m B8W an mm mm m mm m m «K9B mm m warn si mm M m mm m fw suss Hal vsm mnw WM fl| mm mm hi m Mm mm fflm 1—1 wttBm WMBBmM riP ■si tiilinRiUlmiu iH%w BBnt»ti mHUi Wsmmmm WIBmWfifim &S31 HBSnBfl Daft! tR afiBoW ittBai^HBBqHlHiul II m II InHiiill R»3iill§il£»flB& W I $» tJjoote ano &tl&$mtvutmn+ By JOHN RIPPINGHAJ AUTHOR OF " RULES FOR ENGLISH COMPOSITION," ^CC. &C. - mag-no in populo cum saspe coorta est Seditio, saevitque animis ignobile vulgus ; Jamque, faces et saxa volant, furor arma ministrat : Turn, pietate gravem ac meritis si forte virum quem Conspexere, silent, arrectisque auribus astant : Ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet. Virgil, :u £s TTfvr?, ivg av httoi *?t£ 9 itnycu t;vs; acrtv at t>j£ v-^nyooiag yovt- (JLivrarcti, (7rco ; J7ro>CEJ|(X£V»j£, wj7r?p Elating rtyog yioiya y recig ttevCc rctvratg haig Tng *v tw Xty«v cvva(j.twg y r,c oXu>; %&$ig v<$£y.)-—Longinus. LONDON: IXTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME> AND BROWN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1813. Dedication* TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD GRENVILLE, CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. fife. fyc. Sfc. My Lo&d, Among the endowments with which human nature is invested, the faculty of speech must be regarded as eminently valuable. The endearments of friendship, the ten- derness of sympathy, and the interchange of conveniences^ yield alike their testimony and homage to the utility of oral communication. mmmmmmmm^tmmm II But when this faculty is viewed in that excellence of which it is susceptible, at once subduing the prejudices, and expanding the minds of men, its powers and its possessor become equal objects of wonder and rever- ence. To facilitate this exalted improvement of our common talent is an object of too much importance not to be desired. An attempt therefore to render the Art of Oratory capable of tuition, has a peculiar claim on indulgence ; which the novelty and difficulty of the under- taking seem to justify. The experience of every day admonishes man to a constant diffidence of his own powers. But in the first endeavours to reduce an art within the limit of rules, he must be rather audacious than conceited, who calcu- lates upon success. If however it shall be my fortune to have accelerated, by this Treatise, the cultivation of ex-temjore Eloquence, I shall derive many Ill pleasing reflections from this dedication : for ought I then to suppress the sensations of pride which will occur, when the offering I thus make to you shall be esteemed not alto- gether unworthy the first orator of the age ? I have the honor to be, My Lord, With great deference, Your Lordship's Most obedient, and Most humble Servant, JOHN RIPPINGHAM, London, 18fA February, 1813. B f INTRODUCTION. The faculty of forming a just succession of correct ideas, and of delivering them with clearness, fluency, and elegance, has commonly been esteemed one of the most difficult attain- ments, and one of the most enviable distinc- tions, with which a human being can be endowed. There is perhaps no condition of life, in w 7 hich the ability to arrange and express what the mind suggests, is not useful as well as pleasing. In many departments of human action it is almost indispensable: and a mo- mentary recollection of those who have ob- tained the largest share of reverence, will suggest how great a value has always been placed on true oratory. The situations in this free country, where eloquence is particularly valuable, are the par- ■■■■■ VI liament, the pulpit, and the bar : and in each of these stations, it is rewarded always with fame, and generally with wealth. The senator who awakens the slumbering energies of mankind, and guides them to the preservation or attainment of public welfare : the advocate who defends the oppressed and vindicates the innocent ; and the divine, who with sweet persuasion, reclaims the dissolute, and consoles the afflicted, are amongst the first objects of general gratitude and respect. But in a more enlarged view of mankind, there is undoubted utility in a clear habit of thinking, and an easy mode of enunciation. Parochial meetings, and other local assem- blies, are frequently convened, to decide on subjects materially affecting general interests. On these occasions, artifice can be exposed, or prejudice successfully encountered, only by the aid of ready elucidation. The advantage indeed of correctness and facility of speech is so obvious, and the want of it, is a deficiency so sensibly felt, that it would be useless in this place to attempt any further illustration. That there is however a prevailing defect in Vll the art of public speaking", is proved by con- tinual experience : and is indeed so general, that it may not be unworthy attention to en- quire into its cause. V'To attain the powers necessary for stand- ing- up before a numerous audience, and de- livering without hesitation or embarrassment, a long series of well adjusted sentiments, appears so difficult, that many are deterred even from an attempt. Nor will this timi- dity seem extraordinary, when the powers requisite to an orator, are merely enume- rated. He must be perfectly acquainted with his subject, and be able to examine it in detail, as well as in the aggregate. Whatever can favor his own opinion, or can be urged against it, must be familiar to his mind. All that can illustrate or embellish his subject must be recollected ; and these resources must be so digested, that there be not omission, redund- ancy, or disorder ; but that one topic lead to another by regular connection. Lastly, he must have such commaqd of language, as will prevent, not only hesitation, but the use of arx V1I1 inelegant phrase ; and will preserve his sen- tences in strict modulation. V And though men have existed, and still exist, who have faithfully realized this sketch of an orator, yet one of the causes which have contributed to the scarcity of good public speakers, seems to be a diffidence, or rather a despair of conquering such over-bearing diffi- culties *. Another cause of this deficiency, has pro- bably been the embarrassment, which a person, unaccustomed to address a large number, must feel in the attempt: an embarrassment * It may not be unsuitable to observe, that unpreme- ditated eloquence, or what is generally termed ex-tempore speaking, does not seem to have been one of the accom- plishments of antiquity. The orations which have de- scended to posterity, appear to have been previously Composed ; and were probably learned by heart, and de- livered from recollection. If they had been spoken at the impulse of the moment they must have been lost to us, unless there existed an art of stenography ; of which there is nothing to shew that the ancients were pos- sessed, IX so distressing, and seemingly so invincible, that few have the fortitude to endure it. But amongst the sources of this general defect, I cannot consent to enumerate a pre- vailing 1 want of talent. There is not so much disparity in the intellectual powers of men, as a survey of human nature would induce us to believe. The difference of early discipline ; the judgment or incompetence by which the youthful capacity is cultivated ; and the habits of industry or indolence, which are generally obtained in the commencement of life, are the chief causes of that apparent disproportion of ability with which the world abounds. The circumstance however to which the deficiency in the art of public speaking may perhaps in the greatest measure be attributed, is the want of any plan of instruction, in this most useful talent. Amongst the extent and variety of our elementary works, not one has appeared professing to teach this valuable art. A great deal has been done to promote the practice of recitation, and to train young* per- sons in a correct and elegant mode of articu- lation and gesture. But it remains to be B 6 shewn by what means the youthful mind may be trained to the habit of thinking' accurately ; and of expressing its ideas orally, in clear, elegant, and unembarrassed terms. Whether the apparent difficulty of devising a mode by which this purpose could be ac- complished, has dissuaded persons from the attempt ; or whether an accidental disregard of the subject, has been the cause of this omis- sion, it can hardly be useful to enquire. The defect must be acknowledged, and the utility of a system, to inculcate a practice so elegant and advantageous, can scarcely be doubted. It is from these considerations, and under a persuasion that the art of ex-tempore speak- ing is susceptible of tuition, that I have at- tempted to supply the deficiency in the follow- ing work. The art of written composition has been explained and facilitated by various modes. As the object of speaking and writing must be the same, it may not be unprofitable to con- sider the means by which the ability for writ- ten composition can be acquired. In order to write upon any subject, it is ne- xt cessary to understand it; that is, to be able to appreciate what it is intended to discuss; this is commonly called the perception. After the subject itself is thus far understood, an opinion or judgment must be formed upon it. The considerations which produced that judg- ment, generally termed arguments, are next to be ascertained, and arranged in regular con- nection. When in addition to these mental operations, correctness in the choice, and har- mony in the disposition of language shall have also been acquired; little seems wanting for this art of discussion. All these however may be effected at leisure and in seclusion ; and the distinctions therefore between oral and written composition, seem to consist in the difference between writing and speaking ; between de- liberation and rapidity; and between the tranquillity of retirement, and the agitation of a public assembly. To the requisites therefore thus enumerated for the art of written composition ; the faculty of public speaking moreover needs rapid dis- crimination, retentive memoiy, clear articula- tion, correct emphasis, and graceful deport- Xll merit. Let each of these qualifications be now separately examined, and let us inquire by what means they may be obtained or im- proved. The power of discrimination is by far less a natural endowment than a result of habit. It is indispensable in every art and science, and is gained by continued practice.