and this has been called the CADENCE. But nothing can be mor destructive to propriety and energy, than this habit. It leaves a disagreeable impression on the ear, and gives a languid, and sometimes a lamentable tone, to the whole period. It is an ANTICLIMAX in reading and frequently in direct opposition to the structure of the sentence, which in elegant writers is generally closed with an energetic expression.

If we attend to the natural tone of the voice in speaking, we shall never perceive the least appearance of a cadence. In common conversation almost every man closes his period with energy and spirit.

V. Begin gently. Slive over every insignificant particle: such as, and, but, if, or, as, so, by, in, etc. and reserve the stress of your voice for words of more impor

tance.

The observance of this rule constitutes the first and the most essential VARIATION of the human voice in common reading, and will always prevent a monotony. The variation, which some readers affect, in plain and simple narrative, by rising and falling alternately, is unnatural and absurd.

VI. Let the tone of your voice in reading be the same as it is in speaking. Do not affect to change the natural and easy sound with which you speak in conversation, for

that formal and unnatural tone,
people assume in reading.

which some

This fault arises from too great an exertion of the voice, and the habit of extending it beyond its natural ability. In common discourse the speaker is obliged to pause, while he thinks, which gives him fime to breathe. But the reader, who sees every thing before him, "has no occasion to think, and therefore is apt to run on, without intermission, till his breath is exhausted, and the natural tone of his voice is destroyed. To avoid this gross impropriety, let him read no faster than he usually speaks.

VII. Endeavour to enter into the sense and spirit of the author, and feel what is expressed.

This can only be done by reading deliberately and attending to the subject. Without some attention to this rule, your reading will be insipid and uninteresting.

VIII. Endeavour to vary and modulate your voice, according to the nature of the subject.

It would be ridiculous to read an interesting narrative with an air of negligence; to express the warmest emotions of the heart with a cold indifference; and to pronounce a passage of scripture, on the most sublime and important subject, with the familiar tone of common conversation.

On the other hand, it would be equally absurd to read a familiar letter in a tragical strain, or a production of gaiety and humour, with a canting accent, and a puritanical formality. The voice, in all cases, should be accommodated to the subject.

«The sound must seem an echo to these sense.»

THE

THE SPEAKER.

BOOK I.

SELECT SENTENCES.

CHAP. I.

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

There is an heroic innocence as well as an heroic courage.

There is a mean in all things. Even virtue itself hath its stated limits; which not being strictly observed, it ceases to be virtue.

It is wiser to prevent a quarrel beforehand, than to revenge it afterwards.

It is much better to reprove, than to be angry secretly.

No revenge is more heroic, than that which torments envy, by doing good.

The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a Transgression. Money, like manure, doth no good till it is spread. There is no real use of riches except in the distribution: the rest is all conceit.

A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully, and live upon contentedly.

A contented mind, and a good conscience,

A

will make a man happy in all conditions. He knows not how to fear, who dares to die.

There is but one way of fortifying the soul against all gloomy presages and terrors of mind; and that is, by securing to ourselves the friendship and protection of that Being who disposes of events, and governs futurity.

Philosophy is then only valuable, when it serves for the law of life, and not for the ostentation of science.

CHA P. I I.

WITHOUT a friend, the world is but a

wilderness.

A man may have a thousand intimate acquaintances, and not a friend among them all. If you have one friend, think yourself happy. When once you profess yourself a friend, endeavour to be always such. He can never have any true friends, who will be often changing them.

Prosperity gains friends, and adversity tries

them.

Nothing more engages the affections of men, than a handsome address, and graceful conver

sation.

Complaisance renders a superior amiable, an equal agreeable, and an inferior acceptable. Excess of ceremony shews want of breeding. That civility is best, which excludes all superfluous formality.

Ingratitude is a crime so shameful, that the man was never yet found, who would acknowledge himself guilty of it.

Truth is born with us and we must do violence to nature, to shake off our veracity.