"Ye nymphs of Solyma"! begin the song; But if it should happen that words which have so strict and intimate a connexion, as not to bear even a momentary separation, are divided from one another by this cæsural paule, we then feel a sort of struggle between the sense and the sound, which renders it difficult to read such lines harmoniously. The rule of proper pronunciation in such cases, is to regard only the panse which the sense forms: and to read the line accordingly. The negleet of the cæsural pause may make the line sound somewhat unharmoniously; but the effect would be much worse, if ther sense were sacrificed to the sound. For instance, in the following lines of Milton, "What in me is dark, "Illumine; what is low, raise and support." the sense clearly dictates the pause after illumine, at the end of the third syllable, which, in readme ought to be made accord ingly; though, if the melody only were to be regarded, illumine should be connected with what follows, and the pause not made till the fourth or sixth syllable. So in the following line of Pope's Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot;* " I sit, with sad civility I read." the ear plainly points out the cæsural pause as falling after sad, the fourth syllable. But it would be very bad reading to make any pause there, so as to separate sad and civility. The sense admits of no other pause than after the second syllable sit, which therefore must be the only pause made in reading this part of the sentence. There is another mode of dividing some verses, by introducing what may be called demi-cæsuras, which require very slight pauses; and which the reader should manage with judgment, or he will be apt to fall into an affected sing-song mode of pronouncing verses of this kind. The following lines exemplify the demi-casura. "Warms' in the sun", refreshes' in the breeze, Before the conclusion of this introduction, the CompilerTM takes the liberty to recommend to teachers, to exercise their pupils in discovering and explaining the emphatic words, and the proper tones and pauses, of every portion assigned them to read, previously to their being called out to the performance. These preparatory lessons, in which they should be regularly examined, will improve then judgment and taste; prevent the practice of reading without attention to the subject; and establish a habit of readily discovering the meaning, force, and beauty, of every sen tence they peruse, P t THE ENGLISH READER. PART I. PIECES IN PROSE. 444 CHAPTER I. SELECT SENTENCES AND PARAGRAPHS. SECTION I. a Dil-i-gence, dil-e-jense, industry, h Tran-quil-li-ty, tran-kwil-é-tè, assiduity. b In-dus-try, in-das-tre, diligence, i Re-treat, ré-trete, retirement, to c Ma-te-ri-al, ma-té-ré-al, corpo-k Be-nef-i-cence, bé-nêf-e-sense, d Ac-qui-sit-ion, åk-kwe-zish'-ûn, I Os-ten-ta-tion, quiet, calmness. assiduity. retire. real, essential. act of goodness. os-tên-ta-shun, the act of acquiring. vain show. e En-dow-ment, wealth bestowed, gifts of nature. åte, merciful, to pity. any thing. culty by which we judge of ourselves. en-dou-ment, m Com-pas-sion-ate, kom-påsh-un f Ba-sis, basis, the foundation of in Con-science, kôn -shense, the fa g Pu-ri-fy, pu-re-fi, to make or grow pure. DILIGENCE, industry, and proper improvement of time, are material duties of the young. The acquisitiond of knowledge is one able occupations of youth. of the most honour Whatever useful or engaging endowments we possess, virtue is requisite, in order to their shining with proper lustre. NOTE. In the first chapter the compiler has exhibited sentences in a great variety of construction, and in all the diversity of punctuation. If well practised upon, he presumes they will fully prepare the young reader for the various pauses, inflections, and modulations of voice, which the succeeding pieces require. The Author's "English Exercises," under the head of Punctuation, will afford the learner additional scope for improving himself in reading sentences and paragraphs variously con structed. 26 ENGLISH READER. PART I Virtuous youth gradually brings forward accomplished and flourishing manhood. Sincerity and truth, form the basis of every virtue. guise. Change and alteration form the very essence of the world. True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise. In order to acquire a capacity for happiness, it must be our first study to rectify inward disorders. Whatever purifies,& fortifies also the heart. From our eagerness to grasp, we strangle and destroy pleasure. A temperate spirit, and moderate expectations, are excellent safeguards of the mind, in this uncertain and changing state. There is nothing except simplicity of intention, and purity of principle, that can stand the test of near approach and strict examination. The value of any possession is to be chiefly estimated, by the relief which it can bring us in the time of our greatest need. No person who has once yielded up the government of his mind, and given loose rein to his desires and passions, can tell how far they may carry him. Tranquillity of mind is always most likely to be attained, when the business of the world is tempered with thoughtful and serious retreat. He who would act like a wise man, and build his house on the rock, and not on the sand, should contemplate human life, not only in the sunshine, but in the shade. Let usefulness and beneficence, not ostentation' and vanity, direct the train of your pursuits. To maintain a steady and unbroken mind, amidst all the shocks of the world, marks a great and noble spirit. Patience, by preserving composure within, resists the impression which trouble makes from without. Compassionatem affections, even when they draw tears from our eyes for human misery, convey satisfaction to the heart. They who have nothing to give, can afford relief to others, by imparting what they feel. Our ignorance of what is to come, and of what is really good or evil, should correct anxiety about worldly success. ty an distres by gu No unble malic |