Cibrarp of trhe Cheolo0ical ^eminarjp 
 
 PRINCETON • NEW JERSEY 
 
 "it/ VS.V* 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 A. G. Cameron, Ph.D. 
 5.18.11 
 
 2^ 
 
memo. 
 

 '^m \ 
 
 9 
 
 ELOCUTION TAUGHT — STAMMERING CURED. 
 
 DR. 'COMSTOCK'S 
 
 VOCAL GYMNASIUM, 
 
 No. 102 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 I 
 
 6 
 
 This Institution, which has been in successful operation since 182S. is designed for 
 the Promotion of Health, the Cure op Stammering and Defective Articulation, for 
 Instruction in Elocution and Phonetics, and for the Acquisition of Ancient and 
 Modern Languages. 
 
 In this Institution, Elocution is treated as a science, as well as an art. The various 
 movements of the voice, both in speech and song, are illustrated by original diagrams 
 and by oral instruction. The exercises give the pupil complete command of the mus- 
 cles of articulation, extend tb? compass of the voice, and render it smooth, powerful, 
 and melodious. They not only call forth all the energies of the vocal organs, correct 
 stammering, lisping, and other impediments of speech, hut they invigorate the lungs, 
 and, consequently, fortify them against the invasion of disease. The vocal exercises 
 are not unfrequently accompanied by gesticulation, or the use of the dumb-bells. 
 Hence, to a certain extent, general gymnastics are associated with those of the voice; 
 and awkwardness of manner and posture is removed by the substitution of rhetorical 
 grace. In other words, all the voluntary muscles of the trunk and limbs are so 
 trained as to move in the order required by the will, synchronously and harmoni- 
 ously with those of the voice. 
 
 TICKETS PER COURSE. 
 
 For Instructing the Dumb to Speak I year $1000 
 
 Inscruction for the Cure of Stammering 10 weeks 100 
 
 Correction of Defective Articulation 50 private lessons 50 
 
 Private Instruction in Elocution 30 lessons, each 1 hour 80 
 
 Instruction in Elocution, in a class 60 lessons, each 1 h. 30 min.... 30 
 
 Instruction in Elocution, in the evening class.. 30 lessons, each 1 h. 30 min.... 15 
 Instruction in Languages 30 lessons, in a class 15 
 
 XKS-The ticket, in each case, to be paid for in advance. Board, in the Institution, 
 from $5 to $10 per week, in advance. 
 
 #S=» No one can become a pupil in the Yocal Gymnasium, who spits on the floor. 
 or is not otherwise cleanly in his habit — no member of the Institution is allowed to use 
 tobacco in any form. 
 
 ANDREW C0MST0CK, M.D, Principal, 
 
 No. 102 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 ^) a 
 
VOCAL GYMNASIUM. 
 
 RULES, CONDITIONS, RECOM- 
 MENDATIONS., dec. 
 
 RULES, ADOPTED IN 15 40. 
 
 From experience in teaching without fixed rules for the regula* 
 f the conduct of the different classes, the Proprietor of the 
 fnstitution is convinced of their importance. He has. therefore, 
 drawn up the following, to which he requires each member to sub- 
 scribe on entering the school. 
 
 1. Rich member of trie Institution must be punctual in atten- 
 dance at all the ex te must not leave till their close. 
 
 2. Each member must attend every exhibition at the Vocal Gym- 
 nasium, and at every other [ 
 
 3. Each member, wL. ng, must stand or sit erect. 
 
 1 9 vocal delivery, are allow. 
 self back in the chair, or resting the anas 
 upon the back Iks feet upon the rounds. 
 
 •4. When, in concert exercises, a se; :n out, it must be 
 
 imme_ by every member of the class, in the proper 
 
 pitch and time, and with the requi 
 
 o. When relation, the members 
 
 of the class mu;: . immediately after the first 
 
 n is pronounced, and repeat the words and gesture. 
 
 6. Each studen: : :rn all the exercises with unwearied in- 
 
 : in a manner wi. i licatethat. - - ed on a cure. 
 
 7. .'-. - i about the roon.. 
 
 terrur' . the members of the class are re- 
 
 i to keep in their places during the e 
 
 This rule, of course, does not apply to those esercises which require the class to 
 ktrep time by marc.. . 
 
 5. No one is avowed to ha ^g in his hands, except his 
 
 book, during the exer; 
 
 9. Ail colloquial intercourse, in the time : _ 
 forbidden. 
 
 10. . -Z, loud ta'.king, or other unnecessary noise, in 
 enteri:. _ ■ the room, is allowed. 
 
 11. . ted to discr nerer 
 from persevering in the exercises, greatly retard, if not entirely 
 prevent a cure, every member c: 
 
 fxair. _ m. 
 
 iming that the deportment of each Studt ev-ery 
 
 location, be that of a gemitrman : the Proprietor of the Institu- 
 :onjidently trusts that the above rules will not be violated. 
 
REMARKS ON STAMMERING. 
 
 From a Lecture on Elocution, delivered before the American Lyceum, 
 May 6, 1837, 
 
 By Axdrew Comstock, M. D. 
 
 For the last twelve years (since 1825), the author of these Remarks 
 has been engaged in an investigation of the philosophy of the human 
 voice, with a view to the formation of a system of just Elocution - , 
 and to the discovery of the true means for correcting defective ar- 
 ticulation", and for removing impediments of speech in stammerers. 
 How far he has succeeded in his attempt is not for him tu say. His 
 system is the result of his own reflection and experience; and. as ir is 
 founded in philosophy, it is the only true system. The following 
 contain the mere outlines of the system. The work itself will 
 be presented to the public as soon as the author's other labors will 
 permit 
 
 Stammering or stuttering is a hesitation or interruption of speech, and is 
 usually attended with more or less distortion of feature. This affection 
 presents itself under a variety of forms ; but my limits will not allow me to 
 give a particular description of them. I will notice only the most striking. 
 
 In some cases, the stammerer makes an effort to speak, and all his breath 
 is expelled without producing vocality; in others, the lips are spasmodically 
 closed : — these two forms often occur in the same case. Sometimes the stam- 
 merer, while speaking or reading, loses all power over the vocal organs, and 
 remains some moments with his mouth open, before he can recover sufficient 
 energy to proceed. In many cases, the stammerer repeats the word imme- 
 diately preceding the one he is attempting to pronounce, or he repeats, in a 
 rapid manner, the first element, or the first syllable, of the difficult word. 
 
 Causes. — The predisposing causes are nervous irritability and delicacy 
 of constitution. 
 
 The most usual exciting causes are diffidence, embarrassment, a fear of 
 not being successful when about to make an effort to speak, an attempt to 
 speak faster than the vocal organs can assume the proper positions for utter- 
 ance. Two or more of these causes often occur in the same case. Some- 
 times the habit of stammering is acquired by imitation. 
 
 The proximate cause of stammering is a spasmodic action of the mus- 
 cles of speech. 
 
 Prognosis. — The probability of a cure depends upon the following circum- 
 
 3 
 
stances : If the stammerer has a cheerful disposition, is distinguished for 
 energy of mind and decision of character, can appreciate the variations of 
 pitch in speech and song-, or, in other words, has an ear for music and a taste 
 for elocution, the prognosis is favourable. But if he is of a nervous tem- 
 perament, subject to melancholy, irresolute of purpose, incapable of imitation 
 in speaking and singing, the prognosis is unfavourable. 
 
 Treatment. — The stammerer should be impressed with the importance, 
 nay, necessity, of giving exclusive attention to the subject ; and he should 
 not be allowed to converse with any one till he can speak without stammer- 
 ing. These rules cannot be too strongly enforced. I am fully persuaded of 
 this from my own experience. Several stammerers, who have placed them- 
 selves under my care, taking but two or three lessons a week, and attending 
 to their usual avocations, have left me disappointed ; while those who have 
 given undivided attention to the subject, have been entirely relieved. True, 
 many are more or less benefited even by occasionally taking a lesson ; but it 
 is very difficult, by any irregular course, to effect a radical cure. The habit 
 of stammering should be arrested at once ; for, while it is continued, how is 
 it possible that the habit of speaking correctly can be established ? 
 
 Great pains should be taken to inspire the stammerer with confidence. 
 He should be convinced that his success depends mainly upon his own exer- 
 tions: that he must pursue the various exercises assigned him with indefa- 
 tigable zeal, with untiring industry; that he has the same organs of speech 
 as other people, and nothing is necessary to enable him to use them as well, 
 but a conviction in his ability to do so. To think that one can do, gives 
 almost the ability to accomplish — but to think that one cannot do, virtually 
 takes away the ability to do, even where it is ample. 
 
 Stammering is often continued by the subordinate estimation which the 
 stammerer puts upon himself. He is too apt to consider those around him 
 giants and himself a dwarf. As this estimation of himself serves to per- 
 petuate his disease, it is clear that its remedy must be found in making him- 
 self equal to any : if this mental classification into giants and dwarfs must 
 take place, let the stammerers make themselves the giants, and those around 
 them the dwarfs. 
 
 The teacher should study the disposition of his pupil : he should persuade 
 him to banish from his mind all melancholy thoughts — in short, he should do 
 every thing in his power to render his pupil cheerful and happy. 
 
 Various athletic exercises should be resorted to daily, to invigorate all the 
 muscles of voluntary motion, and diminish nervous irritability. In some 
 cases it may be necessary to have recourse to tonics, anti-spasmodics, bathing 
 in salt water, frictions over the whole surface of the body, &c. &c. Elec- 
 tricity may be used with advantage as a tonic, and also as a means of inter- 
 rupting the spasm of the vocal organs. 
 
 The vocal treatment is deduced from the following circumstances : 
 
 1. An ability to sing. 
 
 2. An ability to speak when alone : 
 
 3. And if the stammerer must speak before an audience, the smaller the 
 audience and the farther he is removed from it, the better. 
 
 4. An ability to speak amidst a noise that is sufficient to render the human 
 voice nearly or quite inaudible. 
 
5. An ability to speak better in the dark than in the light. 
 
 6. An ability to speak in a measured manner. 
 
 7. An ability to speak in a drawling' manner. 
 
 8. An ability to speak with the mouth more or less distorted. 
 
 9. An ability to speak in any key, either higher or lower than that in 
 which the stammerer usually converses. 
 
 10. An ability to speak with a halloo. 
 
 11. An ability to speak when the attention is divided or arrested by some 
 object or circumstance more or less irrelevant to the subject. 
 
 12. An ability to speak in concert or simultaneously. Every one who has 
 learned to sing, knows how much easier it is to sing in concert than alone. 
 All the exercises, therefore, for the cure of stammering, should, at first, be 
 conducted in concert. 
 
 Stammering may be considered a fault in elocution, the result of defective 
 education, and is confirmed by habit. If children were properly instructed 
 in speaking and reading, this affection of the vocal organs would, probably, 
 seldom or never occur. Hence, no mode of treatment that is not founded in 
 just elocution or the correct exercise of the organs of speech for the purposes 
 of vocal expression, can be relied on. This must appear obvious to every 
 intelligent and reflecting mind. The stammerer must be taught how to give 
 language the pitch, time, and force which the sense requires. To effect this, 
 his muscles of speech, which have long been refractory, must be trained till 
 they are brought under the control of volition, and like a well marshalled 
 troop of soldiers, made to act in harmonious concert. 
 
 Oral language may be resolved into certain sounds which are its elements. 
 Now there are certain positions of the organs of speech more favourable than 
 others for the production of the elements. The stammerer should be made 
 thoroughly acquainted with these positions, and, in connexion with them, 
 should be required to exercise his voice in the most energetic manner upon 
 all the elements singly, till he can utter them without hesitation. He should 
 also utter them in various combinations, not only according to the laws of 
 syllabication, but in every irregular way. The vowels should be exploded 
 from the throat with great force ; and they should be sung, as well as pro- 
 nounced with the rising and falling inflection, through every interval of 
 pitch within the compass of the voice. 
 
 The pupil should be drilled in various exercises whose highest peculiarity 
 is time and force. Time may be measured by means of the Metronome, by 
 beating with the hand, and by marching.* Pitch, time, and force are the 
 elements of expression, and a proper combination of them in reading and 
 speaking, constitutes good elocution. When, therefore, the stammerer be- 
 comes master of these elements, as well as the elements of the language, he 
 
 * Also by beating with the dumb bells. (See " Practical Elocution.") 
 
 Dumb bells are commonly made of lead. Those used | > J ) 
 
 in the author's Vocal Gymnasium are turned out of lig- %^M l^^ 
 
 nuin vittE. They are one foot long, and four inches in - — . , — . 
 
 diameter. (See the cuts in the margin.) 1^ b=ssJ J 
 
may commence speaking and reading. In his first attempts at conversation, 
 both teacher and pupil should speak in a deliberate manner, with a full, firm 
 tone of voice, and in a very low pitch. 
 
 The stammerer should now commit to memory a short piece which re- 
 quires to be spoken with explosive force ; for example, " Satan's speech to his 
 legions." The members of the class should stand at a sufficient distance 
 from each other to prevent their hands coming in contact when their arms 
 are extended. They should then pronounce the speech in concert, after the 
 teacher, and accompany it with appropriate gesticulation. It should be 
 repeated again and again, till each pupil can give it proper expression, both 
 as regards voice and gesture. Each pupil should then in turn, take the place 
 of the teacher and give out the speech to the class. To prevent the pupil's 
 stammering, while he is performing the teacher's part, the teacher himself 
 should play an accompaniment on the violoncello, violin, organ, drum, or 
 some other instrument. At first the notes should be made very loud ; but if 
 the effort of the pupil, standing out of the class, is likely to be successful, 
 they should gradually be made softer and softer, and, finally, the accompani- 
 ment omitted altogether. This piece should be pronounced alternately with 
 one which requires to be spoken with long quantity and in a low pitch, as 
 " Ossian's Address to the Sun." 
 
 When the pupil has mastered these two kinds of reading, he may take up 
 dignified dialogue, and, lastly, conversational pieces. He should drawl out 
 difficult words, which are generally those having short vowels preceded by 
 labials, dentals, and gutturals. 
 
 In very bad cases of stammering, the pupil should first sing the words, 
 then drawl them, then pronounce them with very long quantity, and thus 
 gradually approximate to common speaking. 
 
 As soon as the pupils can speak without stammering, they should recite 
 singly in a very large room, or in the open air, at a distance i'rom the audi- 
 ence, which, at first, should consist of the members of the class only. A 
 few visitors should be occasionally introduced, and the number should be 
 gradually increased. In this way the stammerer will soon acquire sufficient 
 confidence to speak before a large assembly. In some cases it may be expe- 
 dient for the stammerer to recite before an audience in a dark room; but as 
 he acquires confidence, light should be gradually admitted. 
 
 Stammerers, instead of speaking immediately after inspiration, as they 
 should do, often attempt to speak immediately after expiration, when, of 
 course, they have no power to speak. The lungs, like a bellows, perform 
 their part in the process of speaking, best, when plentifully supplied with air. 
 This is an important fact, and should be remembered, not only by stam- 
 merers, but also by those who have occasion to read or speak in public. 
 Loud speaking, long continued, with the lungs but partially distended, is 
 very injurious to these organs : it is apt to occasion a spitting of blood, 
 which is not unfrequcntly a precursor of pulmonary consumption. But loud 
 speaking, with proper management of the breath, is a healthful exercise : 
 besides strengthening the muscles which it calls into action, it promotes the 
 decarbonization of the blood, and, consequently, exerts a salutary influence 
 on the system generally. 
 
II EV ATI OX. 
 
 - - E.iitnr of the Troy [ 
 
 - -.— Y . IK . . ntlemanfrom PI., 
 
 is now giving: lessons in Elocution : bu: not aware af the 
 
 meri- s system in many res 
 
 entirely original, in others founded on the ini .- c^. 
 
 s, and am highly gTati- 
 tfaai I have embraced the opportunity. Some who 
 
 have professed to teae.. in our city 1. - - • .tion, 
 
 but none have been able to handle - _ ; t U p ; {^ treat- 
 
 ment of it is simple, natural, philosophical ; he i^ meet any 
 
 case of impediment in speaking-, n -;>eak 
 
 or read at all, Dr. Comstock will teach him to do it well. Musicians also 
 would do well to look into his 
 
 force and melody to the vo: . na. And 
 
 besides the improvement in sin^in^, and • valuable of all accom- 
 
 plishments, ^good reading, there another 
 
 -. which is far more important than either — it prom - - The 
 
 plan is so constructed as to call tbrth ail I J organs — 
 
 the lungs particularly "ding; 
 
 to his system ; and in this view of the s suggest to our phv- 
 
 sicians, who in general evir .1 prerenir i 
 
 well as removing disease, that they do so much for the public weal, 
 call on Dr. Comstock that they may know the advani. 5 vocal 
 
 exercises. 
 
 It is to be regretted that Dr. Comstock will remain but a short time 
 with us ; but short as it is, those who wish to profit bv i;is instructions will 
 have time to do so. Y oars, F. 
 
 Augrist 15, 1S34. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Commercial Intelligencer, A 
 
 We have observed with pleasure in the Troy Whig of the loth instant, 
 a favourable notice of that excellent Elocutionist of our ci: stock, 
 
 He is giving lessons in Elocution at Troy with mut 
 
 F>-om the Troy Daily WUg of A>:gvst 30, 1534. 
 
 DR. OOMSTOCrTS LECTURES. 
 
 Mr. Editor — Yesterday. I had th I 1 hear an interest 
 
 ture on Elocution, by Andrew Comstock, M. I 
 phia. He undersl - elementary sounds of the English Lans 
 
 and appears to have entire command over the vocal organs, Eie ex- 
 
 G) 
 
fc RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 plums the movements of the voire by diagrams, and measures the rario- 
 tions of pitch hy the musical scale. He h^s with him two books on prac- 
 tic;il elocution, of which he is the author — the Rhythmical Reader, which 
 contains pieces adapted to the taste of ladies, and Practical Elocution, 
 which is designed for gentlemen. He teaches his pupils irom these hooks 
 how to read in a graceful manner. If an individual has a feeble voice, it 
 can be strengthened ; if harsh, softened, by pursuing the course he recom- 
 mends. He clearly points out the difference between boisterous and eh. 
 quent speaking; and he shows how to produce a great effect upon a public 
 assembly, with very little effort. 
 
