RHETORICAL PUNCTUATION. All that has been said upon this subject is contained in the following lines: In pausing, ever let this rule take place: That are less separable than those you join; So closely as the words you separate. I am convinced, that a nice attention to rhetorical punctuation, has an extremely mischievous tendency, and is totally inconsistent with nature. Give the sense of what you read-MIND is the thing. Pauses are essential only where their omission would obscure the sense. The orator, who, in the act of delivering himself, is studiously solicitous about parcelling his words, is sure to leave the best part of his work undone. He delivers words, not thoughts. Deliver thoughts, and words will take care enough of themselves. I repeat it—BE IN earnest. We have thus attempted to give a short abstract of the principles of Elocution, so far as the inflecting of the voice is concerned. And here we beg leave to correct the erroneous position, that the inflections are essential to the sense. They are no such thing-except, perhaps, in the single article of emphasis-and for this palpable reasonthe English, Scotch, and Irish, use them differently, and yet not the smallest ambiguity follows with regard to the communication, or the production of thought. The sense is a guide to the use of the inflections: that is all. The system is nothing more nor less than an analysis—if I may use the term-of the manner in which the best speakers in London modulate the voice; and, as such, is highly important assisting us to get rid of one source of that peculiarity which constitutes provincial speech-a misapplication of the inflections. We cannot leave this subject, without acknowledging the obligations which, in common with every other teacher of elocution, we owe to the researches of Mr. Walker. If we have improved upon his system, we give him still the merit of our corrections. He led us to them-Nay, it is but the economy of his system which we have attempted to improve. The system remains the same-and most probably would have remained unknown, but for the eager spirit of inquiry, and indefatigable activity of perseverance, which distinguished the labours of its eminently meritorious discoverer. In the following pieces, the inflections are marked with a minuteness which has not been attempted by any preceding Compiler; and figures of reference have been introduced, in order to facilitate the improvement of the student in his knowledge of the rules-nearly the whole of which are exemplified. The Character of Mary, Queen of Scots. To all' the charms' of beauty` (1,2*), and the utmost elegance of external' form' (3, 2), Mary' added' those` accomplishments' (2) which render their impression' irresistible (4, 2). Polite', affable', insinuating', sprightly' (1, 5), and capable of speaking` and of writing' (5) with equal' ease' and dignity (3,7). Sudden', however, and violent' (6) in all her attachments' (4); because her heart' was warm' and unsuspicious (13). Impatient' of contradiction' (4); because' she had been accustomed' from her infancy` (8,2) to be treated as a queen (9). No' stranger', on some' (8) occasions (9), to dissimulation' (10, 2); which', in that' perfidious' court (2) where she received` her education' (2), was reckoned' among the necessary' (8) arts of government (9). Not' insensible' to flattery (1), or unconscious' of that pleasure' (2) with which almost every` woman' (2) beholds' the * See page xxxvi. influence' of her own' beauty' (2, 4). Formed' with the qualities' that we love` (1), not with the talents' that we admire' (11, 2); she was an agreeable' woman', rather' than an illustrious' queen' (4, 2). The vivacity' of her spirit' (1,2), not sufficiently' tempered' with sound' judgement (12, 2); and the warmth of her heart' (3,2), which was not at all times under the restraint of discretion' (12,2); betrayed' her both into errors', and into crimes` (12, 2, 13). To say that she was always' unfortunate' (11,2), will not account' for that long' and almost uninterrupted' (8) succession (9) of calamities', which befel her (10, 2, 14, 18); we must likewise` add', that she was often' imprudent' (4,2). Her passion for Darnley' (11, 2) was rash', youthful', and excessive' (13); and, though the sudden' transition' to the opposite' extreme' (11, 2), was the natural' consequence' of her ill-requited' love (1, 2), and of his' ingratitude', insolence, and brutality' (3, 7); yet neither these' (10), nor Bothwell's' artful' addresses and important services' (3,2), can justify her attachment' to that' nobleman (4,2). Even the manners' of the age' (8, 2), licentious as they were' (12), are no apology for this' unhappy passion (2, 10, 9); nor can they induce' us to look' on that tragical' and infamous' scene which followed' it (2, 11), with less' abhorrence' (4,2). Humanity' will draw' a veil over this' part of her character (16, 2), which it cannot approve (12); and may' perhaps' prompt' some (2) to impute her actions' to her situation' (2, 16), more than to her disposition' (2, 3); and to lament` the unhappiness` of the former' (16), rather than accuse' the perverseness' of the latter' (17, 2). Mary's' sufferings' (3) exceed' (2), both' in degree' and duration' (2, 12), those tragical' distresses' which fancy' has feigned' to excite sorrow' and commiseration' (2, 4); and, while we survey' them (11,2), we are apt altogether' to forget' (2, 8) her frailties (9), we think' of her faults' with less indignation' (2, 16), and approve of our tears', as if they were shed' for a person' who had attained' much` nearer' to pure virtue' (17,2,5,7). "No' man," says Brantome' (12, 2), ever' beheld' her person' without admiration` and love' (16,2), or will read' her history' without sorrow' (17, 2). Robertson. Brethren should dwell together in Harmony. 