to what Extent, and how most readily attainable?” 37 
cution of an occasional circumflex*, together with a more close 
approximation to accentual rules in general. The downward 
slide too, after previous elevation, and when succeeded by a pause, 
(asfor example on the wy of “Hgéwyv in the exordium of the Iliad, 
was also found practicable: and, what may appear in some de- 
gree extraordinary—this slide was on such occasions not very 
ill-suited for manly recitation. Nevertheless it must he observed, 
that as energy increased, the downward slide of every description, 
even that characteristic portion attached to the circumflex itself, 
did in the same ratio disappear. I shall next proceed to my 
suggestions on 
TIME OR QUANTITY f. 
lst. That the vowel of every syllable prosodially long, whe- 
ther by nature or position, should obtain what is termed by our 
countrymen “ the long sound”—the Speaker particularly guard- 
ing, in the cases of position, against rendering the syllable ¢oo 
long. . 
2d. That the diphthong ov, as generally pronounced by ws, 
being in many instances too short for the completion of long 
quantity (as in the word ovarowevyy)—should in such cases be 
pronounced nearly as if written owoo: that is—that the diph- 
thong ov itself should be wholly retained, but dexterously extended 
by the annexation of a sound nearly similar to the vocal element 
00 in poor; thus constituting a graceful iriphthong, the execution 
of which may almost instantly be attained, and which when pro- 
perly accomplished, shall be altogether undiscoverable in many 
English words, even by the most delicate English ear {. 
* Moving up and down the stopper of a Pitch Pipe during the continu- 
ance of sound, is probably the best method, if the Experimenter has a tolera- 
ble ear, of learning the slide and circumflex. 
+ The best general rule for the execution of quantity, with those who are 
unwilling to give themselves additional trouble, is this : That every syllable 
whose quantity is long be rendered perceptibly longer than its contiguous 
syllable whose quantity js short: And that no long syllable interposed be- 
tween two long ones shall be decidedly short. As to short syllables compared 
with each other, the difference between these is immaterial, if the Greek or 
Latin language be properly articulated. Not so with our own language— 
our particles and other muttered syllables give all the effect of long quan- 
tity to the contiguous articulated short ones. Hence, in a great degree, 
the impossibility, in English, of establishing any rules for quantity. 
t This artful management of our short vowels should be studied by our 
Tragedians, as decidedly preferable to that puerile whine, which, until 
Mr. Kean appeared on our stage, was perpetually obtruded on our ears. I 
have heard the last syllable of ‘ accomplisn'd” pronounced, in solemn reci- 
tation, fully as long as the first syllable of ‘* Glory’—to the astonishment of 
every person present. It (the vowel) was originally practised thus, i¢¢i, but 
was afterwards so artfully shaded that no one could discover the deception. 
The ordinary sound of short i was first given to he ear—ece instantaneously 
followed—and the syllable or rather vowel then terminated as it began, 
C3 od 