 The simplicity and power of the organs of speech furnish, I think, suf- 
 ficient reason for the exclamation : 
 
 "How wonderful is man. 
 How passing wonder He 
 Who made him such." 
 
 Whoever wishes to attain the faculty of speaking with correctness and 
 elegance, in public places, and in the social circle, would do well to call and 
 examine the system for themselves. 
 
 A Friend to the Science of speaking well. 
 
 From the Troy Daily Budget of September 8, 1834. 
 DR. COMSTOCK'S LECTURES. 
 
 Mr. Editor — There is no branch of education more deserving of public 
 attention than oratory. Volumes have been written upon it. It has been 
 cultivated, as a science, in all civilized countries; and its power has been 
 universally felt and acknowledged. Its use and importance have occupied 
 the attention of many distinguished men of our own and other countries. 
 Were it otherwise, orators could not command, as they now do, " the ap. 
 plause of listening senates." To speak well is one of the highest attain- 
 ments to which our hopes can aspire. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, to invite those who wish to attain this invaluable science, 
 to attend Dr. Conistock's Lectures on Elocution, at the Court House. Hia 
 manner of reading is bold, original, and striking. I have attended his 
 Lectures for several days ; and, in common with his other pupils, highly 
 appreciate them. He is, in the opinion of all who have heard him lecture, 
 a faithful, capable, and excellent elocutionist. 
 
 A Friend to Oratory 
 
 Dr. Comstock has been instructing my pupils two hours in a day for 
 two weeks, in Elocution; and I am happy in having an opportunity to 
 bear testimony to their unexampled improvement in reading and speaking 
 
 G. W. Francis. 
 Troy, September 5, 1835 
 
'RECOMMENDATIONS. 9 
 
 From the Philanthropist, Philadelphia, January 16, 1836. 
 ELOCUTION. 
 
 We would recommend to those individuals who wish to become chaste 
 and accomplished speakers, to take a course of instruction of Dr. Andrew 
 Comstock, whose merits as an elocutionist we have had the opportunity to 
 prove. 
 
 His system, which has the best claims to respect, will commend itself 
 to persons of taste, as it is entirely free from theatrical affectation, or arti- 
 ficial display, and founded on truth and nature. Many gentlemen in the 
 learned professions, and individuals in other spheres of life, who have 
 received the benefits of his instruction, and who are therefore the well- 
 qualified judges of his skill in this science, have given him unsolicited 
 and unqualified praise. We wish him continued success. 
 
 From the United States Gazette, May 7, 1836. 
 DR. COMSTOCK'S LECTURES ON ELOCUTION. 
 
 Mr. Editor : — Having occasion on my return from Washington to New 
 York, to stop a few days at Philadelphia, I most cheerfully availed myself 
 of the opportunity of witnessing the exercises in Elocution in which Dr 
 Comstock's pupils are engaged, and it affords me pleasure to say, that I 
 have been very highly gratified. 
 
 The skill with which the Doctor imparts to his pupils a knowledge of 
 the science and art of Elocution, and the proficiency which they have 
 already made, are conclusive evidences that Elocution " can be taught." 
 It was taught during the flourishing ages of Greece and Rome. Demos- 
 thenes and Cicero studied it in those republics, and studied it thoroughly 
 anterior to their successful appearance before their fellow-citizens as 
 orators. 
 
 I wish, Mr. Editor, that some of our members of Congress could, or 
 rather would, put themselves under the tuition of Dr. Comstock, or some 
 other accomplished Elocutionist, long enough, at least, to learn the princi- 
 ples upon which good reading and speaking are founded. If our national 
 legislators had a knowledge of Elocution, as taught by Dr. Comstock, they 
 certainly would be heard with much more attention and interest ; and, I 
 may add, they would be more useful to the country. 
 
 Ministers of the Gospel, too, by becoming first-rate readers and speakers, 
 can promulgate with ease and facility, the truths of Christianity. Rcli 
 gion has suffered much in consequence of the bungling manner in which 
 preachers and professors have presented it to the world. It is gratifying 
 to know that several clergymen are now taking lessons in Elocution, o? 
 Dr Comstock* and that they a-e making great improvement. 
 
10 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 It would be well for gentlemen of the legal profession, to study the hws 
 of Elocution, as well as those of the land. Ladies, too, ought to feel in- 
 terested in improving their Elocution, — some of the Philadelphia ladies 
 do ; and I have had the satisfaction of hearing one of the Doctor's classes 
 exercise, the members of which are becoming excellent readers. 
 
 There are two or three literary institutions in which Dr. Comstock's 
 valuable services have been retained. It is to be regretted that any ^semi- 
 nary of learning, especially any college, should exist without a professor- 
 ship of Elocution. It is not only an important branch of education, bu 
 as much so as any to which the attention of youth can be directed. 
 
 S. N. S. 
 
 CJ. S. Hotel, May 2, 1836. 
 
 From the Episcopal Recorder, Rev. George A. Smith, Editor. 
 Philadelphia, Saturday Morning, June 18, 183G. 
 
 ELOCUTION. 
 
 The following communication is from the United States Gazette. The 
 subject is one of importance, and we are enabled from our own observa- 
 tion to confirm the statements of the writer. Several of our clergy have 
 attended Dr. Comstock's lectures, and consider the system which he has 
 udopted well calculated to assist in ease and propriety of reading and 
 speaking. 
 
 Mr. Editor : — Impressed with the value of education, and inclined to 
 contribute aught in my power to aid those who are in the pursuit of its 
 benefits, allow me, through your columns, to make a public expression of 
 my sentiments, regarding the character of Dr. Andrew Comstock, as a 
 teacher of Elocution, and its kindred branches. Having been a common 
 inmate in the Doctor's office for many weeks, examined his publications 
 and diagrams, and witnessed his method of instruction, with the cheering 
 success by which it has been characterised, I write understandingly upon 
 this occasion. 
 
 From the Doctor's knowledge of our organs of speech, of their diseases 
 and remedies, and the best mode of imparting to them vigour and activity — 
 from his knowledge of the laws of sound, ample experience in his present 
 vocation, joined with his acknowledged integrity, I am persuaded he is 
 eminently qualified to sustain his highest pretensions as a scientific and 
 practical Elocutionist. 
 
 Dr. Comstock's mode of instruction is founded in the philosophy of his 
 subject, is abundantly successful in its application — stands the scrutiny of 
 talents — challenges the confidence of society. 
 
 Graduates from our halls of science, gentlemen of the learned profes 
 sions — ladies of cultivated minds, have been pleased to testify the esscn 
 tial advantage they have derived from his lectures. 
 
 I have myself been much delighted in seeing the rapid, material, and 
 ofttimea complete improvement which unfortunate stammerers have made 
 under his tuition, in their enunciation — while teacher and pupils cordiallv 
 indulged in theii mutual congratulations. A CLERGYMAN 
 
' RECOMMENDATIONS. H 
 
 From the U. S. Gazette. 
 STAMMERING CURED BY DR. COMSTOCK 
 
 Mr. Editor : — Having- experienced, to a very painful extent, the many 
 privations necessarily and peculiarly connected with inveterate stammer 
 big-, to which I have been subject from early life, I am anxious thus to 
 acknowledge the restoration that has been effected in my case, under the 
 instruction of Dr. Comstock. Knowing-, as I well do, how valuable such 
 a communication would have once been to me, I am induced to pen thia 
 for the benefit of others. 
 
 My articulation, until very lately, was so embarrassing- and difficult, as 
 to have, in a very great degree, shut out from me the pleasure of conver- 
 sation. I could scarcely articulate a single sentence without considerable 
 effort on my part, and apparent anxiety and pain to others. I therefore 
 seldom spoke from choice, and even avoided, when possible, the necessity 
 of doing- so. I am, however, no longer subjected to these severe depriva- 
 tions, but so relieved from them, that I can now converse with friends or 
 strangers, and feel confident of my power to do so. 
 
 Many years ago, and at some expense and trouble, I sought out Mr 
 Chapman, a teacher then of considerable notoriety, and placed myself im- 
 mediately under his care. Of him I do not complain, but notice the fact 
 as part of my experience. Those who are aware of his injunctions know 
 how impossible it is here to compare the peculiarities of his plan with the 
 principles of my last tutor's, whose system, however, I should unhesi- 
 tatingly prefer. A. EVANS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 24, 1836. 
 
 A gentleman named Abner Evans called on me a few weeks ago, and 
 desired me to examine him, in his conversation and in his reading 
 with reference to stammering in his speech. He informed me that he 
 was 34 years of age — that he had been an inveterate stammerer from his 
 infancy ; but that he had, about two weeks before that time, placed him- 
 self under the care of Dr. Andrew Comstock, and that he now believed 
 himself cured of the infirmity under which he had so long laboured. I 
 examined the gentleman with considerable care, and was unable to dis- 
 cover anything like stammering, or embarrassment or impediment in his 
 speech, either in conversation or reading. 
 
 JOHN H. WILLITS. 
 
 July 15th, 1836. 
 
 I certify, that I have known Mr. A. Evans for a number of years, that 
 he was an irveterate stammerer, and that he was completely relieved in 
 two weeks, under the instruction of Dr. Comstock. I will further add, 
 that I am intimately acquainted with Dr. C, that he has devoted several 
 years to the study of the subject which he professes to teach, and that I 
 believe he is fully prepared to meet any case of impediment in reading or 
 speaking JOS. P. MUSGRAVE, M. D. 
 
 No. 142, Pine Street, Phila., July 16, 183^ 
 
12 RECOMM EN DATIONS. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, July 27, 1S37. 
 
 Re?narks on Stammering-: — We have received a small pamphlet with this 
 title, being' the substance ot'a lecture delivered before the American Lyceum, 
 May 6, IS.'JT, by Andrew Comstock, M. D., of this city. He has treated bis 
 subject scientifically, and in a manner showing that he understands the 
 human voice both theoretically and practically. He has been engaged ibr ten 
 years, investigating the human voice, for the purpose of forming a system of 
 just elocution, and of removing impediments of speech ; and from reading 
 this little pamphlet, we should infer that he had been successful. 
 
 From the United States Gazette. 
 
 Congress Hall, Philadelphia, Nov. 25, 1837. 
 Andrew Comstock, M. D. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Before leaving your city, allow me to express to you the perfect 
 satisfaction I feel, in witnessing the progress which my son has made in 
 Elocution under your instruction. 
 
 The habit of stammering which commenced with his early efforts to speak, 
 and which thirteen years (his present age) seemed only to confirm, is now, 
 with six weeks' instruction, completely eradicated. 
 
 Though delighted beyond expression in this result, I am not disappointed. 
 From the moment I became acquainted with your method of instruction, I 
 did not doubt its entire success. Founded on scientific principles, it must 
 succeed in all cases where there is no malformation of the organs of speech. 
 
 You have reduced to a system what before was but imperfectly understood, 
 and done most essential service to mankind in elevating a numerous class of 
 unfortunate fellow-beings, and saved them from the impositions of ignorant 
 and unprincipled empirics. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 E. PIERCE, M.D. of Athens, N. Y. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, March 17, 1838. 
 STAMMERING CURED. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 1, 1838. 
 Messrs. Editors, — Being about to leave this city for the West, I would 
 thank you to give publicity to my testimony as to the skill of Dr. Andrew 
 Comstock, No. 100, Arch street, Philadelphia, in removing stammering. I 
 have been under his care about eight weeks, for the removal of a painful 
 impediment of eighteen years, standing, which debarred roe from the plea- 
 sures of conversation and social intercourse. I can novv converse very 
 fluently, and have addressed large audiences without the least hesitation. 
 
'RECOMMENDATIONS. 13 
 
 I am now 23 years of age, and you can judge of my gratitude to him for 
 removing a complaint which has embittered the greatest part of my life. I 
 take great pleasure in recommending him to those similarly afflicted. His 
 system being founded on scientific principles, and the fact of his being the 
 only individual in America, who professes the cure of stammering, without 
 enacting from his patient a promise of secrecy, proves that his system will 
 bear investigation. 
 
 WM. R. COMBS. 
 
 We certify that we have been intimately acquainted with Wm. R. Combs 
 for the last thr"ee years; that he was a very bad stammerer, and that he was 
 entirely relieved under the instruction of Dr. Andrew Comstock, of No. 100, 
 Arch street, Philadelphia. 
 
 John R. Beck, No. 17, Elizabeth st. 
 
 Thomas J. White, No. 380, N. Second st 
 
 Jacob Grim, No. 480, N. Third st. 
 
 Thomas P. Heyl, No. 173, Green st. 
 
 STAMMERING CURED. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 9, 1838. 
 Messrs. Editors, — About seven weeks since I placed myself under the 
 care of Dr. Andrew Comstock, No. 100, Arch street, Philadelphia, for the 
 removal of an impediment in my speech, with which I had been afflicted for 
 thirteen years. I am now happy to state that I am able to converse with 
 ease and fluency, and that I feel no hesitation in speaking in public. I have 
 witnessed the same happy results in many other cases, both of ladies and 
 gentlemen. I have not a doubt of his success in curing the most inveterate 
 stammerer. Unlike all others who have professed to cure stammering in this 
 country, Dr. Comstock exacts no promise of secrecy from his patient. 
 
 HENRY J. ENNIS, 
 No. 248, Pearl street, New-York. 
 
 From the Phoenix Civilian, Cumberland, Md., May 19, 1838. 
 
 Our acquaintance with the young gentleman mentioned below, who has 
 received the benefit of Dr. Comstock's treatment in the cure of an impedi. 
 ment of speech under which he laboured, enables us to bear evidence of the 
 efficacy of that treatment. Since his return from Philadelphia, where he 
 had been under Dr. Comstock's care for a short time, we find that his speech 
 is free and easy ; so much so, that had we not been aware of the great diffi- 
 culty under which he laboured before, we should not now know that he ever 
 had been cured of such an affliction. 
 
14 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the Pennsylvanian, Philadelphia, April 26, 1838. 
 A GRATIFYING TESTIMONIAL. 
 
 The subjoined letter to Dr. Comstock, Professor of Elocution, of this city, 
 is from a young- gentleman of great respectability, residing at Cumberland, 
 Allegany county, Maryland, where his father is one of the leading prac- 
 titioners at the bar. The writer of the letter, who, we believe, is a student 
 at law, laboured under a serious impediment in speech, which would have 
 greatly interfered with his professional advancement; but it appears from his 
 own statement, that under the care of Dr. Comstock, he was completely and 
 radically cured. The letter subjoined, is a voluntary and grateful testimonial 
 to that effect. 
 
 Cumberland, Md., April 20, 1838. 
 Dr. Andrew Comstock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — I have deferred giving a certificate with regard to the success 
 I met with in my recent visit to your Institution, No. 100, Arch sireet, Phi- 
 ladelphia, for the purpose of removing an impediment in my speech, until 
 the present period, that I might thoroughly test the effects of your system 
 upon my articulation by time and experience. Both of these, I am happy 
 to inform you, find me now — as was the case when I left Philadelphia on 
 the 13th of February last — perfectly fluent in reading as well as in conversa- 
 tion — so much so, that it would be impossible for any one who had no pre- 
 vious knowledge of my impediment, to know that any such defect ever 
 afflicted me. 
 
 But besides the happy effect your system has had in relieving my impedi- 
 ment, it has been of incalculable benefit to me in many other respects. My 
 voice, which was formerly weak, and incapable of being raised very little 
 higher than the ordinary tone used in common conversation, has been 
 greatly improved and strengthened ; and now it costs me but a slight 
 physical effort to fill a considerable space. 
 
 In conclusion, I unhesitatingly recommend all those similarly afflicted, to 
 make a trial of your system. Besides the success which has attended it in 
 my own case, I have seen many others greatly benefited — both ladies and 
 gentlemen. This speaks more strongly in its favour than words can express, 
 and should remove all doubt from the minds of individuals, if any exist, as 
 to its efficacy in effecting a cure. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 CHARLES H J. PIGMAN. 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 15 
 
 From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, October 29, 1836. 
 
 CURE FOR STAMMERING. 
 A young 1 gentleman named Samuel E. Duiiield, of M'Connclsburg, in 
 this state, called upon us the other day, and wished us to state that lie has 
 always been subject to a natural impediment of speech, which of lute years 
 haa been increasing upon him. He visited this city, placed himself under 
 the care of Dr. Comstock, and has been entirely cured. He can speak and 
 read with as much fluency as though he had never been subject to any 
 impediment of speech. ■ 
 
 From the United States Gazette, Philadelphia, Oct. 31, 1336. 
 STAMMERING. 
 
 We had on Saturday the pleasure of listening to the reading, recitation 
 and discourse of a pupil of Dr. Comstock, who has been with him less 
 than three weeks, and was from his infancy a stammerer, the evil increasing 
 with the growth of the youth, and with his intercourse with society. He 
 is now able to speak and read without the least sign of hesitancy. Dr. 
 Comstock's system is simple, and, as it appears, efficacious, and he affects 
 no mystery : we trust that those who are subject to the painful inconveni- 
 ence of stammering, will apply to him; and we really believe that if they 
 will give attention to his rules, they may be entirely cured. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Gazette, Nov. 29, 1836. 
 The following tribute to the skill of a Gentleman whose success in a 
 very difficult profession has been astonishing, is not less grateful to the ob- 
 ject of it himself, than it is useful to the public at large. We perform a 
 general benefit by giving it currency through the press. 
 Letter to Dr. Comstock, of Philadelphia. 
 
 M'Connelsburg, Nov. 13, 1836. 
 Dear Sir ; — My son has returned from the city, after an absence of about 
 four weeks,and I cannot refrain from acknowledging my unfeigned satisfac- 
 tion in the improvement of his speech. Before he left home it gave me 
 pain to hear him attempt to speak ; now I will defy any person to know 
 he had ever been a stammerer. I do cordially recommend all who have 
 an impediment in their speech, if possible to avail themselves of your sys 
 tem for the cure of stammering. I am, with respect, yours, &c. 
 
