aspirate, that it has when united with a subvocal or when given alone.

When a short vowel is united with an explodent aspirate sound, it is slightly changed from the one it has when united with a subvocal sound.

The shades of difference between some of the vowels are so very slight that only a practiced ear can perceive them.

SUBVOCALS.

Correlatives.

21. b,

as in babe, web; b stops with the light sound of p.

32. 1, as in hill, shall, well, all.

33. r, (the hard or trill sound), as in rise, drum, rear.
34. r, (the soft sound) at the end of the word, as in roar, fear.

EXERCISES ON THE VOWEL SOUNDS.

Before speaking any of the following passages, be sure that you understand their meaning, and the spirit with which they should be expressed. The words marked in italics contain the sounds to which attention is to be directed. Give the italicized word in each passage, first interrogatively, and then affirmatively, with a distinct utterance, in a conversational tone, and exactly the same way in which you ask or answer a question.

ILLUSTRATION. 1. Did you say dream? Answer: Yes, I said dream. 2. Did you say shame or blame? I said blame, not shame.

Repeat these words with gradually increasing force, and with each repetition enlarge the opening of the mouth and throat, and let each word occupy more time in its development; be very careful to avoid drawling, mouthing, affected and artificial tones. Be natural in tone and manner.

The object of the following exercises is to enable the student to obtain a critical knowledge of the elementary sounds, and give them with ease and accuracy singly or in any connection in which they occur.

SINGLE OPEN VOWELS.

Element No. 1.

1. To this one standard make your just appeal,
Here lies the golden secret, learn to feel.
2. Seems, Madam? nay, it is not seems, it is.
3. Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee!

E'en though it be a cross

That raiseth me;

Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to thee.

4. In the mid silence of the voiceless night,
When chased by airy dreams my slumbers flee,
Whom in the darkness doth my spirit seek,
O God, but thee! O God, but thee!
5. She believes that he is a deceiver.

6. Vice is a monster of so frightful mein
As, to be hated, needs but to be seen;
Yet, seen too oft, familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
7. The truth itself is not believed

By one who often has deceived.

8. O thou who driest the mourner's tear,
How dark this world would be

If, when deceived and wounded here,
We could not fly to thee!

9. Mr. President, I shall enter on no encomium on Massachusetts, she needs none.

10. Know thy own point, this kind, this due degree
Of blindness-weakness-Heaven bestows on thee.

11. True worth is in being, not seeming.

Element No. 2.

1. Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate,

All but the page prescribed, their present state.

2. I am amazed: yes, my lords, I am amazed at His Grace's speech!

3. No endeavor is in vain; the reward is in the doing,

And the prize the vanquished gain is the rapture of pursuing.

4. If fortune, with a smiling face,

Strew roses on your way,

When shall we stoop to pick them up?

To-day, my friend, to-day.

5. Here rest thee, then, till break of day, Myself will show thee on thy way.

6. Whatever be thy fate to-day,

Remember, "This will pass away."

7. The strong-felt passion bolts into the face,

The mind untouched; what is it but grimace?

8. To assail a wounded man were shame,

And stranger is a sacred name.

9. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord's name be praised. 10. No matter how well the track is laid,

No matter how strong the engine is made,

When you find you are running the downward grade,
Put down the brakes.

11. Within the curious chambers of the brain,

Our thoughts are linked by many a hidden chain;
Awake but one, and, lo! what myriads rise,

Each stamps its image as the other flies.

Element No. 3.

1. Then up with our flag; let it stream on the air,
Though our fathers are cold in their graves,
They had hands that could strike,

They had souls that could dare,

And their sons were not made to be slaves.

2. I dare him to his proofs !

3. Through the furnace unshrinking
Thy footsteps I'll share,

And shield thee and save thee,

Or die with thee there.

4. And now there breathes that haunted air,
The sons of sires who conquered there;
With arms to strike and soul to dare,
As quick, as far as they.

5. Comrade, enough! sit down and share
A soldier's couch, a soldier's fare.
6. The wisest and the happiest pair
Will have occasion to forbear,
And something every day they live
To pity, and perhaps forgive.
7. When the wind is blowing fair,
Any ship to port may steer ;
Those that head seas bravely dare
Master fate and conquer fear.

Element No. 4.

1. Enlarge the cavity of your mouth when uttering the open vowels in emphasis.