Practical elocution:

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Preface

No branch of education can be more successfully and advantageously applied to the great and practical purposes of life, than Elocution. It is in the most frequent use of any faculty with which our nature is endowed. Whenever we exercise the organs of speech, whether in conversation, reading, or public speaking, wc employ some of our powers of elocution. Throughout all the diversities of rank and sex, including kings and beggars, every individual begins to practise it, the second, if not the first year of his existence. It is but another word for the faculty of speech — a faculty which elevates man above the brute creation, and which should not be permitted to

" rust out unused,"

and unimproved. That the reading or speaking voice, as well as the singing voice, is susceptible of almost an unlimited degree of cultivation, is a truth, with a conviction of which, men have been deeply impressed, in all ages of the world. Especially is this true of the citizens of Greece and Rome. They paid great attention to the art of eloquence , as it was called in ancient times; now, elocution; which is, " the rose by another name;" and we learn from histdry, that their labors were rewarded with very beneficial resdlts.

Passing over in silence, other great and immortal names, let us direct our attention for a moment, to Demosthenes, Cicero, and Pericles. Nature did not very Jgberally provide Demosthenes with power of speech. He, however, possessed genius in an eminent degree. And yet, without industnj, mVname would have been lost in oblivion. By undying perseverance in the pursuit of oratory, and by unremitting attention to the principles upon which good speaking is founded ; he acquired an eloquence which " astonished all Greece." We may say of him without any poetical license, he spoke,

" Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar stood ruled."

Cicero, by close application, reading, and declaiming, rendered his voice so melodious, powerful, and thrilling, that it hushed the Roman senate into silence, and made " great Caesar" himself tremble on his seat Pericles so successfully cultivated the whole art of elocution, that with him, manner was almost matter. An incident is related in history, which may serve to give us an idea of the power of his eloquence. Thucydides, although an enemy to Pericles, when asked which, was the best wrestler answered: 11 Whenever I have given him a fall, he affirms the contrary, in such strong and forcible terms, that he persuades all the spectators that I did not throw him, though they themselves saw him on the ground." Those three renowned orators adopted in e*arly life, the excellent motto, that " nothing is given to mortals, without indefatigable labor." Discarding the absurd notion, that orators are born such, they acted upon the true principle, that however much or little nature had done for them, they would rely exclu-

IT PREFACE.

sively and entirely upon their own exertions. The docility of Demostnene6| Cicero, and Pericles, through life, and the care and success with which they cultivated the science of speaking well, afford examples worthy of universal imitation, from the president of .the United States, members of congress, and of state legislatures, lawyers, clergymen, conductors of literary institutions, and other gentlemen of public consideration, down to the humblest citizen of our republic. Those peerless orators immortalized their names by "patient labor, and patient labor only." If they excelled the orators of all other countries, either ancient or modern, it is because they devoted time, money, and labor, to the improvement of their manner of speaking.

Who does not know that inattention to a subject is tantamount to ignorance of it 1 Knowledge is not intuitive. The infant grasps alike the near flame, which would burn him, and the bright orb of day which he cannot reach. It is a truism, but, nevertheless, one which is too often practically disregarded, that we know little or nothing, except what we learn. Why * then talk so much of " nature's orators 1" Cicero says, that the " poet is born, but the orator is made." Nature, doubtless, makes a great difference in the capacities with which she endows her children ; but art makes a still greater difference. It is an excellent letter addressed to a young man engaged in the study of law, the late Hon. William Wirt, truly observes, that il it is a fiat of fate, from which no genius can absolve youth, that there is no excellence without great labor."

