The Practical Elocutionist ... for school use, etc

Front matter

. THE PRACTICAL ELOCUTIONIST ; AN EXTENSIVE COLLECTION OF RECITATIONS, Srltrtrtj & arrangclj npttaslg for School -Hae, WITH A FEW PLAIN RULES FOR INFLECTION, MODULATION. GESTURE AND ACTION, AND RHETORICAL PUNCTUATION. THE PRINCIPAL POSITIONS ILLUSTRATED FROM PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIES, TAKEN EXPRE9SLT FOR THIS WORK. BY CONRAD HUME PINCHES, L.C.P. MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL COLLEOE OF PRECEPTORS. " Homi*ue3 amplius oculis quam auribus credunt, longum iter eBt per præcepta, breve et efficas per exempla." — Seneca. LONDON: PIPER, STEPHENSON AND SPENCE, (LATE SHERWOOD, GILBERT AND PlfER,) PATERNOSTER ROW. 1854. LOVDOX: ■PRINTED BY WEHTHEIJ1ER &VD CO. fissbciit circus. DEDICATION. My Dear Father, Justice — even more than filial regard — requires that this compilation should be dedicated to you, since it was from you that I received my earliest instruction in Elocution, and imbibed that fondness for the Art, which has induced the production of this work.

Believe me, My Dear Father, Yours affectionately, Conrad Hume Pinches. Clarendon House, Ken.mncton Road, Lambeth. July, 1854. PEEFACE. Notwithstanding the number, — and in many cases, the excellence, of the works which have issued from the press of late years on the subject of elocution, it must have occurred, I think, to many, — who, like myself, have been engaged in the more practical part of the art, that these works, with few excep tions, fail in their object from a two-fold cause; — either the authors have endeavoured to make their books Progressive Readers, as well as Elocutionary Treatises or Speakers, — or they have selected, to a very great extent, pieces, which, though highly poetical and very beautiful, are not really suitable for school recitations, or are of an order within the scope of a boy's power to deliver with ease and effect.

In many of these treatises, too, a fourth, and, in some cases, even a larger proportion, of the entire volume, is occupied with an elaborate and almost impractica ble essay on inflections, — followed by numerous critical rules for accentuation or intonation. For want of a work of a more special character, I have been for some time in the habit of using one in which nearly one hundred pages are occupied with an essay of the kind described, and which por tion of the book I have never been able to use with any real advantage. It appears to me, that the authors of the books above referred to, have entirely overlooked the fact, that, although their works have almost invariably been intended as School Speakers, they seem nevertheless to have been arranged on the a

Preface

. VI principle of " every man his own teacher;" — for it 1 3 self-evident that the teacher of elocution in schools.. will effect his object much more readily by viva voce instruction, accompanied by a few simple diagrams, than by attempting to insist too much upon an ac curate knowledge of the abstract principles of the art. Having been in the habit for many years of accus toming my pupils to the practice of public recitations, I have been compelled, in my anxiety to furnish them with new and appropriate selections, to search very extensively in order to find, and then to devote con siderable time to arrange, pieces suitable for the purpose. In this way I have accumulated a larger collection of recitations, and of a much more varied and practical character than has ever yet been pub lished in a single volume.

In the selections made, due caution has been exer cised, in choosing such only as are calculated to elevate and strengthen the mind, or afford harmless amusement. In no instance have I presumed to interpolate lines, for the purpose of preserving the unity of the piece, even where extensive excision may have rendered the context rather abrupt, or the meaning of the author somewhat obscure, this being regarded as the less evil of the two; omissions have only been made, in addition to the cases already enumerated, when the selection would occupy too much time in delivery; and then only such, — as do not materially, — if at all, — detract from the author's meaning, or the general effect of the extract. In scenes adapted from dramatic writers, — and in this portion of the work it is believed considerable novelty will be found)W-great alteration has frequently been unavoidable, in consequence of the necessity which existed, not only of omitting the female characters, but occasionally of linking together isolated passages, or scenes so as to form a connected and effec tive extract; — the work containing nothing but what

PREFACE.

