SLIDES. Slides are inflections of the voice, used to prevent monotony and to give better expression to the idea. They are Ascending and Descending; both are united in the Circumflex. In music, the ascent or descent is made by distinct steps; but, in speech, the voice is bent more or less upward or downward. These changes are continually taking place, except in the monotone, and they give expression to the voice. Ascending Slides denote uncertainty, doubt, interrogation, and incompleteness of idea. I. 2. EXAMPLES. Hast thou ever known the feeling In the light of by-gone days; Was it the chime of a tiny bell, That came so sweet to my dreaming ear, That he winds on the beach, so mellow and clear, And he his notes as silvery quite, While the boatman listens and ships his oar, To catch the music that comes from the shore? Descending Slides indicate positiveness, determination, or a completion of the thought. EXAMPLES. I. Come one, come all, this rock shall fly Knave, stand aside! I'll have my freedom, or I'll die! The Circumflex (Rising or Falling), is used to denote surprise or to express a secondary meaning, which may be in harmony with or directly opposite to that con veyed by the words. I 2. EXAMPLES. What? shear a wolf, a prowling wolf? "My father's trade! now really, that's too bad! He was a gentleman, I'd have you know." Cadence is the tone with which a sentence terminates. According to the sentiment, it may have the ascending or the descending slide, the rising or the falling circumflex; or it may vanish with no slide whatever. A sentence expressing a complete thought, having no modifying phrase or clause, and not affected by anything preceding or following it, should always terminate with a downward inflection; but, when so modified, it should close with a tone adapted to the connection of meaning. The reader should study variety, and avoid uniformity in closing sentences. Practice the following with (1) the vanish, or absence of slide; (2) slight rising inflection; (3) full rising inflection; (4) slight falling inflection; (5) full falling slide; (6) rising circumflex; (7) falling circumflex: "For weeks the clouds had raked the hills." NOTE. It will be remembered that there are infinite variations in Pitch, Force, Time and Slides. For instance, in Pitch we have Natural, Low and High, but one word may require a tone much higher than another, though the lower may be above the Natural. All varieties of Pitch that vary from the Natural are designated as High or Low; the degree must be determined by the judgment of the reader. FORM. Form of voice may be Natural, Effusive, Expulsive, or Explosive. The Natural is that ordinarily used in conversation. EXAMPLES. 1. 'Twas the eve before Christmas, “Good-night” had been said, And Annie and Willie had crept into bed; There were tears on their pillows and tears in their eyes, For to-night their stern father's command had been given I sometimes have thought in my loneliest hours, When my heart was as light as a blossom in June; On the white wing of peace floated off in the west. The Effusive is a very light, gentle form, usually characterized by the swell (<). It is used in expressing that which is beautiful, tranquil or pathetic. It is characteristic of lofty sentiment not requiring vigorous expression. I. EXAMPLES. How beautiful she is! how fair She lies within those arms that press Over the river they beckon to me, Loved ones who crossed to the other side; The gleam of their snowy robes I see, But their voices are drowned by the rushing tide. There's one with ringlets of sunny gold, And eyes the reflection of heaven's own blue, He crossed in the twilight gray and cold, And the pale mist hid him from mortal view. My brother stands, waiting to welcome me. The Expulsive () is a forcible utterance expressive of determination and intensity of feeling. I. 2. EXAMPLES. Up all, and shout for Rudiger— Why not reform? That's easily said; But I've gone through such wretched treatment, Sometimes forgetting the taste of bread, And scarce remembering what meat meant, That my poor stomach's past reform; And there are times when, mad with thinking, To prop a horrible inward sinking. The Explosive (—) is used in vehement language and in powerful description. It usually manifests itself in the bursting of the voice on a single word. 2. EXAMPLES. Men, at some time, are masters of their fates. "Halt "-the dust-brown rank stood fast; FORCE. Force, or power of the voice, is of three kinds-Natural, Heavy and Gentle. Natural Force is that most commonly used in speaking or reading. EXAMPLES. We are two travellers, Roger and I. Roger's my dog-come here, you scamp! Jump for the gentleman-mind your eye! The rogue is growing a little old; Five years we've tramped through wind and weather, And slept out doors when nights were cold, And ate and drank-and starved together. 2. 'Tis easy to stand on a vessel's deck, And watch the foam from her flashing wake, 'Tis easy enough to climb the mast When hushed the billow's war, With the pennon gay That floats with the highest spar. Heavy Force is used in grand description and in conveying any idea of power. I. 3. EXAMPLES. The storm o'er the ocean flew furious and fast, And the waves rose in foam at the voice of the blast, And heavily labored the gale-beaten ship, Like a stout-hearted swimmer, the spray at his lip; And dark was the sky o'er the mariner's path, Bell never yet was hung, As the bleak Atlantic currents Lash the wild Newfoundland shore, Gentle Force is used in tender and pathetic description. and in all cases where a subdued form is necessary to correctly express the sentiment. EXAMPLES. Noiselessly as the daylight Comes when the night is done, And the crimson streak on ocean's cheek Grows into the great sun, |