sound the two words "a stick" like a word of two syllables accented on the first, thus-a'stick.

In reading the following lines from the same poem, the word "coloneling" is pronounced exactly as it is spelled, col'o nel ing, in four syllables:

"Then did Sir Knight abandon dwelling,

And out he rode a-coloneling."

Also, in the following,

"And wisely tell what hour o' th' day
The clock does strike, by algebra,"

the long sound is given to final a in algebra, to make the word rhyme with day.

In the following couplets from Holmes, the rhyming words are italicized for emphasis:

"It is a pity and a shame-alas! alas! I know it is, To tread the trodden grapes again, but so it has been, so it is."

In this example the three words, "know it is," are pronounced like a word of three syllables, accented on the first, thus-know-it-is; so, also, so'-it-is.

VIII. EXAMPLES OF RHYME.

1. AT THE ATLANTIC DINNER.

I suppose it's myself that you're making allusion to,
And bringing the sense of dismay and confusion to.
Of course some must speak-they are always selected to,
But pray what's the reason that I am expected to?
I'm not fond of wasting my breath as those fellows do
That want to be blowing forever as bellows do;
Their legs are uneasy, but why will you jog any
That long to stay quiet beneath the mahogany?

2. CLASS MEETING, 1875.

HOLMES.

It is a pity and a shame-alas! alas! I know it is, To tread the trodden grapes again, but so it has been, so it is;

The purple vintage long is past, with ripened clusters bursting so

They filled the wine-vats to the brim-t is strange you will be thirsting so!

For who can tell by what he likes what other people's fancies are?

How all men think the best of wives their own particular Nancies are!

If what I sing you brings a smile, you will not stop to catechise,

Nor read Boeotia's lumbering line with nicely scanning Attic eyes.

Though on the once unfurrowed brows the harrow-teeth of Time may show,

Though all the strain of crippling years the halting feet of rhyme may show,

We look and hear with melting hearts, for what we all remember is

The morn of Spring, nor heed how chill the sky of gray November is.

Thanks to the gracious powers above from all mankind that singled us,

And dropped the pearl of friendship in the cup they kindly mingled us,

And bound us in a wreath of flowers with hoops of steel knit under it;

Nor time, nor space, nor chance, nor change, nor death himself shall sunder it!

HOLMES.

SECTION III.

IMITATIVE READING.

The extent to which imitative reading, or the suiting of sound to sense, may properly be carried, in certain classes of selections, is a matter in regard to which there is a diversity of opinion among elocutionists. It is one of those questions of taste that cannot be regulated by definite directions applicable to all cases. Some general principles, however, may be laid down, from which there is no intelligent dissent.

The style of reading should be imitative in the sense of making it conform to the spirit and meaning of the piece.

In the utterance of words in which the sound seems to approximate to the sense, such as buzz, hiss, thunder, groan, sigh, scream, etc., the tone may be suggestive of the idea. Thus, in reading such passages as,

"From his lips escaped a groan,"

though an actual groan would be ridiculous, the word "groan" may be uttered so as to suggest a groan.

EXAMPLES.

1. Hear the loud alarum bells-brazen bells.

2. Clang! clang! the massive anvils ring.

3. Blow, bugle; answer echoes, dying, dying, dying.

4. Oh! the bells! what a tale their terror tells

Of despair!

How they clang, and clash, and roar,
What a horror they outpour

On the bosom of the palpitating air!

Wherever the author distinctly suggests an imitation, it should be given so far as is consistent with good taste. Thus, when Longfellow writes,

"And loud that clarion voice replied,"

it is evident that the refrain, "Excelsior!" should be given in a loud, clear, resonant manner.

EXAMPLES FOR PRACTICE.

1. A voice replied far up the height, "Excelsior!"

2. She seemed in the same silver tones to say, "Passing away, passing away!"

3. What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore

Meant in croaking, "Nevermore."
4. An ancient time-piece says to all,
"Forever-never! Never-forever!"

5. "To all the truth we tell, we tell,"
Shouted in ecstasies a bell.

6. BUNKER HILL.

How the bayonets gleamed and glistened, as we looked far down and listened

To the trampling and the drum-beat of the belted grenadiers.

Over heaps all torn and gory-shall I tell the fearful

story,

How they surged above the breastwork as a sea breaks o'er a deck;

How, driven, yet scarce defeated, our worn-out men retreated,

With their powder-horns all emptied, like the swimmers from a wreck!

HOLMES.

Imitation should not be too literal. The attempt is sometimes made in reading Tennyson's "Bugle Song," to give a realistic imitation of the notes of a bugle. While the professional reader may attempt such a feat of vocal gymnastics, it is certainly outside of the limits. of good taste in school reading. The words. "Blow,

bugle, blow," may be given with a prolonged swell, and in a thin, clear, pure tone, so as to suggest the bugle note.

So in reciting Poe's "Bells," the imitative rendering is often carried to a ridiculous extreme. In these and similar cases it is not a literal reproduction of the sound that should be attempted, but an artistic and idealized suggestion of it.

EXAMPLES.

1. And grummer, grummer, grummer,
Rolled the drum of the drummer,
Through the morn.

And rounder, rounder, rounder,
Roared the iron six-pounder,
Hurling death.

2. I hear them marching o'er the hill;
I hear them fainter, fainter still.

3. CHURCH BELLS./

"In deeds of love, excel! excel!"
Chimed out from ivied towers a bell.

"O heed the ancient landmarks well!"
In solemn tones exclaimed a bell.

"Ye purifying waters swell!"
In mellow tones rung out a bell.

"To all the truth we tell! we tell!"
Shouted in ecstasies a bell.

4. WHEN THE COWS COME HOME.

When klingle, klangle, klingle,
Far down the dusty dingle,
The cows are coming home;

Now sweet and clear, now faint and low,

The airy tinklings come and go,

Like chimings from the far-off tower,