. VII has been spoken publicly by boys, — or is deemed suitable for that purpose. Upon the principle that " AU work and no play Makes Jack a dull boy," — I have considerably enlarged the space usually allotted to pieces of a humorous character; — in it, will be found several by our modern writers, which it is be lieved have never been introduced into works of this kind before, and which I have found, in practice, very beneficial, by varying the somewhat monotonous character of school recitations. The advantages, therefore, which I trust the work will be found to possess over others of a similar kind, are mainly these: — The number of the selections, — their practical character, — and, to a great extent, their novelty. It is conceived, that the book is adapted to serve as a first-class reading book, in schools, and as a text book for Elocution Classes at Literary In stitutions.

It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to urge the import ance of the study and practice of elocution, — particularly the latter, — for the greatest writers of all ages have borne testimony to the wonderful influ ence which oratorical power exerts over mankind. It has been well observed, that speeches of indifferent quality, well spoken, always produce an infinitely greater effect than those which, though far superior as literary compositions, have been tamely or mono tously delivered; and that "even in the senate, the pulpit, and at the bar, the finest sentiments and the most brilliant ideas are often rendered ineffective by the monotonous, inappropriate, ungraceful, inanimate manner in which they are uttered." — (Mr. Len nington's Speaker). This defect, which is frequently alluded to and deplored by the best writers of the day, might be remedied, if the study and practice of the elements of elocution were included in the

PREFACE.

. VIII curriculum of our public and private schools generally ; followed up, if needed, by a higher course of study of the same subject at the Universities. It was well observed by Mr. Walker in his " Speaker" published upwards of sixty years since, — and the observation, with but few exceptions, is equally just now, — "that the systems which had hitherto been promulgated were too delicate and complicated to be taught m schools;" and in accordance with this opinion, he enumerates only the more important inflections and modulations in a very succinct and practical manner, — describing more in detail, the principal gestures and positions suitable for delineating certain emotions, accompanying his remarks, in unison with the dictum of Horace, " Segnius irritant animos demissa per aurem Quam quæ sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus, et quæ, Ipse sibi trades spectator" (Ars Poetica), with a few, perhaps too few, appropriate diagrams.

My own views upon this subject are so nearly allied to those of Mr. Walker, that I have availed myself of his valuable treatise to a considerable extent, in the brief hints conveyed in the succeeding introductory pages; differing from him, however, very greatly in the selections made in elucidation of the principles laid down. The accompanying illustrations have been engraved from photographs of two of my pupils, taken by myself, expressly for this work. I think that they will be found to comprehend all the leading positions, — both absolute and relative. In conclusion, I would venture, with much diffi dence, to express a hope that my fellow-labourers in education, who may have experienced the difficulties 1 have described, in finding selections in every way suitable for school recitations, will consider that this compilation does, in a great measure, — if not wholly, — supply the desideratum.

CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction- -------- 1 SELECTIONS IN VERSE. Address to Mont Blanc - - - - Coleridge - 1 7 Casabianca ------ Mrs. Hemans - 19 Cato's Soliloqny on the Immortality of the Soul Addison - - 20 Childe Harold's Song - Byron - - 21 Gertrude Von Der Wart - - - - Mrs. Hemans - 23 Ginevra ------- Rogers - - 25 Hamlet's Soliloquy on Death - - - Shakespere - 28 Henry V. to his Soldiers at the Battle of Agincourt ----- Shakespere - 28 Joan of Arc's Address to the King of France Southey - - 30 Josephus the Historian's Address to his Countrymen ----- Mdman - - 31 Lines Written for Recitation, on occasion of the Death of the Duke of Wellington R. E. Bowler - 32 Lochinvar ------ Scott - - 35 Man's Three Guests - Sigourney - 36 Marco Bozzaris ----- Hallech - - 38 Mary, Queen of Scots - - - - H. G. Bell - 41 Mary, the Maid of the Inn - - - Southey - - 45 Messiah — A Sacred Eclogue - - - Pope - - 48 Monody on the Death of the Right Hon. R. B. Sheridan - Byron - - 51 Ode to Winter ----- Campbell- - 53 The Bard ------ Gray - - 55 The Battle-field ----- Bryant - - 59 The Battle of Blenheim - - - - Addison - - 60 The Battle of Hohenlinden - Campbell- - 61 The Battle of Minden - Darwin - - 62 The Captive ------ Lewis 64 The Combat - Scott - - 66 The Corsair Byron 69 The Death of Marmion - - - - Scott - - 72 The Downfall of Poland - - - - Campbell- - 76 The Fall of Corinth ... - Byron - - 77 The Field of Waterloo - Ibid ■ 81 The Grave of Korner - - - - Mrs. Hemans - X CONTENTS.

PAGE The Isles of Greece - Byron - - 84 The Last Days of Herculaneum - - Atherstone The Leper Wdlis - - 90 The Parting of Hector and Andromache - Pope's Homer - The Passions Collins - - 95 The Plains of Marathon - Byron The Pleasures of Hope - - - Campbell - - 99 The Prospect of Immortality - - - Ibid The Spanish Armada - - - - Southey - - 103 The Surgeon's Tale ... - Barry Cornwall 104 William Test's Speech - - - - Sheridan Knowles 106 SELECTIONS IN PROSE. Ajjcient Oratory. C. Marius to the Romans - - - - - - - 108 Galgacus to the Caledonii - - - - - - HI Hannibal to his Soldiers - - - - - - - 1 13 Junius Brutus over the dead body of Lucretia - - - 116 Oration against Catiline - - - - - - - 117 Oration against Verres - - - - - - - 120 Speech of Scipio to the Roman Army - - - - 124 Speech of Titus Quintius to the Roman People - - - 127 The Scythian Ambassador to Alexander - - - - 129 Modern Oratorv.

Defence of Queen Caroline - - - Brougham - 132 Eulogium on Mr. Fox - - - - R. B. Sheridan 135 Inaugural Discourse - Brougham - 137 Napoleon Buonaparte's Proclamation on his Return from Elba 140 Reply of Lord Chatham to Horace Walpole - - - 142 Rolla to the Peruvians - - - - Sheridan- - 143 Speech in the House of Peers against the American War ... - Lord Chatham- 144 Speech against the Printer and Publisher of the " Age of Reason " - - - Lord Erskine - 147 Speech against Warren Hastings - - Sheridan - - 150 Speech of Lord Strafford, before Sentence passed on him by the Lords for Treason ... _ 152 Speech on the breaking out of the War of American Independence - - - Patrick Henry - 154 Speech (1753) for Repealing the Act called the Jew Bill Lord Lyttelton - 156 Speech on the Second Reading of the Reform Bill, in the House of Lords - Lord Brougham 158 Speech for Hamilton Rowan - - - Curran - - 161 DIALOGUES.

Arthur and Hubert. — King John - - Shakespere contents. XI Brutus and Cassius. — Julius Cæsar. First page Selection- ----- Shakespere - 167 Brutus and Cassius. — Julius Cæsar. Second Selection- ----- Ibid - - 171 Coriolanus and Aufidius. — Coriolanns - Thomson- - 175 Edward and Warwick. — Earl of Warwick Southern - - 177 Gloster and Hastings. — Jane Shore - - Roue - - 181 Gustavus and Cristiern - - - - Brooke - - 183 Hamlet and Horatio. — Hamlet- - - Shakespere - 186 King John and Hubert. — King John - Ibid - - 189 Lioni and Bertram. — Marino Faliero - Byron - - 191 Lochiel and Wizard. — Lochiel's Warning - Campbell- - 195 Lord Avondale and Tvke — The School of Reform Morton - - 200 Manfred and Chamois Hunter. — Manfred- Byron - - 197 Orestes Delivering his Embassy to Pyrrhus Rowe - - 203 Sebastian and Dorax. — Sebastian, King of Portugal Dryden - - 206 Sir Edward Mortimer and Wilford.— The Iron Chest ----- Colman - - 211 Vanoc and Valens. — The Briton - - Anon - - 215 SCENES ARRANGED FROM DRAMATIC WRITERS.

