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which, although it is unavoidably analyzed by the voice, in the utterance of singing, to a greater extent than in that of reading,should never be dissected, in the unnatural style which has just been mentioned.

We have omitted, - -as will have been observed, that part of Dr. Rush's analysis which presents the "tonic" elements a, as in zwe, (identical with a, in all,) a in arm, and a in an, as diphthongal. Correct reading and appropriate singing, alike forbid the "vanish" of these sounds to be rendered apparent to the ear. It is one of the acknowledged improprieties of enunciation, which permits the word awe to terminate in any form approaching, even in the most distant degree, the negligent style of "awer.' Let it be admitted that the "vanish," or final portion of the sound, in such elements, is but an unavoidable, accidental "vocule," inseparably attached to the “radical” or initial sound, when we utter it by itself; and it becomes, from its very nature, a thing which judgment and taste would alike require to be sunk out of notice to the ear, in the enunciation of syllables, or words.

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The preceding arrangement of the elementary sounds of the language, as presented by Dr. Rush, exhibits them in a manner very clear and distinct, as results of organic action, or as sounds formed by the voice. But to ascertain their character, with perfect accuracy of knowledge, for the purposes of vocal practice and culture, it becomes important to examine them closely, in connection with the exact position and movement of the organs, during the process of

execution.

Classified, in this light, the audible elements of our language may be conveniently designated by the terms in use previous to Dr. Rush's arrangement. We will commence with the

VOWELS AND DIPHTHONGS.

These elements, generally, are formed by the act of "expiration" modified into vocality by the larynx, and the adjoining organs, aided by the tongue, the palate, the lips, &c., which give definite and distinctive character to the sounds of the voice, as rudiments of speech.

The enunciation of vowels and diphthongs, demands attention principally to the free and expansive opening of the mouth, together with a strict attention to the action of the particular organ, or organs, by which each element receives its peculiar character as a definite sound. Much attention, in the execution of these sounds, is required to the action of the organs at the moment of commencing and at that of closing each sound. The sound of the voice in the utterance of the first audible portion of articulate sounds, Dr. Rush has termed the "radical," (initial,) movement: the sound uttered in the concluding portion of an articulation he has termed the "vanishing," (final,) movement. Each of these points of articulate sound, demands the closest discrimination, as regards both the voice, and the motion or action of the organs. If the latter is not exact, the former will be

more or less incorrect or vague, confused, and indefinite. The "radical" movement always demands clearness, force, precision, and spirit, in the execution: the "vanish" requires nice and delicate finish, perfect exactness, but no undue marking or prominence. It should resemble, in its effect on the ear, that of a light but definite touch on the piano.

"In just articulation, the words are not to be hurried over, nor precipitated, syllable over syllable; nor, as it were, melted together into a mass of confusion: they should be neither abridged, nor prolonged, nor swallowed, nor forced, and, if I may so express myself, — shot from the mouth: they should not be trailed nor drawled, nor let slip out carelessly, so as to drop unfinished. They are to be delivered out from the lips, as beautiful coins newly issued from the mint, deeply and accurately impressed, perfectly finished, neatly struck by the proper organs, distinct, sharp, in due succession, and of due weight."

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The precision and force of the "radical" portion of a sound, are gained by deep inspiration, and a preliminary rallying, or gathering of impulse on the organs, somewhat as we brace the muscles before the exercise of jumping or diving, and then causing an instantaneous explosion of the accumulated and compacted breath, in the form of clear, cutting sound. In practising the following elements, this explosive, radical movement should be carried up from the slightest style of a suppressed cough to the most violent exertion, or the loudest style of coughing. The preliminary practice of a repeated actual cough is the best preparatory discipline for the species of organic action which constitutes the "radical" portion of any articulate sound.

VOCAL AND DIPHTHONGAL ELEMENTS,

corresponding to the "tonics" of Dr. Rush, and executed principally by the action of the larynx, with the mouth more or less open.

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1 Austin's Chironomia, pp. 38, 39.

CONSONANTAL ELEMENTS,

corresponding to the "subtonic " and "atonic" sounds in the classification of Dr. Rush.

I. Labial Sounds.

in consonance with their designation,

formed by

These are,

the action of the lips. They may be enumerated as follows:

1. B-a-be;

4. W-oe;

2. P-i-pe;

3. M-ai-m;

5. 1V-al-ve;
6. F-i-fe.

The "subtonic," b, is formed by a firm compression of the lips, which arrests the escape of the breath, and causes, by this occlusion of the mouth, a murmuring resonance of the voice in the cavity of the chest, and in the interior of the head and mouth. The pressure of the lips, in the formation of this sound, is increased to a maximum, or chief point, at which the lips are suddenly opened, and a slight explosive effect produced, which consummates the character of the sound, and causes a "vocule," or slight and obscure vowel sound, resembling e, in err, to follow the effort of the organs.

The "atonic," p, is produced by an intense compression of the lips, which prevents the possibility of any audible sound, till the forcible "aspirated," or whispering, explosion, following the maximum of the pressure, is heard, accompanied by the same "vocule" which attends the sound of b, but, in p, is only an aspiration, or whisper.

