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than it was before, yet it resigns its accent, namely the conclusive, to á word apparently of less importance, in order that the whole clause may have a referential force; just as we often shift the accent of a single word from the syllable that usually bears it to another syllable: as when, with a reference to what has been done, we speak of what is left undone. Emphatic clauses arising from the principle here described have occurred in many parts of the preceding exercises; for instance, óther-creature, at page 42, No. 14; sáw-it-grow, at page 49, No. 1; mísery-of-mankind, page 50, No. 2; and, áll-these-different-faculties-or-ways-of-acting, at page 64, No. 5. -To the original operation of the same principle, must perhaps be attributed, that in plain modulation some words are always without accent. For being employed as common materials in the formation of all sentences, they are, in a manner, presupposed by the other words, and are therefore joined with them as so many unaccented syllables: the sentence at page 40 was an example: to-be-màrred in-our-hópes is-a-chéck we-are-bòrn-to. Even nouns and other principal words lose their accents in plain modulation when redundant or implied: we say for instance Reflection is wise-in-man, without any accent on the last noun; for its meaning is already implied, and the last two words might be omitted. Thus also sickness-rages, in the sentence No. 13, page 49; stillness-holds, No. 7, page 57, and similar phrases elsewhere, without any sufficient reason to be called emphatic, are pronounced with one accent.

What has just been shown lays open another occasion of emphasis, namely, when words which are generally without accent are meant to have allusive force; for then they will assume an accent: and the emphatic character of the accent will in this case be sufficiently perceived, even though it merely takes its place among the modulative accents of the sentence: as for instance the word her in example No. 4, page 64, "when music likewise hath lent hér aid:" for her is allusive to other things described to have tended to the same effect.

Thus far Emphasis has been considered only as it casually affects sentences in parts, without producing any material change in the modulation generally. But the effect of an emphatic accent often reaches throughout a long series of clauses, and frequently throughout the whole sentence, all the other accents being adapted to it, either by preparing for its arrival, or by prolonging its effect.

Something of this has been already seen in the preparation made for emphatic accent elsewhere. Thus at page 60, Example 8, in the last line, to give the world assurance of a man, the voice ascends

with all the previous accents of the line, in order to come down with greater force on the last word man, which is there used in a more than ordinary sense, the speaker having in view, at the time, a person of opposite qualities, contrasted with whom, he says this one was a man. Here, then, the emphatic accent is attended with an antecedent effect on the previous accents ;-the effect of accent on words that follow, was shown in the emphatic clauses lately referred to. We have now to enter on examples, in which the operation of the same principles, produces a more extensive effect on the modulation of the sentences, so as to make them evidently differ from those that are pronounced to convey only a plain meaning. Sentences which terminate suspensively come particularly under this description: they are tacitly opposed to some antecedent meaning; or they leave something unsaid, which the hearer is left to supply. Questions which contain no interrogative word, are pronounced conclusively only when they express both parts of the alternative in view: affirmatively, a thing is, or it is not ;—it is this, or it is that: interrogatively, also, we pronounce with similar accents-is it, or is it nòt ?—is it this, or is it that? But in general only one part of the antithesis is expressed, and the question terminates suspensively, awaiting what the hearer may think or utter conclusively. Sentences will also terminate suspensively, when an affirmative in the former part is opposed to the negative in the latter; or the more positive to the less positive; or what is admitted to what is contingent. Sentences will likewise terminate suspensively, when a suspensive emphasis on some particular word continues its effect to the end of the sentence; just as the conclusive on a particular word often continues its effect on the following words. The remaining exercises in this chapter will enable the pupil to apply these remarks. He must remember that the words in italic are not the only words which give emphatic force to the sentences,—they do but give the direction to that force, either by the preparation which they require, or the effect which is to follow. And in the last exercise, all indication of the several emphases is omitted, and the pupil left to make what use he can of the principles previously exemplified.

EXERCISE 12.

Suspensive Emphasis supplying the place of Interrogative Words.

1. Is it not strange that some persons should be so delicate as not to bear a disagreeable picture in the house, and yet, by their behaviour, force every face they see to wear the gloom of uneasiness and discontént?

2. Would not Diogenes, had he been present at the gluttony of a modern meal, have thought the master of a family mád, and have begged his servants to tie down his hands, had he seen him devour fowl, fish, and flesh; swallow oil and vinegar; wines and spices; throw down salads of twenty different hérbs; sauces of a húndred ingredients; confections and fruits of numberless sweets and flavours?

3. Can we believe that a thinking being, that is in a perpetual progress of improvement, and travelling on from perfection to perfection, after having just looked abroad into the works of her Creator, and made a few discoveries of his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power, must perish at her first setting out, and in the very beginning of her inquiries? Would He, who is infinitely wise, make such glorious creatures for so meán a purpose? Can He delight in the production of such abortive intelligencies, such short-lived reasonable beings? Would He give us talents that

are not to be exérted? capacities that are never to be grátified?

4. Has our Maker furnished us with desires which have no correspondent objects, and raised expectations in our breasts with no other view than to disappoint them? Are we to be for ever in search of happiness without arriving at it, either in this world or in the next? Are we formed with a passionate longing for immortality, and yet destined to perish after this short period of existence? Are we prompted to the noblest actions, and supported through life under the severest hardships and most trying temptations by hopes of a reward which is visionary and chimérical? by the expectation of praises which we are never to realize and enjoy? 5. To purchase heaven has gold the power? Can gold remove the mórtal hour?

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In life can love be bought with gold? Are friendship's pleasures to be sold? 6. Can storied urn or animated bust,

Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath?

Can honour's voice provoke the silent dust, Or flattery sooth the dull cold ear of deáth?

7. Should the loud din of battle cease to

bray,

Would death be foiled? Would health, and strength, and youth,

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Defy his power? Has he no arts in store?
No other shafts save those of wár?

8. Whát! will a man play tricks, will he indulge

A silly fond conceit of his fair form,
And just proportion, fashionable mien,
And pretty face in presence of his Gód?
Or will he seek to dazzle me with tropes
As with the diamond on his lilly hand,
And play his brilliant parts before my

eyes,

When I am hungry for the bread of life? 9. Say, will no white robed son of light, Swift darting from his heavenly height, Here deign to take his hallowed stand? Here wave his amber locks? unfold His pinions clothed with downy gold?

Here, smiling, stretch his tutelary wánd? And you, ye host of saints, for ye have

known

Each dreary path in life's perplexing

maze,

Though now ye circle yon eternal throne

With harpings high of inexpressive praise, Will not your train descend in radiant state To break, with mercy's beam, this gathering cloud of fáte?

10. Think you a little din can daunt my ears?

Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the sea puffed up with winds

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