Barbarossa ------ Brown - - 219 Cato's Senate ------ Addison - - 223 Coriolanus, Menenius, etc. — Coriolanus - Shakespere - 227 Douglas ------ Home - - 233 Henrv IV. — Part I. First Selection - Skakespere - 236 Henry IV.— Part L Second Selection - Ibid - - 242 Ion Talfourd- - 245 Julius Cæsar. First Selection - - - Shakespere - 252 Julius Cæsar. Second Selection - - Ibid - - 256 Julius Cæsar. Third Selection - - Ibid - - 259 Marino Faliero ----- Byron - - 2b5 Rienzi. First Selection - - - - Miss Mitford - 270 Rtenzi. Second Selection ... Ibid - - 275 Richard II. - Shakespere - 278 Romeo and Juliet Ibid - - 284 The Maid of Honour - - - - Massinger - 287 The Merchant of Venice. First Selection Shakespere - 291 The Merchant of Venice. Second Selection Ibid - - 295 The Two Foscari ----- Byron - - 303 Venice Preserved.

First Selection - - Otway - - 306 Arenice Preserved. Second Selection - Ibid - - 310 Werner - Byron - - 316 HUMOROUS PIECES. Address to an Egyptian Mummy - - Horace Smith - 323 Bullum v Boatum - - - - - G. A. Stevens - 325 Daniel v. Dishclout - Ibid CONTENTS. PAGE Drunken Politeness - Colman - - 330 Hodge and the Vicar - Anon - - 3d- Lodgings for Single Gentlemen - - Colman - - 334 Logic; or, The Biter Bit- - - - Anon - - 335 Mr. Barney Maguire's Account of the Coronation of Queen Victoria - - Barham - - 337 Mrs. Dobbs at Home - - - - Horace Smith - 339 Mrs. Rose Grob Ibid - - 342 The Collegian and the Porter - - - Ibid - - 345 The Country Fellows and the Ass - - Dr. Byrom - 34, The Doctor and his Apprentice - - Anon - - 349 The Farmer and the Counsellor - - Horace Smith - 351 The Farmer's Wife and the Gascon - - Ibid - - 352 The Newcastle Apothecary - Colman - - 355 The Razor-seller Dr. Walcot - 357 The Surgeon and the House Painters - Horace Smith - 358 The Three Black Crows - - - - Dr. Byrom - 361 The Tinker and the Glazier - Anon - - 363 The Town and Country Mice - - - Pope - - 365 The Well of St. Keyne - - - - Southey - - 367 " Vat You Please " Anon - - 368 SCENES ARRANGED FROM COMEDIES.

Every Man in his Humour - - - Ben Jonson 372 Lethe ------- Foote - - 375 Sylvester Daggerwood - - - - Colman - - 378 The Critic. First Selection - - - Sheridan - - 383 The Critic. Second Selection - - - Ibid - - 386 The Heir at Law. First Selection - - Colman - - 390 The Heir at Law. Second Selection - Ibid - - 393 The Heir at Law. Third Selection - - Ibid - - 397 she Liar - Foote - - 400 The Poor Gentleman - Colman - - 403 she Review ------ Ibid - - 408 Hie Rivals. First Selection - - - Sheridan- - 411 The Rivals Second Selection - - Ibid - - 415 The Rivals. Third Selection - - - Ibid - - 417 The Rivals. Fourth Selection - - Ibid - - 419 Who wants a Guinea? - - - - Colman - - 422 DEBATES. Are the Mental Capacities of the Sexes Equal? [iowton - - 425 Parliamentary Debate on a Resolution for the Admission of Ladies to the Gallery of the House of Commons, during the Debates ------ Burton - -