^ If a picture be shewn to a connoisseur, his experi- ence enables him to determine, first, the de- partment of the art to which it belongs; that is, whether it represent an event in history, a scene in nature, a general passion, or a parti- cular individual : and next, to ascertain its peculiar excellencies, whether in genius of conception, accuracy of delineation, or brilli- ancy of colouring. The quickness with which he forms his conclusions, will generally be pro- portionate to the extent of his practice. The same principles of discrimination prevail in all the departments of life ; and they all arise from the same source— habit *. * * I am aware that this reasoning may seem to produce the inference, that taste is nothing more than the result Xlll A further illustration of these remarks may- be found in the common business of education. When a boy, translating* an author, wants to ascertain the meaning* of a word, he first, from habit, determines its part of speech ; habit next guides him to seek in his lexicon, the word or its primitive ; and out of the many explanations which he finds, habit suggests that which is the most suitable to his present purpose. Thus we find, that discrimination is a faculty, of which even childhood is capa- ble, and to which it has constant recourse. of habit. If it be remembered that taste is only the fa- culty of judging — in conha-distinction to genius, which is the faculty of executing — and that judgment can be <^ formed only from experience, this inference will not seem extraordinary. When, in common discourse it is said, a person has a taste for music, if the phrase only mean that the person is fond of music, it is inaccurate : but if it mean, that the person can appreciate the excellencies and defects of a performance, it is correct and intelligible. Perhaps two qualities are generally implied in the word taste when it is thus employed — ability to judge, and par- p tiality for the art. ■■BflHMHHl XIV It is in this manner that the youthful mind may be trained to distinguish the several kinds of literary composition from each other : and at length, by regular gradation, to discrimi- nate the leading characteristics of each. The early intellect which can discern the narrative, the descriptive, and the argumen- tative, from each other, may soon be taught to determine their respective species. Narrative will be divided into history, biography, and detached events : the descriptive, into repre- sentations of places, persons, and objects; and the argumentative, into that which relates to public, and thjit which regards individual affairs. Surely the mind which can correctly apply the rules of grammatical syntax, may as easily appreciate these departments of com- position. Descending however still further into de- tail, it will be found with how much laeility discrimination may be extended. A boy, by short practice, will distinguish the objects and the actions included in a fable, as easily as he can point out nouns and verbs. A little more experience will suggest to him XV the purpose, or as it is commonly called, the moral of a fable : and thus he will soon readily determine the leading circumstance of every proposed narrative. The quickness of his dis- cernment will, of course, be in proportion to the extent of his practice. No one will doubt this faculty of discrimination ; and the practi- cability of exciting it, who has observed with what readiness young persons discover and correct violations, of even the refined rules of grammar*. As it is one part of the system contained in the following work, to train youth in this habit of discriminating, and in the practice of re- lating with scrupulous fidelity all the circum- stances of a narrative, I may be allowed to observe, that such a discipline must also have a probable tendency to produce a salu- tary effect on early morals. * The exercises by Mr. Lindley Murray on his excel- lent English Grammar, will convince any one of the close- ness of apprehension which youth are expected to possess^ and which indeed is seldom found to be wanting. ? XVI Falsehood frequently proceeds from thought- less exaggeration, careless omission, and an imperfect discernment of what is heard or seen. The habits of accuracy in discrimination, and of correctness in statement, will, it may be hoped, prevent much of this disgraceful' evil. From narrative the student may be conduct- ed to the descriptive, and thence to the argu- mentative. In the former, he may be trained to distinguish the several objects of which the representation is formed ; and in the latter, to analyze the reasoning, and to separate the ar- guments from the inference. But as these gradations will be explained in the pro- gress of the work, they need not be introduced here. Hitherto, discrimination has been considered only as it may be employed on narratives de- scriptions and reasonings already prepared, and submitted to the pupil for an exercise of his skill. But it is easy to conceive, how quickly the same intellect will acquire the power of discriminating its own resources upon any subject with which it may be ac- xvn quainted: and as the habit of orally stating- Avhat has been discovered in the compositions of others, will have already been acquired, there cannot be much difficulty in training- young* persons to the like habit of expressing their own suggestions. That the youthful mind may not, however, seem to be urged to inordinate transitions, the faculty of mental discussion is inculcated by slow and cautious advances, and the most clear and easy methods are employed to initiate the pupil into the habit of thought, as well as of oral discussion. Having thus explained the nature of dis- crimination, and the mode by which it may be taught, it is necessary to give some attention to memory, without which no one can hope to attain the art of ex-tempore speaking. No endowment with which man is blessed is more abused than that of memory. Want of recollection is one of the first excuses which ignorance and indolence plead for heir defici- encies. But it is not always observed, that it is what they have never tried to remember. ■■^^■^^■■Hil iJfLrllt ilil XV111 that has been thus soon forgotten. There is scarcely one of these forgetful persons who does not, in many instances, expose a good memory, when inclination happens to have its influence. There are those who can re- count the exact succession of cards in a game at whist, and yet shelter the most dis- graceful ignorance under the plea of bad memory. There are three modes, by either of which recollection will generally be supplied ; incli- nation, practice, and association. There is scarcely any effort or extent to which remembrance may not be enforced, if the inclination be but sufficiently strong. In confirmation of this opinion reference need only be had to the favourite pursuit or amusement of any one; and it will seldom be found that memory is inadequate to the desired attain- ment. The astonishing tenacity which is requisite to perform from remembrance, a musical piece of any considerable length; and the accuracy with which it is thus frequently executed, will sufficiently illustrate this position. XIX It is however of small consequence to know that inclination has so great an ascendancy over the memory, if no useful result be thence obtained. But it seems to suggest, that sub- jects of instruction should always be rendered as inviting as possible; and that the most pleasing modes of tuition should be devised and adopted. In this treatise therefore, narrative has been first introduced, as most alluring to young minds ; and therefore most easily retained. Description next succeeds, as being nearest in attraction * and reasoning does not follow, until memory shall thus have been trained by habit. That memory is susceptible of improvement almost incredible, by the force of practice, is proved by constant observation and experi- ence. " Concerning the ideas themselves," says Locke, " it is easy to remark, that those " that are oftenest refreshed (amongst which " are those that are conveyed into the mind § * by more ways than one) by a frequent " return of the objects or actions that produce " them, fix themselves best in the memory* mmmmmmmmm XX " and remain clearest and longest there *." If a person go to a shop, where two or three thousand different articles are sold, (as is fre- quently the case) it is seldom found that even the most stupid vendor is at a loss to recollect the commodity required, nor the place wherein it has been reposited. A medical practitioner, by force of habit, recollects and combines all the probable amelioratives of disease : and a lawyer, by the same power of habit, recurs and arranges, all the authorities which affect each of his clients' interest. In like manner, continued practice will enable the young student in the art of public speaking, to retain the leading points of every narrative, description, and argument, which is offered to him, as well as of those subjects upon which his own judgment is employed. Memory however may be greatly improved, if not almost re-created, by the method of association. Indeed, if memory be strictly * Essay on. the Human Understanding, book ii. cap. 10. XXI examined, it will appear to be nothing more than a faculty, which combines images with each other. We never recur an idea, without acquiring some combination. In reading, we perceive only words, letters, or characters, which certainly do not pourtray any idea; and yet ideas immediately follow, because we recollect the thought, sensation, or image, to which those words or characters are the in- dex : hence a poem has been denominated, a speaking picture. The same principle will also apply inversely. A botanist, desirous of ascertaining the name of any vegetable pro- duction ; examines the root, the plant, and the fructification; and thence determines its class, order, genus, species, and variety ; and from these he collects its appropriate name. All our senses assist us in the same manner, sound, feeling, smell, sight, and taste, bring to our memory th§ir respective sources. Thus a blind man recognizes persons by the voice, and objects by feeling*. * It is related of Sir John Fielding, the celebrated ma- XX11 These may be termed natural combinations; but it remains to be seen, whether an artifi- cial mode of association may not also be formed, applicable to every subject and oc- casion. If in teaching a child to recollect the five vowels, it were to be instructed to aflix them separately to one of the fingers and the thumb of one hand, they would s&an be confirmed in the memory ; as the child by reference to the indices would instantly recur fcfceir appro- priated letters: in other vvordc, the pupil by looking at the thumb would recollect aj by looking at the next finger, would remember b, and so on. Many persons tie knots in their handkerchiefs, or twist string round their fingers, as convenient mementos; and I have seen a laboring man mark the surface of his shoe with chalk, for the like purpose. As soon as these monitors are observed, they gistrate, that as soon as he heard a culprit speak, he could determine whether he had been arraigned before him at any former time, however distant. XXI 11 bring* to mind the circumstances to be re- membered. A series of palpable objects will, in like manner, serve as indications of a train of events or a course of reasoning; and it will be difficult to look at any one of such indices without recurring the idea with which it has A thus been associated*. But indeed this me- thod is nothing more than the reduction to a regular system, of that, which natural memory performs in all its exercises. The system of association, thus briefly stated, has lately been offered to the public with great earnestness ; and has been taught m lectures by a foreign gentleman, who appears invested with the dignity of " professor — of the art of " memory !" I should be extremely unwilling to depreciate the ability of the professor, or * Prince Le Boo, who was brought from one of the Friendly Isles by Captain Wilson, practised this mode of association with success almost incredible. — See Captain Wilson's Narrative. XXIV the utility of his art : but it is an act of justice to observe, that the secret, if it can be termed one, was offered to the English public, some time before the professor arrived here, in a very judicious and intelligible essay of the Monthly Magazine for May, 1807. Such persons, however, as desire more exact infor- mation on this curious subject, may consult, not only the very clear practical paper to which I have just alluded, but also a treatise of considerable length which has since appeared as a digest of Professor Von Feinagle's sys- tem. The amiable and enlightened Dr. Watts was aware of the effect of association in fixing any object in the recollection: his words are these — " When you would remem- " her new things or words, endeavour to asso- " ciate and connect them with some words or " things, which you have well known before, " and which are fixed and established in your " memory. This association of ideas is of " great importance and force, and may be of " excellent use in many instances of human " life. One idea which is familiar to the XXV " mind, connected with others which are new ¥ and strange, will bring* those new ideas into " easy remembrance."* But it appears, that the science of mnemonics is of considerable antiquity. To the book lately mentioned, as containing M. Von Feinagle's system, there are prefixed sketches of very old and curious works on artificial memory. The mode of association is not, however, made a part of the following system for extem- pore speaking. It is introduced here for the information of the curious. Memory will be sufficiently aided by the practice, and me- thodical arrangements which are prescribed in the work. " Having thus endeavoured to explain and as- sist the faculties of discrimination and me- * Watts's Improvement of the Mind, Part I. Chapter 17* I would recommend the whole of the chapter whence thi» selection is made, to me attentive perusal of all persons % but those who sincerely desire to seek wisdom and happi- ness, and are not to be subdued by a necessity for industry and perseverance, I earnestly exhort to read and treasure up, the whole of that inestimable book. C XXVI mory, little remains to be done in this place. The remaining- requisites, articulation, empha- sis, and gesture, are already well understood; and have also been discussed and taught, by many able and well-known writers. Neverthe- less, they are each reduced to clear, practical rules in this work. To speak distinctly, and sufficiently loud to be heard by those who are addressed, is neces- sary for conversation and reading, as well as for recitation and oratory.* In public speaking, every word should be uttered, as though it were spoken singly. The solemnity of an oration * Lord Chesterfield, in one of his letters, thus ad- vises his son-—" Take care to open your teeth when you speak ; to articulate every word distinctly ; and to beg of any friend you converse with to remind and stop you, if ever you fall into a rapid and unintelligible mutter. You should even read aloud to yourself, and tune your utter- ance to your own ear; and read at first much slower than you need to do, in order to correct that shameful habit, of speaking faster than you ought. In short, you will make it your business, your study, and your plea- sure, to speak well, if you think rightly." 4 xxvu justifies and demands such scrupulous distinct- ness. That careful pronunciation which would be ridiculously pedantic in colloquial inter- course, is an essential requisite of good elo- cution. They who have heard the late Mr. Pitt ad- dress the House of Commons, must recollect the impressive effect of that clear articulation with which his speeches were invariably deli- vered. There is in every sentence some word or words which require peculiar emphasis, so that they may reach the hearer with distinguishing force. In selecting them, the meaning intended to be conveyed by the passage, is certainly the best guide; but the judgment of the preceptor will, in this instance, be of great assistance to the pupil. It is likewise an excellent mode, for the student to read or repeat a passage from some author, to a person of correct taste and good delivery, who would immediately after- wards recite the same selection. The difference in effect would be perceived, and would fur- nish an excellent general lesson to the un- formed orator. The well-known anecdote o£ c 2 XXVlll Demosthenes and the player affords a striking 1 instance of the efficacy of such instruction.* Upon the same principle, much advantage may accrue to a young person from hearing* some of the best public speakers and theatrical performers, particularly if a discreet friend * Demosthenes ventured to speak before the people. He had a weak voice, a thick way of speaking, and a very short breath ; notwithstanding which, his periods were so long, that he was often obliged to stop in the midst of them to take breath. This occasioned his being hissed by the whole audience. As he withdrew, hanging down his head and in the ut- most confusion, Satyrus, one of the most excellent actors of those times, who was his friend, met him ; and having learned from himself the cause of his being so much de- jected, he assured him, that the evil was not without re- medy, and that the case was not so desperate as he ima- gined. He desired him to repeat some of the verses of Sophocles or Euripides to him, which he accordingly did. Satyrus spoke them after him, and gave them such effect, by the tone, gesture, and spirit with which he pronounced them, that Demosthenes himself found them quite different from what they were in his own manner of speaking. He perceived plainly what he wanted, and applied himself to the acquiring of it. XXIX point out at the time their respective excellencies : and it may reasonably be hoped, that when the youthful capacity shall be enabled to appreciate in the works of others, the particular words which require emphasis, that it will have little difficulty in ascertaining the emphatic words in its own compositions, whether written or oral. As gesture must be regarded in the discipline for public speaking, it claims attention in this treatise. - It should be clearly understood, that the ges- ture suitable for an orator, is very different from that which is displayed on the stage. The business of an orator is to instruct and per- suade. The business of an actor is to exhibit the effect, which the passions produce on the figure and countenance. The former is the ad- viser; the latter, the representation of his fel- low-creatures. The orator is guided by rea- son; and his appeals are to the reason. The player is guided by feeling ; and addresses the feelings. The violence of gesticulation, which is correct in one; would be hyperbolical or lu- dicrous in the other. That the figure should be erect, but not per- XXX pendieular : the body resting upon one leg* ; the other leg being a little advanced : and that the arms should be employed alternately, in tempe- rate action, are amongst the plainest, and most useful precepts for the gesture of an orator. But to observe the deportment of those public speak- ers who possess elegance of manner, is to ob- tain the most efficacious lesson, It should be remembered, that gesture is an accomplishment worthy even of great atten- tion. The advantage of a graceful appearance and suitable action is of too much consequence to be dispensed with. An audience is always more favourably disposed toward a prepos- sessing, than an uninteresting speaker. The present Lord Erskine owed much of his popu- larity, and his success at the bar, to an elegant and appropriate gesture. v Such are the powers which the art of ex-tem- pore public speaking requires. To accommo- date the preceding views, to the acquisition of this valuable attainment, the present work is di- vided into three parts. The first treats of the faculties of reading and recitation; and in- cludes a practical discipline for articulation, ac- XXXI cent, emphasis, pauses, tones, and gesture. The second contains compositions and selections, — narrative, descriptive and argumentative. Each of these is analyzed, that the pupil may per- ceive its several parts; and thus become ini- tiated in the practice of discriminating all the branches of a discourse. Clear and copious rules are therefore given to assist the student in the practice of distinguishing the members of every species of literary composition : and their connection and