d to which it most frequently
returns when wearied. It is also the pitch used in conversation, and the
one which a reader or speaker naturally adopts--when he reads or speaks--
most easily and agreeably.

The compass of the voice is its range above and below this pitch. To avoid
monotony in reading or speaking, the voice should rise above or fall below
this keynote, but always with reference to the sense or character of that
which is read or spoken. The proper natural pitch is that above and below
which there is most room for variation.

To strengthen the voice and increase its compass, select a short sentence,
repeat it several times in succession in as low a key as the voice can
sound naturally; then rise one note higher, and practice on that key, then
another, and so on, until the highest pitch of the voice has been reached.
Next, reverse the process, until the lowest pitch has been reached.

EXAMPLES IN PITCH (46)

High Pitch.

NOTE.--Be careful to distinguish pitch from power in the following
exercise. Speaking in the open air, at the very top of the voice, is an
exercise admirably adapted to strengthen the voice and give it compass,
and should be frequently practiced.

1. Charge'! Chester" charge'! On'! Stanley, on'!

2. A horse'! a horse'! my kingdom' for a horse'!

3. Jump far out', boy' into the wave'!
Jump', or I fire'!

4. Run'! run'! run for your lives!

5. Fire'! fire'! fire'! Ring the bell'!

6. Gentlemen may cry peace'! peace'! but there is no peace!

7. Rouse' ye Romans! rouse' ye slaves'!
Have ye brave sons'? Look in the next fierce brawl
To see them die'. Have ye fair daughters'? Look
To see them live, torn from your arms', distained',
Dishonored', and if ye dare call for justice',
Be answered by the lash'!

Medium Pitch. (47)

NOTE.--This is the pitch in which we converse. To strengthen it, we should
read or speak in it as loud as possible, without rising to a higher key.
To do this requires long-continued practice.

1. Under a spreading chestnut tree,
The village smithy stands';
The smith, a mighty man is he,
With large and sinewy hands';
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands.

2. There is something in the thunder's voice that makes me tremble like a
child. I have tried to conquer' this unmanly weakness'. I have called
pride' to my aid'; I have sought for moral courage in the lessons of
philosophy', but it avails