EXERCISES IN GROUPING.

The following stanza requires

Effusive Form, Orotund Quality, Moderate Force, Median Stress, Low Pitch, and Slow Movement.

Break, break, break,

On thy cold gray stones, O sea!

And I would that my tongue could utter

The thoughts that arise in me.

Now, if the same degree of each of the elements in the above combination be given, the delivery will be correct, but unpleasantly monotonous. To group it, give the first word "break" with Effusive Form, Orotund, the second degree of Moderate Force, a moderately prolonged Median Stress, about the second note of Low Pitch, and Slow Movement. Give the second word "break" with Effusive Form, Orotund Quality, the third or even a fourth degree of Moderate Force, Median Stress, but more prolonged than on the first word; Low Pitch, but not so low as on the first word, and Slow Movement, but a little faster than the first. Give the third word "break" with Effusive Form, Orotund Quality, Moderate Force, but the first and mildest degree of Moderate Force, Median Stress; but less prolonged than the first; Low Pitch, the lowest of the low division, and the slowest of the Slow Movement. The second line should be given with the regular combination, gradually increasing to the words "O sea!" On the "O" the Median Stress should be unusually prolonged, the Movement Very Slow. The word "sea" should be given in the same way, only in a less degree. "And I would that my tongue could utter the thoughts that arise in me," should be given with lower Pitch than the last, with more Force, and

less Effusive Form. It should gradually increase in force to the word "thoughts," and then the pitch should be lowered and the movement slower.

It must not be understood that the above is a grouping that must be given to the stanza, but that may be given to it. It may be given in a dozen different ways, all better. But it must be varied in some way. Take another example, a selection requiring an entirely different combination.

Expulsive Form, Pure Tone, Moderate Force, Radical Stress, Low Pitch, ⚫and Moderate Movement.

It is a religion by which to live, a religion by which to die; a religion which cheers in darkness, relieves in perplexity, supports in adversity, keeps steadfast in prosperity, and guides the inquirer to that blessed land where "the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.”

The words, "It is a religion by which to live," should be given with the above combination slightly climactic; "a religion by which to die," with lower pitch, slower movement, and greater force; "a religion which cheers in durkness," with higher pitch, more force, and an increased movement; "relieves in perplexity," with lower pitch, about the same force as the last, and slower movement. On the words, "supports in adversity," slightly raise the pitch, and increase the force; lower the pitch and reduce the force on "keeps steadfast in prosperity;" on "and guides the inquirer to that blessed land" gradually raise the pitch and increase the force and movement; and on "where the wicked cease from

troubling, and the weary

are at rest," lower the pitch several notes, reduce the force, and slow the movement. In a hundred different ways this may be grouped.

One more example will suffice.

The following requires

Effusive and Expulsive Forms, Pure Tone, Subdued and Moderate Force, Median and Thorough Stress, Low Pitch, aud Slow Movement.

The departed! the departed!

They visit us in dreams,

And they glide above our memories
Like shadows over streams.

Give the first "The departed" with Expulsive Form, first degree of Moderate Force, Thorough Stress, Low Pitch, and Slow Movement; the second "the departed," with Effusive Form, Pure Tone, Subdued Force, Median Stress, Low Pitch, and Very Slow Movement; "They visit us in dreams," with more force than the last, higher pitch, and less Slow Movement, Expulsive Form, Pure Tone; "And they glide above our memories," with Effusive Form, Pure Tone, Moderate Force, Low Pitch, and Moderate Movement; "Like shadows over streams," with less force, slower movement, and lower pitch.

It must not be inferred that every line must be as slowly and systematically analyzed and grouped as the examples given. After a little practice the pupil will group almost without a thought of the elements. But the daily careful study of a few sentences will richly compensate, and only in this way can the highest attainments be made. To trust to the inspiration of the moment for results is to make a score of failures for every success. The highest and best inspiration in Elocution, as in every thing else, is the result of the closest study and practice, not the gift of the gods.

Practice the following selection with special reference to Grouping. It will require the following combination except in the personations.

EXAMPLE.

Expulsive Form, Pure Tone, Moderate Force, Radical and Thorough Stress, Middle Pitch, Moderate Movement.

Maud Muller.

J. G. WHITTIER.

1. Maud Muller, on a summer's day,
Raked the meadow sweet with hay.
Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
Of simple beauty and rustic health.

2. Singing, she wrought, and her merry glee
The mock-bird echoed from his tree.

But, when she glanced to the far-off town,
White from its hill-slope looking down,

3. The sweet song died, and a vague unrest
And a nameless longing filled her breast-
A wish, that she hardly dared to own,
For something better than she had known.

4. The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horse's chestnut mane.
He drew his bridle in the shade

Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid,

5. And ask a draught from the spring that flowed
Through the meadow across the road.

She stooped where the cool spring bubbled up,
And filled for him her small tin cup,

6. And blushed as she gave it, looking down
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown.
"Thanks!" said the Judge, "a sweeter draught
From a fairer hand was never quaffed."

7. He spoke of the grass and flowers and trees,
Of the singing birds and the humming bees;
Then talked of the haying, and wondered whether
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather.

8. And Maud forgot her briar-torn gown,
And her graceful ankles bare and brown;
And listened, while a pleased surprise
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.

9. At last, like one who for delay

Seeks a vain excuse, he rode away.

Maud Muller looked and sighed; "Ah, me!
That I the Judge's bride might be!

10. "He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine.
My father should wear a broadcloth coat;
My brother should sail a painted boat.

11. "I'd dress my mother so grand and gay;

And the baby should have a new toy each day.
And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor,
And all should bless me who left our door."

12. The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill, And saw Maud Muller standing still.

"A form more fair, a face more sweet,
Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet.

13. "And her modest answer and graceful air
Showed her wise and good as she is fair.
Would she were mine, and I to-day,
Like her, a harvester of hay:

14. "No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues,
But low of cattle and song of birds,

And health and quiet and loving words."

15. But he thought of his sisters proud and cold,
And his mother vain of her rank and gold.
So, closing his heart, the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in the field alone.

16. But the lawyers smiled that afternoon, When he hummed in court an old love-tune, And the young girl mused beside the well, Till the rain on the unraked clover fell.