New century speaker and writer; being a standard work on composition and oratory ...

Front matter

V.

Class_i:'ii 4-^0 \ Book ^7S

GoKii^htM .

Preface

MILLIONS of young people in America are being educated, and hence there is a very great demand for a Standard Work showing how to express written thought in the most elegant manner and how to read and recite in a way that insures the greatest success. To meet this enormous demand is the aim of this volume.

Part I. — How to Write a Composition. — The treatment of this subject is masterly and thorough, and is so fascinating that the study becomes a delight. Rules and examples are furnished for the right choice of words, for constructing sentences, for punctuation, for acquiring an elegant style of composition, for writing essays and letters, what authors should be read, etc. The directions given are all right to the point and are easily put into practice.

The work contains a complete list of synonyms, or words of similar meaning, and more than 500 choice subjects for compositions, which are admirably suited to persons of all ages. These are followed by a charming collection of Masterpieces of Composition by such world-renowned authors as Emerson, Hawthorne, George Eliot, Lord Macaulay, Washington Irving, C. H. Spurgeon, Sarah J. Lippincott, Mrs. Stowe and many others.

These grand specimens of composition bear the stamp of the most brilliant genius. They are very suggestive and helpful. They inspire the reader to the noblest efforts, and teach the truth of Bulwer Lytton's well-known saying that **The pen is mightier than the sword."

Part II. — Readings and Recitations. — The second part of this incomparable work is no less valuable, and a candid perusal will convince you that it contains the largest and best collection of recitations ever brought together in one volume. These are of every variety and description. Be careful to notice that every one of these selections, which are from the writings of the world's best authors, is especially adapted for reading and reciting. This is something which cannot be said of any similar work.

All the Typical Gestures used in Reciting are shown by choice engravings, and the reader has in reality the best kind of teacher right before him. The different attitudes, facial expressions and gestures are both instructive and charming. These are followed by Recitations with Lesson Talks. Full directions are given for reciting the various pieces, and this is done by taking each paragraph or verse of the selection and pointing out the gestures, tone of voice, emphasis, etc., required to render it most effectively. The Lesson Talks render most valuable service to all who are studying the grand art of oratory.

The next section of this masterly volume contain.s Recitations with Music.

,V PREFACE.

This is a choice collection of readings which are rendered most eficictive by accompaniments of music, enabling the reader by the use of the voice or SG-Tie musical instrument to entrance his audience

These charming selections are followed by a superb collection of Patriotic Recitations wliicli celebrate the grand victories of our army and navy in the Philippines and West Indies. These incomparable pieces are all aglow with patriotic fervor and are eagerly sought by all elocutionists.

There is space here only to mention the different parts of this delightful volume, such as Descriptive and Dramatic Recitations; Orations by Famous Orators ; a peerless collection of Humorous and Pathetic Recitations, and Recitations for Children and Sunday Schools.

Parents are charmed with this volume because it furnishes whav the little folks want and is a self-educator for the young. It marks a new era in book publishing.

Par r III. — Programmes for Special Occasions.— These have been prepared with the greatest care in order to meet a very urgent demand. The work contains Programmes for Fourth of July ; Christmas Entertainments ; Washington's Birthday; Decoradon Day ; Thanksgiving Day ; Arbor Day ; Public School and Parlor Entertainments ; Harvest Home ; Flower Day, etc. Beautiful Selecdons for Special Occasions are contained in no other work, and these alone injure this very attractive volume an enormous sale.

Dialogues, Tableaux, etc. — Added to the Rich Contents already described is a Charming Collection of Dialogues and Tableaux for public and private entertainments. These are humorous, pithy, teach important lessons and are thoroughly enjoyed by everybody.

In many places the winter lyceum is an institution ; we find it not only in acadcmi(*s, and noi mal schools, but very frequently the people in a district or town organize a debating society and discuss the popular questions of the day. The benefit thus der ved cannot be estimated. In the last part of this volume will be found by-law^ for those who wish to conduct lyceums, together with a choice selection of subjects for debate.

Tluis it is seen th.t this is a very comprehensive work. Not only is it carefiilly prepared, not onl} does it set a very high standard of excellence in compo, sition and elocution, bui it is a work peculiarly fitted to the wants of millions oi young people throu^hoi t our country. The writer of this is free to say that such a work as this would ha e been of inestimable value to him while obtaining an (education. All wise pan nts who wish to make the best provision for educating thf-ir children should understand that they have in this volume such a teacher in composition and oratory as has never before been offered to the public,

PART I.— HOW TO WRITE A COMPOSITION. Treatment of the Subject . 18

Right Choice of Words 19

Obscure Sentences 19

Write Exactly what You Mean 20

What You Should Read 21

Our Great Writers 21

Learning to Think 22

How to Acquire a Captivating Style, 23

Make Your Composition Attractive 24

The Choice of Ivanguage 25

Faults in Writing 26

Putting Words into Sentences 27

Suit the Word to the Thought 28

||An Amusing Kxercise 29

Jrrors to be Avoided 30

)ubject and Predicate 32

[Practice in Simple Sentences w . . . 34

Sentences Combined 36

Punctuation ; 39

'The Full Stop 39

I The Note of Interrogation 40

' The Comma 40

The Semicolon 42

Quotation Marks 43

The Note of Bxclamation ,

Bxercises in Easy Narratives

Bhort Stories to be Written from Memory . . Outlines to be Turned into Narratives .... Stories in Verse to be Turned into Prose . . ,

. 43

. 46

. 47

. 50

. 61

three Fishers Went Sailing 51

PAGE

The Sands of Dee 52

The Way to Win 52

Press On 52

The Dying Warrior 52

The Boy that Ivaughs 53

The Cat's Bath o . . . . . 53

The Beggar Man „ 53

The Shower Bath 54

Queen Mary's Return to Scotland 54

The Kagle and Serpent 54

Ask and Have 55

What Was His Creed.? 55

The Old Reaper 55

The Gallant Sailboat 55

Wooing 56

Miss Ivaugh and Miss Fret . . . . , 56

Monterey , 56

A Woman's Watch . . . . o 57

Love Lightens Labor . . . , , 57

Abou Ben Adhem 57

Essays to be Written from Outlines 58

Easy Subjects for Compositions 61

Use of Illustrations 62

Examples of Apt Illustrations 63

Examples of Faulty Illustrations 63

How to Compose and Write Letters .

Examples of Letters

Notes of Invitation

Letters of Congratulation

Love Letters .

Outlines to be Expanded into Letters

64 65 65

SPECIMENS OF ELEGANT COMPOSITION.

Getting the Right start . ... . J. G. Holland 67

Dinah, the Methodist ...... George Eliot 69

[Godfrey and Dunstan George Eliot 70

jRip Van Winkle Washhigton Irving 72

[Puritans of the Sixteenth Century Lord Macaulay 73

)n being in Time C.H. Spurgeon 75

John Ploughman's Talk oh Home C. H. Spurgeon Pearl and her Mother . Nathaniel Hawthorne Can dace's Opinions ..... Mrs. H. B. Stowe Midsummer in the Valley of the Rhine

Geo. Meredith Power of Natural Beauty . . . R. W. Emerson

78 80

SUBJECTS FOR COMPOSITIONS.

Historical Subjects 84

Biographical Subjects 85

I Subjects for Narration and Description .... 86

y. Popular Proverbs 87

Subjects to be Expounded 87

Subjects for Argument . . , 89

Subjects for Comparison 89

Miscellaneous Subjects 90

Synonyms and Antonyms e 91

Noms de Plume of Authors 113

V

CONTENTS.

Part Ii.— Readings And Recitations. Page

How to Read and Recite 313

Cultivation of the Voice 113

Distinct Kuuuciatiou 113

ICmphasis 11^

Pauses 114

Gestures 114

The Magnetic Speaker 114

Self-Coumiand 114

Typical Gestures for Reading and Reciting . . 115

Malediction 115

Designating • • • 115

Silt

Repulsion 115

Declaring 116

.Announcing 116

Discerning 116

Invocation 117

Presenting or Receiving 117

Horror 117

Exaltation 117

Secrecy . 117

Wonderment 118

Indecision 118

Grief 118

Gladness 118

Signalling 119

Tender Rejection 119

Protecting— Soothing 119

Anguish 119

Awe— Appeal 120

Meditation 120

Defiance 120

Denying — Rejecting 120

Dispersion 121

Remorse 121

Accusation 121

Revealing « . . 121

Correct Positions of the Hands ........ 122

RECITATIONS WITH LESSON TALKS,

Song of Our Soldiers at Santiago . . D.G. Adee. 123

The Victor of Marengo 124

The Wedding Fee 125

The Statue in Clay 127

The Puzzled Boy 128

Lesson Talk o o , . 128

RECITATIONS WITH MUSIC.

