And then I think of one who in
Her youthful beauty died,

The fair, meek blossom that grew up
And faded by my side;

In the cold, moist earth we laid her,
When the forest cast the leaf,
And we wept that one so lovely
Should have a life so brief:
Yet not unmeet it was that one,
Like that young friend of ours,
So gentle and so beautiful,
Should perish with the flowers.

EXERCISE LX.

MADAME DE STAËL.* Anon.

[This extract, as a combination of the narrative and didactic styles, needs attention, in reading, to the appropriate change of voice demanded by the transition from the one to the other. The least attentive listener is aware that, in conversation, the voice of the speaker becomes much more firm, regular, and measured, in style, when he passes from anecdote to sentiment. A similar change takes place in reading, as mentioned above. To make such changes effectively but easily, is, at once, indispensable to natural effect, and graceful, as an accomplishment of voice. A style equally removed from lifelessness and display, is the object of true culture, in this department of elocution. The narrative should, in the present instance, be entirely free from formality, and the sentiment from parade; while the former is not left deficient in dignity, nor the atter in impressiveness.]

ANNE LOUISE GERMAINE NECKER, the celebrated daughter of a celebrated father, was born at Paris, April 22, 1766. In her earliest years, she manifested uncommon vivacity of perception and depth of feeling; and, at the age of eleven, her sprightliness, her self-possession, and the eager and intelligent interest which she took in all subjects of conversation, rendered her the pet and the wonder of the brilliant circle which frequented her father's house.

* Pronounced, Sta'el.

* Mademoiselle Necker paid the usual price of mental precocity, in its debilitating effects upon her bodily constitution. At the age of fourteen, serious apprehensions were entertained for her life; and she was sent to St. Ouen, in the neighbourhood of Paris, for the benefit of country air, with orders to abstain from every species of severe study. Thither her father repaired, at every interval of leisure; and, being withdrawn from the strict line of behaviour prescribed by her mother, who, having done much herself by dint of study, thought that no accomplishments or graces could be worth possessing which were not the fruit of study, she passed her time in the unrestrained enjoyment of † M. Necker's society, in the indulgence of her brilliant imagination, and the spontaneous cultivation of her powerful mind.

This course of life was more favourable to the development of that poetical, ardent, and enthusiastic temper, which was the source of so much enjoyment, and so much distinction, than to the habits of self-control, without which, such a temper is almost too dangerous to be called a blessing. Her character at this period of life is thus described by her relation and biographer, Madame Necker de Saussure: "We may figure to ourselves Madame de Staël, in her early youth, entering with confidence upon a life which, to her, promised nothing but happiness. Too benevolent to expect hatred from others, too fond of talent in others, to anticipate the envy of her own, she loved to exalt genius, enthusiasm, and inspiration, and was herself an example of their power. The love of glory, and of liberty, the inherent beauty of virtue, the pleasures of affection,—each, in turn, afforded subjects for her eloquence. Not that she was always in the clouds: she never lost presence of mind, nor was she run away with by enthusiasm." In later life, her good taste led her to abstain from this lofty vein of conversation, especially when the attempt was made to force it upon her. "I tramp in the mire with wooden shoes, whenever they would force me to live always in the clouds."

*The pronunciation of this, as of many other French words, must be acquired of a competent French teacher.

The French word, Monsieur, which this initial letter represents, cannot be intelligibly represented by any English combination of letters. It is a word more commonly and confessedly mispronounced, even in France itself, than almost any other of the French language. Its true pronunciation ought always, if possible, to be obtained from a well-educated native of France.

Who dwelt in Patmos for his Saviour's sake,
"The sound of many waters; " and had bid
Thy flood to chronicle the ages back,

And notch His centuries in the eternal rock!

Deep calleth unto deep! - And what are we,
That hear the question of that voice sublime?
Oh! what are all the notes that ever rang
From war's vain trumpet, by thy thundering side?
Yea, what is all the riot man can make,
In his short life, to thy unceasing roar?
And yet, bold babbler, what art thou to Him
Who drowned a world, and heaped the waters far
Above its loftiest mountains? a light wave,
That breaks, and whispers of its Maker's might!

EXERCISE LIV.

FERDINAND AND ISABELLA.

Washington Irving.

