ÆäÀÌÁö À̹ÌÁö
PDF
ePub

5

365. WAVES, OR CIRCUMFLEXES OF THE Maxims. 1. The love of sensual pleasure, s VOICE: of these, there are two; which are temporary madness. 2. Sacrifice-can be made called the rising circumflex [v] and the fall-on bad principles; obedience-only on good ones. ing circumflex [^]: they are formed by the and the', and are generally connected with the accented vowels of the emphatic words. Doubt, pity, contrast, grief, supposition, comparison, irony, implication, sneering, railery, scorn, reproach, and contempt, are expressed by them. Be sure and get the right feeling and thought, and you will find no difficulty in expressing them properly, if you have mastered the voice.

366. Exs. of the rising v. 1. I may go to town to-morrow, though I cannot go today. 2. The sun sets in the west, not in the east. 3. He lives in London, not in New York. 4. The desire of praise-produces excellent effects, in men of sense. 5. He is more a knave, than a fool. 6. I see thou hast learn'd to răil, if thou hast learned nothing else. 7. Better to do well late, than něver. 8. A pretty fellow you are, to be sure! 9. In some countries-poverty-is considered a misfortune; in others—a crime. 10. The young-are slaves to novelty; the ôld-to custom.

3. Great cry and little wool; applies to those who promise much, but practice little. 4. Do what you think is right, whatever others may think. Learn to disregard alike, the praise and the censure of bad men. 6. Covet that popularity that follows; not that which must be run after. 7. What sculpture is-to a block of marble, education is to the human mind. 8. He, who is unwilling to amend, has the devil on his side. 9. Extensive, various reading, without reflection, tends to the injury of the mind. 10. Proverbs bear age, and are full of various instruction.

Anecdote. John Randolph's Mother. The late John Randolph, some years before his death, wrote to a friend as follows: "I used to be called a Frenchman, because I took the French side in politics; and though that was unjust, yet the truth is, I should have been a French atheist, if it had not been for one recollection, and that was-the memory of the time, when my departed mother-used to take my little hands in hers, and cause me, on my knees, to say, 'Our Father who art in heaven."

School Teachers. It is important, that teachers of youth, should not only be respected, but respectable persons. They, who are in. trusted with the responsible office of develop.

367. PROMISCUOUS EXAMPLES. 1. A just appreciation of our duties-is worth any sacrifice, that its attainments may cost. 2. Dearly do we sometimes pay for our wis-ing the mind, and directing the affections of dom, but never too dearly. 3. Is not the life the young, ought to be worthy of sharing in of animals dissipated at death? 4. The an- all the social enjoyments of the most refined cients had the art of singing, before that of society; and they ought never to be excluded writing; and their laws and histories were from such participation. Yet it is scandal sung, before they were written. 5. This heav-ously true, in some parts of our country, that enly Benefactor claims-not the homage of our lips, but of our hearts; and who can doubt that he is entitled to the homage of our hearts? 6. If we have no regard to our own character, we ought to have some regard to the character of others. 7. Tell your invaders this; and tell them, too, we seek no change; and least of all-such change as they would bring us.

368. We must avoid a mechanical variety, and adopt a natural one: this may be seen in children, when relating anything that comes from themselves; then, their intonations, melody, and variety, are perfectly natural, and true to the object in view: let us go and sit at their feet and learn, and not be offended. Let us turn our eye and ear, to TRUTH and NATURE; for they will guide their votaries right. Give us the soul of elocution and music, and that will aid in forming the body.

CONFIDENCE, NOT TO BE PLACED IN MAN.

O momentary grace of mortal men,
Which we more hunt for-than the grace of God!
Who builds his hope-in air of your fair looks,
Lives like a drunken sailor-on a mast;
Ready, with every nod, to tumble down-
Into the fate! bowels-of the deep.

teachers, however worthy, are excluded from the houses of the very parents, who send their children to their schools. This is not only contrary to all republican principles, but is in direct opposition to the dictates of common sense. Wherever such a state of things exists, the people are but half civilized, whatever pretensions wealth, and other circumstances afford them.

Varieties. 1. Enter on the performance of your duties, with willing hearts, and never seek to avoid them. 2. The heart-is woman's world; it is there-her ambition strives for the mastery. 3. The object of rec reation is-to soften and refine, not to render ferocious; as is the case with amusement: that brutalize.

4. Is capital punishment right? 5. Who has done the more injuryMahomet, or Constantine? 6. Is tobacconeccssary? 7. Why is the figure of a viper -used to express ingratitude? 8. Is it right to go to war-on any occasion? 9. What is the usual quantity of blood-in a common sized body? About twenty-five or thirty pounds. 10. Is it not singular that Popes translations should be very profuse, and his I original compositions very concise?

A. 1. Who Maxims. 1. A wounded reputation is seldom cured. 2. Conciliatory manners always command esteem. 3. Never deride any one's infirmities. 4. Detraction-is a sin against justice. 5.

369. Exs. of the falling tares for you? 2. He is your friend, is he? 3. You tell me so, do you? 4. If I were to do so, what would you say? 5. It is not prûdence, when I trust my secrets to a man who cannot keep his own. 6. You are a very wise man, strông, brave, peaceable. 7. If you had told me so, perhaps, I should have believed you. 8. Sir, you are a fôôl, and I fear you will remain so.

370. MANNER. What we mean, does

not so much depend on what we say, as how we say it; not so much on our words, as on

Modesty has more charms than beauty. 6. No fear should deter us from doing good. 7. Pin not Your faith to another one's sleeve. 8. Reckless youth-makes rueful age. 9. The example of the rigid examination. 11. Sickness is felt, but not

good is visible philosophy. 10. Truth-never fears

health.

Reason. As the field of true science en

larges, as thought becomes more free, an inour manner of speaking them: accordingly, and searching; a voice louder and still loudquiry upon all subjects becomes more bold in elocution, great attention must necessarily er comes up from the honest and thinking be given to this, as expressive of what our words do not always indicate: thus, na-in religion, as well as in every thing else; men in Christendom, calling for rationality ture—fixes the outward expression of every calling for such principles of biblical interintention and sentiment. Art only adds ease and gracefulness to the promptings of pretation, as shall show the scriptures to be indeed, and in truth, the WORD OF GOD. nature: as nature has ordained, that man Every ray of truth, which has been sent shall walk on his feet, and not on his hands, from heaven-to enlighten and bless manart-teaches him to walk gracefully. kind, has gained admittance into the world test. by patient struggling and persevering con

371. COMBINATION OF THE WAVES. 1.

But you forsooth, are very wise men, deeply learned in the truth; wě, weak, contěmptible, mean persons; but yôu, strông, gallant. 2. Mere hirelings, and time-servers are always opposed to (5) improvements, and (6) originality: so are tyrants-to liberty, and públicanism. 3. WISDOM alone is truly fair; vice, only appears so. 4. How like a fawning publican he looks! 5. How green you are, and frêsh in this old world! 6. Whât! can so young a thorn begin to What prick? 7. Môney-is your suit? should I say to you? Should I not say, Hath a dog money? Is it possible—a cŭr can lend thrêê thousand ducats? 7. They tell us to be moderate; but they, THEYare to revel in profûsion!

Miscellaneous. 1. Can one phenomenon of mind be presented, without being connected with another? if so, how? 2. Reputation-often effects that, which did not belong to one's character. Make a childbelieve that he is considered aimable, by his friends, and he will generally become so. 3. Affection-is the continuous principle of love, -which is spiritual heat; and hence the very vital principle of man. 4. Must not the first possible idea--of any individual, have been the product of the relation--between two states of the mind, in reference to external objects?

Anecdote. Danger of Bad Campany. St. Austin compares the danger of bad comrany-to a nail driven into a post; which, after the first, and second stroke, may be drawn out with little difficulty; but being mce driven up to the head, the pincers can take no hold to draw it out; which can be done only by the destruction of the wood.