Vocal music is more pleasing than instrumental, because the human voice, whether its notes are heard in song or speech, is the sweetest and noblest of all instruments. It, however, differs from a musical instrument in this respect, among others : it is capable of producing an infinite variety of sounds. By the tones of the voice, may be expressed, not orny all the operations of the mind, but every emotion implanted by the God of nature in the soul of man. The best readers and speakers are not governed by particular rules. They read and speak " right on." They do not stop to give a rising inflection of voice, here ; a falling, there ; and a circumflex, elsewhere. Dr. Goldsmith says, that " to feel our subject thoroughly, and to speak without fear, are the only rules of eloquence." It is certain, that in order to be eloquent, we must surrender ourselves to the spirit that stirs within us, and the "mouth" must speak " from the abundance of the heart." Being perfectly satisfied with nature's system of elocution, the author has not presumed to lay down a series of artificial rules in the shape, either of marks of inflection or rhetorical notation, in the vain hope of making a better. Those extraordinary endowments of intellect, of imagination, and of sensibility, which are derived from nature, and without which preeminence in oratory is unattainable, are possessed by few men in any age or country. But all may learn to read and speak correctly and impressively, by becoming familiar with the elementary sounds of our language, and the other important principles of elocution, and by engaging in practical elocutionary exercises.

This work contains a great variety of pieces, all of which are suitable, both for reading, and for exercises in recitation. There is no good reason for drawing a line of demarcation between reading and speaking. To excel in either, requires a cultivated voice, and a knowledge of elocution. In both, and in one as much as the other, the principles upon which this science is founded, are involved. Similar exercises, therefore, if not the same, are required to become either a good reader or an accomplished speaker. The introductory part of this work, comprises suggestions on elocution, and specimens illustrative of its principles, and of the powers of the voice, which it is believed, will be serviceable to all who wish to acquire a correct and graceful style of reading and speaking the English language.

The pieces for exercises in reading and declamation, are selected indiscriminately, from ancient and modern authors ; and also from foreigners, and from Americans. The object has been to embody the best pieces in our language, for elocutionary purposes. If a piece be well written, it is not material whether its author is an ancient or a modern, a foreigner ort an American. The notes with which almost every piece is accompanied, contain generally brief biographical sketches of their several authors, and of the circumstances under which they wrote. The notes, however, are intended chiefly to explain the manner in which the several pieces should be read or recited. Before leading a piece, it may not be altogether unprofitable to look at the note which accompanies it. This work, being designed as a reading-book for schools, academies, theological seminaries, and colleges, the pieces are divided into verses. More pieces will be found in it, on elocution itself, than in any other book before the public. The dialogues are in a cluster. To avoid monotony, the prose and poetry are intermixed. All the selections and the notes accompanying them, are calculated to inspire the reader with the love of freedom, of virtue, and of the Christian religion. For the benefit of seminaries of learning, a number of dialogues are inserted.

It is gratifying to know, that elocution is beginning to secure a portion of attention, corresponding, in some degree, with its importance. But still it is too much neglected, not only by community generally, but even by public speakers and teachers of youth. There are, as yet, few or no distinct professorehips of elocution in our literary institutions. The bishop of Cloyne says, " that probably half the learning of these kingdoms is lost, for want of having a proper delivery taught in the schools and colleges." Is not half the learning of these United States, " lost for want of having" elocution properly and thoroughly taught in our " schools and colleges V9 Does not religion suffer in the hands of those who, owing to their, ignorance of elocution, and their want of those feelings of love to God andlove to man with which the gospel inspires all who believe and practise its precepts, present that solemn and surpassingly important subject to the world, in a cold, lifeless, and bungling manner 1 It is, as Dr. Blair observes, u a poor compliment, that one is an accurate reasoner, if he be not a persuasive speaker." Why may not the people of the United States, become as much distinguished for their eloquence, as for their free and glorious institutions % Is not eloquence as valuable now as it was in ancient times 1 Is not freedom's soil adapted to its growth 1 And would it not be " glorious to excel" other nations, as well as other individuals, " in that article in which men excel the brute?"