 . WILLIAM DUFFIELD. 
 
 From the United States Gazette. 
 STAMMERING. 
 We publish a communication from the Rev. O. C. Comstock, Chaplain 
 to Congress, upon the merits of his relative, Dr. A. COMSTOCK, of this 
 city, as a professor of Elocution. From some knowledge of the scientific 
 gentleman alluded to, and the great success which has attended his exer- 
 tions in the cure of stammering, we cordially endorse the testimony. The- 
 Rev. Dr. Comstock, of Washington, being himself an eloquent divine, 
 much credit may be attached to his opinions on a topic so entirely within 
 his sphere. 
 
 Lutter to the Editor, from the Rev. O. C. Comstock, Chaplain to Conjrress. 
 
 Washington, January 26, 1837. 
 Sir — Tn this age of arrogant pretension and stupendous humbuggery 
 
1G RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 the public should receive with becoming caution, every announcement of 
 extraordinary achievements in any of the departments of useful knowledge. 
 The wonderful exploits of ignorant and unprincipled pretenders, are fre- 
 quently lauded to the skies, in the newspaper paragraphs of anonymous 
 writers. Disdaining to impose on honest credulity, by making an asser- 
 tion where I cannot establish a fact — indisposed to avoid an}' responsibility 
 tli at may be attached to my character, I will not be induced to do so upon 
 this occasion, by withholding my humble name from this article, in con- 
 sequence of the delicate collateral relation subsisting between myself and 
 the talented and honourable gentleman to whom it alludes — I mean Dr. A. 
 Comstock, of Philadelphia. The Dr. before and since his graduation at the 
 university of Pennsylvania, has been muchemployed in theeducation of youth. 
 
 The books and diagrams which he has published, illustrating the true 
 principles of elocution, and the methods by which it can be most successfully 
 taught — the high state of improvement witnessed and admired, in the voice, 
 reading and speaking of his pupils, render him deservedly celebrated as 
 an elocutionist, wherever his reputation is known. 
 
 But I should not have obtruded these remarks upon the consideration of 
 your readers, would they not conduce to a better understanding of the follow- 
 ing intelligence, which I hope may subserve the interests of suffering 
 humanity. 
 
 My friend has removed, in numbers of unfortunate stammerers, that most 
 embarrassing and painful difficulty of enunciation with which they have 
 been affected. Some of these sufferers had been long schooled by others, 
 with reference to the removal of this calamity, with little or no success. 
 
 That a cure, in this case, is an object most ardently to be desired, is deeply 
 felt by every victim of this misfortune — by every fond parent, who, but for 
 stammering, might regard his darling boy a fair candidate for the highest 
 academic honours — the applause of listening Senates. There is now before 
 my mental vision a lovely boy of great promise, on whom his parents design 
 to bestow a finished education ; but who, alas ! was painfully afflicted with 
 stammering. He is now, however, under the tuition of Dr. Comstock. greatly 
 improving in his elocution ; inspiring the confident expectation of perfect 
 victory over the source .of so much unhappiness. The sparkling animation 
 of his eye — his cheering smiles — express the rapture of his grateful heart. 
 The thankfulness and joyful anticipation of his parents cannot be described, 
 or even imagined, but by those in similar circumstances. 
 
 Having spent some months with my relative, I am well acquainted with 
 his system, and manner of instruction, and its delightful results. 
 
 Unlike all sorts of imposture, there is no affectation of superlative wisdom 
 held as a profound secret, in the theory and practice of this valuable art — 
 as triumphantly explored and applied by the Doctor. His course of opera- 
 tion is founded in an extensive knowledge of his subject — the fruit of his 
 ample study and practice. His discipline developes, invigorates, and ren- 
 ders flexible the organs of speech. He teaches his pupils how these organs 
 are to be properlv exercised. They are made obedient to the will — capable 
 of much and various accomplishments. In short, he cures stammerers, by 
 teaching them scientific and practical elocution. 
 
 How much reason have we to rejoice in the march of mind — the efforts 
 of philanthropy — the benevolence of God. Yours, with respect, 
 
 O. C. COMSTOCK 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS. 17 
 
 Certificates from Professor Homer and Professor Hare, of the Univer- 
 sity of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Having 1 been present on the 10th inst. at the exercises of the pupils in Dr 
 Andrew Comstock's Gymnasium, for the improvement of the voice and of 
 the articulation in stammerers and others, the impression made upon me was 
 highly favourable to his method of instruction. 
 
 The system is founded upon an exact anatomical and physiological inform- 
 ation, in regard to the organs concerned in the production and modification 
 of sound. Its several parts appear to have been evolved and matured upon a 
 degree of thought and an extent of experiment reflecting much credit upon 
 his sagacity and industry, and it inspires a very strong confidence of its ap- 
 plicability to the faults generally of speech or phonation. One of his pupils, 
 who only a week before the occasion alluded to, had been a most unpleasant 
 stammerer, was then heard to recite publicly with great ease and fluency, 
 with a full intonation. W. E. HORNER, M. D. 
 
 Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Philadelphia, Aug, 11, 1837. 
 
 Philadelphia, Aug. 14th, 1837. 
 Having been present on the occasion alluded to in the preceding letter of 
 the Professor of Anatomy, I have no hesitation in alleging that my impres- 
 sions are consistent with those which my colleague has therein expressed. 
 
 ROBERT HARE, M. D. 
 Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 From the Select Medical Library and Eclectic Journal of Medicine, 
 edited by John Bell, M. D., Lecturer on the Institutes of Medicine 
 and Medical Jurisprudence, Member of the College of Physicians 
 of Philadelphia, and of the American Philosophical Society, etc. 
 September, 1837. 
 
 COMSTOCK'S VOCAL GYMNASIUM AND LYCEUM FOR 
 ELOCUTION. 
 
 It is not necessary that a man should be a stammerer, in order to be aware, 
 from personal experience, of his imperfection in vocal utterance and speech. 
 We are taught to read and to express ourselves grammatically in conversa- 
 tion ; but how few learn suitable intonation, and a full and a distinct utter, 
 ance, — by which speech obtains much of its charm and acquires often all its 
 influence. Graceful gestures in walking and dancing, and in presenting 
 one's self in company, are thought by many to be of paramount importance; 
 and hence, as a matter of course, the majority of young persons of both sexea 
 are placed under the direction of a teacher of dancing. And yet, after all, 
 what are the graces of manner compared to the melody of voice; and how 
 imperfect the address of the otherwise accomplished gentleman or lady, with- 
 out full and mellifluous speech ! Nature here, as in all that concerns either 
 bodily or mental endowment, does, it is true, establish great differenced 
 amongst individuals. One person has, naturally, a musical voice, as it is 
 called ; another a harsh or somewhat dissonant one. But still, education pos 
 
18 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 Besses, we also know, a good deal of plastic power; and in no case is the in. 
 tluencu of physical education more evident than in the strength which exer- 
 cise gives to the muscles in general, and in the agility and grace which prac. 
 tice imparts to the movements of the limbs; as in the evolutions of the dance, 
 and on the tight rope, &c. On the same principle precisely, without any 
 charm, magic or mystification, can the muscles which, by their successive or 
 alternate and combined action, give rise to voice and speech, be educated into 
 strength and measured and harmonious movement, and produce clear and 
 full intonation, distinct articulation, and emphatic utterance. 
 
 This particular department of muscular exercise and education, has greater 
 claims on our time and attention than any other. The organs of speech, with 
 few unfortunate exceptions, are possessed by all mankind ; they are in con- 
 stant use by all, — their functions are of the highest moment to all, whether 
 for the display of the charms of song and poetry, the persuasion of oratory, 
 the invocation of prayer, and the numberless exchanges of opinion and ex- 
 pression of the affections and emotions in social intercourse. The most rigid 
 puritan or methodist, who would regard with distaste, perhaps horror, the ex- 
 ercises of the dance, and attach no importance to the graces of bodily move- 
 ment, will still be as naturally and properly desirous of cultivating the voice, 
 as the greatest stickler for worldly accomplishments. He does it in learning 
 to sing the praises of his Maker, and when engaged in the solemn exercises 
 of prayer and exhortation. 
 
 With the other sex, the charm of voice is a powerful means of persuasion 
 and control. It gives to woman much of her influence — an influence de- 
 pending on the mildness of her manner, and her soft and musical tones, dis- 
 played in the language of sympathy, entreaty, and of kind remonstrance. 
 Her's is the privilege and the duty to be at the side of the suffering invalid, 
 in infancy, in youth, and in mature age; to comfort the mourner, and to aid 
 the poor and distressed. And what makes the potions to the feverish patient 
 less nauseous — what gives balm to the language of resignation, and imparts 
 the glow of pleasure to the wan and weary beggar, when she is, in each 
 case, the ministering angel ! Much is in the pitying look, much in the in- 
 clining gesture and softened manner ; but still more in the tones of her voice, 
 her low and smoothly uttered words of solace and of hope. 
 
 Why then should this instrument, which is capable of giving out such ex- 
 quisite music, be jarred and discordant in its tones, through early neglect and 
 bad habits. It has been said by European travellers of both sexes, that Amer- 
 ican women would be in all respects charming, but for their want of melody 
 of voice in common speech. Surely this stigma, for such in one sense it is, 
 might be, and ought to be removed, just as the flutter, agitation, and jerking 
 movements of the body and limbs would be corrected, by appropriate exercise 
 and training under tasteful guidance and precept. 
 
 Still more necessary is this kind of education where the imperfection 
 amounts to disease, as in hesitancy, stammering, and other imperfect articu- 
 lation. The cure requires time, patience on the part both of the invalid and 
 of the vocal doctor, and practice in the manner which scientific experience, 
 not impudent and boastful quackery, has shown to be most serviceable, so as 
 to give that confidence which is the result of conscious ability. The timidity 
 and feeling of embarrassment of the stammerer, are both effects and sustain- 
 ing causes of his impediment. So soon as he knows that his vocal organs 
 
^RECOMMENDATIONS. 19 
 
 are capable of obeying the commands of his will, and of giving expression 
 to his thoughts, his mind acts with more energy and intentncss ; and lie no 
 longer allows himself to be trammelled in his speech, by the weak, tremulous 
 and convulsive movements of the muscles, which, under less energetic voli. 
 tion, used to be so common with him. 
 
 When we wrote the caption of this article, we did not intend to direct the 
 attention of our professional brethren merely to the existing evils, but were 
 desirous to apprize them of the fact, that one of our own number has for many 
 years past concentrated his talents and his time exclusively to the subject of 
 Elocution, both in its hygienic relations with fluent speech in private and 
 public, in the social circle and at the bar, the pulpit and the legislative hall 
 and, also, in its curative character, to remove stammering and other impedi- 
 ments to clear and distinct articulation and utterance. The gentleman to 
 whom we refer, is Dr. Andrew Comstock of this city. He makes no preten. 
 sion to a knowledge of any specific for the cure of stammerers, nor does he 
 attempt to shroud his method in unintelligible jargon, nor to conceal it from 
 public and scientific investigation, by swearing his pupils to secrecy. All 
 these are arts and tricks unworthy of the literary and professional character, 
 and disreputable, above all, to him who professes to be a teacher, and in whom 
 manly sincerity ought ever to shine conspicuously, as an example to those 
 under his charge. 
 
 In Doctor Cornstock's Institution, " Elocution is treated as a science as well 
 as an art. The various movements of the voice, both in speech and song, 
 are illustrated by original diagrams, and by oral instruction. The exercises 
 give the pupil complete command of the muscles of articulation, extend the 
 compass of the voice and- render it smooth, powerful, and melodious. They 
 not only call forth all the energies of the vocal organs, correct stammering, 
 lisping, and other impediments of speech ; but they invigorate the lungs, and 
 consequently fortify them against the invasion of disease." To a certain ex- 
 tent, general is associated with vocal gymnastics ; and one great cause of em- 
 barrassment from awkwardness of manner and posture in the stammerer, is 
 removed by the substitution of a free and easy carriage and movements of the 
 arms in gesticulation. In other words, all the voluntary muscles of the trunk 
 and limbs move in the order required by the will, synchronously and harmo- 
 niously with those of the voice. 
 
 In proof that Doctor Comstock is above the petty arts of making elocution 
 a mere craft and mystery, we have now before us, Remarks on Stammering, 
 from a Lecture on Elocution, delivered before the American Lyceum, May 6, 
 1 837, in which he explains the chief features of his system, and indicates the 
 kind and order of exercises to be pursued for the cure of Stammerers. But 
 like all other branches of professional knowledge, this can only be rendered 
 efficient and applicable to the cure of individual cases by a practitioner, a 
 person who directs knowingly and understandingly, and superintends care- 
 fully and patiently, the treatment, making such modifications as seem to be 
 called for by his own personal experience and the idiosyncracy of the patient 
 
DR. COMSTOCK'S 
 EXHIBITIONS IN VOCAL GYMNASTICS. 
 
 The STAMMERERS under Dr. Comstock, both Ladies 
 and Gentlemen, give a variety of recitations, at the Vocal 
 Gymnasium, (entrance by Ranstead Court, Fourth St. above 
 Chesnut,) every Tuesday evening. 
 
 TICKETS, 25 cents each, — and may be obtained at 
 Osborn's Music Store, Fourth Street, two doors below Ran- 
 stead Court. Each ticket admits a gentleman and two 
 ladies. The exercises commence at 8 o'clock. 
 
 □Cf 3 The design of these Exhibitions is to give confidence 
 
 to the Stammerer, which is so essential to his relief, and 
 
 make the public better acquainted with the system of 
 
 instruction and its beneficial results. The sale of tickets is 
 
 to secure an audience of respectable persons, and defray the 
 
 incidental expenses. 
 
 ANDREW COMSTOCK. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, February 6, 1838. 
 
 VOCAL GYMNASTICS. 
 
 A class of students in elocution, and stammerers, under Dr. Comstucfc, 
 exhibited at the Vocal Gymnasium, (Ranstead Court, Fourth Street, above 
 Chesnut,) on Saturday evening last. Dr. Comstock's lecture on elocution 
 und stammering 1 displayed an intimate knowledge of his subject, and the 
 performances of the class did infinite credit to his talents as a teacher. 
 
 CaoJ 
 
'RECOMMENDATIONS. 21 
 
 From the Pennsylvanian, February 6, 1838. 
 
 Dr. Comstock, the professor of elocution, gave an exhibition on Satutday 
 evening, at the Temperance Hall, N. L., for the purpose chiefly of affording 
 a practical explanation of his system of instruction, and showing its success 
 in the cure of stammering and other defects of speech. A large audience, 
 many ladies being among the number, was present, and the exercises evi- 
 dently gave general satisfaction. It was surprising to hear the firmness and 
 hmoothness with which the pupils spoke, many of whom until recently were 
 confirmed stammerers, and it was still more surprising to learn in how short 
 a time the evil habit had been eradicated, the consciousness of a complete 
 cure bjing strongly manifest in the modest confidence with which the Doc- 
 tor's pupils, several of whom were young ladies, went through their recita- 
 tions before so large an audience. It must not, however, be supposed that 
 this system of instruction is intended solely for the stammerer. Founded 
 upon sound philosophical principles it is impor 
 
 tant in many respects. It has a wonderful effect in developing the voice, 
 and in giving it volume, flexibility and compass, while the practice of the 
 elements strengthens the chest, and >s very beneficial to the general health, 
 fortifying it in a measure against the approach of diseases of the lungs. 
 The advantage of vocal gymnastics judiciously conducted, is not yet per- 
 haps fully appreciated, but it is more than probable that the time will come 
 when they will form a part of every liberal course of instruction. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, February 16, 1838. 
 
 VOCAL GYMNASTICS. 
 
 The exhibition of Dr. Comstock's class of Stammerers, at Temperance 
 Hall, on Wednesday evening, was highly gratifying to a numerous and 
 highly respectable audience of ladies and gentlemen. The system pursued 
 appears to be calculated to accomplish the end in view ; but the eminent 
 success it has so far met with, is to be ascribed, in a great degree, to the 
 talents of Dr. Comstock as a teacher. 
 
 From the Christian Advocate and Journal, New -York, April 27, 1838. 
 
 Philadelphia, April 2, 1838. 
 Dear Brethren, — Having attended Dr. Comstock's exhibitions, I am fully 
 persuaded, that with proper attention on the part of the pupils, he can cure 
 them. I was induced to attend in consequence of his having in his class a 
 particular friend of mine, whose case was one of the worst I ever knew 
 and to my astonishment, he addressed an audience without the least diffi 
 culty, making quite a display as an orator. His age is about twenty-one 
 years. If you feel at liberty to notice him in your paper, you may render 
 essential service to stammerers. Respeotfully, 
 
 J. HARMSTEAD. 
 
22 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the United States Gazette, April 30, 1838. 
 
 STAMMERERS. 
 
 The recitations, and other vocal exercises, made on Tuesday e\ cr.ings, at 
 Dr. Comstock's Vocal Gymnasium, in Ranstead Court, furnish evidence of 
 great success in his mode of teaching'. His pupils, to the number of thirty 
 or forty, male and female, give recitations in a style that shows, not only tiie 
 entire absence of any disposition to stammer, but evincing also a striking 
 proficiency in the agreeable, as well as useful science of elocution. 
 
 From the Pennsylvania Inquirer, May 10, 1838. 
 
 STAMMERING. 
 
 A friend iu whose judgment as well as impartiality we place reliance, 
 speaks in terms of warm commendation of Dr. Comstock's success in curing 
 impediments in speech, and imparting a free action to the organs of articu- 
 lation. The public recitations of his class, which take place every Tuesday 
 evening, at his room adjoining the Church in Ranstead Court, are spoken of 
 as furnishing evidence of success in curing stammerers, as well as of striking 
 proficiency in elocution, which Dr. C. teaches with great effect. 
 
 From the United States Gazette. 
 
