1st, A period or compact sentence, is an as blage of such words or members, as do not sense independent of each other; or, if they do former modify the latter, or inversely.-This tence must be read with the rising inflexion, acc panied with the longest pause where the sense be to form.

Examples.

To be ever active in laudable pursuits, is the tinguished characteristic of a man of merit.

Ambition is the first and great cause of those t bles, that tear and destroy the peace of the world The difference between a languid and vigorous ertion of our fac'ulties, forms the chief point of tinction between genius and dullness.

Where men of judgement creep and feel their wa
The positive pronounce without delay.
Love, hope, and joy, fair pleasure's smiling train,
Hate, fear, and grief, the family of pain';
These mix'd with art, and to due bounds confin'd,
Make and maintain the balance of the mind.

2d, When compact sentences have their princi constructive parts connected with corresponding co junctions, the rising inflexion and the longest pau are required at the end of the first constructive me ber, whether the corresponding conjunction be e pressed or understood.

Examples.

Both conjunctions expressed.

As we must remember, that the riches, grandéú and reputation of the world, are not the greate happiness we have to hope for; so earthly poverty

obscurity, and meanness, are not the greatest evils we have to fear.

As you are not to fancy yourself a learned man, because you are blessed with a ready wit; so neither must you imagine, that large and laborious reading, and strong memory, can denominate you truly

wise.

Though the pure consciousness of worthy actions, abstracted from the views of popular applause be, to a generous mind, an ample reward; yet, the desire of distinction was undoubtedly implanted in our nature, as an additional incentive to exert ourselves in virtuous excellence.

Without the corresponding conjunction.

If men of eminence are exposed to censure on the óne hand, they are as much liable to flattery on the other.

Would a vain man consult his own heart, he would find, that if others knew his weakness as he himself does, he would not have the imprudence to expect the public esteem.

As words which are opposed to one another are always emphatic, and as emphasis controls all infléxion, it causes exceptions to almost all the general rules.

If we have no regard for religion in youth, we ought to have some for it in agé.

If we have no regard for our own' character, we ought to have some regard for the character of oth

ers.

or.

Reading may be defined, the art of delivering w ten language with propriety, force, and elegance This, if not the simplest mode of public speakingamong cultivated nations, the most useful and easiest. Because, any man can, in this mode, deli the sentiments of the wisest of all ages and natio in language already prepared and approved; and public speaker has, on ordinary occasions, only to p nounce intelligibly, what he has before him; he would perfectly discharge his office on higher c casions, impressively. Reading may be describ under the following kinds, beginning from that whi requires the lowest efforts of the talents of deliver and proceeding to that which requires the highe The scale of reading, will then be disposed thus 1. Intelligible. 2. Correct. 3. Impressive. 4. Rhe orical. 5. Dramatic. 6. Epic.

The lowest degree of reading aloud for the infor mation of others, which can be admitted as useful t the public, is that which is named intelligible read ing. To a reader of this class, the following are th only requisites, good articulation, proper attention t pauses and accents, and sufficient effort of voice, t render himself audible to all concerned.

To the articulation, pauses, accent, and efforts o voice, necessary to render a reader fully intelligible. the correct reader must add something more; the additional requisites for him are emphasis, purity of pronunciation, and suitable demeanor. The correct reader must evince his own just conception of what he reads, by applying proper emphases, which serve as touches of light in a picture to bring forward the principal objects. He must study purity of pronunciation, that he may not offend, and distract the attention of his hearers, by diverting it from his subject, and turning it upon himself. Upon this principle, it is necessary that he be most careful not to offend by affectation; which, even in a greater degree than provincial vulgarity itself, disturbs the attention

from the proper objects of public speaking, persuasion, and instruction.

In addition to the requisites necessary to the correct reader, the impressive reader must possess the following expression of the voice, expression of countenance, direction of the eye, variety of manner as to rapidity of delivery, and rhetorical pauses. Hence, impressive reading comprehends two entire divisions of the art of delivery, the modulation of the voice, and the expression of the countenance; of gesture, the third division, it partakes but little, and that little, is very different from what is proper for oratory.

Within the whole range, through which the exercise of this valuable talent, the art of reading, is extended, impressive reading will be found no where so requisite, as in delivering the Scriptures. Their composition is of that original and various character, which demands every effort on his part, who is called upon to deliver them for the instruction of others. Hardly is there a chapter, which does not contain something, which requires the most impressive reading; as remonstrance, threatening, command, encouragement, sublime description, awful judgements. The narrative is interrupted by frequent and often unexpected transitions; by bold and unusual figures; and by precepts of most extensive application, and most admirable use.

In

In the narrative, the reader should deliver himself with a suitable simplicity and gravity of demeanor. In the transitions, which are often rapid, he should manifest a quick conception, and by rhetorical pauses and suitable changes of voice, express and render intelligible, the new matter or change of scene. the figurative and sublime, which every where abound, his voice should be sonorous, and his countenance expressive of the elevation of his subject. In the precepts, he should deliver himself with judgement and discretion; and when he repeats the words

4

prefixed, are mostly abstracted from Chapman's

Orator, and are fuller and more minute, it is

believed, than what is commonly to be met with in compilations of this sort.

LIVING AUTHORS, it is hoped, will not be displeased that useful and elegant passages have been borrowed of them, since, as they wrote to reform and improve the age, they will perceive at once, that to place their most important instructions, and salutary admonitions, in the hands of Young Persons, and to adapt them to the use of SCHOOLS and ACADEMIES, is to contribute most effectually to the accomplishment of their benevolent design. The works themselves at large are so voluminous and expensive, as to be precluded from a general circulation..... extracts, therefore, are highly expedient, or rather absolutely necessary.