DIAGRAM OF LESSON TWENTY-NINTE,

Position.

Gesture. 1. Exercises....

Breathing.

Articulation. 2. Review-Force of Voice.

Median.
DEFINITION.

Radical.

Final. 3. Element-Stress. DIVISIONS..

Compound. ILLUSTRATIONS. Thorough.

Intermittent.

3. Topic-Median Stress...

Definition.
Illustration.
Advantages.
How Acquired.
Class Exercise.
When used.
Example.

4. Selection.

“ Break! Break! Break!"

LESSON XXX.

man,

EXERCISES IN ARTICULATION.

m, as in moon.
morn, move,
arm,

farm, harm.
1. More than mortal man may be.
2. Many men are misled by fame.
3. Mile-stones mark the march of time.
4. Much learning hath made thee mad.
5. Mournfully they march to the martial music.

Radical Stress. Radical Stress is the application of the force of the voice to the first part of a vocal sound (vocal as distinguished from :ubvocal or Aspirate), or the first vocal

part of the accented syllable of a word. It is heard only in connection with the Expulsive or Explosive Form of voice.

The clear and forcible Radical Stress can take place only after an interruption of the voice. It would seem as if there is some momentary occlusion in the larynx, by which the breath is barred and accumulated for the purpose of a full and sudden discharge. This occlusion is most under command, and the explosion is most powerful, on syllables beginning with a tonic element, or with an abrupt one preceding a tonic, for in this last case an obstruction in the organs of articulation is combined with the function of the larynx.

ADVANTAGES OF RADICAL STRESS.

Radical Stress is one of the most important properties of utterance. Without it reading and speaking of a didatic, narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and impassioned poetic style become dull and lifeless.

The argumentative speaker who has not this property at command fails to produce conviction in the minds of his hearers.

Dr. Rush says of the Radical Stress: "It is this which draws the cutting edge of words across the ear, and startles even stupor into attention; this which lessens the fatigue of listening, and outvoices the stir and rustle of an assembly."

Murdoch and Russell say: "The utter absence of Radical Stress bespeaks timidity and indecision, confusion of thought, and feebleness of purpose. The speaker who fails in regard to the effect of this property of utterance solicits our pity rather than commands our respect. The right degree of this function indicates the manly, self-possessed speaker."

The following cuts indicate to the eye Expulsive Form with and without the Radical Stress. The Radical expends the full force of the voice on the first part.

DIAGRAM

OP

EXPULSIVE FORM

WITHOUT RADICAL STRESS.

EXPULSIVE FORM

WITH RADICAL STRESS.

To cultivate the Radical Stress, practice the following elements, words, and sentences in the Expulsive and Explosive Forms, first with Pure Tone, then with Orotund, in the Moderate, Energetic, and Impassioned degree of Force. In this exercise be careful to expend the full force of the voice upon the first part of the word or sound.

EXERCISES IN RADICAL STRESS.

1. ă, as heard in add, fat.
2. ě,

end, met.
3. 1,

ill, fin.
4. Ó,

odd, not.
5. ů,
add, end, orb, all,
ease,
isle, inch,

us, tub.

EXERCISES

Combining Form, Quality, Force, and Radical Stress.

Repeat the sentences in last exercise with

1. Expulsive Form, Pure Tone, Moderate Force, Radical Stress.

2. Expulsive Form, Orotund Quality, Energetic Force, Radical Stress.

3. Explosive Form, Orotund, Impassioned Force, Radical Stress.

RADICAL STRESS-WHEN USED.

The Radical Stress is heard in various degrees. In its milder form it is the Stress appropriate for the delivery of narrative, descriptive, and didatic thought in the style of essays, lectures, and sermons; in a more energetic form it is appropriate for the utterance of argumentative speeches and orations; and in its most impassioned form for the expression of intense feeling and emotion, as anger, scorn, defiance, etc.

EXAMPLE: ANIMATED NARRATION AND DESCRIP

TION.

Radical Stress, Energetic Force, Pure Tone, Expulsive Form.

The Ride of Jennie McNeal.

WILL CARLETON.

1. Paul Revere was a rider bold,-
Well has his valorous deeds been told;
Sheridan's ride was a glorious one,—
Often it has been dwelt upon;

But why should men do all the deeds
On which the love of a patriot feeds?
Hearken to me, while I reveal

The dashing ride of Jennie McNeal.

2. On a spot as pretty as might be found

In the dangerous length of the Neutral Ground,

In a cottage cozy, and all their own,
She and her mother lived alone.
Safe were the two, with their frugal store,
From all the many who pass'd their door;
For Jennie's mother was strange to fears,
And Jennie was large for fifteen years:
With vim her eyes were glistening,
Her hair was the hue of a blackbird's wing,
And, while her friends who knew her well
The sweetness of her heart could tell,
A gun that hung on the kitchen wall
Look'd solemnly quick to heed her call;
And they who were evil-minded knew
Her nerve was strong and her aim was true.
So all kind words and acts did deal
To generous, black-eyed Jennie McNeal.

3. One night, when the sun had crept to bed,

And rain-clouds linger'd overhead,
And sent their surly drops for proof
To drum a tune on the cottage roof,
Close after a knock at the outer door
There enter'd a dozen dragoons or more.
Their red coats, stain’d by the muddy road,
That they were British soldiers show'd:
The captain his hostess bent to greet,
Saying, “ Madam, please give us a bit to eat;
We will pay you well, and, it may be,
This bright-eyed girl for pouring our tea;
Then we must dash ten miles ahead,
To catch a rebel colonel a-bed.
He is visiting home, as doth appear;
We will make his pleasure cost him dear.”
And they fell on the hasty supper with zeal,
Close-watch'd the while by Jennie McNeal.

4. For the gray hair'd colonel they hover'd near

Had been her true friend, kind and dear;
And oft, in her younger days, had he
Right proudly perch'd her upon his knee,