 Mr. Editor, — I have attended two of the Vocal Gymnastic Exhibitions 
 which have attracted so much attention in our city. The design of these 
 exhibitions, as stated by Dr. Comstock, with whom they have originated, and 
 by whom they are conducted, is to enable the stammerer to rid himself of 
 that timidity which is a greater or less aggravation of his disease. If 
 timidity in one vyho has no impediment of speech, interrupts the utterance 
 of thoughts, surely in a confirmed stammerer, it must be a source of the 
 highest degree of embarrassment to the vocal organs. Timidity, then, must 
 be removed before the stammerer can have full command of his own organs 
 of speech. To do this, Dr. Comstock brings his whole class, both ladies and 
 gentlemen, before the crowded houses which assemble to hear the welkin 
 ring with their various exercises in what is well denominated by Dr. C. 
 Vocal Gymnastics. Could art, science, experience, wisdom, or philosophy, 
 suggest a more efficacious means for the destruction of timidity than the 
 production of courage by individual and collective public speaking ? Nor is 
 the performance of these stammerers void of all powers to edify, and amuse 
 — there is much to instruct, and please, both in manner and matter, in these 
 exhibitions, which, for the sake of the great good they seem likely to pro 
 duce to the afflicted stammerer, I hope will be fully sustained by this 
 enlightened public. 
 
 A Well Wisher to Freedom of Speech. 
 
PRACTICAL ELOCUTION, Or, A System of Vocal 
 Gymnastics, comprising Diagrams, illustrative of the sub- 
 ject, and Exercises, designed for the Promotion of Health, 
 the Cure of Stammering, and Improvement in Reading 
 and Speaking. By Andrew Comstock, M. D. Second 
 Edition. Kay & Brother, 122, Chesnut Street. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, Dec. 2, 1837. 
 
 PRACTICAL ELOCUTION. 
 
 Dr. Comstock, a gentleman with whose name our readers are familiar as 
 the scientific curer of Stammering', has issued a second edition of his work 
 on Practical Elocution. It is believed to be the best practical work extant 
 upon this important subject 
 
 and so far as strengtnening the lungs is 
 concerned, the exercises it teaches are of vast importance. Those who do 
 not intend to become orators, may cultivate and improve the conversational 
 and colloquial powers, and secure a grace, ease and power, that will render 
 them polished and sought-for intelligences in the mystic roads of social 
 intercourse. The work is illustrated with engravings, and very beautifully 
 got up both in paper and print. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Saturday News, Dec. 2, 1837. 
 
 PRACTICAL ELOCUTION, Or, A System of Vocal Gymnastics, &c. By 
 
 Andrew Comstock, M. D. 
 
 Dr. Comstock is known as a skilful and scientific teacher of elocution. 
 He has devoted much study to the subject, and has had the advantage of 
 very considerable experience in the practical application of his knowledge 
 His classes are generally filled with pupils, and their success is the best 
 testimonial of the merits of his system. 
 
 This volume will be found a valuable aid to those who are engaged eithej 
 in teaching or acquiring the important art of elocution. Besides a concise 
 but sufficiently clear, analysis of the subject, and various explanatory details, 
 it furnishes a series of diagrams calculated very much to facilitate the pro- 
 gress of the learners. These diagrams have been prepared with much care 
 and labour, and reflect high praise on the industry and ability of Doctor 
 Coinxtock. 
 
24 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the United States Gazette. 
 PRACTICAL ELOCUTION. 
 
 Messrs. Kay & Brother, 122, Chesnut street, have published a second edi. 
 tion of Dr. Andrew Comstock's Practical Elocution, or, a System or 
 Vocal Gymnastics. We really believe that the great labour and amount of 
 time which Dr. C. has bestowed upon this volume, will be productive of essen- 
 tial benefits to the learner. The selections are apposite, and the remarks 
 6uch as show the author master of his subject. 
 
 From the Saturday Chronicle, Philadelphia, Dec. 2, 1837. 
 
 Practical Elocution. — Kay Sf Brother. — Philadelphia. 
 
 The volume now before us, comprises a system of " Vocal Gymnastics," 
 by Andrew Comstock, M. D., and consists of diagrams, illustrative of the 
 subject, and exercises. The plan recommended is designed for thf» promotion 
 of health, cure of stammering, and improvement in reading and speaking. 
 The rapid sale of its first edition seems to be a proof of Us popularity ; while 
 several men of eminence in literature and science have pronounced Doctor 
 Comstock's system a decided improvement upon the usual routine of teach, 
 insr in Elocution. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Dec. 5, 1837. 
 COMSTOCK'S PRACTICAL ELOCUTION. 
 
 We have received from Dr. Andrew Comstock, of this city, a copy of his 
 late work, entitled "Practical Elocution, or, a System of Vocal Gymnastics, 
 comprising Diagrams and Exercises, &c, designed for the promotion of 
 health, the cure of stammering, and improvement in reading and speaking." 
 
 This work contains rules for pronouncing all the vowels, sub-vowels, and 
 diphthongs in the English language, with plates to illustrate the position of 
 the mouth in pronouncing them. These sounds he denominates elements; 
 and he g-ives tables exhibiting an analysis of words, consisting of both easy 
 and difficult combinations of these elements. In spelling these words, the 
 pupil is required to pronounce the clement or vowel sound, and not the name 
 of the letter or combination of letters which represent it, as is usual in the 
 schools. The hook also contains rules for every species of modulation and 
 intonation of the voice, and of time, in reading, speaking, and singing. 
 
 It contains remarks on stammering, and rules for curing it; and practical 
 lessons in reading and speaking, consisting of selections in prose and verse, 
 printed with different characters, to denote the proper modulations. It also 
 contains plates, representing every variety of attitude and gesture required 
 in good speaking. 
 
'RECOMMENDATIONS. 25 
 
 This must be a valuable work to those who would learn to read or speak 
 well, and especially to those afflicted with stammering or other impedimenta 
 of speech. It is useless to dilate upon the importance of elocution to all 
 who have occasion to read or speak to others. To lawyers, legislators, cler- 
 gymen, and speakers in public meetings, it is particularly important; lor 
 though to intelligent and well informed minds, the graces of manner add 
 nothing to the force of argument, they are exceedingly important in securing 
 an attentive hearing. An indifferent sermon, if well preached, will produce 
 great effect, while one of the highest order, badly delivered, will be lost upon 
 a great portion of the audience. This is entirely because the first secures 
 the attention of its hearers, and thereby enables ever}' argument or illustra- 
 tion to reach their understandings; while the second is not understood, 
 because not heard. 
 
 We recommend Dr. Comstock's book to every person who would wish to 
 apeak or read well. 
 
 From the Herald and Sentinel, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1837 
 
 COMSTOCK'S PRACTICAL ELOCUTION. 
 
 Dr. Comstock has been long and favourably known in this city as a 
 teacher of elocution. The art of public speaking is a common attainment; 
 but the art of speaking effectively, powerfully, and well, by a proper disci- 
 pline of voice, gesture and action, is no easy acquisition. The voice is a 
 great instrument of influence. Some orators who have been " vox et pra- 
 ter ea nihil" by means of a good voice alone, have been able to exercise an 
 astonishing sway over their auditors. The full developement of the vocal 
 organs should be a primary exercise with all ambitious for the honours of 
 successful orators, and we know of no better disciplinarian in these matters 
 than Dr. Comstock. The work before us, entitled " Practical Elocution," is 
 an expose of his principles of teaching, and will serve as an instructive 
 manual to those studying his method. It is better calculated, however, as a 
 manual for his pupils, than for students in general. It shows great skill and 
 industry, and is highly creditable to the knowledge and research of the 
 author. 
 
 From Atkinson's Saturday Evening Post, Dec. 16, 1837. 
 
 Dr. Andrew Comstock, of this city, has published a second edition of a 
 work entitled "Practical Elocution," of which he is the author. There are 
 few subjects which receive less, while its importance demands a greater 
 share of attention, than this of Elocution. Every organ of the human body 
 pi ndent on exercise for its true and proper developement. There are 
 few persons who do not feel the embarrassment which arises from an impcr 
 33 * 
 
26 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 feet enunciation. The work before us conveys much valuable instruction on 
 this subject. To render the doctrine it communicates more evident, tha 
 ditferent movements of the voice are illustrated by original diagrams. Dr. 
 Cotnstock has for some years been a successful teacher of Elocution, and in 
 his experience has found the exercises in these diagrams happily adapted to 
 render the muscles of speech subject to volition, to extend the compass of 
 the voice and increase its power. 
 
 From the American Weekly Messenger, Dec. 20, 1837. 
 
 Dr. Comstock is well known in this city as a practjeal teacher of Elocu- 
 tion. His experience with his classes has given him great advantages m the 
 preparation of this volume, which appears to be complete, so far as diagrams, 
 marks expressive of the pronunciation of words, and minute practical direc- 
 tions, can render it so. To those persons who are so unfortunate as to have 
 contracted a habit of stammering, and to foreigners who wish to acquire a 
 correct pronunciation of our language, this volume will prove an invaluable 
 acquisition. Students in oratory may consult the figures illustrative of ges- 
 ture with advantage ; and teachers of reading and declamation should not 
 consider their libraries complete without this volume. 
 
 From the Daily Focus, Philadelphia, April 17, 1838. 
 
 Comstock's Practical Elocution : Published by Kay Sf Brother, 122, Chcs* 
 
 nut Street. 
 
 We have received a very handsome edition of the above work, which we 
 cheerfully recommend to young men, as a Valuable assistant in the study of 
 true oratory. The work is illustrated with a number of plates representing 
 the proper position of the mouth in pronouncing, and also the most graceful 
 and natural attitudes and gestures of the limbs and body, in order to give 
 full force and expression to language. 
 
 Dr. Comstock has, in the book before us, proved himself abundantly quali 
 fied to teach the oral developement of thought, and we therefore wish ha 
 may conlinue his labours, and have large classes of pupils. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, Philadelphia, February 27, 1838. 
 VOCAL GYMNASTICS. 
 
 We observe, by a notice among our list of business cards this morning, 
 that the residence of Dr. Comstock, whose success in the cure of impedimenta 
 in the speech, and improvement in elocution and address of his pupils, wo 
 believe is unsurpassed by any instructor in the country, is at 100 Arch Street 
 Dr. C. possesses a double advantage over most of his profession, in his tho- 
 rough acquaintance with the physical, as well as mental, capacity of his 
 fellow man. The fourth exhibition of his class of young ladies and gentle- 
 men, will be given this evening, at the Commissioners' Hall, Southwark, 
 where, in addition to their various recitations, a lecture will be delivered by 
 the Rev. Jacob M. Douglass. 
 
 From the Saturday Courier, Philadelphia, Dec. 15, 1838. 
 
 Mr. John Taylor, of Hinsdale, N. H., was the other morning in our study 
 and exhibited the wonderful improvement made by eleven weeks' residence 
 with Dr. Comstock. He told us he had been all his life dreadfully troubled 
 with an impediment of speech ; but he read to us with the most perfect easo 
 and freedom. We take pleasure in recording such cases for the benefit of 
 others. 
 
 From the Daily Buffalo Journal, (2V. Y.,) March 27, 1839. 
 PRACTICAL ELOCUTION— A REMEDY FOR STAMMERING. 
 
 Dr. Comstock, of Philadelphia, has acquired great fame, both as a teacher 
 of elocution, and as a successful practitioner in removing all defects in speech. 
 
 The voice is produced by muscular contraction, and hence depends wholly 
 on the power of the muscles, which propel the air through the vocal organs, 
 and modulate the same, for the strength, compass, distinctness, or confusion 
 of the various sounds emitted in speaking or singing. 
 
 Dr. Comstock has investigated this subject in all its bearings, and pointed 
 out, in a clear and scientific manner, the cause of stammering, and other de- 
 fects of speech, in his work on Practical Elocution, (which has been some 
 years before the public :) and has opened a school in Philadelphia for teaching 
 elocution, and removing defects in speech, upon philosophical principles. 
 
28 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 A late number of the World, published in the city of brotherly love, con. 
 tains a very commendatory notice of the eminent ability and success which 
 attend the labours of this learned and indefatigable practitioner, in an im- 
 portant branch of science, to the investigation of which his whole life has 
 been devoted. Knowing well the history of this gentleman, and having once 
 enjoyed the honour of a personal acquaintance, we do not hesitate to recom- 
 mend his school as possessing the highest claims to public confidence. 
 
 Extract from the Lyceum Report, published in the World, Philadel- 
 phia, June 19, 1839. 
 
 At 4J o'clock the meeting was called to order, and a lecture delivered on 
 Elocution, by Dr. Comstock, and an interesting exhibition by his class, several 
 of whom had been inveterate stammerers ; one in particular, a married gen- 
 tleman from the east, (who said he had to do his courting by signs,) spoke so 
 well, after only six weeks' instruction, as to prove Dr. C.'s teaching completely 
 effectual. 
 
 Half-past 5 o'clock, the company, in fine health and spirits, adjourned. 
 
 G. W. WOOLLEY, Secretary, pro. tern. 
 
 From the United States Gazette, June 29, 1839. 
 
 Sometime since, Dr Comstock called on us with a person from Vermont, 
 who had applied to him to be cured of stammering ; he certainly needed help. 
 Yesterday, the Doctor and his patient called on us again ; the latter talked 
 and read as fluently as any person we ever saw. The person to whom we 
 refer, mentioned that he should now go home, and talk with a near relation, 
 to whom he had never spoken, as she was rather deaf, and he had stammered 
 bo abominably as to be wholly unable to make her comprehend him. 
 
 From the Village Record, West Chester, Penn., September 10, 1839. 
 STAMMERING AND ELOCUTION. 
 
 From numerous testimonials of the success of Dr. Comstock, of Philadel 
 phia, in improving the voice, particularly of Stammerers, we sometime sinco 
 selected the following from a Philadelphia paper, for presentation to our 
 readers. To those afflicted with an impediment of the speed), all discoveries, 
 or efficient modes for amending the vocal organs, must be matter of peculiar 
 interest. We have repeatedly visited the institution of Dr. C, and have seen 
 numerous instances of improvement no less striking than the one referred to 
 below. Dr. C. is unremitting in his attention to his pupils; exact in his ex- 
 position of the principles of elocution ; and affords t.o his pupils a wide range 
 for practice. As a teacher, he commands the respect of his pupils, while his 
 gentlemanly deportment towards them is sure to win their permanent fwtfiein. 
 His office is at No. 100 Arch Street, Philadelphia. 
 
« RECOMMENDATIONS. 29 
 
 " Mil Charles R. Read, from Vermont, called upon us, and read as fluently 
 as any one. Eight weeks since 'we conversed with the same gentleman, and 
 he could not articulate a sentence without stammering badly. He had been 
 afflicted from his infancy. His mother stammered, and he has a sister who 
 is also subject to the same infirmity. Mr. Read tells us he intends to send 
 her to the care of Dr. Comstock, who has been so successful in his own case. 
 We look upon it as doing stammerers a kindness, by constantly keeping them" 
 advised of such important facts." — Saturday Courier. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Gazette, October 5, 1839. 
 VOCAL GYMNASTICS. 
 
 We attended an exhibition of Dr. Comstock's class of stammerers last 
 evening, at the Temperance Hall, N. L., and were much pleased with the 
 exercises. We believe that Dr. C.'s system is well calculated to accomplish 
 the very desirable relief so much needed by those afflicted with a hesitancy 
 of speech. One individual, who had been under tuition but nine days, gave 
 ample testimony of the efficiency of the system. 
 
 From the Pennsylvania Inquirer, Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1839. 
 
 A STAMMERER CURED. 
 
 We were called upon yesterday by a gentleman of Bradford county, Pa., 
 thirty-seven years of age, who, until within a month, had been an inveterate 
 stammerer from childhood. A few weeks since, however, he was induced to 
 place himself under the care of Doctor Comstock, of this city, who speedily 
 effected a perfect cure. The gentleman called upon us to illustrate the excel- 
 lence of the system, in his own case ; and, also, with the object of making 
 some public acknowledgment of the great and important benefit that had 
 been conferred. He spoke with ease and fluency, and recited one or two 
 passages of poetry, with taste and discrimination. Those of our citizens, 
 however, who desire the most satisfactory evidence of the effects of this sys- 
 tem, are invited to visit the Musical Fund Hall, on Monday evening next, 
 when Dr. Comstock and his class of stammerers will give a variety of exer- 
 cises and recitations. 
 
 From the Public Ledger, November 25, 1839. 
 
 Dr. Comstock's exhibition of Vocal Gymnastics takes place at the Musical 
 Fund Hall, this evening, November 25, at half-past seven o'clock. — It gives 
 us pleasure to recommend the Doctor's system of instruction, which, after 
 cool examination, we believe to be excellent and unrivalled. The perform, 
 ances of his pupils, who were formerly stammerers, are truly astonishing. — 
 Let every one judge for himself. We were pleased to see his former exhibi. 
 tion, at Temperance Hall, attended by a crowd of ladies and gentlemen. 
 
 35 
 
30 RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the North American, Philadelphia, March 19, 1840. 
 Pr Comstock left with us yesterday for exhibition, one of his charts repre- 
 senting the mouth in every form and position which it seems to be enabled 
 to assume in the enunciation of sounds. « Attached to it are scales for tne 
 modulation of the voice, which are of great service to the student. The suc- 
 cess which has attended Dr. Comstock's instructions, has been of the most 
 striking character. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Gazette, March 21, 1840. 
 Dr. Comstock, elocutionist of this city, has published a large chart, mount- 
 ed on rollers and varnished, entitled " A Table of the Elements of the Eng- 
 lish Language." This table condenses, as it were, the instruction of a half 
 years' study, in the useful and requisite art of elocution. It should be hung 
 up in the library of every orator, or every one who would be an orator, whe- 
 ther of the Pulpit or the Bar. If one is naturally an orator, it will assist in 
 developing those powers; if he is not, an assiduous study of the chart will 
 make him one. Pebbles helped Demosthenes, until the wide round world 
 was vocal with his name ; and why should not a map of mounted eloquence 
 do the same, to some one in the nineteenth century ? 
 