The Supreme Being has kindly allotted to us our portion of human existence, in a country, the constitution and laws of which, recognize in every citizen, the right to form, to cherish, and to express his opinions on all subjects interesting to our common welfare, — a country where the opinion of a majority prevails, and where eloquence creates public opinion. Here, as in the free states of antiquity, " every man's opinion should be wrritten on his forehead." Here, too, the noble science and art of elocution should receive, at least attention enough to elevate the standard of public speaking, particularly among our representatives and senators in congress. Then, when foreigners visit the city of Washington, as they often do, they would witness something more than " the flag of the Union floating on the top of the capitol;" they would hear within its walls, specimens of eloquence, the power and grandeur of which, they could not fail to admire. They now animadvert very severely upon the manner in which our congressional orators are accustomed to speak. After crossing the Atlantic, they visit the seat of government, in the expectation of hearing some of the most eloquent speakers in the United States. In that respect, they are not disappointed. And not only so, but they hear in the senate, if not in the house of representatives, orators, over whom, the best speakers in England or any other country, can claim no superiority. The cavillers undervalue the merits of American speakers. In their books, they criticise too severely those who have seats in congress, as well as other citizens of the United -States. But if we would entirely escape censure, let us endeavor to avoid deserving any jtotion of it. Let American speakers unite elegance of language with ftjce of reasoning, so perfectly, that even the inhabitants of other cdtfntfljp will be constrained to say, with regard to them, as Milton did in another case :

u Their words drew audience and attention, Siill as night and summer noon-tide air."

American young men are, then, called upon by considerations of national honor, to become good speakers. In order to accomplish so desirable an object, that honorable enthusiasm for the art of eloquence, by which the great men of antiquity were characterized, should pervade their minds. " The torch of genius," be it remembered, "is lighted at the altar of enthusiasm."

In view of the whole subject, it is proper to remark, in conclusion, that whatever may be the perfection in which the individual possesses the faculty of speech from nature, it is susceptible of acquiring much additional power, smoothness and flexibility, by cultivation and practice. It is hoped that this work will be conducive to the attainment of accuracy, force, and beauty of expression, in reading, conversation, and public speaking. If several years experience as a teacher of elocution, afford the means of judging, the matter which it contains will be beneficial to all who are desirous of teaching or learning the sublime art. Lord Bacon took " all knowledge to be his province." Mrs. Sigourney advises us to " take all goodness for our province." Let us take both. To be wise and good, is the highest object to which our hopes can aspire. Those in whom wisdom and goodness are combined in the greatest degree, will participate the most largely in all the social pleasures of this life, and in the unspeakable joys of that which commences, never to end, beyond the darkness and silence of the tomb. It is the will of Him who built the heavens and the earth, that man should be the instructor of his fellow man. We are commanded by Him who <c spake as never man spake," to do all that in our day and generation may be done, " to teach all nations," and thus to swell the triumphs of knowledge.

Under these impressions, this book has been prepared for the press. A nd it is offered to the people of my native country, with a confident hope, that it will be found useful in advancing the interests of that branch of education to which it is devoted, and which must be regarded, not merely as a fine art, but as an eminently valuable accomplishment.

Introduction

Observations on Elocution, 13

The Elementary Sounds of the English language, 17

Articulation, or examples in some of its most difficult combinations, 20 Specimens, accompanied by observations, illustrative of good

Reading, ... 23

On Quantity, or the prolongation of the Vocal Elements, 29

On Emphasis, 34

Irony, 39

Emphatic Pause, 41

Climax, 44

Gesture, or Rhetorical Action, 46

Remarks on the Inflections of the Voice, with examples, 50

SELECT PIECES FOR EXERCISES.

1. Elocution, . « Dr. Charming. 55

2. Elocution of Ladies, Mrs. Sigourney. 56

3. Elocution, its effects upon Health, Dr. A. Combe. 57

4. The Voice. Journal of Health. 59

6. Demosthenes, Charles Rollin. 61

7. Cicero, N. Amer. Review. 63

8. Eloquence, its true nature, D. Webster. 67

9. Eloquence of the Pulpit, Dr. Rush. 68

10. Taste for Reading, Sir J. Herschell. 69

11. A Rabbinical Tale, Dr. Franklin. 70

12. Education, Governor Seward. 72

13. Hamlet's Instruction to the Players Shakspeare. 74

14. Tell's Address to the Mountains, Knowles. 75

15. Address to the Sun, Ossian. 76

16. Rienzi's Address to the Romans, Miss Mitford. 11

17. Address to the Ocean, Byron. 79

18. Speech of King Henry V., Shakspeare. 80

19. TheGrave, James Montgomery. 82

20. Extract from a Discourse, Dr. Caldwell. 82

21. Satan's supposed Speech, Milton. 84

22. Apostrophe to Light, Milton. 85

23. Speech of Lord Chancellor Thurlow, 87

24. Defence before Agrippa, St. Paul. 88

25. Supposed Speech of John Adams, .....D.Webster. 91

26. Description of the person of Jesus Christ, Josephus. 93

27. The Blind Preacher William Wirt. 95

28. David's Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan, 97

Viii CONTENTS.

