ing in the room, in the house, nay, I believe nothing in the world, of so much importance, in her estimation, as myself.

5. But I have frequently remarked, with concern, the different aspect with which she would regard me at those times, and when she returned at night from the evening's engagements. However late it was, or however fatigued she might be, still I was sure of a greeting the moment she entered; but instead of the bright, blooming face I had seen a few hours before, it was generally pale and haggard, and not unfrequently bearing a strong expression of disappointment and chagrin.

6. My mistress would frequently bring a crowd of her young companions into her apartment; and it was amusing to see how they would each in turn come to pay their respects What varied features and expressions, in the course of a few minutes, I had thus an opportunity of observing, which I used to make my own quiet reflections!

to me.

and upon

7. In this manner I continued some years in the service of my mistress, without any material alteration taking place either in her or in me. But at length I began to perceive that her aspect toward me had considerably changed, especially when I compared it with my first recollections of her.

8. She now appeared to regard me with somewhat less complacency; and would frequently survey me with a mingled expression of displeasure and suspicion, as though some change had taken place in mě, though I am sure it was no fault of mine; indeed, I could never reflect upon myself for a moment. With regard to my conduct toward any of my owners, I have ever been a faithful servant; nor have I once, in the course of my whole life, given a false answer to any one I have had to do with.

QUESTIONS. What words in the sixth verse of this piece are marked with the cir cumflex? Why are they so marked? Point out the other words in the piece which are marked with the circumflex, and give the reason why they are so marked. What other words in the piece can you point out that require the circumflex? What is the moral lesson taught by this fable?

9. I am by nature equally averse to flattery and detraction; and this I may say for myself, that I am incapable of misrepresentation. It was with mingled sensations of contempt and compassion, that I witnessed the efforts my mistress now made in endeavoring to force me to yield the same satisfaction to her as I had done upon our first acquaintance.

10. Perhaps, in my confidential situation, it would be scarcely honorable to disclose all I saw. Suffice it, then, to hint, that to my candid temper it was painful to be obliged to connive at that borrowed bloom which, after all, was a substitute for that of nature; Time too greatly baffled even these expedients, and threatened to render them wholly ineffectual.

11. Many a cross and reproachful look had I now to endure, which, however, I took patiently, being always remarkably smooth and even in my temper. Well remembering how sadly Time had spoiled the face of my poor old mistress, I dreaded the consequences, if my present owner should experience, by and by, as rough treatment from him, and I believe she dreaded it too; but these apprehensions of mine were needless.

12. Time is not seldom arrested in the midst of his occupations, and it was so in this instance. I was one day greatly shocked at beholding my poor mistress in a remote part of the room, arrayed in very different ornaments from those I had been used to see her wear; but for this she could not now reproach me. I watched her thus for a few days, as she lay before me, as cold and motionless as myself; but she was soon conveyed away, and shortly afterward, I was engaged in the service of another mistress.

6*

EXERCISE VII.

Monotone.

MONOTONE is a protracted sameness of sound on suc◄ cessive syllables or words.

Monotone, as here used, does not mean a succession of sounds perfectly similar, but simply that a similarity of tone, with slight modifications, prevails throughout the piece to be read.

RULE 7. Language that is grave, grand, or sublime, generally requires the monotone.

EXAMPLES.

Grave.

1. Ŏ the grave! the grave! It būries every error, covers every defect, extinguishes every resentment.

2.

Yet a few days, and thee

The all-behōlding sun shall see no more,

In all his course; nor yet in the cold ground,

Where thy pale fōrm wās laid with many tears,

Nor in the embrace of ocean, shall exist

Look off to the mighty ōcean, when the storm is upon it; to the huge mountain, when the thunder and the lightnings play over it; to the väst förest, the interminable waste; to the sun, the moon, and the myriads of fair stārs, countless as the sands upon the seashore. It is a great, a magnificent world; and he who made it,— ōh! he is the perfection of all loveliness, all goodness, all greatness, all glōriousness.

Sublime.

1. In winter, awful thōu! with clouds and storms

Around thee thrown, -tēmpest o'er tempest rolled.

Majestic darkness! on the whirlwind's wing
Riding sublime, thōu bīdst the world adōre,

And humblest nature with thy nōrthern blāst.

2. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

QUESTIONS. What is monotone? Is monotone strictly a perfect sameness of sound What is the rule for monotone? Read the examples.

I HAVE SEEN AN END OF ALL PERFECTION.

MRS. SIGOURNEY.

NOTE. The monotone prevails through this piece, but it is more obvious in some passages than others. A few only have been marked, and the remainder left for the pupil to select for himself.

I HAVE seen a man in the glory of his days, in the pride of his strength. He was built like the strong oak that strikes its rōōt deep in the earth; like the tall cedar that lifts its head above the trees of the fōrest.

2. He feared no danger, he felt no sickness. He wondered why any should groan or sigh at pain. His mind was vigorous, like his body. He was perplexed at no intricacy, he was daunted at no obstacles. Into hidden things he searched, and what was crooked he made plain.

3. He went forth boldly upon the face of the mighty deep. He surveyed the nations of the earth. He measured the distances of the stars, and called them by their names. He gloried in the extent of his knowledge, in the vigor of his understanding, and strove to search even into what the Almighty had concealed.

4. And when I looked upon him, I said with the poet, "What a piece of work is man!—how noble in reason! how infinite in faculties! in form and moving, how express and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god!"

5. I returned, but his look was no more lofty, nor his step proud. His broken frame was like some ruined tower. His hairs were white and scattered, and his eye gazed vacantly upon the passers by. The vigor of his intellect was wasted, and of all that he had gained by study, nothing remained.

6. He feared when there was no danger, and when there

QUESTION. What are you taught by this reading lesson ?

was no sorrow, he wept. His decaying memory had become treacherous. It showed him only broken images of the glory that had departed.

7. His house was to him like a strange land, and his friends were counted as enemies. He thought himself strong and healthful, while his feet tottered on the verge of the grave.

8. He said of his son, he is my brother; of his daughter, 1 know her not. He even inquired what was his own name. And as I gazed mournfully upon him, one who supported his feeble frame and ministered to his many wants, said to me, "Let thine heart receive instruction, for thou hast seen an end of all perfection."

SECTION V.

MODULATION.

MODULATION implies the variations of the voice that are heard in reading or speaking.

Good reading depends very much upon a proper modulation. When skillfully employed, it gives life, spirit, and beauty, to what would otherwise be monotonous and uninteresting.

Modulation embraces several distinct principles, among the more important of which are Expression and Personation.

Expression.

Expression implies the peculiar tones of voice, and the manner of utterance, expressive of the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the reader or speaker.

It admits of several divisions, of which Pitch and Movement may be specified as more especially important to the young learner.

QUESTIONS. What is modulation? What principles of modulation are considered in this work? What is meant by expression? What are the more important subjects of expression!