indefinite and arbitrary, and so difficult to be comprehended,
that long experience is necessary in order to acquire a perfect
knowledge of their use. With regard to the length of the several pauses,
no precise rules can be given. This, together with the variety of tones
which accompany them, depends much upon the nature of the subject.

Perhaps nothing is of more importance to a reader or speaker, than a
proper attention to accent, emphasis, and cadence. Every word in our
language, of more than one syllable, has, at least, one accented
syllable. This syllable ought to be rightly known, and the word should
be pronounced by the reader or speaker in the same manner as he would
pronounce it in ordinary conversation.

By emphasis, we distinguish those words in a sentence which we esteem
the most important, by laying a greater stress of voice upon them than
we do upon the others. And it is surprising to observe how the sense of
a phrase may be altered by varying the emphasis. The following example
will serve as an illustration.

This short question, "Will you ride to town to-day?" may be understood
in four different ways, and consequently, may receive four different
answers, according to the placing of the emphasis.

If it be pronounced thus; Will _you_ ride to town to-day? the answer may
properly be, no; I shall send my son. If thus; Will you _ride_ to town
to-day; Answer, no; I intend to walk. Will you ride to _town_ to-day?
No; I shall ride into the country. Will you ride to town _to-day_? No;
but I shall to-morrow.

This shows how necessary it is that a reader or speaker should know
where to place his emphasis. And the only rule for this is, that he
study to attain a just conception of the force and spirit of the
sentiments which he delivers. There is as great a difference between one
who lays his emphasis properly, and one who pays no regard to it, or
places it wrong, as there is between one who plays on an instrument with
a masterly hand, and the most bungling performer.

Cadence is the reverse of emphasis. It is a depression or lowering of
the voice; and commonly falls upon the last syllable in a sentence. It
is varied, however, according to the sense. When a question is asked, it
seldom falls upon the last word; and many sentences require no cadence
at all.

In addition to what has been said, it is of great importance to attend
particularly to tones and gestures. To almost every sentiment we utter,
more espe