dependence are reduced to me- thod, as the most simple and efficacious mode of fixing them in the memory. The third part contains a gradual exercise of the student's in- tellect. Rules are given for acquiring, by slow and cautious advances, the habits of discussing subjects with facility and clearness ; and thence of speaking on them with jluency and elegance. The first part will train the pupil into accurate enunciation, and graceful deportment.. The second will initiate him in the faculties of un- derstanding, recollecting, and repeating the sentiments he may read or hear : and the third will familiarize him in the art of ascertaining, XXXll arranging, and delivering the ideas which his own judgment may provide. The gradations of art are always laborious. No one can hope to attain excellence at once. The patience and diligence necessary for the acquisition of a language, a science, or even an amusement, should always repress such hopes of progression as are rather sanguine than ra- tional. Those, however, who duly appreciate the value of the art, which it is the object of these pages to facilitate, will patiently submit to the discipline by which alone its attainment seems likely to be insured. But with this dis- position for perseverance, and by proper cau- tion against too rapid an advancement, much advantage may reasonably be hoped from ad- herence to the proposed system. Neither does it seem extravagant to believe, that besides the effect which the prescribed discipline would pro- duce, in accelerating the art of oratory, other salutary consequences would thence accrue to the student. By the practice of discrimination, he would become enabled to understand and analyze, xxxiii whatever should be offered to his attention* The value of such a talent may be easily ap- preciated. It would facilitate every species of investigation, and afford a strong protection against imposture. A mind thus qualified would not be dazzled by splendid imagery, nor deluded by arguments merely specious. So- phistry, whether written or oral, which fre- quently seduces the unwary, could obtain no undue ascendancy over an understanding which could distinguish and estimate, the reasoning, and deductions, on which it bestowed attention. To instructors, it need hardly be observed, that as the object of this treatise is to accelerate the powers for public speaking, the various ex- ercises proposed in this system should take place, not in particular seclusion, but in the presence of as many persons as can be convex niently assembled. The efficacy of speaking or reciting before many others, in overcoming too much diffidence, may be observed in the annual exhibitions at some of the public schools. Having thus stated the principles and system upon which the following work has beeu c 5 XXXIV formed, I trust that I may be allowed at least the praise that is due for good intention, as well as for industrious solicitude to attain a desirable object. The first attempt to bring a valuable ac- complishment within practical tuition, has strong claims on liberality. Whether I have been successful in forming a method of instruc- tion in this important art, I must leave to be determined by the judgment of others. But even if it shall appear, that the system now suggested, is inadequate to the full extent which it proposes, I shall nevertheless feel considera- ble satisfaction, if it be found susceptible of improvement; and, that thus assisted, it finally accomplish the beneficial end for which it has been designed. ADVERTISEMENT. IT may not be improper to remark, that there will be no danger or impropriety in trust- ing this book with students. The instructor can choose any one of the selections or subjects proposed in the several parts of this work, and it will therefore be impossible for the pupils to ascertain which example may be chosen for the next exercise. Indeed if each division of the book were to be used previously as a common reading 1 lesson, it would relieve young minds, from what perhaps may be .considered too great an effort for some memories. The introduction has also been written with greater regard to perspicuity than elegance, in order that young persons may have an oppor- tunity of considering the nature and utility of the art. It need hardly be suggested, that students should have some acquaintance with grammar, and have had some practice in written compo- sition, before the attainment of ex-tempore dis- cussion be attempted. THE ART EXTEMPORE PUBLIC SPEAKING. PART THE FIRST JqEFORE the student can attempt to become an orator, he must be sure that he is a good reader. Trifling and unimportant as the necessary talents merely for a good reader may seem, yet they are amongst the fundamental requisites of a good speaker. Clear articulation, proper accent, judicious empha- sis, and suitable tones, are not to be acquired with- out patient and diligent attention. The practice of recitation requires something more— it needs graceful and suitable gesture. Ex- tempore speaking also must be accompanied by pro- per action. 38 As the requisites therefore for good reading and recitation, are so indispensable to a public speaker, the first part of this work contains a system of rules and illustrations for the purpose of facilitating these attainments. The student must not despise the simplicity of the earlier exercises. It was necessary to provide a sys- tem as nearly perfect as circumstances would allow; and therefore no part of the discipline for reading and recitation could have been correctly omitted : besides, as there must be some beginning, where could we have commenced more properly than at the true and rational foundation ? Rule 1. — Pronounce the following words clearly and distinctly; but no more than one word with the same breath. Let there be an interval of silence after each; and by no means carry on a humming sound, or a drawling tone, from one word to another. Har-mon-y. Sol-i-tude. Hap-pi-ness. Straw-ber-ry. In-no-cence. Syc-o-phant. Or-na-ment. Wil-der-ness, Night-in-gale* Ac-qui-esce. Par-a-dise. Ap-pre-hend. Pi-e-ty, Car-a-van. Riv-u-let. Cav-al-cade. 39 Cor-re-spond. En-ter-tain. In-tro-duce. Mag-a-zine. Mas-quer-ade. Pal-i-sade. Vi-o-lin. Vol-un-teer. Am-bas-sa-dor. As-par-a-gus. Bar-bar-i-ty. Be-nev-o-lence. En-cour-age-ment, For-get-ful-ness. Im-mu-ni-ty. Mag-nan-i-mous. No-bil-i-ty. O-be-di-ence. Pre-em-in-ence. Tran-quil-li-ty. Dis-crim~i-na-tion. Fig-u-ra-tive-ly . Ne-ces-sa-ri-ly. Pro-fit-a-ble-nesSo Em-phat-i-cal-]y. E-nun-ci-a-tion. Aux-il-i-a-ry. In-ex-o-ra-ble. Re-pps-i-to-ry. Phi-lo-so-phi-cal. Mis-cel-la-ne-ous. Ac-a-dem-i-cal. Af-fa-bil-i-ty. Mag-na-nim-i-ty. Cha-rac-ter-is-tic. As-si-du-i-ty. Ad-min-i-stra-tor. Ec-cle-si-as-tic. Su-per-a-bun-dant. Re-com-mea-da-tion. Con-ve-ni-ent-ly. Phi-lan-thro-pi-cah Sanc-ti-fi-ca-tion. Non-con-form-i-ty, In-dus-tri-ous-ly, Per-spi-ca-ci-ty. Hy-dro-pho-bi-a. In-flam-ma-to-ry, Dis-sim-u-la-tiorio An-ni-hi-la-tion. Im-proba-bi-li-ty. Con-cil-i-a-tor-y. Con-gr^t-ul-a-tor-y, Ex-pos-tul-a-tor-y* Sus-cep-ti-bil-i-ty, Per-son-i-fi-ca-tion, 40 In-ter-loc-u-tor-y. In-ter-rog-a-tor-y. Rec-om-mend-a-tor-y. Me-ta-phor-i-cal-ly. Al-le-gor-i-cal-ly. An-te-di-lu-vi-an. Pu-sil-la-nim-i-ty. Gen-er-al-is-si-mo. ln-ter-rog-a-tive-ly. Re-ca-pit-u-la-tion. Ir-re-sist-i-bil-i-ty. Per-pen-dic-ul-ar-i-ty. Val-e-tu-di-na-ri-an. Im-pe-ne-tra-bi-li-ty. In-ter-co-lum-ni-a-tion. Ple-ni-po-ten-ti-a-ry. E-ty-mo-lo-gi-cal-ly. An-ti-tri-ni-ta-ri-an. In-con-sid-er-a-ble-ness. Hi-er-o-gly-phy-cal-ly. In-cor-rup-ti-bi-li-ty. An-ti-pes-ti-len-ti-al. In-con-tro-ver-ti-bi-li-ty. In-com-pre-hen-si-bi-li-ty. Rule 2. — Avoid pronouncing v for w j and w for v. For this purpose, read the following- words distinctly. Vail. - - Wail. Weal. - - Veal. Vane. - - Wane. Woeful. - Vocal. Vary. - - Wary. Wolf. - - Volatile. Vent. - - Went. Workman. - Vermicelli. Verse. - - Worse. World. - - Verily. Vest. - - West. Worship. - Verdure. Vicar. - - Wicker. Womanhood. Vehemence Vile, - - Wile. Waterfall. - Vatican. Vine. - - Wine. Well-wisher. Vellication. Vizard. - Wizard. Valley. - - Wallet. We. * v V. Volley. - „ Wallow, 41 Vast. - - Waste. Witticism. Vivifj. Vault. - - Walk. Work. - [ - Vogue. Velvet. - - Welcome. Word. - - Verb. Vigil. - ■ • Wig. Worm. - - Vermin. Villa. - - Wilderness. Worthy. Vertical. Villain. - ■ . Wilful. Won. ~" - - Vaunt. Village. Willing. Wilderness Violence Vindicate. ■ ■ Wind. Warmish. - Varnish. Witness. - Vicious. Waterman. Votary. For the like purpose, let these sentences be often repeated. " I like white wine vinegar with veal very well." " A versifier wants a very wonderful variety of words." " Wander whereveryou would, worthy and valued women were viewed walking, and visit- ing the various works." Rule 3. — Take care to sound the aspirates h, and wlu For this purpose, read the fol- lowing words distinctly. Aft. - - - Haft. Eel. - ■ - Heel. Ail. - - - Hail. Ell. - ■ ■ - Hell. Air. - - - Hair. Elm. - ■ - Helm Ale. - • • - Hale. M. - ■ - - Hem. All. - • - - Hall. N. - • • - Hen. Alter. - - Halter. Yew. - • ■ - Hew. Am. - - - Ham. Eye. - • • - High. 42 And* - ■ • - Hand. 111.. - ■ ■ - Hill. Are. - • - Hare. Is. - - - His. Ark. - ■ • - Hark. It. - - - Hit. Arm. - « * - Harm. Oar. - - - Hoar. Arrow. ■ - - Harrow. Odd. - - - Hodd. Art. - • • - Hart. Old. - . . Hold. Ash. - - - Hash. Owes. - - Hose. Asp. - « - - Hasp. Our. - • - Hour. At. - - - Hat. Wale.