McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader Part 4

RULE II.--The language of emphasis generally requires the falling inflection.

EXAMPLES. (22)

1. Charge', Chester, charge'; on', Stanley, on'.

2. Were I an American, as I am an Englishman, while a single' foreign troop' remained' in my country, I would never' lay down my arms'--never', never', never.'

3. Does anyone suppose that the payment of twenty shillings, would have ruined Mr. Hampden's fortune? No'. But the payment of half twenty shillings, on the principle' it was demanded, would have made him a slave'.

4. I insist' upon this point': I urge' you to it; I press' it, demand' it.

5. All that I have', all that I am', and all that I hope' in this life, I am now ready', here, to stake' upon it.

RULE III.--Interrogative sentences and members of sentences, which can not be answered by yes or no, generally require the falling inflection.

EXAMPLE. (22)

1. How many books did he purchase'?

2. Why reason ye these things in your hearts'?

3. What see' you, that you frown so heavily to-day'?

4. Ah! what is that flame which now bursts on his eye'?

5. Whence this pleasing hope', this fond desire', This longing after immortality'?

Exception.--When questions usually requiring the falling inflection are emphatic or repeated, they take the rising inflection.

EXAMPLES. (22)

1. Where did you say he had gone'?

2. To whom did you say the blame was to be imputed'?

3. What is' he? A knave. What' is he? A knave, I say.

RISING INFLECTION. (23)

RULE IV.--The rising inflection is generally used where the sense is dependent or incomplete.

REMARK.--This inflection is generally very slight, requiring an acute and educated ear to discern it, and it is difficult to teach pupils to distinguish it, though they constantly use it. Care should be taken not to exaggerate it.

EXAMPLES. (23)

1. Nature being exhausted', he quietly resigned himself to his fate.

2. A chieftain to the Highlands bound', Cries', "Boatman, do not tarry!"

3. As he spoke without fear of consequences', so his actions were marked with the most unbending resolution,

4. Speaking in the open air', at the top of the voice', is an admirable exercise.

5. If then, his Providence' out of our evil, seek to bring forth good', our labor must be to prevent that end.

6. He', born for the universe', narrowed his mind, And to party gave up what was meant for mankind.

REMARK.--The names of persons or things addressed, when not used emphatically, are included in this rule.

7. Brother', give me thy hand; and, gentle Warwick!, Let me embrace thee in my weary arms.

8. O Lancaster', I fear thy overthrow.

9. Ye crags' and peaks', I'm with you once again.

Exception 1.--Relative emphasis often reverses this and the first rule, because emphasis is here expressed in part by changing the usual inflections.

EXAMPLES. (23)

1. If you care not for your property', you surely value your life'.

2. If you will not labor for your own' advancement, you should regard that of your children'.

3. It is your place to obey', not to command'.

4. Though by that course he should not destroy his reputation', he will lose all self-respect'.

Exception 2.--The names of persons addressed in a formal speech, or when used emphatically, have the falling inflection.

EXAMPLES. (24)

1. Romans, countrymen, and lovers', hear me for my cause, etc.

2. Gentlemen of the jury', I solicit your attention, etc.

3. O Hubert', Hubert', save me from these men.

RULE V.--Negative sentences and parts of sentences, usually require the rising inflection.