most patient study can establish for the reading
of any selection, or passage, or sentence, _none but general
directions_, since the same words may very frequently be rendered in
several ways, with differences of pitch, time, stress, quality,
implication, and so on, but with equal effectiveness and equal
appropriateness. And, on the other hand, any whole selection, even the
simplest, is far too complex in its thought and sentiment to be disposed
of in one general analysis, which shall predetermine the pitch, tone,
and stress, and the prevailing width of the intervals, and the direction
of the inflections; all these will vary from paragraph to paragraph, and
from sentence to sentence, even from word to word. To sum up, it may be
said that good reading demands as indispensable, quick-witted
intelligence, ready sympathy, and a voice so trained as to be flexible
and resonant; if the reader have this much endowment his reading will
always be effective, and, moreover, appropriate and impressive.

_All diction may be roughly described as exhibiting one of three states
of feeling:_ (1) that in which feeling, as it is generally understood,
is almost wanting; (2) that in which it is present in some considerable
degree; (3) that in which the feeling is present in an extreme degree,
dominating the ideas which the several sentences logically express. To
the first division, which may be called the =diction of discourse=,
belongs all language indicative of a quiet state of mind--formal
statement, narrative, description, simple argument or reasoning: it is
the language of all ordinary writing. To the second division, which may
be called the =diction of sentiment or feeling=, belongs all language
which indicates that the mind of the speaker, real or supposed, is in a
state of moderate excitement; that he is interested in the relation of
himself to others, and, consequently, in the effect of his utterances
upon them; or that, subjectively, he is interested in himself: it is the
language of admiration, reverence, awe, sincerity, dignity, of pathos,
supplication, penitence. To the third division, which may be called the
=diction of passion=, belongs all language expressive of deeper
excitement and more vehement interest than that described as animating
the diction of feeling: it is the language of earnest or anxious
interrogation, of passionate ejaculation, of powerful appeal, strong
accusation, and fierce denunciation; also, of contempt,