Section Iv. of Pauses.

A Pause, otherwise called a rest, is an absolute cessation of the voice, in speaking or reading, during a perceptible interval, longer or shorter, of time.

Comic Pauses often occur in Oratory. "Unaccustomed as I am to public speaking," is usually followed by a pause of this sort. A young gentleman, his health having been drunk at a party, afforded, in endeavoring to return thanks, a signal illustration of the Pause Comic. "Gentlemen," he began, "the Ancient Romans,"--(A pause,)--"gentlemen, the Ancient Romans,"--(Hear!)--"The Ancient Romans, Gentlemen,"--(Bravo! hear! hear!)--"Gentlemen--that is--the Ancient Romans"--"were very fine fellows, Jack, I dare say," added a friend, pulling the speaker down by the coat-tail.

That notable Ancient Roman, Brutus, is represented by Shakspeare as making a glorious pause: as "Who's here {118}so vile that would not love his country? If any, speak, for him have I offended. I pause for a reply."

Here of course, Brutus pauses, folds his arms, and looks magnanimous. We have heard, though, of an idle and impudent schoolboy, who, at a public recitation, when he had uttered the words "I pause for a reply," {119}gravely took out his penknife and began paring his nails.

This was minding his paws with a vengeance.