 From the Pennsylvanian, March 24, 1840. 
 Elocution. — Dr. Comstock, of this city, has published a large chart mount- 
 ed upon rollers, entitled " A Table of the Elements of the English Language." 
 This Table gives, in a condensed form, and as it were, at a single view, the 
 principles upon which Dr. Comstock's system of instruction in elocution is 
 founded, and as he is eminently successful in making good speakers, and in 
 curing defects in articulation, the chart will doubtless be found very service- 
 able both to his pupils and to others. 
 
 From the Inquirer, Philadelphia, March 30, 1840. 
 Dr. Comstock's Table. — Dr. Andrew Comstock, of this city, has published 
 a Table of the Elements of the English Language, which appears to us ad- 
 mirably suited to facilitate boys in their exercises of reading and improve- 
 ment of gesticulation. For stammerer's, and those affected with impediments 
 of speech, it possesses great merit. Indeed, the chart is particularly calcu 
 lated for schools, and embodies, in a single sheet, an entire system, very sim- 
 ple in its operation, and the result of years of labour. Dr. Comstock has de- 
 servedly acquired much reputation, in Philadelphia, as a successful teachet 
 in the particular branch to which he devotes his attention. 
 
 From the United States Gazette, Philadelphia, April 15, 1840. 
 Dr. Comstock has issued a large sheet, containing the Elements of the 
 English Language, with illustrations of the mode of uttering simple and com- 
 pound sounds, figures exemplifying the gestures for certain recitations, and 
 mots or notes for the pitch and government of the voice in reading . 
 
 Dr. Comstock has been eminently successful as a teacher of elocution, be 
 cause he teaches radically ; and, as a curer of stuttering, we believe Dr. C 
 has never been excelled. 
 
,REC0MMENDA1 Is )NS. 31 
 
 From the World, Philadelphia, March 20, 1S39. 
 
 Dr Comstock. — We have received from the author a small pamphlet, con- 
 taining a Lecture on Elocution, with remarks on stammering-, delivered before 
 the American Lyceum in this city, on the 6th of May, 1837, by Dr. ( om- 
 stock. He is well known in this city, as remarkably successful in the cure 
 of all defects in speech, and also for teaching- elocution upon philosophical 
 principles. His school contains pupils from various and distant parts of the 
 country, resorting to him for the cure of stammering and other vocal defects, 
 
 He h»3 published a work on Practical Elocution, the perusal of which will 
 bhow that his lessons are important to others besides those afflicted with 
 btammering; for all public speakers, whether lawyers, preachers or politicians, 
 will derive advantages from observing his rules. The voice, like any other 
 part of the system connected with voluntary muscular action, is susceptible 
 of cultivation. It is regulated by a very complicated system of muscles, and 
 must therefore be more or less under command, in proportion to the control 
 of the individual over these muscles. Why are the muscles of a blacksmith's 
 striking arm larger than those of his holding arm ? Because they are more 
 exercised. Why have porters, stage drivers, and those whose legs are most 
 exercised, larger femoral and crural muscles, than people of sedentary habits? 
 For the same reason. Then if one set of muscles is improved by cultiva- 
 tion, so may be another ; and therefore, as the voice is regulated by mus- 
 cular action, it must necessarily be improved by proper exercise. 
 
 This theory, which, as every anatomist knows, is founded on fact, explains 
 the whole system of stammering and other vocal defects. They proceed from 
 paralysis, weakness, or other causes, producing want of control over the vocal 
 muscles. Such defects in the leg or arm, produce lameness in these limbs. 
 Similar defects' or infirmities in the vocal muscles, must produce lameness of 
 the voice. This point established, the indication of cure is obvious. It con. 
 sists in restoring activity to the vocal muscles by exercise, by cultivation 
 Singers never stammer, and stammering is often cured by singing. Why ? 
 Because singing gives active exercise to the vocal muscles. But it will not 
 always cure stammering, because the defect may be in certain muscles 
 which singing cannot reach, or reach with sufficient force. To supply the 
 deficiency, we need the professor of elocution, who understands the voice 
 anatomically, physiologically, and pathologically, or in other words, who un 
 derstands the structure, actions, and diseases of the parts of the human 
 system subservient to the voice. Dr. Comstock has particularly studied this 
 subject, and his success as a practitioner proves that he has studied it faithfully. 
 
 I most cheerfully endorse the preceding certificates relative to Dr. Corn- 
 stock's success in removing impediments of speech. Having spent several 
 weeks in his Gymnasium, for the purpose of improving my voice, and of 
 removing an impediment to which I had always been more or less subject, I 
 am able to speak both from observation and experience. I consider his system 
 of vocal gymnastics eininentlv fitted to accomplish the end designed: viz. to 
 bring the organs of speech, by a thorough course of drilling, entirely under 
 the control of volition. True it is, that much energy and perseverance, 
 as well as time and patience, are necessary on the part of the afflicted in 
 order to be entirely relieved. But I am confident that where there is no 
 mal-formation of the vocal organs, an entire cure may be effected. 
 
 F. W. FISK. 
 
 Philadelphia, Avril 2~lh, 1840. 
 
3iJ RECOMMENDATIONS. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, April 3, 1841. 
 CURE OF STAMMERING. 
 
 Two young' gentlemen called in our sanctum the other morning 1 , and we 
 had a pleasant conversation with them on the extraordinary benefit they had 
 derived from having been a few weeks in the Vocal Gymnasium of Dr. Corn- 
 stock. One of them, John Scribner, jr., is from Poplin, N. H\ He told us, 
 that fourteen weeks ago he could not converse at all without stammering in 
 the pronunciation of almost e ery word. He conversed with us the morning 1 
 we saw him, as fluently as Daniel Webster or Mr. Forsyth could ; and we 
 should say his friends will be delighted to hold converse with him on his re- 
 turn to the salubrious atmosphere of the " Granite State." The other young 
 gentleman is Mr. William EI. Cornell, of Clinton, New York. He is eighteen 
 years old, and had been a stammerer all his life, until Dr. Comstock had the 
 gratification of receiving him under his discipline of the vocal powers. He 
 has been there but four weeks, and conversed with us witli very little impedi- 
 ment of speech ; and by the first of May, when he proposes to return to the 
 beautiful region of Dutchess county, he will be able to descant upon the 
 sweets of the "buds and the flowers" with as much buoyancy of speech as 
 the most lovely young damsel around his romantic home. We are happy in 
 stating such cases, for the encouragement of others in distant portions of the 
 country, who may be labouring under the painful difficulties which impedi- 
 ments of speech impose. 
 
 From the National Gazette, Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1841. 
 A STAMMERER CURED. 
 
 Philadelphia, Nov. 10, 1841. 
 Messrs. Editors — For nearly twenty years I was an inveterate stammerer 
 The habit was contracted when I was four years old, in consequence of the 
 severe treatment of a schoolmaster. Being anxious to have a cure effected, if 
 possible, but almost despairing, I placed myself, six weeks ago, under the 
 care of Dr. Andrew Comstock of this city, and the result has been a most 
 happy one. Since the third day after I entered his Vocal Gymnasium, I have 
 been able to converse with friends and strangers, without any impediment 
 whatever. I unhesitatingly recommend all who stammer to make a trial of 
 Dr. C.'s mode of treatment. It is founded on philosophical principles, and I 
 feel confident, if persevered in, will always produce the same beneficial results 
 as my own case. I shall reside, during- the winter, at No. 200 Arch Street, 
 where I shall be happy to receive a visit from any one who may desire far- 
 ther information on the subject. Respectfully, 
 
 LEVI S. YATES, of Williamston, N. C, 
 Student of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, July 21, 1S:>8. 
 STAMMERERS. 
 We notice as an interesting fact, that C. H. J. Pisman, Esq., (n young gentleman who 
 was recently in our office, while under the care of Dr. Comstock, for stammering,) <ic 
 .ivered the oration at Cumberland, Md., on the 4th instant. It was a clear and distinct 
 performance, and was well received by a large auditory. Acopyin mint has been re- 
 ceived by us. The Civilian of that place remarks, that the enunciation of Mr. Pigman 
 is so clear, that ifit had not previously been known that he had laboured severely under 
 an impediment, none who hear him speak would he aware that he had ever been troubled 
 with such a difficulty. Mr. Pigmau and his friends (who are highly respectable), unite 
 in hestowin? great credit upon the scientific skill of Dr. Comstock. We think we do 
 unfortunate stammerers a kindness by commending this gentleman to their consideration 
 
We always thought Dr. Comstock's system for the cure of Stammer- 
 ing a sealed book, because it was so certain ; he has, however, in the 
 plenitude of his benevolence, and for a small consideration, surrendered 
 his knowledge and experience for the more general benefit of the world. 
 He has here collected and widely diffused all that he has heretofore pub- 
 lished upon this subject, and by well-executed plates illustrated what is 
 not, as well as what is correct in gesture, &c, for which we doubt not 
 the heads of our public schools will be duly grateful, as affording them 
 facilities and suggestions in a very important branch of education, 
 which they could not beibre command. 
 
 The eminent success of Dr. C. in his practical teachings, is the only 
 commendation the present work can require, and we understand its 
 merits are fully appreciated, if we are to judge from an extensive de- 
 mand by several of our most distinguished Professors. 
 
 We may also remark, that the work is enriched by numerous selec- 
 tions from the writings of the most celebrated authors, to be spoken in 
 the elocutionary exercises, with marks indicating the proper time of 
 emphasis. Saturday Courier, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1841. 
 
 A good system for breaking up the stiff jaws of a speaker, and round- 
 ing the sharp angles in his uncouth gestures — two embarrassment* 
 under which many labour, and which few thoroughly overcome. We 
 may laugh at Dr. Comstock's mouths and gestures as much as we 
 please, but it is only by such mouths and gestures that one becomes a 
 graceful speaker. North American, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1841. 
 
 Dr. Comstock has devoted many years sedulously to the study of 
 Elocution, not merely as a declamatory art, but as a science compre- 
 hending all the phenomena of the voice, and the means by which it may 
 be most successfully cultivated for all the purposes of speaking. We 
 have examined, with some attention, the first part of Dr. Comstock's 
 book, and find that in treating of elementary sounds, he advances pre- 
 cepts evincing an intelligent analysis of vocal utterance, — a subject very 
 lightly passed over in ordinary text-books upon Elocution. The whole 
 subject of the book appears to have been digested with equal knowledge 
 and care, and we would commend to teachers the adoption of his sys. 
 tern, as based upon a true comprehension of the powers and uses of the 
 organs of speech, and the modes of graceful and appropriate action in 
 oratorical exercises. Various plates illustrate the text, and enable intel- 
 ligent readers to apprehend the principles of oral delivery and gi sture 
 without the aid of a special preceptor. 
 
 National Gazette, Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1841. 
 
 The experience of Dr. Comstock as a Professor of Elocution, and hib 
 eminent success in the cure of stammering and other defects of speech, 
 as well as the warm commendations of gentlemen in whose judgment 
 the utmost reliance may be placed, justify us in recommending this 
 work to all who are desirous of acquiring the art of reading or speaking 
 with ease, grace and power. 
 
 American Sentinel, Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1841. 
 
We have found time to look with some care into Dr. Comstock's text 
 book, and have been led to admire the plan and general execution. The 
 author has brought to his subject a willing mind, "and long experience 
 makes him sage." 
 
 Numerous pieces of great strength, are illustrated for gesticulation, 
 by engravings that are well executed, and which give a very correct 
 idea to the reader of the motions to be used in an open, free reading of 
 the speech. 
 
 The remarks and notation of the compiler are excellent, and give, so 
 far as we could examine, a correct view of the pauses, volume of voice, 
 and accentuation. 
 
 We commend Dr. Comstock's volume to the consideration of teachers 
 and of learners. United States Gazette, Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 1841. 
 
 We have a distinct recollection of a tall, smiling gentleman, who, 
 when we were a white-pated shaver going to school, used to come tri- 
 weekly to the academy, and standing up duly before us, make us ges- 
 ticulate, pronounce, read, and deliver speeches until we thought our arms 
 would be jerked from their sockets, or that our lungs at least would give 
 way. But we are living still, and so is our smiling friend Dr. Corn- 
 stock. He has turned author too, and our table even now bears witness 
 to that fact, in the presence of an admirable treatise on elocution by our 
 former teacher. 
 
 No man, perhaps, in the United States understands so well how to 
 cure stammering as Dr. Comstock. His success in this department has 
 been almost miraculous. Yet he does not seek to hide his secret " un- 
 der a bushel," but, with true benevolence, has made it public in the 
 work before us. The volume also treats generally of elocution, gesticu- 
 lation, &c. &c, and should be the study of every one desirous of be- 
 coming an orator, or even of reading well. The work is illustrated by 
 numerous figures, displaying every position to be assumed in pronoun- 
 cing a speech. Indeed, we have never seen a more complete treatise 
 of the kind, and we cordially recommend it to parents, teachers, and 
 others, as a work especially deserving support. Next to the privilege 
 of being a pupil of the doctor is the privilege of purchasing his book. 
 Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, Dec. 18, 1841. 
 
 The system of Dr. Comstock is peculiar, and we cannot speak intel- 
 ligently on it, because it cannot be understood without a study, which 
 we are unable to give to it. We can however say, that it appears to us 
 to be founded on philosophical principles, and to be exceedingly well 
 illustrated in parts which we readily comprehend. Dr. Comstock is not 
 a mere theorist ; he is eminently a practical man, and in the application 
 of his principles he has been very successful in developing the powers 
 of elocution, and in the cure of defective exercise of the organs of speech 
 Presbyterian, Philadelphia, Dec. 18, 1841. 
 
 This work contains some new and plausible principles, and it is em 
 Lellished by numerous diagrams and engraved figures, illustrative of 
 the subject. We have never seen a work of this kind published in a 
 more elegant manner. Philadelphia Gazette, Dec. 21, 1841 
 
35 
 
 This is one of the most elaborate works on Elocution ever published 
 in our country, containing 1 the results of much study and attention tc 
 the subject, and a thorough acquaintance with the philosophy of the 
 human voice. Its several parts are systematically arranged — and its 
 rules are illustrated to the eye by numerous diagrams. It is well adapt- 
 ed to meet the wants of schools and colleges as well as to direct private 
 individuals, who would improve themselves in reading and speaking. 
 Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Jan. 7, 1842. 
 
 The politeness of the author has placed before us his " System of 
 Elocution," but from a hurried glance at its contents, we are not able 
 to say as much for it as its merits demand ; however we have seen suffi- 
 cient to be enabled to recommend it particularly to the heads of families 
 and schools, who cannot fail to find it an invaluable auxiliary in the 
 various subjects of which it treats. Its divisions comprise Elocution, 
 Vocal Gymnastics, Gesture, Practical Elocution, being exercises in arti- 
 culation, pitch, force, time and gesture, and exercises in reading and 
 declamation. The engravings are exceedingly numerous, and admira- 
 bly adapted to the purposes for which they are designed. 
 
 Catholic Herald, Philadelphia, Jan. 20, 1 842. 
 
 Dr. Comstock has been long and favourably known in this city, and 
 elsewhere, as a distinguished and successful teacher of Elocution. His 
 system views that important, yet so sadly neglected, branch of education, 
 as both a science and an art. His principles are founded on truth and 
 nature, and in their practical application he is evidently master of his 
 subject. Friends, in whose judgment we place reliance, speak of him 
 as a teacher in terms of high commendation. The work we have just 
 noticed is a new edition, with special reference to gesture, to the treat- 
 ment of stammering, and defective articulation ; comprising numerous 
 diagrams and engraved rigures, illustrative of the subject. 
 
 Banner of the Cross, Philadelphia, Feb. 5, 1842. 
 
 Comstock's System of Elocution, for sale by S. S. & W. Wood. — 
 This is a most excellent book, containing a system of elocution, with 
 special reference to gesture. It has a great number of cuts, descriptive 
 of the plan, and is admirably calculated for the learner. It ought to be 
 made a school-book, and be in the possession of every seminary. 
 New York Express, March 2, 1842. 
 
 Dr. A. Comstock, ) 
 
 Philadelphia, Dec. 10, 1841 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 Dear Sir — I am much obliged to you for the copy which you were 
 50 kind as to send me of your "System of Elocution." I find yout 
 book admirably adapted to the object for which it is intended. 
 I am very respectfully, Dear Sir, 
 
 your obedient servant, 
 
 CHARLES PICOT. 
 
36 
 
 From the Rev. Thomas B. Bradford. 
 
 Philadelphia, April 4, 1842. 
 I take great pleasure in recommending Dr. Comstock's System of 
 Elocution. A practical acquaintance with the system, and with the 
 instructions of its author, enables me to speak with confidence of the 
 high superiority of this treatise, and of the ample qualifications of its 
 author as an instructor in the art of speaking. 
 
 His course of instruction is exactly adapted to the cure of stammerers 
 and my personal knowledge of the cure of those who have been thua 
 afflicted, warrants me in particularly recommending such individuals to 
 place themselves under the tuition of Dr. Comstock. 
 
 T. B. BRADFORD. 
 
 From E. C. Wines, A. 31., late Professor of Moral, Mental, 
 
 and Political Science in the Central High School of 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Philadelphia, Oct. 22d, 1842. 
 
 I take pleasure in stating that Dr. A. Comstock taught Elocution in 
 my school during the whole of last year, and that his System of Elocu- 
 tion was used as a text-book. I consider it a work of very great merit, 
 admirably adapted to the end for which it was designed. The principles 
 of the science are laid down with clearness and ability in the First Part; 
 and the selections for practice in the Second Part are made with excel- 
 lent judgment. It is a work every way worthy of the public patronage. 
 
 The progress of the pupils in my school under Dr. Comstock's in- 
 struction was altogether satisfactory. He fully sustained his high repu- 
 tation as a teacher of practical elocution. 
 
 E. c. wines. 
 
 From S. W. Crawford, A. M., Principal of the Academy 
 connected with the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 I have examined Dr. Comstock's Elocution, and agree with Mr 
 Wines in the above recommendation. 
 
 S. W. CRAWFORD. 
 
 From the Pennsylvania Law Journal, Dec. 10, 1842. 
 
