Rhymed verse sounds better when the rhymed syllables are not emphasized.

Any tendency to emphasize regularly certain syllables in each line, or to repeat the same inflections in each line, constitutes what is called singsong, and must be carefully guarded against.

Suggestion.- Members of the class should be called upon to explain, by examples of their own selection, all points relating to elocution. Practice is better than theory.

He

Soldier Fritz was the little son of a corporal in the Prussian army, and lived in Brandenburg. loved to play soldier himself, and that is why he was called Soldier Fritz.

His father, during a war with the French, was with his regiment on the Rhine. Once, when writing to his family, he told them how he sometimes suffered for want of vegetables. "If I only had a peck of our fine potatoes," said he, "how good they would taste!"

By day and by night, Soldier Fritz thought and dreamed of his poor father; and, at last, without

the knowledge of his mother, he filled a bag with the finest potatoes in the cellar, and started off to find his father.

At noon on the first day of his journey he came to a small village, went into the first inn he saw, and sat down on a bench to rest. There were many guests in the large room, and among them an old crippled soldier with a wooden leg.

"What do you wish, boy?" asked the soldier, rising, striding toward Fritz, and measuring him in astonishment from head to foot.

"I wish to go to the Rhine," was the answer. "My father has been promoted and is a sergeant, but he doesn't care for that, so long as he has no potatoes. So I wish to carry him some, and have picked out the best. Here they are in this sack."

"Why, you strange boy!" said the soldier, "tell that again, if you are in earnest, and so that you can be understood!" Fritz did so, and all listened attentively. When he had done, tears stood in the eyes of the veteran, and all the rest were much affected.

"You are a real soldier's child, and my old heart trembles with joy as I look at you." So saying the veteran caught Fritz and kissed him. Then the others did the same, and even the big landlord was moved to his inmost soul. Nor would they let him think of going farther that day. He had to stay at the inn, where he was waited on as if he were a real prince.

In the evening he told his story to the new guests, and was at last led to a chamber and put into a soft bed, where he slept a refreshing sleep.

And while he was sleeping, the old soldier told the guests it would be a shame to let so brave a boy go farther without a penny for his journey.

All gladly opened their purses and gave liberally for the good boy. The landlord kept the money till morning, when he awoke the boy, gave him a good breakfast, sewed the money into the lining of his jacket, and bade him good-by with hearty wishes for his welfare.

From this place he went on foot till evening, when he was again obliged to pass the night in a village. Here he told his story as before and was tenderly cared for.

At length, after journeying many days, he saw in the distance the first sentinel of the Prussian camp, and hastened toward him with flying feet. "Do you know where I can find my father?" he asked, out of breath.

"Stupid boy!" said the sentinel harshly; "do you suppose I know your father's name, and to what regiment he belongs?"

"Why he belongs to the Brandenburg regiment of grenadiers, and his name is Martin Bollermann, and he is a sergeant."

"Well, if that is true, then hunt him up! You may pass."

Fritz ran on; came to a second sentinel, and a third, and at last fell into the hands of an adju

tant, who examined him closely.

The more he heard,

the more friendly he became, and finally patted the boy's cheek very kindly.

Come with me," he said; "I think we shall soon be able to find your father."

He went on to a large, magnificent tent, from