Trusting that, under Divine Providence, your Grace may live to justify the fond expectations of those who have so long and anxiously watched over your interesting minority, and may continue in the enjoyment of every blessing which your exaltea station commands,

I have the honour to subscribe myself,
Your Grace's most obedient, and very

humble Servant,

HENRY INNES.

PREFACE.

I WILL not trouble the reader with a lengthy preface as to my reasons in adding to the list of school-books of this kind, the SELECTION which follows. Compilers of this class of works, with some few exceptions, have conceived that a selection of Extracts possessing merely literary beauty or merit, were suitable vehicles for the purposes of the youthful speaker. Such collections may go to fashion the taste, and improve the mind, but are they calculated to impart a nervous energy to the organs of speech? Exercise a youth in passages from compilations of this character, he may read with propriety, and not offend good taste; he may show the flesh, and bone, and proportions of delivery; but the sinew, the spirit, the life of expression will be absent :

"We start-for soul is wanting there!”

In the following SELECTION I have scrupulously examined every passage, and ascertained its real elocutionary value before admitting it. Here are no pieces put in merely because they are pretty or pleasing. But the superiority of this work consists in its marginal indications; and I trust both the preceptor and the pupil will reap the advantage of the patient. labour and attention I have bestowed, in bringing

under the eye, at a glance, the turns and shades of passion and expression in the several passages selected. Let the teacher see that these transitions are attended to, else the compiler's labour will have been in vain.* Every pupil has provision made against his deficiencies, which he will find by turning to the INDEX OF EXPRESSION, following the GENERAL INDEX.

It has been suggested, an objection may be raised against these marginal notes, that they will induce a theatrical tone of expression in delivery. No one deprecates this more than I do. The characteristics of English composition are gravity and warmth: I wish these enforced in speaking and reading. In exercising a pupil, however, we must encourage a warmth of expression, a glow of tone, which he will correct in practical delivery. In the class-room I must have the pupil exercise his lungs and muscles, -else of what use is the Elocutionist? The great object of the learner is to acquire a command over these: nature, good taste, judgment, conventional custom, will suggest the quantity of the former, and the measure of the latter.

* The hint of these marginal indications I took from a work published last century, entitled, "The Art of Speaking," to which the celebrated Walker makes his acknowledgments.

H. L.

THE ORGANS AND OPERATIONS OF

SPEECH.

EVERY artist who desires to excel should be well acquainted with the instrument he uses. It may be useful that we know the structure, to understand the action of the organs of speech. Anatomical terms and definitions shall be avoided, that all may comprehend the meaning, in the following inquiry.

BREATHING.

The primary cause both of respiration and voice is the LUNGS. They are suspended in the cavity of the breast, and are of a porous elastic substance, adapted to receive, contain, and expel the air. They answer a purpose similar to that of the bellows of an organ. As soon as they are distended, they have a natural propensity to contract into a lesser compass, which immediately expels the air. The air is expelled by means of the WINDPIPE, which is a flexible tube, connected with the lungs, and opening into two passages, the one through the nostrils, and the other through the mouth. When the lungs are emptied, the external air rushes in by the same passages, from its native spring, to restore the equilibrium, and likewise from the principle of its own weight, which is computed to be equal to the pressure of thirty-three feet of water. The lungs, again, from the expansion of the air-vessels, and from their own compressive action, spontaneously discharge themselves. In this manner respiration is carried on. The lungs are likewise adapted for the purpose of CIRCULATION. They purify and accelerate the blood, as it passes through them from the veins to the arteries. Hence it is, that the action of the heart is generally in proportion to that of the breath. In running, or any violent exercise, the internal vessels demand a quicker supply, both of the air and of the animal fluids; at that time the pulse beats high, and the breath is panting. The action of circulation is continued, whether we are awake, asleep, attentive, inattentive, willing, or unwilling; but the action of respiration may be heightened, retarded, or altogether suspended, as we please. When the breath is stopped for a short period, we EXPIRE or die; because the vital fluids can no longer be transmitted through the body.

B