Oxford's senior speaker. A collection of exercises in declamation, recitation and representation. For advanced classes

Front matter

Book ,(N

Copyright}! .

COBMGHT DEPOSm

Preface

In a book bearing the title of " Speaker " the student of elocution looks for a class of pieces somewhat different from the majority of those he finds in a " Reader." The distinction, however, does not seem to be very carefully observed by compilers. Consequently, a good deal of unavailable matter is found in books promising by their title such pieces as may be suitable for declamation or recitation from memory. These pieces are comparatively rare in literature, and so, in order to make a bulky volume, much matter is generally admitted that is not wanted in a " Speaker," however appropriate in a " Reader."

In the present collection the endeavor has been to have all the pieces of such a character that this objection may not apply, and that the book may justify its title. The various exercises, declamatory, hortatory, pathetic, humorous, descriptive, and dramatic, are unusually numerous, and have been carefully selected and tested with a view to their elocutionary fitness and dramatic unity of purpose. Sev-

1* 5 eral of these are protected by copyright, and are indicated in the table of Contents by an asterisk, while many others are now for the first time presented in an elocutionary collection. Should some old favorites be missed, they may perhaps be found in " Oxford's Junior Speaker," the smaller illustrated book of the series.

To quicken and enlarge the interest of the student, likenesses of the most celebrated orators are freely introduced in this higher book ; nor are the poets and moralists, from whom contributions have been culled, forgotten. This feature, now for the first time appearing in a " Speaker," will, it is believed, be readily appreciated. To form some idea of the face and figure of a Chatham, a Mirabeau, a Burke, a Webster, a Calhoun, must enhance in no slight degree the satisfaction with which extracts from their speeches are studied and declaimed. As will be seen from the " List of Illustrations," page 15, pains have been takeu to have the likenesses authentic. The larger number oi them are here for the first time published on wood.

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*£* The pieces marked loith an asterisk are protected by copyright.

PAGE

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 16

Elocution, Articulation, Emphasis, Gesture, Delivery of Dialogues,

Exercises in Inflection 16-24

I.— PIECES IN PEOSE.

MORAL, DESCRIPTIVE, AND OCCASIONAL.

The Enterprise of Columbus (Illustrated) Edward Everett. 25

The Atlantic Telegraph Anon. 27

The Dignity of Labor Newman Hall. 30

Compulsory Education Thomas K. Beecher. 34

Napoleon (Illustrated) '. Herbert Spencer. 36

Of Revenge (Illustrated) Lord Bacon. 42

Man even now a Spirit Thomas Carlyle. 47

Absolutism and Republicanism James Hadley. 70

Ancient and Modern Oratory James Hadley. 75

California's Prospects and Duties C. A. Farley. S2

The Good Goddess of Poverty Geo. Sand (Madame Dudevant). 97

Sanitary Laws... Horace Mann. 99

The Influence of Inventors Edwin P. Whipple. 101

In Defense of the French Revolution.

A Plea for Brevity

PAGE

True and False Science Parke Godwin. 156

Future Growth of the Soul {Illustrated) Joseph Addison. 159

Against Inordinate Speculation George Berkeley. 160

Condemnation of Socrates {Illustrated) Anon. 171

The Relief of Lucknow {Illustrated) Anon. 183

False Coloring Lent to War {Illustrated) Thomas Chalmers. 209

Dangers of our Prosperity Timothy Walker. 211

A Prisoner's Meditations {Illustrated) Silvio Pellico. 225

Capture of Ticonderoga {Illustrated) Ethan Allen. 229

Imprisonment of Bonnivard {Illustrated) A. Dumas. 237

On Mechanics' Institutes {Illustrated) Charles Dickens. 250

Paul at Athens {Illustrated) John A. James. 257

The Love of Life {Illustrated) Oliver Goldsmith. 283

--Ancient Orators Compared {Illustrated) Fenelon. 347

The Plymouth Settlers Edward Everett. 351

-Religion of Revolutionary Men {Illustrated)... A lphonse de Lamartine. 359

Labor and Genius Rev. Sydney Smith. 367

Thoughts in a Great Library {Illustrated) Bishop Hall. 396

Justice Thomas Carlyle. 402

Honor to Labor {Illustrated) Thomas Carlyle. 404

Our Common Schools {Illustrated) Edward Everett. 409

POLITICAL AND SENATORIAL.

•'•Regulus to the Roman Senate {Illustrated) Epes Sargent. 29

Brutus over the Dead Lucretia 39

Chatham's Last Speech {Illustrated) 49

*The Privileged Classes {Illustrated) Mirabeau. 55

Public Opinion and the Sword {Illustrated) T. B. Macaulay, Lord. 59

National Armaments Richard Cobden. 70

On the Price of Liberty Wendell Phillips. 85

A Democracy hateful to Philip {Illustrated) Demosthenes. 86

*Viriatbus to the Lusitanians Epes Sargent. 89

No Alliance with Crowned Heads Stephen A. Douglas. 92

On English Interference Richard Cobden. 103

Catiline Expelled {Illustrated) Cicero. 106

A Divided Republic Joseph Holt. 107

Against Bribery Demosthenes. 109

An Appeal to Arms {Illustrated) Patrick Henry. 112

The United States and the States {Illustrated) Alex. Hamilton. 124

Magnanimity in Politics {Illustrated) Edmund Burke. 135

Irish Aliens and British Victories R. L. Sheil. 149

Impeachment of Warren Hastings {Illustrated) , Edmund Burke. 153

Invective against. Mr. Corry Henry Grattan. 172

On the Irish Disturbance Bill Daniel O'Connell. 176

On Reconciliation with America Lord Chatham. 178