Was it the chime of a tiny bell, That came so sweet to my dreaming ear, Like the silvery tones of a fairy's shell That he winds on the beach, so mellow and clear, When the winds and the waves lie together asleep, And the moon and the fairy are watching the deep,She dispensing her silvery light, And he, his notes as silvery quite, While the boatman listens, and ships his oar, Are set to words: as they float, they say, "Passing away! passing away!" But no; it was not a fairy's shell, Blown on the beach, so mellow and clear; Oh! how bright were the wheels, that told Of the lapse of time, as they moved around slow! And the hands, as they swept o'er the dial of gold, Seemed to point to the girl below. And lo! she had changed: — in a few short hours While I gazed at that fair one's cheek, a shade Like that by a cloud in a summer's day made, And the light in her eye, and the light on the wheels, Was a little dimmed, Upon noon's hot face:- yet one couldn't but love her, For she looked like a mother, whose first babe lay Rocked on her breast, as she swung all day; And she seemed in the same silver tone to say, "Passing away! passing away!" While yet I looked, what a change there came! The garland beneath her had fallen to dust; Grew crooked and tarnished, but on they kept; EXERCISE LII. SEASONS OF PRAYER. Henry Ware, Jr. 66 [Solemnity, beauty, sublimity, joy, and pathos, are the predominating emotions in this piece. The "qualities” of voice required in reading it, vary, with the force or delicacy of the "expression,” — from "expulsive orotund” to “ subdued” “pure tone." The pitch inclines low, in the solemn, and high, in the joyous strains; the force is soft, in pathetic, and full, in sublime passages; the "movement” is “lively,” in the expression of joy, and "slow" in that of solemnity. The pauses vary in length, in a correspondent manner. Care must be taken not to overdo the effect of the metre into a chanting style.] To prayer, to prayer!-for the morning breaks; The light of gladness, and life, and love. To prayer! To prayer! for the day that God has blessed It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb. There are smiles and tears in the mother's eyes, Let it gush forth in words of fervent prayer; There are smiles and tears in that gathering band, As the bride bids parents and home farewell! Kneel down by the dying sinner's side, Kneel down at the couch of departing faith, He has bidden adieu to his earthly friends; For his last thoughts are God's, his last words prayer. The voice of prayer at the sable bier! A voice to sustain, to soothe, and to cheer. The voice of prayer in the world of bliss! Awake, awake, and gird up thy strength To Him who unceasing love displays, Whom the powers of nature unceasingly praise, EXERCISE LIII. THE FALL OF NIAGARA. J. G. C. Brainard. [Sublimity, extending to awe, is the chief characteristic of this piece. The reading is marked by deep" orotund," suppressed by the slightly "aspirated" effect of awe, bordering on fear. The "movement" is “extremely slow ;" and the pauses correspond in length. The full, sonorous effect of the blank verse, should be freely given, in the utterance.] THE thoughts are strange that crowd into my brain, As if God poured thee from his "hollow hand,” And spake in that loud voice, which seemed to him Who dwelt in Patmos for his Saviour's sake, And notch His centuries in the eternal rock! Deep calleth unto deep! - And what are we, EXERCISE LIV. FERDINAND AND ISABELLA. Washington Irving. This extract forms an example of easy, fluent, and graceful narration, intermingled with description and sentiment. It requires, in reading, "pure tone," in the "moderate" form which belongs to "serious" and "animated" style. The utterance is on the "middle pitch,” — the "movement," "moderate.”] IT has been well observed of Ferdinand and Isabella, that they lived together, not like man and wife, whose estates are in common, under the orders of the husband, but like two monarchs, strictly allied. They had separate claims to sovereignty, in virtue of their separate kingdoms, and held separate councils. Yet they were so happily united by common views, common interests, and a great deference for each other, that this double administration never prevented a unity of purpose and action. All acts of sovereignty were executed in both their names; all public writings subscribed with both their signatures; their likenesses were stamped together on the public coin; and the royal seal displayed the united arms of Castile and Arragon. Ferdinand possessed a clear and comprehensive genius, and great penetration. He was equable in temper, indefati |