Twickenham Ferry 129

Grandmother's Chair John Read 130

Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel . . H. Clifton 131 A Brighter Day is Coming . . Ellen Burnside 132

Katie's Love Letter Lady Dufferin 132

Dost Thou Love Me, Sister Ruth ? . John Parry 133

Two Little Rogues Mrs, A. M. Diaz 134

Arkansaw Pete's Adventure 135

PATRIOTIC RECITATIONS.

The Beat of the Drum at Daybreak

Michae

The Cavalry Charge

Great Naval Battle at Santiago

Admiral IV. S.Schley

Hobson's Daring Deed

General Wheeler at Santiago . . ./, L. Gordon The Flag Goes By

O'Connor 137 137

138 139 140 140

In Manila Hay Chas. Wadsworlh, Jr. 141

My Soldier IJoy 142

The Yankees in Battle . Captain R. D. Evans 142

The Banner Betsey Made . . , T. C. Harbaugh 143

Our Hag . . Chas. F. Aisop 144

That Starry Flag of Ours 144

The ?\'fgro Soldier B. 1\T. ChaJUi.ng 145

Deeds of Valor at Santiago . . Clinton Scollard 145

A Race for Dear Life

Patriotism of American Women

T. BHi:hanan Read 147

Our Country's Call RuJmrd Barry 147

The Story of Seventy-Six ... V^.C Bryant 148

The Roll Call 143

The Battle-Field W. C^ Bryant 149

The Sinking of the Meri'\ ac ....<.... 150

The Stars and Stripes 151

Rodney's Ride 152

A Spool of Thread .... Sophia E. Eastman 153 The Young Patriot, Abraham Lincoln ..... 154

Columbia Joel Barlow 15.5

Captain Molly at Monmouth William Collins 156 Douglas to the Populace of Stirling

Sir Walter ScoU 157

CONTENTS.

Vll

Our Country IV. G. Peabodie 157

Mcllrath of Malate John J. Rooney 158

After the Battle 159

Great Naval Battle of Manila 160

Sinking of the Ships W. B. Collison 161

PAGB

Perry's Celebrated Victory on Lake Erie . . . 163

Capture of Quebec James D. McCahe 164

Little Jean Lillie E. Barr 165

Defeat of General Braddock .James D. McCabe 166

DESCRIPTIVE AND DRAMATIC RECITATIONS.

Quick ! Man the Life Boat 167

Beautiful Hands /. Whitcomb Riley 167

The Burning Ship 168

The Unknown Speaker . 169

Child Lost 171

The Captain and the Fireman . . W. B. Collison 172 The Face on the Floor . . . H. Antoine D'Arcy- 173

The Engineer's Story Eugene J. Hall 174

Jim James Whitcomb Riley 175

Queen Vashti's Lament John Reade 176

The Skeleton's Story 177

The Lady and the Earl 179

My Vesper Song 180

The Volunteer Organist ... . . . S. W. Poss 180

Comin' thro' the Rye Robert Burns 181

Joan of Arc Clare S. McKi?i ley 181

The Vulture of the Alps 183

The Old-fashioned Girl Tom Hall 184

Nathan Hale, the Martyr Spy . . . I. H. Brown 184

The Future Rudyard Kipling 186

The Power of Habit John B. Cough 186

Died on Duty .187

My Friend the Cricket and I . , Lillie E. Barr 188

The Snowstorm , . . . . 188

Parrhasius and the Captive . . . . N. P. Willis 189

The Ninety-third off Cape Verde 190

A Felon's Cell 191

The Battle of Waterloo Victor Hugo 192

A Pin ... Ella Wheeler Wilcox 194

A Relenting Mob Lucy H. Hooper 195

The Black Horse and His Rider . Chas. Sheppard 196

The Unfinished Letter 198

Legend of the Organ Builder . Julius C. R. Dorr 198 Caught in the Quicksand . . , Victor Hugo 200