- ■ - - Whale. Ear. - - ■ - Hear. Weal. - ■ - Wheel. Eat. - n - - Heat. Were. - Where. Eave - - • - Heave. Wet. - - - Whet. Edge. • - Hedge. Wine. - Whine. For the like purpose, let these sentences be often repeated. u Let the soup be heated, before I eat it." " Hail ye high ministers of Heaven ! how hap- py are we in hearing these your heavenly tidings!" " How I hate, how I abhor such hell hounds !" " Hope, open thou his ear to hear." u Guide thine eye to look on high." " Teach thine heart, the holy art of humbly hearing truth." » Short sentences, to be pronounced clearly and dis- tinctly with a full stop, and an interval of perfect si- lence between them. A woody country. A thatched cottage. A gloomy forest. A little town. i3 An aged oak. A nodding beech. A shadv srrove. A ragged rock. A high mountain. A rapid river. A winding stream. A crystal lake. A fertile vale. A charming prospect. A country church. A ruined abbey. A stately tower. An old castle. A rural seat. A splendid palace. A royal park. A flowery lawn. A large orchard. A fine garden. God made all things. His works demonstrate his existence. He is the source of all felicity. He provides for every creature. The least insect is the object of his care. He is present in every region of nature. He sees all our actions. He knows our private thoughts. The heavens proclaim his glory. His dominions are unbounded. He governs innumerable worlds. He encircles the universe irrhis arms, The earth is a planet. The earth turns round its axis. The sun is in the centre. The sun is the source of light. The planets are other worlds. I^IHHH 44 The fixed stars are other suns. Space has no limits. The creation is a scene of wonders. The bee collects honey from the flowers. The silkworm spins a thread from her bowels. The spider weaves a curious web. The ant lays up stores for winter. The mole makes her apartments under ground. The rabbit forms her grotto in the hill. Rule 4. — Pronounce every word, consisting of more syllables than one, with its proper accent. Accent means a peculiar manner of distinguishing one syllable from the rest. This distinction is made in two ways ; either by dwelling longer on one syllable than on the rest; or by giving a smarter percussion of the voice in utterance. Of the former, we have instances in the words glory, father, holy ; of the latter, in bdttle, hab'it, bor'row. It may therefore be observed, that the essence of a syllable consists in articulation ; the essence of a word consists in accent as well as articulation. In accenting words, care should be taken to avoid all affected deviations from common usage. Let the accent therefore be always placed on the same sylla- ble, and on the same letter of the svllable that are usual in common discourse. Accent, seems to be regulated in a great measure by etymology. In words from the Saxon, the ac* 1 45 cent is generally on the root ; in words from the learned languages, it is generally on the termination ; and if to these we add ttie different accent we lay on some words, to distinguish them from others, we seem to have the three great principles of accentuation; namely, the radical, the termiriatianal, and the dis- ti??ctive. The radical : as, " Love, lovely, loveli- ness ;" the terminational : as, " Harmony, harmo- nious; the distinctive: as u Convert, to convert/' ACCENT OX DISSYLLABLES. Words of two syllables, have necessarily one of them accented, and but one. It is true, for the sake of emphasis, we sometimes lay an equal stress upon two successive syllables ; as, " Di-rect, some- times ;" but when these words are pronounced alone, they have never more than one accent. The word " a-men," is the only word which is pronounced with two accents when alone. Of dissyllables, formed by affixing a termination, the former syllable is commonly accented : as, " Childish, kingdom, actest, acted, toilsome, lover, scoffer, fairer, foremost, zealous, fulness, meekly, artist." Dissyllables formed by prefixing a syllable to the radical word, have commonly the accent on the latter : as, " To beseem, to bestow, to return." Of dissyllables, which are at once nouns and verbs, HH^ 46 the verb hag commonly the accent on the latter, and the noun on the former syllable : as, " To cement, a cement; to contract; a contract; to presage, a presage." This rule has many exceptions. Though verbs seldom have their accent on the former, yet nouns often have it on the latter syllable : as, " Delight, perfume." Those nouns which, in the common or- der of language, must have preceded the verbs, often transmit their accent to the verbs they form, and in- versely. Thus, the noun " water" must have pre- ceded the verb " to water," as the verb u to cor- respond •:" must have preceded the noun. u corres- pondent :" and " to pursue" claims priority to u pur- suit." So that we may conclude, wherever verbs deviate from the rule, it is seldom by chance, and generally in those words only where a superior law of accent takes place. All dissyllables ending in j/, our, ow, le } ish, ck> ter y age, en, et : as, " Cranny, labour, willow, wallow;" except "allow, avow, endow, below, bestow;" battle, banish, cambrick, batter, courage, fasten, quiet ;" accent the former syllable. Dissyllable nouns in er, as, " Canker, butter," have the accent on the former syllable. Dissyllable verbs, terminating in a consonant and e final, as, " Comprise, escape;" or having a diph- thong in the last spllable, as, " Appease, reveal ;" 47 or ending in two consonants ; as, M Attend !" have the accents on the latter syllable. Dissyllable nouns, having' a diphthong in the latter syllable, have commonly their accent on the latter syllable; as, " Applause ;" except some words in ain : as, " Villain, curtain, mountain." Dissyllables that have two vowels, which are sepa- rated in the pronunciation, have always the accent on the first syllable : as, " Lion, riot, quiet, liar, ruin ;" except create. ACCENT ON TRISYLLABLES. Trisyllables formed by adding a termination, or prefixing a syllable, retain the accent of the radical word : as, " Loveliness, tenderness, contemner, waggoner, phy'sical, bespatter, commenting, com- mending, assurance." Trisyllables* ending in ous P al, ion : as, c< 'Arduous, capital, mention," accent the first. Trisyllables ending in ce, ent, and ate, accent the first syllable ; as, cc Countenance, continence, arma- ment, imminent, elegant, propagate ;" unless they are derived from words having the accent on the last : as, " Connivance, acquaintance ;" and unless the middle syllable has a vowel before two conso- nants ; as, "Promulgate." Trisyllables ending in y, as, " 'Entity, specify, liberty, victory, subsidy," commonly accent the first syllable. Trisyllables in re or /e, accent the first syllable : 48 as, u Legible, theatre ;" except " Disciple," and some words which have a preposition : as, " Exam- ple, indenture." Trisyllables ending- in tide, commonly accent the first syllable : as, " Plenitude, habitude, recti- tude." Trisyllables ending in ator, have the accent on the middle syllable; as, " Spectator, creator," &c. ; ex- cept " orator, senator, barrator, legator." Trisyllables which have in the middle syllable a diphthong, as, u Endeavour ;" or a vowel before two consonants; as, " Domestic; accent the middle syllable. Trisyllables that have their accent on the last syllable, are commonly French : as, " Acquiesce, repartee, magazine ;" or they are words formed by prefixing one or two syllables to a long syllable ; as, " Immature, overcharge." ACCENT ON POLYSYLLABLES. Polysyllables, or words of more than three sylla- bles, generally follow the accent of the words from which they are derivpd : as, " Arrogating, continen- ey, incontinently, commendable, communicableness." Words ending in ator have the accent generally on the penultimate, or last syllable but one; as " Emen- dator, gladiator, equivocator, prevaricator." Words ending in le commonly have the accent on 49 the first syllable : as, <• 'Amicable, despicable :" unless the second syllable has a vowel before two conso- nants : as, " Combustible, condeinnable." Words ending in ion, ous, and ty 9 have their accent on the last syllable but two : as " Salvation, victori- ous activity." Words which end in ia, io and cal have the accent on the last syllable but one : as, " Cyclopce dia, punctilio, despotical." These rules on accent, are not advanced as complete, but proposed as useful. EMPHASIS. Rule 5. — In every sentence distinguish the more significant words, by a natural and forci- ble emphasis. There are in every sentence certain words which have a greater share in conveying the speaker's mean- ing than the rest; and are on this account distin- guished by the forcible manner in which they are ut- tered. This stress or emphasis serves to unite words and form them into sentences. By giving the several parts of a sentence their proper utterance, it discovers their mutual dependence, and conveys their full im- port to the mind of the hearer. Every one who clearly comprehends what he says in private discourse, never fails to lay the emphasis on the right word] when therefore he is about to read D 50 or repeat the words of others or his own, in public ; let him only reflect on the place where he would lay the emphasis; supposing those words had proceeded from the immediate sentiment of his own mind in private discourse. Every one, also, should content himself with the use of those tones only that he is habituated to in speech; and give none other to emphasis but what he would do to the same words in discourse. Thus, whatever he utters, will be done with ease, and ap- pear natural ; whereas, if he endeavour at any tones to which he is not accustomed, either from fancy or imitation of others, it will be done with difficulty, and carry with it evident marks of affectation and art, which are ever disgusting to the hearer, and never fail to defeat the end of the reader or speaker. The most comon faults respecting emphasis, are, that of laying so strong an emphasis upon one word, as to leave no power of giving a particular force to other words — which, though not equally, are, in a certain degree, emphatical : and that of placing the greatest stress on conjunctive particles, and other words of secondary importance. As accent dignifies the syllable on which it is laid, and makes it more distinguished by the ear than the rest, so emphasis ennobles the word to which it be- longs, and presents it in a stronger light to the un- derstanding. Were there no accents, words would 51 be resolved into their original syllables : were there no emphasis, sentences would be resolved into their original words ; and, in this case, the hearer would be under the painful necessity, firs*, of making out the words, and afterwards, their meaning. Emphasis is of two kinds, simple and complex. Simple, when it serves to point out only the plain meaning of any proposition; complex, when, besides the meaning, it marks also some affection or emotion of the mind ; or gives a meaning to words, which they would not have in their usual acceptation. In the former case, emphasis is scarcely more than a stronger accent, with little or no change of tone ; when it is complex, besides force, there is always superadded a manifest change of tone. The following sentence contains an example of simple emphasis: " And Nathan said to David, i Thou art the man."' The emphasis on thou, serves only to point out the meaning of the speaker. But in the sentence which follows, we perceive an emo- tion of the speaker superadded to the simple mean- ing : " Why will ye die ?" As the emphasis often falls on words in different parts of the same sentence, so it is frequently re- quired to be continued, with a little variation, on two, and sometimes three words together. The fol- lowing sentence exemplifies both the parts of this position : " If you seek to make one rich, study not d2 52 to increase his stores, but to diminish his desires.