29. Othello's Apology for his Marriage, Shakspeare.

30. Cato's Soliloquy, Addison.

31. Imaginary meeting of Satan, Sin and Death, Milton.

32. Adam and Eve's Morning Hymn, Milton.

33. Speech of Cassius, .Shakspeare.

34. Brutus' Oration on the Death of Csesar, Shakspeare.

35. Antony's Oration over Caesar's body,. Shakspeare.

36. The Burial of Sir John Moore, Wolfe.

37. Last Words of Robert Emmet, : .

38. Lines relating to Curran's Daughter, Thomas Moore.

39. The Temperance Reformation, a Harbinger of the Millennium,

Rev. Dr. Sprague.

40. Declaration of Independence,. Thomas Jefferson.

41. Patriotic Speech on the question of War with England, P. Henry,

42. Cardinal Wolsey's Soliloquy on Ambition, Shakspeare.

43. Cardinal Wolsey's Farewell Address to Cromwell,.. Shakspeare.

44. Speech to Joseph, Judah.

45. Announcement of the Death of a Colleague, George Mc. Duffie.

46. The right of Free Discussion, derived from God,... Gerrit Smith.

47. Address to the Moon,.. Ossian.

48. Conclusion of Daniel Webster's Speech,

49. Education, Charles Phillips.

50. The Sacking of Prague, Thomas Campbell,

51. Conclusion of Henry Clay's Speech at Lexington, Ken

52. Petition of the Wife of Almas Ali Cawn to Warren Hastings,... .

53. Speech of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham,

54. Night before and Battle of Waterloo, Byron.

55. Right of Free Discussion, D. Webster.

56. Speech of Martin Van Buren,

57. Extract from Gen. Jackson's Proclamation,

58. Woodman. Spare that Tree, Geoge P. Morris.

59. The Union, D. Webster.

61. Speech of Edmund Burke,

62. The Right of Instructing Representatives, Edmund Burke.

63. Hamlet's Soliloquy on Death, Shakspeare.

64. Speech of King Richard III., Shakspeare.

65. There's nothing True but Heaven, Thomas Moore.

66. Heaven, Anonymous.

67. Religion, Rev. Alva Wood.

68. God's Incomprehensibility, Dr. Chalmers.

69. Missionary Hymn, Bishop Heber.

70. Soliloquy on the Princess Thekla, Frederic Schiller.

71. Lines for the Fourth of July, Anonymous.

72. A Beautiful Gem, E. K.Hervey.

73. How Scholars are made, D. Webster.

74. Books, Dr. Channing.

75. Gilbert Motier de Lafayette, J. Q Adams.

76. Part of a Speech of Elisha Williams,

77. On Knowledge, De Witt Clinton.

78. The importance of Female Iniluenco in the Temperance Cause,

Chancellor Walworth. 169

CONTENTS. IX

79. Speech of a Mingo Chief, Logan. 172

80. Lady Randolph's Soliloquy, Rev. John Home. 173

81. Byron's Farewell to his Wife, 174

82. Song of the German Soldiers after victory, . Mrs. F. D. Hemans. 176

83. Defence of Socrates before his Judges, 177

84. Part of the Burial Service, Bible. 179

85. The Dream of Clarence, Shakspeare. 181

86. Virginius and Lucius, J. S. Knowles. 183

87. Scene from Pizarro, Kotzebue. 187

88. Dialogue from the History of King Sichard III., Knickerbocker. 191

89. Scene between Captain Bertram and Jack Bowlin, Dunlap. 192

90. Alexander the Great and a Robber, Dr. Aikin. 196

