and may be exemplified by the drawling tone we hear on the word you, in Hamlet's answer to his mother, who says Queen. Hamlet, you have your father much offended. Λ Hamlet. Madam, you have my father much offended. Both these circumflex inflections may be exemplified in thus Λ -If V you said so then I said so SOME OF THE RULES FOR THE INFLECTIONS. Rule 1. The rising inflection should be made when a question is asked beginning with a verb, as, Did you hear? Is the king dead? Rule 2. The rising inflection should be made between the nominative and the verb, as, Adversity is the parent of piety. Rule 3. The rising inflection should be made at a pause in a sen. tence, where the sense is not completed, as, Whatever your hands find to do, that do with your might Rule 4. In a sentence, where the two principal parts depend on each other for sense, the voice slides up where the sense or where the meaning begins to be formed, as, At the same time that I think discretion the most useful talent a man can be master of, I look upon cunning to be the accomplishment of little, mean and ungenerous minds. SEVENTEENTH LESSON. Rule 5. The rising inflection takes place between the parts of a sentence connected by corresponding conjunctions, adverbs, the subjunctive mode, and the comparative degree, as, As trees and plants necessarily arise from seeds, so are you, Anthony, the seed of this most calamitous war. We may as well be refreshed with a clear and brisk dis course, as by the air of Campanian wines. If there were no cowardice, there would be little insolence. When you have leisure, attend to the improvement of your mind. It is more blessed to give, than to receive Rule 6. The rising inflection takes place between the parts of a sentence introduced by participles, adjectives, infinitives and prepositions, as, Conquered and enslaved, it is not boldness, but necessity, that urges to battle. Awkward in his person and ungainly in his manners, James was ill qualified to command respect. To say the least, they have betrayed great want of candor. In the ruffled and angry hour, we view every appearance through a false medium. Rule 7. The rising inflection takes place before a relative, where it modifies or limits the antecedent, as, No man ever attained lasting fame, who did not, on several occasions, contradict the prejudices of popular applause. Rule 8. The rising inflection takes place when we address, invite, petition, or request, as, Gentlemen, allow me to lay before you the object of my mission, which I will do as briefly as possible. Rule 9. The rising inflection takes place in negative sentences, as, The rising inflection takes place between the parts of an antithesis or between sentences in opposition to each other, as, Philosophy makes us wiser, Christianity makes us better men. Rule 11. Where interrogative sentences are connected by the disjunctive, or, the first ends with the rising, the rest with the falling inflection, as, Shall we crown the author of the public calamities, or shall we destroy him? Rule 12. The rising inflection takes place on the repeating word or thought, as, Can Parliament be so dead to its dignity and duty, as to give its sanction to measures thus obtruded and forced upon us? Measures, my Lords, which have reduced this late flourishing kingdom to scorn and contempt! NOTE.-Series denotes an enumeration of particulars. If the enumeration consists of single words, it is called a simple series; when it consists of several words, it is called a compound series. When the sense requires that there should be a rising slide on the last particular, the series is called the commencing series; and when the sense requires the falling slide on the last particular, it is called the concluding series. Rule 13. The rising inflection is made on the last particular of a commencing series; and on the last but one in a concluding series. Rule 14. The falling inflection takes place on all the particulars but the last in a commencing series, and on all but the last but one in a concluding series. (Commencing Series.) To advise the ignorant, relieve the needy, comfort the afflicted, are duties that fall in our way almost every day in our lives. (Concluding Series.) Nature has laid out all her art in beautifying the face; she has touched it with vermilion, planted in it a row of ivory, made it the seat of smiles and blushes, lighted it up and enlivened it with the brightness of the eyes, hung it on each side with curious organs of sense, given it airs and graces that cannot be described, and surrounded it with such a flowing shade of hair, as sets all its beauties in the most agreeable light. Rule 15. The falling inflection takes place when the sense is finished, when an affirmation is made, or a command is given, as, Nothing valuable can be gained without labor. Charge, Chester! charge! On, Stanley! on! Rule 16. The falling inflection takes place at the end of questions beginning with interrogative pronouns or adverbs, as, What is your name? Who comes here? When shall you go? Rule 17. The falling inflection takes place on a clause which makes perfect sense of itself, followed by a clause which merely illustrates or gives something additional, and not as a consequence of what is in the first clause, as, An elevated genius employed in little things, appears like the sun in his evening declination; he remits his splendor, but retains his magnitude; and pleases more, though he dazzles less. NOTE.-The foregoing are only a part of the general rules which relate to the inflec tions. But they are deemed sufficient for general purposes. It should also be remarked, that any of the general rules of inflections may be varied by emphasis. Λ What tributaries follow him to Rome, To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ? You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! To see great Pompey pass the streets of Rome. And do you now put on your best attire, And do you now cull out a holiday, And do you now strew flowers in his way That comes in triumph over Pompey's blood? Pray to the gods to intermit the plagues That needs must light on this ingratitude. |