him, analytically, how every beauty may be heightened and brought out into strong relief, by the power of Elocution, — if he will practise himself w T ith such an instructor on such models, disciplining his ear, his action, and his voice, — he may hope to attain a style of oratory clear, manly, forcible, and elegant.* * It will be observed that frequent reference is made in the course of this work to Dr. Whately's admirable Treatise on Ehetoric, with a view to elucidate the principles of Elocution as a necessary " Element of Ehetoric" and without which the latter is maimed and imperfect, robbed of one of its limbs, and shorn of half its dignity, its grace and strength. 19 PART I. ELEMENTS. Articulation. — Pronunciation. The end of oratory is to persuade. We cannot persuade without being first clearly understood ; we cannot be clearly understood without distinct utterance, — that is, a clear ARTICULATION. This is the first requisite in reading, and speaking. Both prose and poetry are maimed if it be neg- lected. Without it, the metre and rhythm of verse are destroyed ; many words are not distinguishable in sound from others of somewhat similar form, though of widely different signification ; and the whole delivery is confused and inelegant. With a distinct articulation, a speaker of only moderate power of voice is heard in any place or assembly, much more easily, and with less effort to himself, than one of much greater power of organ, whose articulation is imperfect : ftr it has been observed, that loud, confused noise, even though much greater C 2 20 ART OF LOCUTION. in degree, does not travel as far as pure and musical sound. Hence the necessity, before all other things, of a clear, pure articulation. To acquire this perfectly, it is necessary to recur to the first princi*)ia 7 — that ia the elementary sounds of our laLL,aagt. Speech is articulate vocal sound. That sound is represented to the eye by signs: these signs are letters, — combined into syllables, which syllables are combined into words — the perfect signs of things ; and the vocal utterance of these signs is speech. Brutes have vocal sounds, but not speech : for the sounds they utter are not articulate. It is given to Man alone to shape his voice into in- telligible articulate sound, which can communicate thought, desire, passion, to his fellow- men. Perfect articulation, then, depends on the clear enunciation of certain elementary sounds, whose combination forms words. The signs or letters representing these sounds, and forming the alphabet of our language, have been classified by grammarians, principally as vowels and consonants ; and they define a vowel as a simple sound, perfect in itself, — and a consonant, as a sound that cannot be uttered without the ad- dition or help of a vowel. Bat this nomenclature and definition is imperfect as a guide and mark of the articulate sounds, what- ever may be its value as a classification of the alpha- betical signs of our language. It is true, indeed, that a consonant (so called from its supposed dependence SIGNS AND SOUNDS. 21 for its sound on an attendant vowel) cannot be in- dividually named without the help of a vowel : that is to say, the sign or letter B is named be, C se 9 D de, and so on ; but these consonants, in their combination with other signs, do not require for their perfect utterance the aid of a vowel at all ; so that their names as signs are as distinct from their power as sounds, as the names alpha, beta, theta, of the Greek alphabet, are distinct from the value or power of the sounds of a, (3, 6, when com- bined into syllables and words. For, if a consonant required, of necessity, an attendant vowel before it could be uttered, we never could enunciate at all such words as black, brandy, claim, draiv, flow, grow, throw, strike, and other words commencing with two or three suc- cessive consonants without the interposition of any vowel : for it will be clear to any one who will commence the utterance of any such word, and break off before arriving at the vowel, that he can and must complete the sounds of the consonants without its assistance. Thus let any one begin to utter the word brandy (6r-andy), and suddenly arrest his voice upon br, and he will perceive that he has uttered a sound and tone without the aid of a vowel; and so of e/-ose, th-row, /-ow, cr-owd, sh-ame, p-ray, &c. ; and it is really the same with words commencing with a single consonant only, as 6-ad, oold, r-ide, m-ake, &c. Each sign, whether a vowel or a con- sonant, has its proper elementary sound or sounds, C 3 22 ART OF ELOCUTION. however different in quality or degree of tone those sounds may be. Again, the seven vowel signs in our language, A, E, I, O, U, W, Y, represent many more sounds, monothongal and diphthongal, as will be found in the utterance of the following common words : A-ll, &-rm, a-t, «-le, e-ve, e-nd, 2-n, isle, o-ld, o-n, d-0, us, w-nion, in which the sign A, alone, represents four distinct sounds. And there are many consonant sounds which are not represented by any single sign or letter, but require the combination of several letters to re- present their power : as the sounds ch in church, th (soft) in truth y thin, and th (hard) in that, &c. Yet these are elementary sounds ; and this shows the necessity of clearly distinguishing between the mere alphabetical sign and the elementary sound, or sounds, which it represents. Now, as the perfect appreciation and utterance of the elementary sounds are necessary to the attainment of a clear and distinct articulation of the language, which their combination forms, it is essential to adopt a classification and nomencla- ture which shall convey a clear and distinct idea of their value in speech. For that end, none can be found more definite and exact than that propounded by Dr. Rush, in his eloquent and philosophical work on the human voice. ELEMENTARY SOUNDS. 23 He divides the elementary sounds of our lan- guage into 1. TONICS— 2. SUB-TONICS— 3. ATONICS; which may be thus briefly defined : 1. Tonics (having tone) — those elementary sounds which have a distinct and perfect tone or vocality, proper to themselves, and capable of being held or prolonged by the voice indefinitely. Such is the sound of a in a-rm, a-U, &c, of e in e-ve, of o in o-ld, &c. By voeaiity is meant that full, or (as Dr. Rush defines it) " that raucus quality of voice, which is contradistinguished from a whisper or aspiration. " This distinction may be illustrated by uttering the exclamations " umV as an ex- pression of doubt, inquiry, &c., and " sh! " (for husk!) as en- forcing silence: in the first of which [urn !) there is vocaiity, and in the second (sh /) merely a whispered aspiration, with- out tone or vocal sound. 2. Sub-tonics — whose sound has also tone or vo- caiity, but inferior to that of the tonics in fulness and power of sustainment. Such is the sound of b as heard in &-ad, d in df-ear, I in /-one m in m-ode, n in w-ose, &c. 3. Atonics — whose sound is without tone; that is, an impulsion of breath without voeaiity .* * Mr. Knowles, in his Grammar, talks of " voice without breath" as the distinctive mark of the pure semi-vowels. Voice without breath! This is an organic impossibility. Voice cannot be produced without breath, though breath alone C 4 24 ART OF ELOCUTION. Such is the sound of p heard in p-ad, t in £-ime, s in s-igh, /^n/-ade ; the utterance of which is in the nature of an ex- plosive whisper, TONICS. The following is a list of the pure Tonics; their sound is given in the separated italic of each word, according to its ordinary pronunciation. 1 A-YL O-n 5 Th-e- ■re i?-nd 8 ^4-rm A-t A-le . Lil 7 JS-ve m O-ld 9 Do B-fi-11 U-yil Z7-s 1. The tonic sound of a in a-11, and of o in o-n, is organ i- cally the same ; with this difference in quantity, that in a-11 l it is long, in tf-n it is short; they are accordingly here marked, under the same numeral, with the distinctive mark - long, or s/, short 6. So the tonic of e in e-ve, and of i in i-11, is organically the same, differing only in quantity ; numbered and marked accordingly. does not, without the assistance of the vocal organs, produce voice: as, in uttering the letter S, a mere sibilation of the breath takes place without vocality; for the hissing of a serpent is not a vocal sound ; though the word hiss cannot be uttered without the serpent-like sibilation. Voice without breath is flame without fire* DIPHTHONGAL SOUNDS. 23 5. The same of e in there, and e in end. 8. The same of o in d-d, and u in b-w-11. 9. And of u in w-rn, and w in w-s. We have in the above scheme nine distinct pure tonic ele- ments, whose sound is monothongal ; that is, capable of being produced by one simple process of articulation, and of being prolonged to an indefinite time, without any change of tone, or alteration of the vocal organs, from the commencement to the close of its sound. The term monothongal is used in contradistinction to MIXED OR DIPHTHONGAL TONICS, which are Ai-\* 7-sle, Ou-r, Oi-\ ZT-nion. The above two lists of pure and mixed tonics contain all the tonic sounds, monothongal and diphthongal, that are found in our language.f 4 * ^4-le, Ai-l. — The authority of Dr. Rush is in favour of 4 considering these sounds identical ; that is, he classes the a in a-le as diphthongal; but after a very nice examination by a good ear, I think a distinct sound may be traced in d7-d, from that which is found in fa-de — inpa7-n, from pa-ne. Eor this reason I have classed them as separate tonic sounds ; the one pure, the other mixed. + It is necessary to observe, that in adopting the nomen- clature of the elementary sounds, propounded by Dr. Rush, I have thought it advisable to depart in some instances from his arrangement and definition of those sounds, and also to make additions thereto. I mention this, that that learned and philo- sophical writer may not, by any chance, have to bear tb* »n - 25 ART OP ELOCUTION. Of course, in speaking here of diphthongal tonics, I discard the grammatical definition of a diphthong : for, according to that, the sound of oo, as in ooze, is called diphthongal, whereas it is really a pure tonic element; it is the sound of o in d-o. In articulation, a diphthong is the union of two tonics, in which the actual utterance of each takes place : the radical or commencing sound, being different from that which is heard at its close or vanish ; thus the sound of the name of the letter e u (as heard in the word M-nion) is compounded of the e in 8 e e-ve, and the o in d-o : that is, its radical (or root) is e, its 8 68 vanish is o, making eo, or il, as in w-nion. The following table shows at one view the whole system of Tonic Elements, pure or monothongal, and mixed or diphthongal. putatfon of any errors which may appear in my arrangement or definition of those elementary sounds, or of their power and value in speech. TABLE OF TONIC ELEMENTS. a-U tf-n fl-rm 6 i A . 7 a-t a-le th-e-re #-nd 8 9 e-ve e-11 o-ld d-o b-w-11 w-rn W'S» VOWEL SIGNS. No. for reference to the above, EXAMPLES. has four pure tonics, proper to itself, and^ one borrowed or common E has three tonics — two pure and proper, one > borrowed or common has f^ree tonics — two borrowed, pure ; one "* 96 m2>€a or diphth. (ui) I ° -i has ./owr tonics — one! pure and proper, and 1 three borrowed - ^ U has Mree tonics- pure and proper^ borrowed, one mixed I or diphthongal (6.8.) i. s — one J >er,onei Y ") has fa?o tonics, both ! borrovjed — one pure, [ one diphth. (9.6.) -J W has owe tonic sound, borrowed l(-) 2 3 4 5(-) 5(-) 6(~) 9(~) 6(-) 6(~) dipL 9.6. 7 8(-) 9(~ ) 9(-) 9(~) 8(-) ^zpA. 6. 8- 6 oTp/i. 9 6. 8(-) all — war — call — pall. arm — father — rather — card at — ask — cat — apple — lap. ale — cane — ace. care — lair — mare — dare. 1 ere — there — ne'er. J end — bet — mess — ever. eve — me — fee — leave. err — learn — fern — mercy. "1 f tend — field — wield. j ill — m — it — list, fir — first — thirst. I — sigh — mme — lie. old — no — bold — go, on — rot — for — lord — cough do — whom — boot — fool, son — none — come— other. "1 urn — bum — curd — pwrse J us — ban — cut — blwsh. 1 trwe — rwde. J ball — bwsh. U — tmion — time — d uke. pity— army — nymph. Y — by — my— dye. n ok? — cow — bow. 28 ART OF ELOCUTION. NOTES ON THE MIXED OR DIPHTHONGAL TONICS, L- — The diphthongal sound of zhas been by some writer 8 1 e 1 resolved into the tonic sounds of a and e ; a being given as the 6 radical or opening, and e as the vanish or close of the sound. l e But this combination (ae) would produce the diphthongal sound oi, as in voice ; which is, in fact, a provincial pronunci- ation of the diphthongal sound of 'i (in such words &sji?id, mind, &c.) prevalent among the vulgar in some of the northern i e counties in England, where we may hear fouid for f i'nd, 16 9 k o i nd for kind, &c. The true radical of i is u, as in us, and e its vanish e, as in eve. This will be manifest by articulating these two sounds, separately and slowly at first, and gra- dually blending them by a closer and more rapid utterance, till the two tonics run together, and are lost in each other, thus : 9 69 6 969696 96 u e; u e; u — e; u— e; u-e; ue; or i. U. — -The diphthongal sound of u, as in wnion, twne, has for 6 8 its radical, e, and for its vanish, o; that is, is produced by the 6 8 blending of the e, in eve, with the o. in do, thus : — 6 86 8 6? 8 6 8 68 e— - — o; e -o; e — o; e«0; eo; u. Y — The diphthongal sound of y, as in by, try, is resolvable into the same elements as that of i, as afrove given. W. — The character of the sound of this sign, as in the above examples, is clearly diphthongal, though its elements are l difficult to trace with exactitude ; perhaps its radical is a, its EXERCISE ON THE TONICS. 29 8 vanish o. This sign is also frequently mute in its diphthongal figure, as in awe : here are three vowel signs with one elemen- 1 7 tai-y sound, viz. the tonic sound heard in all. Again, in low, 7 the w is nmte, and also in bow (arcus), though heard In the 18 verb to bow. We shall see hereafter the sub-tonic character of W and Y. 4 e AT. — this diphthong is composed of a and i, as in pa/n, ail, which are distinguishable to a fine ear from the pure tonic 4 4 in ale, pane, &c. ; but the distinction is really very slight — still it exists. le 01 — as in hoy, \oice, is a i. OU — as in our, out, &c, is of a complex nature, and appears to be triph-thongal. It seems to my ear to be compounded of 218 aou; but lam not quite clear as to its elements. For reference to the eye, I shall distinguish it thus, ou (to denote its triph- thongal character) in the following EXERCISE ON THE TONICS. 12 3 4.. 59 All art as nature better understood. 3 3 5 6 14 3 .*. And that there is all nature cries aloud through 1 9 9 all her works. - 14 6.. e 4 All pale with pain he fainted in the place. 3 6 6_ 59365 And Eve in Eden ever happy there, 666 669 66 If infidelity first victims find. 30 ART OF ELOCUTION. 7 7 8 1 8 Oh holy hope, to live beyond the tdmb. 9 9 9 The wonder and the worship of the world. 11 .'.8 1 # 1 11 For fortune frowned upon his cause forlorn. 1 7 # 7 The torrent roared impetuous in its course. 7 7 1 My hoarseness forces me to stop my horse. 7 7 The doors are open, And the surfeited grooms do mock their charge 7 with snores. 8 9 ..8 Full often underrates the future good. .*. 8 1 .'.8 .'. 8 Now law shall bow before the power of arms. Our wounds cry out for help. 9 9 7 And burning blushes spread o'er all her cheek. Let the pupil now go through the Table of Tonic Sounds, giving to every element its perfect sound, in a, full, loud tone of voice, but without strain or painful effort. This, more than any practice, will tend to strengthen and bring out his voice (see " Vocal Gymnastics") ; and next let him go carefully through the Exercise on the Tonics, until he shall read them with perfect purity of tonic sound. The careful doing of this at the outset will save the pupil much after-trouble in the matter of articulation. We now pass to the SUB-TONICS (15) — ATOPICS (10). SUB-TONICS AND ATONICS. 81 TABLE OF SUB-TONICS AND ATONICS. 1 SUBT. AT. ORGANIC FORMATION. EXAMPLES. B — P Pure Labial B-ad. P-ay. 2 D — T Lingua- dental (teeth closed) D-ash. T-ask. 3 G — K Palatine G-um. K-ill. 4 V — F Labia-dental V-at. F-ight. 5 z — s Dental sibilants (teeth open) Z-eal. S-ame. 6 J — Ch Lingua-palatine sibilant J-udge. Ch-urch. 7 Zsh — Sh Palatine sibilant A-z-ure. Sh-ame. 8 Th — Th Lingua-dental (teeth open) Th-en. Th-in. 9 (.hard) (soft) Y — H Palatine aspirates Y-et. H-it. 10 W — Wh Labial aspirates W-ild. Wh-en. 11 R Lingua-palatine (vibrating) R-ome. R-ide. 12 L Lingua-palatine L-ull. L-ily. 13 M Nasal-labial M-um. M-ind. 14 N Nasal — lingua-palatine N-u-n. N-o-w. 15 Ng— — Nasal — palatine E-ng-land. Thi-ng. Direction. — The pupil, or teacher, must pay particular attention to the organic formation of the sub-tonics and atonies, as it will enable him easily to correct defects of articulation,. observations. It will be observed that the ^L-tonics have each their appro- priate Sub-tomes, to which they belong, and of which they are the vanish, or last fading sound: thus B, when sounded, after its tone or vocality ceases, fades into P; T> into T; G (hard) into K, &c. j as may be perceived by sounding the syllables Bab, Did, Gig, &c. 9. and 10, — Y and W, when initials, lose their full tonic character which they have when final; and become sub-tonic aspirates in their connection with a succeeding tonic, as in 32 ART OF ELOCUTION. ye, yet, wq 9 won. When w is followed by an A, the aspiration is doubled, as wh-o, wh-en, wh-y. The aspiration is made by the flow of breath — in Y over the tongue j in W, through the protruded lips. H. This aspirate deserves a whole chapter to itself, with a view to repairing the neglect and outrages that are hourly offered to it. The omission of this aspirate in its proper place is a gross vulgarism in speech, a mark of inferior education, and is cal- culated to produce a great prejudice against the offender in the minds of all persons of refinement. How painful it is to hear any one speaking of his " 'owse," or his " 'orse" or telling one " 'ow 'ard it is to find a good 'orse ! " This is a point of vulgarity on which our friends in the United States justly ridicule English people as deficient in the due pronunciation of their native language. It is an error that Americans are never guilty of ; at the same time, I must remark that their aspiration of the h is somewhat too strong, (they are indeed a people of strong aspirations!) verging on a fault in the other extreme. They incline to give a nasal, or, more correctly speaking, a naso-guttural tone, as well as an aspirate, to the h, which gives it nearly the sound of k, in their enunciation of such words as house, home, happy, &c. Now, the aspiration should be decided, but light ; not forced, though distinct to the ear. 44 'Twas wAisper'd in Aeaven, 'twas mutter'd in Aell, And ecAo caught softly the sound as it fell." There is, however, a still greater and more unpardonable sin against this much- abused aspirate — a vulgarism of even a deeper dye than its total omission ; that is, the pressing it into service where it has no right or call to be, and everj SUE-TONICS AND ATONICS. S£ where it does not appear in the spelling of the word to which if, is forcibly prefixed by the arbitrary aspirator. Such a habit is a fatal blot in ordinary conversation, and in public speaking would deform and vulgarise the finest discourse or oration ever delivered. Both these sins of commission and omission are unfortu- nately too prevalent ; and when they are combined in the practice of one and the same individual, how painful to the ear is the perpetually recurring vulgarism! No care, no labour, can be too great to eradicate it. It shoui'd be first of all remembered, that in the English language h is always an aspirate, with very few exceptions : as we say an hour, not a hour ; an honour, not a honour ; and practice is divided between a humble man and an humble man i an herb, and a herb ; a hotel, and an hotel. Next, bear in mind, that the definite article the is pro- . 9 nounced thu (almost like the u in us) before a consonant or e an aspirate ; and the (as in thee) before a vowel or silent h ; 9 9 6 thus we say, thu man, thu horse, the angel, &c. Now, keeping this steadily in view, let any person who feels conscious of error with regard to this aspirate, diligently and repeatedly practice the following tables, enouncing each cluster of words without pause or rest of breat&>~* The ^orse. The Aind. The ass. The inn. The Aouse. The Aeart. The hour. The art. The Aarp. The Aorror* The herb. The honour. The Aome. The Aappy. The ape. The easy. The horrible. The humble. The honourable. The faimbug. The hospital. The handsome, 'liie onerous. The audacious- £4 ART OF ELOCUTION. And next, practice, over and over again, till they can bo repeated with unerring correctness, such phrases as the fol- lowing : — The eaglo eye of intellect. The Aappy home of /msbands. The handsome .Harry Ames, The Worse's homy hoof. Uphold an honoured name. BeAold a high hill. UnAoused, unAappy, and unhonoured, &c. &c. Note. — In adjectives commencing with h, where the accent is on the second syllable, it is allowable, for euphony, to drop the aspirate ; as we may say an historical fact, an habitual, &c, though we must say a history, a habit. EXERCISE ON THE SUB-TONICS AND ATONICS. 1. Black bubbling brooks break brawling o'er iheir bounds. The painted pomp of pleasure's proud parade 2. Decide the dispute during dinner-time, by dividing the difference. Tourists thronged, from time to time, to travem the Thames tunnel. 3. Gregory going gaily, galloped gallantly Co the gate. Crazed with corroding cares, and killed with consuming complaints. SUB* TONICS AND ATOPICS. J^ 4. Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. Frank Feron flattered his friends, but failed not to £nd fault with his foes. 5. His zeal was blazoned from zone to zone. Serpents and snakes were scattered on the sea. 6* Judge and jury adjourned the judgment. Chosen champion of the church, he cherished her children. 7. The azure sea is shining with ships, that shape their course for home. 8. This thread is thinner than that thistle there. 9. Year after year the o'er-ripe ear is lost. Ye heard him hurry yelling o'er your head. Up a high hill he heaved a huge, hard stone. 10. We wildly wish, while wiser workmen win whate'er will worth reward. 11. And rugged rocks re-echo with his roar. 12. Lamely the lion limped along the lawn. 13. Many men of many minds, mixing in multifarious matters of much moment. 14. None know, nor need to know his name. 15. England's king lay waking and thinking, while his subjects were sleeping, © S AST OF ELOCUTION. VALUE OF THE ELEMENTARY SOUNDS, All deficiencies of articulation not proceeding from organic defect are merely an imperfect or difficult utterance of the elementary sounds — tonics, sub-tonics, and atonies — of which our language is composed ; for it is manifest, that if the parts be perfect, the whole must be perfect also : and there- fore, if our articulation of the elemental sounds be just, our articulation of all the syllables and words which their combination forms must also be just. What is lisping, or stammering ? An imperfect or faulty utterance of certain elemental sounds. Show the person who lisps or stammers (always excepting the case of organic defect) the organic process of articulation of the particular sound in which his utterance is imperfect, and make him practice that process of articulation, and there is no doubt of the result ; his defect, if not organic, will be removed, and he will speak clearly and dis- tinctly. Slovenly articulation is mis-spelling to the ear ; and is as great a blemish to speech as false spelling is to a written letter : one fault should be as care- fully guarded against as the other in early educa- tion. This can only be done by justly distinguish- ing between the sign and the sound, and practising the pupil on all the elementary sounds of which his language is composed, until he is perfectly master of the-ro in all their combinations. ELEMENTARY SOUNDS. 27 The necessity of a distinct articulation will be made apparent at once by reading the following EXAMPLES, 1. A serious man was never before guilty of such a series of follies ; in which every species of absurdity was accom- panied by a speciows gravity, which rendered it infinitely amusing. In this passage, unless the syllables \es and \ous be correctly distinguished by the reader, in the words serious and seizes, species and specious, it must be quite evident that confusion and uncer- tainty will result to the hearer. 2. The duke paid the money due to the Jew before the dew was off the ground ; and the Jew, having duly acknowledged it, said adieu to the duke for ever. This example may help to correct a carelessness very common — that of confounding the consonants d and j when followed by the sound of u, a process wnich changes adieu into ajeiv, duke into juke, &e. " That's vilianous ; reform it altogether. " A ludicrous instance of this kind of carelessness occurred to me in a town in one of the northern counties of England. I was looking at some apart- ments which were shown to me by the landlady of the house. They did not exactly suit me, and I said so. She, with all the hauteur of a disappointed and irritated proprietress, replied, " Well, sir, then you can shoot yourself elsewhere. " I took my leave, assuring her that I had no such suicidal intention. D 3 ES ART OP ELOCUTION. However, I followed the advice she meant to give, and did suit myself elsewhere. How commonly do we hear, in ordinary conver- sation, — A pHik'lur man, instead of a par-tic-u-lar man. A fade error, for fa-to? error. A pwrson of emenwnce, for per-son of em-t-nence, Voilet, or Yielut, for \i-o-let. Pe'fection instead of perfection, &c. To correct these, and similar errors of articula- tion, arising from a careless utterance of the ele- mentary sounds, the tables of articulation in the " Practice," are prepared for the reader. Their object is, by frequent practice, to give a habit of clear articulation of certain sounds, syllables, and combinations that are generally slurred over. In practice, I find the greatest carelessness pre- vailing in the utterance of the following sounds, which I therefore single out for exercise: the numerals indicating the required sound have refer- ence to the Table of Tonic Elements. 3 3 a. — The tonic sound of a, as in at, in the SYLLABLES AND TERMINATIONS* a\ — ant — able ar — ance — ative* EXAMPLES. Articulate — fatal, . ... fa- ial, not fa*& ARTICULATION — TONIC SOUNDS. S3 particular, . . par-tic-u-lar, arrogant, . . ar-ro-gant, . arrogance, . . ar-ro-gance, . honorable, . . hon-o-rable, . restorative, . . res-to-ra-tive, [See Table of Articulation, No. l.'J not pwr-tic-u-te. not ar-ro-gwnt. not ar-ro-gwnce. not hon-o-rw561e. not res-to-rwtive. Note. — The indefinite article a should never have the 4 long slender sound of the vowel, as in ale, but the open sound, 3 as in at. It is exceedingly bad, and at the same time very 4 4 common, to say, a man, a book. 5 5 e. — The short sound of e as in met, in the TERMINATIONS el — et — ent — ence — ess — etj. EXAMPLES. Articulate — rebel, . . . reb-ef, . . . not rob-ble. sarcenet, . . sarse-rae£, . • not sarse-nwt, nor sarse-mt prudent, . . pru-derat, . . not pru-dwnt. prudence, . pru-dewce, . . not pru-dwnce. contentedness, con-tent-ed-ness, not con-ten- ted-mtss. sobriety, . . so-bri-ety, . . not so-bYi-utty. [See Table No. 2/J er. — The borrowed sound of the e joined to the liquid r, making the syllable er. D 4 10 ART OF ELOCUTION. This sound is between the e in met and the u in curl. It is a vulgarity to sound verse as vwrse, mercy as mwrcy. 9 The correct sound of e is attained by striking the accent 9 lightly, and without dwelling on the r ; whereas, in ilr, as in curd, the sound is more open, and heavier. [See Table No. 4.] Note. — The definite article the must never have the long 6 sound of e, as in thee, except before a vowel or a silent h. 6 i. — The short sound of i, ss i*£ sin, ci~ty, in the TERMINATIONS in — itj — il-ity — itive — Me, and others of similar form. EXAMPLES, Articulate — province . . . prov-mce, . . not prov-e/ice. capacity, . . . ca-pa-ci-ty, . . not ca-pa-cs-ly. ability, . . . a-bil-i-fy, . . . not a-bil-e-ty. lenitive, . . . len-i-tive, . . . not len-e-teve. plausible, . . plaus i-ble, . . not plaus-e-ble. [See Table No. 3.] ir. — The borrowed sound of i joined to the liquid r, making 9 9 the syllable ir distinct from ur, as in sir, which is a lighter and closer sound than cur. Virtue must not be called vwrtue. nor third tburft, &c. [See Tabie No. 4.] ARTICULATION — TONIC SOUNDS. 4i 7 7 o. — The full and round, open sound of o in the SYLLABLES o — ow — (unaccented). EXAMPLES. Articulate — opinion, . . . o-pin-ion, . . . not wp-pin-ion. potato, . . . po-ta-to, . . . not pw^-ta-ta. fellow, . . . fel-lo, .... not fel-la. innovate, . . in-no-vate, . . . not in-nwu-ate. [See Table No. 5.] l or. — The intermediate sound of o, with r in the termination l v^ 9 or, unaccented, which must he kept distinct from ur. EXAMPLES. Articulate — orator, . . . or-a-for, . . . not or-a-twr. conspirator, . con-spi-ra-tor, . not con-spir-a-tar, &c. 6 8 _ u. — The diphthongal sound of" u, like iu, as in pare, has the same sound as iew in view, in the following SYLLABLES AND TERMINATIONS : ue — uit — ude — ■ uce — use — uke — ume — une — ure (accented) — ual — unar — ular — uble. EXAMPLES. Articulate — (tee, • « . • diew, . . . not doe* 42' ART OF ELOCUTION. duty, „ , . diuty, . not dooty. conclude, . . conclewd, . not conclood. produce, , . prodewce, . not prodooce. duke, . , • diuke, • not dook. presume, . presume, . not presoome. tune, . * • tiuiie, • • not toone, &c. [See Table No. &] EXCEPTIONS. When any of the above combinations are compounded with r; and when ure is compounded with s, as in sure, and its derivations j in which cases the pure tonic sound of the u pre- vails, like oo in poor, but less broad somewhat, and more ra- pidly accented, as raler, . . rooler. trace, . . troose. trwe, . . troo. abstrwse, . abstroose. rwin, . . room. sure, . . shoor. protrude, . protroode. insure, . . inshoor. ruminate, roommate. assurance, • ashooraacej &c [See Table of Exceptions.'] DOUBLE VOWEL SOUNDS must be carefully distinguished from diphthongal sounds, and the sound of each vowel be duly given, as ea, as in area (air-z/-a). ies, as in species (speeshy-es), series (seery-es). to, as in violate (w-o-late), vi-o-lence, &c. Having gone through the Tables of Practice on the above PRONUNCIATION. 43 sounds, let the reader practise the Contrast Tables, to make the distinction between them clearer to the ear. The above terminations and syllables are those on which the greatest carelessness exists in the articulation of the tonic sounds, and therefore I have selected them for practice ; but it is equally necessary to observe the due sounds of the tonics, whether they occur in commencing, middle, or ter- minating syllables. In reading the tables, be particular first to get the correct tonic sound of the vowel, as given in the key-word, and bear in mind that articulation of a sound does not imply accentuation of the syllable; that is part of PRONUNCIATION. Pronunciation distinguishes the educated gentle- man from the vulgar and unpolished man. Pronunciation is made up of articulation and accentuation; when both are perfect, the individual has a correct and elegant pronunciation. Custom, — as Horace has truly said, " quern penes arbitrium est etjus et norma loquendi " — custom is the arbiter and criterion of what is correct in speech ; but then it is the custom of the polite and elegant part of the world, not of the mere vulgar, that must guide us ; and of which the Eoman poet, writing, as he did, to the cultivated intellects of the Augustan age, must be understood to speak. The custom of vulgar thousands cannot sanctify their errors ; nor can the daily practice of thou- 44- AKT OF ELOCUTION. sands change folly into wisdom, any more than it can corrupt mischievous to mischiev'-ous, or ev'-ious, horrible to horrable, yellow to yallow, &c. &c, or give authority to any similar improprieties. The pulpit, the senate, and the bar, ought, from the advantages of education generally possessed by their members, and from their social position, to be the standard authorities to which we might appeal with certainty (for our language is continually undergo- ing change, addition, and improvement) ; but, un- fortunately, the gentlemen of the learned profes- sions are frequently so careless in their own pronunciation as rather to require admonition {medice, sana te ipsum), than to be looked to as authorities ; so that they may, from their own inaccuracies, be considered a Court of Error, but not of Appeal. We must, therefore, rely upon such lights as we have, and the assistance of those who, well educated in other respects, make their own language their particular study. The following are a few very common examples, which it is absolutely necessary to correct, of ERRONEOUS PRONUNCIATION by mal- articulation or false accentuation OMISSION OF SUB-TONICS OR ATONICS. g in ing, as in comm' for coming, speakm' for speaking, &c ts in sts, as inszV for insists, persis* for persists, &c. ERRONEOUS PRONUNCIATION. 45 OMISSION OF A MIDDLE OR DOUBLE SUB-TONIC. m in mm, as iroaculate for im-maculate, &c n in nen, as prowess, for prone-ness, &c. FALSE ACCENTUATION. ar'-o-ma • • ! for a-ro'-ma. as'-pir-ant . • for as-pi'-rant. ab'-domen . for abdo'-men. fi'-nance • . for fl-nan'ce. opp'onent . for op-po'-nenfc. per' -fume (V.) . for per-fu/ma. per-fu'me OO • . for per'-fume. pre-ce'-dent . (a) . . for prc'ce-dent. pre'-ce-dent . (adj.) . . for pre- ce'- dent. mischie'v-ous . . for mis'-chiev-ous. adverti , se-ment • . for adver-tisment. &c. &c. Such are a few points which I particularly notice, because it is in them that errors most prevail. The nature of this book does not pretend to go into the whole theory of pronunciation : my object is, practically to correct certain prevalent faults of articulation and pronunciation. 46 ART OF ELOCUTION* PRACTICE. — FIRST DIVISION. TABLES OF ARTICULATION TONIC SOUNDS* 11 2 3 4 5 56 « «-ll— tf-n — a-rm — a-t — a-le — tn- e-re — e-nd — e-re — i'-ll— 7 8 8 9 9 o-ld — d- 6 — b-ie-11 — w-rn — u-s* TABLE I. 8 3 a. — The tonic sotmd of a, as in at, in the aS rm-tal pas-ca/ his-to-ri-ca? pas-to-ra/ mus-i-caZ su-i-ci-da? hom-i-ci-daJ pic-to-ri-aZ TERMINATIONS ant — ance dis-so- ( naBt L nance «^~ „~ f nant ccm-so- { t iltiwCo fgant \ gance fgant \ gance {ant ance tem-per-ance re-li-ance de-fi-ance va-ri-ance ar-ro- cl-c- tol-er- ar ar-tic-u-lar o-rac-u-lar au-rio-u \ar pa/~foe-u-iar per-pen-dic-u-la? joc-u-lar mus-cu-lar ve-hic-u-lar con-su-lar in-su-lar TABLES OF ARTICULATION. 47 a-cy — a-tive im-per-a-tive in-dic-a-tive pal-li-a-tive pnrg-ez-tive pre-rog-a-tive res-tor-a-tive lax-a-tive provo-ca-tive pi-ra-cy con-spir-a-cy a-ble a-mi-a-ble hon-or-a-ble res-pect-a-ble in-val-u-a-ble nav-ig-a-ble reas-on-a-ble a-vail-a-ble sale-a-ble re-mark- a-ble ter-min-a-ble TABLE n. 6 5 6, — The short sound of e as in met, in the TERMINATIONS ent — ence pru-dent-ence in-con-ti-nent-ewce som-no-lent-ewce em-i-newt-ence dif-fi-de/ri-erace im-per-ti-nent-cnce. ess prone-ness bless-ed-ness cost-li-ness laz-i-ness con-tent-ed-ness su-pine-ness ety pi -ety so-bri-ety sa-ti-ety so-ci-ety con-tra-ri-ety va-ri-ety et par-a-pe* vi-o-le£ mar-ti-ne* sar-ce-ne* tab-i-nef cov-o-net 45 ART OF ELOCUTION. TABLE III. 6 G 6 i. — The short sound of z, as in sin, city, TERMINATIONS. ity ami-a-bzl-zty res-pon-si-bzl-zty affa-bz'1-zty hos -til ity du-pl/-czty di-vzn«rty i-tole feas-z-ble plau-sz-ble dz-vzs-z-ble rzs-z-ble in-com-paW-ble ter-rz-ble 1-tlve /en-z-tive in-fin-i-tive sen-sz-tive de-fin-z-tive in-guz-sz-tivo TABLE IV. 9 9 er-ir. — The borrowed sounds of e and i, joined to r, mak- 9 9 . 9 ing er and zr, as in her, sir, distinct from the sound of ur, as in cur, czzr/. Read the following table across in triple column. er ir ur verse, first, cwrst. mercy, thirsty, dwrst. per- verted, vzr-tue, bursting. revert, shz'rt, pursed. pert, dirty, nurseling. heard, bird, word. early, firmly, bwrly. preferred, thz'rd, sturdy. Note. — This distinction is easily made by making the er and far shorter and lighter (by dwelling less upon them in utter- ance, and accenting them more rapidly) than ur, which has a broader and more open sound. TABLES OF ARTICULATION. 4$ TABLE V. 7 7 o-ow.-— The full and round sound of the vowel o (as in low) in th& vowel o and diphthong ow, unaccented. potato, iolYow will'ow, foU'oMMng, o-pinion, faXVow, hilYow, beli'ow-ing, o-vation, felYow, pillW, mell'owj-ing, in-no-vate, mell'ow, JU.V/XJ. OlVy pilFowed, per-o-ration. hoWowed, TABLE VI. * u, — The diphthongal sound of u (eu), as in pare. uce use uke pro-dwce. ab-wse. duke, re'f-Mse. ob-twse. re-d^ee. dif-fwse. re-bwke. SYLLABLES AND TERMINATIONS. ume une ure pre-sume. twne. en -dure. al-lwre. for'-twne. con-szmie. im-por-time. re-lwme. ue nit ude due — duty. suit, ex-ude. pre-clwde. pur-swe. con-clwde. im-bwe. pur-SMzY. ual unar ular uble lw-nar. con-sw-lar. vol-M-ble. joc-w-lar. an-ntc-aL rit-w-al. for-mw-la. sin'g-w-lar. EXCEPTIONS TO TABLE VI. When any of the above syllables are compounded with r ; 8 in which cases the pure tonic sound of the u 9 like oo in poor, prevails, as in true ; as, — E 50 ART OF ELOCUTION. truce, ab-strwse. pro-trwde. rw-minate. ru-movir. as-sw-rance. in-swred. im-brwed. ru-in. truth. tru-ism, rw-ler. rwde-ly. crude- ly. in-tru-dinSi And when ure is preceded by s, it makes shoore. CONTRAST TABLES. To render the distinction between the above sounds clearer, to the ear, read the following Tables in double column for contrast, giving the vowel sounds to each, as in the preceding Tables. a-tive imper-ative, lax-ative, indic-ative, deriv-ative, restor-ative, i-tive len-itive. sen-sz-tive. in-fin-ztive. defin- rtive. inquisitive. ant arro-gant, conso nant, ele-gant, toler- ant, disso-nant, rele-vant, cormo-rant, enfc con-ti-nent. somno-lent. emi-nent. dim-dent. dili-gent. pru-dent. immi-nent. able reason-able, navig-able, avail -able, respect-able, termin-able, valu-able, calcul-able, season-able Ible plausible. divisible. feas-zble. incompatible. ter-r/ble. sen-sible. inteili-gsble. discernible. ess ous Y>vone~?iess i libidi-nows. supine- ness, multitudi-nows. l&zi-ness, opprobri-ous. costli-ness, glori ous. blessed-ness, graci-ows. contented ness y desir-ows. zealous-ness, labori-ows. absteimows-tt&ss,niagnitudi-n0M$ TABLES OF ARTICULATION. 51 e s 8 68 8 u u U U duke book consume insure rebuke undertook dilute intrude produce abstruse duplicate trooper prechtua protrude endurance assurance denude rude contusion obtrusion voluble quadruple ablution intrusion pursue construe circular ruler or ■or-a-tor conspira-tor counsel-lor composi-tor appari-tor sena-tor xnoni-tor ar par-ticu-lar insu-lar consu-lar muscu-lar oracu-lar jocu-lar auricu-Lzr i-ty abiWty viril-tty mortal-ity dupli-city infin-Uy docil-zty e-ty soci-ety sobri-ety sati-ety contrari-ety vari-ety pi-ety ate et io — ies ia — oi — oust vindi-c«te para-pef vt-ol vi-al predi-ca(e marfci-ng* Yi-o-let void-anco vio- Late vio-\et vt-o -lence vt'-a-ctacft adjudi-cafe tabi-nef vi-o-lable vi-a-ry poten-tafe sarce-nef , se-ii-es se-ri-ous •ptzl-ate coro-ne* 1 ppe-ci-es sre-ci-o?<* E 2 1*2 ART OF EL0CSJTI0N 3 PEACTICE ON PEONUNCIATION. (See page 43.) The vi'O-let \Aoom-ing on the dew-y ground fills the air with its per'-fwmes, and the m-no-cent lily, amidst the gaudier flowers of the gar-den, is an emblem of nnassum-ing modesty, remam-ing unpol- luted and uncontam-i-nated by the van-^-ties and* vices of the world. Honour was the vir-tue of the Fagan ; but Chris- ti-an-£ty teaches a more enlarged and a nobler code — call-ing into activ-ity all the best feel-ings of our na-ture — il-lu-ming our path through this world with deeds of mer-cy and ch&r-ity, mutu«l-ly done and received — and sustain-i^ us amids£ difficulties and temptations, by the Aope of a glorious im- mortal-^, in which peace shall be invi-o-lable and joy e-ter-nal. TWst, hanger, and naked-ness are ills inci-de^t to Au-man-%, wAich — however secure we may at present pre-szme ourselves to be from them — we may one day be reduced to experi- ence. Let us, therefore, not abuse prosper-^, that we may not be ter-n-fied at ad-ver-sity. PRACTICE ON PRONUNCIATION. 53 The President of the company considered Aim- self bound by the precedents before Aim ; but *he?e precedents were precedent to the passing of the late act, und^r which prece'Jence »s riven to the President s nominees. For a se-ri-ous man Ae was guilty of a se-ri-es of absurdities hardly credible. Irasc£-bi'l-z-£y of temper frequently ac-companies infirm-% of Aealth, but is no ev-i-dence of inAu- man-% of disposition. The Aorse and the ass ascended the Aill at the same hour unAurt ; and arrived at the Angel Inn in the High Street at Aalf-past eight; then Aastened Aome to their Aay and oats, wAich the ostler Aad Aardly Aad opportunity to get ready. The \i-o-\ence of Ais dis-po-sition will one day lead Aim into danger and difficulty. He Aas already fought a du-el ; he is a rebCZ against pa-ren-taZ authority ; Ais principal occupation is pleasure ; Ais princi-ples are unfixed, and the pur- suits in wAich he delights lead him into so-ci-ety fa-tal to his respecta-b^Wty. .His prone-wess to play is very preju-diciaZ to Ais Aealth and Aappi- ness: Ais fi-nan'ces are low, and Ais credit is shaken. 54 ART OF ELOCUTION. An honourable and Aigh-minded individual interested himself Aeartily in the happiness of an artist wAose extraordinary ingenuity in every article of industry was handsomely acknowledged by the Aeads ot tne Acudemy of Arts, PAKT II. Elocution, as an art, is imitative ; it copia^, it mimics — as it were — the inflections, tones and variations 'of the voice in ordinary unrestrained speech. Its rules — which are drawn from obser- vation of these natural tones, inflections and varia- tions — teach us to invest the language of others, or our own pre-meditated and pre-written effusions, with the same variations of voice, inflection, and tone, as we should use, were they the spontaneous and extempore outpourings of our immediate thoughts and feelings. And as, in rhetoric, we acquire a good habit or style of composition by a study and analysis of the styles and compositions of others ; — so, in Elocution, w T e acquire an easy habit or style of delivery, by exercising ourselves in giving voice and expression to the language and sentiments of others ; — till, from practice, what we have done continually by rule and art, in set and studied speech, we execute at last easily and naturally, in spontaneous and original effusions. After mere distinctness of articulation, and correctness of pronunciation, this is the first object of Elocution, — to read and speak easily and naturally. E 4 56 ART OF LOCUTION. And this we attain by 1. PAUSE — 2. INFLECTION — 3. EMPHASIS. 1. PAUSE. RHETORICAL PAUSES. The grammatical pauses which are addressed tc the eye of the reader are insufficient for the speaker; who addresses himself to the under- standing "through the porches of the ear" He requires more frequent stopping-places, at more equal intervals, and of better regulated propor- tionate duration ; both for his own ease and relief, to enable him to acquire fresh impetus on his journey; and for the convenience of those who follow his steps, that they may be able with facility to keep in his track. We have, therefore, rhetorical pauses, which are independent of, though consistent with, and assist- ant to, the grammatical pauses. It is essential that the doctrine of rhetorical pause should be distinctly understood ; as it not only marks the proper di- vision of thought, and the condition and relation of one part of the sense to another, but its practice is indispensable to the perfect effect of the orator; without it, he must totter and stumble through every long and intricate sentence with pain to him- self and his auditory : with its aid, his movements become regular, certain, and easy. RHETORICAL PAUSE. 57 To provo this, let the student read aloud the three following sentences, without pause of any kind ; for there is no grammatical pause marked in them. I give them as I find them printed in the several books from which they are taken. 1 . Nothing is more prejudicial to the great interests of a nation than unsettled and varying policy. 2. You do not expect from the manufacturer the same dis- patch in executing an order that you do from the shopkeeper and warehouseman. 3. There is no doubt that the perception of beauty becomes rroz-e exquisite by being studied and refined upon as an object of art. The reader will feel that in each of these sentences some pause is required, both for his own ease in delivery, and to assist the ear and understanding of the auditor, who is otherwise liable to be confused by a jumble of rapidly uttered phrases thrown together without mark or division of sense and relation. This shows that some system of pausing is re- quisite, in reading, and speaking, independent of, though auxiliary to, the grammatical pauses. For this purpose I adopt four rhetorical pauses, viz. — 1. The short Pause, thus marked % equal, in duration of time, to the Quaver-rest in music. 2. The middle Pause,"^-, double the time of the short pause. 3. The Rest, -, or full Pause, double the middle pause, and equal to the Minim-rest in music. 58 ART OF ELOCUTION. 4. The long Pause, i , double that of the rest, and equiJ to the Bar-rest in music. Of all these, the first, or short pause "*, is of the greatest importance, on account of its continual use, and its great assistance and relief to the orator, — being rather in the nature of a suspension of the breath, than an absolute pause. 1. Short Pause, ~', or Quaver-rest. In the first place, the short pause, or quaver-rest, may always be used when a comma is used or required in grammatical punctuation. For rhetorical or elocutionary purposes it must have place — After, — 1. The nominative phrase (or it might be called the subjective phrase) ; that is, several words com- posing one phrase, and standing as the nominative to some verb : as, — The passions of mankind** too frequently obscure their judgment. To act virtuously** is to act wisely. To judge correctly of others** we should first well know our- selves ; — for this is as if we said, — To judge others justly** requires us to know ourselves well SHORT PAUSE. 59 2. When the form of the sentence is inverted, this pause has place After the objective phrase ; as, — By the violence of our passions**' our judgment is frequently blinded. By acting virtuously^ we act wisely. By virtuous conduct^ we consult our own happiness. So, when by inversion the predicate* precedes the subject, there must be a short pause after the predicate; as, — Sufficient for the day** is the evil thereof. The wisest of men*" 1 was Solomon. The most splendid temple of art* 1 is the Crystal Palace. So, in every inversion, there will be a short pause after the first inverted phrase ; as, — Like a loyal subject** 1 he defended his king. Boldly and wisely ** he upheld the constitution of his country. "Brief and few** were the words he spoke. Cold and unmoved** 1 he faced the angry multitude. The rights of the living*" he violated ; the ashes of the dead*" he desecrated and scattered to the winds. * By the u predicate " logicians mean what is said or predicated of a subject, as " John (subject) is a good boy " (predicate). 60 ART OF KLOQirr/QN. In years, a man**"' simplicity, a child. On the bare eaith^' exposed he lies. 3. After the emphatic word of force ; and the subject of a sentence, though but one wore, if requiring to be particularly marked : as,— Virtue* is the wisest philosophy. Well, honor" 1 is** 1 the subject of my story. 4. After each member of a series; as, — Charity' 9 ' 1 joy"* peace** patience 1 **- are Christian ornaments of the soul. (The middle pause has place after the last member of the series.) A good heart** a tender disposition** a charity that shuns the day"' 1 a modesty that blushes at its own excellence "" such are the accomplishments* 1 that please in youth** 1 and endure in age. In the second place — the short pause is to be used — ■ Before — «5. The infinitive mood; as, — We are all called upon** 1 to assist our fellow creatures in distress. 6. Before prepositions, when they govern a whole clause of a sentence ; but not when they occur in the body of the clause or phrase * : as, — It is prudent ^ in every man M to make early provision *** against the wants of age ^ and the chances of accident. * i. e. not when forming the genitive case. SHORT PAUSE. C) Here the prepositions "in 9 * and "against" govern respectively the words or clauses -which they precede ; they form points of division or land marks of the meaning; they consequently require a pause before them to indicate that division ; but the preposition "of" in the clauses "ivants of age" and "chances of accident" is not to be marked with a preceding pause, for it is only part of a phrase, and forms no division of meaning : for in Elocution the phrases "wants of age" and "chances of accident" would be respectively read as one word, as if written and accented " ivanis-ofage" and " chances-of-ac' cident" 7. Before relative pronouns ; as, — These are the men*"' who desire your support. Such are the errors* 5- which you must avoid ; such the ex- ample* 3 which you should emulate. 8. Before conjunctions ; and adverbs of time, similitude, and some others : as, — Nations* 1 like men* 1 fail in nothing* 1 which they boldly undertake 1 " 1 when sustained" by virtuous purpose* 1 and firm resolution. When the conjunctions "and" "but" "or," serve merely as connecting links to a phrase con- veying a whole idea, or of words and ideas closely allied to each other, there should be no pause before them (analogous to the rul$ respecting prepositions); for pause is intended to mark the division of one clause, and one step in the progress of the meaning, from another : as, — 62 ART OF ELOCUTION. A virtuous life* 1 most surely conduces to peace and happi- ness. Here there should be no pause before and ; the ideas it links together are so similar and so allied to each other, as not to admit of being disjoined. But, if the sentence stood — A virtuous life** 1 will secure peace to our youth* 1 and happiness to our age, — a pause, as marked, would be required before the conjunction and, separating, as it does, two distinct clauses, conveying distinctly separate, though not dissimilar ideas. 9. The short pause has also place on an ellipsis, supplying the omitted word ; as,- — Such is the example*' 1 you are offered. (Here the pause supplies the place of which). A people* 1 once enslaved* 1 may groan* 1 ages** 1 in bondage, (instead of "for ages"). Note. — Never pause between the verb and its objective case, in a direct sentence, unless other words intervene; ex- cept for the sake of emphasis. 2. Middle Pause,*"-, or Crotchet-rest, Frequently occurs in the middle of a sentence, — which it serves to divide, by separating the MIDDLE PAUSE. 63 opening, or what may be called the incomplete or hypothetical part, from the closing or winding up of the sentence, — where the sense is perfected. EXAMPLES. If the world is not the work of chances- it must have had an intelligent Maker. Although you see not many possessed of a good taste **- yet the generality of mankind are capable of it. Nations, like men, fail in nothing which they boldly under- take s- when sustained by virtuous purpose and firm resolution. BULE 1. The middle pause -precedes and marks the commencement of the climax of the sense of a sentence. And now, applying all the preceding rules for pause, let the student read aloud the three extracts, which he lias already read without the rhetorical pauses; and he cannot fail to perceive the advan- tage he will gain in ease and effect. They would be marked, as to rhetorical pauses, as follows: 1. Nothing is more prejudicial^ 1 to the great interests of a nation ***- than unsettled and varying policy. 2. You do not expect ^ from the manufacturer*" 1 the same dispatch*" 1 in executing an order" 1 - that you do*" 1 from the shopkeeper and warehouseman. 3. There is no doubt** 1 that the perception of beauty' 3 ' 1 bt» 61 ART OF ELOCUTION. comes -more exquisite** 1 - by being studied and refined upou.** 1 as an object of art. Eule 2. The middle pause also should be used after the last member of a series, before the verb or phrase which is common to all the members. EXAMPLES. Charity** 1 joy"" 1 peace** 5 patience*" 1 - are Christian ornaments of the soul. To be courteous to one's equals** 1 respectful to one's su- periors 6 ^ mild and condescending to one's inferiors** 1 - these are sound points of conduct** 1 which distinguish the gentle- man ■* 1 from the pretender to good breeding. Eule 3. The middle pause is also used to mark a parenthesis, or any parenthetical interruption of the sense ; unless it be very slight; in which latter case the short pause is sufficient. EXAMPLES. 1. Men of superior genius *** while they seethe rest of mankind*" 1 painfulry struggling** 1 to comprehend obvious truths**'- glance** 1 themselves** 1 like lightning** 1 through the most remote consequences. 2. Genius** 1 the pride of man** 1 as man is of the creation ^ has been possessed but by few. The judicious use of the short pause and the middle pause, serves also to class and divide mem- FULL PAUSE. 6o bers of sentences in logical and clear division, according as they are more or less immediately connected with each other in thought and construc- tion; hence follows, as a — Ge>teral Kttle. Clauses of sentences having immediate reference to each other, can be divided only by the short pause ; while they must be separated from other clauses with which they are less connected, by the middle pause. These are the men,* 1 to whom,* 1 - arrayedin all the terrors of government,* 1 1 would say,* 1 - you shall not degrade us into brutes. If, in this sentence, we make a short pause only after to whom, the next clause of the sentence, arrayed in all the terrors of government, would appear to refer to the men to whom ; whereas, being separated, as it is, from those words, by the middle pause, it is assigned to the pronoun 2, to which it really belongs. The middle pause is also frequently used in place of the grammatical period or full stop, between two sentences, which are closely allied to each other in relation to the sense whicl they bear out, — as will be presently shown. 3. The Kest, -, or Full Pause, Marks the perfection of the sense, that is, the climax of its force ; as, the close of a proposition. The full-stop, which is used in grammatical punctuation to mark the close of a sentence or period, is not a sufficiently distinct guide ; for it fre- quently closes a sentence which is intimately allied F GQ AKT OF ELOCUTION by the continuity of the sense, with the next, and perliaps with several succeeding periods. In such cases, the punctum or full-stop which marks the grammatical close of a sentence, should be rejected in reading ; the middle pause should be used in its stead ; and the rest or full pause should not be introduced till the actual winding up of all the sentences which have a close relation to each other in continuing or carrying out the sense to jis climax or perfect close. Take the following sentences, with their gram- matical punctuation, as an — Logicians may reason may reason about abstractions, but the great mass of mankind can never feel an in- terest in them. They must have images. Kow here the second short sentence is intimately connected with, and, in its relation to the sense, forms part of the first ; in fact, it completes and closes the proposition which the first sentence opened and began. Yet it is divided from that first sentence (with which, in its relation to the sense, it is so inti- mately connected) by the grammatical full-stop or period ; and yet the close of the whole proposition contained in these two- sentences admits, in grammatical punctuation, of no greater division from what may follow, in support and illustration of that proposition, than the same period or full-stop, which has been already used to separate the two parts of the whole pro- position. This is illogical. The two sentences should thus be relatively marked and read with rhetorical pause : — Logicians may reason about abstractions,** 1 - but the great mass of mankind* 1 can never feel an interest in them** 1 - They must have images. - LONG PAUSE. 67 "For further illustration, I give the following sentences, marked both grammatically and rhetorically, by which it will be seen that the period or full-stop is frequently used when the middle pause is sufficient, and indeed absolutely necessary, to keep tip the continuity of the sense, or the carrying out of an idea ; and that, at the full close of the relation between the sentences so divided by the middle pause, and not till then, — the full pause should have place. EXAMPLE, I have always preferred cheerfulness** 1 to mirth.** 1 - The latter I consider as an act,** 1 the former** 1 as a habit of the mind.'** 1 - Mirth** 1 is short and transient,*' 1 cheerfulness** 1 fixed and permanent.**''- Those are often raised into the greatest transports of mirth** 1 who are subject to the greatest depres- sion of melancholy i*" 1 - on the contrary* 1 , cheerfulness,** 1 though it does not give the mind such an exquisite gladness** 1 , prevents us falling into such a depth of sorrow.