Cobb's speaker

Front matter

Book

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

I \

Preface

The increasing popularity of " Cobb's Series of Readers, est Five Numbers," and the frequent solicitations of teachers and school officers that a Speaker, or Sixth Keader, should be added to the series, containing a great number and variety of pieces for exercise in declamation and dialogues, have induced the author to compile the following work.

Beading and Speaking are, of all the departments of learning, the most important. The great body of the people of this country have become convinced of this ; and, as a natural consequence, they are giving increased attention to the subject of Reading and Elocution. It is, therefore, as would be expected, that books and treatises, on the subject of Elocution, have been greatly multiplied within the past few years. Hence, it has not been as necessary that very extended rules or examples for exercise should be given in a work of this kind, more particularly as from the living teacher, almost entirely, the pupil must receive his instruction and correction by illustrations of the teacher.

In this view of the subject, the author has not given as many examples as will be found in some other similar works ; yet, it is believed that a sufficient number has been given, under each head, to answer every practical purpose, particularly as the variety and style of pieces in the body of the book are very extensive, to which, in practice and exercise, the several rules can be applied. Again ; it may be said of reading with more propriety than of any thing else, that, to do it right, it should be " done well." It is not the reading of page after page that will necessarily make a good reader in consequence of the amount which has been read ; but the manner in which those pages were read. Sometimes a sentence or paragraph may be profitably read or exercised on for fifteen or twenty minutes, or even half an hour, until every thing peculiar in it has become perfectly understood and completely mastered by the pupil. This

VI PREFACE.

should be done on the principle that, if a scholar cm read l given sentence correctly, he can read any number of Benteooef of similar character correctly. No scholar should be permitted, the r e fo re, to paw from one sentence or paragraph to the next, until he has made himself thoroughly acquainted with every particular point and feature in it.

Many pieces have been inserted specially for declamation ; still, any one of the pieces can be spoken or repeated by ■ pnj.il selected for the purpose, regard being bad to his fitness; or, as to the defects in his reading or speaking, so that he may be required to speak a piece particularly adapted to remedy such defects. In this way

should every pupil be e\erci-ed. It will he Well while any one ot the exercises is going on, for all of the other pupils of the dass to criticise the speaking or reading : each one having a pencil and piece of paper in hand to n-.te down what he considers defective or faulty in the reader or speaker. At the close of the exercise the pupiU can mention what they have noted down as wrong, the teacher approving or disapproving of the criticisms. Sometimes it may he well, also, for the pupils to express their opinions as to the oorreotoi propriety of the criticism under consideration, giving their reasons, if time will permit. In this way, it is believed, that better readers and speakers can be made than by any other method, as the scholars, by this plan, become accustomed to read onderstandingry, having exercised their own judgment in regard to the criticism on each piece or paragraph, as the case may be. This practice has this additional advantage, also, that it strengthens and improves the judgment, and skill of the scholar, and fits him for criticism in other matters, either of art, science, or mechanics. In short, it may. with truth, be said, that a scholar who is a thorough critic in the art of reading or speaking, is fitted for criticism in any other branch of learning or to pursue usefully and with good ju-ospects of success any other study whatever in which maturity of judgment is necessary.

In the preceding Reading Books of the Series, definitions of all the words, as they occur in the several Reading Lessons, have been given. This system, it is believed, will cause the scholar more thoroughly to understand the piece which he is to read, and, consequently, to read it with more interest than he would, if unacquainted with many of the important and prominent words contained in the Reading Lessons. In this way, too., the scholar will form the habit of in-

PREFACE. vii

quiring into or ascertaining the meaning of the words which compose the Lesson, or any piece or work for future reading. In this work, the definitions have been omitted, on the supposition that the scholars will have been sufficiently exercised and practised in the preceding Headers.

It is fully believed, that exercises in the recitation of pieces of poetry will, in many respects, better improve the modulations and inflections of the voice than exercises in prose. This, however, is doubted by many. Still, as many excellent teachers have confidence in this plan, both from observation and experience, it will be well for each teacher, at least to make the experiment until he shall be convinced or not of its utility.

