do at present, they would bind to their homes many who are otherwise disposed to go in search of unworthy enjoyments, and would add another chain of delightful associations wherewith to attach the young to the family hearth. Another advantage which it would confer on the fair readers themselves, would be the improved utterance and intonation which correct reading would produce, instead of that simpering and lisping which are so often to be met with even among females of the higher classes. Nor is it to women in their domestic capacity only that the practice of reading aloud would be attended with benefit. Many of the middle and lower classes are under the necessity of earning a livelihood by in-door employments, such as millinery, straw-plaiting, pattern-painting, and the like, and being in general occupied in one apartment of moderate size, the reading aloud of proper books would be to them not only a source of healthful recreation, but of amusement and instruction In such establishments, reading by turns would present a beautiful picture; and however limited the amount of information dissemi`nated, it would at all events be a thousand times preferable to that system of idle and worthless gossip which is said now to prevail.

To young men preparing for professional labours, the art of reading aloud is indispensable; and though not equally necessary for what are called business-men, still to such it is a becoming and valuable acquirement. Ask your son, who has lately gone to the counting-room, to read you the last debate in parliament, and ten to one he will rattle through it with a jumbling indistinctness of utterance, that you are glad when his hour calls him away, and leaves you to the quiet enjoyment of self-perusal. And why is this? Simply because the youth has never been taught to regard reading aloud in the light of a graceful accomplishment. At school he learned to know his words, and that was so far useful; but to read as a gentleman, in the spirit and meaning of the author, this is what he has yet to acquire by the imitation of good models and by frequent practice. That the art of reading aloud is at the low ebb we mention, any one can readily convince himself by requesting his friend to read for him the last speech of the British premier, or message of the American president. Twenty to one he will find his

E

friend an apt enough scholar, but a careless and indifferent enunciator-one who has all along read for himself, and whose only object has been merely to acquire the meaning of the works he perused. At the period of the Reform Bill, when newspapers were read by the million, it was customary, in the workshops of tailors, flaxdressers, and others, for one to read aloud while the others were at work-those who could read fluently taking their turns of this duty, and those who could not, paying the others who did, according to the amount of time spent in the exercise. In some instances, indeed, a reader was paid by the workmen, it being his duty to read the public debates and leading articles at so much per hour. We have occasionally listened to such a reader (one of the workmen), and been astonished at the force and freedom of his utterance, and the manner in which he modulated his intonations, throwing himself exactly into the place of the speaker. Now, this was not the result of any superior tuition, but the effect of listening to the best public speakers, and of his daily exercise as reader to the establishment. Unfortunately the practice to which we refer died with the excitement of the period; but we see no cause why the attention which was then given to public affairs might not be profitably directed to entertaining and instructive authors. It is true that the inquiring and studious workman will cultivate his own mind at home; but all workinen are not inquiring and studious, and the introduction of reading aloud to each other in turn would be productive of incalculable benefit.

Singing for the million is cried up on all hands-why not reading aloud? What Mainzer has accomplished for the one art, might be effected by Charles Kemble for the other. We have in almost every family and workshop evidence of what practice in concert has done for vocal music-why not the same for reading aloud? The one art is chiefly valued as an amusement and refining accomplishment -the other is equally entertaining, quite as necessary for the adornment of public or private life, and certainly more directly productive of utility and knowledge.

CHAMBERS.

AN EXHORTATION TO THE STUDY OF ELOQUENCE.

I CANNOT conceive anything more excellent, than to be able, by language, to captivate the affections, to charm the understanding, and to impel or restrain the will of whole assemblies, at pleasure. Among every free people, especially in peaceful, settled governments, this single art has always eminently flourished, and always exercised the greatest sway. For what can be more surprising, than that amidst an infinite multitude, one man should appear, who shall be the only, or almost the only man capable of doing what Nature has put in every man's power? Or can anything impart such exquisite pleasure to the ear, and to the intellect, as a speech in which the wisdom and dignity of the sentiments, are heightened by the utmost force and beauty of expression? Is there anything so commanding, so grand, as that the eloquence of one man should direct the inclinations of the people, the consciences of judges, and the majesty of senates? Nay, farther, can aught be esteemed so great, so generous, so public spirited, as to assist the suppliant, to rear the prostrate, to communicate happiness, to avert danger, and to save a fellow-citizen from exile? Can anything be so necessary, as to keep those arms always in readiness, with which you may defend yourself, attack the profligate, and redress your own, or your country's wrongs?

But, let us consider this accomplishment as detached from public business, and from its wonderful efficacy in popular assemblies, at the bar, and in the senate; can anything be more agreeable, or more endearing in private life, than elegant language? For the great characteristic of our nature, and what eminently distinguishes us from brutes, is the faculty of social conversation; the power of expressing our thoughts and sentiments by words. To excel mankind, therefore, in the exercise of that very talent, which gives them the preference to the brute creation, is what everybody must not only admire, but look upon as the just object of the most indefatigable pursuit. And now, to mention the chief point of all, what other power could have been of sufficient efficacy to bring together

friend an apt enough scholar, but a careless and indifferent ator-one who has all along read for himself, and whose only has been merely to acquire the meaning of the works he At the period of the Reform Bill, when newspapers were the million, it was customary, in the workshops of tai dressers, and others, for one to read aloud while the oth work-those who could read fluently taking their turns and those who could not, paying the others who did, the amount of time spent in the exercise. In some deed, a reader was paid by the workmen, it being h the public debates and leading articles at so much have occasionally listened to such a reader (one o and been astonished at the force and freedom of 1 the manner in which he modulated his intonations exactly into the place of the speaker. Now, thi of any superior tuition, but the effect of listeni speakers, and of his daily exercise as reader Unfortunately the practice to which we refer ment of the period; but we see no cause wh was then given to public affairs might not b entertaining and instructive authors. It i and studious workman will cultivate his ow workmen are not inquiring and studious. reading aloud to each other in turn woul culable benefit.

Singing for the million is cried up on aloud? What Mainzer has accomplishe effected by Charles Kemble for the oth family and workshop evidence of what for vocal music-why not the same art is chiefly valvis an amusemen -the other

them, "How would you .. it! for he that only hears of the oration."— What an quished adversary, and such th it give of that wonderful ardor; I transport myself in le with the popular assembly, I the thunder of Demosthenes. I lience tost and shaken like some I am filled with wonder at such ed almost out of myself. In a little re recollected. Then I consider the whole inexpressible. But nothing on. I perceive the various passions he by turns, and working from the depth of vs with the love of the public; now he it its enemies; then he will swell with disnt, or interested friends; anon he melts with es; and now he turns pale with fear of yet feature, nerve, and circumstance about him, ; each almost seems as if it would speak. I soul, I see it as only clad in some thin transpaall on fire. I wonder no longer at the effects of only wonder at their cause.

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FORDYCE.

LOGIUM OF THE PERFECT SPEAKER.

urselves a Demosthenes addressing the most illus1 the world, upon a point whereon the fate of the f nations depended. How awful such a meeting! bject! Is man possessed of talents adequate to the Adequate-yes, superior. By the power of his Augustness of the assembly is lost in the dignit