*" Emphasis may be further distinguished, into the weaker and the stronger emphasis. In the sentence, a Exercise and temperance strengthen the consti- tution;" we perceive more force on the word strengthen, than on any other; though it is not equal to the stress which we apply to the word indif* ferent, in the following sentence : " Exercise and temperance strengthen even an indifferent constitu- tion." It is also proper to remark, that the words exercise, temperance, constitution, in the last example but one, are pronounced with greater force, than the particles and and the ; and yet those words cannot properly be called emphatical : for the stress that is laid on them, is no more than sufficient to convey distinctly the meaning of each word. — From these observations it appears, that the smaller parts of speech, namely, the articles, conjunctions, preposi- tions, &c. are, in general, obscurely and feebly ex- pressed ; that the substantives, verbs, and more sig- nificant words, are firmly and distinctly pronounced; and that the emphatical words, those which mark the meaning of a phrase, are pronounced with pecu- liar stress and energy, though varied according to the degree of their importance. Emphasis changes, not only the quantity of words and syllables, but also, in particular cases, the seat of the accent. This is demonstrable from the follow- i 53 ing examples. S He shall increase, but I shall de- crease." " There is a difference between giving and forgiving" " In this species of composition, ^feasibility is much more essential than probability." In these examples, the emphasis requires the accent to be placed on syllables, to which it does not com- monly belong. There is one error, against which it is particularly proper to caution the learner ; namely, that of mul- tiplying emphatical words too much. It is only by a prudent reserve in the use of them, that we can give them any weight. If they recur too often ; if a speaker or reader attempts to render every thing which he expresses of high importance, by a multi- tude of strong emphases, we soon learn to pay little regard to them. To crowd every sentence with emphatical words, is like crowding all the pages of a book with Italic characters, which, as to the effect, is just the same as to use no such distinctions at all. PAUSES. Rule 6.— Relieve your voice at every stop ; slightly at a comma, more leisurely at a semi- colon, still more so at a colon, and completely at a period. But support your voice steadily and firmly, and pronounce the concluding M words of the sentence with force and vivacity, rather than with a languid cadence. Pauses are not only necessary to enable the reader or speaker to take breath without inconvenience; but in order also to give the hearer a distinct percep- tion of the construction and meaning of each sen* tence, and a clear understanding of the whole. In all reading, and public speaking, the. manage- ment of the breath requires a good deal of care, so as not to oblige us to divide words from one another, which have so intimate a connection, that they ought to be pronounced with the same breath, and without the least separation. Many sentences are greatly injured, and the force of the emphasis totally lost, by the divisions being made in the wrong place. To avoid this, every one, while he is speaking or read- ing, should be careful to provide a full supply of breath for what he is to utter. It is a great mistake to imagine that the breath must be drawn only at the end of a period. It may easily be gathered at the intervals of the period, when the voice is only suspended for a moment ; and, by this management, one may always have a sufficient stock for carrying on the longest sentence without improper inter- ruption. Pauses in reading and public discourse, must be formed upon the manner in which we express our* 55 selves in ordinary sensible conversation; and not upon any stiff artificial manner which is sometimes acquired. THE VOICE. Rule 7. — Begin gently. Let the tone of your voice, in reading and speaking, be natural and easy. Rule 8.— Increase the force of your voice, so that you may he heard by the most distant person in the room. Bur do not bawl: a clear articulation and moderate force of voice will be sufficient. Rule 9. — If the voice should have imper- ceptibly become too loud, begin the next sen- tence with a much lower tone. Rule 10. — Vary your voice according to the nature of the subject \ the solemn, the serious, the vehement, the familiar, the gay, the hu- morous, or the ironical. 56 GESTURE. Gesture for Reading. Rule 11. — Rest the whole weight of the body on the right leg; the other just touching the ground, at the distance at which it would naturally fall, if lifted up to shew that the body does not bear upon it. Let the knees be straight : and the body straight (yet not per- pendicular) but inclining to the right. Rule 12,— -Hold the book in the left hand. Rule 13. — Look at those who are hearing as often as possible : but do not lose the place or forget the words. Rule 14. — Elevate the right hand when any thing sublime, lofty, or heavenly, is expressed. Rule 15, — Let the right hand (but not any single finger) point downwards, when any thing low or grovelling is expressed. Gesture for Speaking. Rule 16. — Begin as in reading 1 . Let the whole weight of the body rest on the right leg; the other just touching the ground, at the distance at which it would naturally fall, if lifted up to shew that the body does not bear upon it. Let the knees be straight and firm, and the body straight, yet not perpendicular, but inclining to the right. Let both arms hang in their natural place by the side* Rule 17. — Immediately after the first word has been spoken, let the right arm be held out, the palm open, the fingers straight and close, the thumb almost as distant from them as pos- sible, and the flat of the hand neither vertical or horizontal, but between both* Rule 18.— When one sentence has been pro- nounced in this position; and during the utterance of the last word, the right hand, as if lifeless, must drop down to the side* Rule 19. — At the beginning of the second d5 58 sentence ; the body, without moving- the feet, must poise itself, on the left leg ; the left hand must be raised exactly as the right one was be- fore, and continue in this position till the end of the sentence, and then drop as if lifeless. Rule 20. — At the third sentence, the body and hands to be as they were during the first ; and so on alternately during the whole of the speech, ■ ♦ Rule 21. — Take care to end each sentence completely, before the next is begun. Rule 22. — Tn vehement, or otherwise im- passioned passions, raise the arm which is in action, until it be on a level with the shoulder : let the lower part of the arm (that is, from the elbow joint) be inclined toward the head, in the same manner as when taking off the hat ; and let the arm be suddenly straightened into its first position the very moment the empha- tical word is pronounced. Rule 23. — In every movement of the arm, keep the elbow at a distance from the body. 59 Rule 24. — Let the eyes be directed to those who are addressed ; excepting when the sub- ject requires them to be raised. Rule 25.— -Endeavour to enter into the sense and spirit of every passage, and feel what is expressed. This is the best guide to empha- sis, tone, and gesture. SENTENCES DIVIDED BY A COMMA. Prosperity gains friends, and adversity tries them. Sincerity and trnth, form the basis of every virtue, No knowledge can be attained, but by study. If you would be free from sin, avoid temptation. By the faults of others, wise men correct their own. Loose conversation operates on the soul, as poison does on the body. Do to others, as you would have others do to you. Be more ready to forgive, than to return an injury. When our vices leave us, we flatter ourselves we leave them. If you would be revenged on your enemies^ let your life be blameless. 60 He must be utterly abandoned, who disregards the good opinion of the world. Religion does not require a gloomy, but a cheer- ful aspect. Your countenance will be agreeable, in proportion to the goodness of your heart. Disappointments and distress, are often blessings in disguise. It is wiser to prevent a quarrel before-hand, than to revenge it afterwards. SENTENCES DIVIDED BY TWO OR THREE COMMAS. They who have nothing to give, can often afford relief to others, by imparting what they feel. Ingratitude is a crime so shameful, that the man was never yet found, who would acknowledge him- self guilty of it. As you value the approbation of Heaven, or the esteem of the world, cultivate the love of virtue. Be armed with courage against thyself, against thy passions, and against flatterers. Riches, honours, pleasures, steal away the heart from religion. Forget not, that the brightest part of thy life is nothing but a flower, which withers almost as soon sub it has blown. 61 Prepare for thyself, by the purity of thy manners, and thy love of virtue, a place in the happy seats of peace. Moral and religious instruction derives its efficacy, not so much from what men are taught to know, as from what they are brought to feel. To be wise in our own eyes, to be wise in the opinion of the world, and to be wise in the sight of our Creator, seldom coincide. A temperate spirit and moderate expectations, are excellent safeguards of the mind, in this uncertain, and changing state. SENTENCES DIVIDED BY SEVERAL COMMAS. The external misfortunes of life, disappointments^ poverty, and sickness, are light in comparison with those inward distresses of mind, occasioned by folly, by passion, and by guilt. Every leaf, every twig, every drop of water, teems with life. In the least insect there are muscles, nerves, joint?, veins, arteries, and blood. Luxury, pride, and vanity, have much influence in corrupting the sentiments of the great. Ignorance, bigotry, and prejudice, have much in- fluence in corrupting the opinions of the multitude. Vapours are formed into clouds, dew, mist, rail?, snow, hail, and other meteors. 