Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-04-16
From the Hudson River Institute Quarterly
Correct Reading.
BY NJ. C. CoNNELLY.

BY NJ. C. CoNNELLY.
There is no acquiremcn which S
completely chai aiacterizes well Ciscip
lined mind, so distinctly marks goo
student, as correct reading. Yet it
a lamcntablc fact, that few, very few
comparatively, in our schools unds rstant
the art. In order to read correctly, on
must regard the punctuation marks, tn
proper infections, cnuncate distinctly
and emphasize the most important words
That reading is best which attracts the
least attention to itself, and most to the
ideas and sentiments which it is intended
to convey TO the hearer Many neglcc
this desirable acquisition, while their
ambition or interest impcls them tt
great attainmcnts in other departments
of know edge. ID d We listen to such a
studcnts vocabulary, we would only
wonder when and where he SO much
improved the English language. There
is 10 such words to hlm as believe; il
has become blevc relation is lation
eleven is lcycn nominative IS nomilive;
if is cf Shall is shill can is kin he
docs not &a at all he SETS. You will
find that he is great admirer OF fabbrcvi-
atoms Singing is sngin riding is
ridin reading is rcadn and scores of
Others we might mention in which great
changes have been made, for improve.
ment, presume, There are many
erroneous Impressions in regard to good
reading. One thinks lie can read we'll
II he can gallop over the page ; it makes
no ditfc rrncc how many pauses he leaps
over, or how many false steps he max cs
in pronunciation, so long as ne can jump
over al without stumbling, or throwing
himself. lie pays no attention to the
pro2er moGnlation Of the voice; never
y is +. - thosc iutonations which
IsAa ex,f s. the meaning Of the an.
thr3.
An cic;ant pronunciation is very
desirable, but modulations are cf more
Importance. pcspotualy varied in quality
and force prest utin- thoughts in their
jus. lieht and shade to the ear. just as
painting represents to the eye objects OF
vision.
What greater accomplishment could
We desire, than the graceful, correct
enunciation of the sablimc conceptions
ef Milton, Homer, Ossian. Shakespeare ;
y hat can be more admirable, more
delightful. more elevatirs, than tie
music of properly trained voice, utter
ing with jastlyadapted pathos, the
varied passages. pathetic. sublime.
humorous. terrific. and passionate, with
which shes. and other authors abound ,
And above all. to be able to read
intelliebly the Bible, the Book of
Books, for there is none that contains
such variety none in which the
various elements are so combined as to
elevate the mind and affect the magma
ton. There VIC find the grandest of
al passages. It's style is characterized
by a sublimity commensurate with the
majesty and solennity of its subjects
What can transcend its granduer =
"Have YOU ever heard of such a book -
The author. God himself the subject.
God and man salvation, life and death
eternal life, eternal dcath-dread
words whose meaning has no end. no
bounds. Most wondrous book ! bright
candle OF the Lord star of eternity -
The only star By which the bark of man
can navigate the sea of life and gain the
coast of bliss socurely.' Is there any
thing from which one could derive
more pleasure than to b, able to read
this Book undcrstar din5ly, uttering its
truths with justly adapted pathos kind
ling them into life by the melodious
voice. the eloqucnt eye, and the i'm
prcssive gesture ? Then. if the voice
be that of loved friend. how much is
the charm increased. What music in
its tones at the peaceful frcsidc in the
hour of retirement My mind rcverts
now to the home circle. That time
honored Bible is in the hands of loved
father mother, brothers and sister ale
gathered round him, listening to the
word of God, read in an audible. clear.
distinct voice. Every word makes an
impression : every tone is remembered.
Did it ever occur to you, how we
read is a matter involving weighty con-
sequences ? We should read correctly
in order to acquire a correct taste, to ap-
preciatc the beauties o. sound thinking
and good writing then the mind will,
of itself, seek the mpanionship of the
best authors. 1t will be led to the
pleasant wales and mountain heights oil
litora'prc while those who are not
skilled in the art viii be forever wander
ia. upon barren plains never entering
the delectable gardens.
To read we'll one must SO comprehend
the thoughts be u.ters, as to be able Ia
read the words as if he were speaking
his own language and sentiments, instead
Of those of another. An improper
emphasis, or a vulgar pronunciation, is
often the single step from the sublime tc
the ridiculous. A gentleman noted fol
reading hymns with an abrupt emphasis
once uttered the word "bears" in thu
following lines so that it seemed noul
instead of yer b "a: