PARTICULAR STRUCTURE OF THE VOWEL SOUNDS.

The following Vowel Sounds, are found, on prolonging their pronunciation to be clear dipthongs. They are, Revertheless, to be considered as vocal elements, because though two sounds are heard in their utterance, these sounds cannot be disjoined by the voice, in pronouncing them. The unavoidable action of the organs of speech, is such as to present the two sounds in coalescence.

A as in a-we, opens with the well known elementary sound, but it ends with a feeble and obscure sound of e, as heard in the word e-rr. The same is true of a, as heard in the interjection ah. A in a-le changes in the progress of pronunciation to ee, as heard in ee-l, making the sound aeele, the ee being somewhat feebler and more obscure than if it began a word. The same is true of i, as heard in i-eele, spelt i-sle. O in o-ld, goes into the feeble sound of oo, as heard in oo-ze, O oold. The same is true of ou, as ouoor.

The other vowel elements are monothongs as distinguished from dipthongs. This minute attention to the structure of these elements is necessary in prolonging them. In doing this, we shall by anticipation of the sounds into which they run, be able so to manage the voice in extending them, as to prolong them to any desirable extent with a preservation of their true pronunciation. Without it, we shall be in danger of either drawling them or abridging the time of their pronunciation.

EXPLOSIVE POWER OF THE VOWEL SOUNDS.

Let

We are about to describe a very important elementary function of the voice, which can be manifested in the utterance of the vowel sounds. All the vowel sounds can be exploded from the throat with great suddenness and force. The explosion appears to depend on a previous occlusion in the throat, the sound breaking forth from behind the occluded part. It will be effected by attention to the following directions. The explosion is to consist of a short and single act of coughing forcibly made upon each element. A short cough is usually made on the element e as heard in the word e-rr. the student cough out this element with as perfect distinctness of sound and as much force as possible, and then let him substitute for it each of the other elements one after another, coughing in the same manner upon each of them, or rather coughing out their respective sounds. In doing this, he will exhibit that property of the voice which makes explosive stress. Care must be taken however to avoid all aspiration; as the sounds ought to be purely vocal, and in that respect differ from simple coughing, which is more or less mixed with aspiration. He may not succeed at once in displaying this function to the best advantage, but let him go on: it will come by a little time and practice. With a teacher there will be no difficulty, nor will any exist long for those who practice alone, if they belong to the class of resolute spirits, who when they do not find a way ready made, set about to make one for themselves.

This sudden and very forcible utterance of the vowels,

is STRESS, in its most simple and elementary state, and in its highest degree. It is a function of the voice, which

may

be acquired by practice upon the elements, so as to be at the command of the speaker at any time he may wish to employ it, in the utterance of words or syllables. It is necessary to use it in reading or speaking, in various degrees, according to circumstances. We cannot now shew all the important uses to which it may be applied. The student may however, assure himself that the acquisition of it to a public speaker, is worth all his pains; and that the only mode of obtaining it, is by the method of practice we have enjoined.

We will notice the following important applications of stress. I. Vowels form the body of most syllables, and the audible and satisfactory distinctness of all short syllables, in public speaking, depends upon the degree of abruptness and force with which they are exploded by the voice. II. The kind of stress acquired by exploding the vowels, constitutes one of the forms of emphasis. III. This stress is the natural symbol of great energy of feeling.

But independent of emphasis, or the indication of any particular state of the feelings, if words are not marked by a due proportion of percussive or explosive stress, they will not be audible through an extensive space. Brilliancy, sprightliness, and energy of delivery, without which oratory has no existence, and which are essential to render a public speaker interesting, are dependent on a well marked and sustained stress.

As, then, the power of uttering the vowels in the manner described, is necessary to a distinct articulation of these sounds, (especially in short syllables,) and as it is

one in which even practised speakers* are very often deficient, a table of these elements is subjoined. When the student can explode them with effect, he may be assured he has obtained a mastery over one of the most important uses of his voice, as respects articulation, as well as other points of the art. When a class is to be exercised, each individual should be required to explode every element, found on the table, with the utmost degree of force, united with abruptness, which he can command; and then the whole class should pronounce them in concert. This practice, besides the advantages already mentioned, will be found a more effectual method than any other of obtaining a strong and powerful voice-of strengthening such voices as are feeble, and of giving fullness and strength of tone to all in proportion to their natural capacities.

The student has not obtained that use of his voice which it is the object of the table to teach him, until every sound it contains can be uttered with the suddenness of the report of fire-arms, without any apparent effort preceding the explosion, with a very high degree of percussive force, and with strength and fullness of tone. We should perhaps add, that we greatly doubt whether persons in general will ever gain strength of voice in any other way, than by exploding the elements: and we know that persons with feeble voices have been rendered capable of speaking forcibly and impressively in public, by a perseverance in the practice here recommended.

*I was made sensible, some years ago, by the author of the "Philosophy of the Human Voice," of my own want of sufficient explosive stress, and was induced by his advice, to commence the practice here recommended. I found it completely successful in obtaining the use of the voice.

Articulation is rendered distinct and impressive by a prolongation of certain vowel elements, as well as by giving them percussive force. Many of them can be lengthened in pronunciation, to any desirable extent without altering their distinguishing and appropriate sounds, and with an increase of their beauty and expressiveness.

In prolonging the vowel elements, the student should carefully attend to the following particulars. Their natural and appropriate sound is to be preserved-they are to be altered only in length-there is to be no drawl in their pronunciation, nor any mixture of song—each is to have the character of pure speech. These several particulars will be secured by attending to the following directions.