The juvenile speaker : comprising elementary rules and exercises in declamation, with a selection of pieces for practice

Preface

The author of the following manual, when engaged, as he occasionally is, in teaching classes in schools, has felt, in common with others, the want of a book of regular instruction in declamation, adapted to juvenile speakers.* For, although there are, already, before the public, several collections of pieces, designed for young classes, there are none which furnish a systematic course of rules and directions, to guide the learner in the management of the voice and the practice of gesture.

The plan of the following work, is designed to present, 1st, the most important elements of elocution, as they apply to the practice of boys in declamation ; 2d, to facilitate the reduction of every principle to immediate practice, by introducing one or more appropriate examples designed as exercises ; 3d, to present the primary rules of feeling and of taste, which apply to the practice of gesture, as comprehending attitude and action; 4th, to furnish young speakers with a supply of pieces ', from which to select matter for a more extended application of the rules of elocution, or for their customary school exercises in speaking.

The compiler of the present volume, would not underrate any of the works already in use, whether as treatises on elocution, or selections of pieces for declamation. His

* Students at academies and colleges are sufficiently provided with elocutionary aids, in the volume entitled, "The American Elocutionist," and in that on " Orthophony," — prepared by Mr. William Russefl, or in similar volumes by other writers. The intention of the author of the present work, is to furnish a corresponding text-book on declamation, for younger speakers.

VI PREFACE.

wish is merely to secure the convenience of a work embodying his own system of instruction .* He will feel gratified, if, at the same time, he may thus facilitate the labors of other teachers who are desirous of receiving the aid of a text-book containing rules and principles along with examples. The pupil's progress may, in this way, be rendered systematic and definite ; and the instruction which he receives, may be rendered more effectual, by assuming a permanent form, for reference and practice. A work of this description was indispensable to the author, as a class-book for his own pupils, and he has endeavored to make it serviceable to all teachers who, either regularly or occasionally, give instruction in declamation.

The American School Reader and Speaker, and the Introduction to the same, by Messrs. John Goldsbury and William Russell, are, — so far as the author can judge, — the best books of their kind, for the general purposes of school instruction in elocution, — combining rules for reading and pieces for practice. The present volume differs from these in two respects : it furnishes rules and examples adapted exclusively to the exercise of speaking, and extended to the departments of attitude and gesture. The pieces, also, which the book contains, are intended, exclusively, for practice in recitation or declamation. The author does not wish that this work should supersede any of a more general character, as regards the rules of elocution, or the selection of pieces. His sole intention is to provide a book which boys will find useful, as a guide

* The reference above is not made as claiming originality of method. The author would acknowledge himself indebted, for whatever merit his system possesses, to the elaborate theory of Dr. Rush, in his Philosophy of the Human Voice, — to the personal instructions, also, of Mr. James E. Murdoch, while that gentleman was engaged in the business of training the vocal organs, for the practice of public speaking, and to the superintendence and directions of the compiler's father, Mr. William Russell, whose modes of instruction are developed in his various works on the subject of elocution.

PREFACE. Vll

in their usual weekly or monthly school exercises in speaking.

The directions for the cultivation of the voice, which are contained in the following pages, will, it is hoped, be found of essential service to the pupil. By a few weeks' diligent practice on the exercises, he will be enabled to secure a healthy expansion of the chest, a firm, round, and full tone of voice, and a distinct articulation, all which are indispensable to effective elocution.

A considerable space, in the following pages, has been assigned to a plain statement of the main principles of gesture, as they apply to juvenile exercises in declamation and recitation. This much-neglected branch of practical oratory, deserves particular attention during the period of education. It is one for which boys possess a peculiar aptitude, and one, also, in which the early formation of correct habit, is of unspeakable value, to all whose duties, in subsequent life, render impressive speaking an important attainment.

Part I. Principles Of Elocution

LESSON I. Page

Preparatory Exercises . . 1

LESSON II.— Orthoepy.

Articulation 2

LESSON ni.— Orthoepy.

Enunciation . 5

LESSON IV.— Orthoepy.

Pronunciation 6

LESSON V.— Quality of the Voice.

" Pure Head Tone" 8

LESSON VI.

Practice of Pure Head Tone on the Elements 10

LESSON VII.

" Orotund," or Round Tone 11

LESSON VIII.

Practice of Round Tone on the Elements 13

LESSON IX.

Force of Voice . . .13

LESSON X.

Practice of Force on the Elements 15

LESSON XI.

" Stress" 15

LESSON XII.

Practice of Stress on the Elements 19

LESSON XIII.

Pitch 20

LESSON XIV.

"Movement" .21

LESSON XV.

"Expression" .25

LESSON XVI.

Review of Expression 29

X CONTENTS.

LESSON XVII. Page

Inflection, or Slides 29

LESSON XVIII.

Emphasis o„

LESSON XIX.

Pauses 36

PRINCIPLES OF GESTURE.

LESSON I.— Attitude . . . .38

Rules and Examples 39-44

Common Faults . 44

LESSON II.— Action.

Common Errors 47

General Rules 49

Analysis of Gesture . . . 52

Key to the Analysis 53

Examples 54

Application of Principles 59