** 1 - Mirth** 1 is like a flash of lightning**' that breaks through a gloom of clouds** 1 and glitters for a moment j** 1 - cheerfulness*"' keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind,** 1 - and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. — Now, each of the above sentences is intimately connected with the succeeding one. Each is only an amplification md illustration of the original proposition, which it serves to establish and carry completely out. They cannot therefore logically admit of a greater separation by pause than that which I have marked above : their final close alone can be marked a'itli the fail petite. F 2 68 ART OF ELOCUTION. 4. Long Pause, i , or Bar-rest, Marks the close of a subject, or of an important division of it. It precedes— The change from one division of a discourse to another ; A new train of ideas or course of argument ; A return from a digression, or from excited declamation to calm statement and logical discussion. This pause affords an opportunity to correct the tone or pitch of voice, which may have reached a high range in the excitement of earnest argument or intense feeling, and will therefore require to be lowered for the relief both of speaker and hearer. In this latter regard the long pause is of great use and assistance to the reader and the orator. The system of Rhetorical Pause deserves the student's best attention ; for its proper application will contribute greatly to the perspicuity and effect of his discourse, as well as to his own ease in deli- very ? by a just economy of breath. Let him now read aloud the following marked EXERCISE ON PAUSE, SENSED TASTE* 1 AND GENIUS.- USHEB. The human genius* 1 with the best assistance* 1 breaks forth but slowly** 1 - and the greatest men** 1 have but gradually acquired a just taste* 1 and chaste* 1 simple* 1 conceptions of beauty- At an EXERCISE ON PAUSE, 69 immature age** 1 the sense of beauty*' 1 is weak and confused'*' 1 - and requires an excess of colouring*" 1 to catch the attention" 1- It then** 1 prefers extravagance and rant" 1 to justness" 1- a gross false wit** 1 to the engaging light of nature**- and the showy" 1 rich" 1 and glaring *? to the fine "* and amiable - This" 1 is the childhood of taste" 1 " but" 1 as the human genius strengthens and grows to maturity"- if it be as- sisted by a happy education" 1 the sense of universal beauty awakes" 1 - it begins to be disgusted" 1 with the false" 1 and mis-shapen deceptions" 1 that pleased before" 1- and rests" 1 with delight" 1 on elegant sim- plicity'* 3 on pictures of easy beauty" 1 and unaffected grandeur - 1 - The progress of the fine arts* 1 in the human mind" 1 may be fixed" 1 at three remarkable degrees * n - from their foundation" 1 to the loftiest height- The basis is a sense of beauty" 1 and of the sublime" 1 " the second step" 1 we may call taste" 1- and the last'* 1 genius t A sense of the beautiful" 1 and of the great" 1 is universal" 1- which appears** 1 from the uniformity thereof* 1 in the most distant ages and nations - What was engaging and sublime" 1 in ancient Greece and Rome" 1 is so at this day" 1- and" 1 as I observed before" 1 there is not the least necessity" 1 of improvement or science" 1 to discover the charms of a graceful or noble deportment" 1- There is a fine" 1 but an ineffectual" 1 light" 1 in the breast of man - After nightfall* 1 we have admired the planet Venus" 1- the beauty" 1 and vivacity of her lustre" 1 the immense distance" 1 from which we judged her V 3 70 ART OF ELOCUTION. beams issued ' and the silence of the night** 1- all concurred* 1 to strike us with an agreeable amaze- ment^ 1- But she shone'* 1 in distinguished beauty*! without giving sufficient light** 1 to direct our steps* 1 or show us the objects around- Thus* 1 in un- improved nature* 1 the light of the mind* 1 is bright* 1 and useless - In utter barbarity* 1 our prospect of it* 1 is still less fixed* 1 - it appears ** and then again* 1 seems wholly to vanish* 1 in the savage breast* 1- like the same planet Venus* 1 when she has but just raised her orient beams* 1 to mariners* 1 above the waves* 1- and is now descried* 1 now lost* 1 through the swelling billows i The next step* 1 is taste* 1- the subject of our in- quiry* 1- which consists"* 1 in a distinct* 1 unconfused knowledge* 1 of the great and beautiful- Although you see not many" 1 possessed of good taste* 1- yet the generality of mankind" are capable of it - The very populace of Athens* 1 had acquired a good taste* 1 by habit and fine examples* 1- so that a delicacy of judgment* 1 seemed natural*' to all who breathed the air of that elegant city* 1- We find a manly and elevated sense* 1 distinguish the common people of Rome* 1 and of all the cities of Greece* 1 - while the level of mankind* 1 was preserved in those cities* - while the plebeians had a share in the government* 1 and an utter separation was not made* 1 between them and the nobles* 1 by wealth and luxury* 1- But" 1 when once the common peo- ple* 1 are rent asunder" 1 wholly* 1 from the great and opulent* 1 and made subservient* 1 to the luxury of the latter* 1- then* 1 the taste of nature* 1 infallibly EXEKCISE ON PAUSE. 71 takes her flight from both parties* 1 - The poor" 1 by a sordid habit and an attention wholly confined to mean views" 1- and the rich by an attention to the changeable modes of fancy* 1 and a vitiated prefer- ence* 1 for the rich and costly* 1- lose the view of simple beauty and grandeur - It may seem a paradox* 1 " and yet "' I am firmly persuaded" 1 that it would be easier ^ at this day* 1 to give a good taste* 1 to the young savages ^i America'* 1 " than to the noble youth of Europe I Genius" 1 the pride of man*" 1 as man is of the creation" 1 has been possessed but by few* 1 even in the brightest ages - Men of superior genius* 1- while they see the rest of mankind"' painfully struggling" 1 to comprehend obvious truths* 1 ^ glance* 1 them- selves* 1 through the most remote consequences'* 1 like lightning" 1 through a path* 1 that cannot be traced^'" They see the beauties of nature* 1 with light and warmth* 1 and paint them forcibly* 1 with- out effort* 1 " as the morning sun* 1 does the scenes he rises upon* 1 " and" 1 in several instances* 1 com- municate to objects* 1 a morning freshness* 1 and unaccountable lustre* 1 that is not seen in the crea- tion of nature- The poet* 1 the statuary* 1 the painter* 1 have produced images* 1 that left nature far behind i F 4 ART OF ELOCUTION. 2. INFLECTION. The human voice is to be considered as a musical instrument— an organ ; constructed by the hand of the Great Master of all Harmony. It has its bellows, its pipe, its mouth-piece; and when we know the " stops " "It will discourse most eloquent music." It has its gamut, or scale of ascent and descent; it has its keys, or pitch, — its tones, — its semi-tones, its bass, its tenor, its alt, — its melody, its cadence. It can speak as gently as the lute, "like the sweet south upon a bed of violets," or as shrilly as the trumpet; it can tune the " silver sweet " note of love, and " the iron throat of war ; 9 in fine, it may be modulated by art to any sound of softness or of strength, of gentleness or harshness, of harmony, or discord. And the art that wins this music from the strings is Elocution. The niceties and refinements of this art are to be acquired, step by step, by well-directed practice. At present, let us learn a simple ascent (or rise), and descent (or fall), of the voice ; of the range of —-say one tone in music, upwards or downwards. This ascent or descent of the voice is called by Elocutionists, Inflection*, and they have two — Simple Inflections. The rising inflection, marked with the acute accent thus on the inflected word. The falling inflection, marked with the grave accent thus ^^ * The correct term for this slide of the voice, or change of INFLECTION. 73 The student may always, at will, strike these in- flections with certainty by asking himself the fol- lowing question, which can hardly be spoken without making the inflections distinctly, as they are marked : — EXAMPLE. Did I rise or fall ? In which the rising inflection occurs on the word rise, and the falling inflection on the word fall. It can therefore never be forgotten, and may serve as a mnemonic or key to these two simple inflections. This and similar questions run on an ascending and de- scending scale of the voice, which may be thus indicated : — In which the voice descends on "Do I" — ascends on "rise" the pitch being at the highest on " or," when the voice imme- diately descends on "fall." pitch from low to high, is doubtless accent We derive the grave and acute accents from the Greeks, who, it is supposed, used them to denote the slides of the voice from grave to sharp, or low to high ; so that it is believed by some that the speeches of their orators could be marked, almost as minutely as a musical score, for the direction of the voice. But the term accent has, by custom, now grown to be so constantly applied to stress upon a syllable, that I prefer to adopt the less technically correct, but equally intelligible term, inflection, to denote the slides of the voice; and to use the term accent in its present popularly received sense. 74 ART OF KU/CJDTION. This ascent of the voice, or rising inflection, varies in its ordinary range from one tone to three. The pitch increases as the force of the speaker increases. In ordinary speech, where no particular force is given — in a perfectly indifferent question, for example, — the rise would not be more than of one tone. Such a question, for example, as, — " Will my brother come ? " asked quite indifferently, would receive an ascent of owe tone: asked with interest, would receive an ascent of three tones ; asked eagerly, would rise jive tones ; and asked with a passionate expression, or of wonder, would rise even an octave ; but, in reading or speaking with any degree of force, the simple rising inflection is usually over an interval of three tones (a third) ; and the descent of the falling inflection is over the same interval. And the change of pitch is discrete; that is, the voice leaps directly and abruptly from tone to tone ; whereas, in the greater ascent of a fifth, and an octave, it is concrete ; that is, it slides over the interval, slurring the intermediate tones: this distinction will be more fully explained under the head of compound inflections. To facilitate and familiarise to the pupil's ear and voice the distinction between the rising and falling inflection, let him practise the tonic sounds, upon the following plan of rising and falling on each. This practice will be of great service in improving the pitch of the voice, and giving it facility and pliability. The stu- dent should therefore practise it till he can strike the third, rising and falling, clearly, forcibly, and with certainty. INFLECTION. 75 76 ART OF ELOCUTION. INFLECTIONS TO MARK THE SENSE. The popular or common direction — drop your voice at the end of a sentence — is illogical and false ; and is the cause of a very general bad habit with young readers, and one which they seldom shake - off in after-life except under good instruc- tion, — that of letting the voice sink in pitch and tone and fulness on the concluding word or words of every sentence ; the effect of which is, that the last words of a sentence which are essential to com- plete the whole sense, — and without which the auditor ca?^ only guess at the speaker's meaning, — are not heard at all ; or, if even heard, are deprived of all force, by the listless manner in which they fall from the moutla. This is, of all things, to be avoided. The last words of a sentence are as im- portant as the first, — indeed, they are generally more so : therefore let them have always full enun- ciation and weight in delivery ; or your meaning will be imperfect and uncertain. The inflection proper to the close of a sentence depends upon the form or nature of that sentence : whether it be affirmative,— negative, or interro- gative ; or whether the full sense be complete sfr suspended ; foi\ as a principle, the rising inflection is the mark of incomplete sense, as the falling in- flection denotes the close or completion of the sense of a sentence ; and the inflection required is regu- lated by the condition of the sense. INFLECTION § 7 KULE& 1 Affirmative sense. A simple unqualified affirmative is marked with the falling inflection : as, — I have just returned : I have been long absent. Julius Caesar conquered at Pharsafia. 2. Negative sense — is marked with the rising inflection: as,— I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts. The quality of mercy is not strained. This is not a time for adulation. It is not a book I want. Note that the rising inflection is to be placed on the word ot idea negatived ; the negative particle not has usually a falling inflection, for force ; and when the denial is intended to be em- phatic, it will be marked by the falling inflection : as, — I will not stay. This book is not mine. I denied you not. From the above rules it follows, that, — la a sentence containing an affirmative in one branch of it, and a negative or denial in the other,— ? 5 ART Of ELOCUTION. 3. The affirmative part of the sentence receives the falling inflection, the negative part iLe rising inflection ; whatever may be the construction of the sentence as to the precedence of the one branch or the other : as, — I said good, not bad : virtuous, not vicious. He was condemned for his crimes, not for his political opinions. This book is not mine, but yours. This letter is yours, not mine. This is not a time for adulation ; it is necessary to speak the plain truth. You sail you were coming home, but you did not come ; you went another way. No; I did not. But an affirmative clause, forming part of the whole negative, shall receive the rising inflection : as, — We shall not be condemned because we have spoken truth: i.e., our having spoken truth will not condemn us. He was not punished on account of his political opinions: i.e., it was not on account of his political opinions that he was punished. The reading would be quite different if the same clause were intended to be affirmative in meaning, though occur- ring in a negative sentence : as, — We shall not be condemned because we have spoken truth : i, c, our truth will save us. lie was not punished on account of his political opinions: i.e., his political opinions saved him from punishment. INFLECTION. 79 4. The Imperative sense — requires the falling inflection. Swear not at all. Agree with thine adversary qtilok'/* Thcu &kalt not steal. Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mockery, hence! Let me hear no more! Speak, I charge you ! 5. Interrogative sense — is marked by the rising inflection: *.s, — Did he say he would come? Will he be here to-day? Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, oi andera bed?*— (Mark iv. 21.) EXCEPTIONS AND REMARKS. Questions asked with an interrogative pronoun or adverb—- who, which, what, when, where, &c. : as, — Who said he would come ? Why so? What said he? Whose house is this? * See Introduction to this work, in reply to the Kt.Rev. Dr Whateiy's Elements of Khetoric, Part IV, c ii § 12- SO ART OF ELQCI^TION. When will he be here ? The alternative part of a question also requires the falling inflection: as, — Will he live*" or die? Did he say he would come*" or did he say he would not? But the introduction of the disjunctive or, between two interrogative clauses, does not necessarily imply an alter- native ; or is frequently a connecting particle between similar and apposite ideas * ; in such cases, both clauses of the inter- rogative will take the rising inflection ; and the second will be frequently higher and stronger than the first. EXAMPLES. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles ? Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a ted? Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust? Or flattery soothe the dull, cold ear of death ? In these examples or is rather cora-junctive than c?w-junctive; that is, it serves to unite like ideas, not to separate dissimilar ones ; and the inflection on each clause must therefore be alike. Even Elocutionists frequently overlook this distinction, and consequently mark and read passages falsely. A slated or quoted question, occurring in an affirmative sentence, requires the falling inflection : as, — The question is — shall we proceed ? * See Apposition. KMPHASIS. 8 i He desires me to ask you — will you persevere ? But, Such stated or quoted question occurring in a simple inter- rogative or negative sentence, will receive the inflection due to the sentence : as, — Will you still go about and ask one another — what news? I did not ask, what news? For it is the condition of the sense— i. e., whether finished or unfinished, — that governs the inflection due to a sentence. Departures from the above general rules of in- flection are occasionally made for force and effect under the power of emphasis. 3. EMPHASIS Is a word of Greek origin and form, adopted into our language ; its derivation is ev (on) and §r\\ii (to speak), or (pavig {speech) : according to which, therefore, emphasis strictly signifies a speaking (strongly) upon ; or, as it is popularly called, a stress of the voice upon a certain word, or words, to which a particular meaning or force is attached, and particular attention desired : and this is called the emphatic word ; I denote it by this line written under the word, thus : — He spaVs for religion, not againsf iU G 82 ART OF ELOCUTION. This book is mine, that yours. In the utterance of the above sentences, the words marked as emphatic receive an impulse or explosive force of sound, which distinguishes their power and importance above the other w r ords. Just in the same manner as what we call the ac- cented syllable in any word is marked by stress, or stroke of sound, from the other syllables with which it is combined : as in the words- — / / / / • vir-tue, wzer-ciful, pol-icy, resolu-tion, cow-stancy, in which the stress, or impulse of sound, is thrown on to one particular syllable, which is popularly called the accented*, but more properly, the heavy syllable, in contradiction to the light, or, as they are called, unaccented syllables ; which have no weight of sound, or stress upon them : so, in a sentence, the stress or emphasis being thrown, by an impulse of sound, on any particular word, that word is called the emphatic word. And, in fact, this emphasis, when applied to a word, falls always on the accented or heavy syllable of the word, doubling the stress upon it. We shall presently see that emphasis requires, to be complete, not only stress, but inflection ; and that that inflection is governed by the character of the emphasis. But, first, it is proper to observe here the dis- tinction between our language and that of the * See Inflection, and note to p. 72. EMPHASIS. 83 Greeks and Romans, who measured the march of their language by quantity, or long ""and short ^ syllables : and all the words of their language had a certain and fixed prosodial quantity ; according to which their verses are supposed to have been constructed and scanned or measured. Our lan- guage, on the contrary, acknowledges no fixed and certain quantity to its syllables ; the distinction between which is of light and heavy, not of long and short : for the length or time of utterance to be given to a word or syllable in our language, is regulated not by any fixed prosodial rule (to which it is not amenable), but by other circumstances of a varying nature ; as, its force and value to the sense, or the amount of feeling that is to be con- veyed by or upon it ; so that in our versification, it constantly happens that, in its relative proportion in a line, the same word is sometimes long, some- times short; and indeed, it will be manifest to any ear, that monosyllables, such as care, there, loud, bold, &c. may be prolonged at will to any indefinite time, so as to give to them the quantity of a quaver, a crotchet, a minim, or even a semibreve. This clearly does away with the idea of a settled rule of quantity in our language ; the rhythmus (or order) cf which is governed by another principle, that of the regular arrangement of heavy and light sounds, or syllables; and this it is, not quantity, which makes the rhythm of English versification. This will be more fully treated of under the head of " Time? in the chapter devoted to the Beading oj Verse. Here it is necessary to remark, that there is a q 2 84 ART OF ELOCUTION. certain rhythmical, or measured, movement even m prose ; not so regularly preserved as in verse., but still requiring to be noted and marked in reading. In some elaborate compositions, indeed, where the cadences are very regular, the rhythm and time are preserved with much exactness ; and it is a great beauty in elocution to mark them by the pulsation and remission of the voice, on the heavy and light syllables respectively, and by a due ob- servance of time or measure. Take, as an example, the following, by Dr. John- son, in common time : The notation is only to show the time, and the barring marks the rhythmical ac- centuation : — 2 pa jeNi f* p* i i V / / / Sir the a- tro- cious crime of be~ing a I I I pa pg pu i I ess pfc & ® & & pa psa young man which the hon- our -a- ble gen-tle-man has I I Q 1110 pas psal I I G with such spi- rit and de- cen- cy pa psj j I I I pa ^ charged up- on me I shall neith- er at- EMPHASIS. 85 1 ® P*i P* I 1 pa ^ l I I tempt to pal- K- ate pi pa i I nor de- nyj but con- tent my Pi self 1 m t*\ i pa ^ I \ I with wish- ing i that I may be one fol- lies r I of those whore ^ pa I ) may cease with their youth, pa pa m i i pa pa I I and not of that num-ber I 1 I m m m ig- no- rant r n aaj pat m m in spite of ex- © m who are I P* Pa I i 0* pe- ri- ence. In this example I have marked the accented or heavy sylla- bles which require pulsation of voice ; and it will be observed that the first note of the bar is always accented, or its place is supplied by a rest or pause, which, with the other notes, fills up the cadence, and completes the bar; for res's or pauses are as essential a part of the rhythm as the notes themselves, and, in verse especially, it is on their due and proportionate ob- G 3 86 ART OF ELOCUTION. servance, as well as of the heavy and light syllables, that rhythm depends. All this is more fully explained hereafter : but I thought thus much, on the subject of quantity and stress (or accent) necessary to be remarked before proceeding With Emphasis, of which stress is an essential constituent. The power of emphasis to strengthen or change the meaning of any sentence is very great; and its proper use in delivery adds greatly to the point and power of a discourse ; hence some orators are called emphatic speakers, when it is intended that their style is pointed and forcible. But Emphasis is not mere/?/ stress or weight of voice : it is made up of stress and inflection ; accordingly, — Emphasis is stress and inflection of voice. There are two principal kinds of Emphasis— 1. Emphasis of sense. 2. Emphasis of force, 1. Emphasis of sense is that emphasis which marks and indicates the meaning or sense of the sentence; and which being transferred from word to word, has power to change and vary the par- ticular meaning of such sentence. In other words, it is the placing on the particular word which carries the main point of the sentence, or member of the sentence, the inflection due to such sentence or member, and giving weight or emphasis to such in- fection :— the w 7 ord so marked and distinguished is called the emphatic word* EMPHASIS. 87 RULE. To make the emphasis of sense throw the inflection proper to the sentence, or member of it, on the emphatic word ; and give weight or stress on that inflection ; that is, let the ascent or descent, as the inflection may be rising or falling, take a greater range of pitch, high or low, with an impulse of voice. Thus— - The following interrogative sentence requires the rising inflection. Now, by placing tlrat inflection on any one word and at the same time giving weight or stress to that inflection — the sense will be emphasised on that particular word ; and as the emphasis of sense is changed from word to word, tli3 point of the sense will be varied accordingly. Did you walk home to-day? or. Did you walk home to-day? or, Did you walk home to-day? or, Did you walk home to-day? or, Did you walk home to-day? The emphasis of sense, therefore, points the in* flection and meaning of a sentence, or member of it, on some particular word: and the inflection is rising or falling according to the rule applicable to the particular sentence, or member of it, in which that word occurs. G 4 S3 ART OP ELOCUTION. Now, suppose the above question were asked quite indifferently, without any point at all, merely "for something to say," the rising inflection at the end of the interrogative could not be higher than a semitone, or a full tone at most ; but if the inquiry were made with a point on any of the words marked emphatic above, the inflection of inter- rogation transferred to that particular word would take an ascent of a third octave tone in ordinary conversation ; or of a ffth y in a very earnest in- quiry : and the greater the range of pitch given to the inflection, the greater the force of the em- phasis. There are branches of the emphasis of sense incidental to particular rules of* inflection ; as, — Antithetical Emphasis — Emphasis with pronominal phrase, &c. of which I shall speak under the proper heads. 2. Emphasis of force, or, it might be called Em- phasis of feeling, is that emphasis or stress which a speaker uses arbitrarily to add force to some par- ticular idea or expression ; not because the sense or meaning intended to be conveyed requires it, — but because the force of his own feeling or will dictates it. KULE. The emphasis of force is always made with the falling inflection. EMPHASIS. SJ EXAMPLES. Could you be so cruel ? (Conveying Is it possible ! I am surprised you could be, Lc.) Could you be so cruel ? (That is, so exceedingly cruel.) I did not say so. (That is, I deny it most strongly.') These sentences - interrogative and negative — by ordinary rule, would have the rising inflection; but the emphasis of force being placed on the word could or cruel, and not, gives them the falling inflection, without at all affecting the sense — ■ though it gives force to the intention of the speaker. Emphasis of force placed on a conjunction, or other ordinarily trivial word, will give it an. in- tention and particular significance ; as, — You may follow your own course in this matter if you please, but' 1 you will take the consequence of your obstinacy. The" force thus placed on " but" gives it an admonitoiy significance; as if the speaker should say, "Bear in mind, I warned you." RULE. Emphasis of force introduced into a declaratory sentence in affirmative form, and placed on the verb, will govern (that is, require) a rising inflection on the objective or succeeding phrase. For example, — ■ I make the simple declaration, as a truth that may be uni- versally acknowledged, viz. 90 AltT OF ELOCUTION. In the prosecution of a virtuous enterprise, a brave man despises danger and difficulty. Thus inflected and pronounced the sentence is a mere truism; but if I myself, or a friend, be engaged in some scheme for the public good not devoid of danger and difficulty to himself or me, and doubts be made by an opponent whether we will proceed to the end, through all the dangers and difficulties that oppose us; then if, in the course of reply to such doubts, I were to express myself as above, I should certainly show my contempt of the idea of cowardice or want of resolution suggested, by placing an emphasis of force on the word " des- pises" and the sentence, then, would read thus : — In the prosecution of a virtuous enterprise a brave man** 1 despises danger and difficulty. So, if the form of the sentence be changed, the rising inflection will still close it, after the emphasis of force. In the prosecution of a virtuous enterprise, danger and difficulty are despised *' 1 by a brave man. Again, — A brave man despises danger and difficulty in the pro- secution of a virtuous enterprise. Bear in mind, therefore, that this emphasis of force, when it is made, is independent of and para- EXCESS OF EMPHASIS. 91 mount to all general rule of inflection ; which it controls and over-rules. Emphasis of force is sometimes doubled; as, — Could you be so cruel? In which the force is thrown on two words, and expresses as much as if the speaker said, — Can it be possible that you are what I consider so shock- ingly cruel ! There is also cumulative or accumulated em- phasis of force ; that is, when the emphasis is heaped or accumulated on several words in succes- sion ; as, — I tell you, I will not do it; nothing on earth shall persuade me. This is the strongest expression of force by emphasis. I shall have occasion to illustrate it more fully hereafter. EXCESS OF EMPHASIS OP FORCE. The continual use of this emphasis is to be avoided, not only as unpleasing in its effect on the ear, but as tending, from repetition, to defeat its very object. Relief of loud and soft, strong and gentle, is as necessary to elocution as are light and shade to a picture: and he who is continually hammering the ear with reiterated strokes of emphasis, instead .92 ART OF ELOCUTION. of being really a powerful speaker, will weary and disgust the good taste of his auditors. Kon semper tendit arcum Apollo: nor should the orator be always straining for force and effect : the " use all gently " of Shakspere cannot be too often repeated, nor too reverently observed. Exaggeration is the rock a-hcad of the young and enthusiastic artist. " Pry thee ! avoid it! " PERIODS AND LOOSE SENTENCES. SUSPENSION OF VOICE — INFLECTION. Dr. Whately defines a period to be "any sentence which is so framed that the grammatical construction will not admit of a close before the end of it ; in which, in short, the meaning remains suspended, as it were, till the whole is finished. A loose sentence, on the contrary, is any that is not a period ; any whose construction will allow of a stop so as to form a perfect sentence at one or more places before we arrive at the end." — Elements of Rhetoric, Part III., c. 11. § 12. Adopting these definitions, it will be necessary to observe some general rules for the inflection of simple sentences, periods, and loose sentences, which shall make them not only easy of delivery to the speaker, but easy to be followed by the hearer. " An unexpected continuation of a sentence," says Dr. Whately, " which the reader had supposed to be concluded, especially if, in reading aloud, he had 9 under that supposition, dropped his voice, is apt to LOOSE SENTENCES. 93 produce a sensation in the mind of being dis- agreeably baulked ; analogous to the unpleasant jar which is felt when, in ascending or descending stairs, we meet with a step more than we expected : and if this be often repeated, as in a very loose sentence, a kind of weary impatience results from the uncertainty when the sentence is to close." Now, this is perfectly true ; and the illustration of the false step on the staircase is admirably expressive of the stumbling uncertainty of a bad reader floundering through the clauses of a loose sentence. Very loose sentences frequently occurring may be, no doubt, a great defect in style ; but it is in the power of a skilful reader or speaker so to deliver even the loosest sentence as to make it hang together with some consistency, and to soften down its jagged and broken effect. I will take the following example which Dr. Whately gives of a very loose sentence ; in which, as, he observes, there are "no less than five places marked by dashes ( — ), at any one of which the sentence might be terminated, so as to be gram- matically perfect/'* Dr. Whately's example of a loose sentence :« — "We came to our journey's end — at last — with no small difficulty — after much fatigue — through deep roads — and bad weather." Now, the above sentence, loose as it is, may be * Elements of Ehetoric, Part III., c. 2. § 12. ; see also the sentence from the Liturgy, p. 133. of this work. 94 ART OF ELOCUTION. so read or delivered as to appear compact and smooth, "teres atque rotundus;" thus, — "We came to our journey's end at last, with no small difficulty ^-after much fatigue* 1 through deep roads and bad weather." I should myself very much prefer the loose sen- tence, read as marked above, for its superior ease and naturalness, to the formal period into which it is converted by Dr. Whately ; viz.,— " At last, after much fatigue, through deep roads and had weather, we came with no small difficulty to our journey's end." Every one, I think, must feel that this period is very much too set and formal for the matter, and has a pedantic tone. For my own part, I hold that loose sentences judiciously employed in a spoken oration, tend to give it force, and an appearance of spontaneity; while the perpetual use of the more formal period is apt to throw an air of premeditation and artifice over the whole. But it lies with the reader or speaker to impart ease and smoothness to the loosest sentence, so that it shall come "trippingly from the tongue ;" by the aid of correct pause and just inflection. Supposing that the "dashes" marked hy Dr. Whately indicate a pause and fall of the voice at each dash, then we shall have the sentence delivered in the very perfection of bad reading, and the false steps on the stairs will be painfully felt; thus : — LOOSE SENTENCES. °'5 " We came to our journey's end — at last — with no small difficulty — after much fatigue — through deep roads — and bad weather." Now, there are persons who read just in that bungling, uncertain manner, — persons, too, who perfectly understand the meaning of what they are reading, but have not the least idea (for want of some system) of the mode of conveying that mean- ing to others ; and Dr. Whately's happy illustration of the effect of a loose sentence has reference to the ear, in the reading of it: a tacit admission that the good or bad effect of such a sentence may be diminished or increased by the manner in which it is read : from which it would seem to follow that some principles for the reading of periods and loose sentences must be of service. Observe, then, in the first place, that there is a distinction between suspension of voice, — by which I mean holding the voice up, and not letting it fall — and a rising inflection, which, as we have seen, is an ascent of the voice. Inflection marks and denotes meaning, and shows the points of the sense ; suspension of voice accom- panies suspension of sense while it is in the process vj foimation ; and the rising inflection denotes the highest point of suspended sense ; and the full and perfect close of the sense is marked by the falling inflection. In reading or speaking earnestly these inflections will be of three tones, ascending or descending respectively. 96 ART OF ELOCUTION. General Rules, periods, 1. The voice must be suspended till h takes an inflation under some rule, — indicated by the point of the meaning 1 , cr for force; and the last word of the suspended sense trnme- diatety preceding that on which the formation of complete sense begins, must be marked with a distinct rising inflection } the close of the sense with a falling inflection. example. Those who have the (fewest resources in themselves'*'- naturally seek the food of their self-love elsewhere. 2. The rising inflection at this point of suspension serve?, with a pause, equally to divide a simple sentence of two clauses, separating and marking the opening or incomplete part, from the close, or perfect sense. EXAMPLES. The feelings of a gentleman* 1 only denote a more refined humanity. One touch of nature ^ makes the whole world kin. So, in a sentence opening with a hypothesis* the hvpothes'ta must have the rising, the conclusion the falling, inflection : a«J r — If the world is not the work of chr.nce^- it must have had an intelligent Maker. The. following sentence (consisting simply, in the first instance, of what logicians would call the LOOSE SENTENCES. G7 " subject" and the "predicate") amplified by degrees and enlaced into a period, may serve practically to illustrate the above rules as to suspension and inflec- tion : — 1. Grace of manners* 1 is charming. *, Crrace cf manners** 1 is charming in every one. 3. Grace of manners"* 1 charming in every one** 5 - to princes is essential. 4. Grace of manners** 1 charming in every one** 1 - is"* 1 to princes** 1 as essential* 1 as more solid accomplishments. &. Grace of manners** 1 charming in every one** 1 - is** 1 to princes** 1 - as essential* 8 as more solid accomplishments* 1 are to private individuals. Loose Sentences. If the sense be completed before the close of the sentence, the falling inflection must mark it ; unless the &L&ases which follow are necessary to the- whole proposition. H 58 ART OF ELOCUTION. EXAMPLE. Unlimited powers is apt to corrupt the minds of" those who possess it* 1 - and where law ends, tyranny begins. This sentence evidently contains two distinct propositions; and though they are connected by the coniuncticr aiiJ, the close of the first must be marked with the falling inflection. ANOTHER EXAMPLE. Overtures for peace"* 1 were, however, rejected *i- and not merely rejected" 1 but rejected with insult Here the sense is complete in the first clause — the fact is distinctly stated ; it is therefore marked with a falling inflec- tion: for what follows is an addition not necessary or essential to its full force, though it contains an accumulated and aggravating circumstance. So in the following: — With a heart panting for freedom, and filled with love for my country, I approached the shores of my native land; but r ilas! freedom and my country were no more * they had fallen together. The following loose sentence and its amplifications may serve to make this principle clearer: — 1, Grace of manners** 1 ri charming, ~ 1 - and never fails to pie&d*. LOOSE SENTENCES. 99 2* Grace of manners* 1 is chaiming in every one **- and never fails to please, 8, Grace of manners* 1 is charming in every one* 1 "* more particularly in princes * u and never fails to please. 4» Grace of manners* 1 is charming in every one* 1 " but to princes* 1 it is essential *'- and never fails to please. 5. Grace of manners* 1 is charming in every one* 1 and never foils to please* 1 - but to princes^ it is as essential* 8 as more solid accomplishments are to others. TO GIVE COMPACTNESS TO A LOOSE SENTENCE. In reading a loose sentence, such as the one given by Dr. Whately (quoted above), we should divide it so as to throw together such circumstances as will make up a compact clause in the first part ; and separate it from the other details or circum- stances in the second or other clauses, which are H 2 100 ART OF EIOCUTION. less bound up with the main fact in narration, or the proposition to be laid down, or the idea to be con- veyed. Thus, — We came to our journey's end at last** with no small difficulty * 1 - afier much fatigue"" 1 through deep roads and bad weather. So in the following: — Rome and Athens* 1 were two cities set on a hill" 5 - that could not he hid* 1 - and that everywhere meet the eye of history. Now, it is true that there is complete sense at — " Rome and Athens were two cities ;" but not the complete sense intended; for the words that follow are essential to the xaea to be conveyed. We must therefore read, — " Rome and Athens'* 1 were two cities set on a hill." We must let this point close the sense by a falling inflection on hill, or we should connect that word and idea with what immediately follows, and imply that — ■ " Rome and Athens were two cities •> set on a l»ili that co'iici not be hid." Whereas, Dy the pauses and inflections marked above we have LOOSE SENTENCES. 101 the full meaning of the sentence made distinct by the clear articulation (if I may so express it) of each of its joints.* Sometimes a sentence will have apparently closed, the sense being quite complete, when the speaker will take it up again at the point and on the word with which he ceased ; in which case the close of the sense must be marked by a falling in- flection on the closing word, and its resumption must be marked with a strong rising inflection and pause on the echoed or repeated word. EXAMPLES. I am here to raise my voice against such dilatory and vacillatory conduct ^~ conduct "" 1 which will infallibly end in ruin and disgrace. To doubt your sympathy with the distressing case I have detailed, would be to insult your feelings of humanity ; feelings* 1 which are intuitive in the breast, and give gentleness and tenderness even to the sternest natures. FURTHER EXAMPLES OF THE PRECEDING RULES. 1 9 The human mind* 1 is often so awkward and ill-regu- lated* 1 in the career of invention* 1 -, that it is at first diffident* 1 , * See (p. 133.) the correct reading of the loose sentence from the Liturgy quoted by ur. Whately. H 3 102 ART OF ELOCUTION. and then despises itself. For it appears at first incredible* 1 that any such discovery should be made** 1 " ; and when it has been made** 1- it appears incredible** 1 that it should so long have escaped men's research. — Bacon. 2. In addition to the difficulty'" 1 of explaining customs ami manners*" foreign to our own""-, there are all the obstacles*" 1 of wilful prepossession ^ thrown in the way. G. A man may have the manners of a gentleman* 1 without having the look* 1 -; and he may have the character of a gentleman, in a more abstracted point of view, without the manners. 4. Though we have read Congreve* 1 , a stage- coachman may be an over-match for us in wit* 1 -: though we are deep- versed in the excellence of Shakspeare's colloquial style" 1 , a village beldame may outscold us* 1 -: though we have read Machiavel in the original Italian* 1 , we may be easily out- witted by a clown* 1 - : and though we have cried our eyes out over the New Eloise* 1 -, a poor shepherd lad* 1 , who hardly knows how to spell his own name* 1 -, may " tell his tale, under the hawthorn in the dale* 1 ," and prove a more " thriving wooer." — Hazlilt. PARENTHESIS. 103 As Example, without Punctuation (for the Pupil to mark, for himself with Pause and Inflection). The great difficulty in philosophy is to come to every question with a mind fresh and unshackled by former theories though strengthened by exercise and information as in the practice of art the great thing is to retain our admiration of the beautiful in nature together with the power to imitate it and not from a want of this original feeling to be enslaved by formal rules or dazzled by the mere difficulties of execution. Habit is necessary to give power but with the stimulus of novelty the love of truth and nature ceases through indolence or insensibility. Hence wisdom too commonly degenerates into prejudice and skill into pedantry. Ask a metaphysician what subject he understands best and he will tell you that which he knows the least about. Ask a musician to play a favourite tune and he will select an air the most difficult of execution. If you ask an artist his opinion of a picture he will point to some defect in perspective or anatomy. If an opera dancer wishes to impress you with an idea oi his grace and accomplishments he will throw himself into the most distorted attitude possible. — HazlitU PARENTHESIS PARENTHETICAL MEMBERS. Strictly speaking, a parenthesis is an interruption of the sense of the main sentence, (as is manifest from the derivation — 7rapa-£v-Tidr)ixi); and therefore members which are added to the sentence after the sense is completed, are not parenthetical (although they may be marked in parenthesis), but rather cata-thetical — if such a word may be used — , The very sentence I have just written furnishes an illustration of the distinction I wish to make ; in which the first passage marked in parenthesis is H 4 104 ART OF ELOCUTION. not strictly a parenthesis ; for it does not suspend or interrupt — - though it confirms and explains the preceding part of the main sentence : but the second passage marked in parenthesis is correctly so marked, for it interrupts and suspends the sense of the main sentence. Again, the last phrase in the same sentence — marked between two dashes — occurring at the close of the main sense, is not par- enthetical (though it might be marked ordinarily in parenthesis), but rather cata-thetical — that is, tacked to the main sentence. But, in common use and acceptation, all the above phrases would be called parenthetical, — without re- ference to their being an interruption of> or merely an addition to, the sense ; and therefore I shall arrange the Elocutionary rules for reading paren- thesis according to the common and popular defini- tion of the term. rules. 1. A parenthesis must have its commencement and continu- ance indicated by a change to a somewhat lower tone of voice and a quicker movement ; and the close of the parenthesis is marked by a return to the same time, pitch, and inflection of voice as the sense had at the point immediately preceding the parenthesis : so that, — 2. If the sense be interrupted by parenthesis, its close shall be marked with the rising inflection : if the sense be complete, the parenthesis shall be closed with the falling inflection. Note. — The more logical form of these rules would be thus — If the parenthetical members suspend the sense, they shall be read with suspension of voice : if they do not, they shall be read as independent members. PARENTHESIS. 105 EXAMPLES. 1. Parenthesis suspending the sense. Gentlemen, if I make out this case by evidence (and if I do not, forget every thing you have heard, and reproach me for having abused your honest feelings) I shall have esta- blished a claim for damages that has no parallel. — Erskine. If there's a Power above (and that there is Ail nature cries aloud in all her works), He must delight in virtue. 2. Parenthesis — in addition without a suspension EXAMPLES. Now, the works of the flesh are manifest, — which are these, &c. It is on reason and common sense, backed by principles of justice, confirmed by the experience of a century, that I have formed my opinion ; an opinion which no argument or authority can shake (not even the eloquence of the right honourable gentleman). Sometimes a cata-thetical addition will re-open the sense of a sentence which it concludes ; in that case the added clause will be marked with the rising inflection. EXAMPLES. His strictness in regard to truth, and his fidelity to Lis 106 ART OP ELOCUTION. friends, were astonishing — considering the situation he so long filled. The advice you gave him was sound, and might have saved him — had he chosen to follow it. EXCEPTION. This rule is (like all others) subject to be varied by the Emphasis of force — which, occurring in the parenthesis, over- rules the inflection proper to suspension; as in the following passage from Mr. Burke's speech on the impeachment of Warren Hastings :— EXAMPLE. Growing from crime to crime, ripened by cruelty for cruelty, these fiends, at length, outraging sex, decency, nature, applied lighted torches and slow fire — (I cannot pro- ceed for shame and horro r!) these infernal furies planted death in the source of life, &c. Here, though the sense is suddenly broken and suspended by the introduction of the parenthesis, yet, as the closing phrase of that parenthesis is marked with the Emphasis of force, it is an exception to the general rule, which would otherwise require a rising inflection to mark the suspension of the sense. PRONOUNS — PRONOMINAL PHRASE. We are taught in Grammar that a pronoun is used to avoid the repetition of a noun. In Elocution, when the noun is repeated, and the use of the pronoun rejected, we call the word so PRONOUNS. 107 repeated pronominal ; that is, of the nature, or in place of a pronoun ; as, — He advanced the doctrine ; he maintained the doctrine ; he propagated the doctrine. In this example, " the doctrine? in every in- stance of its repetition^ is clearly pronominal; standing in place of the pronoun u it" For, ac- cording to the usual construction of such a sentence, it would have stood — He advanced the doctrine j he maintained it ; he propa- gated it. Hence, being so nearly of the same nature, they follow the same rule of Elocution : viz. — RULE. Pronouns and pronominal phrases have no proper inflection; but merge in that of the inflected or emphatic word with which they stand. EXAMPLES. (The pronouns and pronominal phrases are in brackets,) Henry told [me] the truth [about it]. I asked [him] if he had finished [ft]. [It] struck [me] that I had seen [him] before. In these sentences, the pronouns have no in- flection ; but are subjected to, and over-ridden by the inflection of the word which governs them, or to which they are immediately allied. So of a pro- nominal phrase. 108 ART OF ELOOLTION. EXAMPLES. As you have shown mercy, you shall receive fmercy]. Your cruelty merits [cruelty]. Your goodness deserves [goodness]. He repaid your kindness with [kindness]. God said, Let there be light ; and there was [light],* We observe that the pronominal phrase in each instance follows the rule on the pronoun ; and is * I remember Hazlitt, in his Table-talk, mentions Coleridge having produced what he, Hazlitt, considered an original and a very powerful effect, by reading this passage with the em- phasis on the repetition of the word " light ;" to which he gave also a burst or swell of voice to express the sudden burst of light that followed the command. In that case he read it thus : — " God said, Let there be light -, and there was light/ ' But I must contend against this reading both as incorrect and also as deficient in just effect. Incorrect, because a literal translation of the original would, I imagine, give the passage thus : — " God said, Let light be; and light was." So rendered, there can be no doubt that the emphasis must fall, as I have marked it, on the verb, and not on the repeated noun ; and transposition of words cannot alter emphasis of sense. This emphasis on the verb expresses also the idea of tho instantaneous execution of God's word, which I take to be the just effect intended. PBONOMINAL PHRASE. 100 subjected to the inflection on the verb or preposition by which it is governed. Except — • Demonstrative and interrogative pronouns *; and pronouns or pronominal phrases when emphatic : as, — This is my book, not that. Who said so? What did he say? Henry told me the truth. I warned him : he saved me. He is a good boy** 1 James. common phrase (quasi pronominal). The same rule applies to the repetition of any phrase which is common to two or more verbs, adverbs, &c. Such repeated common phrase is read as pronominal. EXAMPLES. He speaks truly, and [he speaks] wisely. It was truly said, and wisely [said]. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk [in the spirit]. pronominal phrase in reply. The rule holds, also, on repetition of a common phrase m reply, in dialogue, — or in reference to previously spoken words by another party. * Pronouns of these two classes are generally emphatic* and therefore the exception. 110 ART OP ELOCUTION. EXAMPLE. Question. Is that your firm opinion? I\ejjly. It Js** 1 [my firm opinion]. Nor need the repetition be literal ; if the idea or sense be repeated, the phrase is read as pronominal. EXAMPLE. The gentleman boasts that he is actuated by motives the most pure and honourable. Sir, the boast is needless ; Who questioned [his integrity and honour] ? emphasis with pronominal phrase. It will be observed that the verb or other word governing, or in conjunction with, the pronominal phrase, becomes emphatic : this is made still more clear in the case of a negative with such phrase. EXAMPLES. To be, or not ^ to be ? Question. Why do you express yourself so angrily ? Reply. I did not [express myself angrily]. The gentleman insinuates that I have acted a double part and therefore forfeited the confidence of the house. Sir, if I had [done so] I should deserve [to lose your confidence], but I shall prove that I have not [acted as he says]; and therefore EXERCISE. 1 1 1 I expect to retain [your good opinion], (or) to retain your good opinion. This Emphasis belongs to "The Emphasis of Sense" (see ante, Emphasis), and may be distin- guished as the "Emphasis with pronominal phrase." [See Series — Pronominal Scries.] I-et the student now practice aloud the following as an exercise : — PORTIA'S SPEECH ON MERCY. (Marked with Pause, Inflection and Emphasis,) The quality of mercy*" is not strain'd* 1 - * It droppeth**" 1 as the gentle rain from heav'n*" 1 Upon the place bene»tn- <.% « twice* 1 bless'd* 1 - It blesseth him that gives* 1 and him that takes * 1 - 'Tis mightiest*" 5 m* 1 the mightiest **- it becomes The throned monarch* 1 better than his crown * 1 - His sceptre* 1 shows the force'* 1 of temporal* power * 1 - The attribute* 1 to awe and majesty* 1 Wherein doth sit* 1 the dread and fear * of kings * 1 - * These inflections would be compound; see Compound In- flections, p. 140. 112 ART OF ELOCUTION. But mercy ** 1 is above* 1 this sceptred sway* It is enthroned in the hearts of kings* 1 - It is an attribute** 1 to God himself * 1 - And earthly power*" 1 doth then** 1 show likest God's* 1 When mercy* 1 seasons justice, i Therefore** 1 Jcw* 1 - ThoHgli justice be thy plea** 1 consider this** 1 - That* 1 in the course of justice ** 1 none of us Should see salvation* 1 - we do pray* 1 for mercy * 1 - Aiia that same prayer" 1 * 1 doth teach us ^jUi" 1 to render The deeds of mercy, i Shaksp. rs PART IIL INFLECTION— Continued. PERSPICUITY. "Perspicuity," Dr. Whately justly remarks*, "is the first requisite of style, not only in rhetorical, but in all compositions," Now, rhetorical compositions are intended for delivery — they are to be addressed to the mind through the ear ; and it will, consequently, be in- sufficient that the style of the composition be per- spicuous in itself, if that perspicuity be destroyed by want of perspicuity in delivery : that is, if the just and perfect meaning of the written language be lost, confused, or enfeebled by the weak, confused, or unintelligent elocution of the orator. Still worse, if the meaning of the written language be absolutely perverted by the false reading of the speaker.f " With a view to perspicuity in delivery, the great point," says Dr. Whately $, " is that the reader" (or speaker) " should appear to understand what he reads" (or speaks). "But," he adds, "it is not enough that he should himself actually understand * Elements of Rhetoric, Part IIL, c. 1. § 2. x See Introduction, p. 7. % Rhetoric, Part IV., c. 1 1. § 1. I 114 ART OF ELOCUTION* it, it is possible, notwithstanding, to read" (speak) " it as if he did not." Now, there can b^ very little- doubt that the per- son whom Dr. Whately cites as having pronounced the passage (Mark iv. 21.), "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed," " as if there were no other alternative ,"— there can be scarcely a doubt that this false-reader perfectly understood the passage himself, though, in reading it, he so perverted its meaning to his hearers: "and yet," says Dr. Whately, "the emphasis was laid on the right words." What emphasis? Why, of course a false em- phasis, if any; and, consequently, the stronger that emphasis, being false, the more emphatic and decided the perversion of the meaning ! Dr. Whately's direction, then, for a good Elocu- tion, — viz., "read as if you understood what you are reading" — is clearly insufficient : it is of no more value towards perspicuity in Elocution, than such a direction as " understand what you are about to write yourself, and then write so that your readers may understand you? would be available towards producing perspicuity in composition : it only amounts to saying, in other words, "be perspicuous." — But how? Some principles and rules for perspicuity are ne- cessary in both cases. Inflection of voice is the great indicator of meaning — Emphasis, as I have before defined it, is inflection and stress of voice ; that is, force is added to the inflection to make the meaning emphatic. And there can be no more important auxiliary to APPOSITION. 115 the orator in attaining the great desideratum of perspicuity mentioned by Dr. Whately, — viz., that of making any sentence " understood clause by clause as it proceeds," — than a just use of inflection, so that the inflection of voice shall be perpetually aiding and working out the meaning. There are, consequently, special rules of inflection proper to various conditions and inflections of meaning, and to the mutual relations of the different clauses of a period or sentence, the classification of similar ideas and members, and the separation of opposite or dissimilar ones, and, in fact, to all the accidents of the grammar of Elocution, as bearing on and forming part of Rhetoric : for it must be always remembered that the highest aim of the principles of Rhetoric is the formation of a ready, skilful, and persuasive speaker. To proceed, then, to some SPECIAL RULES OF INFLECTION, marking particular conditions or variations of mean- ing, or the relative bearing, or disconnection of ideas or clauses. 1. Apposition— 2. Antithesis. 