The Little Quaker Sinner . Lucy L. Mofttgornery 201

The Tell-tale Heart Edgar Allan Poe 202

The Little Match Girl Hans Andersen 203

The Monk's Vision .„ ... 205

The Boat Race . 205

Phillips of Pelhamville . . Alexander Anderson 207 Poor Little Jim 208

True Moral Courage Henry Clay 209

The Struggle for Liberty .... Josiah Quincy 210 Centennial Oration . . . Henry Armitt Brown 211 Speech of Shrewsbury before Queen Elizabeth

F. Von Schiller 212 Prospects of the Republic . . . Edward Everett 212 The People Always Conquer , . Edward Everett 213 Survivors of Bunker Hill . . . Daniel Webster 214 South Carolina and Massachusetts

Daniel Webster 215 Euiogium on South Carolina . Robert T. Hayne 216 Character of Washington . . . Wendell Phillips 217

National Monument to Washington

Robert C. Winthrop 218

The JsTew Woman Frances E. Willard 219

An Appeal for Liberty ...... Joseph Story 220

True Source of Freedom . . Edwin H. Chapin 220 Appeal to Young Men .... Lyma?i Beecher 221

The Pilgrims Chauncey M. Depew 222

Patriotism a Reality .... Thomas Meagher 223

The Glory of Athens Lord Macaulay 224

The Irish Church . . . William E. Gladstone 225 Appeal to the Hungarians . . . Louis Kossuth 226 The Tyrant Verres Denounced ..... Cicero 227

HUMOROUS RECITATIONS.

Bill's in Trouble 229

"Spaciallyjim" 229

The Marriage Ceremony 230

Blasted Hopes 230

Tim Murphy Makes a Few Remarks 231

Passing of the Horse 231

A School-Pay W, F. McSparran 232

tiae Bicycle and the Pup 233

The Puzzled Census Taker 233

It Made a Difference 233

Bridget O'Flannagan on Christian Scieace and

Cockroaches M. Bourchier 234

Conversational 235

How a Married Man Sews on a Button

/. M. Bailey 236 viu

CONTENTS.

The Dutchman's Serenade . . .

Biddj-'s Tronbles

The Inventor's Wife .... Mrs.

Miss Edith Helps Things Along .

PAGE

E. T. Corbctt 238 . Bret Harte 239

The Man Who Has All Diseases at Once

Dr. Valentine 240 The School-Ma'am's Courting . . Florence Pyatt 240

The Dutchman's Snake 241

No Kiss 243

The Lisping Lover 243

How Paderewski Plays the Piano 244

The Freckled-Faced Girl 244

When Girls W^ore Calico . . . Hattie Whitney 245

A Winning Company 246

The Bravest Sailor . . Ella Wheeler Wilcox 246

How She Was Consoled 247

That Hired Girl . 247

What Sambo Says 248

The Irish Sleigh Ride ....,., 248

Jane Jones . . . Ben King 249

De Ole Plantation Mule 249

Adam Never Was a Boy .... T. C. Harbaugh 250

A Remarkable Case of S'posin ........ 251

My Parrot Emma H. Webb 262

Bakin and Greens 252

Hunting a Mouse Joshua Jenkins 253

The Village Sewing Society , 254

Signs and Omens 255

The Ghost 255

A Big Mistake 256

The Duel Eugene Field 258

Playing Jokes on a Guide . . . Mark Twai7i 258

A Parody 268

Man's Devotion Parmenas Hill 261

Aunt Polly's " George Washington " 261

Mine Vamily Yawcob Strauss 263

At the Garden Gate 264

The Minister's Call 264

Led by a Calf 265

Tom Goldy's Little Joke ........... 266

How Hezekiah Stole the Spoons 266

Two Kinds of Polliwogs . . . Augusta Moore 268

The Best Sewing Machine 268

How They Said Good Night . 269

Josiar's Courting 270

Play Softly, Boys .... Teresa O' Hare Ti\

In the Baggage Coach Ahead 272

The Missing One S". ^. Riser 212

In Memoriam Thomas P. Gregory 273

The Dying Newsboy . . Mrs. Emily Thornton 273

Coals of Fire 274

Dirge of the Drums Palph Alton 275

The Old Dog's Death Postponed Chas. E. Baer 275

The Fallen Hero Minna Irving 276

The Soldier's Wife Elliott Flower 276

" Break the News Gently" 277

On the Other Train 277

Some Twenty Years Ago . . . Stephen Marsell 279

Only a Soldier 280

The Pilgrim Fathers 280

Master Johnny's Next-Door Neighbor

Bret Harte 281 vStonewall Jackson's Death . . Paul M. Russell 282 The Story of Nell Robot Buchanan 284