Varieties. 1. The words of Seneca, the

virtuous Pagan, put to the blush—many a pagan christian. 2. When Socrates was informed, that the judges had sentenced him to death, he replied," And hath not Nature passed the same sentence on them" 4. There is more eloquence, in the tone of voice, in the looks, and in the gestures of a speaker, than in the choice of his words.

Dear Patience-too, is born of woe,
Patience, that opens the gate
Wherethrough the soul of man must go
Up to each nobler state.

High natures-must be thunder-scar:ed,
With many a searing wrong.

Law, that shocks equity, is reason's murder.
I would not waste my spring of youth,
In idle dalliance; I would plant rich seeds,
To blossom in my manhood, and bear fruit,
When I am old.

Full many a gem-of purest ray serene,

The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear, Full many a flow'r is born-to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air. Beautiful cloud! with folds so soft and fair Swimming-in the pure-quiet air! Thy fleeces, bathed in sunlight, while below,

Thy shadow-o'er the vale moves slow : Where, 'midst their labor, pause the reaper trai As cool it comes-along the grain. Beautiful cloud! I would I were with thee In thy calm way-o'er land and sea: To rest-on thy unrolling skirts, and look On Earth-as on an open book; On streams, that tie her realms, with silver bands And the long ways, that seam her lands, And hear her humming cities, and the sound Of the great ocean-breaking round

occur.

4. Con

Maxims. 1. A faithful friend--it a strong defence. 2. Avoid that which you blams in others. 3. By doing nothing, we learn to do ill fession of a fault, makes half amends for it. 5 Dependence and obedience, necessarily belong to youth. 6. Every art-is best taught by example.

Misfortune is a touchstone of friendship.

9.

Great designs require great consideration. 8. Never sport with pain, or poverty. 10. Put no

faith in tale-bearers.

372. Remember, that Nature abhors monotony, or sameness of sound, as much as she does a vacuum. Hence, give variety in emphasis, inflections, and waves, if they often 1. (3) Happy, (5) happy, (6) hapPy pair! none but the (2) brave! (6) none but the (5) brave; none (8) BUT the brave deserve the fair! 2. (6) What a piece of work-is man! how noble in (5) reasom! how infinite in (6) FACULTIES! in (4) Anecdote. Point of Law Blackstone, form, and (5) moving, how express and (6) admirable! in action, how like an an- speaking of the right of a wife to dower, as gel! in apprehension, (4) how like a Godserts, that if land abide in the husband a single moment, the wife shall be endowed there3. My JUDGMENT-approves this measure, and my whole HEART is in it: all that I of; and he adds, that the doctrine was 6Xhave; (4) all that I am; and all that I tended very far, oy a jury in Wales, where HOPE, in this life, I am now ready here to the father and son were hanged at the same time; but the son was supposed to survive stake upon it; and I leave off as I began; the father, by appearing to struggle the longth't (4) sink or swim; (5) live or die; er; whereby he became seized of an estate survive or (6) PERISH,-I am for the DECLA by survivorship; in consequence of which RATION. It is my living sentiment, and (2) seizure, his wife-obtained a verdict for her by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying dower." sentiment: (5) Independence -- (6) nów and Independence (9) FOREVER!

373. EFFECT. What is the use of reading, speaking, and singing, if the proper effect is not produced? If the singing in our church choirs, and the reading and speaking in the desk and pulpit, were what they ought to be, and what they may be, the house of God would be more thronged than theatres ever have been. Oh! when will the best of truths be delivered in the best of manners? May the stars of elocution and music, be more numerous than the stars of heaven!

