aspirate, that it has when united with a subvocal or when given alone. When a short vowel is united with an explodent aspirate sound, it is slightly changed from the one it has when united with a subvocal sound. The shades of difference between some of the vowels are so very slight that only a practiced ear can perceive them. SUBVOCALS. Correlatives. 21. b, as in babe, web; b stops with the light sound of p. 32. 1, as in hill, shall, well, all. 33. r, (the hard or trill sound), as in rise, drum, rear. EXERCISES ON THE VOWEL SOUNDS. Before speaking any of the following passages, be sure that you understand their meaning, and the spirit with which they should be expressed. The words marked in italics contain the sounds to which attention is to be directed. Give the italicized word in each passage, first interrogatively, and then affirmatively, with a distinct utterance, in a conversational tone, and exactly the same way in which you ask or answer a question. ILLUSTRATION. 1. Did you say dream? Answer: Yes, I said dream. 2. Did you say shame or blame? I said blame, not shame. Repeat these words with gradually increasing force, and with each repetition enlarge the opening of the mouth and throat, and let each word occupy more time in its development; be very careful to avoid drawling, mouthing, affected and artificial tones. Be natural in tone and manner. The object of the following exercises is to enable the student to obtain a critical knowledge of the elementary sounds, and give them with ease and accuracy singly or in any connection in which they occur. SINGLE OPEN VOWELS. Element No. 1. 1. To this one standard make your just appeal, Nearer to thee! E'en though it be a cross That raiseth me; Still all my song shall be Nearer to thee. 4. In the mid silence of the voiceless night, 6. Vice is a monster of so frightful mein By one who often has deceived. 8. O thou who driest the mourner's tear, If, when deceived and wounded here, 9. Mr. President, I shall enter on no encomium on Massachusetts, she needs none. 10. Know thy own point, this kind, this due degree 11. True worth is in being, not seeming. Element No. 2. 1. Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate, All but the page prescribed, their present state. 2. I am amazed: yes, my lords, I am amazed at His Grace's speech! 3. No endeavor is in vain; the reward is in the doing, And the prize the vanquished gain is the rapture of pursuing. 4. If fortune, with a smiling face, Strew roses on your way, When shall we stoop to pick them up? To-day, my friend, to-day. 5. Here rest thee, then, till break of day, Myself will show thee on thy way. 6. Whatever be thy fate to-day, Remember, "This will pass away." 7. The strong-felt passion bolts into the face, The mind untouched; what is it but grimace? 8. To assail a wounded man were shame, And stranger is a sacred name. 9. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord's name be praised. 10. No matter how well the track is laid, No matter how strong the engine is made, When you find you are running the downward grade, 11. Within the curious chambers of the brain, Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain; Each stamps its image as the other flies. Element No. 3. 1. Then up with our flag; let it stream on the air, They had souls that could dare, And their sons were not made to be slaves. 2. I dare him to his proofs ! 3. Through the furnace unshrinking And shield thee and save thee, Or die with thee there. 4. And now there breathes that haunted air, 5. Comrade, enough! sit down and share Element No. 4. 1. Enlarge the cavity of your mouth when uttering the open vowels in emphasis. |