Pitch.

Pitch of voice refers to the note or key on which

we read or speak.

For all practical purposes, it will be sufficiently exact to regard pitch as having but three general distinctions ;

1. The high pitch, as heard when the voice is raised above the ordinary conversational tone, or in calling to a person at a distance. 2. The middle pitch, as heard in common conversation.

3. The low pitch, as heard when the voice falls below the conversational tone, or in the grave under key.

Movement.

Movement refers to the time or rate of uttering words and sentences.

It may be quick, moderate, or slow, according to the character of the composition to be read.

From the preceding definitions and observations, the pupil is now prepared to appreciate and apply the following general rules for expression.

EXERCISE I.

RULE 1. Language unattended with strong emotions, as most narrative, descriptive, and historical writings, should be read on the middle pitch, in a natural and conversational tone, and with the moderate movement.

THE WALRUS.

1. THE walrus, or, as it is sometimes called, the sea-horse, or sea-cow, is often of the size of a large ox, and sometimes exceeds the size of the elephant. The head is round, and the eyes are small and very brilliant. The most remarkable

QUESTIONS. What is pitch? How many general distinctions has pitch? What are they? What is movement? What are its distinctions? What is the first rule for expression?

feature in its countenance is its two great tusks, which project from its mouth from eighteen inches to two feet, and diverge slightly at the points.

2. As a defence against the extreme cold, these animals have a skin which is from one to two inches thick, covered with coarse hair; and they likewise possess, like the whale tribe, a coating of oily fat, with which their bodies are com pletely enveloped. Thus clothed, they descend to the depths of the Arctic seas, and repose upon their icy beds without inconvenience.

3. Their color varies with their age. The young are black; they afterwards become brown, and gradually grow more and more pale, till in old age they become quite white. The inside of their paws is defended by a thick and rough coating, produced probably by the coarse usage they receive in climbing over rocks and ice.

4. The common dimensions of the walrus are from twelve to fifteen feet, though some authors declare that it reaches a magnitude of twenty feet in length, and nearly as many in circumference. The tusks, when cut out of the skull, are from twenty to thirty inches in length, and weigh from ten to fifteen pounds.

5. They are used by the animal in procuring its food, and as a weapon against its enemies, of which the bear on land, and the sword-fish in the water, are among the most nimble and fierce. They are also used in enabling the animal to raise its unwieldy bulk upon the ice, when its access to the shore is prevented.

6. In the very young the tusks are not protruded, nor is it known at what age they appear. It is undoubtedly owing to this circumstance, and the fact that their countenances have a distant resemblance to the human, that they have sometimes been mistaken for men, and have thus given rise to the foolish stories of the mermen and mermaids. This would be very natural, as the walrus is in the habit of rearing its head

above the water, and gazing about upon ships, or any other passing object.

7. The walrus when in the water swims very fast; indeed, it is almost impossible to follow it closely with a boat. Its swimming-paws are admirably fitted for the water, though but ill suited for the land; yet, by the help of its tusks, it can waddle along pretty fast, but its gait is awkward and unsteady.

8. The food of walruses is various, consisting in part of animal and vegetable. Herring and other small fish, shrimps, sea-weed, clams, and other shell-fish, make up their means of sustenance. They rarely or never eat upon the land. Like the seal, they frequently lie for several days, and even weeks, upon the land, without any food, if the weather is fair; but on the first appearance of a storm, they retreat to the water with great haste.

9. They are in a remarkable degree social in their habits. We hear nothing of them in solitude, or in single pairs; but united together in bands of a hundred, and sometimes even of thousands. This crowding together on land of so many clumsy creatures often gives rise to the most singular spectacles.

10. The moment the first gets ashore, so as to lie dry, it will not stir until another comes, and forces it forward by beating it with its great tusks. This one is served in the same manner by the next, and so on in succession, till the whole are landed, tumbling one over the other in the most ludicrous manner.

11. The walrus is a fearless animal; it pays no regard to a boat, except as an object of curiosity. Though never the aggressor, it can act ably in its defence, and behaves with cool courage and great bravery. It can do much for its individual defence, and is willing to help its associates; and, thus combining, they become formidable and even dangerous foes.

12. Here too it is that its parental and filial feelings are called forth; the mother, with the most admirable self-devotion,

sacrificing herself for her young, and the young exhibiting an affection for its parent which no other animal, not even man,

could exceed.

13. The walrus is a native of the Magdalene Islands, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. These animals resort thither early in the spring, and for a time they are permitted to come on shore unmolested. In a few weeks they assemble in great multitudes, amounting to several thousands. Captain Cook

encountered vast numbers of them in the North Pacific Ocean, where his further progress was arrested by the impenetrable barriers of ice.

14. The products of the walrus, for which it is valued, are its flesh and skin, its oil and its teeth. Among the inhabitants of the Arctic regions its flesh is much valued and esteemed, and is greedily eaten. With mariners from civilized countries, however, it is eaten only from necessity.

15. The skins are found very useful in a variety of ways about shipping. In ancient times, most of the ropes in the vessels of northern countries appear to have been made of this substance, and when cut into shreds, and plaited into cordage, it formed lines which were used in the capture of whales. They also answered admirably for whale-ropes, being stronger and wearing much longer than hemp.

16. The oil of the walrus is more valued than that of the whale. The quantity varies at different seasons of the year, according to the condition of the animals, usually about twenty to thirty gallons from each animal.

17. The teeth are still more valuable than the oil. The Greenlanders and other northern nations, are in the habit of converting the ivory into their hunting-weapons, and into tools and instruments. Among the Chinese, it is employed for those curious uses to which they so wonderfully turn ivory; while in civilized countries, it is extensively used in the manufacture of combs, and various ornaments of taste and beauty.

EXERCISE II.

RULE 2. Language which is grave, grand, or sublime, should generally be read on the low pitch, with a distinct and deliberate utterance and the slow movement.

PASSING AWAY.

1. BRIGHTLY did the sun look down on ocean's vast expanse, on its sheet of boundless blue, and swiftly did a gallant ship speed on its way. But soon clouds obscured the sun; darkness brooded over the sea like a funeral pall; the waves roared angrily, and lashed the sides of the vessel; and as it went down beneath the mighty waters, a wail, loud and long, came up from the sinking crew. The rolling billows, white with foam, gradually became calm; their murmurs grew fainter and fainter, and as the last sound fell upon the ear, it seemed to whisper, "passing away."

2. Far, far remote from the noise and din of the busy world, in a quiet and secluded nook, stood a vine-clad cottage. A silver stream ran murmuring near it; trees, in their natural wildness and beauty, shaded it from the scorching rays of the sun; the humble violet and blushing rose wafted their perfume around. It was, indeed, a fair and lovely spot; but stormclouds rent the air, the deep thunder muttered in the distance, and the forked lightning flashed fearfully about. One moment of dread calm, then a loud crash, and the beauty of the scene had fled; its loveliness had forever "passed away."

3. It was a calm summer's morning. The sun arose with more than his wonted splendor; beautiful flowers were spread around in the greatest profusion, and on each blade of grass, rivaling the most brilliant diamonds, sparkled bright drops of

QUESTIONS. What is the second rule for expression? Point out some passages in this piece that particularly illustrate this rule. What important truth is taught in this piece?