1. Apposition of meaning and construction re- quires to be marked by apposition or similarity of inflection ; that is, — RULE. Words or clauses of sentences in apposition with each other take the same respective inflections ; unless any of them bo made emphatic fox force. I 2 116 ART OF ELOCUTION. EXAMPLES, <**** ^~ Cleopatra, queen of Egypt, chose an asp as the means of death. I reside in London — a magnificent city. And now abideth, faith, hope, and chanty — these three. Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? Here the " bushel " and the " bed " are in apposition ; each being only an individualisation of the general idea of conceal- ment which would be conveyed by a question in the following form : — Is a candle brought to be hidden under anything ? In reading, therefore, each individualisation of the same general idea receives the same inflection of voice ; and would do so whatever were the form of the sentence, whether in- terrogative, negative, or declaratory ; that is, the sense would govern the inflection on the first word conveying the indivi- dual idea, and the rest would follow in apposition ; and though the general idea were repeated through several indi- vidualisations, the rule would hold good in all ; as thus : — Is a candle brought to be hid under a bushel, or under a bed (or a table, or a chair, or in a box). No ; it is brought to shine, to give light, to be displayed. The answer shows the force of the rule in another form. I trust that the above rule and examples have made this subject of apposition with relation to inflection so clear, that it ANTITHESIS. 1 17 would be impossible for any one who may read it to be guilty of such a perversion of meaning as Dr. Whately's blunderer, who read, ihn original question " as if there were no other alternative/' He read it falsely, thus, antithetically ; — Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? As in Matthew v. 15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick. 2. Antithesis, or opposition of meaning, requires antithesis of inflection ; that is, — RULE. Words or clauses in antithesis, or opposition to each other take opposite inflections. EXAMPLES. He spoke for, not against peace. To be, or not to be. As fire is opposed to water, so is vice to virtue. A wit among lords, a lord among wits. We seek not peace, but war ; and we shall fight, not pray ; for we bad rather die than live. Shall we prefer disease to health ? death to life ? slavery to liberty? The above are examples of single antithesis. X 3 IIS ART OF ELOCUTION* DOUBLE ANTITHESIS. In the following, the antithesis is double, that is, of several opposite ideas, and consequently opposite inflections. EXAMPLE. Bational liberty is directly opposed to the wildness of anarchy. {Hare rational is in antithesis to wildness, and liberty to anarchy : the inflections on each respectively are therefore aha ooposed.) FURTHER EXAMPLES. If yon seek to make one rich, study not to increase his stores, bnt to diminish his desires. — Seneca, The peasant complains aloud ; the courtier in secret repines. In want, what distress ! in affluence, what satiety I The ig' norant, through ill-grounded hope, are disappointed; the knowing, through knowledge, despond. — Young. Or, for force, " the knowing, through knowledge, despond." All flesh is not the same flesh ; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts,**- another of fishes, and another of birds. IMPLIED ANTITHESIS. 119 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. — 1 Cor. xv. Note also the melody that is produced to the ear by this antithetical alternation of inflection ; which thus has the effect not only of logically increasing the force and power of the con- trast of ideas, by contrast of pitch, but, at the same time, of pleasing the ear by an agreeable variety of tone.* IMPLIED ANTITHESIS. Antithesis may be implied, when not expressed; in which case the sense is left unfinished (as it were), and, consequently, is marked with the rising inflection. examples. He is a good boy, James.* (Implying, that some other boy may be a bad one.) You ask too much money ; I'll give you a sovereign.* (Implying, " but not any more.") I'd give twenty pounds for such a horse as that.* (Implying, " but not for an inferior one.") Presumptuous man ! the gods take care of Cato ! * (Implying, " more immediately than of other men.") Confidence is a plant of slow growth* 1 in an aged bosom.* (Implying, " whatever it may be in a youthful breast.") * See Compound Inflections, p. 140. I 4 120 ART OF ELOCUTION. Grace of manners, charming in every one, is essential to princes.* {Implying, " though not to private individuals, in whom it may only be an agreeable accomplishment.") [See ante, Emphasis of Sense.] EMPHASIS OF ANTITHESIS. Words and members in antithesis are (as a gene- ral rule) marked by the emphasis of sense : that is, the inflections are marked with additional weight; — this emphasis may be designated as Antithetical Emphasis. But the emphasis of force is sometimes used in one member of the antithesis to give additional strength to it ; and, as it will be remembered, this emphasis of force is always made by the falling in- flection, its introduction in the first member of an antithesis may require the second member in appo- sition to take the rising inflection ; which Avill be cne of the exceptions to the rule, under the power of " Emphasis of Force." EXAMPLES OF EMPHASIS OF FORCE IN ANTITHESIS. Fire and water** 1 are less opposed than vice and virtue. Without force, as a simple declaration^ the read- ing would be — Tire and water ^ are less opposed than vice and virtue. * See Compound Inflections in relation to Antithesis, p. 140. ANTITHESIS. 121 Antithesis is so powerful a form of Rhetoric, that it deserves the best attention of the Elocutionist ; and he should therefore make himself thoroughly master of it. " There can be no doubt*," says Dr. Whately, "that this figure " (antithesis) " is calculated to add greatly to energy. Everything is rendered more striking by contrast ; and almost every kind of subject-matter affords materials for contrasted expressions." And he then proceeds to give many valuable hints and instructions as to framing the antithesis, &c. But, as I have observed above, a written composi- tion, however elegant and forcible, may be enfeebled and destroyed in its effect by the faults of a bad reader or speaker; and as the highest object of the rules and principles of Rhetoric is to form a fluent and powerful orator, it becomes, therefore, essential to the speaker to be able to mark and strengthen the contrast of ideas and expressions, by contrast of inflection of voice ; otherwise, the very point of the antithesis will be lost, or at least only half felt. Hence, I consider the observation of the above rules respecting antithesis as important to energy, as the rules for apposition are essential to perspicuity in Elocution ; and, therefore, necessary and indis- pensable aids and allies to "perspicuity" and " energy " of style in " Rhetoric" f To carry the alliance out fully, I shall take * Elements of Bhetoric, Part III., c. 11. § 14, t Ibid., Perspicuity — - Energy. 122 ART OF ELOCUTION. leave, for the guidance of the elocutionary student, to mark with the proper inflections some examples of antithesis which Dr. Whately furnishes in his Elements of Rhetoric. They will serve as an EXERCISE ON ANTITEIESIS. When reason is against a man, he will be against reason. Words* 1 are the c ounters of wise men, and the money of fools, — Hobbes. A fool with judges ; among fools a judge. — Cowper. Non ut edam vivo, sed ut vivam edo. — Quinctilian. Persecution is not wrong, because it is cruel ; but cruel bo- cause it is wron g. On parent knees, a naked, new-born child** 1 , Weeping, thou sat'st,* 1 while all around thee smiled j So live, that, sinking in thy last long sleep, Thou then mayst smile , while all around thee weep. * Sir W. Jones. He who dreads new remedies * 1 must abide old evils . — Bacon. Party " 1 is the madnes s of many * 1 for the gain of a few. [ See Series — Antithetical Series, ] See Compound Inflections, p. 140. E&YERTED SENTENCES. 123 EXAMINATION. Interactional phrases, of exclamation, apo- strophe, pity, and sorrow, and the like, are marked with the rising inflection ; as ; — O Rome ! oil my country ! how art thou fallen ! Sweet sleep ! how have I frighted thee I Alas ! my friend 1 Woe is me I But the entire EXCLAMATORY SENTENCE! is closed with the falling inflection. EXAMPLES. O Home ! how art thou fallen ! Thanks to the gods ! my boy has done his duty ! Woe is me ! my heart is broken ! Alas, my friend! how much I pity thee! How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon yon bank! Angels and ministers of grace defend us I INVERTED SENTENCES. RULE. In an inverted sentence, the inverted members take the inflections respectively proper, in the direct sentence, to the members in whose place they stand, 12 i ART OF ELOCUTION. EXAMPLE. Direct. He strictly enforces** 1 both by precept and ex- ample* 1 - the laws of religion and morality** 1 incul- cated in the Gospel. Inverted,, The laws of religion and morality** 1 inculcated in the Gospel** 1 - he strictly enforces* 1 both by precept and example. EXCEPTION. The only exception to this rule is made by the Emphasis of force, the inflection of which is paramount, and never changes, however much the position of the word on which it falls may be changed by inversion. EXAMPLE. Direct Our sight M is the most perfect of all our senses. Inverted, Of all our senses our sight ** 1 is the most perfect. Or, The most perfect of all our senses is our sight. Here, by throwing the Emphasis of force upon the word sight, Ave mark it strongly on the hearer's mind ; and sup- posing that to be the speaker's object, no transposition of the word wiJl relieve it from that Emphasis. But if it be merely an indifferent and abstract remark, it would be subject to the above rule as to inversion, and be thus marked : — Our sight is the most perfect of all our senses. Of ail our senses, our sight is the most perfect. The most perfect of all our senses is our sight. SERIAL SENTENCES. 125 CONDITIONAL SENTENCES. The addition of a condition to an affirmative, requires the rising inflection ; which marks the uncertainty raised by the condition attached ; as, — He said he would call if you would consent to see him. He shall live, if I have power to save him. Doctrines must be embodied, before they can excite strong public feeling. Observe that the simple affirmative in this form of sentence retains the. falling inflection; it is the condition that receives the rise, SERIAL SENTENCES. The Series, in Rhetoric (a succession of words, or phrases, linked together in construction, but conveying different ideas) constantly occurs : it is a perpetual source of difficulty in delivery to the uninstructed reader or speaker, whose confused and unconnected manner, stumbling over the different members of the series as they arise, painfully exemplifies the truth of Dr. Whately's illustration of the false step on the staircase. Attention to a few simple rules for the delivery of serial sentences will therefore be found of great advantage to the Elocutionist. The Series is either Simple, or Compound :— - Simple, when the members in succession are single, or convey single ideas ; — 12G ART OF ELOCUTION. Compound, when the members are complex in form, each containing several ideas. It is called— Commencing, when it commences a sentence, or when the sense is unfinished at the close of the series : — Concluding, when the sense is closed with the series. Rules for Inflection of the Series. 1. A simple, commencing Series, in affirmative sentences, takes a rising inflection on every member of the Series except the penultimate (or last but one), which has a falling inflection, EXAMPLES. Faith, (1) hope," 1 (2) and charity,*"- (3) are cardinal virtues. May faith," 1 (1) hope," (2) charity," (3) peace," (4) and patience,"- (5) possess our souls. 2. A simple concluding Series takos a rising inflection on every member of the series but the last. SERIAL SENTENCES. 12:3 EXAMPLES. The cardinal virtues are, faith,* 1 (1) l^r (2) and charity. (3) May our srtfils be possessed with faith^ (1) hope," 1 (2) charity, ** (3) peace, (4) and patience ! (5) Examples of a series of adjectives or verbs, with one noun common to the series : — 1. Where the noun follows the adjective or verb. EXAMPLES. A blind, headlong, precipitate, and irretrievable flight** 1 - was the result of their rash, ill-timed, tumultuous, and disorderly attack. To conquer, to enslave, to oppress, to destroy his fellow- men ^~ are the triumphs of a savage chief "*- to free, to preserve, to improve, to bless ilicm*"" 1 ** the glory of a wise prince. 123 ART OF ELOCtmOST. 2. Where the noun precedes the series of verbs or adjectives by inversion. EXAMPLES. An attack, rash, tumultuous, ill-timed, and disorderly * 1 - ended in a flight M blind, headlong, precipitate, and irretrievable. These traitors to their country"* 1 he discovered, exposed, arrested, brought to trial, convicted, and put to death. .DIVISION OP A LONG SIMPLE SERIES. RULE. When a simple series exceeds five members, divide the whole into two or more shorter series ; and read the divisions according to rule, — marking each division with the middle pause. EXAMPLE. The works of the flesh are manifest ; which are these : Adultery,** 1 fornication,* 1 un cleanness,** 1 lasciviousness,** 1 - idolatry,*" 1 witchcraft,** 1 hatred,*" 1 variance, *" 1 - emulations,** 1 wrath,*" 1 strife*** 1 seditions,*" 1 heresies,** 1 - envyings,** 1 murders,** 1 drunkenness,"^ revellicgs,** 1 and such like.— Gal INFLECTION ON SERIES. 129 Tn a series of so many members as this, the division (as above) prevents that unpleasing and catalogue-like monotony, which is produced by reading the whole as one series, with an unbroken succession of rising inflections. The division is of course arbitrary, as to the number of members which may be allotted to each division ; but the object to be aimed at in the separation of the members is a distinct classification ; so that tilings, objects or ideas, resembling or allied to each other in quality or degree, shall be kept together, and not be thrown in, confusedly, with others of a dif- ferent nature. Now, in the above example, such a distinct classification is rendered difficult, if not impossible, to the reader, by the absence of order and classi- fication in the passage itself. It may indeed be remarked, with the greatest respect, that much confusion is caused to the mind by the indis- criminately throwing together a series of offences very widely differing from each other in quality and degree ; and the climax of the wmole is enfeebled if not destroyed, by the addition of M drunkenness and revellings," after the high crime of murder. As that crime is the climax of the works of the flesh, what follows weakens the effect, and is, in fact, an anti-climax. I am now analysing it merely as a piece of composition, and for the purpose of making my meaning more clear^ suppose the passage to have stood as follows : — 130 ART OF ELOCUTION. The works of the flesh are manifest ; which are these :~ Fornication**'' adultery** 1 uncleanness^lasciviousiiess*' L - witchcraft^ 1 heresy** 1 idolatry ** 1 - emulations^ 1 envy* 1 variance* 1 hatreds- wrath^ strife ^ seditions* 1 revellings" 81 drunkenness ^ murders ^ and such like. By this arrangement, the classification of crime would have been clear and perfect, gradually grow- ing and increasing in power up to the climax — murder, — the last dread work of the flesh. And it is to aid this logical arrangement, classification and progression, that the rules for reading the series are given. In the following series the classification is distinct and perfect as it is written, and it will be felt that the elocutionary arrangement and in- flections very much aid it : — For I am persuaded that neither death** 1 nor life** 1 - nor angels** 1 nor principalities** 1 nor powers*" 1 - TiOT things present** 1 nor things to come* 1 * 1 noi height** 1 hot dep&T 1 nor any other creature**'" shall he able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Kom. viii. COMPOUND SERIES. 131 COMPOUND SERIES. 1. Commencing^ takes a falling inflection o& every member but the last, which receives a strong rising inflection. EXAMPLE. A good disposition'* 1 - (1) virtuous principles** 1 - (2) a liberal education** 1 - (3) and industrious habits,** 1 - (4) are passports to happiness and honour. 2. Concluding, takes the falling inflection on 2very member but the penultimate, which receives the rising inflection. EXAMPLE. Contentment, happiness, and honour** 1 reward a good disposition** 1 - (1 ) virtuous principles** 1 - (2) a liberal education ***- (3) and industrious habits. (4) FURTHER EXAMPLES. The verdant lawn,** 1 - the shady grove,** 1 - the variegated landscape,** 1 - the boundless ocean, ^ and the starry firma- ment," 1 - all tend to inspire us** 1 with the *ere of nature* 1 and of nature's God. 132 ART OP ELOCUTION. I conjure you, by that which you profess, (Howe'er you come to know it) answer me : Tho' you untie the winds, and let them fight Against the churches; tho* the yesty waves* 1 Confound, and swallow navigation up; Tho' bladed corn be lodged, and trees blown down; Tho' castles topple on their warders' heads; TIio' palaces and pyramids'" 1 do slope Their heads to their foundations; tho 1 ttd treasure Of nature's garneries** 1 tumble all together,*" 1 Even till destruction sicken* 1 - answer me To what I ask you ! IRREGULAR SERIES. A series is frequently irregular,— that is, in part simple, and in part compound. In such cases : — RULE. Separate and class the simple and compound members, — and read them in series according to their respective rules. EXAMPLES. % Ail t'ne circumstances and ages of men,** 1 poverty,** 1 riches,* 1 youth,* 1 eld age,* 1 ^ all the dispositions and passions,* 1 melancholy,* 1 love,* 1 grief,* 1 contentment,* 1 - EXERCISE ON SERIES. 133 are capable of being personified in poetry with great pro- priety. — Bixir. 2. Neither blindness,* 1 nor gout,*" 1 nor age,*' 1 nor penury,* 1 - nor domestic afflictions,** 1 nor political disappointments, *"'- nor abuse,* 1 nor proscription,** 1 nor neglects- had power** 1 to disturb his sedate and majestic patience. — Macaulay. Besides the inflection proper to a series, increas- ing force should be given to the delivery of each additional member ; so that the sound and volume of voice shall swell and increase in the same pro- portion as the sense grows and is amplified, — until both reach the climax together. This will be more fully explained and illustrated hereinafter under the head of Intonation. The reader may now practise the following — EXERCISE ON SERIES. 1. And although we ought "^ at all times* 1 - humbly to ac- knowledge our sins* 1 before God,* 1 - yet ought we most chiefly so to do,* 1 when we assemble and meet together* 1 to render thanks* 1 for the great benefits* 1 that we have received at his hands, * 1 - to set forth his most worthy praise,* 1 K 3 134 ART OF 2I.0CUTI0N. to hear his most holy word,* 1 and to ask those things* 1 which are requisite and necessary, *i- as well for the body as the soul. This sentence is instanced by Dr. Whately (El. Rhetoric, Fart III., c. ii., § 13.) as one of great difficulty even for " a good reader, to deliver with spirit" or " to his own satisfaction.' 1 I confess 1 do not see the difficulty myself (loose as the sentence is) ; nor, I trust, will any student who has gone with me thus far in the principles of Elocution, find any difficulty in reading the passage with full and clear meaning, force, and effect, without trip or hesitation. 2. If you look about you, and consider the lives of others as well as your own ; if you think how few are born with honour, and how many die without name or children ; how little beauty we see, and how few friends we hear of; how many diseases and how much poverty there is in the world; you will fall down upon your knees; and, instead of repining at one infliction, will admire so many blessings you have received at the hand of God ! 3. It was a loathsome herd, — which could be compaied to nothing so fitly as to the rabble of Comus.— Grotesque monsters, — half human, half bestial,— NEGATIVE SERIES. 135 dropping with, wine, bloated with gluttony, and reeling in obscene dance3« 4. This decency, this grace,** 1 - this propriety of manners to character,"^- is so essential to princes in particular, that, whenever it is neglected, their virtues lose a great degree of lustre, and their defects acquire much aggravation. Kay, more ; by neglecting this decency, and this grace, and for want of a sufficient regard to appearances, even their virtues may betray them into failings, their failings into vices,, and their vices into habits unworthy of princes and of men. Negative Series (as a simple Concluding Series). A series of negative members may be read with a rising inflection on every member but the last: the inflection falls, of course, on the word or idea negatived. EXAMPLE. Charity envieth not 8 * 1 charity vatmtcih fitft i£* If* 1 is not puffed up^- Doth not behave itself unseemly^ seeketh not her own* 1 is not easily provoked ~ thinketh no evil. — 1 Cor. xiii. a a 136 , ART OF ELOCUTION. INTERROGATIVE SERIES. A series of interrogations may be VQixd. eiijjfifc 1 -sai 1. Under the rule for single Questions, see p. 79.; or, 2. With the same inflections as a simple concluding series; or, 3. As the compound concluding series. It is well, in delivery, to vary them, when they occur fre- quently, or when several series follow closely on each other. For example, the following, from. Rom. viii., admits of being read under either of the three rules : — 1. As single interrogations in apposition : Who shall separate us from the cross of Christ?*' 1 - Shall tribulation**'- or distress'* 1 - or persecution* 1 - or famine** 1- or nakedness* 1 - or the sword ? Thus read, -great and equal force is given to each interro- gation ; but there is no climax. 2. With the same inflections as the simple concluding Series : Shall tribulation**'- or distress* 81 - or persecution* 1 - or famine* 1 - or nakedness** 1 - or the sword ? Thus read, the climax is made, by emphasis of force, on the sword; as if he said or even the sword itself; that is, the ' fiercest and bloodiest violence and persecution. ANTITHETICAL SERIES. 137 3. As the compound concluding Series ■ Shall tribulation* 1 - or distress* 1 -, or persecution * 1 - or famine* 1 - or nakedness"* 1 - or the sword? So read, it amounts to a declaration, — put interrogatively, ■ — that none of the evils enumerated are of power to separate the Christian from the Cross ; and there is much force in this reading. I should, myself, prefer the second reading given, as con- veying the most forcible contempt for persecution. But the choice is a matter of judgment and taste. ANTITHETICAL SERIES. [See ante, " Antithesis."] An Antithetical Series - that is, a series of members in Antithesis — commencing or concluding — is read under the same rules of inflection as the Compound Series; each perfect antithesis — and not each branch of it — forming a member of the series. EXAMPLES. Antithetical Series — (single Antithesis). Commencing and Concluding. Commencing. Fire and water** 1 oil and vinegar* 1 heat and cold* 1 light and darkness*i- are not more opposed to each other, than is Concluding, honesty to fraud** 1 or vice to virtue. 138 ART OF ELOCUTION. Double Antithetical Series — (double Antithesis). Commencing. Prudent in debate* 1 but rash in actions- moderate in peace"* 1 vindictive in war" 1 - patient in adversity"* 1 overbearing in prosperity s- his character was a compound of singular contradictions. Concluding. He presented the contradictory character of a man prudent in debate** 1 but rash in actions- moderate in peace** 1 vindictive in war* 1 - patient in adversity"* 1 overbearing in prosperity. Note. — In this last species of Series, the middle pause has place after each member ; that is, after each perfect antithesis. PRONOMINAL SERIES. [See ante, " Pronominal Phrase."] A series of verbs or other parts of speech having, in con- cordance, the same pronoun or pronominal phrase (or quasi pronominal phrase) in Series, is read with the inflections pro- per to simple scries (for the pronouns and pronominal phrases have 710 inflection). EXAMPLES. I told [him] I warned [him] I advised [him] I implored PRONOMINAL SERIES* 139 [him] to act with [you] near [you] through [you] under He speaks clearly [he ^aluj] is&'y [he speaks] boldly. Charity beareth all things, belie veth [all things] hopeth [all things] endureth [all things j. When I was a child, I spake [as a child] I understood [as a child! I thought fas a childl; 140 PAKT IV, 1. Compound Inflections. 2. Pause of Iorce, ok JiiXpressiox 3. Cumulative Emphasis. 1. COMPOUND INFLECTIONS. I have previously mentioned compound inflec- tions, and it is now time to explain their force and use. They are distinguished from the simple rise and fall, by a greater range of ascent and descent, comprehending tones, double tones, and half tones, carrying the voice over an interval of Jive tones, and sometimes even* of an octave. The compound inflections are— 1. The compound rising — thus marked ^s 1. The compound falling — thus /^"n The curved line is chosen to indicate them, because in making them, the voice does not rise or fall directly, but in a sort of curve, taking in (or slurring over) intermediate half- tones in its ascent or descent to the extreme point of inflection. COMPOUND INFLECTIONS. 141 The use of these inflections does Dot set aside the rules for inflection, so far as to the point whether the inflection shall be rising or falling ; but it increases the pitch, and power of the inflection. Thus, if I ask you — Did you say yes ? with the simple rising inflection, the question is an indifferen t one, — in fact, a simple interrogation. It might be thus marked on a diagram, indicating the descent and ascent of the voice, and the extreme point of inflection : Or, in music, it might be thus scored — :#^= ■4™-§«- Did you say yes? Here the ascent or rise is of three tones, — or, as it is called, a third. But, if I am anxiously desirous to know what your answer was— and in my question wish to express that I shall be very much surprised if you have said " Yes," my question would be inflected with the compound (or curved) inflection, thus : — or, in musical score: 142 AKT OF ELOCUTION ft« -*1~T — I — ^ — °*, H— 9-0*1 — pifz^zifzzzihf^gz "':#dr^ Did you say ye-s? Y - - e - - s. in which there is on the word^es both a oVscent and an ascent (that is, a double or compound inflection), the ascent being two tones higher than that of the simple inflection in the simple question, and the curved line denotes the slur of the voice in passing from the low tone to the high one. In the same manner, the simple falling is changed, for ex- pression and force, to the compound falling inflection. Thus, in reply to the above question, if you give a simple answer, you will say — No — with the simple falling inflection ; but if (in answer to my compound inflection) you desire to imply " by no means; nothing could be further from my thoughts; and I am surprised you should ask such a question ,-" then you will reply with the compound falling inflection, — No— " — C — 3~~ No --- commencing on a high pitch of voice, and making a sweep or curve of descent equal and corresponding to the curve of ascent in the compound rising inflection of my question. That ascent and descent are usually in fifths, as above ; but when the speaker is under strong passion, his voice will ascend a full octave. Such, for example, should be the range of the inflection on the questions by Hamlet to Laertes at Ophelia's grave:— " Dost thou come here to whine? To outface me with leaping in her grave ; " Hamlet, act iv. sc. 1. COMPOUND INFLECTIONS. 143 $! = — I f*— ft #fzi— ztz Dost thou come here to whine. And, unless the voice reach the octave in these lines, the pas- sionate contempt intended to be conveyed will be lost; and the scornful question will be changed into a common interroga- tion, as if expecting a serious answer. Such is the distinction between the compound and mmple inflections. Now let us see when and for what they are used. RULE. The compound inflections are used in strong and vehement interrogation,— and for wonder , contempt, scornful indignatcon t ridicule, and (especially) in Irony. EXAMPLES. When, in " The Merchant of Venice" (act iv. sc. 1.), Portia, understanding that the merchant's bond to Shylock is forfeited Then must the Jew be merciful ; and Shylock asks, — On what compulsion must I ? tell me that; her reply — The quality of mercy is not strain'd — 1 14 ART OF ELOCUTION. must b* marked with the compound rising inflection ; which will give the expression of wonder that such a question could be asked, and contempt for the sordid fueling that dictated it.* So, in the following examples, for ridicule and irony : — You must take me for a fool, to think I could do that. For mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. For Brutus is an honourable man. You meant no harm; oh, no! your thoughts are innocent; you have nothing to hide ; your breast is pure, stainless, all truth. And in that reply of Brutus to Cassius (" Julius Caesar," act iv.), the scorn implied in his indignant interrogations, must be marked with the compound inilection, reaching at its climax a full octave. Cas. Ye gods ! ye gods ! must I endure all this ? * Dr. Whately (Elements of Rhetoric) remarks, that the instance in Genesis i. " God said, Let there be light ; and there was light," may be pronounced so as to imply that there was light already. Th s would be by & false use of the compound falling inflection, with the pitch raised to the octave on the word was: thus, " God said, Let there be light; and there was light," This pitch, with the compound inflection, won ill express wonder at the needless command. As one might say, " He kept call- ing for wine, and it was before him (all the time)." ANTITHESIS. 145 Br, All this? Aye, more! — Fret till your proud heart break : Go show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must I budge? Must I observe you ? Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humour ? It is, in fact, this pitch (the octave) that lends the scornful expression to the words ; and it is the degree of expression required that is to regulate the pitch, in each particular case. IN ANTITHESIS. These inflections are also used to give increased force to antithesis ; and follow each other, sometimes, in double antithesis so closely, that the voice is kept in a continual wave of ascent and descent, by alternate rising and falling compound inflections. EXAMPLES. If you said so, then I said so. Let the gall'd jade wince, our withers are unwrung ! In all the above examples there is a certain degree of jeer- ing or irony conveyed, and it is in the ironical expression that these compound inflections (with high pitch) have the greatest power. An exceedingly good practice on these inflections is Marc Antony's speech to the populace, over the dead body of Caesar ; in which it will be perceived what effect may be added to the oft-repeated epithet " honorable men" (which the L 146 ART OF ELOCUTION. orator ironically applies to Brutus and the rest) by the adop- tion of these compound inflections. But, in the practice of tiiis speech, remark that the irony is not immediately displayed by Marc Antony. He dares not, in the first instance, cast a doubt, by ironical expression, upon the motives of Brutus and the rest; and it is only when he feels that he is making a favourable im- pression upon the multitude, and "stealing away their hearts," that he ventures to unveil his thoughts, and to speak with irony, and finally in utter contempt, of the " honorable men who have stabb'd Caesar."' Bearing this hint in mind the student may, at this point of his progress, exercise himself with advantage on that celebrated piece of oratory. * 2. PAUSE OF FORCE, OR EXPRESSION. Great expression and force may be imparted to an idea by the introduction of the short pause, with a suspension of the voice immediately before the word conveying the idea, or embodying emo- tion. Thte pause, so introduced, and suspending the sense, is called the Pause of Force. Like the Emphasis of Force (with which it is frequently allied), it is arbitrary in its use, and de- pends on the will and judgment of the speaker for its employment. RULE. The pause of force or expression is made by arresting and suspending the voice immediately before the word or member on which the speaker wishes to concentrate his power. * See Appendix, 357. EXPRESSION. 147 EXAMPLE. In Marc Antony's apostrophe to Csesar's body, — when Brutus and the rest, after the murder of Csesar, having shaken bands with Antony in pledge of amity, have left him alone in the senate house, — he exclaims, Oh ! pardon me, — thou bleeding piece of earth, — That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! The force and expression of the passage, in delivery, is wonderfully increased, if, besides the visual pause?, we introduce the pause of feeling before — with the emphasis of force on->— the word "butchers ; " the passage will then be marked thus— O pardon me* 51 thou bleeding piece of earth** 1 - ^v- That I am meek and gentle ^ with these* 1 butchers ! The effect of this is at once felt : it is as if the speaker paused to find a word strong enough for his feeling of abhorrence ; and, at length, hitting on the word butcher, he pours it out with the force and expression of execration. This pause arrests the attention of the hearer in an extraordinary manner ; and therefore it may be used for that effect, before the word of particular force and importance in the most solemn and least- excited passages ; as in Saint Paul, — . And now abideth faith, hope, charity; these three : but the greatest of these is" 1 charity . And in Portia's speech on mercy, — And earthly power doth then shew likest* 3 GocT$, When mercy seasons justice. L 2 148 ART OF ELOCUTION. In excited passages of highly-wrought feeling, it also gives the orator an opportunity of gathering full power of voice to concentrate it on the one word or phrase ; as, in the well-known burst of Othello's passion, — If thou dost slander her, and""' t orture me, Never pray more ! Great power and expression may be added to the phrase " torture me" by the introduction of this pause, with the emphasis of force, on the word 6i torture" The strength of the passage is further increased by the addition of the same pause before the words " never pray more ; " in which case, the pause will be doubled in time, as there is already a pause of sense required after torture me. The passage will then stand marked — with pause, in- flection (of antithesis), and emphasis of force. If thou dost slander her, and*" 1 torture me**- Never pray more ! "We shall presently see that the power of this passage may be still further augmented — under the force of — 3. CUMULATIVE EMPHASIS. The emphasis of sense goes to meaning only ; the emphasis of force is expressive of intensity and energy. That expression is augmented by doubling the emphasis, — and is brought to its climax of CUMULATIVE EMPHASIS. 149 power, by applying it , to several ivords in succes- sion; which is called accumulated or Cumulative Emphasis. This emphasis, when judiciously used, adds great power to passages of strength : but it must not be frequently employed, or it will lose its effect by the repetition, and give a disagreeable jerking to the delivery. It is introduced properly, to add in- creased force to climax, — either of powerful argu- ment, or of highly-wrought passion. In both these cases it crowns the excitement and energy of the speaker; it is the "topmost round * of the iadder> beyond which he cannot step, It should thex'efore be reserved for great occasions. Thus, — EXAMPLES. 1. In an important reply, in which the orator feels that he has triumphantly refuted the arguments of his opponent, he may, with effect, close the climax of his triumph with the cumulative emphasis of force: — I have thus shown, from the gentleman's own arguments, that the doctrine advanced by him is not at present received: — that it never was** 1 received: that it never ean-i by any possibility *^ 1 be" 1 received: and that, ** 1 if' 1 admitted,* 1 it must be "• by the total subversion of liberty itself! 2. Again, on the climax of intense passion, in the former example of Othello's speech, — read with cumulative emphasis, the articulation of the passage becomes almost syllabic, and it acquires tremendous power, L 3 150 ART OF ELOCUTION. If thoa dost slander her '"' and 1 " 1 torture me'"* 1 - Never pray more : abandon all remorse; On horror's head horrors accumulate ; Do deeds"* 1 to make heav'n weep, all earth ~> amazed — For nothing c anst thou to damnation acid" 1 Greater than this ! Such is the power of Cumulative Emphasis. Expression of feeling and passion is achieved not by inflection or emphasis, but by pitch of voice; which will be treated of in the next part. PART V. ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC. Tpie student who shall have gone patiently through the preceding pages, exercising himself conscientiously on the different examples, as marked, and analysing each example so as to perceive clearly the relation between inflection of voice and meaning, — how the latter may be modified, or strengthened and enforced by a just application of the former, — and how, on the other hand, meaning may be weakened or entirely lost by the want of just inflection, or perverted by a false application of it, — will be quite prepared to admit the value of Elocution as an essential element of Rhetoric, and the advantage of a system of rules and prin- ciples which shall render its practice easy and cer- tain. It is, in fact, impossible to read a treatise on Rhetoric without perceiving that the author has in his mind a continual reference to Elocution ; and that even while he may deny the use of any system^ he is continually admitting and practically en- deavouring to obviate the errors that result from the want of one. l 4 152 ART OF ELOCUTION. One of the greatest advantages of a habitually good Elocution — acquired by practice on system, till it shall have become almost a "second nature" — is the great facility it gives to its possessor of delivering sentences, the longest, loosest and most intricate in const iction, so that they shall be pre- sented to the mind of the hearer clearly and dis- tinctly, with all the threads of their apparently entangled clauses unravelled and laid in order before him. This the really good Elocutionist (whose habit shall have become a second nature) will effect by clear articulation^ and by the just application of pause, inflection, and emphasis ; and will have no more occasion to give his mind, at the time, to the rules or principles on which he is doing it, than a practised writer need think of the rules of grammar or the principles of Rhetoric on which he constructs his periods and orders his compositions.* * It is laid down by Lord Brougham (inaugural speech at Glasgow, 1825), "as a rule admitting of no exception, that a man will speak well in proportion as he has written much ; and that, with equal talents, he will be the finest extempore speaker, when no time for preparing is allowed, who has pre- pared himself the most sedulously when he had an opportunity of delivering a premeditated speech.'* This remark applies, of course, to the style of composition and rhetorical excellence of the oration. But the rule is equally applicable to excellence in delivery: he will be the finest extempore speaker whose Elocution has been sedulously cultivated by exercise in premeditated speeches, or on the com- positions of others. "All the exceptions," continues Lord Brougham (and I desire to go along with him), " all the ex- ceptions which I have ever heard cited to this principle are ap- ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC. 153 What an advantage, then, must it be to an ex tempo* raneons speaker (I am now setting mere reading out of the question) to add to fluency of language, clearness, force and elegance of Elocution ! What labour and pains will it save him even in the extemporaneous arrangement and formation of his sentences ; for it must not be overlooked (it is part of my argument in favour of a system of Elocution), that, even in strictly extemporaneous speaking, the speaker will and must follow, if he possesses it, some system of rhetorical rules, of which, if he be master of them, he will in every sentence he speaks give a practical illustration, without, however, " fix- ing his mind on them at the moment."* In like manner the Elocutionist will, in practice, carry oat his system. He will not need to be trammelled by over-solicitude and over-nicety in the elaboration of his periods ; because he will feel confident that, to any form of sentence he can, by the power of his Elocution, give clearness, force and effect. He will thus gain much in the air of spontaneity and absence of premeditation which his oration, espe- cially if addressed to a popular assembly, will be able to assume, from its easy and conversational style. For, as Dr. Whately justly insists on the advantage of a " natural style of Elocution," so do parent ones only ; proving nothing more than that some few men of rare genius have become great speakers without preparation ; in no wise showing that, with preparation, they would not have reached a much higher degree of excellence." * Dr. Whately's Elements of Ehetoric. 154 ART OF ELOCUTION. I ; and not only on a natural style of Elocution, but also on a natural style of Rhetoric. The difference between us is, that I maintain that the perfection of that natural style, in both cases, is to be attained by art and rule ; while the Doctor admits this in the case of Rhetoric, but denies it in the case of Elocu- tion. I think, further, that too severe an attention to rhetorical rule in the construction of sentences may be of disadvantage to a speaker, giving an appearance of formality and study to what professes to be extemporaneous ; while, on the other hand, I maintain, that the more strictly a good system of Elocution be followed and carried out in speaking, the more natural, easy, and unconstrained tvill be the delivery : for all the principles of Elocution are drawn from nature; and the perfection of the art is its accordance with nature. Let me see if I can illustrate this by a few examples, which I will take from Dr. Whately's Elements of Rhetoric. Speaking of long sentences, Dr. Whately has the following remarks and exam- ples * : "If a sentence be so constructed that the meaning of each part can be taken in as we proceed (though it be evident that the sense is not brought to a close), its length will be little or no impediment to perspicuity ; but if the former part of the sen- tence convey no distinct meaning till we arrive nearly at the end (however plain it may then appear), it will be, on the whole, deficient in per- * Elements of Rhetoric, Part IIL c. i. § 3. ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC. 153 spicuity ; for it will need to be read over, or thought over, a second time, in order to be fully comprehended; which is what few readers or hearers are willing to be burthened with." Take such a sentence as this : — " It is not without a degree of patient attention and perse- vering diligence, greater than the generality are willing to be- stow, though not greater than the object deserves, that the habit can be acquired of examining and judging of our own conduct with the same accuracy and impartiality as that of another. " This," says Dr. Whately, " labours under the defect I am speaking of; which may be remedied by some such alteration as the following :" — " The habit of examining our own conduct as accurately as that of another, and judging of it with the same impartiality, cannot be acquired without a degree of patient attention and persevering diligence, not greater indeed than the object de- serves, but greater than the generality are willing to bestow." Now, I am far from denying that, in point of corn- position, the latter arrangement of the sentence may be more rhetorically correct ; but, as a question of extemporaneous speaking, I shouM myself give the preference to the first construction, as less formal, and more resembling what Dr. Whately, with reference to Elocution, would call the " natural style" and therefore conveying less the idea of study and design than Dr. Whately's emendation. The dis- tinction I mean to convey is, that the first is such a 156 ART OF ELOCUTION. sentence as a man would naturally speak, the latter such a one as, in correcting his speech for the press, he might prefer to print. Mark how clear and easily to be followed the sentence as it first stands above is, when properly ordered by a good Elocu- tion : — It is not* 1 without a degree of patient attention and perse- vering diligences- greater than the generality are willing to bestow* 1 though not greater than the object deserves*" 1 - that the habit can be acquired 5 * 1 of judging of our own con- duct " ] - with the same accuracy and impartiality ** as that of another. Now this, I repeat, appears to me more easy, or, to use Dr. Whately's phrase, more natural, than the period as amended by him, which would read thus : — The habit of examining our own conduct** 1 as accurately as that of another,*" 1 and judging of it with the same im- partiality *" u cannot be acquired** 1 without a degree of patient attention and persevering diligence*" 1 - not greater than the object deserves, but greater than the generality are willing to bestow. ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC. 157 The difference, in point and effect, between the two sentences, seems to me to be the same as exists between two such sentences as the following : — It is not by words but by deeds that sincerity in friendship must be determined. And Sincerity in friendship must be determined not by words but by deeds. No one, in reading the above, can doubt which he would prefer : the first is obviously the stronger, more pointed, and more natural, or, if I may say so, more idiomatic. Nor would the superiority of the former arrangement be diminished by adding seve- ral clauses to the sentence, provided they be clearly, and intelligently and forcibly delivered ; as, — It is not by words and professions of regard* 1 which'*' how- ever high sounding* 1 may be hollow and insincere * 1 - but by acts of kindness and practical evidence of good will 4 "* 1 - that the truth of friendship must be tested and determined, And The truth of friendship* 1 must be tested and determined* 1 not bywords and professions of regard * 1 - which^' however high sounding, may be hollow and insin- cere ri- but by acts of kindness and practical evidence of good will. 158 ART OP ELOCUTION. Now, I call the former the more natural form of the sentence ; by which I mean the form into which the idea would shape itself in ordinary dis- cussion uttered without any view to effect ; and the inflections marked upon it are also the natural inflections that it would receive, and without which its natural effect would be very much weakened. For example, read the last clause of the sentence (the first) with a falling inflection, and see how it will lose its force, and, if I may so speak, the confi- dent appeal which is made to the hearer, for the certain confirmation to his mind of the truth of the proposition; which effect the falling inflection would destroy, and the sentence would then seem to an- nounce a mere platitude. u The arrangement of words," says Dr. Whatcly *, " may be made highly conducive to energy." Doubtless ; especially if, in delivery, that ar- rangement be aided and assisted by Emphasis. " The rules of many of the modern languages," he continues, " frequently confine an author to an order which he would otherwise never have chosen; but what translator of any taste would ever volun- tarily alter the arrangement of the words in such a sentence as, MeyaXrj ^"AprejuLiQ 'Efyeaiiov, which our language enables us to render exactly i Great is Diana of the Ephesians ? '" And he then shows very truly how vastly superior this arrangement is to that of any French translation. Of course, in read- ing this line, the word "great" would receive an ♦Elements of Rhetoric, Part III. c. ii. § II. ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC, 159 emphasis of force, which will add still further strength to the exclamation, — Grea t*" 1 is Diana of the Ephesians. Here, again, Elocution lends its aid to Rhetoric ; strengthening the arrangement of the words by the force of the emphasis. The Doctor continues : " Our language, indeed, is very much hampered by restrictions ; it being in general necessary, for the expression of the sense, to adhere to an order which may not be in other respects the most eligible : ' Cicero praised Caesar,' and 'Caesar praised Cicero,' would be two very different pro- positions; the situation of the words being all that indicates (from our want of cases) ivhich is to be taken as the nominative ; but such a restriction is far from being an advantage. The transposition of words which the ancient languages admit of, con- duces not merely to variety, but to energy and even to precision. If, for instance, a Roman had been directing the attention of his hearers to the cir- cumstance that even Ccesar had been the object of Cicero's praise, he would, most likely, have put * Ccesarem' first; but he would have put ' Cicero' first, if he had been remarking, that not only others, but even he had praised Caesar." This, of course, refers principally to writing ; for in speaking an Elocutionist would mark the dis- tinction plainly by inflection. Thus, if he meant 160 ART OF ELOCUTION. that "Cicero praised even Caesar," he would indicate the " even " by an emphasis of force on Caesar : — Cicero "^ praised Caesar. Any one trying this, and marking the force on "Caesar" with a strong falling inflection, will find that he has implied what would be expressed by the introduction of the word " even ;" and that he has conveyed some such idea as that " Cicero withheld his praise from no one, however opposed to his prin- ciples, if expediency dictated praise as politic ; " or, that u Cicero's praise of any one might not carry much weight, for he praised even Casar" On the other hand, if the speaker meant to con- vey that " even Cicero praised Caesar," he would put the emphasis of force on " Cicero" and mark " Casar" with a rising inflection-: — Cicero praised Caesar, implying that " Ccesar must have been deserving of praise, since even Cicero praised him" A thousand examples might be adduced to show that just inflection and emphasis act as a comment, and have almost a power of amplification, as it were, of the text : so that a good Elocution not only serves fully to convey and enforce meaning, but it will enable a speaker to compress his language, supplying exuberance of words by the use of just and forcible inflection and emphasis ; and thus, secondarily, may conduce to terseness and com- pactness of style in a spoken oration, saving time and labour, both to orator and auditor, — surely a ELOCUTION AND RHETORIC. 161 great advantage to a public speaker. He who by force of Elocution can express as much, and impress it as strongly in one sentence, as his antagonist, for want of that power, will convey in two, has clearly stolen a march upon his opponent. Still greater will be the Elocutionist's advantage over him, supposing each to possess equal talents as rhe- toricians, if to just inflection and emphasis he add the higher graces of the art. Thus his oration — framed on a due but not pedantic observance of logical and rhetorical rules, and delivered on just principles of elocutionary art, (that is, on principles drawn from nature herself) — clearness of narration, strength of reasoning, and perspicuity of style, set off and heightened by happy illustration, brilliant bursts of feeling and passionate expression — lan- guage, voice and gesture aiding and seconding each other — will have the effect of a perfect picture ; which — embracing happy contrast and relief of light and shade; glowing but not exaggerated colouring, with darker and more sombre tints; truthfulness of detail, with a general harmony; distant and shadowy suggestions of remote objects with the bold and massive outlines of the foreground — shall leave the mind satisfied, delighted, and subdued to the master's hand. Intonation, Expression, Energy. The principles developed in the preceding parts have taught us to read and speak with meaning, force, and ease. But Elocution has a higher aim : M ]G? AET OF £LOCUTTOK, she follows the human voice in its natural and unrestrained expression of intense feeling ; she accompanies it "in the very torrent, tempest, and whirlwind of its passion;" she knows it in its joy and in its sorrow ; she catches^ and treasures up its intonations of love and hate, persuasion and com- mand, scorn, pity, tenderness, and rage ; ancl, by the power of her " so potent art," she holds them like familiar spirits, to be let loose at will. Under her teaching, he who will, may learn their mastery ; subdue them to his power ; and call them to his aid, when he would cast a spell over the minds and hearts of his fellow-men. This is the highest triumph of Elocution ; — the truthful utterance of intense and passionate feeling. This is to be attained by the power of Intona- tion, Expression, Energy ; the Crowning Graces of Elocution. INTONATION. Intonation imparts true and perfect tone to the organ of the voice : its practice forms the Educa- tion of the Voice, and gives it fulness and volume. The human voice (as I have before observed) must be regarded as a musical instrument — an Organ, To produce its tones, its bellows — the lungs — must be kept duly inflated, or supplied with breath ; the pipe — the throat — must have full play ; the orifice of the mouth must be well opened, and the sound must be poured through it in a copious, swelling stream, interrupted, momentarily, by pause or rests, on which it gathers fresh impetus for its onward course. ISroSTATION, 163 Many a voice is called weak, not because it is really deficient in natural power, but because its possessor is ignorant of. or unpractised in, the mechanical means of eliciting, improving, and displaying its strength. For the means are me- c/ianical, and consist of the following— PROCESS OF INTONATION. 1. Inflation of the Lungs (to begin), and regularly sup- plying what they expend in respiration — by an imperceptible inspiration, or catch of the breath at each pause — (and here the rhetorical pause is of great service}. 2. Opening the Mouth well — not speaking through the teeth — or, as it called, " eating your words " — (which nme speakers out of ten do). 3. Pouring out the Yoice regularly, with an even and continuous fiow and swell; not in irregular jerks and starts. This process is perfectly simple, and merely requires exercise to make it easy. It is, in fact, the same art as that which every one has observed in public singers ; who, however, display the me- chanical means too manifestly, and in some in- stances painfully, by distortion of visage and heaving of chest. This exhibition of the physical effort must be avoided by the Elocutionist : Ars est celare artem. The machinery must be worked, but the springs and wheels must be kept out of sight. SWELL OF VOICE. The swell of sound is called in music ci*escendo, or increasing, and is denoted by this mark, -< ; and the diminishing of ihs sound is called diminuendo, thus denoted, >-. M 2 164 ART OF ELOCUTION. The whole swell and decrease is therefore thus de- noted <^=- I shall adopt the same respective marks; — to denote the increasing of the volume of voice — and its diminution. INSPIRATION. Observe that the pauses afford the opportunity for regular inspiration, to supply expended breath ; a resort absolutely necessary in order to powerful enunciation and perfect in- tonation ; for there can be no command of voice without a perfect command of breath. I have previously laid it down, that in the delivery of serial sentences — where the sense goes on increasing by amplification — the volume of voice or sound should also increase {crescendo) up to the climax : but remember, that shouting is not Intonation.* Observing this, and also the rules of pause and inflection on Series, let the reader practise himself sm the following * There v is a marked distinction between noise and musical sound. Noise is a confused mixture of sounds produced by the concussion of non-elastic bodies ; whereas musical sound is a pure harmonious effect emanating from a simple elastic body, as the tone of a bell. It is a curious fact, that musical sounds fly farther and are heard at a greater distance than those which are more loud and noisy. If we go on the outside of a town during a fair, at the distance of a mile, we hear the musical instruments ; but the din of the multitude which is overpowering in the place, can scarcely be heard, the noise dying upon the &pot.—Gardiner > s Music of Nature. INTONATION. 165 EXERCISE ON INTONATION. 