91. Prince Henry and Falstaff, Shakspeare. 197

92. A Scene from William Tell,.... Knowles. 200

93. Extract from Damon and Pythias, Shiel. 205

94. Isabella, pleading before Angelo, Shakspeare. 208

95. Mutual Upbraidings of Edward and Warwick, Dr. T. Franklin. 213

96. Hamlet and Horatio, Shakspeare. 216

97. Othello and Iago, Shakspeare. 219

98. Alonzo's Soliloquy, Dr. Edward Young. 221

99. Death of Alexander Hamilton, Eliphalet Nott. 223

100. Our Federal Union, its inestimable value, President Folk. 224

101. Man, George Combe. 227

102. To Mary in Heaven, Robert Burns. 229

103. The Christian's Hope,....' .Rev. A. Sutton. 231

104. Rules for the structure of a Sentence, Alexander Walker. 232

105. Heaven's Attractions, Dr.Nevis. 233

106. Eloquent Speech against Warren Hastings, Sheridan. 236

107. Panegyric on Sheridan's Eloquence, Burke. 239

108. New Missionary Hymn, , S. F. 8?nith. 240

109. David's Confidence in God's Grace, 241

110. On the Immortality of the Soul, Cicero. 243

111. Of Elocution, Thelwal. 244

112. Divinely inspired Speakers, their Elocution, Rev. David Marks. 246

113. Patience under provocations, our interest as well as duty,

Dr. Blair. 250

114. The Daughter's Request, , Anonymous. 252

115. The Universal Prayer, ., Pope. 254

116. Reflections at Sea, Rev. Howard Malcom. 256

117. Speech to the Ladies, D. Webster. 257

118. The Snow Storm, Portland Argus. 259

119. Extract from the Charge preceding the Sentence of the Court

in the case of the three Thayers, Hon. R. H. Walworth. 261

120. Presidents of the United States, Samuel N. Sweet. 264

121. Advantages of Knowledge, S.N. Sweet. 268

122. Disadvantages of Ignorance, S. N. Sweet. 270

123. Extract from the Mount Hope Dedication Address,

Rev. P. Church. 273

124. Reflections on the death of a Friend, C. M. Thayer. 278

125. Education the Principle of all Prosperity, Rev. Robert Hall. 281

126. Character of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson. 283

127. The last hours of Washington, G. W. P.Custis. 285

X CONTENTS*

128. Education essential, both in time of War and Peace,

Gen. F. Marion. 289

129. LordUllin's Daughter, Thomas Campbell 291

130. Reading- aloud, Chambers1 Edinburgh Journal. 293

131. Thanatopsis, William C.Bryant 296

132. The Gambler's Wife, Dr. Coats. 299

133. Pitt's Reply to Walpole,.. 300

134. Conclusion of Cassius M. Clay's Speech, in 1846, at New-York, 302

135. The Hermit, Dr. Beattie. 304

136. Extract from President Jefferson's Inaugural Address, 306

137. Extract from Demosthenes' Oration on the Crown, 308

138. Extract from Cicero's Speech for Cluentius, 310

INDEX OF AUTHORS.

Adams, John Ctuincy,

Addison, Joseph,

Aikin. Dr.

Beattie, James,

Bible,

Blair, Hugh,

Bryant, William Cullen,

44.84

62, 107

17, 54, 81

50, 129

Burke, Edmund, Burns, Robert, Byron, George Gordon, Caldwell, Charles, Campbell, Thomas, Cawn, Almas AH, Chalmers, Thomas, Chambers' Edinburgh Journal, 130 Channing, William Ellery, 1, 74

