SELECT RULES, WITH EXAMPLES.

[BY MR. SCOTT.]

RULE I.

Antithesis, or the Opposition of Words or Sentiments. WORDS set in oposition, or forming an Antithesis, should be pronounced with such emphasis and variation of voice as may make the opposition sufficiently striking.

EXAMPLES.

A wise man endeavours to shine in himself, a fool to outshine others. The former is humbled by the sense of his own infirmities; the latter is lifted up by the discovery of those which he observes in others. The wise man considers what he wants; and the fool what he abounds in. The wise man is happy when he gains his own approbation; and the fool when he recommends himself to the applause of ot

ers.

Enumeration, or the mentioning of Particulars.

In the enumeration of particulars, a degree of emphasis should be thrown upon each; pauses between them should be carefully observed, and the pronunciation, should, in general, be adapted to the nature of the persons or things mentioned. It is proper to add, that the voice should generally fall at one or more of the leading particulars.

EXAMPLES.

The subject of a discourse being opened, explained, and con firmed; that is to say, the speaker having gained the attention and judgment of his audience, he must proceed to com plete his conquest over the passions; such as imagination, admiration, surprise, hope, joy, love, fear, grief, anger. Now he must begin to exert himself: Here it is that a fine genins may display itself, in the use of amplification, enumeration, interrogation, metaphor, and every ornament that can render a discourse entertaining, winning, striking, and enforc ing.

Delightful task! to rear the tender thought,
To teach the young idea how to shoot,
To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind,
To breathe the enlivening spirit, and to fix
The generous purpose in the glowing breast.
RULE III.

Suspension, or a delaying of the Sense.

While the sense is suspended, the pitch of the voice should be low, and the emphasis moderate; where the suspension ends, the voice should be kept up, with a remarkable pause; after which it should, in general, be more elevated and forcible.

EXAMPLES.

As in the successions of seasons, each, by the invariable laws of nature, affects the productions of what is next in course: sa, in human life, every period of our age, according as it is well or ill spent, influences the happiness of that which is to follow.

Nor Fame I slight, nor for her favours call ;
She comes unlook'd for, if she comes at all.
But, if the purchase cost so dear a price,
As soothing Fully, or exalting Vice;
And, if the Muse must flatter lawless sway,
And follow still where Fortune leads the way;
Or, if no basis bear my rising name-

But the fall'n ruins of another's fame;

Then, teach me, Heaven, to scorn the guilty bays;
Drive from my breast that wretched lust of praise.
Unblemish'd let me live, or die unknown;
O grant me honest fame, or grant me none.

RULE IV.

Parenthesis, or Words interposed in Sentences,

BLAIR.

The matter, contained in a parenthesis, should be pronounced in a pitch of voice different from the rest of the sentence, generally lower and quicker; a short pause should be made at the beginning and end of it.

EXAMPLES.

If envious people were to ask themselves, whether they would exchange their entire situations with the persons envied, (I mean their minds, passions, notions, as well as their persons, fortunes, dignities, &c.)-I presume the selflove, common to all human nature, would generally make them prefer their own condition.

Let us (since life can little more supply
Than just to look about us and to die)
Expatiste free o'er all this scene of man;
A mighty maze but not without a plan.

RULE V.

Interrogation, or Questioning.

In pronouncing questions, care should be taken to give them the tone peculiar to them, and to raise or sink the voice naturally at the conclusion. The following rule will generally be found proper. When a question is introduced as governed by a verb, the voice should rise at the close; other case, it should fall.

in any

EXAMPLES.

A certain pasenger, at sea, had the curiosity to ask the pilot of the vessel, what death his father died of. What leath said the pilot; why he perished at sea, as my grandfather did before him. And are you not afraid of trusting yourself to an element that has proved thus fatal to your family? Afraid! by no means: Is not your father dead? Yes; but he died in his bed : And why, then, returned the pilot, are you not afraid of trusting yourself to your ked?

What is the bloomiag tincture of the skin,
To peace of mind and harmony within?
What the bright sparkling of the finest eye,
To the soft soothing of a calm reply?
Can comeliness of form, or shape, or air,
With comeliness of words or deeds compare?
No:-those, at first, th' unwary heart may gain;

But these, these only, can the heart retain.

RULE VI.

Climax, or gradual Increase of Sense or Passion.

In a climax, or gradual increase of sense or passion, there should be a corresponding increase of emphasis and animation.

EXAMPLES.

Consult your whole nature. Consider yourselves not only as sensitive but as rational beings; not only as rational, but cil; not only as social, but immortal.

A

SELECTION OF LESSONS

IN THE VARIOUS KINDS OF

PROSE.

TH

HE manner of reading is as important as the matter. In order to talk well, we must learn first to hear. A clear conscience is better than a clear estate.

A good man has nothing to fear; a bad man every thing. A good man gets good out of evil : a wicked man turns good to evil.

II. You had better find out one of your own weaknesses, than ten of your neighbour's.

Obedience is the great lesson to be taught children.

To a man of business, knowledge is an ornament; to a studious man, action is a relief.

Love your fellow creatures, though vicious. Hate vice in the friend you love the most.

HE who knows the world will not be too bashful.
He who knows himself will not be impudent.

No man is so foolish but he may give good counsel sometimes: no man is so wise but he may err, if he take no counsel but his own.

Never suffer your courage to be fierce, your resolution obstinate, your wisdom cunning, nor your patience sullen. II. It is as great a point of wisdom to hide ignorance, as to discover knowledge.

Philosophy is then only valuable, when it serves for the law of life, and not for the ostentation of science.

Wit, without humanity, degenerates into bitterness : learning, without prudence, into pedantry.

Never offer advice, but where there is some probability of its being followed.

OUR good or bad fortune depends greatly on the choice we make of our friends.

Never argue with any but men of sense and temper.

In mixed companies, be more ready to hear than to speak, and put people upon talking of what is in their own way: For then you will both oblige them, and be most likely to improve by their conversation.

Men repent ten times for speaking, for once that they repent keeping silence.

II. No revenge is more heroick, than that which torments envy by doing good.

Let your conduct-be the result of deliberation, never of impatience.

No preacher is so successful as time. It gives a turn of thought to the aged, which it was impossible to inspire while they were young.

He that lies in bed all a summer's morning loses the chief pleasure of the day : he that gives up his youth to indolence, undergoes a loss of the same kind.

THE modest man is seldom the object of envy.

If you have a friend that will reprove your faults and foibles, consider that you enjoy a blessing, which the king upon the throne cannot have.

If you would teach secresy to others, begin with yourself. How can you expect another will keep your secret, when you yourself cannot?

Man is the only being endowed with the power of laugh. ter, and perhaps he is the only one that deserves to be laughed at.

II. If you must speak upon a difficult point, be the last speaker if you can.

Praise your friends, and let your friends praise you.

Do not endeavour to shine in all companies. Leave room for your hearers to imagine something within you beyond all you have said. And remember the more you are praised, the more you will be envied.

P