1. In times, when the whole habitable earth* 1 is in a state of chfuigd and fluctuation, * 5 - when deserts are starting up** 1 into civilised empires around you,* 1 - and when men,** 1 no longer the slaves of particular countries,* 1 much less of particular governments, **'- enlist themselves,** 1 like the citizens of an enlight- ened world,** 1 into whatever communities* 1 where their civil liberties maybe best protected, * 1 - it never can be* 1 for the advantage of this country* 1 to prove * 1 - that the strict letter of the laws* 1 is no security to its inhabitants. 2. The following exordium of Brutus' speech to the populace, also affords an excellent exercise for the student ; who will remember that Brutus is supposed to be addressing a large and turbulent popular assembly in the open air ; and therefore a powerful intonation is required, in order to obtain even a hearing. Romans* 1 countrymen* 1 and lovers ! Hear me* 1 for my Ciiase*^- and he silent* 1 that you may hear. Believe me* 1 for mine honour* 1 - and have respect to mine honour* 1 that you may M 3 1^5 akt of Etocriicrav believe. Censure me in your wisdom" 1 - and awake your senses "^ that you may the better judge, i If there be any"* 1 in this assembly ^ any dear friend of Cajsar^- to him I &3j^ that Brutus 7 lore for Cassar* 5 was no less than his. If then'" 1 that friend demand M why Brutus rose against Caesar*""- this is my answer^- Not*^ that I loved Csesar^ less* 1 - but" 1 that I loved KoHie"" 1 more I If the pupil will exercise himself in this last pas- sage aloud, commending on a low tone, — inspiring on the pauses, so as to keep his lungs filled with breath, and increasing the volume of his voice on the < crescendo, — he will make considerable ad- vance in the practice of Intonation* As he pro- ceeds, he will find that his voice will ascend and take a higher pitch. The use of the long pause (as at the word "judge ") will serve to resume the tone on which he commenced. INTONATION OF POETRY, We have hitherto confined our exercises to Prose readings \ — on the principle that we must learn to walk before we run. But Intonation is so con- nected with, and necessary to the reading and delivery of verse and poetic language, that it is now a proper time and place to introduce some ob~ serrations on POSTICAL INTONATION, 16Y POETICAL ELOCUTION. It is first to be observed, that the general style of reading or reciting verse and poetic language, should be higher and more exalted than that of prose : for poetry is a more exalted style of com- position than prose : and the Elocution must keep pace with the subject or matter. The voice must flow more softly; must undulate gently, and not jump or jerk on the inflections ; so that the verse may run smoothly and without jar upon the ear. Intonation must be particularly attended to in poetical* delivery ; so that the music of the voice being fully brought out, it may aid and give echo to the music of the language. This style I call the imaginative style of Elo- cution : because it is the style to be adopted in the delivery of all imaginative composition, whether in prose or verse. For, I need not remark that there is poetical prose, which must be delivered in the imaginative or poetical style ; and we all painfully know that there is poetry — or rather verse — so irredeemably prosaic, that no reading or Elocution could possibly invest it with the attributes of poetry : the best way is not to read it at all. As an example of poetic prose, take the follow- ing— EXTRACT FROM OSSIAW. As Autumn's dark storms pour from two echoing hills, so toward each other approached the heroes. As two dark streams from high rocks meet and mix, and roar on the m 4 103 AHT OF ELOCUTION. plain ; loud, rough, and dark, in battle met Loehlin and In- nisfail ; chief mixed his strokes with chief, and man with man. Steel clanging sounded on steel. Helmets are cleft on high; blood bursts and smokes around. As the troubled noise of the ocean when roll the waves on high ; as the last peal of the thunder of heaven ; such is the noise of battle. The groan of the people spreads over the hills. It was like the thunder of night when the cloud bursts on Cona, and a thousand ghosts shriek at once on the hollow wind. Such language as this must not be delivered as Common prose; but the speaker's Elocution must be swelling, exalted, dignified; in fine, elevated to the level of the composition. In the same manner, in the delivery of any figurative passage in an ordinary discourse or oration, — where the orator, borne aloft on the wings of his imagination, quits the common track of language and soars in the regions of fancy, — the Elocution must also rise, and sustain a flight equal in loftiness and ambition to the elevation of the orator's diction and style. As in the following — EXTRACT FROM BURKE.* In the course of all this proceeding, your lordships will not fail to observe, he is never corrupt but he is crue' : he never dines with comfort, but where he is sure to create a famine. He never robs from the loose superfluity of standing greatness ; he devours the fallen, the indigent, the neces- sitous. His extortion is not like the generous rapacity of the princely eagle, who snatches away the living, struggling * Impeachment of Warren Hastings. OROTUND. 1G9 prey ; he is a vulture who feeds upon the prostrate, the dying and the dead. As his cruelty is more shocking than his cor- ruption, so his hypocrisy has something more frightful than his cruelty. For whilst his bloody and rapacious hand signs proscriptions and sweeps away the food of the widow and the orphan, his eyes overflow with tears ; and he converts the healing balm,, that bleeds from wounded humanity, into a rancorous and deadly poison to the race of man. Every one feels how much this passage rises above the ordinary diction of prose, — that it is, in fact, a flight of oratory. The Elocution must keep pace with it ; that is, the imaginative style must be adopted, One of the main characteristics* of this lofty style is what is called the orotund voice : that is, that full- and swelling tone which is produced by the same organic form and action of the mouth as are 7 necessary perfectly to enunciate the tonic o, as in 7 7 o-ld, c-o-l-d, &c. To utter this tonic perfectly, the mouth is kept in a rotund form, and the tone produced is called orotund {ore rotundo). By carefully reading the following lines, with particular 7 attention to the enunciation of the tonic o, and swelling the voice upon it, the pupil will attain a clear perception of the orotund voice. Oh holy Hope** 1 that flows thro' all my soul ! From pole to pole""" 1 the deep-toned thunder? roll. I^w b^ilow moans** 1 proclaim his deep-souled woe. 170 ART OF ELOCUTION. Now, the form of the mouth in uttering these 7 lines must, from the prevalence of the tonic o, be rotund ; and the quality of voice must be orotund. The, art is to be able to preserve that quality of voice in other passages in which that .7 tonic sound of o does not prevail; but which, nevertheless, require, and are capable of receiving, on the tonics which they do contain, the full swel- ling tone of the orotund, as in the following — PRACTICE ON OROTUND. And all the clouds*' 1 that lower d upon our house, ~ 1 - In the deep hosom of the ocean** 1 buried. Shah. All are bmt parts ^ of one harmonious whole, *" 1 - Whose body nature is ^ and God the soul ! Pope. With woeful measures,*"' wan Despair,* 1 t Low** 1 sullen sounds,"* 1 his grief beguiled. Collins. The stars shall fade away, the sun himself Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years ; But thou*' 1 shalt nourish in immortal youth.*""— Unhurt *? amidst the war of elements* 1 The wreck of matter" and the crush ,~>f worlds. OHOTUNJX 171 To Scriptural reading, and prayer, the orotund is most appropriate : for its full swelling tone lends depth and solemnity to the delivery, and is strongly expressive of reverential feeling. The acquisition and command of the orotund, therefore, is essential to the clergyman, whose voice is required to fill a large building, not only so as to he audible, but with a deep and solemn effect that shall secure the attention, respect and sympathy of his auditors. The figurative and sublime language of the Old Testament must not be uttered (as it too frequently is) in the familiar and undignified tone in which we would deliver an ordinary lecture, or make a statement of finance ; and even the beautiful sim- plicity of the New Testament must not be vul- garised and degraded to the familiar tone of common- place conversation or narration. The dignity of his subject, his office, its high aim, the place, the occasion, all demand from the clergyman, dignity of style and manner ; and the orotund voice,, with its full, swelling stream of sound, is the one adapted to that end. It should, therefore, be a great and constant object of the. clergyman to educate his voice and utterance upon this point. More than these few hints on Scriptural reading I cannot give here ; it is a style of itself, which, requires con- siderable practice, and cultivation of voice, so as to avoid, on the one hand, meanness, and familiarity in aiming at simplicity : and, on the other, to escape bombast and turgidity, while aspiring to dignity m& power. 1^2 ART (W E^O^ITTION. READING OF VERSE. The previous observations apply to the general style of poetical Elocution, whether in prose or verse. In the reading of verse, we must, more- over, be careful to preserve Rhythm and Melody. 1. Rhythm is musical order of arrangement: it is as pleasing and indeed necessary to the satisfaction of the ear, as symmetry and regularity of form are to the eye. In music, rhythm governs the leaping or gushing of the sound ; in dance, it regulates the beating of the feet ; in language, it directs or ar- ranges the pulsations or strokes of the voice upon words or syllables ; or, as it is called in music, the accentuation, I have before observed, that there is a rhythm even in prose ; but it is uncertain, irregular, and fickle. Yerse is the music of lan- guage ; rhythm is its essential quality ; the regu- larity and perfection of which distinguish it from prose. Yerse is addressed to the ear ; its music is not received through the eye (although a regular marginal blank may seem to mark the versification on paper); and, therefore, it is as requisite, in read- ing verse, to mark the rhythmical accentuation of the line, as it is, in playing or singing, to observe due time. That is, we must regulate the pulsation and movement of sound by the voice, to the 1 osculated metrical accentuation (or rhythm) of the v^rse, English verse consists of the arrangement, at regular intervals, of accented and wzaccented, — or, MEASURE OF VERSE. 173 more properly speaking, of heavy and light sylla- bles. This regular arrangement, or order, constitutes the rhythm of the verse, — whether that verse be blank or in rhyme. Rhyme is the coincidence of sound in the closing cadence of one line with that of another ; it has no reference to or influence upon the rhythm, from which it is perfectly distinct, nor is it an essential constituent of English poetry. - Latin and Greek Verse is measured, by pro- sodians, by certain adjustments of syllables, long and short, called feet: of these feet there is a great variety, of which the principal are the — Spondee — two long syllables, as milndus, Trochee — one long and one short syllable, as Bella, Iambus — one short and one long, as cano, Dactyl — one long and two short, as tegnnne, Anapaest — two short and one long, as recubdns. But, of that style of scanning our English verse is quite independent, and indeed incapable. The syllables in our language cannot be classed as long or short, for the same syllables may vary in quan- tity, as they occur in different verses, according to the amount of feeling or force that may be given to them. English verse is regulated by the ar- rangement of heavy and light syllables, and depends for its musical effect upon time and accentuation ; or, pulsation and remission of sound, en the .heavy and light syllables, respectively. 174 AKT OF ELOCUTION. English verse may be divided into common time and triple time: the first being the pace of a man's walk ; the second of a horse's canter. The accentu- ation is, as in music, always on the bar; that is, the accented note, or heavy syllable, must com* mence the bar, or its place must be supplied by a rest, which counts for it ; for rests are as essential to rhythm as the notes themselves. Thus we can divide or bar for accentuation, all English verse. Take the following three examples, as timed, barred, and accented: the two first are in common time, the third is in triple time : — — | ^^ A | present | deity | £ they | shout a | round 1 ** | [ **T A | present | deity | "* ** the | vaulted | roofs re- | bound" 1 | — Softly | sweet in | Lydian | measures | / / / / Soon he | soothed his | soul to | pleasures. | — | *"* The | princes ap | plaud with a | furious | joy" 1 | 8 | ** And the | king seized a | flambeau with | zeal to de- | stroy. ' I The pulsation of voice, and the classification and division of the syllables, as accented and arranged in the preceding couplets, distinctly mark their different rhythm. — To illus- trate this further, read the second line of the third couplet as if it were thus divided and accented : — MEASURE OF VOICE. 17 5 | And the king | seized a flambeau j with zeal | to de- stroy. | Thus read, the verse becomes prose ; for, by false accentua- tion, its musical movement is lost, and the rhythm is destroyed. At the same time be careful not to fall into that sing-song style of reading verse, which is produced by the accentuation of little and insignificant words. This sing-song style, so common among readers, is the result of the absurd attempt of prosodians to measure English versification by feet, instead of by time and accentuation. The music of a verse is not to be ascertained by counting on the fingers, or scanning (as it is called) ; but by the ear.* English \evse consists of a certain number of bars, in the same time ; of which the rests or pauses are constituent parts : and it is therefore as much on the due observance of these rests, as on the accentuation of the notes or syllables, that the rhythm depends. Take the following examples of verses scanned first accord- ing to the feet of the prosodians, counted on their fingers, and then according to the rational prosody which really governs the rhythm of English verse, — that is, time and accentuation. According to the former plan, it w^ill be observed that the sense is utterly sacrificed to the scanning, for want of rest or pause, however necessary it may be to the meaning or feeling of the verse ; while, by the latter plan, the rhythm, sense, and feeling go hand in hand, and are aided by rests. * See this subject diffusely and learnedly treated in Steele's Prosodia Rationalis. 1*76 ART OF ELOCUTION. Prosodial scanning by feet — IAMBICS. %*> — w — \»» — w •• On the | bare earth I exposed | he lies, j \y — \s — >*/ — »%/ — With not | a friend | to close | his eyes. | A mode of scanning, if adhered to in the reading, which would utterly destroy the sense and power of the lines. They should be thus barred, timed, and accented: — I J O" n r *-:: On the | bare | earth ^ | ^ ex- | posed he | lies,* 1 | m q -i r * With | not a | friend ~> | ^ to close his eyes By which we find, that these are verses of six bars, in com- mon time, the rests filling up the bars, exactly where the sense requires a pause. And so in the following examples ; in which it will be seen that verses which would be said by the prosodians to consist of four feet, are, in general, verses of six bars; and that what would, in scanning, be called by prosodians pentameters, or five-feet verses, are really lines of six, and sometimes even of eight bars. — The time, either triple or common, is denoted in the following examples by the figure 2. (common), or 3. (triple.) THREE BARS. 2. | Oh the | sight en | trancing | | i- When the | morning's | beam is j glancing, ( MEASURE OF VERSE. 177 I * O'er j files ar | rayed * | j ** With j helm and | blade r j \ ** And | plumes in the | gay wind | dancing, | 3. | ~ Up | early and | late,* 1 | | ** To | toil and to | wait,*i | | ** To | do as one's | bid," 1 | |~ Yet for ] ever be | chid, 1- | | ^ 111 | humour to | bear," 1 | | *• And | yet | not to | dare," 1 | | ** Tho' with | anger we | burn," 1 | | ^ To be | cross in re | turn." 1 | FOUR BARS. 3. j Place me in | regions of e | ternal* 1 | winter" 1 ] j Where not a | blossom to the | breeze can | open" 1 but | / / / / I Darkening | tempests^ | closing all a | round me" 1 | Chill the ere [ ation j S. J Sage be J neath a | spreading j oak'**' j | Sate the | Druid | hoary ] chief "T | Every | burning | word he | spoke ** \ / / / ' "> | lull of | lago and j full of | grief. ^ j BIX AND FOUR BARS. / / 3. I ** " When J ne who a I dores thee j ^"'has j left but the 1 name 178 ART OF ELOCUTION. ) ** Of his | fault and his J sorrow ho ! lived '^ I J Oh ! ^ | say r " | r*» wilt thou | weep when they [ darken the | fame^ | I '■**{. U a I life thai for | thee was re { signed M ? | SIX BARS. 2. j ** A I (Mies' | wrath *"' to [ Greece the | direful | spring"* | | M Of | woes un | number'd**- | heavenly ] Goddess j It will be found by reading verse according to this system, «—of marking the rhythm by time and accentuation,— that it will flow much more easily than when read by prosodial scan- ning: nor shall we be obliged to make elisions of vowels for the purpose of preserving the apparent regularity of the line, — that is, according to the plan of counting the syllables on the fingers. No poet has suffered more from this pedantic method of measuring English verse, than Shakspere, whose commentators have not scrupled to add syllables to, or deduct syllables from his lines, in order to give them "the right butter-woman's pace to market;" and this because these learned gentlemen, instead of receiving the music of his verse through their ears, measured his lines, like tape, upon their ringers: and if they did not happen exactly to fit the pre- scribed length, they laid him upon the Procrustes' bed of their prosodial pedantry, and stretched him out, if too short, or cut him down, if too long ! Thus they have succeeded, in some instances, in " curtailing " his verse of its beauty and "fair proportions, 3 ' by the elision or blending oi vowels whose utterance really forms the music of the lines. For example, of the line — O *• | Romeo! | Romeo! | wherefore | art thou | Romeo? | MEASURE OP VERSE. 179 they would make a verse of what they would call five feet, with a redundant syllable ; and, to do this, they are obliged to reduce the melodious name of Rome-o to two syllables; and scan it thus : — \s — vy — v> — v>>— \^ — \s Oh Ro | myo Ro | myo where | fore art | thou Ro | myo ? thus clipping and defacing the language, for the sake of levelling it to the standard of a false prosody. Again, if we follow this prosodial finger-measuring of verse, what becomes of the force and depth of the heart-wrung ex- clamation of Samson (Agonistes), when he exclaims: — Oh ! dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon ! The prosodians would thus measure it : — Oh dark | dark dark, | amid | the blaze | of noon | and thus destroy all the force and passion of the line. A rati- onal prosody, preserving the feeling, as well as the rhythm of the verse, would thus divide it into eight bars, timing it duly, and marking it with rests that add to its beauty and power. O . 1 o '# I 2. Oh | dark | dark ] dark | a- | mid the | blaze of | noon. Thus we preserve all the expression of the verse, and dis- tinguish its melody and rhythm from such a verse as the fol- lowing, which has exactly the same number of syllables as the above line, and would, by the prosodians, be scanned exactly in the same manner ; yet it has quite a diilerent movement : — A burdenous drone, to visitants a gaze. If we follow the prosodians, we shall thus scan this line ; — *y — \j — \s — \*» -» V/ ■* A burd' | nous drone | to vis | itants | a gaze. K 2 180 ART OF ELOCUTION. If we follow good taste, common sense, and rhythmical ac- centuation, we shall thus measure it; - / / s / 3. ] I ***" 1 A | burdenous | drone*" 1 to | visitants a | gaze.** 1 It is thus a line of five bars, in triple time: and the chango from common time is in keeping with the expression. The fame of the following line, which owes its lightness and beauty to its accentuation and triple time : — 3. Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn. It is on the variation of time and accentuation that the verse of Milton depends so much for its force and melody. The poet has studiously adapted the time and movement of his verse to the effect intended to be produced ; but the system of scanning reduces all verse to the same humdrum jog-trot. " The native wood-notes, wild," says Kemble, " which could delight the cultivated ear of a Milton, are not to be regulated by those who measure verses by their fingers." And yet it is recorded of Kemble (r.nd the anecdote is an excellent satire upon prosodial scanning), that in obedience to this finger-measuring of verse, the second of the following lines in the Tempest, — " I'll rack thee with old cramps, Fill all thy bones with aches; make thee roar, That beasts shall tremble at thy din," — was thus read by Kemble: — " Fill all thy bones with aitches, make thee roar," — an absurdity really ridiculous, committed in order to make up the full number of ten syllables, or five feet, of which, accord- ing to prosodial scanning, the verse is composed. Th<5 tune, measure, and reading of the line are thus* — RHYTHMICAL READING. 181 MM h I lit 2a ^FiU | all thy | bones ~ with. [ aches" 8 * | make thee [ roar^ 1 | The rest after " aches" fills up the rhythm, prevents the absurdity of perverting "aches" into a word of two syllables, and adds to the force and expression of the line. Thus we see that, in rhythmical reading, the rests or pauses are as ne- cessary to the measure as the notes or syllables themselves. The Ccesural pause, spoken of by Blair and the prosodians, may sometimes suffice, with the rest at the close of the line, to make out the rhythm and sense of the verse; but, for fine, musical, and expressive reading of verse, other rests are ne- cessary, not only in the middle and at the close of the line, but in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or whatever bar the rhythm, sense, or feeling demands them. And the accen- tuation of the lines will not run on in the same unvarying Iambic jog-trot, but will change from common to triple time, and back again, just as the poet, if he have a fine ear, shall vary his verse, to produce a severe or light and airy effect. The following lines in blank verse and common time, are exceedingly rhythmical and melodious ; but their rhythm will be almost destroyed, and they will become merely poetical prose, if, in delivering them, we neglect to mark the variation, which is occasionally made by the poet in the movement of his verse, — by change of time and accentuation. A SABBATH MORN. — Gkahamr / / / / How still the morning** 1 of the hallowed day! M / / / / / •Mute is the voxe** 1 of rural labour, 1 * 3 - hush'd* -1 The ploughboy's whistle M and the milkmaid's song! — K 3 182 ART OF ELOCUTION. T.hz scythe lies glittering** 1 - in the dewy wrtatli^ / / / / / Of tedded grass,* 3 * 1 - mingled with faded flowers,* 1 / / / / / That yestermorn^bloom'd* 1 waving in the breeze. / / / • / Sounds" the most faint'* 1 attract the ear* 1 — the hum Of early bee* the trickling of the dew,"* 1 / / . / / The distant bleating*'' midway up the hill. — / / / / Calmness sits throned* 1 - on yon unmoving cloud. / / / / To him who wanders* 5 o'er the upland leas,* 1 / / / / The blackbird's note*' comes mellower from the dale ; / / / / And sweeter from the sky* 1 the gladsome lark* 1 / / / / / Warbles his heav'n-tuned song; the lulling brook* 1 / / / / / Murmurs more gently* 1 down the deep-worn glen; / / / / While from yon roof 3 ' 1 - whose curling smoke* 1 / / / / O'ermounts the mist* 1 - is heard,* 1 at intervals,* 1 The voice of psalms* 1 - the simple song of praise. A rest, or slight suspension of voice, at the end of each line, is essential to the rhythmical reading of all verse : it can scarcely ever be omitted except in the delivery of — DRAMATIC POETRY ; in which, the suspension at the close of eacli line isust not be allowed to interrupt the flow of lan- guage and feeling. The great object of dramatic poetry is the natural and powerful expression of passion: this is the grace paramount, to which all MELODY AND CADENCE. 183 others must bend, and which must not be sacrificed to any minor embellishments. It is true, the verse in which that passionate expression is clothed lends it dignity and elegance, and therefore, even on the stage, rhythm and metre must be preserved in delivery ; but it must be done easily and without pedantry or apparent effort. For he would make but a poor impression on the heart, who, in an over- whelming burst of passion, should stop to note a cresural pause, or the rest which, in ordinary poeti- cal reading, marks the close of the line. If he be an artist, a correct ear and good taste will prevent the actor from wantonly destroying the poet's rhythm ; judgment will guide him in passages where he may, with propriety and grace, linger on the melody of the lines ; while the power of truthful feeling and passionate enthusiasm, will exalt him above the trammels of ordinary rule which would tame his imagination, and fetter his energies. This much is all that I have thought necessary to remark on the subject of the delivery of dramatic yyoelry. Its further study, with constant and patient practice, added to a good ear, a cultivated voice, and a taste refined by reading and education, is requisite to the actor. What I have here inciden- tally observed is sufficient for the orator, the scholar, and the unprofessional reader, aiming at an elegant style of Elocution. 2. Melody and Cadence are requisite to give finish to rhythmical Elocution. N 4 184 ART OF ELOCUTION. Melody and Cadence are graces arising from the a range- ment and variation of pitch by inflection of votei. Read aloud, as marked, the following — EXAMPLE. On her white breast*" 1 a sparkling cross she v/ore* 1 - Which Jews might kiss'" 1 and infidels adore. Experiment will convince the reader that no other arrange- ment of inflections on these lines can produce a melody equal to that which is here given. That mehdy pervades both verses ; in the closing line of the sense, I call it cadence, for cadence is the consummation or close of a melody. This melody is produced by alternation of inflection : the cadence marked in the second line of the couplet is distin- guished as the harmonic cadence*; it is formed by the intro- duction of two intermediate rising inflections of a third and fifth, between two falling inflections : the melody of the first line is composed of a similar alternation of inflection, with the variation of a rising inflection to mark the suspension of sense at the termination of the line. The introduction of this melody and cadence where the sense will admit of it, lends additional music to the rhythm : but they must not be used to supersede just inflection or Emphasis required by the sense: for the melody must never be permitted to destroy the force of the line. Nor must this cadence be too * The harmonic cadence may be used with grace in prose declamation, as well as in verse ; when the passage does not demand any particular force, as, — I shall content myself with wishing' 5 *' that I may be one of those"" 1 *" 1 whose follies may cease with their youth** 1 - and not of that number ^ who are ignorant*" 1 in spite of experience — Johnson* SMOOTHNESS. 183 freqiicxuy resorted to, or it will give a singsong sameness to the reading — tiresome and unmeaning. It is to be observed tbat the inflections of the voice, in the reading of verse, are not to be marked so strongly, or, as I may say, so angularly, as in prose-reading. Smoothness, and an easy, flowing style, are to be cultivated ; and, therefore, the in- flections must be, as it were, rounded and polished; so that the voice shall not leap, but gently undulate from tone to tone, and float along in an unbroken stream of sound. A great fault in the reading of verse, is the too strongly marking, or, as I call it, hammering the rhyme ; this is destructive of melody, and has a most unpleasing effect on the ear. To avoid it, we must keep the voice suspended, avoiding a frequent recurrence of the falling inflection at the close of the line, except where the close of the sense, too, demands it. Otherwise we shall fall into that methodical, alternate, closing rise and fall which deprives rhythmical Elocution of all variety and grace. Pope's lines are good practice for melodious read- ing : for he frequently suspends the sense through several successive lines, and, so, affords opportunity for variety of inflection and cadence. I therefore give (marked) a passage extracted from his Essay on Man. HAPPINESS. Oh Happiness!** 1 our being's end and aim P- Good,*" 1 pleasure,*" 1 ease,* 1 content P-whate'er thy name**'- 186 ART OF ELOCUTION. That something,'*' still which prompts th' eternal Sigt, M - Por which we bear to live,"" 1 or dare to die ;**- Which still so near us,"" 1 yet beyond us lies,^- O'erlook'd, seen double* 1 by the fool and wise *,**- Plant of celestial seed!* 1 if drop p'd below,"" 1 Say in what mortal soil* 1 thou deign'st to grow ?'* 1 - Pair op'ning"^ 1 to some court's propitious shine,*" 1 - Or deep with diamonds^ in the flaming mine?^- Twin'd with the wreaths** 1 Parnassian laurels yield,* 1 - Or reap'd in iron harvests"* 1 of the field P* 1 - Where grows ? where grows it not? If vain our toil,* 1 We ought to blame the culture,"* 1 not the soil : Pix'd to no spot*" 1 is happiness sincere,*^- 'Tis nowhere to be found, ^ or everywhere: *Tis never to be bought,*' 1 but always free,* 1 - And fled from monarchs,* 1 dwells, my friend, with thee. It is not within the scope of this work to analyse the differ- ent rhythms and metres used in versification; but for the con- venience of the reader, the practice at the end of this part contains extracts in a variety of rhythm ; by exercise on which, in accordance with the preceding rules and directions, he may acquire an elegant and easy style of rhythmical Elocution. We now proceed to EXPRESSION. Expression is the modulating or regulating the organ of the voice to tones of gentleness or force, EXPRESSION. 187 according to the nature and degree si feeling, or passion expressed in words. Expression is the natural language of emotion. It is, in Elocution, to a certain extent, a vocal imitation of passion. But this must be done without " aggravating the voice" (as Bottom has it). It is a grace which requires the nicest management; and cannot be achieved but with the best cultivation of ear and voice ; in order to catch and re-echo the tones of the heart to the ears and hearts of others. It de- pends mainly upon pitch of voice, and the expres- sion of each different feeling has its appropriate pitch.* Expression therefore is a refinement on Intona- tion : they go hand in hand : we cannot think of the one without the other. Intonation gives the voice volume and power ; expression uses and adapts it to the feeling of the moment, Even monotone has its expression. * Roger Ascham, tutor to Queen Elizabeth, thus quaintly writes, touching the matter of pitch of Toice : — " Where a matter is spoken with an apte voyce for everye affection, the hearers, for the most part, are moyed as the speaker woulde ; but when a man is always in one tone, like a humble-bee, or else now in the top of the church, now downs that no man knoweth where to have him; or piping like a reede, or roaring like a bull as some lawyers do, which thinke they do best when they crye loudest ; these shall never move, as I know many well-learned have done, because theyr voyces t%*3& not stayed afore, with learninge to singe. For all voyces, great and small, base and shrill, may be hoipen and brought to a good point by learninge to singe." 188 ART OF ELOCUTION. MONOTONE is intonation without change of pitch : that is, prcseryfsg 1 fulness of tone, without ascent or descent on the scale. THE EXPRESSION OF MONOTONE. It expresses repose of feeling or scene — the calm confidence of power — vastness of thought — veneration — and the over- awing sublimity of grandeur. But it must not be listless, vapid, soulless mono- tone ; it must be a deep, swelling, crescendo mono- tone, speaking as it were from the recesses of the heart ; as, — JBtJ BL4, \\U 1 1 \ — I- Calm-ness sits throned on yon un-mo-ving cloud. It requires practice ; and the practice of mono- tone tends essentially to the improvement of into* nation. The sign of monotone is an even line or mark (denoting an even tone of voice) over the words to be spoken without in- flection : but mark, — the sound must swell and gather volomb as it proceeds. EXERCISE ON MONOTONE. Our revels now are ended : these our actor% As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air ; Aftd like the baseless fabric* 1 of this vision •*• MONOTONE. 189 The cloud-capp'd towers,** 1 the gorgeous palaces""* Tho solemn temples ^ the great globe itself ~ 1 - Yea** 1 all which it inherit*" 1 shall dissolve ***- And* 1 like this unsubstantial pageant M faded * Leave not a rack** 1 behind. . Shakspcare* The following passage from Talfourd's classical tragedy cf Ion is also good practice in the Intonation of Monotone. Commence on a deep, full tone, Ye eldest Gods, Who in no statues of exactest form Are palpable ; who shun the azure heights Of beautiful Olympus, and the sound Of ever-young Apollo's minstrelsy ; Yet** 1 mindful of the empire which ye held Over dim Chaos,* 1 - keep revengeful wrath On falling nations, and on kingly lines About to sink for ever ; ye, who shed Into the passions of earth's giant brood ^ And their fierce usages,*"" 1 the sense of justice ; Who clothe the fated battlements of tyranny** 1 With blackness as a funeral pall, and breathe Thro' the proud halls of time-emboldened guilfc Portents of nun,** 1 - hear me ! In your presence, 190 ART OF ELOCUTION TT»"»r now I fee), you nigh, I dedicate Tins arm to the destruction of the king And of his race ! O keep me pitiless! Expel all human weakness from my frame, That this keen weapon shake not when Lis heart Should feel its point; and if he has a child Whose blood is needful to the sacrifice My country asks y harden my soul to shed it! PITCH OF VOICE. Expression, as I have said, depends chiefly upon pitcli of voice. We all know that the tones of the voice vary considerably, according to the affection of mind or passion under which a person speaks. We see this daily in nature — we hear a man give a command in one tone, and make an entreaty or ask a favour in another : his accents grow sharper and shriller in rage, and softer and more liquid in tenderness and affection : the voice is light and rapid in pleasure, — low, moaning, and broken in grief, — dull and heavy in pain,— cracked, wild y and shrieking in despair. The voice of deep passion, — -sorrow, love, woe, remorse, pity, &c, — is seated in the chest (vgco di petto), and its pitch is low : while that of mors impulsive passion, as rage, delight, triumph, &c, 33 high in pitch, and partakes of the quality of the head voice — (voce di testa). It is on our power to command our voice at will to any pitch that we PITCH OF VOICE. 191 must fdy for vocal expression : that 1^ the adapta- tion of tone to sentiment and passion. Pitch is quite distinct from force; by which, how- ever, its effect may be aided and increased. The pitch of the speaking voice may be divided into — MIDDLE PITCH, HIGH PITCH, LOW PITCH. By middle, or mean pitch, I intend the ordinary pitch of voice, as used in common conversation, un- marked by passion. That pitch varies according to the quality or character of the individual voice, whether it be soprano, tenor, or bass. Suppose, for example, the natural key of any voice to be B |j, and the prevailing tone of its ordinary speech to be 7-^-7— fc—> the middle pitch of that voice may be considered to extend a third above and a third below that tone : and so of any other prevailing tone of any voice. Above and below the range of the middle pitch, are the high and low pitch respectively. Low- pitch may be said to be a third below the mean pitch ; and high pitch, a third above it : so that where middle pitch ascending ends, high pitch begins ; where middle pitch descending ends, low pitch begins: the range of each, high or low, de- pending of course on the compass of the speaker's voice. 192 ART OF ELOCUTION. T3i3se are the clearest and most distinct indicia that I am able to give for the regulation of pitch on the speaking voice. Now, each of these three pitches, — the middle, the high, and the low, — has ito appropriate sphere of use or expression. 1. The Middle is the proper pitch for narration, description (when not particularly animated), state- ment, and moral reflection, or calm reasoning. Such a poetical description as the following, for example, requires only middle pitch : — EXERCISE ON MIDDLE PITCH, Sometimes we see a cloud that's dragonish ; A vapour, sometime, like a bear, or lion, A tower'd citadel, or pendent rock, A forked mountain, or blue promontory, With trees upon it, that nod unto the world, And mock our eyes with air ; thou hast seen these signs ; They are black Vesper's pageants. That which is now a horse, even with a thought, The rack dislimns ; and makes it indistinct As water is in water. Shakspeare. Again, such a passage as the following requires, for the most pirt, with some variation, only middle pitch ; but the delivery should be energetic and forceful : — - Breathes there the man with soul so dea3, Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land? Wao.se heart hath ne'er within him bunfij, As home his foot-steps he hath turn'd HIGH PITCH. 133 "From Tendering on a foreign strand? If such there breathe, go mark him well : For him no minstrel's raptures swell. High tho' his titles, proud his name, Boundless his wealth, as wish can claim, Despite these titles, power, and pelf, The wretch concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung! Scoit. In fine, for all passages where there is no passion expressed, or which are not marked by strong excitement, or impetuosity cf feeling, — or are not descriptive of stirring action, the middle pitch is in general sufficient. 2. High Pitch is the representative of elevated feeling, and impetuous, impulsive passion : joy, exultation, rage, invective, threat, eagerness, all speak naturally in high pitch : it is also proper to stirring description, or animated narration. It is the proper pitch for such a passage as the following, — the buoyant, joyous feeling of which is best expressed by the light and sparkling tones of high pitch. EXERCISE ON HIGH PITCH. If I may trust the flattering truth of sleep, My dreams presage some joyful news at hand; My bosom's lord sits lightly on his throne, And all this day an unaccustomed spirit Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts, Shakspeare. And the following picture cf Cheerfulness requires high o I'll ART OF ELOCUTION. pitch, and a light and brisk articulation, to harmonic with its airy and elastic effect. Bat oh! how altered was its splightlier tone When Cheerfulness, a nymph of healthiest hue, Her bow across her shoulder flung, Her buskins gemm'd with morning dew, Blew an inspiring air that dale and thicket rung : The hunter's call, to Faun and Dryad known. The oak-crowned sisters and their chaste-eyed Queen, Satyrs and sylvan boys were seen, Peeping from forth their allies green ; Brown Exercise rejoie'd to hear, And Sport leap'd up, and seized his beechen spear. Collins. The lofty enthusiasm of the aspiring Hotspur, in the well- known speech which follows, is also best expressed in the high pitch (with a variation, for effect, to low pitch in the fourth line). By heavens ! methinks it were an easy leap To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac'd moon ; Or dive into the bottom of the deep Where fathom line could never touch the ground, And pluck up drowned honour by the locks ; So he that doth redeem her thence might wear Without corrival all her dignities ; — But out upon this half-fac'd fellowship! Shakspeare. 3. Low Pitch is the natural expression of deep- seated feeling and concentrated passion, nursed darkly in the inmost recesses of the heart : it is the tone of grief , — suppressed rage, — brooding thought, — very solemn reflection, — melancholy, — hate, — re- morse ; and also, in its softest and deepest expres- eion> of lorn and veneration* low pitch. u£ EXEECISE ON LOW PITCH. W1& woeful measures* 1 wan Despair,— Low*' 1 sullen sounds^ his grief bega^Ieil'*^ A solemn, 5 " 1 strange,'* 1 and mingled" 1 air. Collins, Now o'er the one half world Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams Abuse the curtain'd sleep : now witchcraft celebrates Pale Hecate's fferings, and wither' d murder, Alarum'd by his sentinel, the wolf, Whose howl's his watch, thus with his stealthy pace, With Tarquin's ravishing strides, towards his design Moves like a ghost. Skakspeare. Oh! now for ever, Farewell the tranquil mind! farewell content! Farewell the plumed troop, and the big wars, That make ambition virtue ! O, farewell ! Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump, The spirit-stirring drum, the ear- piercing fife, The royal banner, and all quality, Pride, pomp, and ch*cumstance of glorious war ! And oh, you mortal engines, whose rude throats The immortal Jove's dread clamours counterfeit, Farewell ! Othello's occupation's gone ! Skakspeare, Now, it is on the change and variation of these several pitches that an orator or an actor must depend for power of expression ; and the greater the facility with which he can make his transitions from pitch to pitch, the greater will be his effect on his audience- For there are many passages in O 2 lff\ ART Ot? ELOCUTION. vehement oratory, poetry, and especially dramatic poetry, that require rapid and frequent transitions from high pitch to low, and run through every variety of tone. ENERGY, OR FORCE. Intimately allied to expression is energy, or forc€c Energy may be called the Emphasis of Ex- pression. It is the life, the soul, the animating spirit. Without it, the speaker may he correct, and even agreeable, by a due observance of rule ; but if he lack energy, he will be listened to without interest; his voice will fall powerless on the ear, and neither "awake the senses," nor "stir the blood." Energy, it is true, depends somewhat on indi- vidual temperament and constitution. But even where natural or physical energy is deficient, an energetic manner may be acquired by practice and exercise under judicious direction; just as the muscular powers may be improved, and bodily vigour increased, even in a feeble frame, under a course of training and well-regulated exercise. The first requisite, in order to create an interest in others, is to feel, or at least to exhibit, an earnestness ourselves. We must be in earnest. Between the orator and his auditory, there is a cer- tain involuntary sympathy communicated from one to the other. If he be himself animated and energetic, his audience soon acknowledge a kindred TIME. 197 spirit ; if, on the contrary, lie be cold, they catch the infection ; if he be tame, they are apathetic ; if he be spiritless, they are listless : their torpor again re-acts upon him, and both orator and audience sleep, together. Energy quickens and infuses life into the style: it warms, it revivifies with its touch. It adds a brisker movement to the voice : it flushes the cheek, it lights the eye, it animates the frame ; and, passing like an electric spark from speaker to audience, it enkindles in them a sympathetic spirit, it arouses their enthusiasm, it takes possession of their hearts, and places their feelings, their reason, and their will, in the hands of him whose power has agitated the recesses of their souls. Force* is, after pitch, the next constituent of Expression : and the increasing or diminishing the amount of force on any passage is a matter re- quiring nice taste, and artistical execution, in governing the voice to forte (loud), and piano (soft). TIME. The last constituent of Expression is — Time, The time, that is, the rapidity or slowness of our delivery, must accord with the character of the feeling or passion expressed, — whether impetuous or concentrated ; — of the action, or scene described, — whether stirring or tranquil; — or of the sen- timent that pervades the language, — whether it be elevated, impulsive, glowing, or deep, solemn, and o 3 198 ART OF ELOCUTION. enduring. For, different sentiments and passions., as they use different pitch, also speak in different time: the utterance of grief is slow and heavy; while that of hope and joy is light, hounding, and rapid. Again, the rush of an impetuous torrent, roaring and bursting over the plains, destroying vegetation, tearing up trees, carrying away cot- tages, in its resistless course, must be painted, as it were, to the ear, not only by appropriate pitch and force, but by a rapidity of utterance whose time shall be in keeping with the sweeping destruction described : while the placid flow of a gentle river, calmly gliding between its flower-spangled banks, amid a landscape of richest verdure, whose un- broken silence, and golden smile, caught from the rays of the setting sun, breathe the quiet happiness of content and peace, — this requires to be painted by a slow and even movement of the voice, — whose time shall accord with the tranquillity of the scene, and allow the hearer to dwell on the placid picture before him. As an illustration, continuing the speech of Brutus, which we have already commenced as an Exercise on Intonation, we proceed thus : — As Caesar loved me,* 1 - 1 weep for him;*' 1 as he was fortunate,*' 1 I rejoice at it ; as he was valiant,* 1 I honour him; but,* 1 as he was ambitions,'* 1 I slew him. There is** 1 tears for his love ; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour,** 1 - and death** 1 for his ambition. EXPRESSION. iyj Such is the correct pausing, and such the just, and even forcible inflection and emphasis on this passage. But it wants much more, before it can be perfectly delivered : it wants expression : for it is clear that " weeping" " rejoicing," and " shying" result from very different and opposite affections or passions of the mind ; and this change in sentiment must be indicated by a correspondent transition in the pitch, and variation in force and time of delivery. To denote the varieties and changes of these three consti- tuents of Expression, I must employ the following signs and terms : — FOR PITCH,- TEUM. Middle Pitch Low Pitch Hfeh Pitch SIGN.. JH or m, 33 or fc, & or a. FOR FORCE — It will he necessary to use terms denoting the following- 200 ART OF ELOCUTION. DYNAMICS, OR POWERS OF SOUND. Terra. Sign. Explanation. How, or for what to be used. piano . . . p. softly With a soft tone, expressive of calmness, gentleness, mildness, &c. pianissimo . pp. very softly . . increased expression of ten- derness, &c. forte . . • / loud the reverse of the above ; a loud, powerful tone. mezzo forte m.f. rather loud. fortissimo . # very loud . . . increased expression. crescendo . « increasing . . swelling the volume of voice. diminuendo > diminishing . . reducing the volume. forzando A bursting .... explosive, with a burst of sound. staccato * 1 T T beating .... with short and distinct strokes of sound; to be used in rapid and energetic de- livery. legato . . leg. connected or a smooth, even flow of tone, (the reverse of smoothly . . proper for the delivery of staccato.) unimpassioned verse. The following terms denote the character of the expression proper to any passage : — affetuoso . . (q^fo.)-with emotion : expressive of deep feeling. dolce .... (dol.ysweetly ; expressive of tenderness, affection, pity, &c. maestoso with a grand, majestic expression, proper to solemn feeling. con spirito (con sp.)-with spirit ; for lively expression. con fuoco (con fu.ywiih fire; in an animated, energetic manner. con anima (con aw.)- with soul; that is, with a thrilling expres- sion of intense feeling. ENERGY. 201 TIME. The following terms denote the time, or degree of rapidity- ox slowness of movement, to be adopted ; — adagio very slow — for solemn delivery. allegro . . . .(alio.} quick — for brisk, lively delivery. presto still quicker. andante middle time and distinct. largo slowly, with, fulness of tone. moderato in ordinary or middle time. ritard slackening the time. accelerando .... quickening the time. Using these terms and abbreviations, the same passage will be thus marked for expression, in addition to the previous marks of pause, &c. largo p. p.affo. allo.m.f. ffil As Ca3sar loved me,"* 1 - I weep for him; as he was form- at ^ ^ ^ nate,*' I rejoice at it ; as he was valiant,'* 1 1 honour him ; but ^ as «=C ^ ft largo p. affo. he was ambitious," 1 - I slew him. There is** 1 - tears for his love,' 8 * 1 m/i <: frtf'. joy for his fortune;* 1 - honour for his valour,* 1 and death* 1 for his ambition. In narration, what force, what reality can be given to description by a speaker who, as it were, throws himself into the scene, and by the vivacity and energy of his delivery brings the action graphi- cally before your eyes, hurries you into the heat of 202 . ART OF ELOCUTION. it, and makes you feel as if personally engaged in what is so stirringly related to you. As in that beautiful description, in Shakspeare's Henry lr. t of the gallant Prince Henry and his comrades armed for battle : — Andante, con spirito. $&, All furnish'd, ail in arms, Glitt'ring in golden coats like images ; As full of spirit as the month of May, And gorgeous as the sun at midsummer! Alio. Wanton as youthful goats, wild as young bulls. I sa\f young Harry, with his beaver on, His cuisses on his thighs, gallantly arm'd, con fuico. 3 Rise from the ground like feather' d Mercury, /. And vaulted with such ease into his seat, dolce. As if an angel dropp'd down from the clouds, /. jJJH To turn and wind a fiery Pegasus, And witch the world with noble horsemanship ! Unless this description, full of poetic imagination and colouring as it is, be delivered with warmth, energy, and the pitch or tone of enthusiasm, it will fall very short of its due impression ; and thus the poet will be deprived, by the speaker's coldness, of the full appreciation, by the hearer, of the exquisite beauty of the picture. The reader must catch the spirit of the language, in order to be a fit interpreter of the poet's conception ; as he proceeds, he must warm and kindle with the glowing colouring of the picture, till the finishing touch is given to it, in the closing, crowning line. But the force of his elocution must be greatly increased, PASSION. 203 and the expression must become impassioned, and rise almost to fierceness, to produce the full effect of Hotspur's heroic and inspiring answer : which breathes the highest enthusiasm of confident and daring valour, undaunted resoluuuii, anu ini- patient thirst of gWy. HOTSPURS "EAGEKKESS rOR UAltlK, alio. confuoco. Q Let them come! f. i;lrl make himself master of certain tones and variations of expression, a judicious use of which will add much to the beauty and power of his decla- mation, and is. in fact, absolutely necessary to be attained before he can aspire to the rugn character of a perfect Orator. m AN EXERCISE FOR INTONATION. PKOSPERO'S INVOCATION. — Shakspeare. Begin in a deep tone, and gather force and volume in progressing. Largo— maestoso. *=CT -o patent ait, Transition to middle pitch and a softer tone : — ffil But this rough magic I here abjure ; and when I have requir'd Some heavenly music (which even now I d^) To work mine end upon their senses, that This airy charm is for, M - I'll break my staff, Bury it certain fathoms in the earth, 23 And deeper than did ever plummet sound, I'll drown my book. THE DEATH OF SAMSOK — Milton. This being narrative, does not admit of so solemn a tone as the preceding : — A ndante—moderato. iH The building was a spacious theatre, Half-round, on two main pillars vaulted high, With seats where all the lords, and each degree Of sort, might sit in order to behold. The other side was open, where the throng PRACTICE. — INTONATION. 207 On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand. m. f. The feast and noise grew high ; and sacrifice Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high cheer, and wine, When to their sports they turn'd. Immediately Was Samson as a public servant brought, In their state livery clad : before him pipes f And timbrels, on each side went armed guards, Both horse and foot ; before him and behind, Archers and slingers, cataphracts and spears. At sight of him, the people with a shout, Rifted the air, clamouring their God with praise, .Who had rc.ide their dreadful enemy their thrall, v- He patient, but undaunted, where they led him, Caine to the place ; and what was set before him, Which without help of eye might be assay'd, To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd, leg. / / • . Sat the Druid, hoary chief, / / / / Ev'ry burning word he spoke, / / / / Pull of rage, and full of grief. / / / " Princess, if our aged eyes / / / Weep upon thy matchless UTiXgs, / / / / Tis because resentment ties / / / All the terrors of our tongues. ** Rome shall perish! write iimt word In the blood that she has spilt ; P 210 ART OF ELOCUTION. Perish, hopeless and abkoritxf, / / / Deep in ruin, as in guilt ! " Rome, for empire far renown'd, Tramples on a thousand gt«&&\j / / / / Soon her pride shall kiss the ground— / / / Hark! the Gaul is at her gates 1 /■'-.•'_./ / " Other Romans shall arise, • Heedless of a soldier s name ; / ;> f / Sounds, not arms, shall win tfce prize, / / / Harmony the path to fame ! u Then, the progeny that springs From the forests of our land, / . / / / Arm'd with thunder, clad with vunga^ / / / *. Shall a wider world command. / / / s " Regions Caesar never knew, / / / Thy posterity shall sway % / / / y Where his eagles never new / / / None invincible as they!" / / / / Such the bard's prophetic words, / / f Pregnant with celestial fir% Bending as he swept the chords / / / Of his sweet, but awful lyre. PRACTICE, — - RHYTHMICAL READING. 211 / / / / She with all a monarch's pride, / / / Felt them in her bosom glow ; / / / / Bush'd to battle, fought, and died, / / / Dying, hurled them on the foe I / / / u Ruffians ! pitiless as proud, / / / /■ Heav'n awards the vengeance due $ /'."'..'/ / Empire is on us bestowed, / / / / Shame and ruin wait for you ! THE CLIME OF THE EAST.— Byron. Know ye the. land where the cypress and myrtle / / ' , . ,/ Are emblems of deeds that are done in their clime, / / / / Where the rage of the vulture, the love of the turtle / / / / Now melt into sorrow, now madden to crime ? / ' / / Know ye the land of the cedar and vine / / / s Where the flowers ever blossom, the leaves ever shine ; / / / / Where the light wings of zephyr, oppress'd with perfume, Wax faint o'er the gardens of Gul* in her bloom! Where the citron and olive are fairest of fruit, / / / / And the voice of the nightingale never is mute ; / / / / Where the tints of the earth and the hues of the sky, * Gul, the rose, P 2 212 ART OF ELOCUTION. In colour though varied, in beauty may vie, / / / / And the purple of Ocean is deepest in dye ; / / / / Where the virgins are soft as the roses they twine, And all, save the spirit of man, is divine? Tis the clime of the East, — 'tis the land of the sun! / / / / Can he smile on such deeds as his children have done ? / / / / Oh ! wild as the accents of lovers' farewell, Are the hearts which they bear, and the tales which they telL The exercise in Intonation serves also for an exercise in Blank Verse ; and the next Exercise contains same other va- rieties of metrical arrangement. EXERCISE IN EXPRESSION. I have chosen the following well-known and beautiful ode, as the vehicle of instruction, and as a particular Exercise in Expression, although quite familiar to the reader, as a compo- sition,— because it affords great scope for transition of pitch, variation of force, and change of time, in accordance with the varied action and quality of the personification of each individual passion. It is in these transitions and variations that the main beauty of the ode lies ; and on the marking of them distinctly, depends the effect in delivery. The ode is also a good practice in rhythmical reading, from the variety as well as polish of the versification. The pupil will carefully note the short analysis of the ex- pression of each passion, and the marginal directions as to tone and time due to each particular passage. PRACTICE. — EXPRESSION. 213 THE PASSIONS — AN ODE — Colliks, INTRODUCTION OR PRELUDE. DIRECTIONS. Begin calmly, smoothly, and in modei ate time, and middle pitch. When Music, heavenly maid, was young Ere yet in early Greece she sung, The Passions oft, to hear her shell, Throng'd around har magic cell; Thetone and time (•/; S p. ttT ff.^- must here change, and be varied to ex- press the different emotions described. % Exulting, trembling, raging, fainting, m.f. HT Possess'd beyond the Muse's painting, By turns they felt the glowing mind, Disturbed, delighted, raised, refined; =* ' fz. Till once, 'tis said, when all were fir'd, confuoco. f. «=C Fill'd with fury, rapt, inspir'd, This must be (presto, rapid, to express j From the supporting myrtles round, the suddenness ofi - ° J I They seized her instruments of sound, Inordinary time. ("*>• _ ', *!,-,*, i And, as they oft had heard apart, 1 dolce. I Sweet lessons of her forceful art, wildly fz^ Each, — for madness rul'd the hour — tit mod. Would prove his own expressive power. 