For selections containing additional examples of Aspirated, see Elocutionist's Annual, No. 3, page 126; No. 2, page 117; No. 4, page 163.

EXAMPLES IN FALSETTO QUALITY.

1. I beg your pardon, I thought my father was-or might be-dear me, how very awkward! I never knew anything happen so cross. I am very sorry I intruded. If I hadn't thought my father was here, I would n't, upon any account, have-it is very provoking-must look very strange! -Dickens.

2. "O Ephraim!" said she, the tears rolling down her cheeks and the smiles coursing up. 'Why, what is it, Aramathea?" said the astonished Mr. Jones, smartly rubbing his head where it had come in contact with the lounge. Baby!" she gasped. Mr. Jones turned pale and commenced to sweat. 66 Baby!" "0, 0, 0, Ephraim! Baby has-baby has got a little toothey, oh! oh!"

-Danbury News Man.

3. And from the crowd beneath, in accents wild, A mother screams, "O God! my child! my child! -George M. Baker.

4. Will the New Year come to-night, mamma? I'm tired of

waiting so,

My stocking hung by the chimney side full three long

days ago.

I run to peep within the door, by morning's early light, 'Tis empty still-Oh, say, mamma, will New Year come -Cora M. Eager.

to-night?

5. Yes, it is worth talking of! But that's how you always try to put me down. You fly into a rage, and then, if I only try to speak, you won't hear me. That's how you men always will have all the talk to yourselves: a poor woman is n't allowed to get a word in.-Douglas Jerrold.

For selections containing additional examples of Falsetto, sce Elocutionist's Annual, No. 1, page 96; No. 2, page 46; No. 5, page 89; No. 5, page 96.

ARTICULATION.

Articulation consists in a correct and distinct utterance of the elementary sounds in syllables and words. In nearly all of the many definitions given by lexicographers and elocutionists, the prevailing idea has been distinctness. While this idea is a proper one, it is possible to be distinct and yet not correct, in which case the very distinctness makes the incorrectness more apparent. In the process of articulation the organs of speech constitute what may be termed a set of moulds, capable of changing position at will, and any imperfection in the moulds, or in their arrangement, will produce a corresponding imperfection in the utterance.

In articulation as in morals, we have to answer for sins of omission as well as of commission. Our articulation is faulty not simply in the incorrect sounds we make, but also in the correct sounds we too frequently suppress. The ear should be trained to distinguish the finer shades of difference in sounds, and the organs of speech should be carefully and persistently drilled until they are able to produce, promptly and with ease, all the sounds of the language, in all their varied and complex combinations. It is believed that a careful study and practice of the exercises here given will accomplish that result.

As to the importance of Articulation, there can be but one opinion. The distinctness and polish which it gives to speech are quickly recognized, even by those whose usage is a sad reflection upon that importance.

In the strict sense of the term, Articulation would be regarded as a division or department of Pronunciation; but for convenience it will here be given a broader signification, and be made to include some exercises in Pronunciation.

The question is frequently asked, What is the standard of pronunciation? Dr. Worcester says, "The pronunciation of the English language, like that of all living languages, is in a great measure arbitrary. It is exposed to the caprices of fashion and taste. It is liable to change from one age to another; and it varies, more or less, not only in the different and distantly separated countries in which it is spoken, but also in the different divisions and districts of the same country. No two speakers or orthoepists, though inhabitants of the same place, would be likely to agree in the pronunciation of all its words. The standard of pronunciation is not the authority of any dictionary, or of any orthcepist; but it is the present usage of literary and well-bred society." He then proceeds to show that the usage of the best society in London is entitled to far more consideration than that of any other city, but adds, in the next sentence, that the usage of the best society in the place or district in which one resides is not to be disregarded. While the latter suggestion might prove a convenience to many, it must be accepted with great caution. There are many districts in this country, as well as in England, which can scarcely boast of much "best society." Even in places claiming men eminent in many departments of learning, the utter recklessness and disregard of the proper forms of spoken language which so generally prevail, would render the pronunciation of such men wholly unworthy as models. Not long since, a student remarked, in justification of his pronunciation, "Our pastor pronounces c-a-l m, căm, and he is a very intelligent man." The argument is a very common, though not a very safe, one.

With all due deference to Dr. Worcester's remark that the authority of any dictionary is not the standard of pronunciation, we believe that very few persons in America,

It

search beyond Webster and Worcester for their models.
is the business of the dictionary to present the best usage of
the best society, whether it be that of London, Boston, or any
other city. The revisions of the dictionary should and do
keep pace with the progress and changes of language.
While some person must be first, and some other person
last, in this process of change, yet Pope's rule in regard to
new words may be fitly applied here:

In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold;
Alike fantastic, if too new or old;

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

The question is frequently asked, Which is preferred, Webster or Worcester? Much has been written, and a great deal of time wasted in the attempt to prove the superiority of one to the other. The extent to which Webster is used is the very strongest indorsement in itself; and when, with that, we couple the testimony of the best scholars in this country and in England, it seems like pedantry, or bigotry to say he is unworthy of recognition as a standard. The extent to which Worcester is used is also the very strongest indorsement; and when we find him to be approved by men equally renowned, we must recognize him as equally high authority. The truth is, they differ less widely than many persons suppose; and when they differ, we have the advantage of a choice of pronunciation. When Webster says eglantine or eglantine, and Worcester says eglantine or eglantine, they agree, not only in recognizing the two forms, but also in showing their preference for the first. If our respect for their common preference be our controlling motive, we will pronounce the word eglantine. But if our. pastor, or our doctor, or the judge of our county court, or the "best society" in which we move, uses the second form, and our desire to conform to such usage is greater than our respect for the joint preference of Webster and Worcester, we have the fullest freedom to use the second form.

When these lexicographers give two forms each of pronouncing the same word, they frequently reverse the order, thus differing in their preference, and, it is to be hoped, for other reasons than to differ. When Webster says sliver or sliver, and Worcester says sliver or sliver, we may have one of several motives to govern our choice. We may take the preferred form of our preferred authority; we may be governed by home usage or our best society; or we may call in Smart or some other eminent English orthoepist to act as umpire.

When Webster gives two forms and Worcester gives but one, or vice versa, if the one form agrees with either of the two forms of the other authority, as in most instances it will, then the weight of authority would seem to be in favor of the form which they give in common. Yet if home usage is in harmony with the other form, that usage may assert its privilege even to the exclusion of the other authority. If Webster says vase (pronounced vace) and Worcester says vase (pronounced vaze) or vase, the weight of authority seems to be in favor of vase (pronounced vace) yet home usage, or a third orthoepist, may decide otherwise.

If Webster says cem'-ent or ce-ment', and Worcester says cèm'-ent, the case is clearer, for Worcester's only form agrees with Webster's preferred form; yet even here, home usage, or a third orthoepist, or both combined, may decide in favor of ce-ment'. When Webster says somber and Worcester sombre, we are compelled to make a choice, and will make it, doubtless, by some of the methods already suggested.

Most persons use but one dictionary, and will, therefore, follow the dictum of that one, but in these days of cheap books and close attention to forms of pronunciation, it would be well to have not only a quarto edition of one of our standard lexicographers, but also one of the better abridged editions of the other. This is necessary, not so much to assure ourselves that we are right, for we may be right by the use of one dictionary, but rather to be assured that our neighbor is not wrong. In our study of pronunciation,