Church, Pharcellus, 123 Cicero, 110, 138

Clay, Cassius M. 134

Clay, Henrv, 51

Clinton, De" Witt, 77

Coates, Dr. 132

Combe, Andrew, 3

Combe, George, 101

Demosthenes, 137

Dunlap, 89

Emmet, Robert, 37

Franklin, Benjamin, 11

Franklin, Thomas, 95

Halleck, Fitz Green, 60

Hall, Robert, 125

Heber, Bishop, 69

Hemans, Mrs. Felicia D. 82

Henry, Patrick, 41

Herschell, Sir John, 10

Hervey, E. K. 72

Home; John, 80

Jackson, Andrew, 57 Jefferson Thomas, 40, 126, 136

Josephus, 26

Journal of Health, 4

Knickerbacker, 88 Knowles, James Sheridan, 14, 86, 92

Kotzebue, 87

Logan, 79

McDuffie. George, 45

Malcom, Howard, 116

Marion,. Francis, 128

Marks, David, 112

Mitford, Miss Mary Russell, 16

Montgomery, James,

Moore, Thomas.

38,65

Morris, George P.

Nevis, Dr.

North American Beview,

Nott, Eliphalet,

Ossian,

15,47

Paul, St.

.24

Phillips, Charles,

Pitt, William,

53, 133

Pope, Alexander,

Polk, James K.

Portland Argus,

Rollin, Charles,

Rush, Benjamin,

Schiller, Frederick,

Seward. William H.

Sheridan,

Shiel,

Sigourney, Mrs. Lydia H.

Socrates,

Sprague, William B.

Smith, Gerrit,

.46

Smith, S. F.

Sutton, Amos,

Sweet, S.N. 120,

121, 122

Thayer, Caroline M.

Thelwal,

Thurlow, Lord Chancellor;

Van Buren, Martin,

Walworth, R. H.

78, 119,

Walker, Alexander,

Webster, Daniel, 8, 25, 48, i

73, 117

Williams, Elisha,

Wirt, William,

Wolfe,

Wood, Alva,

Young, Edward,

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE STEREOTYPE EDITION,

In putting forth this work, stereotyped, the author takes pleasure in tendering to the public his most Cordial acknowledgments. More than twu hundred gentlemen, distinguished alike for literary attainments and moral Worth, among whom are, R. Hyde Walworth, chancellor of the state of New- York ; Alfred Conkling, judge of the United States for the northern district ; Ex-Governor William H. Seward ; George W. Eaton, D. D., and Asahel C. Kendrick, A. M., professors in the Hamilton Theological and Literary Institution ; Ira Mayhew, Esq. superintendent of public instruction for the state of Michigan ; Hon. Lysander H. Brown chairman of the committee on education in the year 1845, in the legislature of the state of New- York, have furnished the author with Written recommendations of the " Elocution," to all of whom his thanks are due.

And he will always feel truly grateful to George A. Hollister, of Roches* ter, for aiding in publishing the first edition ; to his brother, S. Rensselaer Sweet, of Rome, for his unwearied and successful efforts in introducing the book into schools. It was first published at Rochester, N. Y., in 1839, and having within a brief period, passed through three editions, consisting of 7500 copies ; and having been adopted as a text and reading book in many of " the people's colleges," i. e. common schools, as well as in the higher institutions of learning, the author has made an arrangement with Mr. E. H. Pease, a bookseller at Albany, to stereotype the work, and to supply the demand for it. To make it mGre valuable, the author has prepared and inserted a chapter on the inflections of the voice, with examples, illustrating its various modifications. Several selections contained in the three former editions, are omitted, and better ones substituted. To furnish an agreeable variety for exercises in schools, he has inserted a number of pieces which are as suitable for singing as for elocutionary reading, particularly pieces 36, 65, 66, 58, 69, 71, 102, 108, 118, 132.

The author regards explanatory notes, appended to pieces, as the sine qua nan, the indispensable condition of correct and elegant recitation, and of good reading. They breathe into the pieces to which they relate, the breath of life. In this edition they are greatly improved, historically and otherwise, as well as in an elocutionary point of view. This is the first and only treatise on elocution, containing such notes. The 312 pages, which it contains, comprise 138 pieces, accompanied with explanatory notes, a phonological exhibition of the elementary sounds of the English language, illustrations of emphasis, quantity, rhetorical pauses, climax, gestures, inflections, &c. ; in a word, of the principles upon which good reading and speaking are founded, — all well adapted to the wants of those, desirous of teaching or learning the art and science of phonology, reading, and public speaking. Elocution is the soul of oratory ; and Demosthenes called it the first, second and last part of that sublime art.