Little Nan 285

One of the Little Ones G. L. Cailin 285

The Drunkard's Daughter . . Eugene J. Hall 286

The Beautiful 287

Trouble in the Amen Corner . C. T. Harbaugh 288

Little Mag's Victory Geo. L. Catlin 289

Life's Battle Wayne Parsons 290

The Lost Kiss /. Whitcomb Riley 290

Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots . Lamartine 291

Over the Range /. Harrison Mills 292

The Story of Crazy Nell .... Joseph Whitten 292

Little Sallie's Wish 293

Drowned Among the Lilies . E. E. Rexjord 294 The Fate of Charlotte Corday . . C.S. McKinley 294 The Little Voyager .... Mrs. M. L. Bay7ie 295 The Dream of Aldarin .... George Lippard 296

In the Mining Town Rose H. Thorpe 297

Tommy's Prayer I. F. Nichols 298

Robby and Ruth Louisa S. Upham 300

RECITATIONS FOR CHILDREN.

Two Little Maidens Agnes Carr 301

The Way to Succeed . .

When Pa Begins to Shave A Boy's View ...

Mammy's Churning Song The Twenty Frogs . . . .

Harry D. Robins 301

Only a Bird Mary Morrison 305

The Way to Do It ... . Mary Mapes Dodge 303

We Must All Scratch 304

Kitty at School Kate Hulmer 304

A P'ellow's Mother . . . Ma garet E. Sangster 305 The Story Katie Told 305

CONTENTS.

la

PAGE

A tittle Rogue ._ 306

Mattie's Waais and Wishes . . . Grace Gordon 806

Won't and Will 307

Little Dora's Soliloquy 307

The Squirrel's Lesson 308

Little Kitty 308

Labor Song 309

What Baby Said 310

One Little Act 311

The Little Orator .... Thaddeics M. Harris 311

A Gentleman Margaret E. Sangster 312

Babies and Kittens L. M. Hadley 312

A Dissatisfied Chicken A. G. Waters 312

The Little Torment 313

The Reason Why . . . . 313

A Child's Reasoning 314

A Swell Dinner 314

Little Jack Eugene J. Hall 314

A Story of an Apple Sydney Dayre 315

Idle Ben 315

Baby Alice's Rain John Hay Furness 316

Give Us Little Boys a Chance 316

Puss in the Oven 316

What Was It ? Sydney Dayre 317

The Cobbler's Secret 317

A Sad Case Clara D. Bates 318

The Heir Apparent 318

An Egg a Chicken 319

One of God's Little Heroes Margaret J. Preston 320

What the Cows were Doing 320

Mamma's Help , 32o'

How Two Birdies Kept House 321

Why He Wouldn't Die 321

The Sick Dolly 322

Days of the Week Mary Ely Page 322

Popping Corn 323

How the Farmer Works 323

The Birds' Picnic 324

A Very Smart Dog 324

Opportunity 325

The Little Leaves' Journey 325

The Broom Drill 325

RECITATIONS FOR SUNDAY=SCHOOLS,

Little Servants 332

Willie and the Birds 332

A Child's Prayer 332

God Loves Me 332

The Unfinished Prayer 333

Seeds of Kindness 333

A Lot of Don'ts E. C. Rook 333

Little Willie and the Apple 334

The Child's Prayer . . . Mary A. P. Humphrey 334

"Mayn't I Be a Boy?" 335

Give Your Best . . . „ . Adelaide A. Proctor 335 The Birds Myra A. Shattuck 335

There is a Teetotaler 337

An Appeal for Beneficence 337

Address of Welcome to a New Pastor 337

Address of Welcome to a New Superintendent . 338 Opening Address for a Sunday-school Exhibition 338 Closing Address for a Sunday-school Exhibition 338 Presentation Address to a Pastor ....... 339

Presentation Address to a Teacher .... 339

Presentation Address to a vSuperintendent . . . 339

Address of Welcome After Illness 340

Welcome to a Pastor May Hatheway 340