62 The colours in the rain-bow are violet, indigo r blue, green, yellow, orange, red. The earth is adorned with a beautiful variety of mountains, hills, vallies, plains, seas, lakes, rivers, trees, flowers, plants, and animals. Human society, requires distinctions of property, diversity of conditions, subordination of ranks, and a multiplicity of occupations, in order to advance the general good. No station is so high, no power so great, no cha- racter so unblemished, as to exempt men from the attacks of rashness, malice, or envy. The astonishing multiplicity of created beings, the wonderful laws of nature, the beautiful arrangement of the heavenly bodies, the elegance of the vegetable world, the operations of animal life, and the amaz- ing harmony of the whole creation, loudly proclaim the wisdom of the Deity. I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God. SENTENCES DIVIDED BY A SEMICOLON. Blame not before thou hast examined the truth; understand before thou dost rebuke. 63 Perform your duty faithfully; for this will procure you the blessing of Heaven. Make a proper use of your time ; for the loss of it can never be retrieved. A friend cannot be known in prosperity ; and an enemy cannot be hidden in adversity. Men's evil manners live in brass ; their virtues we write in water. Enjoy pleasure ; but enjoy it with moderation. Use no indecent language ; for indecency is want of sense. Sport not with pain and distress; nor use the meanest insect with wanton cruelty. Be not proud ; for pride is odious to God and man. Never value yourself upon your fortune ; for this is the sign of a weak mind. Envy not the appearance of happiness in any man ; for you know not his secret griefs. Murmur not at the afflictions you suffer; for afflic- tions maybe blessings in disguise. Innocence confers ease and freedom on the mind; and leaves it open to every pleasing sensation. The book is well written ; and I have perused it with pleasure and profit. Titles and ancestry render a good man illustrious; but an ill one more contemptible. 64 SENTENCES DIVIDED BY SEVERAL SEMICOLONS. The shadow of knowledge passeth over the mind of man as a dream ; he seeth as in the dark; he rea- soneth ; and is deceived. The wisdom of God is as the light of Heaven; he reasoneth not ; he is the fountain of truth. Every thing grows old ; every thing passes away ; every thing disappears. Yet the world is still renewed with fresh life and beauty; with a constant succession of trees and plants; with a new race of animals; with anew ge- neration of men. Every seed contains in it a plant of its own spe- cies ; this plant another seed ; this seed another little plant ; and so on without end. Various animals delight in various sorts of food; some in grass and herbs ; some in grain and seed ; some in flesh; some in insects. Some men are intent upon gathering riches; others endeavour to acquire reputation and honour ; a third sort are devoted to their pleasures; and a few are engaged in the nobler pursuits of learning and wisdom. SENTENCES DIVIDED BY A COLON. Put a bridle on thy tongue : set a guard upon thj lips. 65 Apply thyself to learning: it will redound to thy honour. Read the scriptures : they are the dictates of di- vine wisdom. Fear God : he is thy creator and preserver. Honour the King : he is the father of his people. Harbour no malice in thy heart : it will be a viper in thy bosom. Be upon thy guard against flattery : it is as insi- dious poison. Avoid affectation : it is a contemptible weakness. Do not despise human life : it is the gift of God. Do not insult a poor man : his misery entitles him to pity. All mankind want assistance : all therefore ought to assist. Cherish a spirit of benevolence : it is a godlike virtue. A tear is sometimes the indication of a noble mind: Jesus wept. A talkative man is a nuisance to society : the ear is sick of his babbling. The tongue of the sincere is rooted in his heart : hypocrisy and deceit have no place in his words. A wicked son is a reproach to his father : but he that doeth right is an honour to his grey hairs. 66 PARAGRAPHS DIVIDED BY SEVERAL PERIODS. Beware of the seducing appearances which sur- round you. Recollect what others have suffered from the power of headstrong desire. By any pas- sion your inward peace will be impaired. But any which has the taint of guilt, will ruin your tran- quillity. Every man has some darling passion which gene- rally affords the first introduction to vice. Irregular gratifications are cautiously indulged in the begin- ning. But the power of habit grows. One vice brings in another to its aid. By a sort of natural affinity they entwine themselves together. Their roots come to be spread throughout the soul. Truth is the basis of every virtue. It is the voice of reason. Let its precepts be religiously obeyed. Never transgress its limits. Every deviation from truth is criminal. Abbor a falsehood. Let your words be ingenuous. Sincerity possesses the most powerful charm. It acquires the veneration of man- kind. Its path is security and peace. It is accept- able to the Deity.-— Blessed are the pure in heart. Never adventure on too near an approach to what is evil. Familiarize not yourselves with it, without fear. Listen with reverence to every reprehension of conscience. Preserve the most quick and accurate sensibility to right and wrong. -67 By disappointments and trials the violence of our passions is tamed. In the varieties of life, we are inured to habits both of the active and the suffering virtues. INTERROGATION. Rule 26. — An interrogation generally re- quires A longer stop than a period ; because an answer is either returned or implied ; and consequently a proper interval of silence is ne- cessarv. INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES ARE TO BE REAI> WITH AN ELEVATION OF THE VOICE, AS THEY ARE USUALLY SPOIvEN IN CONVERSATION. Have you seen your friend ? % Is lie better or worse ? What caused his accident? Is he able to ride ? Do you believe such a tale? Are yon so foolishly credulous ? Do you expect to deceive me ? Am I void of reason? What man will venture further ? Who then can charge me with cowardice ? M^H^HMBfl 68 Who dares to lift his arm ? Where can I find the wretch ? Who can view such misery without feeling pity i Who can restrain his tears? Do we not all need assistance ? Ought we to withhold our aid ? Wherein does happiness consist? In what scene of life is it to be found ? Is it to be purchased by riches ? Can we obtain it by power ? What think you of dress and equipage i What is your opinion of fame ? Does felicity consist in amusements ? Is it to be acquired by knowledge ? Is it not to be derived from religion ? SENTENCES CONSISTING OF INTERROGATIONS ANI> ANSWERS. I Which now of these three, was neighbour to him that fell among thieves ? He that shewed mercy to him. What is your favourite pursuit? The improve- ment of my mind. Can you forgive me, and be still my friend ? As firmly as I have ever been. 69 What could be the matter with me, an* please your honour ? Nothing in the world, Trim. How shall we manage it ? Leave it to me, said the corporal. Why shrinks the soul Back on herself, and startles at destruction ? 'Tis the Divinity, that stirs within us. Where are you now ? and what is your amount ? Vexation, disappointment, and remorse. To purchase heav'n, has gold the pow'r? Can gold remove the mortal hour ? In life, can love be bought with gold ? Are friendship's pleasures to be sold ? No. All that's worth a wish or thought, Fair virtue gives unbrib'd, unbought. And where will you dry it, Maria ? I will dry it in my bosom. But where's the passage to the skies ? The road through death's black valley lies. Will all great Neptune's ocean, wash this blood clean from my hands ? No. Dost thou then love him better than thyself? No ; I love him as myself. 70 EXCLAMATION. Rule 27. — An exclamation requires an ele- vation of voice, and such a pause, as may seem to give room for a momentary reflection. Hear me, O Lord! for thy loving kindness is great ! How doth the city sit solitary that was full of peo- ple ! how is she become as a widow ! She that was great among the nations, and princess among the provinces, how is she become tributary ! Fathers ! Senators of Rome 1 the arbiters of na- tions ! to you I fly for refuge. I'll call thee, Hamlet ! King! Father! Royal Dane! oh! answer me! Eternity ! thou pleasing dreadful thought ! How much vanity is in the pursuits of men ! Live! live! ye incomparable pair ! What a noble scene is before us ! How charming is the face of nature ! Behold the daughter of innocence ! What a look ! what beauty ! what sweetness ! Behold a great and good man ! What majesty! how graceful! how commanding ! O venerable shade ! O illustrious hero ! Behold the effects of virtue ! 71 Leave me, oh ! leave me to repose ! I am stripped of all my honours ! I lie prostrate on the earth ! Farewell! a long farewell to all my greatness ! It stands, solid and entire ! but it stands alone ! and it stands amidst ruins ! How glorious are the works of God ! How presumptuous is man ! THE DASH. Rule 28. — The dash requires a pause some- what less than a period. The pause should come upon the hearer unexpectedly; and therefore there should be no preparatory in- flection of the voice. Here lies the great — false marble, where ? Nothing but sordid dust lies here. When the poor victims were bayonetted clinging round the knees of the soldiers ! would my friend — but I cannot pursue the strain of interrogation ! If thou art he, so much respected once — but oh! how fallen. I despaired at first, said the corporal, of being able to bring back your honour any kind of intelligence concerning the poor lieutenant — Is he of the army then ? said my Uncle Toby* 5 72 Base as thou'rt false — No. Art thou not — what ? — a traitor ? And God said — what ? — " let there be light !'