Not to public speakers alone, however, is the study of Elocution necessary. In a country where literature furnishes not only the most delightful occupation to the solitary student, but a favourite entertainment to the social circle, the art of reading with propriety and elegance forms an essential part of a politei education. While the splendid productions of genius, which are constantly issuing from the British press, and which diffuse an unexampled lustre over our age and country, afford the most refined pleasure to polished society, the power of reading them with due effect, must necessarily confer no small degree of distinction. Nor is this to be valued merely as an exterior accomplishment. Here the ear and the understanding afford mutual aid; and as he alone who can duly appreciate the beauties of his author, can develope them by a judicious and graceful utterance; so he who can read them best, will have the fullest enjoyment of their various charms. So generally is this now understood, that Elocution is daily attracting more of the general attention. Anxious to facilitate the acquisition of so important an accomplishment, the compiler of this volume selected, a few years since, the rules which it contains, and the extracts by which these rules are exemplified. The very extensive and rapid circulation of the two former editions, afford him a double gratification,-as a proof, that his labours have been found conducive to the end which he had in view, and as a sa◄ tisfactory indication of a growing attention to this elegant art. For the use of junior classes, he had previously published the English Learner, the success of which has been fully commensurate with that of the Principles of Elocution; to which, indeed, it forms a natural proper introduction. He has lately completed his plan by the publication of his Rhetorical Exercises, for the use of those students who have gone through the Principles of Elocution, and are thus prepared for the higher department of the art. These books, he would gladly flatter himself, will be found of peculiar utility to both teachers and pupils; and if they contribute, in any degree, to disseminate among ingenuous youth an ardour for this pleasing and useful study, they will have fully answered his fondest hopes. Edinburgh, No 1 North Hanover Street. } March 1819. . DIFFERENT Methods by which the Principles and Lessons Page 15 General Rules and Observations on Reading and Recitation, 16 CONTENTS. Exercises on the Interrogation, Exclamation, and Parenthesis, 51 53 58 59 59 Several Adjectives belonging to one Substantive, &c.- - - The Ablative Absolute.-Rule VII. Two Substantives coming together.-Rule IX. The Pause at Prepositions and Conjunctions.-Rule XII. Words in Opposition.-Rule XIV. Prepositions in Opposition to each other.-Rule XV. MISCELLANEOUS LESSONS. Page - The Nominative and the Verb.-Rule I. Member between the Nominative and the Verb.-Rule II. 80 Member between the Verb and the Objective Case.-Rule III. 80 Two Verbs and an intervening Member.-Rule IV. 1. *On the Dissolution of Nature, 2. The Balance of Happiness equal, 3. On the Beauties of the Psalms, The lessons marked thus (*) have the principal inflections marked. 11. On Consistency in Behaviour, 12. Interview between an Old Major and a Young Officer, 105 14. Remarks on the Swiftness of Time, 16. How a Modern Lady of Fashion Disposes of her Time, 8. The Planetary and Terrestrial Worlds, 10. *Westminster Abbey, - 19. The Funeral of Mr Betterton, 20 *The Folly of misspending Time, 39. On the Dignity of Human Nature, 40. *Fame, a commendable Passion, 50. On the Advantages of a well cultivated Mind, 51. On the Formation of Language, 52. On the Sublime in Writing, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL EXTRACTS. 1. Our natural Fondness for History, and its true Use, 3. Character of Queen Elizabeth, 5. The Siege of Quebec, and the Death of General Wolfe, 10. Obedience to the Commandments of God will be rewarded,216 11. The Birth of the Saviour announced, 12. *The Truth frees us from the Slavish Fear of Death, 13. On the Hope of Immortality, |
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