be cited; our language, abounds with them, though their effects, have not been noticed by even the best of our orthoëpists. All, who would speak well, should note them, and practise their separate, and distinct pronunciation*.

There are numberless occasions for pausing, in the grammatical arrangement of sentences, and correct enunciation of words, that would be tedious to enumerate here, but, which can be pointed out by the skilful teacher of speaking; attention to which, will guide the student in this very difficult matter-the Management of the Breath.

I may notice here, that an opening of the teeth, is indispensable between double sounds or letters-is admissible between the nominative, and the verb, when the nominative, is not a pronoun; at the conjunctions for, or, because,

* I have chosen to mention the effects of double letters under this head, for this reason-that, at every opening of the teeth, the air, is ready to rush in, and supply the vocal waste.

and others of the conjunctive, and disjunctive particles. Those, who wish for practical examples, should see my "Practical Elocutionist," in which, the sentences, are arranged in strict accordance with the vocal organs.

Having, so far, treated of Stammering, let us now examine a few of the known methods of cure, which have been attempted, and see, whether, upon the principles laid down, there could have been any hope of their success.

Thus

One method, was to avoid the initial consonant-to leave it out in utterance. the word poor, would have been oor-Counsel, would have been ounsel. This, was retreating from the enemy,-not facing, and overcoming him. The plan, could it have been followed, which I doubt, must have minced, and clipped language into "shreds and patches," and rendered the cure no less intolerable than the complaint.

Some wiseacre, recommended speaking with the teeth firmly pressed together, as in a vice, and then attempting to speak! This system,

was about as philosophical, as for a person to tie his legs together when he was to run a race.

A third method, with more philosophy than good taste, enjoined the chanting of words, as in a song. The voice, in this case, is vocalized to the harmony of music, and a natural process, opens the mouth for the utterance of the euphonious sounds.-A farmer, had a faithful servant, who was afflicted in this way. One day, when the agriculturist, was employed in his fields, the servant, came to him in breathless haste, betokening by his gestures, that he had something to communicate, which could not brook delay. The trusty hind, began—“ Run, m—master The farmer, fearful of some dire calamity, exclaimed, "Sing it, you dog! Sing it!" The servant, at once, made his master aware of the extent of his misfortunes, by setting his words to music, and chanting, with unexampled distinctness, "The mill's on fire! The mill's on fire!"

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Another plan, enjoined, that the Stammerer,

should place his tongue in a certain position, and maintain perfect silence for several days. However male patients, might endure this taciturnity, our fair friends, afflicted in this way, would be apt to get restiff. Did this system prove efficacious, then the House of Correction, where the Silent System," is practised, would be the best academy for the removal of Stammering. Silence, and the Treadmill, might become as useful in physicks, as they are in morals. This method, as it is not founded on any principle of speech, but, on a negation, has, like the others, proved abortive.

Another specific, was to gird in the tongue with gold. By the way, gold, has a mighty influence on that member; and has often, as both Whigs, and Tories, know, given it motion, or, bridled it to silence. The precious metal, had little effect in giving relief to the Stammerer; but, from the patient's mouth, it was transferred into the quack's pocket.

A fanatic, some years ago, pretended to effect a cure by prayer, and supernatural agency.

This failed: the applicants for relief, found, that they had lost their money; and the thought of having been duped, could only tend to add virulence to the vocal obstruction.

A pupil of mine, previously to his receiving instructions from me, was strongly advised to try medical aid. Accordingly, he attended one of our public hospitals. The learned gentlemen there, tried the effect of blistering; and a collar of Spanish Flies, was placed about the poor fellow's neck; but, the only sounds he was made to utter, were interjectional, and indicative of pain, as Oh! ah! &c. This poor patient, had he been able, might have exclaimed, with Macbeth,

"Throw physic to the dogs!—I'll none of it!"

It is a popular belief, that Nervousness, is the cause of Stammering. Nervousness, is certainly an aggravation of the Impediment, but, it is, as certainly, not the cause of it; for, in many cases, where Stammering, has been removed, the nervousness, has remained.