* Yes, and a brave one, but — I know thy meaning. And longer had she sung — 'but, with a frown, Re- venge impatient rose. The manor Sir ? — " the manor — hold !" he cried, " Not that — I cannot part with that" — and died. PARENTHESIS. Rule 29. — In the following' examples, read the former part of each sentence with a tone, suitable to the nature of the subject, and make a short pause with a suspended voice. In the parenthesis, lower your voice and proceed more quickly. After the parenthesis is con- cluded, assume the same elevation, with which you began. Know then this truth (enough for man to know) Virtue alone, is happiness belcw. Know ye not brethren (for I speak to them that knew the law) how that the law hath dominion over a man, as long as he liveth. Every planet (as the Creator has made nothing in vain) is most probably inhabited* 73 My dear friend (said he to Mentor) you save my honour ! Come (said she with a look of complacency) come into my habitation. This (replied the marchioness) is a painfiil sepa- ration. Remember (continued she with a sigh) your ab- sent friend. " An honest man (as Mr. Pope expresses himself) is the noblest work of God." " Pride (to use the emphatical words of a sacred writer) was not made for man." I have seen charity (if charity it may be called) insult with an air of pity. Life in general (for exceptions are extremely few) is thrown away in sloth and trifling. The Tyrians were the first (if we may believe what is told us by writers of high antiquity) who learned the art of navigation. I am happy, said he (expressing himself with the warmest emotion) infinitely happy, in seeing you return. 74 EXAMPLES FOR PRACTICE. Including solemn, serious, vehement, familiar, gay, and humorous Pieces. OMNISCIENCE OF THE DEITY. I was yesterday, about sun-set, walking in the open fields, till the night insensibly fell upon me. I at first amused myself with all the richness and variety of colours which appeared in the western parts of heaven. In proportion as they faded away and went out, several stars and planets appeared one after an- other, till the whole firmament was in a glow. The blueness of the ether was exceedingly heightened and enlivened, by the season of the year, and the rays of all those luminaries that passed through it. The galaxy appeared in its most beautiful white. To complete the scene, the full moon rose, at length, in that clouded majesty, which Milton takes notice of; and opened to the eye a new picture of nature, which was more finely shaded, and disposed among softer lights than that which the sun had before dis- covered to us. As I was surveying the moon walking in her brightness, and taking her progress ^mong the con- stellations, a thought arose in me, which I believe very often perplexes and disturbs men of serious and contemplative natures. David himself fell into it, in 75 that reflection ; " when I consider the heavens, the work of thy fingers ; the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained ; what is man that thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that thou regardest him ?" In the same manner, when I considered that infinite host of stars, or, to speak more philosophically, of suns, which were then shining upon me ; with those innumerable sets of planets or worlds, which were moving round their respective suns ; when I still en- larged the idea, and supposed another heaven of suns and worlds, rising still above this which we disco- vered ; and these still enlightened by a superior fir- mament of luminaries, which are planted at so great a distance, that they may appear to the inhabitants of the former, as the stars do to us ; in short, while I pursued this thought, I could not but reflect on that little insignificant figure which I myself bore amidst the immensity of God's works. Were the sun, which enlightens this part of the creation, with all the host of planetary worlds that move above him, utterly extinguished and annihilated, they would not be missed, more than a grain of sand upon the sea shore. The space they possess is so ex- ceedingly little in comparison of the whole, it would scarcely make a blank in the creation. The chasm would be imperceptible to an eye, that could take in the whole compass of nature, and pass from one end of the creation to the other ; as it is possible there mar e 2 76 be such a sense in ourselves hereafter, or in creatures which are at present more exalted than ourselves. — By the help of glasses, we see many stars, which we do not discover with our naked eyes ; and the finer our telescopes are, the more still are our discoveries. Huygenius carries this thought so far, that he does not think it impossible there may be stars, whose light has not yet travelled down to us, since their first creation. There is no question that the universe has certain bounds set to it : but when we consider that it is the work of infinite power, prompted by in- finite goodness with an infinite space to exert itself in, how can our imagination set any bounds to it ? CARDINAL WOLSEY. Farewell, a long farewell to all my greatness ! This is the state of man : to day he puts forth The tender leaves of hope ; to morrow blossoms, And bears his blushing honours thick upon him ; The third day comes a frost — a killing trost. And when he thinks, good easy man, full surely His greatness is a rip'ning, nips his shoot ; And then he falls, as I do. I have ventur'd, Like little wanton boys, that swim on bladders, These many summers in a sea of glory ; But far beyond my depth : my high-blown pride At length broke under me; and now has left me, Weary and old with service, to the mercy 77 Of a rude stream, that must for ever hide me. Vain pomp and glory of the world, I hate ye ! I feel my heart new open'd. Oh, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours ! There is, betwixt that smile he would aspire to, That sweet aspect of princes, and his ruin, More pangs and fears than war or women have ; And when he fails, he falls like Lucifer, Never to hope again. REVERENCE GOD. Bow down your heads unto the dust, O ye inhabi- tants of earth ! be silent and receive, with reverence, instruction from on high. Wheresoever the sun doth shine, wheresoever the wind doth blow, wheresoever there is an ear to hear, and a mind to conceive ; there let the precepts of life be made known, let the maxims of truth be honoured and obeyed. All things proceed from God. His power is un- bounded, his wisdom is from eternity, and his good- ness en dure th for ever. He sitteth on his throne in the centre, and the breath of his mouth giveth life to the world. He toucheth the stars with his finger, and they run their course rejoicing. On the wings of the wind he walketh abroad, and 78 performeth his will through all the regions of unli- mited space. Order, and grace, and bounty, spring from his hai^d. The voice of wisdom speaketh in all his works ; but the human understanding comprehendeth it not. The shadow of knowledge passeth over the mind of man as a dream ; he seeth as in the dark ; he rea- soneth, and is often deceived. But the wisdom of God is as the light of heaven; he reasoneth not; his mind is the fountain of truth. Justice and mercy wait before his throne ; benevo- lence and love enlighten his countenance for ever. Who is like unto the Lord in glory ? Who in power shall contend with the Almighty ? Hath he any equal in wisdom ? Can any in goodness be compared unto him? He it is, O man ! who hath created thee : thy station on earth is fixed by his appointment: the powers of thy mind are the gift of his goodness : the wonders of thy frame are the work of his hand. Hear then his voice, for it is gracious ; and he that obeyeth, shall establish his soul in peace. MISFORTUNES IN LIFE. No sooner has any thing in the health, or in the circumstances of men, gone cross to their wish, than 79 tliey begin to talk of the unequal distribution of the good things of this life ; they envy the condition of others ; they repine at their own lot, and fret against the Ruler of the world. Full of these sentiments, one man pines under a broken constitution. But let us ask him, whether he can, fairly and honestly, assign no cause for this but the unknown decree of heaven ? Has he duly valued the blessing of health, and always observed the rules of virtue and sobriety ? Has he been mo- derate in his life, and temperate in all his pleasures ? If now he is only paying the price of his former^ perhaps his forgotten indulgences, has he any title to complain as if he were suffering unjustly ? Were we to survey the chambers of sickness and distress, we should often find them peopled with the victims of intemperance and sensuality, and with the children of vicious indolence and sloth. Among the thousands who languish there, we should find the proportion of innocent sufferers to be small. We should see faded youth, premature old age, and the prospect of an untimely grave, to be the portion of multitudes, who, in one way or other, have brought those evils on themselves ; while yet these martyrs of vice and folly, have the assurance to arraign the hard fate of man, and to " fret against the Lord/' But you, perhaps, complain of hardships of an- other kind ; of the injustice of the world ; of the po- 80 ▼erty which you suffer, and the discouragements under which you labour ; of the crosses and disap- pointments of which your life has been doomed to be full. — Before you give too much scope to your dis- content, let me desire you to reflect impartially upon your past train of life. Has not sloth, or pride, or ill temper, or sinful passions, misled you often from the path of sound and wise conduct ? Have you not been wanting to yourselves, in improving those op- portunities which Providence offered you, for bet- tering and advancing your state ? If you have chosen to indulge your humour, or your taste, in the grati- fication of indolence or pleasure, can you complain because others, in preference to you, have obtained those advantages which naturally belong to useful labours, and honourable pursuits ? Have not the consequences of some false steps, into which yout passions, or your pleasures, have betrayed you, pur- sued you through much of your life ; tainted, perhaps, your characters, involved you in embarrassments, or sunk you into neglect? — It is an old saying, that every man is the artificer of his own fortune in the world. It is certain, that the world seldom turns wholly against a man, unless through his own fault.