VOICE AND SPEECH. 513 



As I have now fully explained the various articulations used 

 in oral language, it only remains for me to investigate the dif- 

 ference between the inflexions of the voice in singing and in 

 speaking. 



The various muscular adaptations of the larynx render it ca- 

 pable of producing every inflexion of musical tone within a certain 

 compass, seldom exceeding that of two octaves. In singing, 

 sounds, each constant in its degree of tune, follow each other 

 according to the rules of melody ; while in speaking^ the voice 

 slides up and down, and " does not dwell distinctly, for any per- 

 ceptible space of time, on any certain level or uniform tone, 

 except the last tone on which the speaker ends or makes a pause." 

 Provincial dialects, and even individual modes of speaking, differ 

 much in the extent and nature of these slides. Steele has en- 

 deavoured to establish a system of notation for these inflexions, 

 and other modifications of the voice necessary to be observed by 

 the orator, and has by this means proposed to perpetuate the 

 most splendid specimens of histrionic, forensic, and senatorial 

 eloquence. 1 To proceed farther with this subject would be an 

 infringement on the province of philology. 



"We must just mention certain other modifications of the human 

 voice, of which some, as hiccup and cough, belong more properly 

 to pathology than to physiology, but are very common in the 

 most healthy persons ; and others, as crying and laughing, appear 

 peculiar to the human race. 



" Many of these are so closely allied as frequently to be con- 

 verted into each other ; most also are variously modified. 



" In laughter there is a succession of short, and, as it. were, 

 abrupt expirations." 111 In it, there is more or less noise at each 

 little expiration, from a mere sort of rustling sound to loud 

 peals; the mouth is more or less lengthened, and its angles 

 drawn up, and in extreme laughter it is opened still more by the 

 descent of the lower jaw ; if hearty, the tears run over, the head, 

 and even the body, shakes, respiration is interrupted, and 



1 Prosodia Rationatis ; or, An Essay towards establishing the Melody and Measure 

 of Speech, to be expressed and perpetuated by peculiar Symbols. 2d. edit. London, 

 1779. 



m Fn Lupichius, De Risu. Basil. 1738. 4to. 



Traitedes Causes Pkysigues et. Morale^ du.Rire. ., Arnst 1783. 8vo." 

 r:., MM 2 ' .- T 