 We acknowledge the receipt of a copy of this valuable work ; and 
 although a treatise on elocution cannot be regarded as a law-book, the 
 subject of vocal delivery is so nearly connected with the practice of the 
 law, that we willingly accord to this volume a notice in our Journal. 
 
 Doctor Comstock has been long known to both the editors as a sue 
 cessful teacher of the subjects treated in his book. He has, perhaps, 
 paid greater and more intelligent attention to defects of articulation, and 
 to the cure of them, than any other person in the United States. And 
 while certificates from Professor W. E. Horner and other members of 
 
37 
 
 the Faculty, attest that Dr. Comstock's " System is founded upon un 
 exact anatomical and physiological information in regard to the organs 
 concerned in the production and modification of sound," numberless 
 testimonials from pupils residing in every part of the Union, show that 
 he has been equally successful in the more rare, though not less im- 
 portant part of the teacher's office ; we mean, imparting his science 
 with practical effect. A long and intimate acquaintance with the Dr. 
 enables the editors to vouch for the truth of what is thus attested, and 
 yet more, to bear a ready testimonial to Dr. Comstock's merits as an 
 amiable, gentlemanly, and conscientious man. 
 
 We have, indeed, often lamented the gross, and, to an ear of any 
 susceptibility, the distressing inattention to delivery so generally pre- 
 valent in the pulpits and at the bar, in this country. How surprising, 
 in this day of almost universal accomplishment, that in professions 
 whose common object is persuasion through the medium of the voice, 
 the management of " this mighty instrument for touching the heart of 
 man," should be so much disregarded ! should be treated in one pro- 
 fession as useless, in the other as almost impious ! 
 
 How many a divine, whose sermon was replete with learning, with 
 piety, with all the refinements of graceful composition, has sent away a 
 ready (perhaps an anxious) hearer, disgusted with the unimpressive, 
 nay, sometimes the sickening manner in which the preacher's senti- 
 ments were delivered ! while a Maffet or a Kirk is followed by thou 
 sands whose slumbering sensibilities are first awakened to the majesty 
 of the gospel truth, by the commanding power of an impressive voice ! 
 
 How many a jury has thought a speaker's argument without force, 
 because his manner was so; and have found a verdict against law and 
 against evidence, because they had been charmed into delusion by the 
 potent fascination of some gifted orator! 
 
 Who, indeed, that has listened to the ennobled voice of Kemble, to 
 the chastened recitation of a Wood, to the air-dropt accents of Mrs. 
 Seymour, or the sternly pleasing power of Ellen Tree ; who, that seek- 
 ing a better school, may have hearkened to the unsurpassed discourses 
 of a Wainwright, rising, now, to fervour almost apostolic, sometimes 
 sinking into gentleness unearthly, has not acknowledged the power of 
 educated tone to awaken an eloquent response from the chords of human 
 feeling ? Who has not felt, on such occasion, " that when, in connection 
 with a more careful culture of our moral being, the voice shall be trained 
 to a more perfect manifestation of its powers, a charm, hitherto unfelt, 
 will be lent to the graceful pleasures of life, and an influence of almost 
 untried efficacy to its serious occasions !" 
 
 Let, then, our preachers leave the towering heights of their divinity, 
 and strive to present its humbler truths in more graceful garb. Let our 
 lawyers, not neglecting the weightier matters of the law, attend to 
 those embellishments of argument which, with half our race, often prove 
 more effective than argument itself. 
 
 The Author acknowledges the receipt of a recommendation from J. 
 E. Murdoch, Esq., the well-known elocutionist of Boston ; and he regrets 
 that want of room prevents its insertion here. Mr. Murdoch has adopted 
 the work as a text-book in his Vocal and Athletic Institute. 
 
38 
 
 From the Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, M. D., D.D 
 
 Philadelphia, June 26th, J 843. 
 Andrew Comstock, M. D. 
 
 Dear Sir — I have very carefully read the " System of Elocution,' 
 &.c. published by you. Indeed, ever since I have become acquainted 
 with the work, I have made it a book of reference on that subject. It 
 seems to me admirably well adapted to the purposes for which it is de- 
 signed. I have, indeed, no experience in the treatment of" stammering," 
 or "defective articulation." But your rules for their cure appear very 
 natural, and I think cannot fail, in ordinary cases, to be successful. For 
 myself, I can say that I have derived from your work, some hints that 
 have been most useful to me as a public speaker. I hope the book will 
 be appreciated as it deserves, and that you will go on to reap a rich liar- 
 test of reputation and profit from your valuable labours in that much 
 neglected, but very important art. 
 
 Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, 
 
 HENRY W. DUCACHET, 
 Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Philadelphia. 
 
 From G. W. Francis, A. M., Principal of a Family Board- 
 ing School, Troy^ N. Y. ; and C. H. Anthony, Esq., 
 Principal of the Albany Classical Institute, Albany, 
 N. Y. 
 
 We have used Dr. Comstock's System of Elocution for some time in 
 our schools, and we do not hesitate to give it the preference to any system 
 with which we are acquainted. 
 
 G. W. FRANCIS. 
 C. H. ANTHONY. 
 Troy, N. Y., Feb. 2d, 1844. 
 
 From the Faculty of the University of Michigan. 
 
 University or Michigan, April 20, 1845. 
 We have examined Dr. Comstock's System of Elocution with somo 
 care, and we are fully persuaded that it is better adapted to assist 
 pupils in acquiring a correct, easy and forcible enunciation than any 
 other work with which we are acquainted. 
 
 JOSEPH WHITING, A. M. 
 
 Professor of Languages. 
 
 A. TENBROOK, A. M. 
 
 Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy 
 
 GEO. P. WILLIAMS, A. M. 
 
 Professor of Mathematics 
 
 O. C. COMSTOCK, A. M., M. D. 
 
 Superlntendant ot Fubiic instruction. Michigan. 
 
39 
 
 From the Rev. Henry W. Ducachet, M. D., D.D. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 26th, 1843. 
 Andrew Comstock, M. D. 
 
 Dear Sir — I have very carefully read the " System of Elocution," 
 &c. published by you. Indeed, ever since I have become acquainted 
 with the work, I have made it a book of reference on that subject It 
 seems to me admirably well adapted to the purposes for which it is de- 
 signed. I have, indeed, no experience in the treatment of " stammering," 
 or " defective articulation." But your rules for their cure appear very 
 natural, and I think cannot fail, in ordinary cases, to be successful. For 
 myself, I can say that I have derived from your work, some hints that 
 have been most useful to me as a public speaker. I hope the book will 
 be appreciated as it deserves, and that you will go on to reap a rich har- 
 vest of reputation and profit from your valuable labours in that much 
 neglected, but very important art. 
 
 Very respectfully, your ob't serv't, 
 
 HENRY W. DUCACHET, 
 Rector of St. Stephen's Church, Philadelphia. 
 
 From G. W. Francis, A. M., Principal of a Family Board- 
 ing School, Troy^ N. Y. ; and C. H. Anthony, Esq., 
 Principal of the Albany Classical Institute, Albany, 
 N. Y. 
 
 We have used Dr. Comstock's System of Elocution for some time in 
 our schools, and we do not hesitate to give it the preference to any system 
 with which we are acquainted. 
 
 G. W. FRANCIS. 
 C. H. ANTHONY. 
 Troy, N. Y., Feb. 2d, 1844. 
 
 From the Faculty of the University of Michigan. 
 
 University of Michigan, April 20, 1845. 
 We have examined Dr. Comstock's System of Elocution with some 
 care, and we are fully persuaded that it is better adapted to assist 
 pupils in acquiring a correct, easy and forcible enunciation than any 
 other work with which we are acquainted. 
 
 JOSEPH WHITING, A. M. 
 
 Professor of Languages. 
 
 A. TENBROOK, A. M. 
 Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy. 
 
 GEO. P. WILLIAMS, A. M. 
 
 Professor of Mathematics. 
 
 O. C. COMSTOCK, A. M., M. D. 
 
 Superintendant of Public Instruction. Michigan 
 
0.0 A Letter from the Jl-jn. Ira Maylwvo, of Michigan. 
 
 Office os Superintendent oj? Public Instruction, 
 Monroe, Maj 15, 1847. 
 Dear Sir 
 
 I received by yesterday's mail, "Comstock's Phonetic Reader," and 
 "Speaker." 1 had before in my possession (received from some 
 unknown source) your "Treatise on Phonology," No. 1, and the 1st, 
 2d, 3d, 7th, and 9th Nos. of your ''Phonetic Magazine." 
 
 I was unable to give any attention to these works when first received. 
 When 1 got a little time to devote to the subject, I took up the Treatise 
 on Phonology, and I was unable to lay it down until I had completed 
 its perusal. I placed it in the hands of my children, and judge what 
 was my surprise to hear a daughter not yet six years old. read the 
 first chapter of Genesis fluently, in less than one hour from the time 
 she first saw a Phonetic character ! 
 
 I wish you every possible success in your efforts to facilitate the 
 acquisition of the English language. Permit me, sir, to express the 
 hope that, when you shall have prepared the necessary elementary 
 books, Phonology will become a common branch of study in the pri- 
 mary schools of this, and other States of the Union. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 IRA MAYHEW, Sup'L Public Instruction. 
 To Andrew Comstock, M. D., Philadelphia. 
 
 A Letter from J. K. Mitchell, M. D.. the Professor of the 
 
 Theory and Practice of Medicine, in Jefferson Medical 
 
 College, Philadelphia , and a Member of the American 
 
 Ph ilosoph ic a I Soc iety . 
 
 Philadelphia, June 28, 18-51. 
 
 AXDREW COMSTOCK, M. D. 
 
 Dear Sir — From a critical examination of your great theory of 
 phonetics, I am glad to find that the system has already attained to 
 completion. To me it is truly gratifying to learn that an alphabet 
 exists which is strictly representative, not only of all the sounds, but 
 of their various modifications in speech, in every language in which 
 books are written upon the arts and sciences. I am glad to perceive this, 
 because I consider a universal alphabet of the greatest value to the 
 civilized world. A knowledge of your system enables the student, at 
 once and always, to read every book printed conformably to it, not 
 only in English, but in French. German, Latin, Greek, Spanish, 
 Italian, &c. The greatest obstacle to the accpaisition of one's verna- 
 cular, or any other language, is thus entirely removed, and the learner 
 finds the only insuperable impediment to self-instruction totally ob- 
 viated. Not only will your system of phonetics do these things, butit will 
 produce that uniformity of pronunciation so desirable and so elegant. 
 
 I esteem your efforts of the greatest value, because I perceive that 
 the dream of Franklin has become, in your hands, a profound reality. 
 I remain, dear sir, truly yours, 
 
 J. K. MITCHELL. 
 
com Stock's phonology. 109 
 
 A Letter from the Rev. Saynurl Aaron, Principal of Tree Mount 
 Seminary. 
 
 Norristow.v, Pa., July IS, 1848. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : 
 
 My Dear Sir, — Although so little given to puffing that I have not for 
 years even advertised my own school, a sense of duty compels me to 
 notice in terms of the highest commendation the truly benevolent and 
 philosophical efforts you are making to diffuse the knowledge and estab- 
 lish the use of the perfect alphabet. 
 
 As a teacher of young men and boys for many years, I have had a 
 laborious and most painful experience in inculcating the thousands of 
 absurdities and irregularities in English orthography. To stamp on the 
 memory of youth a jargon imposed on us all bj* the authority of lexico- 
 graphers, is an undertaking about equally hateful in the labor, hopeless 
 in the prospect, and stupid in the accomplishment. The contradictions 
 and enigmas in spelling are well adapted to beget in bright youths a 
 persuasion, that the chain of knowledge, instead of being a series of 
 beautifully connected links, is a tissue of tangled knots and kinks, and 
 that teachers are a pack of arbitrary blockheads. A dull boy never 
 learns to spell ; a smart and willing one acquires the art after many 
 years as a hateful conventional necessity. 
 
 Your alphabet, very agreeable to the eye, and, for aught I see, com- 
 plete in the elementary sounds, can be learned in a few days by any one 
 not an idiot; and then distinct reading follows in a few days more. I 
 have no doubt a sprightly child, ignorant of all letters, could be taught 
 by its use to read slowly but surely in one week ; while now such read- 
 ing is a work of years, and spelling is almost never learned. 
 
 I must commend your alphabet for its good appearance. Without 
 meaning to disparage the " Anglo-Saxon," which I now receive, and 
 with high respect for its conductors, I am free to say that the beautiful 
 page of your New Testament is vastly superior to any other phonotypy 
 I have seen. 
 
 It is perfectly truthful, but may seem like flattery, to say that your 
 intelligent and tireless zeal in advancing this great reform, has no 
 parallel so far as I know, and will doubtless be better rewarded by your 
 own consciousness of benevolence and right intention than by any eulogy 
 of mine. You will meet with much opposition, be ridiculed by the 
 stupid, the conservative will inveigh against your " mad innovation," the 
 literary bigot will dread the loss of his occupation, but time, perseverance, 
 and the common sense of the world, will effect your triumph. 
 
 I heartily approve the publication of your intended monthly, and I 
 hope it may soon be read and appreciated by many thousands. 
 
 My school will take sixty copies for one year; and be assured my 
 pupils generally are as cordial as myself in the hope of your success. 
 
 Direct a copy to Dr. Dunlap, Norristown, your tbrmer pupil. 
 I am sincerely your affectionate friend, 
 
 SAMUEL AARON. 
 10 
 
STAMMERING CURED 
 
 STAMMERING CURED. 
 
 A Letter from Mrs. Mann, of Zanesville, Ohio, to Dr. A. Comstoclc, 
 of Ph iladelphia. 
 
 Zanesville, Ohio, March 20, 1852. 
 Dr. Comstock : — 
 
 Dear Sir, — Having waited a sufficient length of time to test my 
 daughter's acquirements in reference to her freedom of speech, I 
 seat myself to acknowledge the extreme delight and satisfaction 
 I have experienced in finding her capable of expressing herself 
 with ease and freedom from any thing like stammering. Occa- 
 sionally, when very much excited, I can detect a very slight em- 
 barrassment, which does not, however, amount to a stammer ; 
 and I believe it would never be observed by persons unacquainted 
 with her former impediment. 
 
 It is but due to you, sir, to acknowledge that your labors have 
 accomplished more than my most sanguine expectations could 
 have looked for ; and were I to attempt to express my gratitude 
 and thankfulness for the inestimable benefit she has derived from 
 your system of teaching, I should utterly fail of doing yourself, 
 or my own feelings, justice. My daughter has told me of your 
 fatherly care and persevering efforts for her benefit. I doubt not 
 but you will believe me, when I say that I, as a mother, know 
 how to appreciate such demonstrations of true honor. Yours is, 
 emphatically, a labor of love ; and, whilst I most sincerely desire 
 to express my gratitude to you as the instrument of incalculable 
 good to my child, I wish humbly to recognize the hand of Provi- 
 dence in pointing to you in answer to a long-cherished desire to 
 place her somewhere, where she could be cured of so unfortunate 
 an embarrassment. I am much pleased with the improvement 
 she has made in Elocution and French. I have always esteemed 
 Elocution not only a very beautiful, but also a very essential 
 accomplishment — and to Annie it is doubly so. Annie's improve- 
 ment in music is perfectly satisfactory. I very soon observed 
 the great improvement in fingering. I am, with much esteem, 
 your sincere friend, 
 
 ANN M. MANN. 
 
 I 
 
comstock's phonology. 113 
 
 [From the Providence Dnily Journal.] 
 THE PHONETIC ALPHABET. 
 
 To the Editor of the Journal : 
 
 I have lately had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Comstock, of Phi- 
 ladelphia, well known throughout the United States as one of the greatest 
 elocutionists of the day, and also renowned for the success he has met 
 with in curing stammering and various other imperfections of speech. 
 But I wish to speak of him now in relation to ore of the most practical 
 inventions of modern times, a new Alphabet for the English language. 
 Dr. Comstock is a man deeply versed in philological lore, and has made 
 this subject his study for years. He has at length matured it and given 
 it to the world as the result of his investigations into the regions of 
 thought and deep practical sense. Any one who has at all looked into 
 the science of the English language, must have seen at once, that, as a 
 language, it is (though one of the noblest in the world) sadly deficient 
 in rules and laws. In fact, there is no law, no rule, in relation to the 
 pronunciation of words, as may be seen from the fact that the -letters 
 o-u-g-h, for instance, are pronounced in seven different ways, and that it 
 is only through common usage that it is known which of these seven 
 ways is correct. Now a foreigner and a stranger to our language knows 
 nothing of common usage; he must learn the language by rule; but 
 how can he know the proper pronunciation of a word, when he sees 
 seven different words, with what seems to him the same combination of 
 letters, and yet is told they are pronounced in seven different ways ! 
 This very great difficulty, and to many persons an insurmountable one, 
 Dr. Comstock's new alphabet is designed to meet and to obviate. He 
 has a character for each of the elementary sounds in the English lan- 
 guage ; and any one, by paying attention to the characters, may learn 
 very readily to read by them. 
 
 But some objectors may say, Will not this alphabet, if introduced 
 generally, change our language entirely ? To this I answer by another 
 question. Is not our language constantly changing ? Is it by any means 
 the same as it was two hundred years ago, to say nothing of going still 
 farther back 7 Do not books, published then, require a dictionary to tell 
 us the meaning of many of the words, and is not the way of spelling 
 them quite obsolete now 1 But let the new alphabet be used, and there 
 is, there can be no change ; for, by this, every word must be written and 
 pronounced by a fixed rule, so that the very word conveys, on its face, 
 its own pronunciation, and there will be no need of referring to diction- 
 aries or authorities to decide ; the alphabet is its own interpreter of 
 sounds. I send you herewith one of Dr. Comstock's newspapers, so that 
 you may see for yourself his plan ; and you will be satisfied, Mr. Editor, 
 after you look into it, that it needs no eulogy of mine to recommend it 
 to your notice, or that of your readers. 
 
 J. A. E * 
 
 * We have reason to think that the above article was written by Mrs. Jane A. 
 Eames, of Providence, II. I. — the authoress of a very interesting anonymous work, 
 entitled, " Budget of Letters."— C. 
 
