The following extract from Macaulay, exhibits the utmost degree of his peculiar antithetical style. Considerable skill and judgment may be exercised in its delivery, by occasionally diminishing the emphatic force, and thus making the whole run smoothly.

In the general spirit and character of his administration,

we think Cromwell

far superior to Napoleon.

Reason and philosophy

did not teach the conqueror of Europe,

to command his passions,

or to pursue, as a first object,

the happiness of his people.

They did not prevent him from risking his fame and his power,

in a frantic contest against the principles of human nature,

that equally diffused intellectual health,

which, if our national partiality does not mislead us,

has peculiarly characterized

in a lower sphere,

as soon as it had reached the level congenial to it.

This emphasis is a variety of that of Contrast. Some account of it has been given under the head of Rising Inflexions, at p. 235. But as it often characterizes long passages, or even an entire discourse, it requires some further notice.

When a speaker advances assertions or doctrines in opposition to an adversary, or contrary to a prevalent opinion, his tone is characterized by a peculiar modulation, which indicates a pointed reference. The same tone is likewise heard, when he is liable to a suspicion of holding opinions contrary to what he expresses. Though it runs through the whole of his delivery, yet it is of course most striking on emphatic words.

Rising inflexions are the most prevalent and characteristic; and, as was mentioned in the previous chapter, often take the place of cadences at the ends of sentences. There is a tendency, likewise, to use waves and circumflexes.

When falling

inflexions are actually necessary, they begin on a high key, and are often such as we mark by the wave.

In gesture, the rise of the hand corresponds in a general way to that of the voice. Instead of downward strokes of gesture, one or both hands are oftener extended towards the audience with the expression of appeal.

We find it impossible to mark this emphasis, so as to distinguish it from other forms of contrast, except by indicating the upward skip which so strikingly characterizes it. This we effect by placing the accented syllable higher than the rest of the phrase. No difficulty will be experienced in executing this very striking and significant turn of the voice, provided the reader trusts boldly to his natural impulses. It is one of very frequent use in conversation.

to see what might be hidden in the dark recess be

hind.

when the bonds - that unite us together shall be broken a