questions, it is not easy for the reader to go wrong, and it requires very little training to read out a question in a lively and intelligent way. In the case of assertions, which require the falling inflection, the great danger for the reader is that of falling into a sing-song, with a dull monotonous slide-down at the end. Nothing is more unpleasant than to hear sentence after sentence delivered in this way. The chief and almost the only corrective is to make the reader speak the sentence, without the book, and as if it were his own; and, if that is not sufficient, to make a sentence for him of the same build and character, but on a more familiar subject, and give him that to speak. The following exercises have been constructed with the view of training the pupil to an easy and natural delivery of another person's sense; and it is believed that, if the sentences in these exercises are fully mastered, the pupil will be able to read aloud sentences of the highest degree of complication in an easy, intelligent, and intelligible manner. The clearest possible articulation must be demanded from the pupil; the pauses must be attended to; and the sentences must be spoken well out. At first, even a pompous utterance and ceremonious style, provided always it be clear and distinct, may be encouraged. This can very soon be toned down, and will of itself disappear, as the interest of the pupil grows in the meaning and in the feeling of what he reads. No one manner must be allowed to predominate, lest it grow into a mannerism. I. LEVEL AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENT. As nine-tenths of all statements are of this character, copious exercises have been given. The chief qualities to be required in the reading are (1) clear articulation, (2) right emphasis, and (3) proper pauses. The reading of each statement may be prefaced by three questions: (a) Is there any emphatic word in this sentence? and if so, what is it ? (b) Is this sentence prose or verse? (c) Where should the pause or pauses come? Most of the sentences given are in verse; if a child can read verse rightly and feelingly, almost any prose whatever will be easy to 6. 7. 8. 9. from land to land.2 The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink. Her eyes are wild, her head is bare. 3 So all day long the noise of battle rolled 11. 12. 13. 14. Yet tears to human suffering are due.1 A traveller came to the well of St. Keyne. The ancient spirit is not dead." All good men were joyful on that day.5 This Tarquin was a great and mighty king." 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. And he drank of the cup 24. 25. 26. 27. Myself, well mounted, hardly have escaped. and died.8 28. 29. 30. And King Offa reigned thirty-nine winters. So weary bees in little cells repose. The third of April died your noble mother. What he hath won, that hath he fortified. 31. The man that hath done this thing shall surely die. 32. Amber, science declares,10 is a kind of petrified resin, distilled by pines that were dead before the days of Adam; which is now thrown up, in stormy weather, on that remote coast. 33. A tight house, warm apparel, and wholesome food, are sufficient motives to labour.11 34. The end of government is the good of mankind. 35. That he had resolved to take command of the army in Irewas soon rumoured all over London. land 36. 37. Arise, go forth, and conquer as of old. And whiter than the mist that all day long was the king. 38. 39. AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENTS. I heard the ripple washing in the reeds, And the wild water lapping on the crag. A doubtful throne is ice on summer seas.1 40. And his words fell soft upon the ear 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 37 as snow upon the ground." public haunt, in the running brooks, in everything.3 And this our life, exempt from play; 4 must sleep : They also serve who only stand and wait.5 No towers along the steep; Her march is o'er the mountain waves, The night winds sigh, the breakers roar, 46. They could take their rest, for they knew Lord Stratford watched. Him they feared, him they trusted, him they obeyed. 47. 48. Alone, alone, all all alone, Deep in the shady sadness of a vale, Far sunken from the healthy breath of morn, as a stone.8 48a. Full of spirit, and high in hope, we set out of life. on the journey 49. 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, not greater indeed than the object deserves, but greater than the generality of men are willing to bestow. 50. The wages of sin is death.9 51. Blessing she is; God made her so; 52. Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature, God's image; but he who destroys a good book kills reason itself, kills the image of God, as it were, in the eye.-MILTON. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. The gloomiest day hath gleams of light; No stir in the air, nō stir in the sea, But now And feel the freshness of the following breeze The rough green way to glory and sweet peace. The church is decked with holly, 58. We have often thought that the public mind in this country resembles the motion of the sea when the tide is rising. Each successive wave rushes forward, breaks, and rolls back; but the great flood is steadily coming on." 59. 60. Much must be borne which it is hard to bear; And pleased with favours given— |