114 RECOMMENDATIONS OP 
 
 A Letter from the Rev. William Beardsley, 
 
 Author of a Phonetic Alphabet and a System of Short-Hand. 
 
 Bristol, Kendall Co., Illinois, Feb. 20, 1851. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — For several months I have been proposing 1 to write to you 
 on the subject of the reform you so nobly persevere in — that of the writ- 
 ten representation of speech ; or, as I would style it, The Epographic 
 Reform. 
 
 Your Pamphoxeticon, as to its general features, commends itself to 
 every mind capable of judging of its merits, as an improvement in 
 literature, which, if generally adopted, would be of greater utility for the 
 generation now growing up, and tor those to come, than all our modern 
 improvements in the arts, as effected by the application of steam-power 
 to machinery These, indeed, facilitate the acquisition of wealth in a 
 great variety of ways, as well as multiply, almost incalculably, the con- 
 veniencies of life. They also bring regions of the earth, remote from 
 each other, into proximity, and thus introduce distant nations to each 
 other's acquaintance, and open to our view illimitable sources of know- 
 ledge and enjoyment. 
 
 But the Pamphoneticon, let it be put into general operation, would be 
 the key to unlock those sources of knowledge to every mind, and thus 
 quality, or furnish the means to qualify all who would avail themselves of 
 its advantages. And, as to the pecuniary advantages it would afford, 
 if the maxim, " A penny saved is a penny earned," is true, this improve- 
 ment would not suffer in comparison with any of those effected by steam- 
 power. And then the mighty impetus it would give to the study of lan- 
 guage, and the magic power it would exert to dispel the confusion and 
 jargon of modern tongues, and gradually prepare the way lor one uni- 
 versal language ; or, at least, to remove one of the chief obstacles to the 
 acquisition of the different languages, so as to render them comparatively 
 easy, and thus remove, also, one of the great barriers to international 
 communication and amity. 
 
 How vastly would such a reform, or rather revolution, speed the march 
 of science and of the arts in every land, and especially in our own ! 
 Suppose the two millions of children, or more, in the United States, now 
 in a process of drilling in our primary schools, in order to " beat into 
 them" a knowledge of the common alphabet, and of its labyrinthic ar- 
 rangements into words to represent our spoken language, instead of 
 being thus absurdly led, or driven " in terrorem" through all the count- 
 less intricacies of such a chaos — instructed correctly in the science of 
 Epology, or Phonetics, and then, in the simple representation of the ele- 
 mentary sounds, on the principle of one simple sign to each elementary 
 sound, and always the same letter to denote one and the same sound — 
 who can estimate the amount of energy such a change would impart to 
 those millions of young minds, now comparatively inert? — inert, because 
 uninterested, and uninterested because uninformed as to the very rudi- 
 ments of their mother tongue. Instead of drilling them much of their 
 time in school for many years, in the dry and most repulsive task of 
 reading and spelling syllables and words, which few ever perfectly at- 
 tain, and less retain, let them once and forever learn the true theory and 
 

 cojjstock's phonology. 115 
 
 practice (which a great portion of them would be able to do within a 
 month), and then let them apply their minds to the study of things, so 
 as to acquire knowledge, and they will manifest an ever-increasing 
 eagerness to climb the heights of science. How different would be their 
 history, and how much higher their destiny ! 
 
 Persevere, then, in the work, and may you live to witness in this en- 
 terprise as great a change as has been effected, within the last forty 
 years, in locomotion by steam-power. 
 
 Yours for the Reform, 
 
 WM. BEARDSLEY. 
 
 A Letter from Stephen D. Stout, Esq. 
 
 Charleston, Tennessee, Feb. 23, 1851. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : 
 
 Sir, — I have been reading your paper (Phonetic Telegraph) for more 
 than a year; and I must say that I have the highest opinion of your 
 improved system of orthography. I received all the books that I ordered 
 from you, and a little Geography extra, which is truly a beautiful book. 
 
 I was pleased with the Phonetic Alphabet at first sight, but withheld 
 my opinion till I had carefully examined the merits of the system. Now, 
 I think I am not mistaken when I say that the Phonetic Alphabet is one 
 of the greatest inventions of the age. Its beautiful appearance, its sim- 
 plicity, and, above all, its perfection, speak highly in its favor; and, so for 
 as my observation extends, it has been favorably received wherever it has 
 been examined. 
 
 I feel deeply interested in your publications, and will do all in my 
 power to aid you in this great Reform. 
 Yours, truly, 
 
 STEPHEN D. STOUT. 
 Teacher of a G rummur-ischool. 
 
 A Letter from J. K. Mitchell, M. D., the Professor of the Theory and 
 Practice of Medicine, in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and a 
 Member of the American Philosophical Society. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 28, 1851. 
 A. Comstock, M. D. : 
 
 Dear Sir, — From a critical examination of your great theory of Pho- 
 netics, I am glad to find that the system has alreadv attained to com- 
 pletion. To me it is truly gratifying to learn that an alphabet exists 
 which is strictly representative, not only of all the sounds, but of their 
 various modifications in speech, in every language in which books are 
 written upon the arts and sciences. I am glad to perceive this, because 
 I consider a universal alphabet of the greati si value to the civilized 
 world. A knowledge of 1 your system enables the student, at once and 
 always, to read every book printed conformably to it, nut only in Eng- 
 lish, but in French, German, Latin, Greek, Spanish, Italian, &c. The 
 greatest obstacle to the acquisition of one's vernacular, or any other 
 language, is thus entirely removed, and the learner finds the only insu- 
 
116 RECOMMENDATIONS OF 
 
 perable impediment to self-instruction totally obviated. Not only will 
 your system of Phonetics do these things, but it will produce that uni- 
 fbrmitv of pronunciation so desirable and so elegant. 
 
 I esteem your efforts of the greatest value, because I perceive that the 
 dream of Franklin has become, in your hands, a profound reality. 
 
 I remain, dear sir, truly yours, J. K. MITCHELL. 
 
 A Letter from the Rev. D. G. Mattery, of Woodstock, Virginia. 
 Dr. A. Comstock: Fairfax C. H., Va., March 31st, 1855. 
 
 Dear Sir, — I am delighted with your little book, (Phonetic Readert 
 No. I.), and shall do what I am able, to make it known in my neigh 
 borhood. 
 
 I have been a teacher during most of the last ten years, and have a 
 thousand times lamented that we have an orthography so absurd. Your 
 beautiful alphabet is all that I can desire. Its adaptation to all lan- 
 guages, and particularly its relation to the missionary work, makes me 
 most anxious for its speedy adoption. Had I the power to compel its 
 adoption by all missionaries, that power should be exercised. 
 
 Enclosed, please find postage-stamps for the Readers, and also for 
 your Treatise on Phonology, which latter please send by mail. I shall 
 get some, if not all of your other books, when I reach home. I expect 
 to remain here during the month of April, and alier that shall reside 
 permanently at Woodstock, Shenandoah county, Va. Yours sincerely, 
 
 D. G. MALLERY. 
 
 Another Letter from Rev. D. G. Mullery. 
 Dr. Comstock : F. C. H., April 18th, 1855. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Your letter came to hand while I was conversing with 
 another minister on your system. Although I had never seen a script 
 alphabet in actual pen and ink writing, yet I read it without the least 
 hesitation ; and, handing it to my friend, he found but few words which 
 he did not understand, notwithstanding his only acquaintance with your 
 alphabet was gained from looking over the slip of printed paper which 
 you enclosed, and that while I was reading your letter. 
 
 I hope to see the day when we shall have the Hebrew Bible printed 
 in your phonetre characters ; and I am sure it would delight the eyes 
 of many who, like myself, have wearied themselves with the uncouth 
 characters in which we are now obliged to read it. 
 
 As you are aware, it is one of the subjects on which candidates for 
 the (Presbyterian) ministry are examined ; yet you will not, I think, find 
 one in ten who can read it after five years' ministerial life. This is 
 owiuw-, in a great measure, to the irksomeness of the task of keeping 
 up their acquaintance with it; and this is occasioned by the character 
 of the letters which, with the subscript vowel-points, gives a confused 
 appearance to the page, wearying the eyes of all, and permanently in. 
 juring the eyes of many. 
 
 If such a book as "Arnold's Hebrew Book" could be published with 
 some portion of Genesis and the Psalms added to it> and all in your 
 phonetic characters, the labor of learning Hebrew would become a 
 pleasure. Yours truly, 
 
 D. G. MALLERY, 
 Woodstock, Shenandoah Co , Va. 
 
com,stock's phonology. 117 
 
 A Letter from N. F. Cooledge, Principal of Cotton Hill Seminary, Ga. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : Cotton Hill, Ga., July 7, 1855. 
 
 Dear Sir,— I am well satisfied, from the simplicity and utility of your 
 Universal Alphabet, that it is a work "destined for immortality;" and 
 that if you will publish a complete series of school-books, in my humble 
 opinion, ten years will suffice to work a general reformation, and class 
 the old alphabet among the " things that have been, but are no more." 
 
 Permit me to say, most respectfully, that your claims are not so 
 generally understood as they should be. I think your watchword should 
 be agitation—your motto, keep it before the people; for the friends of this 
 reform are looking to you to carry it forward. Respectful lv, 
 
 N. F. COOLEDGE. 
 
 A Letter from Gilbert Randolph, Esq. 
 
 Morgan Kqrati, Tsnssx, Nov. 173, 1S54. 
 Dr. Andru Komstok: 
 
 Dir Sur — Mcor oan a yrx agco I rat ts yu, and rxsxvd an ansur, rslativ ts 
 yur Fconstik wurks; sins qi<5 tim I hav bin ordunrj sum ov yur wurks Ors 
 08 heps ov Lipinkot, Grambco & Ku. 
 
 I am weI phzd wio yur SistEru ov Fconstix. Yur FconElik karaktur/. ds 
 not luk sco kuksd, kruked, and unsith az Pitman'z. Curli yurz wil tek 
 betur wib be Amsrikan pxpl ban biz. 
 
 lam tifirj a komun sksl, and hav a klas ridnj in be TEStamsnt: qil be 
 nd, I hav Komstok's Fconstik TsstamEnt bifcor rui. Hep i/.i it iz ! It iz do 
 trubl ts kol Evun hard ncm in it. 
 
 I am trirrj ts gEt mi patrunz in be sprat ov FwnEtix. If I suksid, I cal 
 ordur a pak ov yur biks bitwxn ois and spnrj. I wild bi glad if yur Dik- 
 cunari kud bi rsdi bi oat tim. I hav sevural students ncp, hs rid yur Fo- 
 DEtik print prsti wsl, and .ssvural hs kan spsl olmcost £ni wurd bi ?rpnd. I 
 am konfinst oat 5e studi ov FconEtix wil fasilitet be studi ov orftografi, xvn 
 akordirj ts 6e cold msdud. 
 
 If yu ar pubheirj a piriodikal in yur Alfabst, I dizir yu tH send it ts mi: 
 and be subsknpeun pris cal bi forftkumirj upon 6e nsit ov be furst numbur. 
 Mi post-ofts iz, Pcort fik Sprirjz, Rcon Kcpnti, TsnE.-i. 
 
 Yur wurks hav grvn Entir satisfakcun qoi'Evur I hav surkuletfd bsm. 
 Hcopirj ts hrr from yu ssn, rslativ ts yur Dikcunan, tBgs&ur wio edi sugdes- 
 fnnz yu me si fit ts mek ts wun hs wiciz yur FconEtix yzmrvursal sukses, I 
 am yurz, rxspsktfr/li, G. RANDOLF. 
 
 A Letter from Wm. Johns, Esq., of Talladega, Alabama. 
 
 Taladiga, Alabama, Okt. 9, 1847. 
 
 Pun, — I hav wio plsjur, and. I trust, not wibcpt profit, n-ivil and rsd be 
 difursnt numburz ov yur Fconetik Magazin, from be kouiEnsuisut ov its 
 publikecun. 
 
 Yurz iz, ts mi mind, a lodabl Enturpriz, and dfistind ts sfskt mu6 for bh 
 koz ov luniirj, not onli aniurj ocoz hs ncp spik oi Iijglie larjgwiij. but bi rni- 
 
118 com stock's phonology. 
 
 durirj a nolec) ov it izi ov akwizicun, nidus its adopcun bi bi ubur necunz 
 or bi urft. Ais vvil probabll bi bi ultimatum. 
 
 AVer it nEsssari, and -kud I pnzutn ts sfekt Em Orrj, I init se msm gud 
 Oinz m rilecun ts yur sistEni ov Fmnografi, and yur sftorts for rxform ; but 
 I kanbt Enkunc] yu so sfsk&jali em ubur we az bi givrrj yu mi on patrumc). 
 I oarfcor inklcoz yu wun dolur, wib be rikwEst bat jm tend mi bf Magazin 
 for os kuiTut yir. 
 
 I hav komEnst 61 EstablicmEnt ov an mdipEndsnt Ili Sksl in bis pies (Ta- 
 ladiga); and, lik yur frmd Birdzli, "I am dizirus ts obten, at bi cpt.-et. OE 
 mcost aprsvd buks, and ts mtrcodus bE rowst aprsvd msOudz ov mstrukeun." 
 And I eal, az ssn az konviuysnt, Egamm yur sxnz ov buks; and, if be ar 
 qot I antisipet, adopt bsm az tsxt-buks, and Endsvur ts hav bEm mtrwdust 
 cjsnurah, in bis kqmti. Yurz, wib nspekt, WM. JD0NZ. 
 
 Dr. A. Komstok, Filadslfia. 
 
 The following Lines, accompanied with the First Edition of the Treatise on 
 Phonology, were sent to an uncle (since deceased), who loas loth a Cler<jy~ 
 man and a Physician. 
 
 Filadslfia, Epnl 2, 1846. 
 
 I'v bin Engecjd, az bi biz linz yu '1 si, 
 
 In mekrrj purfskt qir ordografi. 
 
 <J>r ansfsturz, az if bar sunz ts bobur, 
 
 Spsld wurdz wun we — prcontpnst bnn in anubur; 
 
 Bi oe sem sin Exprest kwit difursnt sqpndz, 
 
 Qi6 muc, yu nco, bs pupiFz mind konfepndz. 
 
 But wx, lis hv in bis Enlitnd erj, 
 
 Qsn nuthrj but unprsvniEnt iz be ret), 
 
 Qeu Koraurs bnrjz bur murdandiz from far, 
 
 On snortirj stimbcots and bE fliirj kar, 
 
 Qsn wudn niEn ar med ts spik and sirj, 
 
 And nuz iz karid on be litmrj'z wrrj, 
 
 Qsn Evun art iz ts purfskcun brot, 
 
 And evun larjgwi^ "in six ls;nz tot," 
 
 Wil purfskt ordur cpt ov keos brrrj, 
 
 And mek cpr spclirj kwit an izi Sirj. 
 
 Ais haz bin dun, az bi mi brk yu'l SI, 
 
 Qi6 borz be till ov Fconoltotji. 
 
 Piruz bs work, not wib a hesti glans, 
 
 If yu bs koz ov sinis ivrd advafis; 
 
 But wib du ksr, and wib inkwirrrj mind, 
 
 Az ol wil ds bs'il bsnifit mankind, 
 
 Qsbur be psdl pilz, yurj fiklrfn lif., 
 
 Folro bE plq\ or id bE pulpil pn6. 
 
 A. KOMSTOK. 
 Rev. Dr. .A. M. ''.. E 
 
comStock's PIIONOLOGY. 119 
 
 A Letter from Wm. IT. Allen, LL.D., President of Girard College. 
 
 Girakd College, -Aug. 31, 1Sj5. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — Having examined your Phonetic Alphabet, I believe that it 
 is founded on a correct analysis of the elementary sounds of our language, 
 and that its use would greatly facilitate the acquisition of the arts of read- 
 ing and spelling, as well as promote uniformity in pronunciation. The 
 characters which you have adopted, being the Pioman and Greek letters, or 
 modifications of them, are simple in form, easy to write, and pleasant to 
 the eye, while the tone-marks, to indicate accent, inflection, and intonation, 
 enable the reader to comprehend and represent the exact meaning of his 
 author. 
 
 I recommend your alphabet to the attention of teachers and writers, in 
 the belief that its introduction into general use would save years of irk- 
 some labor to children, and be the nearest approach which has been made 
 to a "royal road to knowledge;" 
 
 I remain, respectfully yours, 
 
 WM. H. ALLEX. 
 
 A Letter from the Rev. Lyman Coleman, D. P., Principal of the Presby- 
 terian Institute, and Author of "An Historical Text-Book, and Atlas of 
 Biblical Geography ;" "Ancient Christianity Exemplijied ;" "Apostolic 
 and Primitive Church," &c. &c. 
 Dr. A. Comstock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — I do but reiterate the common sentiment of all who have duly 
 examined your Phonetic Alphabet, in giving expression to the conviction 
 that the characters which you have adopted greatly surpass, in simplicity 
 and beauty, all similar attempts to analyze and express the elementary 
 sounds of our language; and I consider that your Pamphoneticon is the 
 nearest approach which has ever been made to a universal alphabet. 
 
 Were it possible to reduce our spelling to a system so simple, so compre- 
 hensive, and complete, it would be an incalculable service to all who en- 
 counter the difficulties of the anomalous orthography of our noble language. 
 Even should a reform so desirable prove unsuccessful, your efforts in this 
 direction are not the less important to all those who study the first prin- 
 ciples of our own, or of foreign languages. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 LYMAN COLEMAN. 
 Philadelphia, Sept. 6, 1855. 
 
 I concur entirely in the opinion of Dr. Coleman. 
 
 JOHN S. HART, 
 
 Principal of the Philadelphi-a High School. 
 September 7, 1855. 
 
120 RECOMMENDATION OF 
 
 A Letter from James M. Morrison, E*q., the Linguist and Poet. 
 