1. Fear. Pear deprives the voice of its power ; the tone becomes thin and feeble, and the utterance (when P 3 214 ART OF ELOCUTION* the passion is highly-wrought) tremulous, indistinct, aiid broken. Slowly, and with f $£ "hesitation. 1YI p. First Fear,*' 1 his hand,*" its skill to try, Amid the chords'" 1 - bewilder'd laid j presto. fz. p- ritard. And back recoil'd,— he knew not why, — legato p. E'en at the sound himself had made ! 2. Anger. Anger is high in pitch, loud, and quick in the time of its utterance ; and the words do not flow, but burst out in sudden starts, indicative of the rashness of passion. This is distinct from the expression of dignified anger, just severity, and reproof, which is solemn and measured in its delivery, and low in pitch. Loudly and hur- T <3i riedly, with im petuous bursts of sound. ► alio, con fuoco. /• - And, with a withering look, The war- ^enouncing trumpet took ; ®t < /. ffm < And blew a blast so loud and dread, M ritard. maestoso. sostenuto. Were ne'er prophetic sounds so full of woe, ** vresto. staccato/. And ever and anon, he beat ? T The doubling drum with furious heat ; 39 ritard. largo maestoso. And though sometimes,***'- each dreary pause between, *" 1 - p. ^^ Rejected Pity, at his side, affo. legato, dol. Her soul-subduing voice applied, PRACTICE. — EXPRESSION. 21"i Return to the rapid movement and fieri.?, utter- ance of lievenge. ^i presto, f. Yet still he kept his wild unalter'd mien, staccato, ffi T T T .. T While each strained ball of sight" fz. bursting from his head ! seem'd 7. Jealousy. Jealousy lias a changeful tone, varying as it yields to love or hate ) sometimes indulging in the tender- ness of affection, at others venting itself in all the harshness and bitterness of revenge. The poet has well distinguished these two different phases of the passion. Begin in a low f^ tone and slowly ; 1 largo p. presto, m.f. ring accord- 1 Thy numbers,* 1 Jealousy,'"' to nought were to The .Uera- fix'd, ^ tion of feeling de- scribed. 33 maestoso. Sad proof of thy distressful state*" 1 - v rcstom.f. Of differing themes,^ the veering song was mix'd,*"'" JjJl p. ritard affo. dolce. f. K And now it courted Love, * 1 - now raving , " 1 - called on Hate f 8. Melancholy. The voice of Melancholy is low in tone, soft, mellow, and slow in utterance. 218 ART OF ELOCUTION. Mark the gen- f iienes> of ho pas- sion by a smooth, flowing delivery, and rather deep tone, and movement. Change back to deep tO"e, and slow, flowing ut- terance 35 lor go p. With eyes up-rais'd, as one inspirM, Pale Melancholy ^ sat retir'd" 1 - And from her wild, sequester'd seat, M In notes by distance made more sweet, .Pour'd through the mellow horn** her pensive soul : zem.f. And dashing soft from rocks around, A lighter tone r m a* alio, dolce m . f. Bubbling runnels join'd the sound ; 20 maestoso. -- In hollow murmurs* 1 died away. 9. Cheerfulness. Cheerfulness — which is the direct contrast of the last passion — speaks in a high pitch, briskly and " trippingly on the tongue." The expression is of the same order (bat less active or passionate ) as — 10. Joy ; whose tone is richer and fuller, and utterance still PRACTICE. — EXPRESSION. £19 more lively and animated. Under the influence of joy, the words bound and gush from the lips, and the delivery becomes excited and enthusiastic. The distinction between these two affections of mind, is, that Cheerfulness is a state or enduring condition of the mind, and therefore has a certain repose of expression ; while Joy is an active emotion or passion, temporarily exciting and agitating the mind, and accordingly its expression is of a higher character, and must be more powerfully deline- ated. Joy usually subsides into the happy tranquillity of cheerfulness ; unless it be dashed by grief, in which case it sometimes changes into the darkest despair. In the present instance the passion receives ad- ditional force and impulse from its union with 11. Love, — and 12. Mirth; the expression proper to which,— forming, as does the combination of Love, Joy, and Mirth, the most exquisite of all earthly felicity, — that is, the perfect enjoyment of happy love,—- must be of the most animated, spiritual, and enthusiastic kind : it must be all soul I Indicate the trans- r @* ition from Me Ian- **.' eholy to cheerful- ness, by a higher pitch and a. brisker utterance. alio. m. f. But oh ! how alter'd wag; its sprightlier tone,*" 1 - When Cheerfulness, a n|mph of health- iest hue, 220 Express the brisk- ness of the action of Sport and Ex- ercise by a quicker time and a stronger utterance. Heighten the ex- pression of Cheer- fulness to a fuller and richer tone, and even more lively and enthu- siastic delivery, in- creasing, as the descriptive verses glow, and the pic- ture is heightened in colouring and effect by th*- intro- duction of Love and Mirth, whose appearance on the S'-ene must be marked by still greater expression of tone. ART OF ELOCUTION. f Her br >w across her shoulder flung, Her buskins gemm'd with morning dew^- Blew an inspiring air that dale and thicket rung :^- The hunter's call, to Faun and Dryad known. The oak-crowned sisters and their chaste- eyed Queen, Satyrs and sylvan boys were seen, Peeping from forth their allies green ;**- 'Brown Exercise rejoie'd to hear, presto./. T T And Sport leap'd up *? and seiz'd his beechen spear, | alio— con anima—dolce. Last came Joy's ecstatic trials- He, with viny crown advancing, First to the lively pipe his hand address'd,^- con spiritof. But soon he saw the brisk, awak'ning viol, /■ ■ Whose sweet entrancing voice he lov'd the best, legato. They would have thought, who heard the strain, They saw in Tcmpe's vale her native maids, Amidst the festal-sounding shades, To some unwearied minstrel dancing,* 1 - PRACTICE.— EXPRESSION. prrsfo. f. While as his flying lingers kiss'd the strings, dolce. Love fram'd with Mirth a gay fantastic round ;'- Loose were her tresses seen, her zone urfc- bound, *■""'- confuoco. And he, amidst his frolic play As if he would the charming air repay, Shook thousand odours^ from his dewv wings ! Energetic Expression. —Threatening. [See Anger, Revenge.] HENRY V. BEFOEE THE GATES OEHARELEUR.- Shaksfeaiie. How yet resolves the Governor of the town? — This is the latest parle we will admit ; Therefore to our best mercy give yourselves, Or like to men, proud of destruction, Defy us to the worst ! for, as I am a soldier, (A name that in my thoughts becomes me best); If I begin the battery once again, I will not leave the half-achiev'd Harfleur Till in her ashes she lie buried! The gates of merey shall be all shut up; And the flush'd soldier, rough and hard of heart, In liberty of bloody hand shall range, Mowing like grass Your fresh, fair virgins, and your flow'ring infants! 222 ART OF ELOCUTION. Therefore, ye men of Harfleur. Take pity of your town, and of your people, Whiles yet my soldiers are in my command ! If not, why in a moment look to see The blind and bloody soldier, with foul hand, Defile the locks of your shrill- shrieking daughters : Your fathers taken by the silver beards, And their most reverend heads dashed to the wails! Your naked infants spitted upon pikes : Whiles the mad mothers with their howls confused Do break the clouds ; — as did the wives of Jewry At Herod's bloody-hunting slaughterman ! How say you? will you yield, and this avoid ? THE DYING GLADIATOK Byron. This concluding extract from Childe Harold, affords an opportunity, in a short space, for great variety and quick transition of tone, in accordance with the change of Expression from Pity to Indig- nation mounting to Revenge. The pupil will find the key to the correct expression of these changing feelings in the remarks on Collins's Ode to the Passions,— which I design as a key to Expression in general. In the present instance, I have also marked the pauses which are necessary to be observed ; they add much to the effect of the passage. Commence in a deep tone and slowly. 33 adagio p. I see before me** 1 the Gladiator lie: $ p. and an outcast of the people. UTEKARY AND POLITICAL PURSUITS CON- TRASTED. (From Mr. R. P. Ward's novel of De Yere.) [The following is an Essay in the form of a conversation, and mnstbe read, therefore, in a lighter style than a formal essay; yet more formally than an ordinary conversation. It is a dis- cussion between Wentworth (who is intended as a portrait of Mr. Canning), Sir George Deloraine, and Dr. Herbert, arising from Wentworth's having observed Sir George coming out of Westminster Abbey by the door at Poet's Corner. Meeting him afterwards at dinner, Wentworth rallies the baronet on his taste for the monuments of departed genius ; and the con- versation thus proceeds:—] " It would do all you men of power good," conti- nued Sir George, " if you were to visit them too ; for it would show you how little more than upon a level is often the reputation of the greatest states- men with the fame of those who, by their genius, their philosophy, or love of letters improve and gladden life even after they are gone." The whole company saw the force of this remark, and Wentworth not the least among them. " You have touched a theme," said he, " which PROSE-READING. 261 has often engaged me, and others before me, with the keenest interest. I know nothing so calculated as this very reflection to cure us poor political slaves (especially when we feel the tugs we are obliged to sustain) of being dazzled by meteors." " Meteors do you call them? " said Dr. Herbert. " Men do not run after meteors with such rapid and persevering steps as you great people pursue ambition. " " I grant you," returned his friend ; " and if we did not think them something better, who would give himself up to such labour, such invasions of his privacy and leisure, as w r e are forced to undergo?" "What is it, then, that seduces you ?" " A little intoxication," returned Mr. Wentworth, laughing off a subject which he did not wish carried too far ; " for which you philosophers say we ought to be whipped, and for which whipped we often are. Those, however, who want this whipping would do well to take Sir George's ad- vice, and visit the shrines of the mighty dead. They would see how inferior most of themselves are in present estimation to beings who, when alive, could not, in splendour at least, compare with them. I have too often made the reflection, and was not the happier for it." " You cannot be serious," said the divine ; "since who are such real benefactors to mankind as en- lightened legislators and patriot warriors ? What poet I had almost said what philosophers can stand in competition with the founder or defender of his country?" 8 3 262 apfsxpix. " As T <; your own Homer, your own Shakspeare/' answered Wentwortb, forgetting his ambition for a moment in his love of letters. " You take me in my weak part," said Herbert ; and the subject would carry us too far. I would remark, however, that but for the Solons, the Ro- muluses, the Charlemagnes, and Alfreds, we should have no Homer or Shakspeare to charm us." " I know this is your favourite theme," said the minister; "and you know how much I agree with you. But this is not precisely the question raised by Sir George ; which is, the superiority in the Temple of Fame enjoyed by men distinguished by their efforts in song or history (but who might have been mere beggars when alive) over those who flaunted it superciliously over them in a pomp and pride which are now absolutely forgotten." u I will have nothing to do with supercilious Saunters," replied Herbert ; " I think of the liberal, the patriotic, who seek power for the true ^ises of power, in order to diffuse blessing and protection all around them. These can never fail to be deservedly applauded ; and I honour such ambition as of infinitely more real consequence to the world than those whose works (however I may love them in private) can, from the mere nature of things, he known only to a few." " All that is most true," said Mr. Wentworth ; "and for awhile public men of the description you mention fill a larger space in the eye of man- kind ; that is, of contemporary mankind. But ex tin- guish their power, no matter by what means? PROSE-READING. 263 whether by losing favour at court, or being turned out by the country, to both which they are alike subject. — let death forcibly remove them, or a queen die, — and their light, like Bolingbroke's, goes out of itself; their influence is certainly gone, and where is even their reputation ? It may glimmer for a minute, like the dying flame of a taper; after which they soon cease to be mentioned, perhaps even re- membered." " Surely," said the Doctor, " this is too much in extremes." " And yet," continued Wentworth, a have we not all heard of a maxim, appalling to all lovers of po- litical fame, that nobody is missed? Alas! then, are we not compelled to burst out with the poet ? — " What boots it with incessant care To tend the homely, slighted, shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless muse? "Were it not better done, as others use, To sport with Amaryllis in the shade, Or with the tangles of Neceras' hair? ' " Both Sir George and De Yere kindled at this ; and the doctor himself smiled when the minister proceeded. 11 In short," said he, " when a statesman or even a conqueror is departed, it depends upon the hap- pier poet or philosophic historian to make even his name known to posterity ; while the historian or poet acquires immortality for himself in conferring upon his heroes an inferior existence." " Inferior existence ! " exclaimed Herbert. 8 4 264 APPENDIX. " Yes ; you look at Plutarch, and ask which are most esteemed, himself or those he records? Look at the old Claudii and Manlii of Livy; or the characters in Tacitus ; or Mecaenas, Agrippa, or Augustus himself, — princes, emperors, ministers, esteemed by contemporaries as gods ! Fancy their splendour in the eye of the multitude while the multitude follow them. Look at them now ! Spite even of their beautiful historians, we have often difficulty in rummaging out their old names ; while those who wrote or sang of them live before our eyes. The benefits they conferred passed in a minute, while the compositions that record them last for ever." Mr. Wentworth's energy moved his hearers, and even Herbert, who was too classical not to be shaken by their arguments. "Still, however," said the latter, "we admire and even wish to emulate Camillus, Miltiades and Alexander; a Sully and a Clarendon." "Add a Lord Burleigh," replied the minister, "who, in reference to Spenser, thought a hundred pounds an immense sum for a song ! Which is now most thought of, or most loved, the calculating minister or the poor poet ? the puissant treasurer, or he who was left, * in suing long to bide V " Sir George and De Vere, considering the quar- ter whence it came, were delighted with this question. The doctor was silent, and seemed to wish his great friend to go on. He proceeded thus : — " I might make the same question as to Horace PROSE -READING. 265 and Mecsenas ; and yet, I dare say, Horace was as proud of being taken in Mecsenas* coach to the capital as the Dean of St. Patrick's in Oxford's or Bolingbroke's to Windsor. Yet Oxford is even now chiefly remembered through that very dean ; and so, perhaps, would Bolingbroke, but that he is an author, and a very considerable one, himself. We may recollect," continued he, " the manner in which Whitelock mentions Milton — that e one Milton, a blind man/ was made secretary to Crom- well. Whitelock was then the first subject in the state, and lived in all the pomp of the seals and all the splendour of Bulstrode ; while the blind man waked at early morn to listen to the lark bidding him good-morrow at his cottage-window* Where is the lord-keeper now ? where the blind man ? What is known of Addison as secretary of state? and how can His Excellency compare with the man who charms us so exquisitely in his writings ? When I have visited his interesting house at Bilton in Warwickshire, sat in his study, and read his very books, no words can describe my emotions. I breathe his official atmosphere here, but without thinking of him at all. In short, there is this delightful superiority in literary over political fame, that the one, to say the best of it, stalks in cold grandeur upon stilts, like a French tragedy actor ; while the other winds itself into our warm hearts, and is hugged there with all the affection of & friend, and all the admiration of a Iqyqv" 266 APPENDIX. XESTORY AND FICTION IN LITERATURE — Thackeray. What do we look for in studying the history of a past age? Is it to learn the political transactions and characters of the leading public men? is it to make ourselves acquainted with the life and being of the time ? If we set out with the former grave purpose, where is the truth, and who believes that he has it entire? What character of what great man is known to you ? You can but make guesses as to character, more or less happy. In common life don't you often judge and misjudge a man's whole conduct, setting out from a wrong impression? The tone of a voice, a word said in joke, or a trifle in behaviour, the cut of his hair or the tie of his neckcloth, may disfigure him in your eyes, or poison your good opinion ; or, at the end of years of inti- macy, it may be your closest friend says something, reveals something, which had previously been a secret, which alters all your views about him, and shows that he has been acting on quite a different motive to that which you fancied you knew. And if it is so with those you know, how much more with those you don't know ? Say, for example, that I want to understand the character of the Duke of Marlborough. I read Swift's History of the Times, in which he took a part — the shrewdest of observers, and initiated, one would think, into the politics of the age — he hints to me that Marl- borough w r as a coward, and even of doubtful mill- PROSE-READING. 2G7 tary capacity; he speaks of Walpoleas a contempt- ible bore; and scarcely mentions, except to flout it, the great intrigue of the Queen's latter days, which was to have ended in bringing back the Pretender. Again, I read Marlborough's life by a copious archdeacon, who has the command of immense papers, of various languages, of what is called the best information, and I get little or no insight into this secret motive, which I believe influenced the whole of Marlborough's career, which caused his wormings and windings, his opportune fidelity and treason, stopped his army almost at Paris' gate, and landed him finally on the Hanoverian side — the winning side ; I get, I say, no truth, or only a portion of it, in the narrative of either writer, and believe that Coxe's portrait or Swift's portrait is quite unlike the real Churchill. I take this as a single instance, prepared to be as sceptical about any other, and say to the Muse of History, " O, venerable daughter of Mnemosyne^ I doubt every single statement you ever made since your ladyship was a Muse! For all your grave airs and high pretensions, you are not a whit more trustworthy than some of your lighter sisters on whom your partisans look down. You bid me listen to a general's oration to his soldiers. Nonsense! He no more made it than Turpin made his dying speech at Newgate. You pronounce a panegyric of a hero ; I doubt it, and say you flatter out- rageously. You utter the condemnation of a loose character ; I doubt it, and think you are prejudiced, and take the side of the Dons, You offer me an 268 APPENDIX. autobiography ; I doubt all autobiographies I ever read except those, perhaps, of Mr. Robinson Crusoe, Manner, and writers of his class. These have no object in setting themselves right with the public or their own consciences ; these have oo motive for concealment or half-truth, these call for no more con- fidence than I can cheerfully give, and do not force me to tax my credulity or to fortify it by evidence. I take up a volume of Dr. Smollett, or a volume of the Spectator, and say the fiction carries a greater amount of truth in solution than the volume which purports to be all true. Out of the fictitious book I get the expression of the life of the time, of the manners, of the movement, the dress, the pleasures, the laughter, the ridicules of society — the old times live again, and I travel in the old country of England. Can the heaviest historian do more for me?" As we read in the delightful volumes of the " Tatler " and the " Spectator " the past age returns, the England of our ancestors is revivified. The May-pole rises in the Strand again, in London ; the churches are thronged with daily worshippers ; the beaux are gathering in the coffee-houses, — the gentry are going to the drawing-rooms, — the ladies are thronging to the toy-shops, — the chairmen are jostling in the streets, — the footmen are running with links before the chariots, or fighting round the theatre-doors. In the country I see the young squire riding to Eton with his servants behind him, and Will Wimble, the friend of the family, to see him PliOSE-EEADING. 269 safe, To make that journey to the squire's and back, Will is a week on horseback. The coach takes five days between London and the Bath. The judges and the bar ride the circuit. If my lady comes to town in her post-chariot, her people carry pistols, to fire a salute at Captain Mackheath, if he should appear, and her couriers ride a-head to prepare apartments for her at the great caravanse- raries on the road. Boniface receives her under the sign of tiie Bell or the Ram, and he and his chamber- lains bow her up the great stair to the state apart- ments, whilst her carriage rumbles into the court- yard where the Exeter Fly is housed that performs the journey in eight days, God willing, having achieved its daily flight of twenty miles, and landed its passengers for supper and sleep. The mate is taking his pipe in the kitchen, where the captain's man, having hung up his master's half-pike, is at his bacon and eggs, bragging of Ramillies and Mai- plaquet to the townsfolk who have their club in the chimney-corner. The packhorses are in the great stable, and the drivers and ostlers conversing in the tap. And in Mrs. Landlady's bar, over a glass of strong waters, sits a gentleman of military ap- pearance, who travels with pistols, as all the rest of the world do, and has a rattling grey mare in the stables, which will be saddled and away with its owner half-an-hour before the "Fly" sets out on its last day's flight. And some five miles on the road, as the Exeter Fly comes jingling and creaking onwards, it will suddenly be brought to a halt by a 270 APPENDIX, gentleman on a grey mare with a black vizard on his face, who thrusts a long pistol into the coach - window, and bids the company to hand out their purses. It must have been no small pleasure even to sit in the great kitchen in those days, and see the tide of humankind pass by. We arrive in places now, but we travel no more. I would have liked to travel in those days (being of that class of travel- lers who are proverbially pretty easy coram latroni- bus) 9 and have seen my friend with the grey mare and the black vizard. Alas ! there always came a day in the life of that warrior when it was the fashion to accompany him ? as he passed — without his black mask, and a nosegay in his hand, accom- panied by halberdiers and attended by the sheriff — in a carriage without springs, and a clergyman jolting beside him, to a spot close by Cumberland Gate and the Marble Arch, w r hereastone still records that here Tyburn turnpike stood. What a change in a century — in a few years! Within a few yards of that gate the fields began : the fields of his exploits, behind the hedges of which he lurked and robbed. A great and wealthy city has grown over those meadows. Were a man brought to die there now, the windows would be closed and the in- habitants keep their houses in sickening horror. A hundred years back people crowded to see the last act of a highwayman's life, and make jokes on it. Swift laughed at him, grimly advising him to provide a Holland shirt and white cap crowned PROSE-READING. 27 1 with a crimson or black ribbon for his exit, tr» mount the cart cheerfully, shake hands with the hangman, and so — farewell. Gay wrote the most delightful ballads over the same hero. Contrast these writings with the writ- ings of our present humourists. Compare these morals and ours — ■ those manners and ours. — Thackeray's Lectures. MR, GRESBURY, M.P., AND THE DEPUTATION.— Dickens. Within the precincts of the ancient city of West- minster, and within half-a-quarter of a mile of its ancient sanctuary, is a narrow and dirty region, the sanctuary of the smaller members of parliament in modern clays. It is all comprised in one street of gloomy lodging-houses, from whose windows;, in vacation time, there frown long, melancholy rows of bills, which say as plainly as did the countenances of their occupiers, ranged on ministerial and op- position benches in the session which slumbers with its fathers, " To let " — Ci To let." In busier periods of the year these bills disappear, and the houses swarm with legislators. There are legisla- tors in the parlours, in the first floor, in the second, in the third, in the garrets ; the small apartments reek with the breath of deputations and delegates. In damp weather the place is rendered close by the steams of moist acts of parliament and frowsy 272 APPENDIX. petitions ; general-postmen grow faint as they enter its infected limits ; and shabby figures, in quest of franks, flit restlessly to and fro, like the troubled ghosts of Complete Letter-writers departed. This is Manchester-buildings, and here, at all hours of the night, may be heard the rattling of latch-keys in their respective key-holes, with now and then — when a gust of wind, sweeping across the water which washes the buildings' fret, impels the sound towards its entrance — the weak, shrill voice of some young member practising the morrow's speech. All the live-long day there is a grinding of organs and clashing and clanging of little boxes of music ; for Manchester-buildings is an eel- pot, which has no outlet but its awkward mouth — a case-bottle which has no thoroughfare, and a short and narrow neck ; and in this respect it may be typical of the fate of some few among its more adventurous resi- dents, who, after wriggling themselves into parlia- ment by violent efforts and contortions, find that it is no thoroughfare for them ; that, like Man- chester-buildings, it leads to nothing beyond itself, and that they are fain at last to back out, no wiser, no richer, not one whit more famous, than they went in. Into Manchester-buildings Nicholas turned, with the address of the great Mr. Gregsbury in his hand; and, as there was a stream of people pouring into a shabby house not far from the entrance, he waited until they had made their way in; and then, making up to the servant, ventured to inquire if he knew where Mr. Gregsbury lived, PROSE-READING* 273 The servant was a very pale, shabby boy, who looked as if he had slept under ground from his infancy, as very likely he had. " Mr. Gregsbury ?" said he ; " Mr, Gregsbury lodges here. It's all right. Come in." Nicholas thought he might as well get in while he could; so in he walked ; and he had no sooner done so, than the boy shut the door, and made off. This was odd enough ; but what was more em- barrassing was, that all along the narrow passage, and all along the narrow stairs, blocking up the window, and making the dark entry darker still, w r as a confused crowd of persons with great impor- tance depicted in their looks, who were, to all appear- ance, waiting in silent expectation of some coming events. From time to time one man would whisper his neighbour, or a little group would whisper to- gether; and then the whisperers would nod fiercely to each other, or give their heads a relentless shake, as if they were bent upon doing something very desperate, and were determined not to be put off, whatever happened. As a few minutes elapsed without anything oc- curring to explain this phenomenon, and as he felt his own position a peculiarly uncomfortable one, Nicholas was on the point of seeking some informa- tion from the man next him, when a sudden move was visible on the stairs, and a voice was heard to crv, "Now, gentlemen, have the goodness to walk up," So far from walking up, the gentlemen on the T 274 APPENDIX. stairs began to walk down with great alacrity, and to entreat, with extraordinary politeness, that the gentlemen nearest the street would go first ; the gentlemen nearest the street retorted, with equal courtesy, that they couldn't think of such a thing on any account ; but they did it without thinking of it, inasmuch as the other gentlemen, pressing some half-dozen (among whom was Nicholas) for- ward, and closing up behind, pushed them, not merely up the stairs, but into the very sitting-room of Mr. Gregsbury, which they were thus compelled to enter with most unseemly precipitation and with- out the means of retreat, the press behind them more than filling the apartment. " Gentlemen/' said Mr. Gregsbury, "you are welcome. I am re- joiced to see you." For a gentleman who was rejoiced to see a body of visitors Mr. Gregsbury looked as uncomfortable as might be ; but perhaps this was occasioned by senatorial gravity, and a statesmanlike habit of keeping his feelings under control. He was a tough, burly, thick-headed gentleman, with a loud voice, a pompous manner, a tolerable command of sentences with no meaning in them, and, in short, every requisite for a very good member indeed. u Now, gentlemen," said Mr. Gregsbury, tossing a great bundle of papers into a wicker basket at his feet, and throwing himself back in his chair with liis arms over the elbows, " you are dissatisfied with my conduct, I see, by the newspapers." "Yes, Mr. Gregsbury, we are," said a plump, clJ PROSE-READING. 275 gentleman in a violent heat, bursting out of the throng, and planting himself in the front. " Do m j eyes deceive me ?" said Mr, Gregsbury, looking towards the speaker, " or is that my old friend Pugstyles ?" " I am that man, and no other, sir/' replied the plump, old gentleman. " Give me your hand, my worthy friend," said Mr. Gregsbury. "Pugstyles, my dear friend, I am very sorry to see you here." "I am very sorry to be here, sir," said Mr. Pugstyles ; " but your conduct, Mr. Gregsbury, has rendered this deputation from your constituents imperatively necessary." " My conduct, Pugstyles ?" said Mr. Gregsbury, looking round upon the deputation with gracious magnanimity; "my conduct has been, and ever will be, regulated by a sincere regard for the true and real interests of this great and happy country, Whether I look at home or abroad, whether I behold the peaceful, industrious communities of our island home, her rivers covered with steamboats, her roads with locomotives, her streets with cabs, her skies with balloons of a power and magnitude hitherto un- known in the history of aeronautics in this or any other nation, — I say, whether I look merely at home, or, stretching my eyes further, contemplate the boundless prospect of conquest and possession, achieved by British perseverance and British valour, which is outspread before me, — I clasp my hands, and, turning my eyes to the broad expanse above my head, exclaim 6 Thank Heaven, I am a Briton ! ' " 276 APPENDIX. The time had been when this burst of enthusiasm would have been cheered to the very echo ; but now the deputation received it with chilling cold- ness. The general impression seemed to be that, as an explanation of Mr. Gregsbury's political con- duct, it did not enter quite enough into detail, and one gentleman in the rear did not scruple to remark aloud, that for his purpose it savoured too much of a "gammon " tendency. " The meaning of that term ' gammon,' " said Mr. Gregsbury, "4s unknown to me. If it means that I grow a little too fervid, or perhaps even hyper- bolical, in extolling my native land, I admit the full justice of the remark. I am proud of this free and happy country. My form dilates, my eye glistens, my breast heaves, my heart swells, my bosom burns, when I call to mind her greatness and her glory." " We wish, sir," remarked Mr. Pugstyles, calmly, " to ask you a few questions." "If you please, gentlemen, my time is yours — and my country's — and my country's," said Mr. Gregsbury. This permission being conceded, Mr. Pugstyles put on his spectacles, and referred to a written paper which he drew from his pocket ; whereupon nearly every other member of the deputation pulled a written paper from his pocket to check Mr. Pug- styles off, as he read the questions. This done, Mr. Pugstyles proceeded to business. " Question number one. ' Whether, sir, you did not give a voluntary pledge, previous to your election, PROSE-RE AD1NG. 277 that, in the event of jour being returned, you would immediately put down the practice of coughing and groaning in the House of Commons? and whether you did not submit to be coughed and groaned down in the very first debate of the session, and have since made no effort to effect a reform in this respect ? Whether you did not also pledge yourself to astonish the government, and make them shrink in their shoes ? and whether you have astonished them and made them shrink in their shoes or not ? ? " " Go on to the next one, my dear Pugstyles,' said Mr. Gregsbury. " Have you any explanation to- offer with r?» ference to that question, sir ? " asked Mr. Pugstyles " Certainly not/' said Mr. Gregsbury. The members of the deputation looked fiercely at each other, and afterwards at the member ; and " dear Pugstyles," having taken a very long stare at Mr. Gregsbury over the tops of his spectacles, resumed his list of inquiries. " Question number two. — ' Whether, sir, you did not likewise give a voluntary pledge that you would support your colleague on every occasion ? and whether you did not, the night before last desert him, and vote upon the other side, because the wife of a leader on that other side had invited Mrs. Gregsbury to an evening party ?'" " Go on," said Mr. Gregsbury. " Nothing to say on that either, sir?" asked the spokesman. "Nothing whatever," replied Mr. Gregsbury. The deputation, who had only seen him :\t ^an v ass- t 3 278 APPENDIX. ing or election-time, were struck dumb by his coolness. He didn't appear like the same man ; then he was all milk and honey, — now he was all* starch and vinegar. But men are so different at different times. "Question number three — and last," said Mr. Pugstyles, emphatically. — "' Whether, sir, you did not state upon the hustings, that it was your firm and determined intention to oppose everything pro- posed ; to divide the house upon every question ; to move for returns upon every subject ; to place a motion on the books every day ; and, in short, in your own memorable words, to " play the devil with everything and everybody ?" ' n With this comprehensive inquiry Mr. Pugstyles folded up his list of questions, as did all his backers. Mr. Gregsbury reflected, blew his nose, threw himself further back in his chair, came forward again, leaning his elbows on the table, made a tri- angle with his two thumbs and his two forefingers, and, tapping his nose with the apex thereof, replied (smiling, as he said it), "I deny everything." At this unexpected answer a hoarse murmur arose from the deputation ; and the same gentleman who had expressed an opinion relative to the gammon- ing nature of the introductory speech, again made a monosyllabic demonstration, by growling out "Resign;" which growl being taken up by his fellows, swelled into a very earnest and general remonstrance. " I am requested, sir, to express a hope," said %*„ -Pno-styles. with a distinct bow, "that, on re- PROSE-READING. 279 ceiving a requisition to that effect from a great majority of your^ constituents, you will not object at once to resign your seat in favour of some can- didate whom they think they can better trust." To which Mr. Gregsbury read the following reply, which, anticipating the request, he had com- posed in the form of a letter, whereof copies had been made, to send round to the newspapers. "My dear Pugstyles, " Next to the welfare of our beloved island — this great and free and happy country, whose power and resources are, 1 sincerely believe, illimitable — T value that noble independence which is an English- man's proudest boast, and which I fondly hope to bequeath to my children untarnished and unsullied. Actuated by no personal motives, but moved only by high and great constitutional considerations, which I will not attempt to explain, for they are really beneath the comprehension of those who have not made themselves masters, as I have, of the. intricate and arduous study of politics, I would rather keep my seat, and intend doing so. " Will you do me the favour to present my com- pliments to the constituent body, and acquaint them with this circumstance ? " With great esteem, " My dear Pugstyles," &c, &c. " Then you will not resign, under any circum- stances?" asked the spokesman. Mr. Gregsbury smiled, and shook his head. T 4 280 APPENDIX. " Then good morning, sir," said Mr. Pugst yles, angrily. " God bless you," said Mr. Gregsbury. And the deputation, with many growls and scowls, filed off as quickly as the narrowness of the Staircase would allow of their getting down. ORATORICAL EXTRACTS EVIDENCE AND PRECEDENTS IN LAW.— En skins. Before you can adjudge a fact ', you must believe it; — not suspect it, or imagine it, or fancy it, — but believe it: and it is impossible to impress the human mind with such a reasonable and certain belief, as is necessary to be impressed, before a Christian man can adjudge his neighbour to the smallest penalty, much less to the pains of death, without having such evidence as a reasonable mind will accept of as the infallible test of truth. And what is that evidence ? Neither more nor less than that which the Constitution has established in the courts for the general administration of justice : namely, that the evidence convince the jury, beyond all reason- able doubt, that the criminal intention, constituting the crime, existed in the mind of the man upon trial, and was the main-spring of his conduct. The rules of evidence, as they are settled by law, and adopted in its general administration, are not to be overruled or tampered with. They are founded in the charities of religion — in the philo- sophy of nature — in the truths of history — and in the experience of common life ; and whoever ven- 282 Appjrrax. tures rashly to depart from them, let liim remember that it will be meted to him in the same measure, and that both God and man will judge him ac- cordingly, These are arguments addressed to your reasons and your consciences ; not to be shaken in upright minds by any precedent, — for no precedents can sanctify injustice: if they could, every human right would long a^o have been extinct upon the earth. If the State Trials in bad times are to be searched for precedents, what murders may you not commit — what law of humanity may you not trample upon — what rule of justice may you not violate — and what maxim of w T ise policy may you not abrogate and confound? If precedents in bad times are to be implicity followed, why should we have heard any evidence at all ? You might have convicted without any evidence ; for many have been so con- victed — -and, in this manner, murdered — even by acts of Parliament. If precedents in bad times are to be followed, why should the Lords and Commons have investigated these charges, and the Crown have put them into this course of judicial trial? — . since, without such a trial, and even after an ac- quittal upon me, they might have attainted all the prisoners by act of Parliament : — they did so in the case of Lord Strafford. There are precedents, therefore, for all such things ; but such precedents as could not for a moment survive the times of madness and distrac- tion which gave them birth ; but which, as soon as the spurs of the occasions were blunted, were re» ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 283 pealed and execrated even by Parliaments which (little as I may think of the present) ought not be compared with it : Parliaments— sitting in the darkness of former times — in the night of freedom — before the principles of government were de- veloped, and before the constitution became fixed. The last of these precedents,, and all the proceedings upon it, were ordered to be taken off the file and burnt, to the intent that the same might no longer be visible to after ages ; an order dictated, no doubt, by a pious tenderness for national honour, and meant as a charitable covering for the crimes of our fathers. But it was a sin against posterity — it was a treason against society ; for, instead of commanding them to be burnt, they should rather have directed them to be blazoned in large letters upon the walls of our Courts of Justice, that, like the characters deci- phered by the prophet of God to the Eastern tyrant, they might enlarge and blacken in your sights, to terrify you from acts of injustice. EXTRACT FROM MR. * MACKINTOSH'S SPEECH IN DEFENCE OF M, PELTIER,— (Prosecuted for a Libel on Napoleon Buonaparte in 1803.) The first remarkable instance which I shall choose to state of the unpunished and protected boldness of the English press, of the freedom with * Afterwards Sir James, 284 APPENDIX. which they animadverted on the policy of powerful sovereigns, is the partition of Poland in 1772; an act not. perhaps, so horrible in its means, nor so deplorable in its immediate effects, as some other atrocious invasions of national independence which have followed it; but the most abominable in its general tendency and ultimate consequences of any political crime recorded in history ; because it was the first practical breach in the system of Europe, the first example of atrocious robbery perpetrated on unoffending countries, which has been since so liberally followed, and which has broken down all the barriers of ha 1 it and principle which guarded defenceless states. The perpetrators of this atro- cious crime were the most powerful sovereigns of the Continent, whose hostility it certainly was not the interest of Great Britain wantonly to incur. They were the most illustrious princes of their age ; and some of them w r ere, doubtless, entitled to the highest praise for their domestic administration, as well as for the brilliant qualities which distinguished their characters. But none of these circumstances, no dread of their resentment, no admiration of their talents, no consideration for their rank, silenced the animadversions of the English press. Some of you remember — all of you know — that a loud and una- nimous cry of reprobation and execration broke out against them in every part of this kingdom. It was perfectly uninfluenced by any considerations of our own mere national interest, which might perhaps be supposed to be rather favourably affected by that partition. It was not, as in some other countries, ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 285 the indignation of rival robbers who were excluded from their share of the prey ; it was the moral anger of disinterested spectators against atrocious crimes ; the gravest and the most dignified moral principle which the God of justice has implanted in the human heart ; that of which the dread is the only restraint on the actions of powerful criminals, and of which the promulgation is the only punish- ment that can be inflicted on them. It is a restraint which ought not to be weakened. It is a punish- ment which no good man can desire to mitigate. That great crime was spoken of as it deserved in England. Robbery was not described by any courtly circumlocutions ; rapine was not called policy, nor was the oppression of an innocent peo- ple termed a mediation in their domestic differ- ences. No prosecutions, no criminal informations^ followed the liberty and the boldness of the language there employed. No complaints even appear to have been made from abroad, much less any inso- lent menaces against the free constitution which protected the English press. The people of Eng- land were too long known throughout Europe for the proudest potentate to expect to silence our press by such means. I pass over the second partition of Poland in 1792. You all remember what passed on that occasion ; the universal abhorrence expressed by every man and every writer of every party ; the succours that were publicly preparing by large bodies of indi- viduals of all parties for the oppressed Poles. I hasten to the final dismemberment of that un- 286 APPENDIX. happy kingdom, which seems to me the most strik- ing example in our history of the habitual, princi- pled, and deeply-rooted forbearance of those who administer the law towards political writers. We were engaged in the most exclusive, bloody, and dangerous war that this country ever knew ; and the parties to the dismemberment of Poland were our allies, and our only powerful and effective allies. We had every motive of policy to court their friendship. Every reason of state seemed to require that we should not permit them to be abused and vilified by English writers. What was the fact? Did any Englishman consider himself at liberty, on account of temporary interests, how- ever urgent, to silence those feelings of humanity and justice which guard the certain and permanent interests of all countries? You all remember that every voice, and every pen, and every press in England were unceasingly employed to brand that abominable robbery. You remember that this was not confined to private writers, but that the same abhorrence was expressed by every member of both Houses of Parliament who was not under the restraint of ministerial reserve. No minister dared even to blame the language of honest indignation which might be very inconvenient to his most important political projects ; and I hope I may venture to say, that no English assembly would have endured such a sacrifice of eternal justice to any miserable interest of an hour. Did the law- officers of the Crown venture to come into a court of justice to complain of the boldest of the publi* ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 287 rations of that time ? They did not. I do not say that they felt any disposition to do so. I believe that they could not. But I do say that, if they had, — if they had spoken of the necessity of confining our political writers to cold narrative and unfeeling ar- gument, — if they had informed the jury that they did not prosecute history but invective ; that if private writers be permitted at all to blame great princes it must be with moderation and decorum, — the sound heads and honest hearts of an English jury would have confounded such sophistry, and declared by their verdict that moderation of language is a rela- tive term, which varies with the subject to which it is applied ; that atrocious crimes are not to be re- lated as calmly and coolly as indifferent or trifling events ; that if there be a decorum due to exalted rank and authority, there is also a much more sacred decorum due to virtue and to human nature, which would be outraged and trampled under foot by speaking of guilt in a lukewarm language falsely called moderate. Soon after, gentlemen, there followed an act, in comparison with which all the deeds of rapine and blood perpetrated in the world are innocence it- self—the invasion and destruction of Switzerland; that unparalleled scene of guilt and enormity; that unprovoked aggression against an innocent country, which had been the sanctuary of peace and liberty for three centuries ; respected as a sort of sacred territory by the fiercest ambition ; raised, like its own mountains, beyond the region of the storms which raged around on every side ; the only war- 288 APPENDIX. like people that never sent forth armies to disturb their neighbours; the only government that ever accumulated treasures unstained by the tears of the poor ; the inviolate patrimony of the commonwealth, which attested the virtue of a lon£ series of ma^is- trates, but which at length caught the eye of the spoiler, and became the occasion of their ruin ! Gentlemen, the destruction of such a country — its cause so innocent, and its fortune so lamentable — . made a deep impression on the people of England. I will ask my learned friend, if we had then been at peace with the French Republic, whether we must have been silent spectators of the foulest crime that ever blotted the face of humanity ? whether we must, like cowards and slaves, have re- pressed the compassion and indignation with which that horrible scene of tyranny had filled our hearts? Let me suppose, gentlemen, that Aloys Reding, who has displayed in our times the simplicity, magnanimity, and piety of ancient heroes, had, after his glorious struggle, honoured this kingdom by choosing it as his refuge, — that, after performing prodigies of valour at the head of his handful of heroic peasants on the field of Morgarten, he had selected this country to be his residence, as the chosen abode of liberty, as the ancient and invio- lable asylum of the oppressed, — would my learned friend have had the boldness to have said to this hero, "that he must hide his tears" (the tears shed by a hero over the ruin of his country !), " lest they might provoke the resentment of Renbill or Rapinat ; that he must smother the sorrow and the anger ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 289 with which his heart was loaded; that he must breathe his murmurs low, lest they might be over- heard by the oppressor!" Would this have been the language of my learned friend? I know that it would not. I know that by such a supposition I have done wrong to his honourable feelings, to his honest English heart. I am sure that he knows, as well as I do, that a nation which should thus receive the oppressed of other countries would be preparing its own neck for the yoke. He knows the slavery which such a nation would deserve, and would speedily incur. He knows that sympathy with the unmerited sufferings of others, and disinterested anger against their oppressors, are, if I may so speak, the masters which are appointed to teach us fortitude in the defence of our own rights ; that self- ishness is a dastardly principle, which betrays its charge and flies from its post ; and that those only can defend themselves with valour who are ani- mated by the moral approbation with which they can survey their sentiments towards others, who are ennobled in their own eyes by the consciousness that they are fighting for justice as well as interest, — a consciousness which none can feel but those who have felt for the wrongs of their brethren. These are the sentiments which my learned friend would have felt. He would have told the hero :- — " Your confidence is not deceived : this is still that Eng- land of which the history may, perhaps, have con- tributed to fill your heart with the heroism of liberty. Every other country of Europe is crouch- ing under the bloody tyrants who destroyed your V 290 APPENDIX. country. We are unchanged ; we are still the same people which received with open arms the victims of the tyranny of Philip II. and Louis XIY. We shall not exercise a cowardly and clandestine hu- manity. Here, we are not so dastardly as to rob you of your greatest consolation. Here, protected by a free, brave, and high-minded people, you may give vent to your indignation ; you may proclaim the crimes of your tyrants ; you may devote them to the execration of mankind ; there is still one spot upon earth in which they are abhorred without being dreaded ! " SATIRICAL EXTRACT FROM A SPEECH OF MR. CANNING ON THE ADDRESS (1825). I now turn to that other part of the honourable and learned gentleman's* speech, in which he ac- knowledges his acquiescence in the passages of the Address, echoing the satisfaction felt at the success of the liberal commercial principles adopted by this country, and at the steps taken for recognising the new states of America. It does happen, however, that the honourable and learned gentleman, being not unfrequently a speaker in this house, nor very concise in his speeches, and touching occasionally, as he proceeds, on almost every subject within the range of his imagination, as well as making some observations on the matters in hand, and having at different periods proposed and supported every in* * Mr. Brougham. ORATORICAL EXTRACTS- 291 novation of which the law or constitution of the country is susceptible, — it is impossible to innovate, without appearing to borrow from him. Either, therefore, we must remain for ever locked up as in a northern winter, or we must break our way out by some mode already suggested by the honour- able and learned gentleman : and then he cries out, " Ah, I was there before you ! That is what I told you to do; but, as you would not do it then, you have no right to do it now." In Queen Anne's reign there lived a very sage and able critic, named Dennis, who in his old age was the prey of a strange fancy, that he had himself written all the good things in all the good plays that were acted. Every good passage that he met with in any author he insisted was his own. " It is none of his," Dennis would always say ; (( it is mine." He went one day to see a new tragedy. Nothing particularly good, to his taste, occurred, till a scene in which a great storm was represented. As soon as he had heard the thunder rolling over head, he exclaimed, " That's my thunder ! " So it is with the honour- able and learned gentleman — if sail his thunder ! It will henceforth be impossible to confer any boon, or make any innovation, but he will claim it as his thunder. But it is due to him to acknowledge that he does not claim everything. He will be content with the exclusive merit of the liberal measures relating to trade and commence. Not desirous of violat- ing his own principles, by claiming a monopoly of foresight and wisdom, he kindly throws overboard 292 APPENDIX. to my honourable and learned friend * near him, the praise of South America. I should like to know whether, in some degree, this also is not his thunder. He thinks it right in itself; but, lest we should be too proud if" he approved our conduct in toto, he thinks it wrong in point of time. I differ from him essentially : for, if I pique myself on anything in this affair, it is on the time. That, at some time or other, states which had separated themselves from the mother-country should be admitted to the rank of independent nations is a proposition to which no possible dissent could be given. The whole question was one of time and mode. There were two modes : one a reckless and headlong course, by which we might have reached our object at once, but at the expense of drawing upon us consequences not lightly to be incurred ; the other was more strictly guarded in point of principle ; so that, while we pursued our own interests, we took care to give no just cause of offence to other powers, while we acted in obedience to a sound and en- lightened policy* AGAINST "PAINE'S AGE OE KEASON." f — Ekskine. But it seems this is an Age of Reason, and the * Sir J. Mackintosh. f The irony with which Erskine ridicules Paine's preten- sions to superior wisdom, in this speech, must be distinctly marked. This extract is therefore a good practice on Com- pound Inflection, (See Compound Inflections^ ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 293 time, and the person, are at last arrived, that are to dissipate the errors which have overspread the past generations of ignorance. The believers in Christi- anity are many, but it belongs to the few that are wise to correct their credulity. Belief is an act of reason, and superior reason may, therefore, dictate to the weak. In running the mind along the long list of sincere and devout Christians, I cannot help lamenting that Newton had not lived to this day, to have had his shallowness filled up with this new flood of light. But the subject is too awful for irony. — I will speak plainly and directly. Newton was a Christian! Newton, w T hose mind bust forth from the fetters fastened by Nature upon our finite conceptions — Newton, whose science was truth, and the founda- tion of whose knowledge of it was philosophy — not those visionary and arrogant presumptions which too often usurp its name, but philosophy resting on the basis of mathematics, which, like figures, cannot lie — Newton, who carried the line and rule to the uttermost barriers of creation, and explored the principles by w r hich all created matter exists and is held together. But this extraordinary man, in the mighty reach of his mind, overlooked, perhaps, the errors, which a minuter investigation of the created things on this earth might have taught him. What, then, shall be said of the great Mr. Boyle, — who looked into the organic structure of all matter, even to the inanimate substances which the foot treads upon ? — Such a man may be supposed to have been equally U 3 294 APPENDIX. qualified with Mr. Paine, to look up through Na- ture to Nature's God ! Yet the result of all his contemplations was the most confirmed and devout belief in all which the other holds in contempt as despicable and drivelling superstition. But this error might, perhaps, arise from a want of due attention to the foundations of human judg- ment, and the structure of that understanding which God has given us for the investigation of truth. — Let that question be answered by Mr. Locke, who, to the highest pitch of devotion and adoration, was a Christian ! — Mr. Locke, whose office it was to detect the errors of thinking, by going up to the very fountain of thought ; and to direct into the proper tract of reasoning the devious mind of man, by showing him its whole process, from the first perceptions of sense, to the last conclusions of ratiocination: — putting a rein upon false opinion, by practical rules for the conduct of human judgment. But these men, it may be said, were only deep thinkers, and lived in their closets, unaccustomed to the traffic of the world, and to the laws which practically regulate mankind. — Gentlemen, in the place where we now sit to administer the justice of this great country, the never-to-be-forgotten Sir Mathew Hale presided ; — whose faith in Christi- anity is an exalted commentary upon its truth and reason, and whose life was a glorious example of its fruits: — whose justice, drawn from the pure fountain of the Christian dispensation, will be, in all ages, a subject of the highest reverence and ad- miration. ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. . 295 But it is said by the author, that the Christian fable is but the tale of the more ancient supersti- tions of the world, and may be easily detected by a proper understanding of the mythologies of the Heathens. — Did Milton understand those mytholo- gies ? — was he less versed than Mr. Paine in the superstitions of the world ? No ; — they were the subject of his immortal song ; and, though shut out from all recurrence to them, he poured them forth from the stores of a memory rich with all that man ever knew, and laid them in their order as the illustration of a real and exalted faith ; — the unquestionable source of that fervid genius which has cast a kind of shade upon all the other works of man. He pass'd the bounds of flaming space, Where angels tremble while they gaze — He saw — till blasted with excess of light, He closed his eyes in endless night ! But it was the light of the body only, that was extinguished ; " the celestial light shone inward, and enabled him to justify the ways of God to man." — The result of his thinking was, neverthe- less, not quite the same as that of the author before us. The mysterious incarnation of our blessed Saviour (which this work blasphemes, in words so wholly unfit for the mouth of a Christian, and the ears of a court of justice, that I dare not, and will not give them utterance ) Milton made the grand conclusion of his Paradise Lost, the rest from his u 4 296 APPENDIX. finished labours, and the ultimate hope, expectation, and glory of the world. A Virgin is his mother, but his Sire, The power of the Most High ; He shall ascend The throne hereditary, and hound his reign With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heavens I Thus you find all that is great, or wise, or splen- did, or illustrious, amongst created beings — all the minds gifted beyond ordinary nature, if not in- spired by its universal Author, for the advancement and dignity of the world, — though divided by dis- tant ages, and by clashing opinions, yet joining, as it were, in one sublime chorus, to celebrate the truths of Christianity, and laying upon its holy altars the never-fading offerings of their immorxai wisdom. PERORATION OF LORD BKOUGHAM'S SPEECH ON PARLIAMENTARY REFORM, 1831. My Lords, I do not disguise the intense solici- tude which I feel for the event of this debate, because I know, full well, that the peace of the country is involved in the issue. I cannot look without dismay at the rejection of the measure. But, grievous as may be the consequences of a tem- porary defeat, — temporary it can only be, for its ultimate, and even speedy success is certain, — no- thing now can stop it. Do not suffer yourselves to be persuaded that, even if the present ministers were driven from the helm, any one could steer you ORATORICAL EXTRACTS. 297 through the troubles which surround you, without reform. But our successors would take up the task under circumstances far less auspicious. Under them you would be fain to grant a bill, compared with which the one we now proffer you is moderate indeed. Hear the parable of the Sibyl ; for it contains a wise and wholesome moral. She now appears at your gate and offers you mildly the volumes — the precious volumes — of wisdom and peace. The price she asks is reasonable — to re- store the franchise ; which, without any bargain, you ought voluntarily to give : you refuse her terms — her moderate terms, — she darkens the porch no longer. But soon, for you cannot do without her wares, you call her back. Again she comes, but with diminished treasures ; -the leaves of the book are in part torn away by lawless hands, in part defaced with characters of blood. But the prophetic maid has risen in her demand : it is Par- liaments by the year — it is vote by the ballot — it is suffrage by the million ! From this you turn away indignant, and for the second time she departs. Beware of her third coming ; for the treasure you must have, and what price she may next demand who shall tell ? It may even be the mace which rests on that woolsack. What may follow your course of obstinacy, if persisted in, I cannot take upon me to predict ; nor do I wish to conjecture. But this I know full well, that, as sure as man is mortal, and to err is human, justice deferred enhances the price at which you must purchase safety and peace ; nor can you expect to gather in 298 APPENDIX. another crop than they did who went before you, if you persevere in their utterly abominable hus- bandry of sowing injustice and reaping rebellion. But, among the awful considerations which now bow down my mind, there is one which stands pre- eminent above the rest. You are the highest judi- cature in the realm; } r ou sit here as judges, and decide all causes, civil and criminal, without appeal. It is a judge's first duty never to pronounce sentence in the most trifling cause without hearing. Will you make this the exception ? Are you really pre- pared to determine, but not to hear, the mighty cause upon which hang a nation's hopes and fears? You are ? Then beware of your decision ! Eouse not, I beseech you, a peace-loving, but a resolute people ; alienate not from your body the affections of a whole empire. As your friend, as the friend of my order, as the friend of my country, as the faithful servant of my Sovereign, I counsel you to assist with your uttermost efforts in preserving peace, and upholding and perpetuating the Consti- tution. Therefore I pray and exhort you not to reject this measure. By all you hold most dear — by all the ties that bind every one of us to our common order and our common country, I solemnly adjure you, — I warn you, — I implore you, — yea, on my bended knees I supplicate you, — reject not this bill ! 299 MISCELLANEOUS POETICAL EXTRACTS. THE PROGRESS OF POESY.— Gray, A PINDARIC ODE. I. Awake, iEolian lyre, awake, And give to rapture all thy trembling strings! From Helicon's harmonious springs, A thousand rills their mazy progress take; The laughing flowers that round them blow Drink life and fragrance as they flow. Now the rich stream of music winds along, Deep, majestic, smooth, and strong, Through verdant vales and Ceres'' golden reign : Now rushing down the steep amain, Headlong, impetuous see it pour; The rocks and nodding groves rebellow to the roar ! Oh! sovereign of the willing soul, Parent of sweet and solemn -breathing airs, Enchanting shell ! the sullen cares And frantic passions hear thy soft control. On Thracia's hills the lord of war Has curb'd the fury of his car, And dropp'd his thirsty lance at thy command: Perching on the sceptred hand 300 AProDix. Of Jove, thy magic lulls the feather'd king With ruffled plumes and flagging wing : Quench'd in dark clouds of slumber, lie The terror of his beak, and lightning of his eye. Tnee the voice, the dance obey, Temper' d to thy warbled lay ; O'er Idalia's velvet green The rosy-crowned loves are seen On Cytherea's day, With antic sports and blue-ey'd pleasures,. Frisking iighr. in frolic measures : Now pursuing, now retreating, Now in circling troops they meet; To brisk notes, in cadence beating, Glance their many-twinkling feet. Slow, melting strains their Queen's approach declare; • Where'er she turns the graces homage pay, With arts sublime, that float upon the air; In gliding state she wins her easy way: O'er her warm cheek and rising bosom, move The bloom of young Desire, and purple light of Lcre. II. Man's feeble race what ills await, — Labour, and Penury, the racks of Pain, .Disease, and Sorrow's weeping train, And Death, sad refuge from the storms of Fate! The fond complaint, my song, disprove, And justify the laws of Jove. Say, has he giv'n in vain the heav'nly Muse? Night, and all her sickly dews, Her spectres wan, and birds of boding cry, He gives to range the dreary sky: Till down the eastern cliffs afar, Hyperion's march they spy, and glittering shafts of war. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 301 In climes beyond the solar road, Where shaggy forms o'er ice-built mountains roam, The Muse has broke the twilight gloom To cheer the natives' dull abode. And oft, beneath the odorous shade Of Chili's boundless forests laid, She deigns to hear the savage youth repeat, In loose numbers wildly sweet, Their feather-cinctur'd chiefs, and dusky loves. Her track, where'er the Goddess roves, Glory pursues, and generous shame, Th' unconquerable mind, and Freedom's holy flamo. "Woods that wave o'er Delphi's steep, Isles that crown the JEgean deep, Fields, that cool Ilissus laves, Or where Mseander's amber waves In lingering labyrinths creep, How do your tuneful echoes languish, Mute, but to the voice of Anguish? Where each old poetic mountain Inspiration breath'd around, Every shade and hallow'd fountain Murmur' d deep a solemn sound: Till the sad Nine, in Greece's evil hour, Left their Parnassus for the Latin plains; Alike they scorn the pomp of tyrant Power, And coward Vice, that revels in her chains ; When Latium had her lofty spirit lost, They sought, Albion! next thy sea-encircled coast, in. Far from the sun and summer-sale In thy green lap was Nature's darling* laid, * 8hakspeare. 302 APPENDIX. What time, where lucid Avon stray'd, To him the mighty mother did unveil Her awful face; the dauntless child Stretch'd forth his little arms and smil'd. " This pencil take," she said, "whose colours clsar Bichly paint the vernal year : Thine, too, these golden keys, immortal boy! This can unlock the gates of joy; Of honor that, and thrilling fears, Or ope the sacred source of sympathetic tears." Nor second he*, that rode sublime Upon the seraph- wings of ecstacy, The secrets of th' abyss to spy. He pass'd the flaming bounds of place and time; The living throne, the sapphire-blaze, Where angels tremble while they gaze, He saw; but blasted with excess of light, Closed his eyes in endless night ! Behold where Dry den's less presumptuous car Wide o'er the fields of glory bear Two coursers of ethereal race, Their necks in thunder cloth'd, and long resounding pace.f Hark, his hands the lyre explore! Bright-eyed Fancy hov'ring o'er, Scatters from her pictur'd urn Thoughts that breathe, and words that burn! But ah ! 'tis heard no more — Oil lyre divine! what daring spirit Wakes thee now? Though he inherit Nor the pride, nor ample pinion That the Theban eagle bear, * Milton. f Expressive of the majestic sound of Dryden's verse. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 303 Sailing with supreme dominion Through the azure deep of air; Yet oft before his infant eyes would run Such forms as glitter in the Muse's ray, With orient hues unborrow'd of the sun : Yet shall he mount, and keep his distant way Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate, — Beneath the good how far — but far above the great. THE CHARMS OF HOPE.— Campbell. At summer eve, when Heaven's ethereal bow Spans with bright arch the glittering hills below, Why to yon mountains turns the musing eye, Whose sunbright summit mingles with the sky? Why do those cliffs of shadowy tint appear More sweet than all the landscape smiling near? 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view, And robes the mountain in its azure hue. Thus, with delight, we linger to survey The promised joys of life's unmeasured way; Thus, from afar, each dim- discovered scene More pleasing seems than all the past have been, And every form that Fancy can repair From dark oblivion, glows divinely there. What potent spirit guides the raptured eye To pierce the shades of dim futurity? Can Wisdom lend, with all her heavenly power, The pledge of Joy's anticipated hour ? Ah, no ! she darkly sees the fate of man — Her dim horizon bounded to a span; Or, if she hold a pleasure to the view, 'Tis Nature pictured too severely true. With thee, sweet Hope! resides the heavenly light, That pours remotest rapture on the sight : 304 APPENDIX. Thine is the charm of life's bewilder'd way, That calls each slumbering passion into play. Waked by thy touch, I see the sister band, On tiptoe watching, start at thy command, And fly where'er thy mandate bids'them steer, To Pleasure's path, or Glory's bright career. Primeval Hope, the Aonian Muses say "When Man and Nature mourned their first decay,— "When every form of death, and every woe, Shot from malignant stars to earth below, — When Murder bared her arm, and rampant War Yoked the red dragons of his iron car, — When Peace and Mercy, banish'd from the plain. Sprung on the viewless winds to Heaven again, — • All, all forsook the friendless, guilty mind, But Hope, the charmer, linger'd still behind ! Thus, while Elijah's burning wheels prepare Prom Carmel's heights to sweep the fields of air, The prophet's mantle, ere his flight began, Dropt on the world *-=■ a sacred gift to man ! Auspicious Hope ! in thy sweet garden grow Wreaths for each toil, a charm for every woe; Won by their sweets, in Nature's languid hour, The way-worn pilgrim seeks thy summer bower ; There, as the wild bee murmurs on the wing, What peaceful dreams thy handmaid spirits bring 1 Angel of life ! thy glittering wings explore Earth's loneliest bounds, and Ocean's wildest shore: Lo ! to the wintry winds the pilot yields His bark, careering o'er unfathom'd fields; Now on Atlantic waves he rides afar, Where Andes, giant of the western star, With meteor- standard to tne winds unfurl'd, POETICAL EXTRACTS. 805 Looks from his throne of clouds o'er half the world ! Now far he sweeps, where scarce a summer smiles, On Bearing's rocks, or Greenland's naked isles ; Cold on his midnight watch the breezes blow, From wastes that slumber in eternal snow ; And waft, across the wave's tumultuous roar, The wolfs long howl from Oonalaska's shore. Poor child of danger, nursling of the storm, Sad are the woes that wreck thy manly form ! Rocks, waves, and winds, the shatter 'd bark delay; Thy heart is sad, thy home is far away. But Hope can here her moonlight vigils keep, And sing to charm the spirit of the deep: Swift as yon streamer lights the starry pole, Her visions warm the watchman's pensive soul j His native hills, that rise in happier climes, The grot that heard his song of other times, His cottage home, his bark of slender sail, His glassy lake, and broomwood-blossom'd vale, Rush on his thought; he sweeps before the wind, Treads the lov'd shore he sigh'd to leave behind; Meets at each step a friend's familiar face, And flies at last to Helen's long embrace; "Wipes from her cheek the rapture-speaking tear, And clasps, with many a sigh, his children dear! While, long neglected, but at length caress'd, His faithful dog salutes the smiling guest, Points to the master's eyes (where'er they roam) His wistful face, and whines a welcome home. Priend of the brave! in peril's darkest hour Intrepid Virtue looks to thee for power; To thee the heart its trembling homage yields, On stormy floods, and carnage-cover'd fields: "When front to front the banner'd hosts combine, Halt ere they close, and form the dreadful line: X 306 APPENDIX. When all is still on Death's devoted soil, The march- worn soldier mingles for the toil: As rings his glittering tube, he lifts on high The dauntless brow, and spirit-speaking eye, Hails in his heart the triumph yet to come, And hears thy stormy music in the drum ! LADY HERON'S SONG. — Scott. Oh ! young Lochinvar is come out of the west, Thro' all the wide border his steed was the best, And save his good broadsword, he weapons had none, He rode all unarm' d, and he rode all alone ! So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war, There never was knight like the young Lochinvar! He stay'd not for brake, and he stopp'd not for stone, He swam the Eske river where ford there was none; — But ere he alighted at Netherby gate Tlrs bride had consented, — the gallant came late: For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war, "Was to wed the fair Ellen of young Lochinvar ! So, boldly he entered the Netherby Hall, Among bridesmen, and kinsmen, and brothers, and alls- Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword, (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word !) " Oh ! come ye in peace here, or come ye in war, Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar ? " " I long woo'd your daughter, my suit you denied : Love swells like the Solway — but ebbs like its tide : And now I am come, with this lost love of mine, To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine ! There are maidens in Scotland, more lovely by far, That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar X" POETICAL EXTRACTS. 307 The^bride kiss'd the goblet, — the knight took it up, — He quaff'd off the wine, and he threw down the cup. She look'd down to blush, — and she look'd up to sigh — With a smile on her lip, and a tear in her eye ! He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar — " Now tread we a measure ! " said young Lochinvar. So stately his form, and so lovely his face, That never a hall such a galliard did grace ; While her mother did fret, and her father did fume, And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume: And the bride-maidens whisper'd, '"Twere better by far, To have match' d our fair cousin with young Lochinvar." One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear When they reach'd the hall-door, and the charger stood near; So light to the croup the fair lady he swung, So light to the saddle before her he sprung ! " She is won ! we are gone — over bank, bush, and scaur, — They'll have swift steeds that follow," quoth young Lochinvar. There was mounting 'mong Grammes of the Netherby clan, Eorsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran ; There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee, But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. — So daring in love, and so dauntless in war, Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar I ST. PETER'S AT ROME — THE VATIC AN. — Byron. But lo ! the dome — the vast and wondrous dome, To which Diana's marvel was a cell — Christ's mighty shrine above his martyr's tomb ! I have beheld the Ephesian's miracle — Its columns strew the wilderness; and dwell x 2 308 APPENDIX. The hydra and the jackal in their shade; I have beheld Sophia's bright roofs swell Their glittering mass i' the sun, and have survey'd Its sanctuary the while the usurping Moslem pray'd; But thou, of temples old, or altars new, Srandest alone, — with nothing like to thee, — Worthiest of God, the holy and the true. Since £ion's desolation, when that He Forsook his former city, what could be Of earthly structures, in his honour piled, Of a sublimer aspect? Majesty, Power, Glory, Strength, and Beauty, all are aisled In this eternal ark of worship undefiled. Enter: its grandeur overwhelms thee not; And why? It is not lessen'd; but thy mind, Expanded by the genius of the spot, Has grown colossal, and can only find A fit abode, wherein appear enshrined Thy hopes of immortality ; and thou Shalt one day, if found worthy, so defined See thy God face to face, as thou dost now His Holy of Holies, nor be blasted by his brow. Thou movest — but increasing with the advance, Like climbing some great Alp, which still doth rise, — Deceived by its gigantic elegance; Vastness which grows, but grows to harmonise — All musical in its immensities ; Rich marbles — richer paintings — shrines where flame The lamps of gold — and haughty dome which vies In air with Earth's chief structures, though their frame Sits on the firm-set ground — and this the clouds must claim. Thou seest not all ; but piecemeal thou must break, To separate contemplation, the great whole; POETICAL EXTRACTS. 309 And as the Ocean many bays will make, That ask the eye — so here condense thy soul To more immediate objects, and control Thy thoughts until thy mind hath got by heart Its eloquent proportions, and unroll In mighty graduations, part by part, The glory which at once upon thee did not dart,— Not by its fault, but thine : Our outward sense Is but of gradual grasp ; and as it is That what we have of feeling most intense Outstrips our faint expression, even so this Outshining and o'erwhelming edifice !Fools our fond gaze, and greatest of the great Defies at first our nature's littleness, Till, growing with its growth, we thus dilate Our spirits to the size of what they contemplate. Then pause and be enlighten'd ; there is more In such a survey than the sating gaze Of wonder pleased, or awe which would adore The worship of the place, or the mere praise Of art and its great masters, who could raise What former time, nor skill, nor thought could plan ; The fountain of sublimity displays Its depth, and thence may draw the mind of man Its golden sands, and learn what great conceptions can. Or, turning to the Vatican, go see Laoco on's torture dignifying pain — A father's love, and mortal's agony, With an immortal's patience blending : — Yain The struggle ; vain, against the coiling strain And gripe, and deepening of the dragon's grasp, The old man's clench : the long, envenom'd chain Rivets the living links ; the enormous asp Enforces pang on pang, and stifles gasp on gasp. X 3 310 . APPENDIX. Or, view the Lord of the unerring bow, The god of life, and poesy, and light — The Sun in human limbs array'd, and brow All radiant from his triumph in the fight: The shaft hath just been shot — the arrow bright With an immortal's vengeance ; in his eye And nostril, beautiful disdain, and might, And majesty, flash their full lightnings by, Developing in that one glance the deity 1 THE DYING CHRISTIAN TO HIS SOUL.*— Pofr Vital spark of heav'nly flame, Quit, oh ! quit this mortal frame ! Trembling, hoping, lingering, flying, — O the pain — the bliss of dying ! Cease, fond nature, cease thy strife, And let me languish into life I Hark ! they whisper ; angels say, — " Sister spirit, come away ! " What is this absorbs me quite, — Steals my senses, shuts my sight, Drowns my spirits, draws my breath? — Tell me, my soul, can this be death ? The world recedes, it disappears, Heav'n opens on my eyes, — my ears * The difficulty of delivering this exquisite little piece with proper effect, is that of preserving the feeble and failing tone of the dying man, and yet conveying the enthusiastic con- fidence of the-hopeful Christian. The reader must bear in mind these two phases of expression. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 311 With sounds seraphic ring ! Lend, lend your wings ! I mount, I fly ! death, where is thy sting, — O grave, where is thy victory ? SAUL.— Byron. I. " Thou whose spell can raise the dead, Bid the prophet's form appear." — " Samuel, raise thy buried head ! King, behold the phantom seer !" Earth yawn'd ; he stood, the centre of a cloud ; Light changed its hue, retiring from his shroud. Death sfood ail glassy in his fixed eye ; His hand was wirher'd, and his veins were dry; His foot, in bony whiteness glitter* d there, Shrunken and sinewless, and ghastly bare ; From lips that moved not, and unbreathing frame, Like cavern'd winds, the hollow accents came. Saul «aw, and fell to earth ; — as falls the oak, At once, and blasted by the thunder -stroke ! II. " Why is my sleep disquieted? Who is he that calls the dead ? Is it thou, O king ? Behold, Bloodless are these limbs, and cold : Such are mine: and such shall be Thine to-morrow, when with me : Ere the coming day be done, Such shalt thou be, such thy son ! Eare thee well ! but for a day ; Then we mix our mouldering clay; x 4 312 APPENDIX. Then thy race lie pale and low, Pierced by shafts of many a bow; And the falchion by thy side To thy heart thy hand shall guide j Crownless, breathless, headless, fall — Son and sire — the house of Saul ! " MODERN GREECE.— Byron- He who hath bent him o'er the dead, Ere the first day of death is fled, The first dark day of nothingness, The last of danger and distress — Before Decay's effacing fingers Have swept the lines where beauty lingers - And mark'd the mild, angelic air, The rapture of repose that's there, The fix'd yet tender traits that streak The languor of the placid cheek, And — but for that sad shrouded eye, That fires not, wins not, weeps not, now,- And, but for that chill, changeless brow, Where cold Obstruction's apathy Appals the gazing mourner's heart, As if to him it could impart The doom he dreads, yet dwells upon : — Yes, but for these, and these alone, • Some moments, aye, one treacherous hour, He still might doubt the tyrant's power ; So fair, so calm, so softly seal'd, The first, last look by death reveal'd ! Such is the aspect of this shore ; 'Tis Greece, but living Greece no more ! So coldly sweet, so deadly fair, We start, for soul is wanting there. POETICAL EXTRACTS* 313 Her's is the loveliness in death, That parts not quite with parting breath j But beauty with that fearful bloom, That hue which haunts it to the tomb, Expression's last receding ray, A gilded halo hovering round decay, The farewell beam of feeling past away, — Spark of that flame, perchance of heavenly birth, Which gleams, but warms no more its cherish' d earth! Clime of the unforgotten brajw ! Whose land, from plain 10 n ci.nfr in cave, Was Freedom's home, or Glory's grave, — Shrine of the mighty ! can it be, That this is all remains of thee ? Approach, thou craven, crouching slave: Say, is not this Thermopylae ? These waters blue that round you lave, — ■ Oh servile offspring of the free — Pronounce what sea, what shore is this ?— • The gulf, the rock of Salamis. These scenes, their story not unknown, Arise, and make again your own; Snatch from the ashes of your sires The embers of their former fires : And he who in the strife expires, Will add to theirs a name of fear, That tyranny shall quake to hear; And leave his sons a hope, a fame, They too will rather die than shame: For, Freedom's battle once begun, Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son, Though baffled oft, is ever Avon. Bear witness, Greece, thy living page Attest it many a deathless age ! 311 APPENDIX. While king?, in dusty darkness hid, Have left a nameless pyramid, Thy heroes, though the general doom Hath swept the column from their tomb, A mightier monument command, — The mountains of their native land ! A POETESS'S PICTURE OF A COUNTRY LIFE. Joanna Baillie. Ev'n now, methinks, Each little cottage of my native vale Swells out its earthen sides, upheaves its roof, Like to a hillock moved by labouring mole, And with green trail-weeds clambering up its walls, Roses, and every gay and fragrant plant, B j fore mv fancy stands a fairy bower; Aye, and within it, too, do fairies dwell. Peep through its wreathed window, if, indeed, The flowers grow not too close; and there within, Thou'lt see some half a dozen rosy brats, Eating from wooden bowls their dainty milk — Those are my mountain elves, Seest thou not Their very forms distinctly ? — ■ I'll gather round my board All that heav'n sends to me of way worn folks, And noble travellers and neighbouring friends, Both young and old. Within my ample hall The worn-out man of arms shall o' tip- toe tread, Tossing his gray locks from, his wrinkled brow With cheerful freedom, as he boasts his feats Of days gone by. Music we'll have, and oft The bickering dance upon our oaken floors POETICAL EXTRACTS. 315 Shall, thundering loud, strike on the distant ear Of 'nighted travellers, who shall gladly bend Their doubtful footsteps towards the cheering din. Solemn, and grave, and cloister'd and demure, We shall not be : but every season Shall have its suited pastime : even winter, In its deep noon, when mountains piled with snow, And choked-up valleys, to our mansion bar All entrance, and nor guest nor traveller Sounds at our gate, the empty hall forsaken, In some warm chamber by the crackling fire We'll hold our little,, snug, domestic court, Plying our work with song and tale between. BERNARDO DEL CARPIO.— F. Hemans. The warrior bow'd his crested head, and tamed his heart of fire, And sued the haughty king to free his long imprison'd sire ; "I bring thee here my fortress keys, I bring my captive train, I bring thee faith, my liege, my lord ! — oh, break my father's chain ! " " Rise, rise ! ev'n now thy father comes, a ransom' d man this day, Mount thy good horse, and thou and I will meet him on his way." Then lightly rose that loyal son, and bounded on his steed, And urged, as if with lance in rest, the charger's foamy speed. And lo ! from far, as on they press'd, there came a glittering band, With one that 'midst them stately rode, as a leader in the laod ; 316 APPENDIX. " Now haste, Bernardo, haste ! for there in very truth is he, The father whom thy faithful heart hath yearn'd so long to see." His dark eye flash'd, his proud breast heav'd, his cheek's blood came and went ; He reach'd that grey-hair' d chieftain's side, and there dis- mounting bent ; A lowly knee to earth he bent, his father's hand he took, — What was there in its touch that all his fiery spirit shook ? That hand was cold — a frozen thing — it dropp'd from his like lead, — He look'd up to the face above, — the face was of the dead ! A plume wav'd o'er the noble brow, the brow was fix'd and white ; He met at last his father's eyes, — but in them was no sight ! Up from the ground he sprung, and gaz'd, but who could paint that gaze ? They hush'd their very hearts that saw its horror and amaze ; . They might have chain'd him, as before that stony form he stood, For the power was stricken from his arm, and from his lip the blood, " Father ! " at length, he murmur'd low, and wept like child- hood then : — Talk not of grief till thou hast seen the tears of warlike men ! He thought on all his glorious hopes, on all his young re- nown, He flung the falchion from his side, and in the dust sat down. Then covering with his steel-glov'd hands his darkly mournful brow, No more, there is no more," he said, " to lift the sword for now — 'POETICAL EXTRACTS. 317 My king is false, my hope betray 'd, my father — oh ! the the worth, The glory, and the loveliness, are pass'd away from earth ! " 1 thought to stand where banners wav'd, my sire ! beside thee yet, I would that there our kindred blood on Spain's free soil had met ; Thou wouldst have known my spirit then, — for thee my fields were won, And thou hast perished in thy chains, as if thou hadst no son." Then starting from the ground once more, he seized the mon- arch's rein, Amidst the pale and wilder'd looks of all the courtier train ; And with a fierce, o'ermastering grasp, the raging war-horse led, And sternly set tliem face to face, — the king before the dead! " 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 ? The voice, the glance, the heart I sought — give answer, where are they ? If thou wouldst clear thy perjur'd soul, send life through this cold clay ? " Into these glassy eyes put light, — be still ! keep down thine ire Bid these white lips a blessing speak — this earth is not my sire ! Give me back him for whom I strove, for whom my blood was etosd, Thou canst not— and a king ? His dust be mountains on thy head!" 318 APPENDIX. He loos'd the steed ; his slack hand fell ; — upon the silent face He cast one long, deep, troubled look, — then turn'd from that sad place : His hope was crush'd, his after-fate untold in martial strain, His banner led the spears no more amidst the hills of Spain ! THE VOICE OF THE GRAVE. — Montgomery. There is a calm for those who weep, A rest for weary pilgrims found; They softly lie and sweetly sleep Low in the ground. The storm that wrecks the winter sky No more disturbs their deep repose, Than summer's evening's latest sigh That shuts the rose. I long to lay this painful head And aching heart beneath the soil, To slumber in that dreamless bed Erom all my toil. Eor Misery stole me at my birth, And cast me helpless on the wild: I perish : O, my mother Earth, Take home thy child! On thy dear lap, these limbs, reclined, Shall gently moulder into thee, Nor leave one wretched trace behind Resembling me. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 819 Hark ! a strange sound affrights mine ear; My pulse, my brain runs wild — I rave : Ah! who art thou whose voice I hear ? "I am the Grave ! " The Grave, that never spoke before, Hath found, at length, a tongue to chide; O listen! I will speak no more : Be silent, Pride ! " Art thou a wretch of hope forlorn. The victim of consuming care ; Is thy distracted conscience torn By fell Despair ? — - " Do foci misdeeds of former times Wring with remorse thy guilty breast; And ghosts of unforgiven crimes Murder thy rest ? — "Lashed by the furies of the mind, Erom wrath and vengeance wouldst thou flee ? — Ah ! think not, hope not, fool ! to find A friend in me. " By all the terrors of the tomb ? Beyond the power of tongue to tell ; — By the dread secrets of my womb, By death and hell,— " I charge thee live ! repent and pray ; In dust thine infamy deplore ; There yet is mercy ; go thy way, And sin no more ! " Art thou a mourner ? Hast thou known The joy of innocent delights ; Endearing days for ever flown And tranquil nights ?— 320 APPENDIX. " O live ! and deeply cherish still The sweet remembrance of the past : Rely on Heaven's unchanging will For peace at last. " Art thou a wanderer ? Hast thou seen Overwhelming tempests drown thy bark 5- A shipwreck'd sufferer, hast thoii been Misfortune's mark ? — " Tho' long of winds and waves the sport. Condemned in wretchedness to roam; — Live! thou shalt reach a sheltering port, A quiet home. " To friendship didst thou trust thy fame; And was thy friend a deadly foe, Who stole into thy heart to aim A surer blow ? — " Live ! and repine not o'er his loss, — A loss unworthy to be told : Thou hast mistaken sordid dross For friendship's gold. " Go seek that treasure, seldom found, Of power the fiercest griefs to calm, And soothe the bosom's deepest wound With heavenly balm ! " Whate'er thy lot, whoe'er thou be, Confess thy folly, kiss the rod, And in thy chastening sorrows see The hand of God. " A bruised reed He will not break ; Afflictions all his children feel ; He wounds them for his mercy's sake % He wounds to heal. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 321 " Humbled beneath his mighty hand, Prostrate his providence adore : Tis done ! — Arise ! He bids thee stand, To fall no more." Now, traveller in the vale of tears, To realms of everlasting light, Through time's dark wilderness of years Pursue thy flight. There is a calm for those who weep, A rest for weary pilgrims found ; And while the mould'ring ashes sleep Low in the ground, — The soul, of origin divine, — God's glorious image freed from clay, — In heaven's eternal sphere shall shine, A star of day ! The sun is but a spark of fire, A transient meteor in the sky ; The soul, immortal as its Sire, Shall never die ! TEN YEARS AGO.— A. A. Watts. Ten years ago, ten years ago, Life was to us a fairy scene ; And the keen blasts of worldly woe Had seared not then its pathway green. Youth, and its thousand dreams were ours,- Eeelings we ne'er can know again ; Unwither'd hopes, unwasted powers, And frames unworn by mortal pain. Such was the bright and genial flow Of iife with us — ten years ago ! Y 322 APPENDIX. Time has not blanched a single hair That clusters round thy forehead now ; Nor hath the cankering touch of care Left ev'n one furrow on thy brow. Thine eyes are blue as when we met, In love's deep truth, in earlier years ; Thy cheek of rose is blooming yet, Though sometimes stained by secret tears; — But where, oh where's the spirit's glow That shone through ail — ten years ago ? I, too, am changed, — I scarce know why- Can feel each nagging pulse decay ; And youth, and health, and visions high, Melt like a wreath of snow away : Time cannot sure have wrought the ill ; Though worn in this world's sickening strife, In soul and form, I linger still In the first summer morn of life ; Yet journey on my path below, Oh ! how unlike — ten years ago ! But look not thus ; I would not give The wreck of hopes that thou must share, To bid those joyous hours revive When all around me seem'd so fair. We've wander'd on in sunny weather, When winds were low, and flowers in blooia, And hand in hand we've kept together ; And still we keep, 'mid storm and gloom; Endeared by ties we could not know When life was young — ten years ago ! Has fortune frowned ? — Her frowns were vain ; For hearts like ours she could not chill : Have friends proved false ? — Their love might wane, But ours grew fonder, firmer still. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 8 Twin barks on this world's changing wave, Steadfast in calms, in tempests tried, In cod cert still our fate we'll brave, Together cleave life's fitful tide ; Nor mourn, whatever winds may blow, Youth's first wild dreams — ten years ago ! Have we not knelt beside his bed, And watched our first-born blossom die ?— Hoped, till the shade of hope had fled, Then wept till feeling's fount was dry ? Was it not sweet, in that dark hour, To think, mid mutual tears and sighs, Our bud had left its early bower, And burst to bloom in Paradise ? What to the thought that soothed that woe Were heartless joys— ten years ago ! Yes, it is sweet, when heaven is bright, To share its sunny beams with thee ; But sweeter far, mid clouds and blight, To have thee near to weep with me. Then dry those tears — though something changed From what we were in earlier youth, Time, that hath hopes and friends estranged, Hath left us love in all its truth ; — Sweet feelings we would not forego, For life's best joy's — ten years ago ! HALLOWED GKOUND.— Campbell. What's hallowed ground ? Has earth a clod Its Maker meant not should be trod By man, the image oi ins God, Erect and free, T 2 324 APPENDIX, Unscoursred by Superstition's rod To bow the knee? That's hallow'd ground where, mourned and missd, The lips repose our love has kiss'd ; — But w here's their memory's mansion? Is't Yon churchyard's bowers ? No ! in ourselves their souls exist, A part of ours ! A kiss can consecrate the ground "Where mated hearts are mutual bound. — The spot where love's first links were wound, That ne'er are riven, Is hallow'd down to earth's profound, And up to heaven ! For time makes all but true love old ! The burning thoughts that then were told Hun molten still in memory's mould, And will not cool Until the heart itself be cold In Lethe's pool. What hallows ground where heroes sleep ? 'Tis not the sculptured piles you heap ! In dews that heavens far distant weep Their turf may bloom ; Or genii xwine beneath the deep Their coral tomb. But strew Ms ashes to the wind. Whose sword or voice has serv'd mankind; And h he dead whose glorious .mind Lifts thine on high? To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die I POETICAL EXTRACTS. 825 Is't death to fall for freedom's right ? He's dead alone that lacks -her light ; And murder sallies, in Heavens signt, The sword he draws. What can alone ennoble light? A noble cause I Give that ! and welcome war to brace Her drums, and rend heaven's reeking space ; The colours planted face to face, The charging cheer, Though death's pale horse lead on the chase, Shall still be dear ! And place our trophies where men kneel To Heaven ! — but Heaven rebukes my zeal : The cause of truth and human weal, O God above ! Transfer it from the sword's appeal, To peace and love ! Peace ! Love ! the cherubim that join Their spread wings o'er Devotion's shrine; Prayers sound in vain, and temples shine, Where they are not ! The heart alone can make divine Religion's spot. To incantations dost thou trust, And pompous rites in domes august? See, mouldering stones and metal's rust Belie the vaunt, That men can bless one pile of dust With chime or chaunt. The ticking wood- worm mocks thee, man f Thy temples, — creeds themselves grow wan \ Y 3 5 APPENDIX, But there's «* dome of nobler span* A temple <.»;iven — Thy faith, tnat bigots dare not bans- Its space is heaven ! Its roof star-pictured nature's ceiling, Where, trancing the rapt spirit's feeling, And, God Himself to man revealing, The harmonious spheres Make music, though unheard their pealing By mortal ears. Fair stars ! are not your beings pure? Can sin, can death, your worlds obscure? Else, why so swell the thoughts at your Aspect above ? Ye must be heavens that make us sure Of heavenly love ! And in your harmony sublime, I read the doom of distant time ; That man's regenerate soul from crime Shall yet be drawn, And reason on his mortal clime Immortal dawn ! What's hallow'd ground? 'Tis what gives birth To sacred thoughts in souls of worth ! Peace ! Independence ! Truth ! Go forth, Earth's compass round ; And your high priesthood shall make earth All haiiow'd ground ! THE GLOVE AND THE LIONS.--L. Hunt. King Franks was a hearty king, and lov'd a royal sport, And one day, as his lions fought, sat looking on the court ; POETICAL EXTRACTS. 5'27 The nobles filPd the benches round, the ladies by their side, And 'monger them sat the Count de Lorge, wiiJi one for whom he sigh'cl: And truly 'twas a gallant thing to see that crowning show, Valour and love, and a king above, and the royal hearts below. Kamp'd and roar'd the lions, with horrid laughing jaws ; They bit, they glared, gave blows like beams, a wind went with their paws : With wallowing might and stifled roar, they roll'd on one another, Till all the pit, with sand and mane, was in a thund'rous smoother ; The bloody foam above the bars came whizzing thro' the air ; Said Francis then, " Faith ! gentlemen, we're better here than there !" De Lorge's love o'er-heard the king, a beauteous lively dame, With smiling lips and sharp bright eyes, which always seem'd the same ; She thought, — The Count my lover is brave as brave can be— He surely would do wondrous things to show his love of me: Kings, ladies, lovers, all look on ; the occasion is divine ! I'll drop my glove, to prove his love ; great glory will be mine ! She dropp'd her glove, to prove his love, then look'd at him and smil'd ; He bow'd, and in a moment leap'd among the lions wild. The leap was quick, return was quick — he has regain'd the place. — Then llirew the glove— but not with love — right in the lady's face. " By heaven !" cried Francis, " rightly done !" and he rose from where he sat : " No love," quoth he, •• but vanity, sets love a task like that !" Y 4 228 APPENDIX. / PATIENCE AND HOPE. — Bulges. Upon a barren steep, Above a stormy deep, I saw an angel watching the wild sea ; Earth was that barren steep, Time was that stormy deep, And the opposing shore — Eternity ! " Why dost thou watch the wave ? Thy feet the waters lave, The tide engulphs thee, if thou do remain." " Unscath'd I watch the wave ; — Time not the angel's grave, — I wait until the waters ebb again." Hush'd on the angel's breast I saw an infant rest, Smiling on the gloomy hell below. " What is the infant prest, O angel, to thy breast ? " " The child God gave me in the long ago ! " Mine all upon the earth — The angel's angel birth, Smiling all terror from the howling wild !" — Never may I forget The dream that haunts me yet Of Patience nursing Hope — the Angel and the Child ! ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL.- Leigh Hunt. Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase !) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace. POETICAL EXTRACTS. 329 And saw within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a lily bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold. Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold ; And to the presence in the room he said — " What writest thou ?" The vision rais'd its head, And with a look made of all sweet accord, Answer'd, " The names of those who love the Lord 1" " And is mine one ? " said Abou. " Nay, not so ;" Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still ; and said, " I pray thee then Writes me as one that loves my fellow men." The angel wrote and vanish'd. The next night It came again, with a great wakening light, And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd ; And lo ! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. COXCOMBRY IN CONVERSATION.— Co wtee. The emphatic speaker dearly loves to oppose, In contact inconvenient, nose to nose, As if the gnomon on his neighbour's phiz, Touch'd with a magnet, had attracted his. His whisper'd theme, dilated and at large, Proves, after all, a wind-gun's airy charge, — An extract of his diary, — no more, — A tasteless journal of the day before. fie walk'd abroad, o'ertaken in the rain, CalPd on a friend, drank tea, stepp'd home again, Resumed his purpose, had a world of talk With one he stumbled on, and lost his walk. I interrupt him with a sudden bow, — " Adieu, dear sir ! lest you should lose it now." I cannot talk with civet in the room, — A fine puss gentleman, that's all perfume : 020 APPENDIX. His odoriferous attempts to please, Perhaps might prosper with a swarm of bees j But we that make no honey, though we sting,— Poets,— are sometimes apt to maul the thing. A graver coxcomb we may sometimes see, Quite as absurd, though not so light as he ; A shallow brain behind a serious mask, An oracle within an empty cask, The solemn fop ; — significant and budge, A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge ; He says but little, and that little said Owes all its weight, like loaded dice, to lead. His wit invites you, by his looks, to come ; But when you knock, it never is at home : 'Tis like a parcel sent you by the stage, Some handsome present, as your hopes presage ; 'Tis heavy, bulky, and bids fair to prove An absent friend's fidelity and love, — But when unpack'd, your disappointment groans, To find it stufF'd with brickbats, earth, and stones. YESTERDAY.— Tupper. Speak, poor almsman of to-day, whom none can assure of a to-morrow, Tell out with honest heart the price thou settest upon yesterday. Is it then a writing in the dust, traced by the finger of Idle- ness, Which Industry, clean housewife, can wipe away for ever ? Is it as a farrow on the sand, fashion'd by the toying waves, Quickly to be trampled then again by the feet of the returning tide? Is it as the pale blue smoke, rising from a peasant's horel, POETICAL EXTRACTS. 331 That melted into limpid air, before it topp'd the larches ? Is it but a vision, unstable and unreal, which wise men soon forget ? Is it as the stranger of the night, — gone, we heed not whither ? Alas ! thou foolish heart, whose thoughts are but as these, Alas ! deluded soul, that hopeth thus of yesterday I For, behold — those temples of Ellora, the Brahmin's rock- built shrine, Behold — yon granite cliff, which the North Sea buffeteth in vain, That stout old forest fir — these waking verities of life, This guest abiding ever, not strange, nor a servant, but a son, — Such, man, are vanity and dreams, transient as a rainbow on the cloud, Weigh'd against that solid fact, thine ill-remember'd yester- day. Come, let me show thee an ensample, where Nature shall in- struct us. Luxuriantly the arguments for Truth spring native in her gardens ; Seek we yonder woodman of the plain ; he is measuring his axe to the elm, And anon the sturdy strokes ring upon the wintry air ; Eagerly the village school-boys cluster on the tighten'd rope Shouting, and bending to the pull, or lifted from the ground elastic ; The huge tree boweth like Sisera boweth to its foes with faintness, Its sinews crack, — deep groans declare the reeling anguish of Goliath ; The wedge is driven home, — and the saw is at its heart, and lo ! with solemn slowness, The shuddering monarch riseth from his throne,— toppled with a crash, — and is fallen J 332 APPENDIX. Now shall the mangled stump teach proud man a lesson ; Now can we from that elm-tree's sap distil the wine of Truth. Heed ye those hundred rings, concentric from the core, Eddying in various waves to the red bark's shore-like rim? These be the "gatherings of yesterday, present all to-day, This is the tree's judgment, — self-history that cannot be gain- said. Seven years agone there was a drought, — and the seventh ring is narrow'd, The fifth from hence was a half deluge, — the fifth is cellular and l.road ; — Thus, Man, thou art a result of the growth of many yester- days, That stamp thy secret soul with growth of weal or woe ; Thou art an almanac of self, the living record of thy deeds ; Spirit has its scars as well as body, sore and aching in their season : Here is a knot, — it was a crime ; there is a canker,— selfish- ness ; Lo, here the heart-wood rotten ; — lo, there, perchance, the sap-wood sound ; Nature teacheth not in vain ; thy works are in thee, of thee ; Some present evil bent hath grown of older errors. And what if thou be walking now uprightly ? Salve not thy wounds with poison, As if a petty goodness of to-day hath blotted out the sin of yesterday. It is well thou hast life and light ; and the Hewer showeth mercy, Dressing the root, pruning the branch, and looking for thy tardy fruits ; But even here, as thou standest, cheerful belike and careless, The stains of ancient evil are upon thee, the record of thy wrong is in thee ; For, a curse of many yesterdays is thine, many yesterdays of sin, That, haply little heeded now, shall blast thy many morrows. POETICAL EXTRACTS, 833 Shall then a man reck nothing, but hurl mad defiance at his Judge, Knowing that less than Omnipotent cannot make the has been not been ? He ought, so Satan spake ; he must, so Atheism urgeth ; He may, it was the libertine's thought ; he doth, — the bad world said it. But thou of humbler heart, thou student wiser for simplicity, While Nature warneth thee betimes, heed the loving counsel of Religion. True, this change is good, and penitence most precious ; But trust not thou thy change ; nor rest upon repentance ; For we all arc corrupted at the core, smooth as our surface seemeth ; What health can bloom in a beautiful skin, when rottenness hath fed upon the bones ? And guilt is parcel of us all ; not thou, sweet nursling of affection, Art spotless, though so passing fair, nor thou, wild patriarch of virtue ; Behold then the better tree of Life, free unto us all for grafting, Cut thee from the hollow root of self, to be budded on a richer vine. Be desperate, O man, as of evil so of good; tear that tunic from thee; The past can never be retriev'd, be the present what it may. Vain is the penance and the scourge, vain the fast and vigil! The fencer's cautious skill to-day, can this erase his scars? It is man's to famish as a faquir, it is man's to die a devotee ; Light is the torture and the toil, balanced with the wages of Eternity: But, it is God's to yearn in love on the humblest, the poorest, and the worst; For he has giv'n freely, as a King, asking only thanks for mercy. Look upon this noble-hearted Substitute; seeing thy woes, he pitied thee; 334 APPENDIX, Bow'd beneath the mountain of thy sin and perish'd, — hit for God-head. There stood the Atlas in his power, and Prometheus in his love is there, Emptying, on wretched man, the blessings earn'd from heav'n. Put them not away — hide them in thy breast, poor and peni- tent receiver; Be gratitude thy counsellor to good, and wholesome fear unto obedience r Remember the pruning knife is keen, cutting cankers even from the vine ; Bemember, twelve were chosen, and one among them liveth in perdition. Yea, — for standing unatoned, the soul is a bison on the prairie, Hunted by those trooping wolves the many sinful yesterdays: And it speedeth a terrified Deucalion, flinging back the pebble in his flight, — The pebble that must add one more to those pursuing ghosts, O man ? there is a storm behind, should drive in thy bark to haven : The foe, the foe, is on thy track, patient, certain and avenging j Day by day, solemnly and silently followeth the fearful past, — His step is lame but sure-, for he catcheth the present in eternity: And how to escape that foe, the present -past in future? How to avert that fate, living consequence of causes un- existent ? Boldly we must overleap his birth, and date above his memories, Grafted on the living Tree that was before a yesterday \ No refuge of a younger birth than one that saw creation, Can hide the child of time from still condemning yesterday. There is the Sanctuary- city, mocking at the wrath of thine Avenger, Close at hand, with its wicket on the latch; haste for thylife ? poor hunted one! POETICAL EXTRACTS. 335 The gladiator, Guilt, fight eth as of old, armed with net and aagger, Snaring in the mesh of yesterdays, stabbing with the poniard of t^-day ; Fly, thy sword is broken at the hilt; fly, thy shield is shiver'd; Leap the barriers and baffle him ; the arena of the past is his. The bounds of guilt are the cycles of time; thou muse be safe within Eternity; The arms of God alone shall rescue thee from yesterday. A POET'S PARTING THOUGHT.*— Motherwell. When I beneath the cold red earth am sleeping, TLKc'S) fever o'er, Will there for me be any bright eye weeping That I am no more? Will there be any heart still memory keeping Of heretofore? When the great winds, through leafless forests rushing, bui muski ma&e; — When the swollen streams, oxi ciag azitf gully gushing, Like full hearts break, — Will there then one, whose heart despair is crushing, Mourn for my sake? When the bright sun upon that spot is shining, With purest ray, * These lines of Motherwell — so touching in their simple pathos, and so unselfish. in the calm resignation of their close — were given to a friend by the author a day or two before his decease. 336 APPENDIX. And the small flowers, their buds and blossoms twining, Burst through that clay. — Will there be one still on that spot repining Lost hopes all day? When no star twinkles with its eye of glory On that low mound, And wintry storms have, with their ruins hoary, Its loneness crowu'd, Will there be then one, vers'd in misery's story, Pacing it round? — It may be so, — but this is selfish sorrow To ask such meed, — A weakness and a wickedness to borrow, From hearts that bleed, The wailings of to-day for what to-morrow Shall never need. Lay me then gently in my narrow dwelling. Thou gentle heart; And though thy bosom should with grief be swelling, Let no tear start: It were in vain, — for time has long liwu Helling; — S^d oiiSt depart! 337 DIALOGUE AND DEAMATIC PIECES. LOCHIEL'S WARNING.— Campbell. WIZARD — LOCHIEL.* Wiz. — Lochiel, Locliiel ! beware of the day When the, lowlands shall meet thee in battle array! For a field of the dead rushes red on my sight, And the clans of Culloden are scatter'd in tight. They rally, they bleed for their kingdom and crown} Woe, woe to the riders that trample them down! Proud Cumberland prances, insulting the slain, And their hoof-beaten bosoms are trod to the plain ! Bat hark ! through the fast-flashing lightning of war, What steed to the desert flies frantic and far? 'Tis thine, oh Glenullin ! whose bride shall await, Like a love-lighted watch-fire, all night at the gate. A steed comes at morning; no rider is there; But its bridle is red with the sign of despair. * In this dialogue, the tone of the Wizard, or Seer — who is supposed to be gifted with second-sight — must be deep, and solemn ; increasing in pitch and force as the images of horror crowd upon his vision, and varied occasionally by the soft tones of grief. The expression of the chieftain Lochiel must be that of bold confidence, daring, and contempt of the Wizard's pre- diction. His pitch will therefore be higher, and his tone louder. z 338 APPENDIX. Weep, Albin ! to death and captivity led ! Oh weep ! but thy tears cannot number the dead. For a merciless sword on Culloden shall wave, Culloden ! that reeks with the blood of the brave. Loc. — Go preach to the coward^ thou death-telling seer ! Or, if gory Culloden so dreadful appear. Draw, dotard, around thy old wavering sight This mantle — to cover the phantoms of light. Wiz. — Ha! laugh'st thou, Lochiel, my vision to scorn? Proud bird of the mountain, thy plume shall be torn ! — Say, rush'd the blood eagle exultingly forth From his home, in the dark-rolling clouds of the north? Lo ! the death-shot of foemen outspeeding, he rode. Companionless, bearing destruction abroad: But down let him stoop from his havoc on high I Ah ! hom^ let him speed, for the spoiler is nigh, Why flames the far summit? Why shoot to the blast Those embers, like stars from the firmament cast? 