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RULE II. Every inverted period consists of two principal constructive parts, between which parts the greater pause must be inserted; these parts divide at that point where the latter part of the sentence begins to modify the former: in periods of this kind, the latter conjunction only is expressed, as in the example: Every one that speaks and reasons is a grammarian, and a logi cian, though he may be utterly unacquainted with the rules of grammar, or logic, as they are delivered in books and systems. If we invert this period, we shall find it susceptible of the two correspondent conjunctions though and yet; as, Though utterly unacquainted with the rules of grammar and logic, as delivered in books and systems, yet every man who speaks and reasons is a grammarian, and a logician. This inversion of the order of a sentence, is, perhaps, the best criterion of the connexion of its parts; and proves that the former, though forming complete sense of itself, is modified by the latter. Thus, in the phrases, Christ died for him, because he died for all.-Many things are believed, though they exceed the capacity of our wits. HOOKER.

In these phrases, if we do but transpose the noun and pronoun, and invert the order, the sentences will be perfectly the same in sense, and the connexion will be more apparent; as, Because Christ died for all, he died for him.Though many things exceed the capacity of our wits, they are believed.

Wherever, therefore, this transposition can take place, we may be certain of a necessary connexion in the sense, and that the principal pause lies between the two parts.

The principal Pause in the loose Sentence.

RULE III. Every loose sentence must consist of a period, either direct or inverted, and an additional member which does not modify it; and, consequently, this species of sentence requires a pause between the principal constructive parts of the period, and between the period and the additional member.

EXAMPLE.

Persons of good taste expect to be pleased, at the same time they are informed; and think that the best sense always de serves the best language.

In this sentence an inverted period is constructed at the word informed; which requires a pause at pleased, because here the former part of the sentence is modified by the latter; and a pause is required at informed, because here another member commences. Let us take another example.

The soul, considered abstractedly from its passions, is of a Temiss and sedentary nature; slow in its resolves, and languishing in its executions. Spectator, N° 255.

Here a direct period is formed at nature, the principal constructive parts of this period separate at passions; and here must be the larger pause: the succeeding members are only additional, and require a larger pause between them and the period they belong to, and a smaller pause between each other at resolves.

The subordinate Pause in the compact Sentence. HAVING given an idea of the principal pause in a sentence, it will be necessary to say some

thing of the subordinate pauses, which

may all

be comprehended under what is called the short pause.

And first it may be observed, that by the long pause is not meant a pause of any determinate length, but the longest pause in the sentence. Thus, the pause between the nominative and the verb in the following sentence:

The great and invincible Alexander, wept for the fate of Darius.

The pause here, I'say, may be called the long pause, though not half so long as the pause between the two principal constructive parts in the following sentence:

If impudence prevailed as much in the Forum and courts of justice, as insolence does in the country and places of less resort; Aulus Cæcina would submit as much to the impudence of Sextus Ebutius in this cause, as he did before to his insolence when assaulted by him.

Here the pause between the words resort and Aulus Cæcina may be called the long pause, not so much from its duration, as from its being the principal pause in the sentence: the long pause, therefore, must always be understood relatively to the smaller pauses: and it may pass for a good general rule, that the principal pause is longer, or shorter, according to the simplicity or complexity of the sentence. See page 47.

RULE IV. The subordinate pauses are easily distinguished in such sentences as consist of parts corresponding to parts, as in the last example; where we may observe, that the whole sentence readily divides itself into two principal constructive parts at resort: the first part as

readily divides into two subordinate parts at jus tice; and the last, into two other subordinate parts at cause; and these are all the pauses necessary. But if, either from the necessity of drawing breath, or of more strongly enforcing every part of this sentence, we were to admit of more pauses than these, it cannot be denied, that, for this purpose, some places more readily admit of a pause than others: if, for instance, the first subordinate part were to admit of two pauses, they could no where be so suitably placed as at impudence and Forum; if the next might be over-pointed in the same manner, the points would be less unsuitable at does and country than at any other words; in the same manner, a pause might be more tolerable at Cecina and Ebutius, and at before and insolence, than in any other of the subordinate parts of the latter division of this sentence.

The parts of loose sentences which admit of the short pause must be determined by the same principles. If this sentence has been properly defined, it is a sentence consisting of a clause containing perfect sense, followed by an additional clause which does not modify it. Thus, in the following example:

Foolish men are more apt to consider what they have lost, than what they possess; and to turn their eyes on those who are richer than themselves, rather than on those who are under greater difficulties.

Here a perfect sentence is formed at possess, and here must be the longest pause, as it intervenes between two parts nearly independent: the principal pause in the first member of this sentence, which, respecting the whole sentence, may be called a subordinate pause, is at lost,

and that of the last member at themselves; if, for the sake of precision, other and shorter pauses were admitted, it should seem most suitable to admit them at men and consider in the first member, at eyes and those in the first part of the second member, and at those in the last. In these observations, however, it must be carefully understood, that this multiplicity of shorter pauses is not recommended as necessary or proper, but only as possible, and to be admitted occasionally and to draw the line as much as possible between what is necessary and unnecessary, we shall endeavour to bring together such particular cases as demand the short pause, and those where it cannot be omitted without hurting either the sense or the delivery.

RULE V. When a nominative consists of more than one word, it is necessary to pause after it.

When a nominative and a verb come in a sentence, unattended by adjuncts, no pause is necessary, either for the ear or understanding; thus in the following sentence: Alexander wept :-no pause intervenes between these words, because they convey only two ideas, which are appre hended the moment they are pronounced; but if these words are amplified by adjuncts of specification, as in the following sentence: The great and invincible Alexander, wept for the fate of Darius. Here a pause is necessary between these words, not only that the organs may pronounce the whole with more ease, but that the complex nominative and verb may, by being se

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