ii.

movement, and produce clear and full intonation,] distinct articu lation, and emphatic utterance

This particular department of muscular exercise and education,] has greater claims on our time and attention than any other.) The organs of speech, with few unfortunate exceptions, Jare possessed by all mankind they are in constant use by all, their functions are of the highest moment to all, whether for the display of the charms of song and poetry,[the persuasion of oratory) the invocation of prayer, and the numberless exchanges of opinionjand expression of the affections and emotions (in social intercourse.] The most rigid puritan, who would regard with distaste, perhaps horror the exercises of the dance, (and attach no importance to the graces of bodily movement, will still be as naturally and properly desirous of cultivating the voice, as the greatest advocate for worldly accomplishments. He does itțin learning to sing the praises of his Maker and when engaged in the solemn exercises of prayer and exhort ation. With the other sex, the charm of voice is a powerful means of persuasion and control. It gives to woman much of her influence -an influence depending on the mildness of her manner and ber soft (and musical tones, displayed in the language of sympathy entreaty, and of kind remonstrance. Her's is the privilege and the duty to be at the side of the suffering invalid in infancy(in youth and in mature age to comfort the mourner and to aid the poor and distressed. And what makes the potions to the feverish patient less nauseous what gives balm to the language of resignation and imparts the glow of pleasure to the wan and weary beggar,when she is, in each case, the ministering angel? Much is in the pitying look much in the inclining gesture and softened manner but still more in the tones of her voice her low and smoothly uttered words/ of solace and of hopef

Why then should this instrument, which is capable of giving out such exquisite music, be jarred and discordant in its tones, through early neglect and bad habits? The cultivation of the vocal organs/ is not inferior in importance to any branch of learning yet there is none more generally neglected Surely this is a stigma, and ought to be removed just as the flutter, agitation, (and jerking movements

of the body and limbs would be and are corrected, by appropriate exercise and training under tasteful guidance and precept)

Still more necessary is this kind of education (where the imperfection amounts to a disease, as in hesitancy, stammering, and other imperfect articulation. The cure requires time, patience on the part both of the invalid(and of the vocal doctors and practice in the manner which scientific experience, not impudent and boastful quackery, has shown to be most serviceable so as to give confidence, which is the result of conscious ability. The timidity and feeling of embarrassment of the stammerer, are both effects and sustaining causes of his impediment. So soon as he knows that his vocal organs are capable of obeying the commands of the will and of giving expression to his thoughts, his mind acts with more energy and intentness and he no longer allows himself to be trammelled in his speech by the weak tremulous and convulsive movements of the muscles which under less energetic volition, used to be so common with

bing.

I have for many years(given the greatest portion of my time to the study of Elocution, both in its hygienic relations with fluent speech in private (and public, in the social circle and at the bar the pulpit and the legislative hall and also, in its curative character す to remove stammering and other impediments to clear and distinct articulation and utterance. I make no pretension to a knowledge of any specific for the cure of stammerers, nor do I attempt to shroud my method in unintelligible jargon, nor to conceal it from public and scientific investigation, by swearing my pupils to secrecy All these are arts and tricks | unworthy of the literary and professional character, and disreputable above all to him who professes to be a teacher and in whom manly sincerity (ought ever to shine conspicuously as an example to those under his charge

The British Orator is a system of Theoretical and Practical Elocution. The introduction is taken from the valuable system of Elocution by my friend Dr. Comstock, of Philadelphia. The work is designed for the use of Schools and Colleges as well as for the

* The work of Dr. Comstock is founded on Rush's Philosophy of the Human Voice.

instruction of private individuals who desire to improve themselves in the art of reading and speaking.

The analysis of the vocal elements of the English language and the minute description which is given of their organic formation,/ will be found important, not only to the Briton who is desirous of accurate knowledge upon this subject, but also the foreigner who is learning to speak our vernacular tongue. And the engravings/ indicating the most favourable postures of the mouth in the energtic utterance of the elements, will be found a valuable auxiliary in the acquisition of this knowledge.

The Exercises in Reading (and Declamation have been taken from some of the best ancient and modern Jauthors and they are well adapted to the purposes of the student in Elocution. In concert reading, as soon as a sentence is pronounced by the teacher the members of the class should read it together, in the proper pitch and time, and with the requisite degree of force. When a paragraph shall have been pronounced in this way, it should be read singly by each member of the class. Sometimes it will be found advantageous to let each pupil, in turn, give out a piece, (and the other members of the class repeat it after him the teacher, meanwhile, making the necessary corrections. In fine, the exercise of reading should be practised in a variety of ways, according to circumstances. As the organs of speech require much training| to enable them to perform their functions properly the pupil should repeat the same exercise (till he can articulate every element and give to each syllable the pitch, force, and time (which the sentiment demands.

It is certain that there are but few who may not attain, by studyj and practice a respectable and creditable delivery it is, therefore, much to be lamented that while such is the fact, (there are not more who possess this accomplishment While many of the merely ornamental branches are cultivated with zealous assiduity Elocution/ is allowed, (at best, but a feeble support. Among the many Colleges in our famed Universities, there is endowed with a Professorship of Elocution! numerous public speakers, how small a number deliver a

not a single one And among our

Jcan

discourse without having half the body concealed by a desk or table! The orators of classic Greece/never ensconced themselves behind elevated desks, nor “stood upon all fours, as some of our public speakers do they were masters of their art. Hence they needed no screen to conceal uncouth attitudes and awkward gestures ( from the scrutinizing eye of criticisms nor had occasion to present the crown of the head, instead of the face, to the audience to hide the blush of ignorance they exposed the whole person to the audience; they stood erect, in all the dignity of conscious worth their attitudes were fit models for the statuary | their gestures were replete with grace and expression their Elocution defied criticism Let us endeavour to restore Elocution to its former place in the department of useful instructiop. Nothing is wanted/but a correct medium, laudable ambition and common industry to enable our British youth to rival those ancient orators (whose eloquence / "shook distant thrones, and made the remote extremities of the earth) tremble. †

George Terruce, Elizabeth-street,

Cheetham, Manchester.

TH. K. GREENBANK.