age of the disputants who took part in it, the gentlemanly personalities in which they indulge, the evident fact of its being intended to be delivered in public, the strong case made out by each of the opposing parties, and its usefulness in furnishing a model and precedent for similar attempts by any association of young men who by their remote location are prevented from familiarising themselves with the mode of conducting the proceedings of a debating society: all, unite to win it a place in The Orator's Own Book." It is scarcely necessary for us to say that such practice is highly beneficial, and is always to be sought after by the ambitious student.

Having thus stated the principles and system upon which the following work has been formed, we trust that we may be allowed at least the praise that is due for good intention, as well as for industrious solicitude to attain a desirable object. The first attempt to bring a valuable accomplishment within practical tuition, has strong claims on liberality. Whether we have been successful in forming a method of instruction in this important art, we must leave to be determined by the judg ment of others. But even if it shall appear, that the system now suggested, is inadequate to the full extent which it proposes, we shall nevertheless feel considerable satisfaction, if it be found susceptible of improvement; and that, thus assisted, it finally accomplish the beneficial end for which it has been designed.

PART I.

READING AND RECITATION.

BEFORE the student can attempt to become an orator, he must be sure that he is a good reader. Trifling and unimportant as the necessary talents merely for a good reader may seem, yet they are amongst the fundamental requisites of a good speaker.

Clear articulation, proper accent, judicious emphasis, and suitable tones and inflections, are not to be acquired without patient and diligent attention.

The practice of recitation requires something more-it needs graceful and suitable gesture. Extempore speaking also must be accompanied by proper action.

As the requisites therefore for good reading and recitation, are so indispensable to a public speaker, the first part of this work contains a system of rules and illustrations for the purpose of facilitating these attainments.

The student must not despise the simplicity of the earlier exercises. It was necessary to provide a system as nearly perfect as might be; and therefore no part of the discipline for reading and recitation could have been correctly omitted: besides, as there

must be some beginning, where could we commence more properly than at the true and rational foundation?

ARTICULATION.

A good articulation has ever been regarded as the first requisite in delivery; without which, indeed, all other attainments in this art are of little importance. It consists in the distinct utterance of words and the elements of which they are composed; and in making such a distinction between syllables, that the ear may easily perceive to which syllable each letter or element belongs. "In just articulation," says Austin in his Chironomia, "the words are not to be hurried over; nor precipitated syllable over syllable; nor as it were melted together into a mass of confusion. They should be neither abridged, nor prolonged; nor swallowed, nor forced; they should not be trailed, nor drawled, nor let 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 time, and of due weight." To acquire a distinct enunciation, and to overcome whatever obstacles habit may have thrown in the way of it, requires great effort. It was for this end alone that the young Athenian orator repaired to the seashore and spoke amidst the noise of dashing waves.

Indistinct articulation may arise from various causes. A physical defect in the vocal organs may produce a stammering hesitancy in speech. A sluggish action of the mind may cause a dull, imperfect utterance; while excess of sensibility or vivacity may produce a hasty, indistinct utterance. But the principal causes of all the faults arising from a bad articulation, are the difficulty of uttering the con

sonant sounds; the tendency of the mind to slide over unaccented vowels; the numerous prefix and affix syllables with which our language abounds; and the influence of accent when thrown back in a word so far as to be followed by several syllables. To these may be added the immediate succession of similar sounds of difficult utterance, and the effect of early habit in distorting the organs of speech.

As the human voice is susceptible of an almost unlimited degree of cultivation, most of the difficul ties and faults preventing a clear enunciation may be overcome by a proper exercise of the vocal organs upon the elements of speech, and the various combinations of them which produce sounds most difficult of utterance.

With a view, therefore, to remedy the faults above enumerated, to acquire a deliberate and distinct utterance, to strengthen the voice, to soften and improve its tones, and finally to obtain a perfect management of it; let the following rules and exercises be carefully attended to.

Rule 1.-Pronounce the following words with as much compass and explosive force of the voice as possible; and prolong the consonant sounds at the beginning and end of the words, so as to render them distinct and audible at a considerable distance:

Rule 2.- Pronounce the following words clearly and distinctly, by giving to each syllable its proper and full share in the word. Deliver the syllables slowly at first, and increase in rapidity progressively; taking care not to connect them by a humming or drawling sound. Utter not more than one word in a breath; and let there be an interval of silence after each: