Art thou that traitor Angel? art thou he, Who first broke peace in Heaven, and faith, till then Drew after him the third part of Heaven's sons, Transition. TRANSITION means those sudden changes of the voice that are made in reading or speaking, prompted by the emotions which the sentiment of the language inspires. The general principles upon which transition depends may be learned by carefully studying the rules given for expression. In order to present these changes to the eye, the following characters will be used. These marks are in some instances used in combination; as (s p) slow and plaintive. EXAMPLE. He scarce had ceased, when the superior fiend, Was moving toward the shore ; He called so loud that all the hollow deep * How far the influence of these characters extends, is left for the reader to determine. QUESTIONS. What is Transition? How can the general principles of Transition be earned? Explain the characters used to mark the changes of voice in Transition? How shall the reader determine how far the influence of the rhetorical characters extend? Of hell resounded. (h 1) Princes, Potentates, Warriors! the flower of heaven, once yours, now lost, Eternal spirits. The language of the first part of this example being simple narrative, requires a moderate movement, and the middle pitch. In the latter part a transition is made to the high pitch, and a quicker movement, because the language changes from narrative to that of commanding authority. (9) Away, away, o'er the foaming main! This was the free and the joyous strain;— We will shape our course by a brighter star; There are plains whose verdure no foot hath pressed, And whose wealth is all for the first brave guest. A thousand hearts beat happily Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again, (1) But hush! hark!-a deep sound strikes like the rising knell ! Did ye not hear it?-No,-'twas but the wind, Or the car rattling o'er the stony street. (h) On with the dance! let joy be unconfined; No sleep till morn when youth and pleasure meet And gathering tears, and tremblings of distress, (q) And there was mounting in hot haste; the steed, QUESTIONS. Why is the first part of the first example spoken on the middle pitch? Why the last on the high pitch? 6 Personation. PERSONATION implies those changes or variations of voice, necessary to represent two or more individuals as speaking. In reading dialogue of all kinds, this principle of elocution is employed; and it will at once be seen that it requires great skill to manage the voice in such a manner, as to represent accurately the characters speaking. RULE. Consider the condition, the feelings, and the temperament of the characters to be represented, and vary the voice in such a manner as best to personate them. EXAMPLE. Plain Dialogue. Alexander. What, art thou that Thracian robber, of whose exploits I have heard so much? Robber. I am a Thracian, and a Soldier. A. A Soldier! a thief, a plunderer, an assassin! the pest of the country! I could honor thy courage, but I must detest and punish thy crimes. R. What have I done, of which you can complain? A. Hast thou not set at defiance my authority, violated the public peace, and passed thy life in injuring the persons and property of thy fellow subjects? R. Alexander, I am your captive; I must hear what you please to say, and endure what you please to inflict. But my soul is unconquered; and if I reply at all to your reproaches, I will reply like a free man. To read the language used by the two characters in this extract in the same tone, and with the same expression, would make it disagree. able even to the most unpracticed ear. The condition of Alexander is that of a king and conqueror; his passions are irritated, and it would be natural to suppose that he would speak in the language of authority and contempt. QUESTIONS. What is personation? What is the rule for personation? How should the part of Alexander, in the example, be read? On the other hand, the robber is a captive, in the power of Alexander; and from the very circumstances in which he is placed, would use the language of submission and respect. Rhetorical Dialogue. When a writer introduces into his composition, for the sake of vivacity, one individual or more as speaking, it is called Rhetorical Dialogue, and should be read according to the rule given above. EXAMPLES. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. They turned deadly pale at the fatal rencounter. "I was first at the top," said Bendearg, "and called out first, lie down that I may pass over in peace." "When Grant prostrates himself before Macpherson," answered the other, "it must he with a sword through his body." "Turn back then," said Bendearg, "and repass as you came." "Go back yourself if you like it," replied Grant. Rhetorical Pause. RHETORICAL PAUSE is a suspension of voice where grammatical punctuation does not require it. The rhetorical pause, when properly observed, adds precision and force to the thought or sentiment uttered. When it precedes an important word or clause, it excites expectation and prepares the mind for what follows. In general, correct taste and good judgment, will better decide its proper length, and where it should be used, than any set rules. The following rule, however, embraces a few of the instances where its use is required, and is introduced for the purpose of calling the learner's attention to the subject. The pause is marked thus, (|). RULE. The rhetorical pause is generally required between a verb and its nominative, before and after an QUESTIONS. How should the part of the robber be read? What is Rhetorical Dialogue? How should it be read? What is Rhetorical Pause? What is the rule? intervening phrase, before an adjective when it follows its noun, where there is an ellipsis, and before and after an important word or clause of a sentence. EXAMPLES. Industry is the guardian of innocence. Prosperity gains friends; adversity | tries them. The great, invincible Alexander | wept at the fate of Darius. Precipitation | ruins the best contrived plans, patience | ripens the most difficult. Talents without application | are no security for progress in learning. Wealth with a benevolent disposition | renders the possessor a blessing to the world. Hers was a soul | replete with every noble quality. Add to your faith | virtue ; and to virtue | knowledge; and to knowledge | temperance; and to temperance | patience. Is not the mystery comprehended in one word | sympathy? I have but one lamp, by which my feet are guided, and that | is the lamp of experience. EXERCISES ON MODULATION. Exercise 1.-To Illustrate Transition, Page 60. 1. HEARD ye those loud contending waves, Saw ye the mighty from their graves And bid the raging tumult cease? |