CIRCUMFLEX INFLECTIONS. In the Circumflex Inflections there is a significant twisting of the voice upwards, and then downwards, upon the same syllable; or downwards, and then upwards, as the case may be. The Rising Circumflex usually expresses bitter irony, and the Falling, intense reproach. Monotone implies a continued sameness of sound on successive syllables or words. Though such a tone must be disagreeable to the ear, yet when it is judiciously employed, as in solemn, sublime, or terrific passages, it has a most powerful and subduing effect. To EXAMPLES. High on a throne of royal state, which far Who would fardels bear, groan and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death- Hark, fellows! Instruments of my guilt, listen to my punishment! Methought I wandered through the low-browed caverns, where repose the relics of my ancestors. My eye dwelt with awe on their tombs, with disgust on mortality's surrounding emblems! Suddenly a female form glided along the vault: it was Angela! She smiled upon me. and beckoned me to advance. I flew towards her; my arms were already unclosed to clasp her, when suddenly her figure changed-her face grew pale-a stream of blood gushed from her bosom. 'Twas Evelina! OF THE SERIES AND ITS VARIETIES. In works of this kind the word SERIES denotes a number of single words, or members of sentences, following each other in regular order. When a series consists of single words it is called a SIMPLE SERIES. When a series consists of two or more words, or members of sentences, it is called a COMPOUND SERIES. When a series begins a sentence, but does not end it, it is called a COMMENCING SERIES. When a series ends a sentence, whether it begins it or not, it is called a CONCLUDING SERIES. Rules for the inflection of the simple series, both commencing and concluding, will be found in the following table. For example, if a commencing series consists of two members, the first should have the falling, and the second the rising inflection; if it consists of three members, the two first should have the falling, and the last the rising inflection, and so on. Again, if a concluding series consists of two members, the first should have the rising, and the second the falling inflection, and so on, according to the number of the members.* * From what has been said, it is obvious that we do not regard these or any similar rules-as of any great utility. It should be observed, too, that many of the sentences in illustration of them are very artificial in their construction, and, therefore, very objectionable as specimens of composition. They will serve, however, as excellent exercises in reading and MODULATION; and from the beauty of the sentiment, or the importance of the precept, they are, generally speaking, worthy of being impressed upon the young mind. SIMPLE COMMENCING SERIES. 2.* Dependence' and obedience' belong to youth. 3 The young, the healthy`, and the prosperous' should not presume on their advantages. 4. Humanity', justice`, generosity', and public spirit', are the qualities most useful to others. 5. Distrust', hatred, discords', seditions, and wars,' are produced by ambition. 6. Desire', aversion', rage, love, hope, and fear', are drawn in miniature upon the stage. 7. Sophocles', Euripides', Pindar', Thucydides, Demosthenes', Phidias', and Apelles', were the contemporaries of Socrates or of Plato. 8. Supplication, entreaty', applause', despair', adoration, threatening, impatience, and exultation', are all expressed by the posture and movement of the hands. 9. Joy', grief, fear', anger', pity', scorn', hate', jealousy, and love are constantly operating upon the human mind. 10. Next, then, you authors, be not you severe; Why, what a swarm of scribblers have we here! One, two, three, four', five', six', seven`, eight`, nine`, ten', SIMPLE CONCLUDING SERIES. 2. Improvidence is the parent of poverty' and dependence'. 3. Industry is the law of our being; it is the demand of nature', of reason', and of God'. 4. Fear not, ye righteous, amidst the distresses of life. You have an Almighty Friend continually at hand, to pity', to support', to defend', and to relieve' you. * The figure preceding each example denotes the number of the members. See the table for the rule in each case. These rules, however, are of no use in practice. 5. The characteristics of chivalry were valour', humanity', courtesy, justice', and honour`. 6. Mankind are besieged by war`, famine`, pestilence', volcano', storm', and fire'. 7. O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp, Rocks, caves, lakes', fens', bogs', dens', and shades of death'. 8. In the same common mass are blended together, men', women`, friends, enemies, priests', soldiers', monks', and prebendaries. 9. The fruit of the Spirit is love', joy', peace, long-suffering', gentleness, goodness', faith', meekness', temperance. 