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.