 Philadelphia, Oct. 3, 1855. 
 Dr. Comstock : 
 
 Dear Sir, — Although what I may say in commendation of your Phonetic 
 System can have little or no weight, being, as Burns says, 
 
 " a nameless wight, 
 
 Trod in the mire clean out of sight;" 
 
 yet having, for a period of over thirty years, made the study of languages 
 a recreation, I consider myself not altogether incompetent to say a good 
 word for you. 
 
 Every linguist knows that, poor as the English tongue is in articulate 
 sounds, the Roman alphabet is inadequate to give them all expression. It 
 is equally evident that numerous combinations of letters are retained to 
 express sounds that are now obsolete or provincial. Hence the apparently 
 absurd combinations of letters expressing the same sound, and the equally 
 absurd double, triple, and even quadruple debt which the same letter is 
 made to pay, by representing different sounds — an anomaly found, to the 
 same extent, in no other tongue; alike repulsive to foreigners and puzzling 
 to children. Your system cuts a clear path through this tangled thicket, 
 by giving each letter an articulate sound, and each sound a uniform 
 representation. 
 
 As our knowledge of the great family of man increases, our ideas require 
 to be expressed in words whose uncouth sounds cannot be written in Ro- 
 man characters, such as Chinese, Hindostanee, Russian, &c. ; but they can 
 be easily managed by your system. And provincial peculiarities, as well 
 as words from the French, Spanish, &c, when printed in your characters, 
 can be read to a native without exciting his risibility. 
 
 To my mind, the most ingenious part of your whole system is its tone- 
 marks, by means of which the reader is not only enabled to pronounce 
 single words correctly, but to give the very tones of the language in which 
 the author himself would express his ideas. 
 
 Wishing you as much gain and glory as your meritorious labors deserve, 
 I am yours, very respectfully, 
 
 JAMES M. MORRISON. 
 
 Philadelphia, Oct. 6, 1855. 
 I have examined Dr. Comstock's Phonetic Alphnbet with some care, 
 and I consider it decidedly the best that I have ever seen. 
 
 P. REDFIELD, 
 Phonographer and Principal of Mantua Boys' School. 
 
RECOMMENDATION 
 
 OP 
 
 §i\ tostofe'is jgfrmtfo glpjraitt 
 
 "WITH A COMPARATIVE VIEW OF 
 
 THE PRESENT PHONETIC ALPHABETS. 
 
 We have carefully compared the Phonetic Alphabet of Dr. 
 A. Comstock, of Philadelphia, with that of Isaac Pitman, of 
 England, now used by himself in that country, and by An- 
 drew J. Graham in this; also with the modification of the 
 said alphabet as used by Longley, Prosser, and Benn Pitman, 
 in Cincinnati ; and we have no hesitation in saying that the 
 Alphabet of Dr. Comstock is far preferable, for the following 
 reasons : — 
 
 1. Dr. Comstock's alphabet is founded on a correct analysis 
 of the elementary sounds of the language ; whereas Pitman's 
 alphabet, as well as its modification, is founded on an incor- 
 rect analysis of these sounds.* 
 
 2. The alphabet of Dr. C. contains all the letters of the old 
 alphabet; whereas the other alphabets reject three of them, 
 viz., c, q, and x. . 
 
 3. In Dr. C.'s alphabet, the letters of the old alphabet are 
 employed in a way which essentially aids the pupil in acquiring 
 
 * We (Id not. here wish to he understood as referring, in any respect whatever, to Pitman's 
 Short-Hand Alphahet. His Phonography, as he calls it, though not strictly phonetic, is admitted 
 to be the best system of Short-Hand which has vet been devised. 
 
 (121) 
 
122 RECOMMENDATION OF 
 
 a knowledge of other languages, as they are appropriated, as 
 far as practicable, to the corresponding sounds in the different 
 languages in which the Roman alphabet is used; whereas, in 
 Pitman's alphabet, as well as in its modification, the letters 
 of the Roman alphabet are not employed in a way which 
 affords the learner of other languages essential aid. 
 
 4. Whenever there is a sound common to the English and 
 the Greek, and the English having no letter for it, but the 
 Greek a letter appropriated to the sound, this letter, in Dr. 
 C/s alphabet, is made to represent the same sound ; whereas, 
 in Pitman's alphabet, as well as in its modification, not one 
 Greek letter which is employed by him, is appropriated to the 
 sound that it represents in the Greek. Not only so : Mr. Pit- 
 man has formed new letters which are inelegant, when he 
 might have taken Greek letters which are beautiful, to repre- 
 sent sounds that are common to the two languages. 
 
 5. All the letters in Dr. C.'s alphabet are symmetrical, and, 
 in print, afford a beautiful page ; whereas, in Pitman's alpha- 
 bet, as well as in its modification, many of the letters are 
 uncouth, and, in print, make the page unseemly. 
 
 6. Dr. C.'s alphabet has tone-marks to indicate accent, in- 
 flection, and intonation, which enable one to read, at any period 
 however distant, an author exactly as he intended ; but Pit- 
 man's alphabet, as well as its modification, is destitute of tone- 
 marks, and, consequently, affords no such aid. 
 
 In conclusion, we would say that Dr. C.'s alphabet is the 
 only one which we have ever seen that deserves the name of 
 phonetic, for it is the only one which has a letter appropriated 
 to every elementary sound of the language, and signs to repre- 
 sent the various modifications of the voice in reading and 
 speaking. And we verily believe that this alphabet would not 
 only enable the pupil to resolve vocal words into their ele- 
 mentary sounds, and to read with propriety, but would greatly 
 facilitate his acquisition of our present anomalous orthography. 
 
comstock's phonetic alphabet. 123 
 
 With these views we cordially recommend Dr. Comstock's 
 Phonetic Alphabet to the consideration of those who feel an 
 interest in a subject so well calculated to facilitate the acqui- 
 sition of knowledge, and promote the extension of morality 
 and religion throughout the earth. 
 
 J. K. MITCHELL, M. D., 
 
 Professor of Medicine in Jefferson 
 Medical College, Philadelphia. 
 
 GEORGE ALLEN, 
 
 Professor of Greek and Latin in the 
 University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 S. W. CRAWFORD, D. D., 
 
 Principal of the Academical Depart- 
 ment of the University of Penn- 
 sylvania, and Professor of Didactic 
 and Pastoral Theology in the Theo- 
 logical Seminary of the Reformed 
 Preshyterian Church. 
 
 JOHN ROBERTON, 
 
 Professor of Languages, No. 119 South 
 Ninth Street, Philadelphia. 
 THOMAS BALDWIN, 
 
 Principal of a Mathematical and 
 Classical School, Philadelphia, and 
 Associate Editor of Lippincott's 
 Pronouncing Gazetteer of the 
 World. 
 
 J. SIMMONS, 
 
 Principal of Locust Street Institute 
 for Young Ladies, Philadelphia. 
 
 A. B. IVINS, A.M., 
 
 Principal of Friends' Central School, 
 Philadelphia. 
 LYMAN COLEMAN, 
 
 Principal of the Preshyterian Insti- 
 tute, Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES BROWN, 
 
 Author of the Rational System of 
 English Grammar, Philadelphia. 
 A. T. W. WRIGHT, 
 
 Principal of the Normal School, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 JOHN FAGAN, 
 
 Stereotyper, St. James' Street, Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 H. E. WALLACE, 
 
 Editor of the Law Intelligencer, Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 WM. CURRAN, M. D., 
 
 A Controller of the Public Schools, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 EDWIN THOMPSON, 
 
 Phonetic Compositor in John Fagan's 
 Stereotype Foundery, Philadelphia. 
 
 H. Y. LOUDERBACK, 
 
 Principal of Mount Vernon Male- 
 Grammar School, Philadelphia. 
 
 WILLIAM ROBERTS, 
 
 Principal of Ringgold Grammar 
 School, Philadelphia, 
 
 EDWIN BOOTH, 
 
 A Controller of the Public Schools, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 JOSEPH T. COOPER, 
 
 Editor of the Evangelical Repository, 
 and Pastor of the Second Associate 
 Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. 
 
 B. M. DUSENBERY, 
 
 A Controller of the Public Schools, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 E. B. MEARS, 
 
 Stereotyper, Harmony Court, Phil'a. 
 WILLIAM EVANS, 
 
 Phonetic Compositor, Office of the 
 Public Ledger, Philadelphia. 
 
 NELSON SIZER, 
 
 Professor of Phrenology, of the firm 
 of Fowlers, Wells, & Co., Phil'a. 
 
 E. CAPRON, 
 
 Editor of the Philadelphia Daily 
 Times. 
 
 EDWARD E. JONES, 
 
 Proprietor of the Daily Morning 
 Times, Philadelphia. 
 GEO. R. GRAHAM, 
 
 Editor of Graham's Magazine, Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 WM. H. SICKLES, 
 
 A Controller of the Public' Schools, 
 Philadi phia 
 
124 
 
 RECOMMENDATION OP 
 
 S. DOUGLAS WYETH, 
 
 Stereotyper, No. 7 Pear Street, Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 ANDREW McMAKIN, 
 
 Editor of the American Courier, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 E. J. HEMPHILL, 
 
 Secretary of the Board of Control- 
 lers of the Public Schools, Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 GEO. W. BURR, 
 
 A Controller of the Public Schools, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 ROBERT E. PETERSON, 
 
 Editor of Peterson's Familiar Science, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 C. SHERMAN, 
 
 Printer, No. 19 St. James Street, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 A. H. LAIDLAW, A.M., 
 
 Principal of the Monroe Boys' Gram- 
 mar School, Philadelphia. 
 
 P. A. CREGAR, A. M, 
 
 Principal of the North-West Boys' 
 Grammar School, Philadelphia. 
 
 R. P. KING, 
 
 Printer, firm of King and Baird, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 JOSEPH PANCOAST, M. D., 
 
 Professor of Anatomy in Jefferson 
 Medical College, Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES W. McCALLISTER, 
 
 A Controller of the Public Schools, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 TYLER LIPPINCOTT, 
 
 Phonetic Compositor in T. K. Collins's 
 Printing Office, Philadelphia. 
 
 JOHN SARTAIN, 
 
 Artist, and Editor of Sartain's Maga- 
 zine, Philadelphia. 
 
 SAMUEL DURBOROW, 
 
 Rector of the Church of the Evan- 
 gelists, Philadelphia. 
 
 A. BE ATT Y, 
 
 Rector of Trinity Church, Carbon- 
 dale, Pennsylvania. 
 
 M. HAMBLETON, 
 
 Attorney at Law, aDd Phonographic 
 Reporter, Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES L. TYSON, M. D., 
 
 Professor of Materia Medica and 
 Therapeutics in the Philadelphia 
 College of Medicine. 
 
 C. CAMPBELL COOPER, M. D., 
 
 President of the Board of Directors 
 of Public Schools, 9th District, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 E. CONVERSE, 
 
 Editor of the Christian Observer, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 L. A. GODEY, 
 
 Editor of Godey's Lady Book, Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 DAVID McKINNEY, 
 
 Editor of the Presbyterian Banner, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 W. B. JACOBS, 
 
 Editor of the Christian Chronicle, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 M. McMICHAEL, 
 
 Editor of the North American and 
 United States Gazette, Phila. 
 
 B. R. LOXLEY, 
 
 Depository Agent of the American 
 Baptist Publication Society, No. 118 
 Arch St., Philadelphia. 
 
 J. P. ENGLES, 
 
 Publishing Agent of the Presbyterian 
 Board of Publication, No. 265 
 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES C. SCOTT, 
 
 Depository Agent of Pennsylvania 
 Bible Society, N. W. corner of 7th 
 and Walnut, Philadelphia. 
 
 ROBERT MORRIS, 
 
 Editor of the Pennsylvania Inquirer, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES S. WALLACE, 
 
 Editor of the Philadelphia Sun. 
 
 J. R. FLANIGEN, 
 
 Editor of the Daily News, Phila. 
 
 SAMUEL C. UPHAM, 
 
 Editor of the Sunday Mercury, Phila. 
 
 WILLIAM RICE, 
 
 Proprietor of the Pennsylvanian, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 EDWARD W. WEBB, 
 
 Editor of the Pennsylvanian, Phila. 
 
comstock's phonetic alphabet. 125 
 
 JOHN M. COLEMAN, 
 
 For 18 years Principal of Grammar 
 School, Philadelphia. 
 
 JOHN LEYBURN, 
 
 Editor of the Presbyterian, Phila. 
 
 CHARLES WADSWORTH, 
 
 Pastor of Arch Street Church, Phila. 
 
 THEO. CUYLER, 
 
 President of the Board of Directors 
 of Public Schools, Eighth Section, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 JOSEPH WRIGHT, A. M., V.D.M., Min- 
 ister of the Bible Christian Church, 
 Philadelphia, and for more than 25 
 years Principal of Millington Aca- 
 demy, Maryland. 
 
 HORACE M. MARTIN, 
 
 Editor of the Evening Argus, Phila. 
 
 JOHN CHAMBERS, 
 
 Pastor of the First Independent 
 Presbyterian Church, Broad St., 
 Philadelphia, and one of the Vice- 
 Presidents of the Pennsylvania 
 Bible Society. 
 
 P. COOMBE, 
 
 Pastor of Fifth Street Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, Philadelphia. 
 
 J. A. norm:, 
 
 Pastor of the St. George's M. E. 
 Church, Philadelphia. 
 
 JOS. R. CHANDLER, 
 
 [l"or 25 years Editor of the United 
 States' Gazette, and afterwards 
 Member of Congress.] 
 
 WM. RAMSEY, D.D., 
 
 Pastor of the Cedar Street Church, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 J. COWPERTHWAIT, 
 
 A Director of the Girard College, and 
 for many years a Director and Con- 
 troller of the Public Schools of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 WM. H. BATT, 
 
 Principal of Zane Street Boys' Gram- 
 mar School, Philadelphia. 
 
 JAMES BRYAN, A. M, M. D., 
 
 Professor of Surgery in the Philadel- 
 phia College of Medicine. 
 
 SAMUEL SARTAIN, 
 
 Engraver on Steel, Philadelphia. 
 
 WM. F. BRADY, 
 
 Phonetic Compositor, Ledger Build- 
 ing, Philadelphia 
 
 A Letter from George B. Wood, 31. D., Professor of the Theory and Prac- 
 tice of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Philadelphia, Sept. 28, 1855. 
 Dear Doctor: 
 
 From what I know of your System of Phonology, from the great length 
 of time and diligent perseverance which you have devoted to this subject, 
 and from my knowledge of your general character and ability, I have no 
 doubt that your Treatise on Phonology, now in the press, will be a work 
 of much research and great usefulness, and should have no hesitation in 
 recommending it to all teachers of youth, and all others desirous of forming 
 a just estimate of spoken language. 
 
 Respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 GEO. B. WOOD. 
 Dr. Andrew Comstock. 
 
BE. A. COMSTOCK'S WORKS. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR, 
 No. 102 ARCH STREET, PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Comstock's System of Elocution, with special reference to Gesture, to 
 tin.- Treatment of Stammering, and Defective Articulation; comprising nearly 300 
 Diagrams and Engraved Figures illustrative of the subject, Price, $1 ; postage, IT 
 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Speaker, a reprint of the System of Elocution, in 
 the Author's Perfect Alphabet, l'rice. $lj postage, 17 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Reader £ consisting of a Selection of Pieces, Classical 
 
 and Moral, in Prose and Verse, in both the Old and the New Alphabet. Designed 
 for Schools, as well as for individuals, whether natives or foreigners, who w ii h to 
 acquire the true pronunciation of the English Language. Price, $1 ; postage, 17 cts. 
 
 Comstock's Phoneticon, a large Chart, comprising— -first, the Elementary 
 
 Sounds of the English Language— second, numerous Engravings, showing the beet 
 posture of the mouth, in the energetic utterance of the elements — third, a Perfect 
 Alphabet, graphic and typlc— -fourth, Exercises in Pitch, Force, and Melody— -fifth, 
 Exercises in Gesture. Mounted on rollers. Price, $3. 
 
 Comstock's System of Vocal Gymnastics— a Key to the Phoncticon — 
 comprising Exercises in Articulation, l'itch, Force, .Melody. Modulation, and Ges- 
 ture; arranged as they are practised in the Author's Vocal Gymnasium. Price, 25 
 cents; postage, 3 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Minstrel $ consisting of Original Songs, in the New, 
 as well as in the Old Alphabet, set to Music. Price 12 cents; postage, 1 cent. 
 
 My Little Geography, in Comstock's Perfect Alphabet, comprising more than 
 50 Kngravingg. Edited by Mrs. Tuthill. Price, 25 cents; postage, 5 i 
 
 Epitome Historic Sacrpe, on an improved plan, with an Interlinear Trans- 
 lation. Designed as a Primary Book in the study of the Latin Language. Edited 
 by A. Comstock, M.D. l'rice. §1; postage, 25 cents. 
 
 Pope's Homer's Iliad, Book I., with an Essay on Homer, and copious 
 Foot-notes — 126 8vo. pages, in the Phonetic Alphabet, l'rice, 50 cts.; postage, 7 cts. 
 
 The New Testament, in Comstock's Perfect Alphabet — 397 octavo pages— 
 substantially bound. Price. $1.25; postage, 2S cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Magazine, in two volumes, neatly bound In muslin. 
 Price of each. (1.25; postage, 20 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Telegraph. Price, 50 cents; postage, 10 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Treatise on Phonology. Price, 38 cents ; postage, 7 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Phonetic Reader, No. 1.) 
 
 t. .,-, >■ d j tw-. i Price, 25 cents; postage, 4 cents. 
 
 Comstock's Juvenile Reader, No. 1.' 
 
 [Dr. C is preparing, for publication, An Etymological and Pronouncing Dictionary 
 of the English Language— the pronunciation to be given in phonetic character.-. As 
 tho pronunciation will be in the New Alphabet, this Dictionary will answer all the 
 purposes of a Phonetic Dictionary, as well as tho.-e of a common Dictionary.) 
 
 iitg' All orders for the above works must be accompanied with the cash, and di- 
 rected to 
 
 ANDREW COMSTOCK, M.D., 
 
 No. 102 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
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 DATE DUE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GAYLORD 
 
 
 
 PRINTED IN US A.