The approbation and patronage extended to the work by the ladies, may perhaps be partly in consequence of my occasionally entwining a wreath of poetry with the more solid matter. — To enable a person the more readily to find a piece, the names of all the writers are arranged, alphabetically.

Good books " are the precious life blood of master-spirits, treasured up on purpose to a life beyond life." May the blessing of heaven attend this book.

OBSERVATIONS

ON

ELOCUTION.

Elocution is the art of reading and speaking well. It demands of a reader, that he institute an inquiry into the meaning of an author ; and, having ascertained it, that he convey it, not only correctly, but with force, beauty, variety, and effect. And it requires a speaker to impress the exact lineaments of nature upon his sentiments. In order to read or speak well, the articulation must be correct and elegant, and the voice completely under the command of the will. A good articulation, it need not be said, is a primary beauty of elocution. It is to the ear, what fine penmanship is to the eye. Without it. no individual can be a correct reader or speaker. It is the first step towards becoming an elocutionist.

In Austin's Chironomia, it is truly observed : u That a public speaker, possessed of only a moderate voice, if he articulate correctly, will be better understood, and heard with greater pleasure, than one who vociferates without judgment. The voice of the latter may, indeed, extend to a considerable distance, but the sound is dissipated in confusion ; of the former voice, not the smallest vibration is wasted ; every stroke is perceived at the utmost distance to which it reaches; and hence, it has often the appearance of penetrating even farther than one which is loud, but badly articulated. In just articulation, the words are not to be hurried over, nor precipitated syllable over syllable j nor, as it were, melted together into a 2 mass of confusion ; they should not be trailed or drawled, nor permitted to slip out carelessly, so as to drop unfinished. They are to be delivered out from the lips, as beautiful coins, newly issued from the mint, deeply and accurately impressed, perfectly finished, neatly struck by the proper organs, distinct, in due succession, and of due weight."

The question arises, how shall a correct and elegant articulation be acquired % The answer is, by obtaining a knowledge of the elementary sounds of the English language. To be able to call letters by their names, is insufficient, — a knowledge of their sounds in which their power consists, is essential to good articulation. Thdse who do not understand the elements, cannot analyze words, nor can they tell when errors in articulation are made. However multitudinous and gross may be their errors in that important branch of elocution, they are unconscious of them.

Our language, it is admitted, is imperfect. If our alphabet were perfect, the names of the letters would correspond with their sounds. A large portion of the letters are at variance with their sounds. They have generally been divided into vowels and consonants. But the classification and division of Dr. James Rush, of Philadelphia, in his "Philosophy of the Human Voice," is altogether better. Without regard to the order in which the letters now stand, he arranges them according to their sounds, under three general heads, — Tonics, Sub-tonics^ and Atonies.

This classification, which appears to be more philosophical than any other, is the foundation of the one adopted in this work. The terms, Tonics, Sub-tonics, and Atonies, have, at the suggestion of the author's brother, Stephen R. Sweet, been changed to Vocals, Sub-vocals, and Aspirates, as being more expressive, at least to an English ear, of the nature and power of those several classes of letters respectively. Other alterations have also been made, for which the author is indebted to the same friend.

The voice, as well as the articulation, may be greatly improved by the practice of pronouncing these elements. The voice should be exercised on each element, separately, and then, on their most difficult combinations. This elementary exercise constitutes a kind of gymnastic training of the voice. The Greeks acquired great physical strength, by engaging in the Olympic games. The Roman soldiers qualified themselves to handle a sword skilfully in actual battle, by using, in their preparatory exercises, heavy armor. By giving the elements, and reciting some of the best pieces of Shakspeare, Milton, Byron, and other distinguished writers, with all possible force of voice, an individual may acquire the ability to converse and read in the social circle, with perfect ease and gracefulness, and to address large audiences with great power and effect, and that, too, without any apparent, or much real effort of the organs of speech.