nobler feelings, and fitting the mind for the contempla tion of the higher and holier scenes, while the absence of this property of utterance renders the reading of the most sublime passages in prayer and praise harsh and unpleasant.

In the utterance of the milder forms of awe and horror the effusive gives intensity to the expression.

SECTION IV.

EXPULSIVE FORM.

The expulsive is that form of voice in which the sound is emitted from the organs in an abrupt and forcible

manner.

The breath, by a vigorous inward and upward action of the abdominal muscles, is sent forth from the lungs to the vocal organs, where it is converted into an expulsive sound.

To acquire control of this form of voice, great care should be taken while practicing the exercises to maintain a vigorous play of the abdominal, dorsal and intercostal muscles, to keep the head erect and the shoulders well back.

Repeat the following exercises in a clear, full, expul sive form of voice.

The expulsive is the appropriate form of voice for the utterance of narrative, descriptive, didactic, animated, argumentative, and impassioned thought as expressed in scientific and literary lectures, doctrinal and practical sermons, senatorial, political, and judicial speeches, and formal orations.

EXAMPLES: I. NARRATION.

[From "A Soldier's Funeral."-A. H. Quint.]

The first funeral at which I officiated was at Harper's Ferry, while our regiment occupied that post. There had been brought into our hospital a soldier of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania-then on its way home at the expiration of its three months' service-whom that regiment left with us one afternoon as they passed through the place. That evening, as I passed at a late hour through the hospital, I noticed this new face, and, on inquiry, found the facts. He was sick with typhoid fever—very sick. Little more than a boy in years, he was to me, then, nameless, not one of ours; but he was a suffering soldier, and may God bless every one of such!

II. DIDACTIC.

[From "Industry and Eloquence."—Wirt.]

In the ancient republics of Greece and Rome, oratory was a necessary branch of a finished education. A much smaller proportion of the citizens were educated than among us, but of these a much larger number became orators. No man could hope for distinction or

influence and yet slight this art. The commanders of their armies were orators as well as soldiers, and ruled as well by their rhetorical as by their military skill. There was no trusting with them, as with us, to a natural facility, or the acquisition of an accidental fluency by occasional practice.

III. ARGUMENTATIVE ORATORICAL.

[From "Our Duty to our Country."-Story.]

We stand the latest, and, if we fail, probably the last, experimen? of self-government by the people. We have begun it under circumstances of the most auspicious nature. We are in the vigor of youth. Our growth has never been checked by the oppressions of tyranny; our constitutions have never been enfeebled by the vices or luxuries of the Old World. Such as we are we have been from the beginning —simple, hardy, intelligent, accustomed to self-government and to self-respect. The Atlantic rolls between us and any formidable foe. Within our territory, stretching through many degrees of latitude and longitude, we have the choice of many products and many means of independence. The government is mild, the press is free, religion is free; knowledge reaches, or may reach, every home. What fairer prospect of success could be presented? What means more adequate to accomplish the sublime end? What more is necessary than for the people to preserve what they have themselves created? Already has the age caught the spirit of our institutions. It has already ascended the Andes and snuffed the breezes of both oceans; it has infused itself into the life-blood of Europe, and warmed the sunny plains of France and the low lands of Holland; it has touched the philosophy of Germany and the North, and, moving onward to the South, has opened to Greece the lessons of her better days. Can it be that America, under such circumstances, can betray herself? Can it be that she is to be added to the catalogue of republics, the inscription upon whose ruins is, They were, but they are not? Forbid it, my countrymen! Forbid it, Heaven!

IV. IMPASSIONED.

[From "Eloquence of James Otis."-Mrs. Childs.]

The flame of liberty is extinguished in Greece and Rome, but the light of its glowing embers is still bright and strong on the shores of America. Actuated by its sacred influence, we will resist unto death; but we will not countenance anarchy and misrule. The wrongs that a desperate community have heaped upon their enemies shall be amply

and speedily repaired. Still it may be well for some proud men to remember that a fire is lighted in these colonies which one breath of their king may kindle into such a flame that the blood of all England cannot extinguish it.

The expulsive form gives energy, life, and spirit to all direct and forcible speaking. Divested of this form of voice the manly and powerful eloquence of Demosthenes, Chatham, Webster, and Clay, would become ridiculous and contemptible.

No exercise is more beneficial for strengthening and developing the voice than practice on the expulsive form.

SECTION V.

EXPLOSIVE FORM.

The explosive is that form of voice in which the sound bursts forth instantaneously from the organs.

It resembles in suddenness the crack of a pistol or the report of a rifle.

"This form of voice proceeds from a violent and abrupt exertion of the abdominal muscles acting on the diaphragm, and thus discharging a large volume of air previously inhaled. The breath in this process is, as it were, dashed against the glottis or lips of the larynx, causing a loud and instantaneous explosion."

"In the act of 'explosion,' the chink of the glottis is for a moment closed, and resistance at first offered to the escape of the breath by a firm compression of the lips of the larynx and downward pressure of the epiglottis.

"After this instant pressure and resistance, follows the explosion, caused by the appulsive act of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, propelling the breath with powerful and irresistible volume on the glottis and epiglottis, which at length give way and suffer the breath to escape

with a loud and sudden report of a purely explosive character."

Practice the following elements and words with all the force and abruptness you can command. Inflate the lungs before each effort, and then expel the breath violently as directed above.

In connection with these exercises practice the mechanical act of coughing.

The explosive is the appropriate form for the expres sion of joy, gladness, intense passion, as anger, scorn, hatred, revenge, the sudden cry of terror and alarm, and the shout of courage and defiance.

EXAMPLES: I. ECSTATIC Joy.

Joy, joy! shout aloud for joy!