the same inflection, with a little more force, and in a somewhat higher tone of voice, takes place on the words spring from them; and the word assemblies has the same inflection a little increased in force and height; this gradual increase of force and height on the three first members, gives variety and harmony to the declension of voice on the next member, which forms the period.

Series.

As variety is necessary in the delivery of almost every separate portion of a sentence, it must be much more so where the sentence is so constructed that perfectly similar portions succeed each other to a considerable number. If the ear is dispicased at the similar endings of two or three members, which, though unlike in other respects, are necessarily connected in sense, how intolerable must it be to hear a long detail of perfectly similar members, pronounced with exactly the same tone of voice! The instinctive taste for harmony in the most undisciplined ear would be disgusted with such a monotony : And we find few readers, even among those who are incapable of diversifying any other species of sentence, that do not endeavour to throw some variety into an enumeration of many similar particulars. An attempt to point out the most harmonious and emphatick variety, and to reduce it to such rules as may help to guide us in the most frequent and obvious instances, is one of the principal objects of the present

essay.

Nothing, however, can be more various than the pronunciation of a series: Almost every different number of particulars requires a different method of varying them; and even those of precisely the same number of particulars admit of a different mode of

pronunciation, as the series is either commencing or concluding, simple or compound; single or double, or treble, with many other varieties too complex to be easily determined: but as enumerating several particulars of a similar kind, in such a manner as to convey them more forcibly to the mind, and at the same time to render them agreeable to the ear; as this, I say, is one of the most striking beauties in reading, it will be necessary to give as clear an idea as possible of that tone and inflection of voice which seems so peculiarly adapted to this species of sen

tence.

In the first place, then, we may observe, that whenever we enumerate particulars with emphasis, or more than ordinary precision, we are apt to give some of the first, at least, such a tone as marks not only a distinct enumeration but a complete one; that is, the voice falls into such a tone as shews each particular article of enumeration to be completed, but not the whole number; or, in other words, it is exactly that tone of voice we use, when, in collecting several particulars into one aggregate, we distinguish with more than ordinary precision each particular from the other. In the pronunciation of sentences of this kind, the similar members would naturally adopt the falling inflection; or that inflection we use on the words voluntarily, determinately, knowingly, &c. No. X. XI. XII. XIII. &c. of the scale of sounds, Plate II. p. 84; which inflection not only distinguishes and enforces each particular taken separately, but preserves the idea of a collective whole.

But the nature as well as use of this inflection will, perhaps, be better understood by recurring to a former example:

I tell you, though you, though all the world, though an angel from heaven were to affirm the truth of it, I could not be lieve it.

If, instead of adopting the falling inflection upon you, world, and heaven, we suspend the voice upon these words, as we do upon the words voluntarily, determinately, knowingly, &c. No. I. II. III. &c. or the words involuntarily, indeterminately, unknowingly, No. X. XI. XII. &c. Plate II. we shall soon perceive the propriety of using the inflection we are here describing, that is, the same inflection with which we pronounce the words involuntarily, indeterminately, unknowingly, &c. No. I. II. III. &c. or the words voluntarily, determinately, knowingly, &c. No. X. XI. XII. &c. Plate II. And first let us try this passage with the rising inflection on each particular :

I tell you, though you, though all the world, though an angel from heaven, were to affirm the truth of it, I could not believe it.

How tame and insipid is this asseveration, in comparison with the following manner of delivering it! that is, each particular having the falling inflection:

I tell you, though you, though all the world. though an angel from heaven, were to affirm the truth of it, I could not believe it.

The necessity of adopting this inflection in the series will be still more apparent, by repeating another passage both with and without it. And first let us try the example, by pronouncing it with the voice suspended on every member, as the commas seem to indicate; that is, with the rising inflection, as on the words voluntarily, determinately, knowingly, &c. No. I. II. III. &c. or the words involuntarily, indeterminately, unknowingly, No: X. XI. XII. &c. Plate II.

The descriptive part of this allegory is likewise very strong and full of sublime ideas;-the figure of death, the regal crown upon his head, his menace of Sátan, his advancing to the combat, the outcry at his bírth, are circumstances too no

ble to be passed over in silence, and extremely suitable to this, king of terrours.

Now let us pronounce each particular of this series but the last with the falling inflection, that is, with the same inflection as on the words involuntarily, indeterminately, unknowingly, &c. or the words voluntarily, determinately, knowingly, &c. No. X. XI. XII. &c. Plate II. p. 84.

The descriptive part of this allegory is likewise very strong and full of sublime ideas; the figure of death, the regal crown upon his head, his menace of Satan, his advancing to the còmbat, the outcry at his bírth, are circumstances too noble to be passed over in silence, and extremely suitable to this king of

terrours.

The difference of these two methods of pronouncing this sentence is so obvious, as to leave no doubt to which we shall give the preference; but it may not be improper to remark, that in a series of this kind, unless the language be very emphatical, it is necessary to give the last article of the series the rising inflection, as this is the point where the sense begins to form; and this point, if emphasis forbid not, always requires the suspension of voice marked by the rising inflection. Sce Compact Sentence, p. 92

and 96.

Thus having given a general idea of this very important figure in reading, it will be necessary to enter upon that system of rules, which is calculated to direct and ascertain the pronunciation of it; but as every series requires different inflections, as it either commences or concludes a sentence, it may be necessary to observe, that by the name of a commencing series is meant that which begins a sentence, but does not conclude it; and that by the name of a concluding series is meant that which ends the sentence, whether it begin it or not. As a difference of inflection also takes place upon the several members of a series, as these members consist of one single

word, or more words, it will not, perhaps, be improper to call the series whose members consist of single words, a simple series; and those whose members consist of two or more words, a compound series. In order, therefore, to convey the rules that relate to this curious and intricate part of reading, it will be necessary to begin with the most simple combination of words, though not properly a series.

Simple Series.

Rule I. When two members, consisting of single words, commence a sentence, the first must have the falling, and the last the rising inflection.

EXAMPLES.

Exercise and temperance strengthen the constitution.

The difference of tone which distinguishes the commencing words of this sentence, will be much more perceptible, if we do but consult explication of Plate I. page 82.

Rule II. When two members, consisting of single words, conclude a sentence, as the last must naturally have the falling inflection, the last but one assumes the rising inflection.

The constitution is strengthened by éxercise and tèmperance.

This rule is the converse of the former. It must, however, be observed, that sentences of this kind, which can scarcely be called a series of particulars, may, when commencing, assume a different order of inflections on the first words, when the succeeding clause does not conclude the sentence. This may be illustrated by consulting Plate I. No. III. and IV.; where we see exercise and temperance, when the next clause concludes the sentence, as in No. III. adopt one order of infections; and the same words,