'Tis the fire-shower of ruin, all dreadfully driven From his eyrie, that beacons the darkness of heaven. Oh ! crested Lochiel ! the peerless in might, Whose banners arise on the battlement's height, Heaven's fire is around thee, to blast and to burn: Return to thy dwelling ; all lonely return ! For the blackness of ashes shall mark where it s^ood, And a wild mother scream o'er her famishing brood ! Loc. — -False Wizard, avaunt ! I have marshall'd my clan, Their swords are a thousand, their hearts are but one ! They are true to the last of their blood and their breath, And like reapers descend to the harvest of death. Then welcome be Cumberland's steed to the shock ! Let him dash his proud foam like a wave on the rock 1 But woe to his kindred, and woe to his cause, When Albin her claymore indignantly draws ; When her bonneted chieftains to victory crowd, Clanronald the dauntless, and Moray the proud, All plaided and plumed in their tartan array— DRAMATIC PIECES, 339 Wiz. Lochiel, Lochiel ! beware of the day ! For, dark and despairing my sight I may seal, Bat man cannot cover what God would reveal; 'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, And coming events cast their shadows before. — I tell thee, Culloden's dread echoes shall ring With the blood-hounds that bark for thy fugitive king. Lo ! anointed by Heaven with the vials of wrath, Behold where he flies on his desolate path ! Now in darkness and billows, he sweeps from my sight ; Kise, rise ! ye wild tempests, and cover his flight ! — 'Tis finish'd ! Their thunders are hush'd on the moors; Culloden is lost, and my country deplores ! But where is the iron-bound prisoner? Where? — For the red eye of battle is shut in despair. Say, mounts he the ocean-wave, banish'd, forlorn, Like a limb from his country cast bleeding and torn? Ah no ! for a darker departure is near; The war- drum is muffled, and black is the bier ; His death-bell is tolling ! Oh ! Mercy, dispel Yon sight, that it freezes my bosom to tell ! Life flutters convulsed in his quivering limbs, And his blood-streaming nostril in agony swims. Accurs'd be the faggots that blaze at his feet, Where his heart shall be thrown ere it ceases to beat, With the smoke of its ashes to poison the gale Loc. — Down, soothless insulter! I trust not the tale: For never shall Albin a destiny meet, So black with dishonour, so foul with retreat. Though my perishing ranks should be strew'd in their gore, Like ocean- weeds heap'd on the surf-beaten shore, Lochiel, untainted by flight or by chains, While the kindling of life in his bosom remains, Shall victor exult or in death be laid low — With his back to the field, and his feet to the foe ! And, leaving in battle no blot on his name, Look proudly to heaven from the deathbed of fame 1 Z 2 340 APPENDIX. CATO ON THE SOUL'S IMMORTALITY. — Addison. [Cato is seated with Plato's treatise in his hand, and beside him his sword. — The expression should be solemn, and tho declamation of a lofty and dignified character.] It must be so ! Plato, thou reasonest well : Else whence this fond desire, this pleasing hope, This longing after immortality? Or whence this secret dread, and inward horror Of falling into nought? Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and shudders at destruction? 'Tis the divinity that stirs within us ; 'Tis heaven itself that points out a hereafter, And intimates eternity to man ! — Eternity ! thou pleasing, dreadful thought ! — Through what variety of untried being, Through what new forms and changes must we pass ? Tke wide, the unbounded prospect lies before me; But shadows, clouds, and darkness rest upon it. Here will I hold If there's a Power above, — And that tlure is all Nature cries aloud Through all her works, — He must delight in virtue ; And that which He delights in must be happy : But when? or how? — This world was made for Cassar. I'm weary of conjectures; this must end 'em ! [ Taking up the sword J] Thus am I doubly arm'd: my life and death, My bane and antidote, are both before me. This, in a moment, brings me to an end; But this assures me I shall never die ! The soul, secure in her existence, smiles At the drawn dagger, and defies its point. The stars shall fade away, the Sun himself DRAMATIC PIECES. 341 Grow dim with age, and Nature sink in years, — Thou .'till shalt flourish in eternal youth, Unhurt amidst the war of elements, The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds ! MARC ANTONY'S APOSTROPHE* TO CESAR'S BODY. — Shakspeare. O pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers ! Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times ! Woe to the hand that shed this costly blood! Over thy wounds now do I prophesy, — Which, like dumb mouths, do ope their ruby lips, To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue, A curse shall light upon the limbs of men; Domestic fary, and fierce civil strife Shall cumber all the parts of Italy ; Blood and destruction shall be so in use, And dreadful objects so familiar, That mothers shall but smile, when they behold Their infants quartcr'd with the hands of war; — All pity chok'd with custom of fell deeds; — And Caesar's spirit, ranging for revenge, With Ate f by his side, come hot from hell, Shall in these confines, with a monarch's voice, * This apostrophe is a fine practice in intonation and power- ful and impassioned declamation. The speaker should com- mence in the deep, solemn tone of grief; making a burst of passion as he prophesies the curse that is to follow ; and in- crease in energy till he reach the climax at the close. 26 f Pronounced Ate — the goddess of discord. z 3 342 APPENDIX. Cry Havoc, and let slip the dogs of war; That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men groaning for burial ! SCENE FKOM "JULIUS 02ESAR"— SnAKsrEARE. BRUTUS — CASSIUS. Cas. — Will you go see the order of the course ? Bru.— Not I. Cas.— I pray you, do. Bru. — I am not gamesome; I do lack some past Of that quick spirit that is in Antony. Let me not hinder, Cassius, your desires: I'll leave you. Cas. — Brutus, I do observe you now of late; I have not from your eyes that gentleness, And show of love, as I was wont to have : You bear too stubborn and too strange a hand Over your friend that loves you. Bru. — Cassius, Be not deceived : If I have veiFd my look, I turn the trouble of my countenance Merely upon myself. Vexed I am, Of late, with passions of some difference, Conceptions only proper to myself, Which give some soil, perhaps, to my behaviours ; But let not therefore my good friends be grieved; Among which number, Cassius, be you one; Nor construe any further my neglect, Than that poor Brutus, with himself at war, Forgets the shows of love to other men. Cas. — Then, Brutus, I have much mistook your passion; By means whereof, this breast of mine hath buried Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations. Tell me, good Brutus, can you see your face? DRAMATIC PIECES. 343 Bru. — "No, Cassius ; for the eye sees not itself, But by reflection, by some other thing's. Cas. — Tis jsst: And it is very much lamented, Brutus, That you have no such mirror, as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye, That you might see your shadow. I have heard, Where many of the best respect in Rome — Except immortal Caesar — speaking of Brutus, — And groaning underneath this age's yoke, Have wish'd that noble Brutus had his eyes. Bru. — Into what dangers would you lead me, Cassius, That you would have me seek into myself For that which is not in me? Cas. — Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hoar; And, since you know you cannot see yourself So well as by reflection, I, your glass. Will modestly discover to yourself That of yourself which you yet know not of. And be not jealous of me, gentle Brutus: Were I a common laugher, or did use To stale with ordinary oaths my love To every new protester : if you know That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard, And, after, scandal them: or if you know That I profess myself in banquetting To all the icut, then hold me dangerous, Bru. — What means this shouting? — I do fear the peoplo Choose Caesar for their king. Cas. — Aye, do you fear it? Then must I think, you would not have it so. Bru. — I would not, Cassius; yet I love him well: — But, wherefore do you hold me here so long? What is it that you would impart to me? If it be aught toward the general good, Set honour in one eye, and death i' the other, And I will look on both indifferently: / 4 344 APPENDIX. For let the gods so speed me, as I love The name of honour more than I fear death. Cas — I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus, As well as I do know your outward favour. Well, honour is the subject of my story. — I cannot tell, what you and other men Think of this life ; but, for my single self, I had as lief not be, as live to be In awe of such a thing as I myself. I was born free as Caesar ; so were you ; We both have fed as well , and we can both Endure the winter's cold as well as he ; For once, upon a raw and gusty day, The troubled Tiber chafing with his shores, Caesar said to me, " Dar'st thou, Cassius, now, Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point ? " — Upon the word. Accoutred as I was, I plunged in, And bade him follow ; so, indeed, he did. The torrent roar'd ; and we did buffet it With lusty sinews, throwing it aside, And stemming it with hearts of controversy. But, ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, "Help me, Cassius, or I sink." I — as (Eneas, our great ancestor, Did from the flames of Troy, upon his shoulder, The old Anchises bear, so, from the waves of Tiber, Did I the tired Caesar. And this man Is now become a god ; and Cassius is A wretched creature, and must bend his body, If Caesar carelessly but nod on him. He had a fever when he was in Spain, And when the fit was on him, I did mark How he did shake ; 'tis true, this god did shake 5 His coward lips did from their colour fly ; And that same eye, whose bend doth awe the world, Did lose its lustre : I did hear him groan : DRAMATIC PIECES. 345 Aye, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans Mark him, and write his speeches in their books, Alas, it cried, " Give me some drink, Titinius," As a sick girl. Ye gods ! it doth amaze me, A man of such a feeble temper should So get the start of the majestic world, And bear the palm alone. Bru. — Another general shout ! I do believe, that these applauses are Tor some new honours that are heap'd on Cassar. Cas. — Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus ; and we, petty men, Walk under his huge legs, and peep about, To find ourselves dishonourable graves. Men at some times are masters of their fates : The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Brutus and Csesar : What should be in that Cassar ? Why should that name be sounded more than yours ? Write them together, yours is as fair a name ; Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well ; Weigh them, it as heavy ; conjure with 'em, Brutus will start a spirit as soon as Caesar. — Now, in the names of all the gods at once, Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed, That he hath grown so great ? Age, thou art shamed ; Rome, thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods ! When went there by an age, since the great flood, But it was famed with more than with one man ! When could they say, till now, that talk'd of Rome, That her wide walls encompass'd but one man ? Oh ! you and I have heard our fathers say, There was a Brutus once that would have brook'd The eternal devil to keep his seat in Rome, As easily as a king. Bru. — That you do love me, I am nothing jealous ; What you would work me to I have some aim : 846 APPENDIX. How I have thought of this, and of these times, I shall recount hereafter ; for this present I would not — so with love I might entreat you ■ Be any further moved. What you have said I will consider ; what you have to say I will with patience hear ; and find a time Both meet to hear and answer such high things. - Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this ; Brutus had rather be a villager ; Than to repute himself a son of Rome, Under these hard conditions as this time Is like to lay upon us. SIIYLOCK TO ANTONIO.— Shakspeahb. [The expression should be of bitter sarcasm."] Signor Antonio, many a time and oft In the Bialto you have rated me About my monies, and my usances : Still have I borne it with a patient shrug ; For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe : You call me — misbeliever, cut-throat, dog, And spit upon my Jewish gaberdine ; And all for use of that which is mine own. Well, then, it now appears you need my help : Go to, then — you come to me, and you say, " Shylock, we would have monies." You say so ; You, that did void your rheum upon my beard. And foot me, as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold : monies is your suit. What should I say to you ? Should I not say " Hath a dog money ? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats ?" Or Snail I bend low, and in a bondsman's key, DRAMATIC PIECES. 317 With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness, Say this — " Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last 5 You spurn'd me such a day ; another time You call'd me — dog ; and for these courtesies I'll lend you thus much monies." HENRY IV.'s APOSTEOPHE TO SLEEP.— Shakspeare. How many thousands of my poorest subjects Are at this hour asleep ! Sleep, gentle Sleep, Nature's soft nurse, how have I frighted thee, That thou no more wilt weigh my eyelids down, And steep my senses in forgetfulness ! Why rather, Sleep, liest thou in smoky cribs, Upon uneasy pallets stretching thee, And hush'd with buzzing night-flies to thy slumber, Than in the perfumed chambers of the great, Under the canopies of costly state, And lull'd with sounds of sweetest melody? Oh thou dull god, why liest thou with the vile, In loathsome beds; and leav'st the kingly couch, A watch-case, or a common 'larum-bell ? Wilt thou, upon the high and giddy mast, Seal up the ship-boy's eyes, and rock his brains In cradle of the rude, imperious surge, And in the visitation of the winds, Who take the ruffian billows by the top, Curling their monstrous heads, and hanging them With deafning clamours in the slippery clouds, That, with the hurly, death itself awakes? Canst thou, O partial Sleep ! give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude; 348 APPENDIX. And, in the calmest and most stillest nirrht* Witn all appliances and means to boot, Deny it to a king? Then, happy low. lie down! Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. THE SEVEN AGES. — Shakspeare. All the world's a stage ; And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, And one man, in his time, plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms: Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel, And shining morning face, creeping, like snail, Unwillingly to school. And then, the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad Made to his mistress' eye brow: Then, a soldier; Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard; Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel, Seeking the bubble reputation, Ev'n in the cannon's mouth : And then, the justice; In fair round belly, with good capon lined, With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut, Eull of wise saws, and modern instances; And so he plays his part: The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon, With spectacles on nose and pouch on side; His youthful hose, well sav'd, a world too wide Eor his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice, Turning again toward childish treble, pipes And whistles in his sound: — Last scene of all, That ends this strange, eventful history, Is second childishness, and mere oblivion ; Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything! DRAMATIC PIECES. 349 SCENE FROM THE TRAGEDY OF "ION." — - Talfodhd. Tlie Royal Chamber — Adrastus on a couch, asleep. Enter Ion, with a knife. Ion. — Why do I creep thus stealthily along With trembling steps? Am I not arin'd by Heaven, To execute its mandate on a king Whom it hath doom'd! And shall I falter now, While every moment that he breathes may crush • Some life else happy? Can I be deceived By some foul passion crouching in my soul, Which takes a radiant form to lure me on ? Assure me, gods! — Yes; I have heard your voices For I dare pray ye now to nerve my arm And see me strike! [He goes to the couch.'] He's smiling in his slumber, As if some happy thought of innocent days Play'd at his heart-strings: must I scare it thence With Death's sharp agony ? He lies condemn'd By the high judgment of supernal Powers, And he shall know their sentence. Wake, Adrastus! Collect thy spirits and be strong to die! Adras. — Who dares disturb my rest? Guards! Soldiers! Recreants ! Where tarry ye ? Why smite ye not to earth This bold intruder? Ha! no weapon here! — • What wouldst thou with me, ruffian? [Rising.'] Ion. — I am none; But a sad instrument in Jove's great hand, To take thy life, long forfeited — -Prepare! Thy hour is come ! Adras.— Villains! does no one hear? 350 APPENDIX. Ion. — Vex not the closing minutes of thy being With torturing hope or idle rage; thy guards, Palsied with revelry, are scatterVl senseless, While the most valiant of our Argive youths Hold every passage by which human aid Could reach thee. Present death is the award Of Powers who watch above me while I stand To execute their sentence. Adras. — Thou ! — I know thee — The youth I spared this morning, in whose ear I pour'd the secrets of my bosom. Kill me, If thou dar'st do it; but bethink thee first How the grim memory of thy thankless deed Will haunt thee tq^he grave! Ion. — It is most true; Thou sparMst my life, and therefore do the gods Ordain me to this office, lest thy fall Seem the chance forfeit of some single sin And not the great redress of Argos. Now— Now% while I parley — spirits that have left, Within this hour, their plague-tormented flesh To rot untomb'd, glide by, and frown on me, Their slow avenger, — and the chamber swarms With looks of Furies. — Yet a moment wait, Ye dreadful prompters! If there is a friend, Whom dying thou wouldst greet by word or token, Speak thy last bidding. Adras. — I have none on earth. If thou hast courage, end me ! Ion. — Not one friend! Most piteous doom ! Adras. — Art melted? Ion. — If I am, Hope nothing from my weakness; mortal arms, And eyes unseen that sleep not, gird us round, And we shall fall together. Be it so! Adras. — No; strike at once ; ray hour is come: in thee DRAMATIC PIECES. 351 I recognise the minister of Jove, And, kneeling thus, submit me to his power. [Adrastus kneels,"} Ion. — Avert thy face ! Adras. — Xo; let me meet thy gaze: For breathing pity lights thy features up Into more aweful likeness of a form Winch once shown on me; — and which now my sense Shapes palpable — in habit of the grave, Inviting me to the sad realm where shades Of innocents, whom passionate regard Link'd with the guilty, are content to pace With them the margin of the inky flood, Mournful and calm ; — 'tis surely there ; — she waves Her pallid hand in circle o'er thy head, As if to bless thee ■ — and I bless thee too, Death's gracious angel ; Do not turn away. Ion. — Gods ! to what ofhce have ye doom'd me ! — Now ! [Ion raises his arm to stab Adrastcs, tvho is kneeling, and gazes steadfastly upon him. The' voice of Medon is heard without, calling " Ion ! Ion ! " — Ion drops his arm.] Adras.— Be quick, or thou art lost ! [Medox rushes in behind them.'] Medon. — Ion, forbear ! Behold thy son, Adrastus ! [Iox drops the knife and stands stupified with horror.'] Adras. — TThat strange words Are these which call my senses from the death They were composed to welcome ? — Son ! 'tis false — I had but one — and the deep wave rolls o'er him ! Medon. — That wave received, instead of the fair nurseling, One of the slaves who bore him from thy sight In wicked haste to slay ; I '11 give thee proofs ! Adras. — Great Jove, I thank thee ! — proofs ! Are there not here the lineaments of her Who made me happy once — the voice, now stiil, 352 APPENDIX. That bade the long-seal'd fount of love gush out, While with a prince's constancy he came To lay his noble life down : and the sure, The dreadful proof, that he whose guileless brow Is instinct with her spirit, stood above me, Arni'd for the traitor's deed ? — It is my child ! [Ion sinks on one knee before Adrastus.] Ion, — Father ! \_A noise without.'] Medon. — The clang of arms ! Ion {star tiny up). — They come ! they come ! They who are leagued with me against thy life. Here let us fall ! Adras. — I will confront them yet. Within I have a weapon which has drunk A traitor's blood ere now ; — there will I wait for them. Tso power less strong than death shall part us now ! [ They go in together. ] QUARREL SCENE FROM "JULIUS CiESAR,"— Shakspeare. [In this dialogue the manner of Brutus should be dignified and sarcastic ; while that of Cassius should be quick, im- petuous, and passionate.] CASSIUS AND BRUTUS. Cas. — That you have wrong'd me doth appear in this : You have condemn'd and noted Lucius Pella For taking bribes here of the Sardians. — Wherein, my letters, praying on his side (Because I knew the man), were slighted off. Bru. — You wrong'd yourself to write in such a case. Cas. — In such a time as this, it is not meet That every nice offence should bear his comment. Bru. — Let me tell you, Cassius, you yourself DRAMATIC PIECES. 353 Are much condemn'd to have an itching palm To sell ar-J. ipart jour offices for gold To undesen^rs. Cas. — I an itching palm ! — You know that you are Brutus that speak this, Or, by the gods, that speech were else your last. Bru. — The name of Cassius honours this corruption, And chastisement doth therefore hide his head. Cas. — Chastisement ! Bru. — Remember March — the ides of March remember ! Did not great Julius bleed for justice' sake ? What villain touch'd his body that did stab, And not for justice ? What, shall one of us, That struck the foremost man of all this world, But tor supporting robbers — shall we now Contaminate our fingers with base bribes, And sell the mighty space of our large honours For so much trash as may be grasped thus ? I bad rather be a dog, and bay the moon, Than such a Roman. Cas. — Brutus, bay not me, I '11 not endure it 3 I am a soldier, I, Older in practice, abler than yourself To make conditions. B? u. — Go to ; you're not, Cassius. Cas. — i am. Bru. — I say, you are not. Cas. — Urge me no more ; I shall forget myself : Have mind upon your health, tempt me no further. Bru. — Away, slight man ! Cas. — Is r t possible ? Bru. — Hear me, for I will speak. — Must I give way and room to your rash choler ? Shall I be flighted when a madman stares ? Cas. — Ye gods ! ye gods ! Must I endure all this ? Bru. — All this ? aye, more. — Fret till your proud heart break. — A A 354 APPENDIX. Go, show your slaves how choleric you are, And make your bondmen tremble. Must 1 buclse ? Must I observe you ? Must I stand and croucn ? Under your testy humour ! By the gods ! You shall digest the venom of your spleen, Though it do split you ; for, from this day forth, I'll use you for my mirth — yea, for my laughter — When you are waspish. Cas. — Is it come to this ? Bru. — You say you are a better soldier : Let it appear so ; make your vaunting true, And it shall please me well : for mine own part, I shall be glad to learn of noble men. Cas. — You wrong me, every way you wrong me, Brutus • I said, an elder soldier, not a better j — Did I say better ? Bru. — If you did I care not. Cas. — When Caesar lived, he durst not thus have moved me. Bru. — Peace, peace : you durst not so have tempted bin*. Cas. — I durst not ? Bru. — No. ^ Cas. — What ? durst not tempt him ? Bru. — For your life, you durst not. Cas. — Do not presume too much upon my love ; I may do that I shall be sorry for. Bru. — You have done that you should be sorry for. There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats ; For lam arm'd so strong in honesty, That they pass by me as the idle wind Which I respect not. I did send to you For certain sums of gold, which you denied me; For I can raise no money by vile means : By heaven, I had rather coin my heart, And drop my blood for drachmas, than to wring From the hard hands of peasants their vile trasfc By any indirection. I did send To you for gold to pay my legions, DRAMATIC PIECES. 355 Which you denied me. Was that done like Casslusr Should I have answer'd Caius Cassius so? — When Marcus Brutus grows so covetous, To lock such rascal counters from his friends. Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts, Dash him to pieces! Cas. — I denied you not. Bru. — You did. Cas.— I did not. — He was but a fool That brought my answer back. — Brutus hath rived my heart; A friend should bear a friend's infirmities, But Brutus makes mine greater than they are. Bru. — I do not, — till you practise them on me. Cas. — You love me not. Bru, — I do not like your faults. Cas. — A friendly eye could never see such faults. Bru. — A flatterer's would not, though they do appear As huge as high Olympus. Cas. — Come, Antony, and young Octavius come, Revenge yourselves alone on Cassius, For Cassius is aweary of the world : Hated by one he loves; braved by his brother; Check'd like a bondman ; all his faults observed, Set in a note-book, learn'd, and conn'd by rote. To cast into my teeth. O, I could weep My spirit from mine eyes ! — There is my dagger, And here my naked breast: within, a heart Dearer than Plutus' mine, richer than gold : If that thou be'st a Eoman, take it forth ; I, that denied thee gold, will give my hearts Strike, as thou didst at Caesar: for, I know. When thou didst hate him worst, thou lov'dst him better Than ever thou lov'dst Cassius. Bru. — Sheath your dagger : Be angry when you will, it shall have scone; Do what you will, dishonour shall be humour. 0, Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb 4A2 S5G APPENDIX. That carries anger, as the flint bears flrei Who, much enforced, shows a hasty spark. And straight is cold again. Cas. — Hath Cassius lived To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus. When grief, and blood ill-temper' d, vexeth him? Bru. — When I spoke that I was ili-temper'd too. Cas. — Do you confess so much? Give me your hand. Bru. — And my heart too! [They embrace.^ Cas. — 0, Brutus! Bru. — What's the matter? Cas. — Have not you love enough to bear with me, When that rash humour which my mother gave me Makes me forgetful? Bru. — Yes, Cassius; and henceforth, When you are over-earnest with your Brutus, Ile'll think your mother chides, and leave you so. BOBADIL'S MILITARY TACTICS.— Ben Jonson. [With the bombastic expression of an empty braggart.] I will tell you, sir, by the way of private and under seal, I am a gentleman, and live here obscure and to myself; but were I known to his majesty and the lords, observe me. I would undertake, upon this poor head and life, for the public benefit of the state, not only to spare the entire lives of his subjects in general, but to save the one half, nay, three parts of his yearly charge in holding war, and against what enemy soever. And how would I do it, think you? Why thus, sir. I would select nineteen more to myself; gentlemen they should be, of a good spirit, strong and able constitution; I would choose them by an instinct a character that I have: and I would teach these nineteen the special rules, as your Punto, your Reverso, your Stoccato, your Imbrocato, your iPassado, DRAMATIC PIECES. 357 your Mcntanto*; till they could all play very near, or alto- gether, as well as myself. This done, say the enemy were forty thousand strong, we twenty would come into the field the tenth of March or thereabouts ; and we w<\u.Jo challenge twenty of the enemy; they could not in their notour refuse us ! Well, we would kill them ; challenge twenty more, kill them; twenty more, kill them; twenty more, kill them too: and thus would we kill, every man his twentv a day, that's twenty score ; twenty score, that's two hundred; two hundred a day, five days a thousand : forty thousand — forty times five, five times forty, — two hundred days kills them all up by com- putation. And this I will venture my poor gentleman-like carcase to perform (provided there be no treason practised upon us), by discreet manhood, that is, civilly, by the sword. MARC ANTONY'S ORATION.— Shakctare. Em ends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears ; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them ; The good is oft interred with their bones ; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you, Caesar was ambitious ; If it were so, it was a grievous fault ; And grievously hath Caesar answered it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest — (For Brutus is an honourable man, So are they all, all honourable men) — Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me : But Brutus says, he was ambitious ; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Whose ransoms did the general coffers ftU * * Terms of the fencing-school. A A 1 358 APFSKKX. Did this In Caesar seem ambitious ! When that the poor have cried, Caesar ha^» wept? .• Ambition should be made of sterner stuff-** Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious 5 And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that, on the Lupercal, I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus says he was ambitious ; And, sure, he is an honourable man! I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause ; What cause withholds you then to mourn for him ? O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason ! — Bear with me 1 My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me, But yesterday, the word of Caesar might Have stood against the world : now lies he there. And none so poor to do him reverence. masters ! if I were disposed to stir Your hearts to mutiny and rage, 1 should do Brutus wrong and Cassius wrong, Who, you all know, are honourable men : I will not do them wrong ; I rather choose To wrong the dead, to wrong myself, and you, Than I will wrong such honourable men. But here's a parchment, with the seal of Caesar 3 I found it in his closet, 'tis his will ; Let but the commons hear his testament, Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read, And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's woii#3k And dip their napkins in his sacred blood. ; Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy, Unto their issue. — DRAMATIC PIECES. 359 If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. You all do know this mantle ; 1 remember The first time ever Caesar put it on ; 'Twas on a summer's evening, in his tent, — That day he overcame the Nervii : — Look, in this place, ran Cassius' dagger through : See what a rent the envious Casca made : Through this the well-beloved Brutus stabb'd ; And, as he pluck' d his cursed steel away, Mark how the blood of Caesar followed it, As rushing out of doors, to be resolv'd If Brutus so unkindly knock'd, or no ! For Brutus, as you know, was Caesar's angel : Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caesar loved him 1 This was the most unkindest cut of all : For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms, Quite vanquished him : then burst his mighty heart , And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statua, Which all the while ran blood, great Caesar fell. O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! Then I, and you, and all of us fell down, Whilst bloody treason flourish'd over us. — O, now you weep ; and, I perceive, you feel The dint of pity : these are gracious drops ; Kind souls ! What, weep you, when you but behold Our Caesar's vesture wounded ? Look you here, Here is himself, marr'd as you see, with traitors. — Good friends, sweet friends, let me not stir you up To such a sudden flood of mutiny. They that have done this deed are honourable ; What private griefs they have, alas ! I know not, That made them do it : They are wise and honourable : And will, no doubt, with reasons, answer you. I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts ; I am no orator, as Brutus is; AA4 360 APPENDIX. But as you know me all, a plain, blunt man, That love my friend : and that they know full well That gave me public leave to speak of him ; For I have neither wit, nor words, nor worth, Action, nor utterance, nor the power of speech To stir men's blood. I only speak right on ; I tell you that which you yourselves do know ; Show you sweet Caesar's wounds, poor dumb mouths, And bid them speak for me : But, were I Brutus, And Brutus Antony, there were an Antony Would ruffle up you spirits, and put a tongue In every wound of Caesar that should move The stones of Rome to rise and mutiny I FOUR SCENES FROM SIR E. L. B. LITTON'S PLAY OF " RICHELIEU, OR THE CONSPIRACY." First Scene. — A room in the Palais Cardinal; the walls hung with arras, Richelieu seated at a table with papers before Hif. lie rings a small bell. Huguet (an officer of Richelieu's guard) enters. Hug. — Tae Chevalier de Mauprat waits below. Rich.-^^ie struggled not, normurmur'd ? Hug. — No : proud and passive. Rich. — Bid him enter. — Hold; Look that he hide no weapon. When he has enter'd, Glide round unseen ; place thyself yonder {pointing to the arras) ; watch him ; If he show violence — (let me see thy carbine 5 So, a good weapon) ; if he play tic lion, Why — the dog's death. DRAMATIC PIECES. SGI [Exit Hcguet ; Richelieu seats himself at the table, and slowly arranges the papers before him. Enter 1)e Mauprat, preceded by Huguet, who then retires behind the arras.~\ Rich. — Approach, sir. Can you call to mind the hour, Now three years since, when in this room, mcthinks, Your presence honoured me? De Maup. — It is, my lord, One of my most — Rich, {dryly.') — Delightful recollections. De Maup. (aside.) — St. Denis ! doth he make a jest of axe And headsman ? Rich, (sternly.) — I did then accord you A mercy ill-requited — you still live ? De Maup. — To meet death face to face at last. Rich. — Your words Are bold. De Maup. — My deeds have not belied them. Rich. — Deeds! - O miserable delusion of man's pride ! Deeds! cities sack'd, fields ravaged, hearths profaned, Men butcher'cl ! In your hour of doom behold The deeds you boast of ! From rank showers of blood And the red light of blazing roofs, you build The rainbow gioiw, and to shuddering conscience Cry: " Lo, the bridge to heaven ?" De Maup. — If war be sinful, Your hand the gauntlet cast. Rich. — It was so, sir. Note the distinction : I weigh'd well the cause, Which made the standard holy ; raised the war But to secure the peace. France bled — I groan'd; But leok'd beyond ; and in the vista saw France saved; and I exulted. You — but you Were but the tool of slaughter — knowing naught, Foreseeing naught, naught hoping, naught lamenting. 362 APPENDIX. And for naught fit,— save cutting throats for hire. Deeds, many, deeds ! De Maup. — If you deign to speak Thus to your armies ere they march to battle, Perchance your eminence might have the pain Of the throat-cutting to yourself. Rich, (aside.) — He has wit, This Mauprat. — [Aloud.) There is against you What you can less excuse. Messire de Man prat, Doom'd to sure death, how hast thou since consumed The time allotted thee for serious thought And solemn penance? De Maup. (embarrassed.) — The time, my lord? llich. — Is not the question plain? I'll answer for thee. Thou hast sought nor priest, nor shrine; no sackcloth chafed Thy delicate flesh. The rosary and the death's-head Have not, with pious meditation, purged Earth from the carnal gaze. What thou hast not done Brief told ; what done, a volume ! Wild debauch. Turbulent riot :— for the morn the- dice-box — Noon claim'd the duel — and the night the wassail: These, your most holy, pure preparatives For death and judgment ! Do I wrong you, sir? De Maup. — I was not always thus: — if changed my nature, Blame that which changed my fate. Alas, my lord, There is a brotherhood which calm-eyed reason, Can wot not of, betwixt Despair and Mirth. My birthplace mid the vines of sunny Provence, Perchance the stream that sparkles in wy veins Came from that wine of passionate life which erst Glow'd in the wild heart of the Troubadour: And danger, which makes steadier courage wary, But fevers me with an insane delight; As one of old who on the mountain crags Caught madness from a Maenad's haunting eyes. Were you, my lord, whose path imperial power And the grave cares of reverend wisdom guard DRAMATIC PIECES. 363 From all that tempts to folly meaner men, — Were you accursed with that which you inflicted, — By hed and board dogg'd by one ghastly spectre, The while within you youth beat high, and life Grew lovelier from the neighbouring frown of death- Were this your fate, perchance, You would have erred like me ! Rich. — I might, like you, Have been a brawler and a reveller ; — not, Like you, a trickster and a thief. — De Maup. (advancing threateningly.) — Lord Cardinal! Unsay those words ! — [Huguet advances and deliberately raises his carbine.'] Rich, (waving his hand.) — Not quite so quick, friend Huguet; Messire De Mauprat is a patient man, And he can wait ! [Huguet retires.'] You have outrun your fortune ; I blame you not that you would be a beggar — Each to his taste I But I do charge you, sir, That, being beggar'd, you would coin false monies Out of that crucible called debt. To live On means not yours — be brave in silks and laces, Gallant in steeds, splendid in banquets ; — all Not yours — un given — unherited — unpaid for;— - This is to be a trickster ; and to filch Men's art and labour, which to them is wealth, Life, daily bread, — quitting all scores with — ■" Friend, You're troublesome ! " Why this, forgive me. Is what, when done with a less dainty grace. Plain folks call " Theft .'" You owe eight thousand pistoles Minus one crown, two liards! De Maup. (aside.) — The old conjurer! Rich. — -This is scandalous, Shaming your birth and blood. 1 tell you, sir, That you must pay your debts — - 364 APPENDIX. De Maup. — With all my heart, My lord. Where shall I borrow, then, the money? Rich, {aside and laughing.') — A humorous dare-devil! — the very man To suit my purpose— ready, frank, and bold! Adrien de Mauprat, men have called me cruel ; I am not ; I soon just ! I found France rent asunder, — The rich men despots, and the poor banditti; Sloth in the mart, and schism within the temple; Brawls festering to rebellion ; and weak laws Rotting away with rust in antique sheaths. — I have re-created France; and, from the ashes Of the old feudal and decrepit carcase, Civilisation on her luminous wings Soars, phoenix-like, to Jove! What was my art? Genius, some say, — some fortune, — Witchcraft, some: Not so ; — my art was Justice ! Force and fraud Misname it cruelty — you shall confute them ! My champion you ! You met me as your foe, Depart my friend. — You shall not die — France needs you. You shall wipe off all stains, — be rich, be honour' d, Be great ! Second Scene — In the same Palace, Richelieu (calls). — Francois. Enter Francois. Follow this fair lady, Francois. (Find him the suiting garments, Marion); take My fleetest steed: arm thyself to the teeth; A packet will be given you, with orders, — No matter what ! The instant that your hand Closes upon it — clutch it, like your honour. Which death alone can steal or ravish; set Spurs to your steed — -be breathless till you stand DRAMATIC PIECES. QQO Again before me,— Stay, sir. — You will find me Two short leagues hence, — at Ruelle, in my castle. Young man, be blithe! for, note me, from the hour I grasp that packet, think your guardian star Rains fortune on you. Fran.—ltLfaii— ? Rich,—Fid\, — fail ? In the lexicon of youth, which Fate reserves For a bright manhood, there is no such word As— fail ! — You will instruct him further, Marion. Follow her — but at distance; — speak not to her, Till you are housed ; — farewell, boy ! Never say *' Fail" again. Fran. — I will not ! Rich {patting his locks.) — There's my young hero! \_Exeunt Francois and Marion.] So. they would seize my person in this place? I cannot guess their scheme : — but my retinue Is here too large ! — a single traitor could Strike impotent the fate of thousands; — Joseph, Art sure of Hague t? — Think — we hang'd his father! Joseph. — But you have bought his son ; heap'd favours on him ! Rich. — Trash! — favours past — that's nothing! In his hours Of confidence with you, has he named the favours To come he counts on ? Joseph. — Yes ; a colonel's rank, And letters of nobility. Rich.—- What! Huguet!— [Here Huguet enters as to address the Cardinal, who (lets not perceive him.'] Hug. — My own name, soft ! [ Glides behind the arras.'] Rich. — Colonel and nobleman ! My bashful Hnjruet — that can never be! We have him not the less — we'll promise it! 366 APPENDIX. And see the king withholds ! Ah, kings are oft A great convenience to a minister! No wrong to Huguet either! — Moralists Say hope is sweeter than possession ! — Yes — We'll count on Huguet! Favours past do gorge Our dogs — leave service drowsy — dull the scent — Slacken the speed; — favours to come, my Joseph, Produce a lusty, hungry gratitude, A ravenous zeal, that of the commonest cur Would make a Cerberus. You are right, this treason Assumes a fearful aspect: — but, once crush' d, Its very ashes shall manure the soil Of power, and ripen such full sheaves of greatness, That all the summer of my fate shall seem Fruitless beside the autumn ! [Huguet holds up his hand menacingly, and creeps out"] Joseph. — The saints grant it ! Rich, {solemnly.) — Yes — for sweet France, Heaven grant it ! my country, For thee — thee only — though men deem it not — Are toil and terror my familiars ! — I Have made thee great and fair — upon thy brows Wreath' d the old Roman laurel : — at thy feet Bow'd nations down. No pulse in my ambition Whose beatings were not measured from thy heart! In the old times before us patriots lived And died for liberty — Joseph. — As you would live And die for despotry — Rich. — False monk, not so! Not for the purple and the power wherein State clothes herself. I love my native land, — Not as Venetian, Englisher, or Swiss. But as a noble and a priest of France ; " All things for France" — lo, my eternal maxim! The vital axle of the restless wheels DRAMATIC PIECES. 367 That bear me on ! With her I have entwined My passions and my fate — my crimes, my virtues — Hated and loved, and schemed, and shed men's blood, As the calm crafts of Tuscan sages teach Those who would make their country great. Beyond The map of France my heart can travel not, But fills that limit to its farthest verge; And while I live — Richelieu and France are one. Yes, In thy unseen and abstract majesty, My France — my country, I have bodied forth A thing to love. What are these robes of state, This pomp, this palace? Perishable baubles! Tn this world two things only are immortal — Fame and a people ! Enter Huguet. Hug. — My Lord Cardinal, Your eminence bade me seek you at this hour. Rich. — Did I? — True, Huguet. So — you overheard Strange talk amongst these gallants? Snares and traps For Richelieu? — Well — we'll balk them; let me think. The men at arms you head — how many? Hug. — Twenty, My Lord. Rich- -All trusty? Hug. — Yes, for ordinary Occasions — if for great ones, I would change Three-fourths at least ! Rich. — Aye, what are great occasions ? Hug. — Great bribes ! Rich, (to Joseph.) — Good lack, he knows some paragons Superior to great bribes. Hug. — True gentlemen, Who have transgress'd the laws — and value life, And lack not gold ; your eminence alone Can grant them pardon. Ergo, you can trust them ! SG8 APPENDIX. Rich. — Logic! So be it — let this honest twenty Be arm'd and mounted. — (Aside.) So they meet at mid- night, The attempt on me to-morrow. — Ho! we'll strike 'Twixt wind and water. — (Aloud.) Does it need much time To find these ornaments to human nature? * Hug. — My Lord, the trustiest are not birds That love the daylight. I do know a haunt Where they meet nightly. Rich. — Ere the dawn be grey All could be arm'd, assembled, and at Ruelle In my old hall? Hug. — By one hour after midnight. Rich.— The castle's strong. You know its outlets, Huguet? Would twenty men, well posted, keep such guard That not one step (and murder's step is stealthy) Could glide within unseen ? Hug. — A triple wall — A drawbridge and portcullis — twenty men, Under my lead, a month might hold that castle Against a host. Rich. — They do not strike till morning, Yet I will shift the quarter. — Bid the grooms Prepare the litter. — I will hence to Ruelle While daylight last ; and one hour after midnight You and your twenty saints shall seek me thither ! You're made to rise! — You are, sir; — eyes of lynx, Ears of the stag, a footfall like the snow; — You are a valiant fellow; — yea, a trusty, Religious, exemplary, incorrupt, And precious jewel of a fellow, Huguet ! If I live long enough, — aye, mark my words — If I live long enough, you'll be a colonel — Noble, perhaps! One hour, sir, after midnight. Hug. — You leave me dumb with gratitude, my lord; I'll pick the trustiest (aside) Marion's house can furnish. [Exit Huguet. J DRAMATIC PIECES. 369 JRich. — How like a spider shall I sit in my hole, And watch the meshes tremble. Joseph, — But, my lord, Were it not wiser still to man the palace, And seize the traitors in the act? JRich. — No; Louis, Long chafed against me ; he'll say I hatch'd the treason, Or scout my charge. He half desires my death: But the despatch to Bouillon, some dark scheme Against Ms crown — there is our weapon, Joseph ! With that all safe — without it all is peril ! Meanwhile to my old castle ; you to court, Diving with careless eyes into men's hearts. Good — all favours, If Francois be but bold, and Huguet honest. Huguet — I half suspect — he bowed too low — 'Tis not his way. Joseph. — This is the curse, my lord, Of your high state ; suspicion of all men. Rich, (sadly.) — True ; true ; my leeches bribed to poison — pages To strangle me in sleep — my very king (This brain, the unresting loom, from which was woven The purple of his greatness) leagued against me— Old — childless — friendless — broken — all forsake — All - all— but — Jos.-— What? Mich. — The indomitable heart Of Armand Richelieu. Jos. — And Joseph JRich. (after a pause.) — You Yes, I believe you — yes; for all men fear you — And the world loves you not. And I, friend Joseph, I am the only man who could, my Joseph, Make you a bishop. Come, we'll go to dinner, And talk the while of methods to advance Our Mother Church. Ah, Joseph, — Bishop Joseph. {Exeunt. B B 370 appendix. Third Scene. — Midnight. Richelieu's Castle at Ruelle — A Gothic chamber — Moonlight at the window, occasionally obscured. Rich, (reading.) — " In silence and at night the conscience feels That life should soar to nobler ends than power." So sayest thou, sage and sober moralist ! But wert thou tried? Sublime Philosophy, Thou art the Patriarch's ladder, reaching heaven, And bright with beck'ning angels, but, alas! We see thee, like the patriarch, but in dreams, By the first step — dull slumbering on the earth. I am not happy!— When I am dust my name shall, like a star, Shine through wan space a glory — and a prophet, Whereby pale seers shall from their aery towers Con all the ominous signs, bsnign or evil, That make the potent astrologue of kings. But shall the future judge me by the ends That I have wrought, or by the dubious means Through which the stream of my renown hath run Into the many- voiced, unfathomed Time? Foul in its bed lie weeds, and heaps of slime, And with its waves, when sparkling in the sun, Oft-times the secret rivulets that swell Its might of waters, blend the hues of blood. Yet are my sins not those of circumstance, That all pervading atmosphere, wherein Our spirits, like the unsteady lizard, take The tints that colour, and the food that nurtures? O! ye, whose hour-glass shifts its tranquil sands In the imvex'd silence of a student's cell; — DRAMATIC PIECES. 371 Ye, whose untempted hearts have never toss'd Upon the dark and stormy tides where life Gives battle to the elements, — and man Wrestles with man for some slight j lank, whose weight "Will bear but one — while round the desperate wretch The hungry billows roar — and the fierce Fate, Like some huge monster, dim-seen through the surf, Waits him who drops; — ye safe and formal men, Who write the deeds, and with unfeverish hand Weigh in nice scales the motives of the great, — Ye cannot know what ye have never tried! History preserves only the fleshless bones Of what we are — and by the mocking skull The would-be wise pretend to guess the features ! Without the roundness and the glow of life How hideous is the skeleton ! Without The colourings and humanities that clothe Our errors, the anatomists of schools Can make our memory hideous ! I have wrought Great uses out of evil tools — and they In the time to come may bask beneath the light Which I have stolen from the angry gods, And warn their sons against the glorious theft, Forgetful of the darkness which it broke. I have shed blood — but I have had no foes Save those the state had. — If my wrath was deadly. 'Tis that I felt my country in my veins, And smote her sons as Brutus smote his own. And yet I am not happy — blanch'd and sear'd Before my time — breathing an air of hate, And seeing daggers in the eyes of men, And wasting powers that shake the thrones of earth In contests with the insects — bearding kings And braved by lackies — murder at my bed ; And lone amidst the multitudinous web, With the dread Three — that are the Fates who hold bb2 372 APPENDIX. The woof and shears— the Monk, the Spy, the Headsman. And this is power ! Alas] I am not happy. [After a pause.] And yet the Nile is fretted by the weeds Its rising roots not up: but never yet Did one last barrier by a ripple vex My onward tide, unswept in sport away. Am I so ruthless, then, that I do hate Them who hate me? Tush, tush! I do not hate ; Kay, I forgive. The statesman writes the doom, But the priest sends the blessing. I forgive them, But I destroy ; foregiveness is mine own, Destruction is the state's ! For private life, Scripture the guide, — for public, Machiavel. Would fortune serve me if the Heaven were wroth.? For chance makes half my greatness. I was born Beneath the aspect of a bright -eyed star, And my triumphant adamant of soul Is but the fix'd persuasion of success. Oh ! — here ! — that spasm — again! — How life and death Do wrestle for me momently! O ! beautiful — all golden — gentle youth! Making thy palace in the careless front And hopeful eye of man — ere yet the soul Hath lost the memories which (so Plato drcam'd) Breath'd glory from the earlier star it dwelt in— O! for one gale from thine exulting morning! Could I recall the past, — or had not set The prodigal treasures of the bankrupt soul In one slight bark upon the shoreless sea ! The yoked steer, after his day of toil, Forgets the goad, and rests : — to me alike Or day or night. Ambition has no rest! Shall I resign ? — Who can resign himself ? For custom is ourself !— As drink and food Become our bone and flesh — the aliments Nurturing our nobler part, the mind— thoughts, dreams, DRAMATIC PIECES. 378 Passions and aims, in the revolving cycle Of the great alchemy — at length are made Our mind itself! and yet the sweets of leisure — An honoured home, — far from these hase intrigues, — An eyrie on the heaven -kiss'd heights of wisdom — [Taking up the booh.'} Speak to me, moralist ! I'll heed thy counsel. Were it not best Enter Francois hastily, and in part disguised. Rich, (flinging aicay the book.) — Philosophy, thou liest! Quick — the despatch ! — Power— empire ! Boy- the packet? Fran. — Kill me, my lord ! Rich.-^-Thej knew thee — they suspected — They gave it not Fran. — He gave it — he — the Count De Baradas ; with his own hand he gave it ! Rich. — Baradas ! Joy ! out with it ! Fran. — Listen, And then dismiss me to the headsman. Rich.— Ha! Go on. Fran. — -They led me to a chamber. There Orleans and Baradas — and some half-score, Whom I knew not — were met Rich. — Not more ! Fran. — But from Th' adjoining chamber broke the din of voices, The clattering tread of armed men : — at times A shriller cry, that yelled out, "Death to Richelieu !" Rich. — Speak not of me; thy country is in danger I Th' adjoining room — So, so — a separate treason ! The one thy ruin, France ! — the meaner crime, Left to their tools — my murder ! Fran. — Baradas BB 3 374 APPENDIX Questioned me close — demurr'd — until, at last, O'erruled by Orleans — -gave the packet — told me That life and death were in the scroll. — This gold — Rich. — Gold is no proof Fran. — And Orleans promised thousands, When Bouillon's trumpets in the streets of Paris Rang out the shrill answer: hastening from the house, My footstep in the stirrup, Marion stole Across the threshold, whispering, " Lose no moment Ere Richelieu have the packet : tell him, too — Murder is in the winds of night, and Orleans Swears, ere the dawn the Cardinal shall be clay." She said, and trembling fled within : when lo ! A hand of iron griped me l t Thro' the dark Gleamd the dim shadow of an armed man : Ere I could draw, the prize was wrested from me, And a hoarse voice gasp'd — " Spy, I spare thee, for This steel is virgin to thy lord !" — with that He vanish'd. — Scared, and trembling for thy safety, I mounted, fled, and, kneeling at thy feet, Implore thee to acquit my faith — but not, Like him, to spare my life, Rich. — Who spake of life? I bade thee grasp that treasure as thine honour — A jewel worth whole hecatombs of lives ! Begone! redeem thine honour! Back to Marion — Or Baradas — or Orleans — track the robber — Regain the packet — or crawl on to age — Age and gray hairs like mine — and know, thou hast lost That which had made thee great and saved thy country. See me not till thou'st bought the right to seek me. Away ! Nay, cheer thee ! thou hast not fail'd yet — There s no such word as "fail!" Fran. — Bless you, my Lord, For that one smile ! Ill wear it on my heart To light me back to triumph. DRAMATIC PIECES. 375 Rich. — The poor youth ! An elder had ask'd life! I love the young! For as great men live not in their own time But the next race, — so in the young my soul Makes many Eichelieus. He will win it yet! Fourth Scene. — Gardens of the Louvre, Enter Francois. Fran. — All search, as yet, in vain for Mauprat ! Not At home since yesternoon — a soldier told me He saw him pass this way with hasty strides; Should he meet Baradas they'd rend it from him — And then — benignant Fortune smile upon me! I am thy son ! If thou desert'st me now, Come Death, and snatch me from disgrace. But no! There's a great Spirit ever in the air That from prolific and far-spreading wings Scatters the seeds of honour — yea, the walls And moats of castled forts, the barren seas, The cell wherein the pale-eyed student holds Talk with melodious science — all are sown With everlasting honours, if our souls Will toil for fame as boors for bread ■ Enter De Mauprat. J)e Mawp. — Oh, let me — Let me but meet him foot to foot — I'll dig The Judas from his heart ; — albeit the King Should o'er him cast the purple ! Fran. — Mauprat ! hold : • — Where is the DeMaup.— Well! What would'st thou? Fran. — The despatch! The packet. Look on me — I serve the Cardinal — B B 4 376 APPENDIX. You know me. Did you not keep guard last night By Marion's hou«e? De Maup. — I did : — no matter now ! They told me he was here ! Fran. — O joy ! quick — quick — The packet thou didst wrest from me? De Maup. — The packet? What, art thou he I dcem'd the Cardinal's spy (Dupe that I was) — and overhearing Marion — Fran. — The same — restore it ! haste ! De Maup. — I have it not : Methought it but revealed our scheme to Richelieu, And, as we mounted, gave it to Enter Bar ad as. Stand back ! Now, villain ! now, I have thee ! ( To Francois.) — Hence, sir ! Draw ! Fran. — Art mad? the King's at hand! leave him to Richelieu! Speak — the despatch — to whom — De Maup. {Dashing him aside, and rushing to Baradas.) — Thou triple slanderer! I'll set my heel upon thy crest! Fran. — Fly — rly! The King! Enter, at one. side, Louis, Orleans, De Beringhen, courtiers, SfC, at the other, the guards hastily. Louis. — Swords drawn, before our very palace ! Have our laws died with Richelieu? Bar. — Pardon, sire, — My crime but self-defence. — {Aside to King.) It is De Man prat! Louis. — Dare he thus brave us? [Baradas goes to the guard and gives a warrant] De Maw. — Sire in the Cardinal's name — DRAMATIC PIECES. Cil Bar. — Seize him — disarm — to the Bastille! [De Mauprat seized, struggles with the guard — Francois restlessly endeavouring to pacify and speak to him — uhen the gates open.'] Enter Kichelieu and J oseph, followed by arquebusiers, Bar.— The dead Return'd to life ! Louis. — What! a mock death! this tops The infinite of insult. De Maup. (breaking from guards.)— Priest and hero ! For you are both — protect the truth ! Mich.— What's this ? [Taking the writ from guard.] De Ber.—~F act in philosophy. Foxes have got Nine lives as well as cats ! Bar. — Be firm, my liege. Louis. — I have assumed the sceptre — I will wield it ! Joseph. — The tide runs counter — there '11 be shipwreck somewhere. [Baradas and Orleans keep close to the King — whis- pering and prompting him, when Richelieu speaks.] Bich. — High treason — Faviaux i still that stale pretence ! My liege, bad men (aye, Count, most knavish men !) Abuse your royal goodness. For this soldier France hath none braver— and his youth's hot folly, Misled (by whom your Highness may conjecture !)