X

is equivalent to ks or gs; the first combination is heard in axe, and the second in example.

Having become acquainted with the correct formation of the letters, we have still to consider the question of the transition of the organs, from one position to another, in articulating different sounds. When a sentence contains a number of words, whose articulation requires great changes in the position of the organs, there will be a certain harshness, a want of smoothness, in the delivery. On the contrary, where the transitions are slight, the utterance is smooth and easy. A fine ear will avoid all harshness in the utterance of a sentence, but without its meaning being thereby, in the least, affected.

CHAPTER IV.

CORRECTION OF DEFECTS.

SECTION 1.

CONNECTING A FINAL CONSONANT WITH THE INITIAL VOWEL OF THE FOLLOWING WORD.

THIS not only occasions great indistinctness in the delivery, for instance, instead of "I woke up early," "I wo-ku-pearly;" but often gives a different signification to the sentence, for instance, "Can you remember that rain?"

"Can you remember thaFir-strait," etc.

SECTION 2.

IMPERFECT VOWEL ATTACK.

It is generally the habit in uttering the initial vowel of a word, not to separate the lips beforehand, which is absolutely necessary if correct utterance is desired. The consequence is the prefixing of all kinds of sounds in the nature of initial consonants, which disfigure the speech. We sometimes hear, for example, nambition for ambition, nenemy for enemy, etc.

It is always necessary, in beginning a sentence with

a vowel sound, to open the mouth slightly beforehand, and to remove the tongue from the palate, with which it lies in contact when the mouth is kept closed in a state of repose. We must likewise be careful to give the distinct pronunciation to a final consonant before an initial vowel.

SECTION 3.

ADDING WRONG CONSONANTS AND SWALLOWING SYLLABLES.

Words are frequently disfigured by inserting or adding consonantal sounds; for example, lawr, idear, drawring. A not unfrequent habit is the swallowing of parts of words; for instance, particlar (particular), gography (geography), lectric (electric), fah for far, etc.

SECTION 4.

INTONING BETWEEN WOrds.

An unpleasant habit, which is unfortunately very frequent, must be noticed here. It is the peculiarity of introducing unnecessary sounds between the words, as "Have you seen that.. a. . representation ?" This is as when the notes struck on a musical instrument continue to sound beyond the proper time.

:

These sounds facilitate the passing over from one word to another, which generally accounts for the habit. Sometimes, however, this defective way of speaking is the result of inability to think fast. In any case, we should seek to get rid of it.

SECTION 5.

WRONG USE OF THE LOWER Jaw. Imperfect speech, however, is not merely due to the defective pronunciation of the sounds, but is also, in a great measure, the consequence of keeping the lower jaw too far forward (the lower incisors projecting beyond the line of the upper) or of moving it to one side.

This is a grave defect, and no pains should be spared to avoid it.

The lower incisors must be kept in their natural position, a little back of the line of the upper. (Those cases in which nature has placed the lower jaw too far forward do not concern us here.) In impassioned and loud speaking, great skill is needed to resist the inclination to push out the jaw too far. It is easy to recognize the nature of this defect. Take a sentence and pronounce it with due regard to the position of the lower incisors, taking care in moving

them up and down to keep them always behind the line of the upper; the pronunciation will be most distinct, provided, of course, that the vocal organs are correctly applied. Then pronounce the same sentence with the lower jaw too far forward, if only in the least degree, and the vowels will become surprisingly indistinct. The inclination to thrust forward the lower jaw is greatest with O' and O"; and to add to this defect, the lips are thrust forward too far, so that in consequence of the empty space between them and the teeth, the consonants also become indistinct.

In pronouncing, for example, such a syllable as vote, one is generally inclined, after setting the lips for v, to thrust them out too violently and too far, in order to get them into the position for o. The transition, however, from the v-position to the o-position is not an easy one. The lips cannot be brought out from the v-position quick enough, and there is, in consequence, an unpleasant noise, which occasions indistinctness; apart from which the projecting lips produce the impression of a fish-mouth. Or else one pronounces the with the lips already in the o-position, and indistinctness is likewise the result.

It will be well, therefore, to observe the following: the correct formation of the vowel O', as well as of