of much erudition. He studied the writings extant on the subject of chemistry and natural history, and composed several treatises on navigation. At times, also, he gave himself to the delights of poesy and polite literature. Thus, though his body was confined, his spirit was free; and, though the iron pierced his physical frame, it wounded not his soul.

9. You, then, who are deluded from the paths of science and literature, by the glory and advantages of the world, remember, that his fame is noblest "whose works, like the precious life-blood of some master-spirit, are embalmed and treasured up for a life beyond life.”

CHAPTER II.

ACCENT.

ACCENT is a forcible utterance of some one syllable in a word, so as to distinguish it from others. It is marked thus ('); as in merchant.

The beauty and harmony of pronunciation depends very much upon accent; hence, however perfect the articulation may be, if the accent is misplaced, an unpleasant harshness is produced which detracts from the beauty of expression.

In the correct application of accent, the sense requires a greater or less degree of force, and a greater or less prolongation of sound, on the accented syllable.

The following explanations under the head of Quantity, are introduced, in order to present these characteristic modifications of accentuation more fully.

QUESTIONS. What is accent? How is it marked? What depends very much upon it? What does the sense require in the correct application of accent?

SECTION I.

QUANTITY.

QUANTITY, as applied to syllables, denotes both the relative time, and the relative force or stress in pronouncing them.

1. Quantity, with reference to the relative prolongation of sound in the utterance of successive syllables, is either long or short; as in the word Hy-pō-thět'-ic-al-ly. This is commonly denominated syllabic quantity.

2. A syllable is said to be long, when the accent falls on a vowel whose sound does not readily flow into the following letter; as in hate'ful, cham'ber, solely.

3. A syllable is said to be short, when the accent falls on a consonant, and the vowel sound at once coalesces with the succeeding letter; as in bet'ter, lav'ish, sup'per.

1. Quantity in relation to Time.

Syllables, when considered in relation to their time of utterance, are called Immutable, Mutable, and Indefinite.

1. An immutable syllable is one in which a short vowel is followed by the aspirate, k, p, or t, under accent, and cannot be protracted in utterance without violating good taste, and all acknowledged authority on pronunciation; as in ak'ron, ep'ic, ot'ter.

2. A mutable syllable is one ending with a sub-vocal, or some other aspirate besides k, p, or t, and may be more or less protracted in pronunciation; as in ab'sence, rash'ness.

NOTE.-An immutable syllable usually becomes_mutable, when it is preceded by a sub-vocal; as in graťitude.

QUESTIONS. What does quantity denote as applied to syllables? What is said of quantity with reference to the relative prolongation of successive syllables? Give an example. What is this commonly called? When is a syllable said to be long? When short? What are syllables called when considered in relation to time? What is an immutable syllable? What is a mutable syllable? When does an immutable syllable usually become mutable?

3. An indefinite syllable is one which ends with a long vowel, or a long vowel followed by a sub-vocal, and may be protracted or not, in its pronunciation, as will best secure the effect which the speaker designs to produce; as in shame'ful, dan'ger.

2. Quantity in relation to Stress.

Quantity in relation to stress, denotes the location of the greatest force of voice on the vowel sound of accented syllables; and regards it as more intense at the beginning, middle, or end, or at more than one of these points.

The following examples, illustrating the different kinds of stress, are not only of great value in training the voice, but are highly practical, since there is scarcely an accented syllable in any sentence, which, if forcibly pronounced, does not exemplify some one of these forms so indispensable to good reading and speaking. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance, that every pupil should become familiar with the peculiar characteristics and significance of each, and its skillful execution. These characteristics are appropriately represented to the eye by the accompanying drawings, which indicate the movement of the voice on the vowel sound of the accented syllable in the example, exemplifying each kind respectively. The utterance of the vocal elements, in the same manner, both singly and in combination with the sub-vocals and aspirates, will afford an excellent exercise for the voice, and should be often repeated, until the application of stress, in all its forms, becomes easy and familiar.

1. When the vowel sound of the accented syllable commences with a full or abrupt stress of voice, and gradually diminishes in force, which may occur on syllables of either

QUESTIONS. What is an indefinite syllable? What is meant by force, or stress of voice? Is it important to understand and apply it judiciously? What is recommended as an excellent exercise? What is radical stress?

long or short quantity, it is called the RADICAL STRESS, and be represented to the eye and illustrated thus:

may

Time-ly.

NOTE 1. The radical stress is employed in giving utterance to the language of confidence, and of all the violent and startling emotions; as of anger, fear, impetuous courage, impassioned command, exultation, and the like; and, usually, in all language, requiring a rapid movement. It may occur either on immutable, mutable, or indefinite syllables.

EXAMPLES.

1. Hold there, the other quick replies,
'Tis green, I saw it with these eyes.
I've seen it, sir, as well as you,

2.

And must again affirm it blue.

'Tis green, 't is GREEN, sir, I assure ye,

Green, cries the other in a fury.

Be the combat our own!

And we'll perish or conquer more proudly alone.

3. Back to thy punishment, false fugitive.

2. When the vowel sound of the accented syllable commences with slight force, and gradually swells to a full volume, and closes with abrupt suspension of the voice, which may occur on syllables of either long or short quantity, it is called the FINAL STRESS, and may be illustrated thus:

We'ep-ing.

NOTE 2. The final stress is employed in the utterance of language expressive of ill-humor; as of fretful impatience, peevishness, complaint, obstinacy, and the like; and also in earnest and hasty interrogation, It may occur either on immutable, mutable, or indefinite syllables.

QUESTIONS. What is the radical stress? Give an example. What is the final stress? Give an example. What language requires the final stress?

EXAMPLES.

1. This is intolerable! I could tear the scalp from my old brainless skull! I'm cheated every way! I can't trust a farthing with the best friend I have on earth! I'll go this moment to an attorney, and get a warrant; I'll put the villain into jail before an hour is at an end.

2. Am I Rome's slave? What penny hath Rome borne ? What men provided? What munition sent,

To underprop this action?

3. When the vowel sound of the accented syllable commences with slight force, and gradually swells to a full volume in the middle, and then gradually subsides, which can only occur on syllables of long quantity, it is called the MEDIAN STRESS, and may be illustrated thus:

NOTE 3. The median stress is employed in the utterance of language of gentle emotions, and of a lofty, sublime, and dignified character; and also, in calm and reverential veneration and prayer It occurs on indefinite syllables only.

EXAMPLES.

1. Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise,

The queen of the world and the child of the skies;
Thy genius commands thee; with rapture behold,
While ages on ages thy splendors unfold.

2. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be here no more.

4. When a forcible stress of voice is given to the first and last parts of the vowel sound in the accented syllable, with but slight stress on the intermediate portion, which usually occurs

QUESTIONS. What is the median stress? Give an example. What is the compound stress? Give an example. What language requires the compound stress?