It will be useful to exhibit tables of these, arranging them according to the nature of their constituent letters.

The first class consists of syllables that end with a long vowel. Such admit of indefinite prolongation, according to the strength and earnestness of the emotion with which they are uttered.

away straw bow sigh thou high now

true glow flee joy
stay strow stray destroy high

The next class consists of syllables in which a long vowel is followed by a consonant that admits of being lengthened. In prolonging these, both the vowel and the consonant following it are lengthened. Such syllables also, may be prolonged to any extent required.

The next have long vowels, and final consonants that

can be prolonged to some extent but not indefinitely.

The next have long vowels, but end with a consonant

that cannot be lengthened. These words can be pro

The next have short vowels, but terminal consonants that can be indefinitely lengthened.

G and Z at the end of syllables admit of some pro

Syllables with short vowels and only whispering let

ters or mutes at the end, cannot be prolonged.

Many of this class however, are long for the purposes of meter, on account of the number of consonants at the end. They are long "by position," as it is called.

In respect to the last class of syllables, the question occurs, in what way does the voice give those expressions that cause other syllables to be prolonged? This is done by making precisely the same vigorous mental effort as upon those that can be lengthened. This effort however, causes the voice first to exert itself with more force, and then, as the syllable does not lengthen, an unconscious pause succeeds, which makes the syllable,

or at least the whole word, to occupy as much time, as if the sound were continued by prolongation.

It will be unnecessary to furnish extracts for the practice of prolongation, because this use of the voice is the universal resource of nature for all earnestness on emphatic passages, and is always exhibited in a high degree whenever large rooms are satisfactorily filled, or discourse rendered intelligible and interesting to very large audiences. It is the natural and necessary prolongation of seriousness and solemnity, which, if unaccompanied with spirit and energy, produces the drawling tone which we sometimes hear in the pulpit. The faults of pulpit elocution should be corrected, not by adopting an inappropriate familiarity of manner, or the sort of energy that characterizes the bar and the legislative assembly, but by superadding heartiness and animation, to impressiveness.

A single caution must be given with respect to the practice of such tables as we have given above. Instead of disciplining the voice by prolonging the syllables in a merely mechanical way, it is better always to imagine one's self to be speaking, and thus give to each a natural expression of emphatic earnestness.

CHAPTER IV.

ARTICULATION AND PRONUNCIATION.

WE place this chapter after those which treat of the general qualities and habits of the voice, because if these are bad, it will be difficult for articulation to be such as is desirable in reading or speaking, or for pronunciation to be truly graceful and elegant.

ARTICULATION.

In most cases a good articulation in conversation and familiar reading, either results from natural organization, or is formed

in early childhood by models afforded in the domestic circle. The influences of schools however, are generally such as tend to produce the very worst habits of enunciation. In most schools, and sometimes in a college, lessons are recited in a manner so hurried and yet so hesitating, that the enunciation is like the following example. Suppose the rule to be repeated is, "A verb must agree with its nominative case in number and person." It will be recited thus: "Vub m'st 'gree w'ts nom'tuv case 'n numbŭ 'n puss'n."

Those who cultivate propriety of manners in a high degree, are remarkable for a pleasant and respectful distinctness of articulation. Suppose a person passing along a dark street, stumbles against another; if a mutual apology is not made, at least some exclamation ensues. In such a case, the tone of voice, and style of articulation, immediately indicates whether either or both the persons are refined and gentlemanly. In nothing is that cultivation of mind and character, from which cultivated manners proceed, so much shown as by the voice. Every one articulates distinctly, when addressing, with sincère respect, one much above him in age and station. The tone of patient deference indeed, is marked by little else than distinctness of enunciation. So too, that of high self-respect, or of condescension to presuming vulgarity, is remarkably elaborate and distinct. On the other hand, the vulgarity of manners which proceeds from an egotistical enthusiasm, such as forgets to accommodate itself to others, causes words to be hurried in utterance, and makes it difficult to catch them. Extreme and egotistical diffidence also makes the voice guttural, or what is called snuffling, and prevents the perfect formation of syllables.

These remarks are made with no purpose of inculcating points of manners, but in direct and sole reference to public speaking. When such causes of indistinct articulation as these which we have just mentioned, are accurately explained, it becomes easy to avoid them in that more excited, yet more col

lected state of mind, that distinguishes speaking from conversation. The influences which make a person articulate distinctly, when respectfully addressing a superior, are similar to those which promote a good enunciation in speaking. In both, the importance of the occasion excites, intensifies, and steadies the mind.

There is but one mode of practice by which we can in a short time, acquire the habit of a good articulation when addressing an audience.

This is by a vigorous and concentrated effort of the mind, to explain or set forth to the auditors, the IDEA conveyed by the word we are uttering.

This natural and distinctive effort tends to make the organs of speech enunciate distinctly every letter of every syllable and this is what is meant by the very term, a perfect articulation.

Experience proves that when students of elocution have done nothing more than study the principles and practice of articulation of single words, there is no certainty that they will exhibit an accurate and clear enunciation during the flow of continuous discourse. Yet the study of the analysis of syllables into their constituent letters, and the consequent principles of a perfect articulation, should not be neglected.

It is difficult however, to find time and opportunity for this study, in college instruction. There are but two ways in which it can be carried on; the one, linguistically, or as a part of the science of languages, and the other by that patient and endless iteration which constitutes the mode of instruction in schools. For the latter there is not sufficient time in college, and it is inconsistent with the style of instruction most appropriate for intelligent young men. The former requires, on the other hand, more maturity of mental discipline, than it is possible for the younger classes in a college to possess.