In pronouncing the compound series, the same rule may be given as in the simple series: Where the compound series commences, the falling inflection takes place on every member but the last; and when the series concludes, it may take place on every member except the last but one. It must be carefully noted, likewise, that the second member ought to be pronounced a little higher, and more forcibly than the first, the third than the second, and so on; for which if the members are numerous, it purpose, is evidently necessary to pronounce the first member in so low a tone as to admit of rising gradually on the same inflection to the last.

Rule I. When two commencing members of a sentence, each of which consists of more than a single word, are in succession, the first member must terminate with the falling, and the last with the rising inflection.

EXAMPLE.

Moderate èxercise, and habitual témperance, strengthen the constitution.

In this example, we find the first member, ending at exercise, pronounced with the falling, and the second, at temperance, pronounced with the rising inflection.

Rule II. When two successive members, each of which consists of more than a single word, conclude a sentence, the first member is to be pronounced with the rising, and the last with the falling inflection, or rather with the falling inflection in a lower tone of voice, called the concluding inflection. See Plate I. No. III. and IV. p. 83.

EXAMPLE.

Nothing tends more powerfully to strengthen the constitu tion than moderate éxercise and habitual tèmperance.

In this example, the first member, at exercise, is pronounced with the rising inflection, and the last, at temperance, with the concluding or falling inflection, without force, and in a lower tone of voice than the preceding words.

Rute III. When three members of a sentence, each of which consists of more than a single word, are in a commencing series, the first member must be pronounced with the talling inflection, the second with the same inflection, somewhat higher and more forcible, and the third with the rising inflection, as in the last member, Rule I.

EXAMPLES.

To advise the ignorant, relieve the needy, comfort the afflicted, are duties that fall in our way almost every day of our lives. Spect. No. 93.

In our country, a man seldom sets up for a poet, without attacking the reputation of all his brothers in the art. The ignorance of the mòderns, the scribblers of the age, the decay of poetry, are the topicks of detraction with which he makes his entrance into the world. Ibid. No. 253.

As the genius of Milton was wonderfully turned to the sublime, his subject is the noblest that could have entered into the thoughts of man; every thing that is truly great and astonishing has a place in it; the whole system of the intellectual world, the chaos and the creation, heaven, earth, and hell, enter into the constitution of his poem. Ibid. No. 315.

Rule IV. When three members of a sentence, each of which consists of more than a single word, are in a concluding series, the falling infection can only fail on the first member, and the two last are pronounced exactly like the two concluding members, Rule 11.

EXAMPLES.

It was necessary for the world, that arts should be invented and improved, books written and transmitted to postérity, nations conquered and civilized. Spectator, No. 255.

All other arts of perpetuating our ideas, except writing or printing, continue but a short time: Statues can last but a few thousands of years, editices féwer, and colours still fewer than èdifices. Ibid. No. 166.

Our lives, says Seneca, are spent either in doing nothing at all, or in doing nothing to the púrpose, or in doing nothing that we òught to do. Spect. No. 93.

If a man would know whether he is possessed of a taste for fine writing, I would have him read over the celebrated works of antiquity, and be very careful to observe whether he tastes the distinguishing perfections, or, if I may be allowed to call them so, the specifick qualities of the author he peruses; whether he is particularly pleased with Livy for his manner of telling a story; with Sallust, for his entering into those internal principles of action which arise from the characters and manners of the persons he descríbes; or with Tacitus, for his displaying those outward motives of safety and interest, which gave birth to the whole series of transactions which he relates.

Ibid. No. 409.

It may here be necessary to observe, that if we doubt of the inflections that are to be given to a very compound series, the best way to discover them will be to reduce the series to a few words, and then the proper inflections will be very perceptible. Suppose, for instance, we contract the series in the last example to its radical words, which, for example sake, let us suppose to be these-whether he is pleased with Livy for his stòry, Sallust for his characters, or Tacitus for his motives: we shall find, by this trial, the same radical pronunciation proper both for the original and the abridgment.

Rule V. When four members of a sentence, each of which consists of more than a single word, are in a commencing series, the three first are to be pronounced with the falling inflection.

EXAMPLE.

Labour or exercise ferments the humours, casts them into their proper channels, throws off redundancies, and helps nature

in those secret distribútions, without which the body cannot subsist in its vigour, nor the soul act with cheerfulness. Spectator, No. 115.

Rule VI. When four members of a sentence, each of which consists of more than a single word, follow in a concluding series, the two first members only can have the falling inflection, and the two last are to be pronounced like the two concluding members, Rule II.

EXAMPLE.

Notwithstanding all the pains which Cicero took in the education of his son, history informs us, that young Marcus proved a mere blockhead; and that Nature (who, it seems, was even with the son for her prodigality to the father) rendered him incapable of improving by all the rules of èloquence, the precepts of philosophy, his own endeavours, and the most refined conversation in Athens. Spectator, No. 307.

Rule VII. When five members of a sentence, each of which contains more than a single word, follow in a commencing series, the four first may be pronounced with the falling inflection; each member rising above the preceding one, and the last as in Rule I.

EXAMPLES.

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 combat, the outcry at his bírth, are circumstances too noble to be passed over in silence, and extremely suitable to this king of tèrrours. Spectator, No. 310.

Aristotle observes, that the fable of an epick poem should abound in circumstances that are both credible and astonishing: Milton's fable is a master-piece of this nature; as the war in heaven, the condition of the fallen àngels, the state of innocence, the temptation of the sèrpent, and the fall of mán, though they are very astonishing in themselves, are not only credible but actual points of faith. Spectator, No. 315.

Rule VIII. When five members of a sentence, each of which contains more than a single word, follow in a concluding series, the three first may be pronounced with the falling inflection, and the two last with the rising and falling inflection, as in Rule II.

EXAMPLES.

Though we seem grieved at the shortness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be at age, then to be a man of business, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at hónours, then to retìre.

Spectator, No. 93.

There is no blessing of life comparable to the enjoyment of a discreet and virtuous friend. It eases and unloads the mind, clears and improves the understanding, engenders thoughts and knowledge, animates virtue and good resolutions, and finds employment for the most vacant hours of life. Spect. No. 93.

The devout man does not only believe but feels there is a Deity; he has actual sensations of him; his experience concurs with his rèason; he sees him more and more in all his íntercourses with him, and even in this life almost loses his faith in conviction. Ibid. No. 465.

Rule IX. When six members of a sentence, each of which contains more than a single word, follow in a commencing series, the first five may be pronounc ed with the falling inflection, every member rising above the preceding one, and the two last members as in Rule II.

EXAMPLES.

That a man, to whom he was, in a great measure, beholden for his crown, and even for his life; a man to whom, by every honour and favour, he had endeavoured to express his gràtitude; whose brother, the earl of Derby, was his own father-inlaw; to whom he had even committed the trust of his person, by creating him lord chamberlain; that a man, enjoying his full confidence and affèction; not actuated by any motive of