— Is long since cancell'd by a loyal manhood. I, sire, have pardoned him. Louis. — And we do give. Your pardon to the winds. Sir, do your duty ! Bich. — What, sire ? you do not know — Oh, pardon me— You know not yet, that this brave, honest heart, Stood between mine and murder ! Sire ! for my sake — 378 APPENDIX. For your old servant's sake — undo this wrong. See, let me rend the sentence. Louis. — At your peril ! This is too much. — Again, sir, do your duty ! Hick. — Speak not, hut go : — I would not see young Valour So humbled as grey Service ! De Maup. — Fare you well 1 Save Julie, and console her. Fran, (aside to De Mauprat ) — The despatch ! Your fate, foes, life, hang on a word ! to whom ? De Maup.— To Huguet. Fran. Hush — keep council ! silence ! — hope ! [Exeunt De Mauprat and guard.] Bar. (aside to Francois). — Has he the packet ? Fran. — He will not reveal — (Aside.) Work, brain ! beat, heart ! " There's no such word asfaiir [Exit Francois.] Bich. (fiercely.) — Room, my lords, room ! The minister of France Can need no intercession with the King. [They fallback.'] Louis. — What means this false report of death, Lord Car- dinal ? Bick. — Are you then anger'd, sire, that I live still ? Louis. — No ; but such artifice — Bich. — Not mine : — look elsewhere ! Louis — my castle swarm'd with the assassins. Bar. (advancing). — We have punish'd them already. Huguet now In the Bastille. Oh ! my Lord, we were prompt To avenge you — we were — Bich. — We ? Ha ! ha ! you hear, My liege ! — What page, man, in the last court grammar Made you a plural ? Count, you have seized the hireling i— Sire, shall I name the master? DRAMATIC PIECES, 379 Louis.—* Tush ! my lord, The old contrivance : — ever does your wit Invent assassins, — that ambition may Slav rivals — Rick. — Rivals, sire ! in what ? Service to Trance ! I have none! Lives the man Whom Europe, paled before your glory, deems Rival to Armand Richelieu ? Louis. — What, so haughty ? Remember, he who made can unmake. Rich. — Never 1 Never ! Your anger can recall your trust, Annul my office, spoil me of my lands, Rifle my coffers, — but my name — my deeds, Are royal in a land beyond your sceptre ! Pass sentence on me, if you will ; from kings, Lo, I appeal to Time ! Be just, my liege — I found your kingdom rent with heresies And bristling with rebellion ; lawless nobles And breadless serfs ; England fomenting discord; Austria — her clutch on your dominion ; Spain Forging the prodigal gold of either Ind To armed thunderbolts. The arts lay dead, Trade rotted in your marts, your armies mutinous, Your treasury bankrupt. Would you now revoke Your trust? so be it ! and I leave you sole, Supremest monarch of the mightiest realm, From Ganges to the Icebergs. Look without — No foe not humbled ! Look within ! the arts Quit, for our schools, their old Hesperides, The golden Italy ! while throughout the veins Of your vast empire flows, in strengthening tides, Trade, the calm health of nations ! Sire, I know Your smoother courtiers please you best — nor measure Myself with them, — yet sometimes I would doubt If statesmen rock'd and dandled into power Could leave such legacies to kings ! 380 APPENDIX. Louis. — Enough ! Your eminence mast excuse a longer audience. To your own palace. — For our conference this Nor place — nor season. Rich. — Good, my liege, for Justice, All place a temple, and all season, summer ! Do you deny me justice? Saints of heaven ! He turns from me ! Do you deny me justice? For fifteen years, while in these hands dwelt empire, The humblest craftsman — the obscurest vassal — » The very leper shrinking from the sun, Tho' loathed by charity, might ask for justice ! Not with the fawning tone and crawling mien Of some I see around you — counts and princes — Kneeling for favours ; — but, erect and loud, As men who ask man's rights ! my liege, my Louis, Do you refuse me justice — audience even — In the pale presence of the baffled Murther? Louis. — Lord Cardinal — one by one you have sever' d from me The bonds of human love — all near and dear Mark'd out for vengeance — exile or the scaffold. You find me now amidst my trustiest friends, My closest kindred ; — you would tear them from me ; They murder you forsooth, since me they love. Enough of plots and treasons for one reign ! Home ! Home ! and sleep away these phantoms ! Rich. — Sire ! I patience, Heaven ! sweet Heaven ! Sire, from the foot Of that great throne these hands have raised aloft On an Olympus, looking down on mortals And worshipp'd by their awe — before the foot Of that high throne, — spurn you the grey-hair'd man Who gave you empire — and now sues for safety ? Louis. — No : — when we see your eminence in truth At the foot of the throne — well listen to you. [Exit Louis.] DRAMATIC PIECES. 381 Orleans, — Saved ! Bar. — For this, deep thanks to Julie and to MaupratI Rich. — My Lord de Baradas — I pray your pardon — You are to be my successor ! your hand, sir ! Bar. {aside.) — What can this mean ? Rich. — It trembles, see ! it trembles ! The hand that holds the destinies of nations Ought to shake less ! Poor Baradas ! poor France ! Bar. — Insolent [Exeunt De Baradas and Court.'] Rich. — Joseph — Did you hear the King? Joseph. — I did — there's danger! Had you been less haughty Rich.— And suffer'd slaves to chuckle— "See the Car- dinal — How meek his eminence is to-day " — I tell thee This is a strife in which the loftiest look Is the most subtle armour Joseph. — But ■ Rich. — Xo time For ifs and buts — I will accuse these traitors! Francois shall witness that De Baradas Gave him the secret missive for De Bouillon, And told him life and death were in the scroll. I will— I wiH— Joseph. — Tush! Francois is your creature; So they will say, and laugh at you! — your witness Must be that same despatch. Rich. — Away to Marion ! Joseph. — I have been there — she is seized — removed — im- prisoned — By the count's orders. Rich. — Goddess of bright dreams, My country, shalt thou lose me now, when most Thou need'st thy worshipper? My native land! Let me but ward this dagger from thy heart, And die — but on thy bosom! 382 APPENDIX. SCENE FROM THE COMEDY OF " MONEY." — BULWER. [In dialogues like the following, which are supposed to be copies of the conversation of ordinary life, the style of the speaker should be easy, animated, unrestrained, and free from effort and declamation. Practice of this kind will tend to give grace and variety to his elocution.] Scene — Evelyn's house in London. Evelyn, a rich man of fashion — Stout and Glossmore, violent politicians of opposite parties — Sharp, a lawyer. Enter Evelyn, meeting Stout, who comes in out of breath, with haste — Siiaiip is seated at a desk. Evelyn. — Stout, you look heated ! Stout (with great eagerness, but pompously'). — I hear you've just bought the great Groginhole property. Evelyn. — It is true. Sharp says it's a bargain. Stout. — Well, my dear friend Hopkins, member for Grog- inhole, can't live another month — excellent creature, the dearest friend I have in the world — but the interests of man- kind forbid regret for individuals ! Popkins intends to start for the borough the instant Hopkins is dead ! — your interest will secure his election. Now is your time < put yourself forward in the march of enlightenment! — By all that's bi- goted, here comes Glossmore ! Enter Glossmore. Gloss, (eagerly.) — So lucky to find you at home ! Hop- kins, of Groginhole, is not long for this world. Popkins, the brewer, is alrne,dy canvassing underhand (so very ungentle- man-like !). Keep your interest for young Lord Cipher — a most valuable candidate. This is an awful moment — the coa- stitution depends on his return ! Vote for Cipher I DKAMATIC PIECES. 883 Stout — Popkins is your man. Evelyn (musing). — Cipher and Popkins — Popkins and Cipher. Enlightenment and Popkins — Cipher and the Con- stitution ! I am puzzled ! Stout, I am not known at Grog- inhole. Stout. — Your property's known there ! Evelyn. — But purity of election — independence of voters. — Stout. — To be sure : Cipher bribes abominably. Frustrate his schemes — preserve the liberties of the borough — turn every man out of his house who votes against enlightenment and Popkins. Evelyn. — Eight ! down with those who take the liberty to admire any liberty except our liberty ! That is liberty ! Gloss. — Cipher has a stake in the country — will have fifty thousand a-year — Cipher will never give a vote without con- sidering beforehand how people of fifty thousand a-year will be affected by the motion. Evelyn. — Eight : for as without law there would be no pro- perty, so to be the law for property is the only proper property of law ! That is law ! Stout. — Popkins is all for economy : there's a sad waste of the public money — they give the Speaker five thousand a-year, when I've a brother-ill law who takes the chair at the vestry, and who assures me confidentially he'd consent to be Speaker for half the money. Gloss. — Enough, Mr. Stout. Mr. Evelyn has too much at stake for a leveller. Stout. — And too much sense for a bigot. Gloss. — A bigot, sir ! Stout. — Yes, a bigot ! [Puts his hat on, and with his hands in his pockets looks fiercely at Glossmore.] Evelyn (laughing). — Mr. Evelyn has no politics at all. Did you ever play at battledore ? Both. — Battledore! Evelyn. — Battledore — that is, a contest between two par- ties : both parties knock about something with singular skill 38 4 APPENDIX. — something is kept up — high — low — here — there — every- where — nowhere ! How grave are the players ! how anxious the bystanders ! how noisy the battledores ! But, when this something falls to the ground, only fancy — it's nothing bat cork and feather ! — Go and play by yourselves — I'm no hand at it. Stout (aside). — Sad ignorance ! Aristocrat ! Gloss, (aside.) — Heartless principles ! Parvenu ! Stout. — Then ycu don't go against us ? I'll bring Popkins to-morrow. Gloss. — Keep yourself free till I present Cipher to you. Stout. — I must go to inquire after Hopkins. The return of Popkins will be an era in history. [Goes out.'] Gloss. — I must go to the club : the eyes of the country are upon Groginhole. If Cipher mil, the constitution is gone. [Goes out.'] Evelyn. — All parties alike ! nothing but money ! Money versus Man !— Sharp, come here — let me look at you. (Sharp rises from the desk.) — You are my agent, my lawyer, my man of business. I believe you honest; — but what is ho- nesty ? — where does it exist ? in what part of us ? Sharp. — In the heart, I suppose, sir. Evelyn. — Mr. Sharp, it exists in the breeches' pocket ! Ob- serve, I lay this piece of yellow earth on the table — I contem- plate you both ; — the man there — the gold here. Now, there is many a man in those streets as honest as you are, who moves, thinks, feels, and reasons as well as we do ; excellent in form, imperishable in soul ; who, if his pockets were three days empty, would sell thought, reason, body, and soul too, for that little coin ! Is that the fault of the man ? No ! it is the fault of mankind. God made man ; behold what mankind has made a god ! By the bye, Sharp, send a hundred pounds to the poor bricklayer whose house was burnt down yesterday. Sharp.— -Yes, sir. Evelyn. — Well, man, don't stand gaping there : have you no bowels ? Go and see to it immediately. \They go out at opposite sides."] DRAMATIC PIECES. 385 SCENE FROM "THE POOR GENTLEMAN."— COLMAN. [To this dialogue, the same observations as those which preceded the last apply ; with this addition, that the eccentric peculiarities of Ollapod must be marked by a brisk utterance and a comic manner.] Characters : Sir Chaeles Cropland — Warner, his Steward — Ollapod. War. — Your honour is right welcome into Kent. I am proud to see Sir Charles Cropland on his estate again. I hope you mean to stay on the spot for some time, Sir Charles ? Sir C. — A very tedious time — three days, Mr. Warner. War. — Ah, good sir ! things would prosper better if you honoured us with your presence a little more. I wish you lived entirely upon the estate, Sir Charles. Sir C. — Thank you, Warner ; but modern men of fashion find it devilish difficult to live upon their estates. War. — The country about you so charming ! Sir C. — Look ye, Warner : I must hunt in Leicestershire — for that's the thing. In the frosts, and the spring months, I must be in town, at the clubs — for that's the thing. In summer, I must be at the watering-places — -for that's the thing. Now, Warner, under these circumstances, how is it possible for me to reside upon my estate? Eor my estate being in Kent War. — The most beautiful part of the country ! Sir C. — Hang beauty ! We don't mind that in Leicester- shire. My estate, I say, being in Kent- War. — A land of milk and honey ! Sir C. — I hate milk and honey ! War. — A land of fat ! Sir C. — Melt your fat ! Listen to me ; my estate being in Kent War.—- So woody ! Sir C. — Burn the wood ! No, that's wrong — for it's con- venient— I am come on purpose to cut it. c c 386 APPENDIX. War. — Ah ! I was afraid so ! Dice on the table, and then, the axe to the root ! Money lost at play, and then, good lack ! the forest groans for it. Sir C. — But you are not the forest, and why the deuce do you groan for it? War.— I heartily wish, Sir Charles, you may not encumber the goodly estate. Your worthy ancestors had views for their posterity. Sir C. — And I shall have views for my posterity: I shall take especial care the trees sha'nt intercept their prospect, In short, Mr. Warner, I must have three thousand pounds in three days. Fell timber to that amount, immediately. 'Tis my peremptory order, sir. War. — I shall obey you, Sir Charles; but 'tis with a heavy heart. Forgive an old servant of the family, if he grieves to see you forget some of the duties for which society has a claim upon you. Sir C — What do you mean by duties? War. — Duties, Sir Charles, which the extravagant man of property can never fulfil: such as to support the dignity of an English landholder, for the honour of old England; to promote the welfare of his honest tenants ; and to succour the industrious poor, who naturally look up to him for assist- ance. But I shall obey you, Sir Charles. [Exit.'] Sir C. — A tiresome old blockhead! — But where is this Ollapod? His jumble of physic and shooting may enliven me; and to a man of gallantry, in the country, his intelligence is by no means uninteresting, nor his services inconvenient. Enter Ollapod. Ah ! Ollapod ! Oil. — Sir Charles, I have the honour to be your slave ! Hope your health is good. Been a hard winter here — sore tnroats were plenty — so were woodcocks. Flushed four couple one morning, in a half-mile walk from our town, to cure Mrs. Quarles of a quinsey. May coming on soon, Sir Charles — season of delight, love, and campaigning! Hope DRAMATIC PIECES. 387 you come to sojourn, Sir Charles. Should'nt be always on the wing — that's being too flighty. {Laughing.) He! he! he! Do you take, good sir? do you take? Sir C. — Oh, yes, I take. But, by the cockade in your hat, Ollapod, you have added lately, it seems, to your avocations. Oil. — He! He! Yes, Sir Charles. I have now the honour to be cornet in the volunteer association corps of our town. It fell out unexpected — pop, on a sudden; like the going off of a field-piece, or an alderman in an apoplexy. Sir C. — Explain. OIL — Happening to be at home — rainy day — no going out to sport, blister, shoot, nor bleed — was busy behind the counter. — You know my shop, Sir Charles — Galen's Head over the door — new gilt him last week, by the bye — looks as fresh as a pill. Sir C. — Well, no more on that head now. Proceed. Oil. — On that head! {Laughing.) He! he! he! That's very well — very well, indeed! Thank you, good sir — I owe you one ! — Churchwarden Posh, of our town, being ill of an indigestion, from eating three pounds of measly pork at a vestry dinner, I was making up a cathartic for the patient; when who should strut into the shop but Lieutenant Grains, the brewer, sleek as a dray-horse — in a smart scarlet jacket, tastily turned up with a rhubarb-coloured lapelle! I confess his figure struck me. I looked at him, as I was thumping the mortar, and felt instantly inoculated with a military ardour. Sir C. — Inoculated! I hope your ardour was of a favourable sort. Oil. — Ha! ha! That's very well— very well, indeed! — Thank you, good sir — I owe you one! We first talked of shooting — he knew my celebrity that way, Sir Charles. I told him, the day before, I had killed six brace of birds. I thumped on at the mortar. — We then talked of physic; I told him, the day before, I had killed — lost, I mean, six brace of patients. I thumped on at the mortar, eyeing him all the while; for he looked devilish flashy, to be sure; and I felt an itching to belong to the corps. The medical and military 2 388 APPENDIX. both deal in d eath, you know — so, 'twas natural. He ! he ! — Do you take, good sir? do you take? Sir C. — Take ! — Oh, nobody can miss. Oil. — He then talked of the corps itself; said it was sickly; and if a professional person would administer to the health of the association, dose the men, and drench the horses, he could, perhaps, procure him a cornetcy. Sir C. — Well, you jumped at the offer? Oil. — Jumped! I jumped over the counter; kicked down Churchwarden Posh's cathartic into the pocket of Lieutenant Grains' smart scarlet jacket, tastily turned up with a rhubarb- coloured lapelle; embraced him and his offer; and I am now Cornet Ollapod, apothecary, at the Galen's Head, of the Asso- ciation Corps of Cavalry, at your service ! Sir C. — I wish you joy of your appointment. You may now distil water for the shop from the laurels you gather in the field. OIL — Water for — Oh! laurel- water. He! he! Come, that's very well — very well, indeed! Thank you, good sir — I owe you one! Why, I fancy fame will follow, when the poison of a small mistake I made has ceased to operate. Sir C. — A mistake ! Oil — Having to attend Lady Kitty Carbuncle, on a grand field-day, I clapped a pint bottle of her ladyship's diet-drink into one of my holsters, intending to proceed to the patient, after the exercise was over. I reached the martial ground, and jalaped — galloped, I mean — wheeled, and flourished, with great eclat; but when the word "Fire!" was given, meaning to pull out my pistol, in a deuce of a hurry, I pre- sented, neck foremost, the diet-drink of Lady Kitty Carbuncle; and the medicine being, unfortunately, fermented, by the jolt- ing of my horse, it forced out the cork, with a prodigious pop, full in the face of my gallant commander. Sir C— Ha! ha! ha! A mistake, indeed. Oil. — Rather awkward! — But, Sir Charles, excuse me — your servant! I must march — patients impatient. You take? DRAMATIC PIECES. 389 Sir C. — O yess and so will they, I fancy, before you've done with them. Oil. — Ha ! physic — certainly ! Salts, rhubarb, senna, colo- quinticla, scanimony, gamboge. Good, good! thank you, good sir; I owe you one. [They go out on opposite siles.~\ HAMLET'S SOLILOQUY ON LIFE AND DEATH.- Shakspeake. [In the deep tone of solemn reflection.] To be — or not to be? — that is the question! Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, — Or, to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them! — To die? — to sleep: No more : and by a sleep to say we end The heart- ache, and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to: — 'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wish'd! — To die, — to sleep: — To sleep ? — perchance to dream : aye, there's the rub : For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause ! There's the respect Which makes calamity of so long life : For who would bear the whips and scorns o' the time, The oppressor's wrong, the pr@ud man's contumely 9 The pangs of despis'd love, the law's delay, The insolence of office, and the spurns Which patient merit of the unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? — Who would fardles bear, To groan and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death — That undiscover'd country from whose bourne No traveller returns — puzzles the will, And makes us rather bear those ills we have, c c 8 390 APPENDIX. Than fly to others that we know not of. — Thus conscience does make cowards of us ail. And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment, With this regard, their currents turn awry, And lose the name of action. NIGHT SOLILOQUY IN VENICE.— Byron. Scene — Palace of the Patrician Lioni. Lioni, laying aside his cloak and mask. I will to rest, right weary of this revel, The gayest we have held, for many moons. And yet, I know not why, it cheer'd me not; There came a heaviness across my heart, "Which, in the lightest movement of the dance, Oppress'd me, And through my spirit chilled my blood, until A damp, like death, rose o'er my brow; I strove To laugh the thought away, but 'twould not be; So that I left the festival before It reached its zenith, and will woo my pillow Eor thoughts more tranquil, or forgetfulness. — I will try Whether the air wilf calm my spirits : 'tis A goodly night: the cloudy wind which blew Prom the Levant, hath crept into its cave, And the broad moon has brightened. — What a stillness! And what a contrast with the scene I left ; Where the tall torches' glare, and silver lamps' More pallid gleam along the tap'stried walls, Spread over the reluctant gloom which haunts Those vast and dimly-latticed galleries, A dazzling mass of artificial light, Which showed all things, but nothing as they were I Around me are the stars and waters, — DRAMATIC PIECES. 391 Worlds mirrored in the ocean, goodlier sight Than torches glared back by a gaudy glass ; And the great element, which is to space What ocean is to earth, spreads its blue depths, Softened with the first breathing of the spring; The high moon sails upon her beauteous way, Serenely smoothing o'er the lofty walls Of those tall piles, and sea-girt palaces, Whose porphyry pillars, and whose costly fronts, Fraught with the orient spoil of many marbles, Like altars ranged along the broad canal, Seem each a trophy of some mighty deed, Rear'd up from out the waters, scarce less strangely Than those more massy and mysterious giants Of architecture, those Titanian fabrics, Which point in Egypt's plains to times that have No other record. All is gentle: nought Stirs rudely; but, congenial with the night, Whatever walks, is gliding like a spirit. The tinkling of some vigilant guitars Of sleepless lovers to a wakeful mistress, And cautious opening of the casement, showing That he is not unheard ; while her young hand, — Fair as the moonlight, of which it seems part, So delicately white, it trembles in The act of opening the forbidden lattice, To let in love through music — makes his heart Thrill like his lyre-strings at the sight ; — the dash Phosphoric of the oar, or rapid twinkle Of the far lights of skimming gondolas, And the responsive voices of the choir Of boatmen, answering back, with verse for verse — Some dusky shadow, chequering the Rialto — Some glimmering palace-roof, or tapering spire — Are all the sights and sounds w r hich here pervade The ocean-born and earth-commanding city. How sweet and soothing is the hour of calm ! C 4 392 APPENDIX. I thank thee, Night ! for thou hast chased away Those horrid bodcments, which, amidst the throng, I could not dissipate, and — with the blessing Of thy benign and quiet influence — Now will I to my couch, although to rest Is almost wronging such a night as this. TRIAL— SCENE FROM "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE." — Shakspeare. Scene — A Court of Justice in Venice, The Duke, Magnificoes, Antonio, Bassanio, Graita.no, and Shylock. Duke. — Shylock, the world thinks, and I think so too, That thou but lead'st this fashion of thy malice To the last hour of act ; and then, 'tis thought, Thou'lt show thy mercy, and remorse, more strange Than is thy strange apparent cruelty : And, where thou now exact'st the penalty (Which is a pound of this poor merchant's flesh), Thou wilt not only lose the forfeiture, But, touch'd with human gentleness and love, Forgive a moiety of the principal : Glancing an eye of pity on his losses, That have of late so huddled on his back ; Enough to press a royal merchant down, And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms, and rough hearts of flint, From stubborn Turks, and Tartars, never train'd To offices of tender courtesy. - We all expect a gentle answer, Jew. Shy. — I have possess'd your grace of what I purpose; And by our holy sabbath have I sworn, To have the due and forfeit of my bond : If you deny it, let the danger light Upon your charter and your city's freedom. You'll ask me, why I rather choose to haye DRAMATIC PIECES. 393 A weight of carrion flesh, than to receive Three thousand ducats ; I'll not answer that ; But say, it is my humour : is it answered ? What if my house be troubled with a rat, And I be pleased to give ten thousand ducats To have it baned : — what are you answered yet ? Some men there are love not a gaping pig : Some, that are mad if they behold a cat ; Now for your answer : As there is no firm reason to be render'd, Why he cannot abide a gaping pig ; Why he a harmless, necessary cat ; So can I give no reason, nor I will not, More than a lodg'd hate, and a certain loathing, I bear Antonio, that I follow thus A losing suit against him. Are you answered ? Bass. — This is no answer, thou unfeeling man, To excuse the current of thy cruelty, Shy, — I am not bound to please thee with my answer. Bass. — Do all men kill the things they do not love ? Shy. — Hates any man the thing he would not kill ? Bass. — Every offence is not a hate at first. Shy. — What, wouldst thou- have a serpent sting thee twice ? Ant. — I pray you, think you question with the Jew : You may as well go stand upon the beach, And bid the main flood bate his usual height ; You may as well use question with the wolf, Why he hath made the ewe bleat for the lamb ; You may as well forbid the mountain pines To wag their high tops, and to make no noise, When they are fretted with the gusts of heaven ; You may as well — do any thing most hard, As seek to soften that (than which what's harder ?) — His Jewish heart : therefore I do beseech you, Make no more offers, use no further means, But, with all brief and plain conveniency, Let me have judgment, and the Jew his will. 394 APPENDIX. Bass. — Eor thy three thousand ducats here are six. ' Shy. — If every ducat in six thousand ducats Vfere in six parts, and every part a ducat, I would not draw them ; I would have my bond. Duke. — How shalt thou hope for mercy, rend'ring none ? Shy. — What judgment shall I dread, doing no wrong ? You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses, and your dogs, and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them : — shall I say to you, Let them be free, marry them to your heirs : Why sweat they under burdens ? — let their beds Be made as soft as yours, let their palates Be season'd with such viands ? You will answer, The slaves are ours : — So do I answer you : The pound of flesh, which I demand of him, Is dearly bought, is mine, and I will have it : If you deny me, fie upon your law. There is no force in the decrees of Venice. I stand for judgment : answer ; shall I have it ? Duke. — Upon my power, I may dismiss this court, Unless a learned doctor, Whom I have sent for to determine this, Come here to-day. — And here, I take it, is the doctor come. — Enter Portia, dressed like a Doctor of Laws. Duke. — Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the court ? Tor. — I am informed throughly of the cause. Which is the merchant here, and which the Jew ? Duke. — Antonio and old Shylock, both stand forth. [ They stand forth.'} Tor. — Is your name Shylock ? Shy. — Shylock is my name. Tor. — Of a strange nature is the suit you follow ; Yet in such rule, that the Venetian law DRAMATIC PIECES. 395 Cannot impugn you, as you do proceed. You stand within his danger, do you not ? Ant. — Aye, so he says. Por. — Do you confess the bond ? Ant— -I do. Por. — Then must the Jew be merciful. Shy. — On what compulsion must I ? tell me that Por. — The quality of mercy is not strain'd ; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven, Upon the place beneath ; it is twice bless'd ; It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes : 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest ; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown : His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings j But mercy is above the sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself ; And earthly power doth then show likest God's, When mercy seasons justice : therefore, Jew, Though justice be thy plea, consider this — That, in the course of justice, none of us Should see salvation ; we do pray for mercy ; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy. — I have spoke thus much, To mitigate the justice of thy plea ; Which, if thou follow, this strict court of Venice Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there. Shy. — My deeds upon my head ! I crave the law, The penalty and forfeit of my bond. Por. — Is he not able to discharge the money ? Bass. — Yes, here I tender it for him in the court ; Yea, thrice the sum ; if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o'er, On forfeit of my hands, my head, my heart ; If this will not suffice, it must appear 396 APPENDIX. That malice bears down truth. And, I beseech you, Wrest once the law lo your authority ; To do a great right, do a little wrong : And curb this cruel devil of his will. Por. — It must not be ; there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established : 'Twill be recorded for a precedent ; And many an error, by the same example, Will rush into the state : it cannot be. Shy. (in an ecstacy of delight.} — A Daniel come to judg- ment ! yea, a Daniel ! — O wise young judge, how do I honour thee ! Por, — I pray you, let me look upon the bond. Shy. — Here 'tis, most reverend doctor, here it is. [ Gives it'] Por. — Shy lock, there's thrice thy money offer'd thee. Shy. — An oath, an oath ; I have an oath in heaven. Shall I lay perjury on my soul ? No, not for Venice. Por. — Why, this bond is forfeit ; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh, to be by him cut off Nearest the merchant's heart : — Be merciful ; Take thrice thy money ; bid me tear the bond. Shy. — When it is paid according to the tenor. — It doth appear, you are a worthy judge ; Y<^n know the law, your exposition Hath been most sound : I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well- deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment ; by my soul I swear There is no power in the tongue of man To alter me ; I stay here on my bond. Ant — Most heartily I do beseech the court To give the judgment. Por. — Why, then, thus it is. You must prepare your bosom for his knife : — Sky. — O, noble judge ! O, excellent young man J IV. — For the intent and purpose of the law DRAMATIC PIECES. 39? Hath full relation to the penalty, Which here appeareth due upon the bond. Shy. — 'Tis very true : O, wise and upright judge ! How much more elder art thou than thy looks ! Por. — Therefore, lay bare your bosom. Shy. — Ay, his breast : So says the bond :— Doth it not, noble judge ? — Nearest his heart ; those are the very words. Por. — It is so. Are there balance here to weigh The flesh ? Shy. — I have them ready. [Produces the scales out of the folds of his cloak.'] Por. — Have by some surgeon, Shylock, on your charge, To stop his wounds, lest he do bleed to death. Shy. — Is it so nominated in the bond ? Por. — It is not so express'd; but what of that? 'Twere good you do so much for charity. Shy. — I cannot find it; 'tis not in the bond. Por. — Come, merchant, have you any thing to say? [Portia takes a seat near the Duke— Shylock stands musing.'] Ant. — But little; I am arm'd, and well prepar'd. Give me your hand, Bassanio ; fare you well ! Grieve not that I am fallen to this for you ; For herein fortune shows herself more kind Than is her custom : it is still her use, To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow eye, and wrinkled brow, An age of poverty; from which lingering penance Of such a misery doth she cut me off. Repent not you that you shall lose your friend, And he repents not that he pays your debt; For, if the Jew do cut but deep enough, I'll pay it instantly with all my heart. Shy. — We trifle time: I pray thee, pursue sentence. Por. (comes forward. ) — A pound of that same merchant's flesh is thine; The court awards it, and the law doth give it. 398 APPENDIX. Shy. — Most rightful judge! Por. — And you must cut this flesh from off bis breast; The law allows it, and the court awards it. Shy. — Most learned judge ! — a sentence ; come, prepare. Por. — Tarry a little; there is something else. — This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood; The words expressly are, a pound of flesh ; Take then thy bond, take thou thy pound of flesh; But, in the cutting of it, if thou dost shed One drop of Christian blood, thy lands and goods Are, by the laws of Venice, confiscate Unto the state of Venice. Gra.— O, upright judge ! — Mark, Jew ! — a learned judge ! Shy. {tremulously.)— Is that the law ? Por. — Thyself shall see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd Thou shalt have justice, more than thou desir'st. Gra. — O, learned judge! — Mark, Jew! — a learned judge! Shy. — I take this offer, then ; — pay the bond thrice, And let the Christian go. Bass. — Here is the money. Por.— Soft: The Jew shall have all justice; — soft ! — no haste; — He shall have nothing but the penalty. Gra. — O, Jew! an upright judge, a learned judge! Por. — Therefore, prepare thee to cut off the flesh. Shed thou no blood ; nor cut thou less, nor more, But just a pound of flesh; if thou tak'st more, Or less, than a just pound — be it but so much As makes it light, or heavy, in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple! nay, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair — Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate. Gra. — A second Daniel! a Daniel, Jew! Now, infidel, I have thee on the hip. Por Why doth the Jew pause? take thy forfeiture. DRAMATIC PIECES. 399 Shy.— Give me my principal, and let me go, Bass. — I have it ready for thee ; here it is. Por. — He hathrefus'd it in the open court; He shall have merely justice, and his bond. Gra. — -A Daniel, still say I; a second Daniel! — I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word. Shy. — Shall I not barely have my principal? Por. — Thou shalt have nothing but the forfeiture, To be so taken at thy peril, Jew. Shy. — Why then the devil give him good of it! I'll stay no longer question. Por. — Tarry, Jew: The law hath yet another hold on you. It is enacted in the laws of Venice — If it be prov'd against an alien, That by direct or indirect attempts, He seek the life of any citizen, The party, 'gainst the which he doth contrive, Shall seize on half his goods ; the other half Comes to the privy coffer of the state ; And the offender's life lies in the mercy Of the Duke only, 'gainst all other voice. In which predicament, I say, thou stand'st: For it appears by manifest proceeding, That, indirectly, and directly too, Thou hast contrived against the very life Of the defendant ; and thou hast incurr'd The danger formerly by me rehears'd. — Down, therefore, and beg mercy of the Duke. [Retires to the Duke.~\ Gra. — Beg, that thou may'st have leave to hang thyself: And yet, thy wealth being forfeit to the state, Thou hast not left the value of a cord ; Therefore, thou must be hang'd at the state's charge, Duke. — That thou shalt see the difference of oar spirit: I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. For half thy wealth, it is Antonio's; 400 APPENDIX. The other half comes to the general state, Which humbleness may drive into a fine. Por. {seated by the Duke.) — Aye, for the state; not for Antonio. Shy. — Nay, take my life and all, pardon not that: You take my house, when you do take the prop That doth sustain my house : you take my life, When you do take the means whereby I live. Por. — What mercy can you render him, Antonio? Gra. — A halter gratis; nothing else, for heaven's sake. Ant. — So please my lord the duke, and all the court, To quit the fine for one half of his goods ; I am content, so he will let me have The other half in use — to render it, Upon his death, unto the gentleman That lately stole his daughter. Two things provided more — that, for this favour, He presently become a Christian ; The other, that he do record a gift, Here in the court, of all he dies possess'd, Unto his son Lorenzo, and his daughter. Duke. — He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronounced here. Por. — Art thou contented, Jew? What dost thou say? Shy. — I am content. — I pray you, give me leave to go from hence ; I am not well ; send the deed after me, And I will sign it. Duke. — Get thee gone, but do it. Gra. — In christening thou shalt have two godfathers; Had I been judge, thou shouldst have had ten more, To bring thee to the gallows, not the font. \Exit Shylock.] Duke. — Sir, I entreat you home with me to dinner. [7b Portia,] Pa*\ — I humbly do desire your grace of pardon j I must away this night toward Padua, And it is meet I presently set forth. DRAMATIC PIECES. 401 Duke. — I am sorry that your leisure serves you not. Antonio, gratify this gentleman, For, in my mind, you are much bound to him. \The Court breaks up— all go out'] SCENE FEOM "HENRY VIH."— Sbakspeare. [The tone of Wolsey should be that of a proud spirit, broken, but not subdued; and at last agonised with remorse. That of Cromwell should mark the humble, but faithful and sympathising friend.] Wolsey — (atone). Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness! — This is the state of man; to-day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honours thick upon him : The third day comes a frost, a killing frost ; And — when he thinks, good easy man! full surely His greatness is a ripening — nips his root, And then he falls as I do. I have ventured, Like little wanton boys, that swim on bladders, These many summers in a sea of glory; But far beyond my depth : my high-blown pride At length broke under me; and now has left me, "Weary, and old with service, to the mercy Of a rude stream that must for ever hide me. Vain pomp, and glory of the world, I hate ye ! I feel my neart new open'd: 0, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on prince's favours? There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to, That sweet aspect of princes, and our ruin, More pangs and fears than war or women nave ; D D 402 APPENDIX. And when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again ! — Enter Cromwell. Wol. — Why, how now, Cromwell? Crom. — I have no power to speak, sir. Wol — What, amazed At my misfortunes ? Can thy spirit wonder, A great man should decline ? Nay, an' you weep, I'm fallen indeed. Crom. — How does your grace? Wol-— Why, well; Never so truly happy, my good Cromwell. I know myself now ; and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience. Crom. — I'm glad your grace has made that right use of it Wol — I hope I have : I'm able now, methinks, Out of a fortitude of soul I feel, To endure more miseries and greater far, Than my weak-hearted enemies dare offer. — What news abroad? Crom. — The heaviest and worst Is your displeasure with the king. Wol — God bless him ! Crom. — The next is that Sir Thomas More is chosen Lord Chancellor in your place. Wol. — That's somewhat sudden : — But he's a learned man. May he continue Long in his highness' favour, and do justice, For truth's sake and his conscience, that his bones, When he has run his course, and sleeps in blessings* May have a tomb of orphans' tears wept on them I — - What more? Crom. — That Cranmer is return'd with welcome, Install'd Lord Archbishop of Canterbury. DRAMATIC PIECES. 403 WoL — That's news indeed! Crom. — Last, that the lady Anne, "Whom the king hath in secresy long married, This day was viewed in open as his queen, Going to chapel: and the voice is now Only about her coronation. Wol. — There was the weight that pull'd me down! Crom* well! The king has gone beyond me; all my glories, In that one woman, I have lost for ever: No sun shall ever usher forth my honours, Or gild again the noble troops that waited On my smiles. Go, get thee from me, Cromwell! I am a poor, fall'n man, unworthy now To be thy lord and master: seek the king: I have told him What and how true thou art ; he will advance thee : Some little memory of me will stir him (I know his noble nature) not to let Thy hopeful service perish too: — go, Cromwell! Crom. — O, my lord, Must I then leave you ? Must I needs forego So good, so noble, and so true a master ? — Bear witness, all that have not hearts of iron, With what a sorrow Cromwell leaves his lord ! — The king shall have my service, but my prayers For ever, and for ever, shall be yours ! WoL — Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries ; but thou hast forced me, Out of my honest truth, to play the woman. — Let's dry our eyes, and thus far hear me, Cromwell i And, when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull, cold marble, where no mention Of me more must be heard of — say I taught thee — Say, Wolsey — that once trod the ways of glory, And sounded all the depths and shoals of honour — "Found thee a way out of his wreck to rise in ; D D 2 404 APPENDIX. A sure and safe one, tho' thy master miss'd it ! Mark but my fall, and that that ruin'd me. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: By that sin fell the angels ; how can man then, The image of his maker, hope to win by't ? Love thyself last -, cherish those hearts that hate thee • Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace To silence envious tongues. Be just and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's and truth's : then, if thou fall'st, Cromwell; thou fall'st a blessed martyr! — Lead me in ; There, take an inventory of all I have, To the last penny — 'tis the king's : my robe, And my integrity to Heaven, is all 1 dare now call mine own. — O Cromwell, Cromwell! Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, He would not, in mine age, Have left me naked to mine enemies! Crom. — Good sir, have patience. Wol— So I have. — Farewell The hopes of court ! My hopes in heaven do dwell ! [ They go out together.'] CATO'S SBEECH OVER HIS DEAD SON. —Addison. [With a heroic, but dignified expression.] Thanks to the gods ! my boy has done his duty. — Welcome, my son! Here set him down, my friends, Full in my sight ; that I may view at leisure The bloody corse, and count those glorious wounds. How beautiful is death, when earn'd by virtue?! Who would not be that youth ? — what pity is it That we can die but once to serve our country ! Why sits this sadness on your brow, my friends? I should have blush'd if Cato's house had stood DRAMATIC PIECES. 405 Secure, and flourish'd in a civil war. — Porcius, behold thy brother ! and remember, Thy life is not thy own when Koine demands it ! When Eome demands ! — but Eome is now no more ! The Eoman empire's fall'n ! — (Oh ! curs'd ambition ! ) — Fall'n into Caesar's hands ! Our great forefathers Had left him nought to conquer but his country.- — * Porcius, come hither to me ! — Ah ! my son, Despairing of success, Let me advise thee to withdraw, betimes, To our paternal seat, the Sabine field, Where the great Censor toil'd with his own hands, And all our frugal ancestors were bless'd In humble virtues and a rural life. There live retired: content thyself to be Obscurely good.. When vice prevails, and impious men bear sway, The post of honour is a private station ! * Farewell, my friends ! If there be any of you Who dare not trust the victor's clemency, Know, there are ships prepar'd by my command — Their sails already op'ning to the winds, — That shall convey you to the wish'd-for port. The conqueror draws near— once more, farewell ! If e'er we meet hereafter, we shall meet In happier climes, and on a safer shore, Where Csesar never shall approach us more ! There, the brave youth with love of virtue fired, Who greatly in his country's cause expired, Shall know he conquer'd ! The firm patriot there, Who made the welfare of mankind his care, Tho' still by faction, vice and fortune cross'd, Shall find the generous labour was not lost. * In recitation, the pupil may omit the lines between asterisks. D D 3 : N D E X. Introduction - - - - -1 — 17 Accent — Its connection with Pronunciation • . 44 Correct application of the word and its popular acceptation (see Note) - - 73 Its Force - - « * - 82 Its connection with Emphasis « * 82 Accentuation — False - - - - - 45 Rhythmical— in Verse and Music - 174 — '178 Affirmative Sentences ~ Rule of Inflection on - - - 77 Alternative of a Question — Inflection - - - - 79 Antithesis - 117—122 Single Antithesis, and examples - - 117 S> D 4 408 INDEX. Kales for Inflection on - - - 117 Examples - - - - -117 Double Antithesis - - - - 118 Implied Antithesis - - • - - 119 Emphasis of - - - - - 120 Series of - - - - - 137 Pause in - - - - - 138 Compound Inflections in 140 Apposition - - - - - -115 Rule of Inflection - - - - 1 1 5 APtTICULATION - 19 — 51 Tables of Articulation - - 46—51 Atonios - - - - - -23 Table of 31 Exercise on - - - 34, 35 Cadence ----- 183—186 Harmonic - - - - - 184 C^esural Pause - - - - - 1S1 Compound Inflections - - - 140 — 146 Rising and falling - - - - 1 40 In Antithesis ----- 145 Conditional Sentences - - - - 125 Cumulative Emphaj s - 148 — 150 Bn Asiatic Poetry - - - 182 — 208 Remarks on the Reading of - - - 182 Main Characteristics - - - - 182 Expression in - - - - - 183 What requisite to the Actor - - - 183 Passionate Expression in - - - 183 INDEX. 409 Dynamics, or Powers of Sound Terms, Sign, and Explanation of Their Force and Use - - 200 - 200 - 201 Elementary Sounds - Distinction between Signs and Sounds - Tonics — Subtonics — Atonies - Diphthongal Sounds - Table of Tonic Elements Exercise on the Tonic Sonnds Table of Sub-Tonics and Atonies Exercise on the Subtonics and Atonies Value of the Elementary Sounds Elocution — Elements of - Principles of - An imitative Art - First Object of Poetical Elocution - Rhythmical Elocution - Dramatic Elocution - 23 20 21 35 ■ 25 • 27 • 29 • 31 34, 35 • 36 19 151 152 152 167 181 182 Emphasis - Definition of - Different kinds of Of Sense - Rule for - Antithetical - Of Force - - - Double - Excess of Emphasis of Force - Cumulative - Energy, or Force Emphasis of Expression Energetic manner to be acquired 81—92 - 81 - 86 - 86 - 87 - 88 -91. 148- 91 91 -150 196—204 - 196 - 196 410 INDEX, Effects and Manifestations of Energy - - 197 In Narration - - - - -201 Examples for Exercise - - 202, 203 Energy, Intonation, and Expression are kindred graces ----- 202 Their Climax is Passion - - - 203 Exclamation - - - - - 123 Inflections on- - - - -123 Expression, or Pause of Force - - 146 — 148 Feeling and Passion - - - - 150 Example in Brutus' Speech - - 165. 198 Depends chiefly on Pitch - - - 187 The vocal Imitation of Passion - - 187 Of Monotone - - - - - 188 Explanation of Musical Terms and Figures rased to mark Pitch, Force, and Time for Expres- sion ----- 200 Exercise in - - - - - 212 Of different Sentiments and Affections- 213 — 221 Energetic - - - - - 221 Force (see Energy). Gesture - 227—234 Observations on - - - - 227 For the Pulpit and the Bar - - 230—233 Active - - - - - 232 Demonstrative - - - - 232 Position of the Body - 232 Motion of the Limbs - 232. 234 Expression of Face - 232.234 Attitude - - • - 233 Table of 234 Remarks 234 INDEX. 411 Page Gymnastics (see Vocal Gymnastics). Harmonic Cadence - - - - 184 Inflection - - - 72 — 81 Simple Inflections - - 72 — 75 How marked - - - - 73 How to be distinguished by the Ear - - 74 Inflections to mark the Sense - - - 76 General Rules for - - - 77 Affirmative sense - - - 77 Negative - - - 77 Imperative - - - 79 Interrogative - - - - 79 Suspension of Voice - - 92 — 95 Special Rules of Inflection - - 96. 115 Perspicuity- - - 113—115 Apposition - - - 115 Antithesis - - 117. 145 Double Antithesis - - - 118 Implied Antithesis - - - 119 Emphasis of Antithesis - - - - 120 Exclamation - - - - 123 Exclamatory Sentence - - - 123 Inverted Sentences - - - 123 Conditional Sentences - - - 125 Serial Sentences - - - 125 Rules for Inflection of Series - - - 126 Compound Inflections - - 140—146 How marked, and their Use and Force - 140 Melody of Inflection (in Poetry) - - 183 Cadence of - - « - 184 Smoothness - » - 185 Alternation of - - - - 185 Harmonic Cadence by - - - i85 412 INDEX. Page Interrogative Sentences — Inflection on - - - - 79 Exceptions - - - - 79 Intonation ----- 162 — 169 Exercise on Intonation - - - J 05 Process of - - - - 163 Exercise in - - - 165 Intonation of Poetry - «« - - 166 Of poetical Prose - - - - 167 Orotund - - - - - 169 Inverted Sentences - - - 123,124 Inflection on Members of - 123 Lisping — What, and its Cure - - • 36 Loose Sentences - - 92- -102 To give Compactness to - - 99 Melody and Cadence _ • 183- -186 Of Rhythm in reading Poetry - - - 181 Cadence - - - 184 Harmonic Cadence - " - 184 Monotone m . 188- -190 Definition of - - - - 188 Its Expression - - - 188 Exercise in - - - 188 Music — Of the Voice - • • - - 74 Of Inflection - . - - 184 Of Cadence • - - 184 INDEX. 413 TlfT rroT/i A T Page JVIUSICAE Score to denote Inflections, Rhythm, &c. 84. 141— 143. 176. 179. 188 Cadence of Inflection - - J84 Terms and Marks used 200, 201 Dynamics, &c. - - 201 Negative Sentences — Inflection on - - 77 Series - - 135 Orotund - - 169—171 What - 169 Exercise in - - 170 Its adaptation to Scriptural Reading, &c. - 171 Parenthe sis- 103—106 Parenthetical matter - - 104 How read - - 104 Rules for Inflection of - - 104 Passion — Power of Elocution to express Passion - - 1 62 Expression of — in Dramatic Poetry - - 183 General Expression of — by Pitch - - 190 Expression of particular Passions - 213 — 221 Practice (marked and noted for Tone) with ana- lysis of Expression proper to — Fear - - - - -213 Anger - - - - - 214 Despair - - - - 214 Hope - - - - - 215 Revenge - - - - 215 Pity - - - - - 216 Jealousy - - • - 217 Melancholy - - - - 217 414 INDEX. Page Cheerfulness - - - -218 Joy - - - - - 218 Love ----- 219 Mirth - - - - - 219 Fierce Tltreatenmg - - - 221 Pause ----- 56—74 Rhetorical Pauses - - - 56 Number and Value of - - 57 Short Pause - - - - 58 — 62 Middle Pause - - - - 62 — 65 Rest, or Full Pause - - - 05-67 Long Pause - - - - 68 Exercise on Pause (marked) - - 68 — 71 Pause of Force - - - - 146 Power of, and examples - - - 147 Of Feeling - - - - - 148 When to be used - - - - 148 In Poetry, for Rhythm - - 172 — 181 Periods and Loose Sentences - - 92 — 102 General Rules - - - - 90 Perspicuity ----- 113 — 115 Phrases (Inter jectional) - - - - 123 Pitch - - - - 190 — 196 The main Constituent of Expression - - 190 Middle Pitch - - - - 192 High Pitch - - - - 193 Low Pitch - - - - - J 94 (See Orotund.') Poetical Extracts — Portia's Speech on Mercy - (Shaks.) - 111 IXDEX. 4 1 5 Pa?e Sabbath Morn - (Grabame) - 181 Happiness - (Pope) " 1S5 From the Tragedy of " Ion " - (Takourd) - 139 "Breathes there the man " - (Scott) - 192 Description of Prince Henry - (Shaks.) " 202 Hotspur's eagerness for battle - (Shaks.) - 203 Prospero's Invocation - - (Shaks.) - 205 Death of Sampson - (Milton) - 206 Boadicea - (Cowper) - 209 The Clime of the East - (Byron) - 211 The Passions - (Collins) - 213 Henry Y. before Harfleur - (Shaks.) - 221 Dying Gladiator - (Byron) " 222 Poetry — Poetical Elocution — Intonation of - - - 156 Imaginative Style - - 167 Poetical Prose - - - 167 Examples from Ossian and Burke 157 . 16S Reading Verse - - 172 Rhythm, &c. - - 172 Rhythmical Accentuat ion - 173 Measure of Verse - 173- -182 Rhythmical Reading - - - 181 Dsa3Iatic Poetry - - 182 Remarks on Reading - - 182 Melody and Cadence - - 183 Harmonic Cadence - - 184 General Instructions for the Inflection of Verse- 185 Marked Extract - (Pope) - 1S5 Practice in Rhythmical Reading - 209 Pbactice on Articulation - 46 —51 Pronunciation - - 52 —44 Pause - ■» m 68 —71 416 INDEX. Page Pause, Inflection, and Emphasis - 103. Ill Part II, - - - - - 122 Intonation - - - - -122 Antithesis - - - 165. 205 — 208 Poetical Elocution - - - - 167 Orotund - - - - - 170 Rhythmical Reading - - 181.209—212 Monotone - - - - 188, 189 Energy and Expression - - 213 — 223 Pronominal Phrase ... io9 — 112 Common Phrase (quasi- pronominal) - - 109 Rules and Examples - 107 — 111 In reply - - - - - 109 Emphasis with - - - - 110 Pronominal Series - - - - 138 Pronominal Series 138, 139 Pronouns - Have no proper Inflection How governed in Inflection 106—109 « 107 - 109 Pronunciation Of the Letter H Erroneous Pronunciation Practice on - 43,44 32—42 - 44 52—54 Prose Extracts — Sense, Taste, and Genius Extract from Ossian (Usher) 68—71 - 167 Quantity — How governed in the English Language - 173 Distinction between our Language and the Greek and Latin - - - - 173 The same, with reference to Rhythm - - 175 INDEX. 417 Page Rhetoric - - - - - f$l — 161 Rhetorical Pauses - 56 — 71 Khyme (see Poetry;. Iihythm (see Poetry). Ehymic al Beading — Exercise in •« - •• - 209 Series — Serial Sentences - • - 125- -138 What are - - - - 125 Simple, and Compound • • - Ii!5 Commencing, and Concluding - • - 126 Rules of Inflection on •• - - - 126 Simple Series - - - - 126 Division of Series - - « - 128 Compound - - - - 131 Irregular Series - - - - 152 Exercise on - - - - 133 Negative - - - 135 Interrogative - - * - - 136 Antithetical - - - - 137 Pronominal - - - - 138 Sentences (Exclamatory) - . • - 1 03 Inverted - - - - 123 Conditional - - - - 125 Serial - - • 125- -128 Sound (see Dynamics). Stammering — W r hat, and its Cure - - ~ 36 E E 418 INDEX. Sub-tonics - - - - - -23 Table of - - - - 31 Exercise on - - - 34, 3 5 Syllables ---*».. 38 — 41 Tonics - - - * > -* 23 List of pure Tonics - - - 23 Mixed or diphthongal Tonics - ■? 95, 23 Table of Tonic Elements - - -27 Exercise on the Tonics - - 27 Practice on Articulation of • - 29 Terminations - * - 38 — 41. 46, 51 Contrast Tables - - - 50, 51 Time 197. 201 Verse - - - - - 172— -223 Reading of - - - - 172 Accented and Unaccented - - - 172 Latin and Greek - - - - 173 Feet - - - - - 173 English - - - - - 175 Iambics - - - - - 176 Vocal Gymnastics - 227 — 231 Practice recommended to strengthen tbe Lungs and improve the Voice - - - 229 Voice — Human Voice a Musical Instrument - 72 Inflection of- - - - -""3 Suspension of - - . . 92 — 95 INDEX. 419 Education of- - - - -161 Practice of - - - - 161 Intonation - - - - - 162 Economy of - - - - - 163 Weak Voices - - - - -163 How improved - - - - 1 63 Inspiration - - - - -164 Swell of - - - - - 165 Pitch - - - - -190—196 (See Intonation, Expression, Pitch.) Vowel Sounds - - - - 20 — 22 Double Yowel Sounds - - -42 Practice in Articulation of - - 46 — 51 £ E 2 421 INDEX TO THE APPENDIX. PBOSE-BEADING. Page Death and Character of Queen Elizabeth (Hume) - 237 Character of Maiy, Queen of Scots - (Bobertson) - 242 Marie Antoinette - (Burke) - 245 Dante — Milton - (Macaulay) - 246 Vulgarity and Affectation - - (Hazlitt) - 249 Establishment of Christianity - - (Milman) - 255 Literary and Political Pursuits contrasted (Ward) - 260 History and Piction in Literature - (Thackeray)- 266 Mr. Gregsbury, M.P., and the Deputation (Dickens) - 271 OBATOBICAL EXTBACTS. Evidence and Precedents in Law - (Erskine) - 281 Extract from Mr. Mackintosh's Speech in Defence of M. Peltier - - - - - 283 Satirical Extract from a Speech of Mr. Canning on the Address ------ 290 Against Paine's "Age of Beason " - (Erskine) - 292 Peroration of Lord Brougham's Speech on Parlia- mentary Beform - - - - -297 422 INDEX TO APPENDIX. MISCELLANEOUS POETICAL EXTRACTS. Page Progress of Poetry (Gray) 299 Charms of Hope (Campbell) - 303 Lady Heron's Song (Scott) 306 St. Peter's at Rome — the Vatican (Byron) 307 The Dying Christian to his Soul (Pope) 310 Saul - - - - (Byron) 311 Modern Greece (Byron) 312 A Poetess's Picture of a Country Life (J. Baillie) - 314 Bernardo del Carpio (Hemans) 315 The Voice of the Grave (Montgomery) 318 Ten Years Ago (A. A. Watts) 321 Hallowed Ground (Campbell) - 323 The Glove and the Lions (L. Hunt) - 326 Patience and Hope (Bulwer) 328 Abou Ben Adhem and the Angel (L. Hunt) - 328 Coxcombry in Conversation (Cowper) 329 Yesterday - (Tupper) - 330 A Poet's Parting Thought (Motherwell) 335 DIALOGUE AND DRAMATIC PIECES. Lochiers Warning Cato's Soliloquy on the Soul Antony's Apostrophe to Caesar's Body Scene frc^i " Juli?is Csesar " Shylock to Antonio Henry IV. 's Apostrophe to Sleep The Seven Ages Scene from the Tragedy of " Ion " Quarrel Scene from " Julius Cassar " Bobadil's Military Tactics Marc Antony's Oration (Campbell) - 337 (Addison) - 340 (Shaks.) 341 (Shaks.) - 342 (Shaks.) 346 (Shaks.) - 347 (Shaks.) 348 (Talfourd) -' 349 (Shaks.) - 352 (Ben Jonson) 356 (Shaks.) - 357 INDEX TO APPENDIX. 423 Page Four Scenes from " Richelieu " - - (Bulwer) - 360 Scene from the Comedy of " Money" - (Bulwer) - 382 Scene from the "Poor Gentleman" - (Colman) - 385 Hamlet's Soliloquy - (Shaks.) - 389 Night Soliloquy in Venice - - (Byron) - 390 Trial-Scene from the " Merchant of Venice "( Shaks. ) - 392 Scene from" Henry VIII." - - (Shaks.) - 401 Cato's Speech over his dead Son - (Addison) - 404 THE END* x° °... c^ ^UAs \ % " * O, ■^ v" 'W o> V * * 4 ' *r> AV ,^ ^ PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN COLLECTIONS PRESERVATION 111 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111 ,v' ■fcrss N/> .V ~ \X» ■° 4 -t vO <£> \\* > v , '% * c % 0>