The author, not wishing those teachers, who may adopt this work, to try every new system which may be offered for their consideration, would, however, respectfully recommend that every well approved system which has been attested by practical and experienced teachers should have a fair trial at their hands. By this course, they will, at least, be able to form a correct opinion as to the comparative importance or utility of each system, and to select that one which, all things considered, seems to them the best adapted to the purpose of making practical, thorough, and intelligent readers and public speakers.

In our country, more than in any other, should the principles and rules of Elocution be known by every young man in the community. Here encouragement is given to learning, and to the general diffusion of knowledge. Much of the learning and influence of most young men is lost by their total neglect of the study of this branch of education. Many young men, well educated otherwise, find, on coming into society, greatly to their regret and mortification, that they are unable to utter, before a public audience, those thoughts which they "would gladly make known, and by a knowledge ofj which, in many instances, society would be greatly benefited.

Language or speech being the highest attribute of man, its cultivation in every country, but particularly under a free government like ours, is of the very highest importance, where so many aspire to places of usefulness and honorable distinction. The true interests of our country, every year, more and more increase this importance and present stronger reasons for preparing every young man of this republic to be able to meet any and every emergency which may arise. So many questions of vital importance to the existence of

Vlll PREFACE.

our social, religious, and civil institutions, and even to th< of the government itself, are being discussed and agitated all over our land, that the times require men who are able, in public assemblies, with eloquence as well as patriotism, to defend the rights and true interests of our country. To the school-room, and to that alone, can we, with confidence and just hope, look for tin- youth who are to be the future men to advocate and sustain the purity of public morals, our civil institutions, and the all-important, in: of learning, science, and the arts, by which our nation nil bet! prospered, and thus far, has so gloriously flourished*.

The pieces, both for speaking and reading, -which form the g portion of this work, have been selected with great care ami attention, both with regard to their adaptedneas to the practice or

cise in speaking and reading, and to their influence on the minds and

tastes of pupils in enabling them to form a oorrectand high standard of excellence, both in subject ami in -tylc. Great care and attention have also been bestowed in the selection of the pieces as to their beneficial effects, in training the minds of the young to the observance and practice of noble and elevated sentiments and practical virtues.

With these views, the author, grateful for the extensive patronage bestowed on his past production-, presents the following work to the public, hopeful that this will be equally well received and h. beneficial effect upon the minds and interests, both present and future, of the rising generation.

Lyman Cobb.

New York, April 8, 1852.

NOTE.

The author, in compliance with the request of many teachers, has given the Spelling Lessons, in Nos. I. and II. without definitions, and has inserted in their place, some additional Reading Lessons. These two Readers will, however, be printed in both forms, with and without definitions, that teachers may use which form they prefer. He has also added several pages of new Lessons to the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Readers, which it is believed will make these books more valuable. These three books, however, can be used with the former editions, as no change has been made in the old Lessons.

Introduction

Page

Principles of Elocution ^ 15

Chap. I. — Articulation 16 Elementary Vowel Sounds, Explosion of 18

Elementary Consonant Sounds, Vocal Consonants 19

Aspirate Consonants, Correlatives, Explosion of El. Con. Sounds 20

Combination of the Consonant Elements 21

Faults and Difficulties in Articulation. 22

First, Second, Third Fault or Difficulty 23

Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Fault or Difficulty -. 23

Examples for Miscellaneous Exercise 24

Chap. II. — -Inflections 25 Examples of the Rising and Falling Inflection 25

Rules for the use of Inflections 26

Rule I. — Interrogative Sentences 26

II. — Interrogative Exclamations 27

III. — Pause of Suspension 27

IV. — Antithesis or Contrast * 27

V. — Expressive of Tender Emotion 28

VI. — Indirect Questions 28

VII. — Authority, Surprise, &c 28

VIII. — Commencing Series 28

IX. — Concluding Series 29

X. — Circumflex 29

XL — Monotone 4 29

Poetic Pauses or Manner of Reading Verse . . . . 35

Rhetorical Pauses 37

Chap. VI. — Gestures 38

Representations of many of the Emotions, Passions, and Feelings of the Human Mind 39

Devotion, Supplication 39

Admiration, Joy, Narration 40

Firmness, Argument, Authority 41

Amazement, Disappointment, Aversion 42

Despondency, Tenor, Distress 43

Anger 44

Particular Faults in Gestures 45

1*

CONTENTS.

PROSE.

Lesson Pago

1. Enlightened Philanthropy. Extract from an Addreai delivered

atRaleigb II P. Pm 17

2. Instruction by Lectures B. P. Butler 49

3. Educational Wants of the West. . .Rev. Hkmri Wa&d lii.i c hkr 62

4. Rural Life in England luvr-

6. A Winter Landscape in Russia R. K. J '<">■

7. Egyptian Pyramids R D,

8. Visiting the Poor and Neglected Rav. < taviixi Dawn »',:;

9. Claims of the Indians. — Southern Review Oou Dbai b

11. Conquest of Mexico. Description of the Capital Pj

12. Internal Structure of the Earth. Book of Nature //■/'/•

13. The Prairies Jamks Ball 7/5

17. Speech of a Native Iroquois Da. I'i raa Witai

18. The Turks at a Fire l>- Vert, Sh t, I,-

19. Recollections of China Mas. Cajlolini II. I'-i 1 1 I

20. Social Duties (I.B. Kmur.m.n 98

22. History of England \faeatU§y '.'7

23. Supply of Water in Constantinople Da. Dj kay 99

24. Proverbs of Solomon BibU 1**1

25. Early Genius William Laoosn 105

27. Maternal Wisdom H. N. Hi DOOM 108

28. Traits of Indian Character Irvino 1 10

30. The Salt-mines of Europe. . . Hakikus Nkw Monthly Maoazim: 1 IS

32. Mount Etna Clark J* Wondt r* of the World 1 20

33. The Quantity of Matter in the Universe Dick 1 M

34. Character and Condition of the Western Indians. Gi m 1_'">

36. The Desert of Zahara Buck* 1 80

37. Chancellor Livingston Da. John W. Fran< i- 181

38. A Prairie on Fire George W. Kendall 188

39. Do Concluded Do 137

40. The Natural Advantages of America William Kknt 140

41. A well cultivated Mind forms an essential Ingredient of Female

Education Rev. Dr. Gardiner Si-rim; 148

42. Passing through an Iceberg Arctic Expedition 145

43. Interview of Cortes and Montezuma Prescott 148

45. A Perilous Situation Audubon ] 54

46. The Creator to be Remembered in Youth Bible 158

47. St. Peter's Church at Rome Headley 159

48. Tribute to the New England Colonists Burke 162

49. The Chippewa Chiefs and General Taylor National Era 163

51. Our Wondrous Atmosphere Quarterly Review 166

52. Education in Prussia Rochester Gem 108

53. A Pilgrimage to the Cradle of American Liberty. .B.J. Lobbing 170

55. The Goodness of Charity Bible 176

56. Governments of Will, and Governments of Law Wayland 177

57. The National Character. Southern Review. . .General Hayne 179

58. The Country Church Irving 180

60. Character of the Puritans Macaulay 186

61. Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains. . .Capt. Fremont 188 63. Washington in Retirement Spabks 194

CONTENTS. XI

Lesson Page

64. The Former and Present Condition of the State of N. Y. . Bancroft 19G

65. Oration on the Death of General Washington . Rev. Dr. J. M. Mason 198

66. The Rights of Women Mrs. Sigourney 200

67. Speech in Favor of permitting the British Refugees to return to

the United States Patrick Henry 202

69. Derbyshire (England) Caverns Anonymous 205

70. Physical and Moral Greatness of America Phillips 207

72. Whaling off the Cape of Good Hope .. Dickens' Household Words 210

. 73. Speech in the Senate of the United States in Relation to South

Carolina Hayne 214

74. Speech in Reply to the preceding Webster 215

76. Education — Extract from an Address at Amherst. . . .Humphrey 218

77. The lone Indian Miss Francis 219

78. Abbotsford. — First Visit to Europe Andrew Dickinson 221

79. Debt due to the Soldiers of the Revolution Peleg Sprague 224

82. Paul's Defence before King Agrippa Bible 229

83. Conflict with an ' Elephant '. Gumming 231

84. Proofs of the Rotundity of the Earth Malte-Brun 235

85. The Ruins of Time Milford Bard 238

87. Character of the Irish Patriots of 1798 S. D. Langtree 241

88. The Advantages of a Taste for the Beauties of Nature. .Percival 243

89. Progress of Society Dr. Channing 245

91. North American Indians Joseph Story 248

92. Propelling Powers employed by Man ; Ewbank 251

95. Adams and Napoleon William H. Seward 258

96. Effects of a Dissolution of the Union Hamilton 261

97. Patriotism and Eloquence of John Adams Webster 263

100. Address at the Opening of the Newark Library Associa-

tion Rev. Samuel I. Prime 274

101. Mr. Prime's Address, Concluded Do 278

102. Rural Funerals Irving 280

103. Sympathy Wrights Casket 282

104. Immorality of Large Cities Rev. Orville Dewey 283

105. Curious Social Habits of the Osages Cherokee Advocate 286

106. Intemperance Rev. Dr. Lyman Beechkr 287

108. The Deserted Children Cincinnati Paper 292

109. Observance of the Sabbath Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring 294

110. Extract from an Election Discourse at Montpelier . Rev. Dr. Fisk 296

112. Instability of Life Job. Bible 301

113. Comets. Information for the People 302

114. Greatness of the United States Hunt's Merchant's Mag. 305

116. Old Wyoming Tales of the Revolution 307

118. The Settlement of New England Webster 313

120. Capillary Attraction Library of Useful Knowledge 317

121. Mistakes in Personal Identity Diesis" Household Words 319

122. Formation of Character — Address at Dickinson College. . . .How 321

124. The Diving Bell Dr. Lardner 327

126. Books for the Fire Southey 332

128. Scenes in the Alps Note Book of an American Lady 335

129. Pilgrim's Progress Macaulay 336

130. Specific Gravities Dr. Lardner 339

132. Hot Springs of Iceland Henderson 345

134. Invasion of Switzerland by the French, , Sydney Smith 350

Xll CONTENTS.

