in the ordinary
school-system for boys, the consequently natural - yet in some instances almost
unnatural degree of ignorance and uncouthness of men, of sensible and
well-informed men, when suddenly called to the necessity of reading aloud, which
had fallen within their notice, giving instances of blunders, and failures with
their secondary causes, the want of management of the voice, of proper
modulation and emphasis, of foresight and judgment, all proceeding from the
first cause, want of early attention and habit; and Fanny was listening again
with great entertainment.
    »Even in my profession« - said Edmund with a smile - »how little the art of
reading has been studied! how little a clear manner, and good delivery, have
been attended to! I speak rather of the past, however, than the present. - There
is now a spirit of improvement abroad; but among those who were ordained twenty,
thirty, forty years ago, the larger number, to judge by their performance, must
have thought reading was reading, and preaching was preaching. It is different
now. The subject is more justly considered. It is felt that distinctness and
energy may have weight in recommending the most solid truths; and, besides,
there is more general observation and taste, a more critical knowledge diffused,
than formerly; in every congregation, there is a larger proportion who know a
little of the matter, and who can judge and criticize.«
    Edmund had already gone through the service once since his ordination; and
upon this being understood, he had a variety of questions from Crawford as to
his feelings and success; questions which being made - though with the vivacity
of friendly interest and quick taste - without any touch of that spirit of
banter or air of levity which Edmund knew to be most offensive to Fanny, he had
true pleasure in satisfying; and when Crawford proceeded to ask his opinion and
give his own as to the properest manner in which particular passages in the
service should be delivered, shewing it to be a subject on which he had thought
before, and thought with judgment, Edmund was still more and more pleased. This
would be the way to Fanny's heart. She was not to be won by all that gallantry
and wit, and good nature together, could do; or at least, she would not be won
by them nearly so soon, without the assistance of sentiment and feeling, and
seriousness on serious subjects.
    »Our liturgy,« observed Crawford, »has beauties, which not even a careless,
slovenly style of reading can destroy; but it has