Because I cannot flatter, and speak fair,
Smile in man's face, smooth, deceive and coy,
Deck with French words, and apish courtesy,
I must be held-a rancorous ênemy.
Cannot a plain man live, and think no harm,
But thus his simple truth-must be abused,
By silken, sly, insinuating Jacks!
Tho' plunged in ills, and exercised in care,
Yet, never let the noble mind despair:
When prest by dangers, and beset by foes,

Heaven its timely succour doth interpose, [grief,)
And, (when our virtue sinks, o'erwhelmed with
By unforeseen expedients-brings relief.

If there's a sin-more deeply black than others,
Distinguished from the list of common crimes,
And legion-in itself, and doubly dear
To the dark prince of hell-it is hypocrisy.

Ye gentle gales, beneath my body blow,
And softly lay me-on the waves below.
Wisdom-took up her harp, and stood in place
Of frequent concourse-stood in every gate,
By every way, and walked in every street,
And, lifting up her voice, proclaimed: Be wise,
Ye fools! be of an understanding heart.
Forsake the wicked: come not near his house:
Pass by: make haste: depart, and turn away.
Me follow-me, whose ways are pleasantness,
Whose paths are peace, whose end is perfect joy.

Riches and Talent. Nothing is more common than to see station and riches-proferred to talent and goodness; and yet few things are more absurd. The peculiar superiority of talent and goodness-over station and riches, may be seen from hence ;-that the influence of the former-will always be the greatest, in that government, which is the purest; while that of the latter-will always be the greatest-in the government that is the most corrupt: so that from the preponderance of the one, we may infer the soundness and vigor of the commonwealth; but from the other, its dotage and degeneracy.

Varieties. 1. Indolence and indecision, tho' not vices in themselves, generally prepare the way for much sin and misery. 2 If the mind be properly cultivated, it will produce a storehouse of precious fruits; but if neglected, it will be overrun with noxious weeds and poisonous plants. 3. A kind benefactor-makes one happy-as soon as he

can, and as much as he can. 4. The only
sure basis of every government, is in the of
fection of a people, rendered contented, and
happy, by the justness and mildness, with
which they are ruled. 5. As moisture is re-
quired to the formation of every seed, so natu-
ral truth-to the formation of first principles
They whom

Nature's works can charm, with God himself
Hold converse! grow familiar, day by day,
With His conceptions, act upon His plan,
And form to His-the relish of their souls.
Our present acts, tho' slightly we pass them by
Are so much seed-sown for Eternity.

The devil can cite scripture for his purpose

An evil soul, producing holy wttness,

le like a villain with a smiling cheek;

A goodly apple, rotten at the heart;

3, what a goodly outside-falsehood hath!

374. As the principles of elocution are Proverbs. 1. Forbearances requisite in few and simple, and as practice alone makes youth, in middle age, and in old age. 2. Peculiar. perfect, there are all kinds of examples pro-ities-are easily acquired; but it is very difficult to vided for those, who are determined to de- eradicate them. 3. Good principles are of no use velop their minds through their bodies, and become all that God and nature-intended them to be. As the ear is most intimately connected with the affections-the motivepower of the intellect, it is absolutely necessary that the student should exercise aloud, that the voice and ear, as well as the thoughts and feelings, may be cultivated in harmony and correspondence. If, then, he finds the task severe, let him persevere, and never mind it.

to us, unless we are governed by them. 4. Coquetry-is the vice of a small mind. 5. Pure metals--shine brighter, the more they are rubbed. 6. Pride-lives on very costly food,-its keeper's happiness. 7. Extremes - are generally hurtful, for they often expose us to damage, or render us ridiculous. 8. In the days of affluence, always think of poverty. 9. Never let want come upon you, and make you remember the days of plenty. 10. No one can become a good reader or speaker, in a few weeks, or a few months.

