McGuffeys Fifth Eclectic Reader | Page 6

their answers, generally require the falling inflection.
EXAMPLES.
Where has he gone'? Ans. To New York'. What has he done'? Ans.
Nothing'. Who did this'? Ans. I know not'. When did he go'? Ans.
Yesterday'.
REMARK.--It these questions are repeated, the inflection is changed
according to the principle stated under the Exception to Rule VII.

RISING INFLECTION.
RULE IX.--Where a pause is rendered proper by the meaning, and the
sense is incomplete, the rising inflection is generally required.
EXAMPLES.
To endure slander and abuse with meekness' requires no ordinary
degree of self-command',
Night coming on', both armies retired from the field of battle'.
As a dog returneth to his vomit', so a fool returneth to his folly'.
REMARK.--The person or object addressed, in ordinary conversation,
comes under this head.
EXAMPLES.
Fathers'! we once again are met in council.
My lords'! and gentlemen'! we have arrived at an awful crisis.
Age'! thou art shamed.
Rome'! thou hast lost the breed of noble bloods!
Exception.--Where a word which, according to this rule, requires the
rising inflection, becomes emphatic, it generally has the falling
inflec-tion; as, when a child addresses his father, he first says, Father'!
but if he repeats it emphatically, he changes the inflection, and says,
Father'! Father'! The falling inflection is also used in formal address; as,
Fellow--citizens', Mr. President', etc.
EXAMPLES.
When we aim at a high standard, if we do not attain' it, we shall secure
a high degree of excellence.

Those who mingle with the vicious, if they do not become depraved',
will lose all delicacy of feeling.
RULE X.--Questions which may be answered by yes or no, generally
require the rising, and their answers the falling inflection.
EXAMPLES.
Has he arrived'? Yes'. Will he return'? No'. Does the law condemn him'?
It does not'.
Exception.--If these questions are repeated emphatically, they take the
falling inflection, according to Rule VII.
EXAMPLES.
Has he arrived'? Will he return'? Does the law condemn him'?
REMARK.--When a word or sentence is repeated as a kind of
interrogatory exclamation, the rising inflection is used according to the
principles of this rule.
EXAMPLES.
You ask, who would venture' in such a cause! Who would venture'?
Rather say, who would not' venture all things for such an object!
He is called the friend' of virtue. The friend'! ay! the enthusiastic lover'
the devoted protector' rather.
So, also, when one receives unexpected information he exclaims, Ah'!
indeed'!
REMARK.--In the above examples the words "venture," "friend," "ah,"
etc., may be considered as interrogatory exclamations, because if the
sense were carried out it would be in the form of question; as, "Do you
ask who would venture'?" "Do you say that he is the friend' of virtue?"
"Is it possible'?" and thus they would receive the rising inflection
according to this rule.

RISING AND FALLING INFLECTIONS.
RULE XI.--The different members of a sentence expressing
comparison, or contrast, or negation and affirmation, or where the parts
are united by or used disjunctively, require different inflections;
generally the rising inflection in the first member, and the falling
inflection in the second member. This order is, however, sometimes
inverted.
1. Comparison and contrast. This is also called antithesis.
EXAMPLES.
In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God; by honor',
and dishonor'; by evil' report, and good' report; as deceivers', and yet
true'; as unknown', and yet well' known; as dying', and behold we live';
as chastened', and not killed'; as sorrowful', yet always rejoicing'; as
poor', yet making many rich'; as having nothing', yet possessing all'
things.
Europe was one great battlefield, where the weak struggled for
freedom', and the strong for dominion'. The king was without power',
and the nobles without principle', They were tyrants at home', and
robbers abroad'.
2. Negation and affirmation.
EXAMPLES.
He desired not to injure' his friend, but to protect' him. We desire not
your money', but yourselves'. I did not say a better' soldier, but, an
elder'.
If the affirmative clause comes first, the order of the inflections is
inverted.
EXAMPLES.

He desired to protect' his friend, not to injure' him. We desire
yourselves', not your money'. I said an elder' soldier, not a better'.
The affirmative clause is sometimes understood.
We desire not your money'. I did not say a better' soldier. The region
beyond the grave is not a solitary' land.
In most negative sentences standing alone, the corresponding
affirmative is understood; hence the following.
REMARK.--Negative sentences, whether alone or connected with an
affirmative clause, generally end with the rising inflection.
If such sentences are repeated emphatically, they take the falling
inflection according to Rule VI.
EXAMPLES.
We do not' desire your money. I did not' say a. better soldier.
3. Or used disjunctively.
Did he behave properly', or improperly'?
Are they living/, or dead'?
Is he rich', or poor'?
Does God,