The precision of these two elements of speech, is dependent, wholly, on the full force of the labial compression, and the intensity of the following explosion, by which they are produced. In impassioned utterance, the force of the organic action, in the articulation of these sounds, must be carried to the utmost degree, and executed with instantaneous precision, and the most vivid effect.

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The "subtonic," m, is articulated by a very gentle compression of the lips, attended by a murmur in the head and chest, resembling, somewhat, that which forms the character of the "subtonic" b, but differing from it in the sound being accompanied by a free, steady, equable expiration "through the nostrils. In extremely empassioned utterance, this gentle element is made to assume the character of intensity, by increasing the force of the labial compression to a maximum, and exploding the sound in a manner similar to that of b. This element is not followed, as b or p, by a "vocule;" its own distinctive character of sound, throughout, being very nearly of the "tonic," or purely vocal, nature.

The "subtonic" element, w, as in woe, is formed by rounding the lips, as in articulating oo, in ooze, but slightly compressing them, and holding them closer to the teeth: a brief vocal murmur is formed by

1 This and the following element, being formed by means both of the lower lip and the upper teeth, are, on this account, sometimes called "labiodentals."

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the breath, as modified by the larynx, escaping through this partial opening of the lips, and, at the same time, in a very slight degree, through the nostrils. This sound has not, from its nature, much independent energy; neither does it admit of prolongation. But it becomes forcible and impassioned, to some extent, by increasing the pressure of the lips, and exploding the sound, somewhat in the manner of m and b, when rendered intense.

The "subtonic," v, is articulated by the sound of the voice being modified by bringing the upper fore-teeth close upon the ridge of the under lip, and, at the same time, slightly raising the upper lip, so as to prevent its interfering with the contact of the upper fore-teeth and the lower lip. A murmuring resonance, bordering on aspiration, is thus produced in the head and chest, by the partial escape of breath between the teeth and the lip. This element, as mentioned before, has, on this account, been sometimes denominated "labio-dental,' from its dependence on both these organs.

The "atonic," f, is executed as v, with the difference, only, arising from a closer compression of the teeth and the lip, a more forcible expulsion of the breath, and an aspirated or whispering character, in the sound. This element, also, is sometimes denominated "labio-dental," being formed as the preceding.

II. "Dental" Sounds.

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These are all modified,- as their name imports, by the aid of the teeth. But, like many other articulate sounds, they are founded on, and imply, an action of the tongue; although this circumstance is not indicated in the designation of such elements.

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The "subtonic," d is articulated by a partial vocal murmur, modified by pressing the tip of the tongue, with great energy, against the interior ridge of gum, immediately over the upper fore-teeth. This pressure is but an instantaneous effort; yet it evidently comes to a maximum, just before the explosion from which it takes its peculiar character, is executed. This explosion necessarily produces the "vocule," e, as in err.

The "atonic "t, is executed in a similar manner, excepting the absence of vocal murmur, an intense percussive pressure of the tongue, and an aspirated explosion, which takes place in the act of withdrawing the tongue from the gum.

The "atonic," th, as in thin, is executed by a forcible "aspiration," modified by a slight horizontal parting of the lips, and a forcible pressure of the end of the tongue against the upper fore-teeth.

The "subtonic," TH, as in thine, is executed by a similar position of the organs, but a vocalized emission of the breath, forming a gentle

resonance.

The "subtonic," z, as in azure, is formed by a partially vocal sound, modified by gently raising the whole fore-part of the tongue towards the roof of the mouth, and allowing the breath to escape, between it and the teeth.

The “atonic,” sh, is formed in a similar manner, as regards the position of the organs, but with more pressure, and by means of aspiration," not "vocality," in the emission of the breath.

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The "atonic" sound of s, or the soft sound of c, as in the word cease, is articulated by pressing, with intense force, the tip of the tongue against the interior gum, immediately over the fore-teeth. Through the extremely small aperture thus formed, aided by the horizontal parting of the lips, and the cutting effect of the edges of the teeth, the sibilation, or hiss, is formed, which gives the peculiar character of this element.

The "subtonic," z, as in zone, is formed by nearly the same position of the organs, as the preceding element, but with very slight pressure, and by means of "vocalized," not "aspirated," sound.

III. "Palatic" Sounds.

These are so termed from their depending on the palate, for their distinctive character. They are enumerated as follows:

1. C, "hard," and K, as in C-a-ke; 2. G, as in G-a-g; 3. Y, as in Y-e.

The "atonic," c," hard," or k, is executed by opening the mouth, retracting, and curving the tongue with great force, and exploding an aspiration against the palate.

The "subtonic," g, as in gag, is formed by similar movements and positions of the organs, but less forcible, and by means of "vocality," instead of "aspiration."

The "subtonic," y, is articulated by a similar process, still less forcible, and by means of "expulsion," not "explosion," as regards the character of the function and the sound.

IV. "Aspirated" Element.

H, as in H-e.

This sound is formed by a forcible emission of the breath, in the style of a whisper, and a moderate opening of all the organs of speech.

V. "Nasal" Sounds.

1. N, as in N-u-n; 2. Ng, as in Si-ng; or N, as in I-n-k.

The "subtonic," n, is articulated by a vocalized breathing through the nose; the lips parted freely; and the end of the tongue pressing vigorously against the interior ridge of gum, immediately above the upper fore-teeth.

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