This extract forms an example of easy, fluent, and graceful narration, intermingled with description and sentiment. It requires, in reading, "pure tone," in the "moderate" form which belongs to "serious" and "animated" style. The utterance is on the "middle pitch,” — the "movement," "moderate."]

It has been well observed of Ferdinand and Isabella, that they lived together, not like man and wife, whose estates are in common, under the orders of the husband, but like two monarchs, strictly allied. They had separate claims to sovereignty, in virtue of their separate kingdoms, and held separate councils. Yet they were so happily united by common views, common interests, and a great deference for each other, that this double administration never prevented a unity of purpose and action. All acts of sovereignty were executed in both their names; all public writings subscribed with both their signatures; their likenesses were stamped together on the public coin; and the royal seal displayed the united arms of Castile and Arragon.

Ferdinand possessed a clear and comprehensive genius, and great penetration. He was equable in temper, indefati

gable in business, a great observer of men, and is extolled by Spanish writers as unparalleled in the science of the cabinet. It has been maintained by writers of other nations, however, and apparently with reason, that he was bigoted in religion, and craving rather than magnanimous in his ambition; that he made war less like a paladin than a prince, less for glory than for mere dominion; and that his policy was cold, selfish, and artful. He was called the wise and prudent in Spain; in Italy, the pious; in France and England, the ambitious and perfidious.

Contemporary writers have been enthusiastic in their descriptions of Isabella; but time has sanctioned their eulogies. She was of the middle size, and well formed; with a fair complexion, auburn hair, and clear blue eyes. There was a mingled gravity and sweetness in her countenance, and a singular modesty in her mien, gracing, as it did, great firmness of purpose and earnestness of spirit. Though strongly attached to her husband, and studious of his fame, yet she always maintained her distinct rights as an allied prince. She exceeded him in beauty, personal dignity, acuteness of genius, and grandeur of soul. Combining the active, the resolute qualities of man, with the softer charities of woman, she mingled in the warlike councils of her husband, and being inspired with a truer idea of glory, infused a more lofty and generous temper into his subtle and calculating policy. It is in the civil history of their reign, however, that the character of Isabella shines most illustrious. Her fostering and maternal care was continually directed to reform the laws, and heal the ills engendered by a long course of civil wars. She assembled round her the ablest men in literature and science, and directed herself by their counsels in encouraging literature and the arts. She promoted the distribution of honours and rewards for the promulgation of knowledge, fostered the recently invented art of printing; and, through her patronage, Salamanca rose to that eminence which it assumed among the learned institutions of the age. Such was the noble woman who was destined to acquire immortal renown by her spirited patronage of the discovery of the new world.

14

The style of this piece requires the manner of "lively” and “gay” conversation, interspersed with occasional "serious" expression, and, sometimes, with graphic “humour.” To give these changes of feeling with full natural effect, is the chief object to be kept in view, in reading. When the description borders on the satirical style, a peculiar pungency is required in the emphasis; and the slide," or "simple inflection," passes into the "wave,” or “double inflection." A pompous “median" swell, also, is sometimes thrown in, to give efficacy to descriptive tone, in burlesque passages.]

66

MR. MILSTEAD, who, to the most sincere piety united a cultivated mind, a benevolent heart, and a cheerful and liberal disposition, had been recently appointed to a church in one of the small towns of a certain Atlantic section of the Union, that shall be nameless. His wife was a young and beautiful woman, whose character harmonized in every respect with his own.

As they had no children, and were good managers, Mr. Milstead soon found that his salary would not only afford them all they wanted, but that it would leave them something to give away. They became very popular with the congregation; for Mr. Milstead, though indefatigable in administering to the spiritual wants of his flock, was never unmindful of their temporal happiness; and his judicious and amiable wife went hand in hand with him, in every thing.

They had not been long established in Tamerton, when they observed with regret, that, though the inhabitants showed the best possible disposition to be on intimate terms with the minister and his lady, there was little sociability or familiarity among themselves. The society of Tamerton had gradually divided into numerous circles; some of these circles being so small as to comprise but one or two families. Mrs. Gutheridge, for instance, the most wealthy woman of the place, revolved entirely in her own orbit. She was the childless widow of Zephaniah Pelatiah Gutheridge, who had, for several successive sessions, filled the office of speaker, in the senate of the state legislature, an office that suited him exactly, as he had never been known to speak in the house, and very rarely out of it.