Means for permanently overcoming Stammering 40 Methods of Cure generally employed Table First-Formation of the Consonants Table Second-Slow-practice of the Conso- 63 ELOCUTION. Mr. BELL, Professor of Elocution, respectfully announces, that he is the author of a system of instruction, which he has, for many years, successfully developed to very numerous classes. By his system, the pupil, will, IN THREE MONTHS, acquire more real knowledge of the subjects, Mr. B. professes to teach, than he can possibly attain IN TWELVE MONTHS, even in the best schools. From the most simple lessons in reading, to the more complex, consisting of the most splendid passages of our Orators, and Poets, each exercise, will be taught upon the strictest principles of Elocutionary Science. Pure enunciation of the English Language-harmonious modulation of the voice-ease, and gracefulness of delivery,-are the certain results of this system. Mr. Bell, gives instructions in READING, RECITATION, ORTHOGRAPHY, ENGLISH GRAmmar, GeograPHY, and in THE PRINCIPLES, and PRACTICE OF ELOCUTION, as suited to the Pulpit, the Bar, or the Stage. IMPEDIMENTS OF SPEECH. Mr. BELL's terms, where there is defective utterance, depend on the circumstances of the pupil, and the nature of each case: in all cases, they are moderate. No charge until the Impediment be removed. Communications, may be addressed to Mr. BELL, 81, Great Portland Street, Regent's Park. TRACTATE ON IMPEDIMENTS OF SPEECH. IN architecture, previously to raising the structure, a foundation, must be obtained; but, in getting to the foundation, there are often many obstructions to be encountered, and removed, ere the goodly fabric, can be begun: so, in Elocution-there may be impediments to articulation to be overcome, before the principles of harmonious enunciation, can, with propriety, be inculcated. Instances of malformation in the vocal organs, are wonderfully rare; yet, distinct articulation, is by no means. common to the most perfect organization. Indistinctness in speaking, is, more or less, characteristic of all, who have not made speaking a particular object of study. In ordinary conversation with acquaintances, defects, unless B very prominent, pass unnoticed; but, in all attempts, in public, at reading, or speaking our Standard Language, the imperfect sounds, are grating to the ear; and, instead of attention being roused by the reader, or speaker, his hearers, sink into apathy, and often into disgust. Without expatiating on the effects of uncouth delivery, I shall, in the mean time, confine my attention to marked defects of speech; to those, indeed, which are acknowledged by all to be IMPEDIMENTS. MERING. 66 In the first place, I shall begin with STAM"Hold!" exclaims the quack: Expose not a subject which I can make a "fruitful source of profit. I proceed not upon "fixed principles, it is true; but, I can Do something, and MAKE my confiding patient "BELIEVE a great deal; and what is wanting "in skill, I can supply by mystery, and the "solemnity of an oath." Whether the disclosure of the means for the cure of Stammering be politic, in a selfish point of view, is certainly very doubtful; but, I shall have the honour of being the first, who has traced the Impediment to its causes, and found the sure means of its removal, in the invariable principles of vocal sounds. That Stammering, has been cured, admits not of denial, or, even doubt. It is also true, that the persons, by whose agency, the removal of the Impediment, was effected, have often been completely ignorant of the principles of Vocal action. That medical men, have been of no use in such cases, proves their little familiarity with the operation of the organs, which are employed in Speech. The empiric, had, therefore, no rival to awe him; and, binding his patients under the spell of an oath, he could run the full career of unlicensed adventure. Groping in the dark, the quack, sometimes succeeded, often failed to mitigate the Impediment. Still, partial success, stimulated to farther attempts, which were subject, of course, to casual events. Immense fees, even in cases |