It is also thought, by many, that Stammering, is hereditary-that, because the father, stammered, it would be fruitless labour to attempt to cure the son, who holds the Impediment as a paternal inheritance.

Children, in particular, are very apt to imitate the habits of those, with whom they associate, and to adopt, and retain them; but, we should not infer, that there is any natural predisposition to this imperfect utterance, because, from circumstances purely accidental, a child, has been exposed to the influence of a bad example.

In cases of supposed hereditary descent, let this system be fairly tried, and, I hesitate not to say, that the entail, will soon be broken.

Dr. Arnott, the celebrated author of the well-known work on Physicks, has written very learnedly on Impediments of Speech --- especially on Stammering. With the anatomical structure of the vocal organs, the Doctor, is intimately acquainted. Could a knowledge of this organization give relief to those, who are

labouring under the Impediment, a perusal of his work, would effect the removal. The doctor, has done much, that may be of ser

vice, that he could have done more, cannot be doubted; but, fortunately for the learned Doctor, however unfortunately for Stammerers, it did not lie in his way to systematize the results of his experience, and render them of popular use. The Doctor, is not a Professor of Elocution.

LISPING.

A VERY common Impediment of Speech, is a fulsome pronunciation of the letter S: th, sh, and all their combinations. This, is known by the term LISPING.

This defect, is very prevalent among children, whose instinctive attempts at Speech, are rarely corrected. Some persons, with a very perverted taste indeed, regard this, as a beauty in infantine prattle. Whatever grace it may have in the playful chattering of childhood, there is nothing more offensive both to the eye, and ear, than this defect in men, and A paroxysm of Stammering, will excite our pity; but, the gross lisper, who is often loquacious, can excite only unmitigated disgust. Now, the existence of any vestige of this uncouth utterance, shows a general ignorance of the principles of vocal sounds—an ignorance, not confined to the nursery; it has even been found in some, who profess to ex

women.

hibit specimens of Elocutionary perfection. An eminent Tragedian, who is now enjoying, in a green old age, the rewards of his genius, and the generosity of the public, marred the lustre of his talents by this imperfection. Had he been free from this defect, he was perfect; for, in every accomplishment, for the high range of characters, which he sustained, for many years, in a masterly manner, he excelled.

The humourous story of the Lisping Lady from Mathews" At Home," may enliven our dull strictures

"The Frenchman, now turned to a lady "with a pug-dog, who was hugging it as

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closely as if it had been her own offspring. "She was one of that genus of ladies, who "will rather talk nonsense than not speak at "all. Pray, Madam,' said he, shall I have "the pleasure to speak wid you? O, yes,'

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(imitating a lisp) with all the pleasure in "life. What shall we speak concerning?'"Ah! Madame, it is not for me to choose

"vat you please: say theatrique, politique, "belles lettres 'O, yes, sir, let

""us speak of the letters. Now, sir, pray "what is your opinion of the letter S?'"Madame!' I mean the letter S, sir.'— "Madame, I do not understand.'I mean "with regard to the pronunciation of it.'— "Pronunciation! Ah, Madame, I cannot 666 'prononce at all. We have him in our "language, merely pro forma, at de end of "our words, but dere he lay wriggle, and "twist like French horn on de piano-forte.' 66 - Well, sir, do you know, that I think it "the most sweetest sounding letter in the "whole alphabet; you must know, sir, that "I always cultivates the sound of the S. “For, when I was married to Mr. Simmonds, "the soap-boiler, in Simony-Ax, he used to

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say-said he, Selina, my sweet soul, you

surely have the sweetest lisp. So I have "retained my lisp, though I have lost him, "poor soul! You must know, sir, I am so "❝fond of the letter S, that I have taught my