375. EXAMPLES. 1. The queen of DenWoman. I have always observed, says mark, in reproving her son, Hamlet, on ac- Ledyard, that women, in all countries, are count of his conduct towards his step-father, civil, obliging, tender, and humane; that whom she married, shortly after the murder they are inclined to be gay and cheerful, timof the king, her husband, says to him, "Ham- orous and modest, and that they do not, like let, you have your father much offended." man, hesitate to perform a generous action. To which he replies, with a circumflex on Not haughty, arrogant, or supercilious, they you, "Madam, (3) you-have my father are full of courtesy, and fond of society; more much offended." He meant his own father: liable, in general, to err than man, but in she-his step-father; he would also intimate, general, also, more virtuous, and performing that she was accessory to his father's mur-whether civilized or savage, I never addressmore good actions than he. To a woman, der; and his peculiar reply, was like daggers ed myself in the language of decency and in her soul. 2. In the following reply of friendship, without receiving a decent and Death to Satan, there is a frequent occurrence friendly answer. With man it has been often of circumflexes, mingled with contempt: otherwise. In wandering through the barren "And reckon'st thou thyself with spirits of plains of inhospitable Denmark; thro' honheaven, hell-doomed, and breath'st defiance est Sweden, and trozen Lapland, rude and here, and scorn, where I reign king? and, churlish Finland, unprincipled Russia, and to enrage thee môre,-thy king, and lord 2" the wide-spread regions of the wandering The voice is circumflected on heaven, hell- Tartar; if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, the women-have ever been friendly to me doomed, king and thy, nearly an octave. and uniformly so; and to add to this virtue, Come, show me what thoul't do; woul't (so worthy to be called benevolence,) their weep? woul't fight? woul't fast? woul't tear actions have been performed in so free and thyself? I'll do't. Dost thou come here to kind a manner, that if I were dry, I drank whine? to outface me, with leaping in her the sweetest draught, and if hungry, ate the grave? be buried quick with her, and so will coarsest morsel, with a double relish. I; and if thou prate of mountains, let them throw MILLIONS of acres on us, till our ground, singeing her pate against the burn ing zone, make Ossa-like a wart. Nay, an thoul't mouthe, I'll rant as well as tho. Anecdote. A clergyman, once traveling in a stage-coach, was abruptly asked by one of the passengers, if any of the heathens would go to heaven. "Sir," answered the clergyman, "I am not appointed judge of the world, and, consequently, cannot tell; but, if ever you get to heaven, you shall either find some fem there, or a good reason why they are not there."

3.

Too High or too Low. In pulpit eloquence, the grand difficulty is to give the subject all the dignity it so fully deserves, without attaching any importance to our selves. The christian minister cannot think too highly of his Master, or too humbly of himself. This is the secret art which captivates and improves an audience, and which all who see, will fancy they could imitate; while many who try, win not succeed, because they are not influenced by proper notives and do not use the right means.

M

tors.

Varieties. 1. When Baron, the actor, came from hearing one of Massillon's sermons, he said to one of his comrades of the stage; here is an orator; we are only ac the sake of being clean; others, for the sake 2. Some people-wash themselves for of appearing so. 3. Of all the pursuits, by which property is acquired, none is preferable to agriculture,- -none more productive, and none more worthy of a gentleman. 4. it is a maxim with unprincipled politicians, to destroy, where they cannot intimidate, nor persuade. 5. Good humor, and mental charms, are as much superior to external beauty, as mind is superior to matter. 6. Be wise, be prudent, be discreet, and tcm. perate, in all things.

Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause
Bled nobly, and their deeds, as they deserve,
Receive proud recompense. We give in charge
Their names-to the sweet lyre. The historic muse
Proud of her treasure, marches with it-down
To latest times; and sculpture in her turn,
Gives bond, in stone-and ever-during brass
To guard them-and immortalize her trust.

376. INTONATIONS. The intonations are opposite to monotones, and mean the rise and fall of the voice, in its natural movements through a sentence: they are demonstrated in music, and here, in elocution. In all common kinds of reading and speaking, the voice should not generally rise and fall more than one note, in its passage from syllable to syllable, and from word to word: its movement will then be gentle, easy and flowing. But when the passion, or sentiment to be exhibited, is powerfully awakening or exciting, it may rise or fall several notes, according to the predominance of feeling.

[ocr errors]

4.

Proverbs 1. A clear cmscience fears no accusation. 2. An open door will tempt a saint. 3 is the companion of success. Confidence. Cruelty to a woman is-the crime of a monster. 5. A smart reproof is better than smooth deceit. 6. Add not trouble to the grief-worn heart. 7. Affeciation is at best a deformity. 8. Bear misfortunes with patience and fortitude. 9. A good maxim is never 11. A wise man wants but little. 12. Knows'adgi makes no one happy.

out of season. 10. Ambition-never looks behind.

Anecdote. A tragedy of Eschylus was once represented before the Athenians, in which it was said of one of the characters, "that he cared more to be just, than to appear 377. Our (6) SIGHT-is the most (4) perso." At these words, all eyes were instantly fect, and most (5) delightful — of all our turned upon Aristides, as the man who, of senses. (4) It fills the mind with the largest all the Greeks, most merited that distinguish variety of (3) ideas; (5) converses with its ed character: and ever after he received, by objects at the greatest (6) distance; and con-universal consent, the surname of—“ The tinues the longest in (5) action, without being (4) tired-or (3) satiated, with its proper enjoyments. The (6) sense of (S) FEELING, can, indeed, give us the idea of (5) extension, (6) shape, and all other properties of matter, that are perceived by the (5) eye, except (4) colors. (3) At the same time-it is very much (5) straightened—and (4) confined in its operations, to the (3) number, (4) bulk, and (5) distance, of its peculiar objects.

378. When we read, or speak, without any feeling, the voice ranges between our first and fourth notes; when there is a moderate degree of feeling, and the subject somewhat interesting, it ranges between our second and sixth notes; when there is a high degree of feeling and interest, it ranges between our fourth and eighth notes; descending, however, to the third and first, in a cadence, or close of the effort. It is highly necessary to keep the voice afloat, and never let it run aground; that is, let the feeling and thought keep it on the proper pitches, and do not let it descend to the first, or ground-note, till the piece is completed; except in depressed monotony. Memorize the preceding, and talk it off in an easy, graceful and appropriate

Just."

Courtesy. St. Paul, addressing himself to christians of all grades and classes, even down to menial servants, exhorts them to be courteous. Courteousness-must mean, therefore, a something, which is within the reach of all sorts of people; and, in its primary and best sense, is exactly such a behavior, as spontaneously springs from a heart, warm with benevolence, and unwilling to give needless pain, or uneasiness to a fellow-being. We have no more right, wantonly or carelessly to wound the mind, than to wound the body of a fellow-being; and, in many instances. the former-is the more cruel of the two.

2. Guard

Varieties. 1. Some start in life, withou any leading object at all; some, with a no aim, and some, with a high one; and just in proportion to the elevation at which they aim, will generally be their success. against fraud, and imposition; and forego some advantages, rather than gain them at a risk, that cannot be ascertained. 3. In the determination of doubtful and intricate cases, the nicest discrimination, and great solidity of judgment, are required. 4. We have an instinctive expectation of finding nature everywhere the same,-always consistent, Abstract Question. Which is more pro-and true to herself; but whence this expec bable, that our judgment, in respect to exter-tation? 5. Is there not something in the nal phenomena, has been warped, by compar-native air of true freedom, to alter, expand, ing their operations with those of the mind; and improve the external form, as well as the or, that our metaphysical mistakes have been occasioned, by forming a false analogy between its internal operations, and outward ppearances?

manner.

The midnight moon-serenely smiles
O'er nature's soft repose;
No towering cloud obscures the sky,
No ruffling tempest blows.
Now, every passion-sinks to rest;
The throbbing heart lies still;

And varying schemes of life-no more
Distract the laboring will.

internal? 6. Is not affluence-a snare, and poverty, a temptation? 7. Man is a true epitome of the spiritual world, or world of mind; and to know himself, is the perfection of wisdom.

[blocks in formation]
« ÀÌÀü°è¼Ó »