66 Two' brothers', named Timon' and Demetrius', having quarrelled' (11, 2) with each other,* Socrates', their com mon friend' (12), was solicitous' to restore' amity` between them (4,2). Meeting, therefore, with Demetrius' (11), he thus' accosted' him (4, 2): "Is not friendship' the sweetest solace in adversity', and the greatest' enhancement of the blessings of prosperity' (19, 2)?" "Certainly it is," replied Demetrius (4, 20, 21); “because our sorrows' are diminished' (6), and our joys' increased' (17), by sympa thetic participation (9). "Amongst whom, then, must we look for a friend (22)?" said Socrates (21). "Would you search among strangers' (19)?—They cannot be interested" about you (10, 20). Amongst your rivals' (19)?—They have an interest in opposition' (8, 20) to yours. Amongst those who are much older or younger (23) than yourself? Their feelings' and pursuits' (6) will be widely different from yours (4, 20). Are there not, then, some circumstances' favourable', and others' essential' (19), tö the formation of friendship' (9)?" "Undoubtedly' there are (4, 20)," answered Demetrius. "May we not enumerate'," continued Socrates (21), "amongst the circumstances favourable' to friendship, long acquaintance', common connexions', similitude of age', and union of interest' (19, 2)? * "I acknowledge'," said Demetrius," the powerful' influence' of these' circumstances' (11, 2); but they' may subsist, and yet' others' be wanting', that are essential (8, 2) tổ mutual amity (9).”. And what'," said Socrates (21), "are those' essentials' which are wanting' in Timon' (22, 2)?” "He has forfeited' my esteem' and attachment' (13, 2),” answered Demetrius (21). And has he also' forfeited the esteem and attachment of the rest of mankind (19, 9)? Is he devoid of benevolence', generosity', gratitude', and other' (19, 24) social affections (26)?" Far be it from me," cried Demetrius (21), to lay so heavy (10) †' a charge upon him (9). His conduct to others', is', I be *The propriety of not accenting any word in this phrase is obvious from the fact, that the sense is complete without it. This has evidently the spirit of a negative sentence, and is accordingly inflected as such. The idea represented by the word charge, is implied in the preceding question. That word is consequently unaccented, and follows the inflection of the word heavy. lieve' (12), irreproachable' (4); whence it wounds me the more' (8), that he should single` me` out' (24,2) as the object' of his unkindness' (4, 2)." "Suppose' you have a very valuable' horse' (8)," resumed Socrates (20), “gentle' under the treatment' of others', but ungovernable` when you' (11, 27) attempt to use him (26); would you not endeavour', by all means', to conciliate' his affection, and to treat him in the way most likely to render him tractable' (19, 2)? Or if you have a dog' (8), highly prized for his fidelity', watchfulness', and care' of your flocks`; who is fond of your shepherds', and playful' with them; and yet snarls' whenever you' (2) come in his way (26); would you attempt to cure' him of his fault (26), by angry looks or words, or any other' (19, 2) marks of resentment (26)? You would surely pursue an opposite' (19) * course with him (26). And is not the friendship of a brother' of far more' worth' (24) than the services' of a horse', or the attachment' of a dog' (19, 2)? Why, then, do you delay' to put in practice' those' means' which may reconcile' you to Timon' (22, 2)? "Acquaint (4) me with those means (4)," answered Demetrius (21); for I am a stranger to them (4)." "Answer me a few questions` (4)," said Socrates (21). "If you desire' that one of your neighbours should invite' you to his feast', when he offers a sacrifice' (11, 2), what course' would you take (22) ? ”—“ I would first invite' him to mine` (4, 2, 20).” 'And how would you induce' him to take the charge of your affairs', when you are on a journey` (22, 2)?" I should be forward to do the same' good office (26) to him' (4), in his absence. + If you be solicitous to remove a prejudice' (11) which he may have received against you, how would you then (22) behave towards him? § "-" I should endeavour to convince him, by my looks', words', and actions' (6), that such' prejudice' was ill-founded (4, 2)." "And, if he appeared' inclined to reconciliation' (11, 2), would you reproach' (19) him with the injustice he had done you? ||"" Nô!" answered Demetrius (21); I would repeat' no` grievances' (10,2)." "Go'," said Socrates (21) 66 64 This sentence has, obviously, the force of a question depending on a verb. + The phrase, in his absence, is superfluous-consequently unaccented. The clause, which he may, &c. is used expletively-and is therefore unaccented This phrase is implied in the preceding questions. The clause, with the injustice, &c. is implied in the word prejudice. |