10. Mr. Locke's definition of wit, with this short explication, comprehends most of the species of wit, as metaphors', enigmas', mottoes parables, fables, dreams, visions', dramatic writings', burlesque', and all the methods of allusion'. COMPOUND COMMENCING SERIES. RULE. In a compound commencing series every member, except the last, should end with the falling inflection. 2. Common calamities', and common blessings' fall heavily upon the envious. 3. To advise the ignorant, relieve the needy', and comfort the afflicted' are duties which fall in our way every day of our lives. 4. Our disordered hearts, our guilty passions', our violent prejudices', and our misplaced desires' are the instruments of the troubles which we endure. 5. The verdant lawn', the shady grove', the variegated landscape`, the boundless ocean', and the starry firmament' are contemplated with pleasure by every beholder. 6. The blameless life, the artless tenderness, the native simplicity`, the modest resignation, the patient sickness, and the quiet death' are remembered only to add value to the loss of our friends, to aggravate regret for what cannot be amended, to deepen sorrow for what cannot be recalled. 7. A contemplation of God's works', a voluntary act of justice to our own detriment, a generous concern for the good of mankind', tears shed in silence for the misery of others', a private desire of resentment broken and subdued', an unfeigned exercise of humility, or of any other virtue, are such actions as denominate men great and reputable. 8. To acquire a thorough knowledge of our own hearts and characters, to restrain every irregular inclination', to subdue every rebellious passion, to purify the motives of our conduct, to form ourselves to that temperance which no pleasure can seduce`, to that meekness which no provocation can ruffle, to that patience which no affliction can overwhelm, and that integrity which no interest can shake'; this is the task which is assigned to us-a task which cannot be performed without the utmost diligence and care. 8. Nature has laid out all her art in beautifying the face'; she has touched it with vermilion`; placed in it a double row of ivory'; made it the seat of smiles and blushes'; lighted 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. 9. Absalom's beauty, Jonathan's love', David's valour', Solomon's wisdom', the patience of Job`, the prudence of Augustus`, the eloquence of Cicero', the innocence of wisdom, and the intelligence of all', though faintly amiable in the creature, are found in immense perfection in the Creator. 10. The beauty of a plain, the greatness of a mountain, the ornaments of a building, the expression of a picture`, the composition of a discourse, the conduct of a third person', the proportions of different quantities and numbers', the various appearances which the great machine of the universe is perpetually exhibiting, the secret springs and wheels that produce them, all the several subjects of science and taste', are what we and our companions regard as having no peculiar relation to any of us. COMPOUND CONCLUDING SERIES. RULE. In a compound concluding series every member, except the last but one, should end with the falling inflection. 2. Nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen the constitution than moderate exercise' and habitual temperance'. 3. When myriads and myriads of ages have elapsed, the righteous shall still have a blessed eternity before them; still continue brightening in holiness', increasing in happiness', and rising in glory'. 4. Sincerity is to speak as we think, to do as we pretend and profess, to perform and make good what we promise', and really to be what we would seem and appear to be. 5. Though we seem grieved at the shortness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be of age', then to be a man of business', then to make up an estate', then to arrive at honours', then to retire`. 9 6. There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. It eases and unloads the mind', clears and improves the understanding', engenders thoughts and knowledge', animates virtue and good resolutions, soothes and allays the passions', and finds employment for most of the vacant hours of life`. 7. A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly', takes all patiently`, defends resolutely', and continues a friend unchangeably. 8. Should the greater part of people sit down and draw up a particular account of their time, what a shameful bill it would be! So much in eating, drinking, and sleeping, beyond what nature requires`: so much in revelling and wantonness; so much for the recovery of last night's intemperance'; so much in gaming, plays, and masquerades`; 80 much in paying and receiving formal and impertinent visits; so much in idle and foolish prating; so much in censuring and reviling of |