Page images
PDF
EPUB

6

COMSTOCK'S ELOCUTION.

[ENLARGED.]

A SYSTEM OF VOCAL GYMNASTICS;

DESIGNED FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH, CURE OF STAMMERING, AND DEFECTIVE ARTICULATION.

WITH EXERCISES IN ELOCUTION, VOCAL GYMNASTICS, ARTICULATION, PITCH, FORCE, TIME, GESTURE, READING AND DECLAMATION; WITH POSTURES OF THE BODY, ARMS, HEAD, FACE,

EYES, SHOULders, and thE LOWER LIMBS.

Illustrated with Two Hundred and Sixty-three Engravings, of Figures in various Positions, and Diagrams illustrative of the whole subject.

BY ANDREW COMSTOCK, M.D.

TO WHICH IS ADDED A COLLECTION OF GEMS FROM THE WRITINGS OF THE BEST AUTHORS IN PROSE AND VERSE,

EDITED AND SELECTED

BY PHILIP LAWRENCE,

PROFESSOR OF ELOCUTION, AND TEACHER OF READING AND RECITATION IN

THE FIRST SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN PHILADELPHIA.

PHILADELPHIA:

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS;

306 CHESTNUT STREET.

MARVARD COLLEGE LIBRART

GIFT OF

GEORGE ARTHUR PLIMPTON
JANUARY 25, 1924

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by

T. B. PETERSON & BROTHERS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small]

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

AT the request of many of the Principals of Private Schools and Colleges in Philadelphia, I have undertaken the pleasing task of collecting some of the finest productions of ghius, in Verse and Prose, and adding them to the talented work of the late Dr. Comstock (one of the best Teachers for the culti vation of the voice that I ever met with). I hope to produce a Work on Elocution suited to all persons, whether old or young. While I do not hold myself responsible for all the assertions of the talented Doctor, I yet agree with him in most of his remarks, and believe his work can be studied with great advantage.

All persons ought to be aware how important it is to attend to the modulation of the voice. The chief beauty of oratory is in the melody of the speaker's utterance. If the orator delivers his own ideas, or those of another, how soon his hearers become indif ferent if the speech is delivered in one tone of voice! But, when the speaker whose voice is cultivated and modulated, is heard, every ear listens with delight, every eye beams upon him with pleasure; the feelings of his hearers will be at one time melted into. tears by the pathos of his tones, at another roused

by the fire of his eloquence; the time seems to fly on golden pinions; and although the discourse may have occupied two hours in delivery, the hearers wish it had been still longer.

I

The voice may be so cultivated that it will be as musical as any instrument, rising and falling, sinking and swelling, as the meaning requires. advise all who wish to become fine readers and speakers, to study with the greatest attention Dr. Comstock's work, as they will there find important truths fully analyzed and explained.

But, while studying this noble art, remember that Elocution is not a science that can be learned from books; it is an art, and can be imparted by the living teacher alone.

Every feeling and emotion of the human heart can be expressed by the tones of the voice; and as, by appropriate gesture, every thing we say can be made plain to the understanding through the sight, so also, by giving every word its proper sound, can it be made perfectly intelligible to the ear. Therefore, as this can be done only by a finished reader or orator, I repeat, the living teacher alone can instruct in Elocution.

PHILIP LAWRENCE.

[graphic]

HIS work is a system of Theoretical and Practical Elocution. It is designed for the use of Schools and Colleges, as well as for the instruction of private individuals who desire to improve themselves in the art of reading and speaking. The arrangement of the several parts of the work is strictly systematic: each is discussed in its natural order, and with as much brevity as consists with perspicuity.

The analysis of the vocal elements of the English language, and the minute description which is given of their organic formation, will be found important, not only to the Anerican who is desirous of accurate knowledge upon this subject, but also to the foreigner who is learning to speak our vernacular tongue. And the engravings, indicating the most favourable postures of the mouth in the energetic utterance of the elements, will be found a valuable auxiliary in the acquisition of this knowledge.

« PreviousContinue »