Lesson Pfcfl

135. A Turkish Bath Albert Smith

138. Unwritten Music N. P. VflUW

196. David's Lamentation for Saul and Jonathan

140. The Pleasures of Old Age Diary of Lady WilUmgho%

. . Of Delays Lord

142. Eulogy on Chancellor Livingston and R. Fulton. Di Wm Ol 14;^. Genius and its Rewards M

145. Western Prairies LtTKBAfcl Kmi

146. Character of Tecnmseh 8n on I V\ 1

148. The Missouri River T. FLINT'S HlBTOM OF TB* W]

149. Sources of Mi-en, in the Pr< sent World Th&ma* Dick 383

150. Speech on the Bill for the Relief of the Widow of General Har-

rison

161. Immense Natural Bee hive I

154. Westminster Abbey

155. The Rains of Ohi ('hen 15. M. ffoBMAl

157. Cooking on Mount Vesurios. . . .Hkadlx* i aon \i\i.\

159. The Handsome and Deformed Leg Da. FaamttU

160 My Mother's Room Sm raaaM Churchman 401

161. Duty of Educating the Poor GaazKWooo vn

162. Of Prudence in Reproving BibL

163. Romance of the Nineteenth Century B 407

164. Duties of Parents I. Abbott 41<)

165. The Fourteenth Congress R H. Wu.i.l 41 1

167. On Honesty— Letter to a Bon I). 1). T. L 4l»;

168. Encounter frith an [oeb< rat. . B m:i-i.u 'a Ni a Monthly M.v.azinl 418

169. Addre-s to Lafayette at his Departure .J. Q. Ad

170. Reply to the Preceding Laj

P72. Advancement of Society C. Mason 129

174. American Enterprise Hunt's Mkrohakt's Machine 482

175. The Good Samaritan Bibli

178. Passage across the Andes Hi a Noras 1-7

181. Character of Mr. Pitt Rob* rise* 1 IS

1 82. Life of a Naturalist J. J. A

183. Speech before Lord Norbury, Dublin Robe,

188. The Lily of the Mountain Literary Emporium 469

189. How Pain can be a Cause of Delight Bwrht 468

190. Division of Labor Adam Smith 1 63

192. Extract from Washington's Farewell Address 467

193. The Mammoth Cave of Kentucky . Concklin's New River Guide 470

197. Genius Fanny Forrester 47'J

198. Evening Library of Entertaining Knowledge 48*2

200. The Blind Preacher Wiai

201. Speech of Brutus on the Death of Cesar Shak*pear>,

210. Speech of Antony over the Dead Body of Cesar Do.. . . 62 1

216. The Training of the Intellect D. H. Cruttenden

v / 220. Hamilton and Jay Dr. F. L. Hawk-

222. Grecian and Roman Eloquence J. Q. Adams 5 i '.*

227. Kossuth's Speech at Philadelphia

229. Eulogy on Adams and Jefferson Edward Everri

231. The Drunkard and his Bottle S. W. Srroa

232. Awake Zion. — Isaiah lii Bib/,

235. Tribute to Washington W. H. Harrison

236. Speech of Hannibal to his Soldiers Livy 574

CONTENTS. Xlll

POETRY.

Lesson Page

5. Battle with Life Dickens' Household Words 59

10. To the Susquehanna, on its Junction with the Lackawanna .' Mrs. Sigourney 6*7

15. The Crowded Street W. C. Bryant 80

21. On Seeing a Beautiful Boy at Play N. P. Willis 95

26. Aspirations of Youth .Montgomery 107

29. Home for the Friendless N. P. Willis 1 14

31. Speak Boldly Wm. Oland Bourne 119

35. Excelsior Longfellow 128

44. The Bible Rev. Ralph Hoyt 152

50. " Oh Mother, would the Power were mine". .Margaret Davidson 165

54. " Let not your Heart be troubled" Jessie Glenn 175

59. The Hour of Death Mrs. Hemans 185

62. Brain Work and Hand Work Charles Street 1 92

63. The Grave of Washington S. M. Pike 195

68. Graves of the Poor Gray 203

71. The Eagle and the Swan From the German 208

75. The Traveller at the Red Sea Miss H. F. Gould 217

80. The Chieftain's Daughter George P. Morris 227

81. " Search the Scriptures" 228

86. A Winter's Night in the Wilderness Thomas Buchanan Read 239

90. Battle of Warsaw Campbell 247

93. The Wreck Mrs. Hemans 255

94. The Winds Miss H. F. Gould 257

99. A Mother's Love < Montgomery 271

107. The Rail- way Dublin University Magazine 290

111. Father Mathew giving the Temperance Pledge. .Mrs. Sigourney 299

115. Battle of Hohenlinden Campbell 306

117. The Prisoner's Address to his Mother CM. 311-

119. The Return of Spring Bayard Taylor 316

123. Apostrophe to Mont Blanc Coleridge 324

125. The Departed Park Benjamin 331

127. The Village Blacksmith Longfellow 333

131. Woodman, Spare that Tree George P. Morris 344

136. Summer Evening W. C. Bryant 355

137. Autumn... N. E. Magazine 357

141. The Lament of the Sightless Jessie Glenn 362

144. The Home -for the Friendless Mrs. F. S. Osgood 369

147. The Death of Napoleon Isaac McClelland, Junr. 376

152. The Evening Wind W. C. Bryant 388

153. The Indian Hunter Eliza Cook 389

156. The Star of Bethlehem H. K. White 397

158. To Young Students Mrs. E. C. Embury 398

166. The Last Man Campbell 414

171. " Blessed are they that Mourn" W. C. Bryant 428

173. " Live them down" Cincinnati Expositor 431

176. Address to the Condor Mrs. Ellett 434

177. New England J. G. Percival 435

179. Lake Wyalusing William H. C. Hosmer 439

180. Extract from " Messiah" Pope 44]

184. Red Jacket, the Indian Chief F. G. Halleck 453

185. A Son? for Youth Barstow 455

Xiv CONTEJ

N iagara Falls Beainkeh 456

187. 1 be Family Meeting (haw Si-ham

194. l\ie!i/.i> Address to the Romans Mim M it turd 475

Horning in Spring Ge<»r<,e D. 1'kkmi

196. The Dying Chriatuo to his Boul p* 478

..'ration Mrs. I

Elijah's Interview <// 5<"»

205. Gentleness Mrt. I/etna

I

214. The Harvey Hymn Mi.

■d I-v\> M< LkLLA.NH. Jl NE. 550

Mes. L. H. Cmvrnam

Mother's Gift.— The Bible W. V

234. '■ Forgive" Bishop fft '

DIALOGU1

203. Spirit of '76. A Temperance Dialogue EL W. Set

: reliant of Venice Skwktpm T

907. Alexander the Great and a Robber Dr. Atibm 514

rutus and Cassius r« 516

211. Fill of Cardinal Wolsey S

212. Pizarro and Gomez Kotzebue 52y

213. Rolla and Alonzo Do. .

215. Self-int. r< -t — Derby and Scrapewell

218. Col. Rhren end Sir "Harry 541

219. Lovegold and James Fin m-

221. Charles II. and William Penn Fxmro M Pi

be ColonisCfl Dr. Aiken. 552

226. Scene from Virginius / & Kium

230. Scene from the Tragedy of Cataline Rev. G. Croly 563

233. Genuine Friendship and Magnanimity. — Pythias, Damon. Dio-

nvsius Ftnelon 570

INTRODUCTION.

PRINCIPLES OF ELOCUTION.

As tue Principles of Elocution form the basis of a department of ornamental as well as practical education, in which the art of speaking and reading is to be attained and pursued in accordance with a certain established standard of elegance, a thorough and practical acquaintance with these Principles can not be too highly valued or appreciated by every person, who either hopes or wishes to become a correct or elegant speaker or reader ; and they should, therefore, receive his first attention. In giving instruction in this art, two objects should be constantly kept in view : good conversational speech ; and the power of making formal addresses, and reading aloud with ease and effect. In our own country, where the advantages of education are open to all, and where so many persons are also liable to be called on to speak in public, a practical knowledge of these Principles is of inestimable value, not only to the professedly learned, but even to persons in the ordinary or common avocations of life. Every person having this knowledge can render more effective what he utters, either in speaking or reading ; and, at the same time, it not only promotes an easy and graceful delivery, but also enables him to rivet or enchain the attention of the hearer. The human voice, like every other faculty, is susceptible of very great improvement, by proper culture and discipline. There is also this advantage, that, by a proper exercise of the Principles of Elocution, the health and vigor

XVI INTRODUCTION.

of the vocal organs are greatly promoted. To neglect, therefore, the cultivation and improvement of the human voice, and the lull development of its powers, is, to say the least of it, very censurable on the part of those, who have the management and control of elementary instruction. Much of this instruction must he given by the living instructer; still, some rules and principle! will be very useful. Some of tkese kave been treated of in the Beqnel or Fourth Reader, and in the North American or Fifth Reader, in this work they are more extended and more practically illustrated.

ELOCUTION is properly divided into, and should be considered under, the following heads :

I. — Articulation.

II. — Inflections.

III. — Modulation.

IV. — Accent.

V. — Emphasis.

VI. — Gestures.