OR,

DRAMATIC SELECTIONS,

FOR THE USE OF

SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, AND FAMILIES:

DESIGNED TO FURNISH EXERCISES, EITHER FOR

READING, RECITATION, OR EXHIBITION.

SELECTED FROM THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTIONS,

"In-

Formerly Instructor of Elocution in the Mount Pleasant Classical Institution,
Amherst, Mass.; and author of "The United States Speaker,"
troductory Arithmetic," "The Young Pupil's First Book,"
and" Young Pupil's Second Book."

SECOND EDITION.

"The greatest enemy to natural and graceful reading, is the departure from what is
called the speaking voice. The most efficient means to correct this error, is unques.
tionably the regular employment of well selected dialogues."-Hindmarsh.

"The art of feeling, which is best learned from the speaking of dialogues, is the true
art, which leads to a graceful, persuasive, and powerful oratory."

"To this one standard make your just appeal,

Here lies the golden secret, learn to FEEL."-Help to Eloquence.

NEW HAVEN:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY S. BABCOCK.

Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1839,

BY JOHN E. LOVELL,

In the Clerk's Office of the District of Connecticut.

30-11

27

PREFACE.

"Tis not enough the voice be sound and clear,
"Tis modulation that must charm the ear.

The critic's sight, 'tis only grace can please,

No action charms us, if it have not ease.-LLOYD.

- THIS book of Dialogues was promised to the public two or three years ago. I had then prepared a considerable portion of its contents, and expected, shortly, to "put it to press." The long interval which has elapsed, has been checkered with important and unexpected duties, which, together with a desire to render the work as interesting and appropriate as possible, must be my apology to those gentlemen who have honored me with letters of inquiry, respecting it. My principal inducement for undertaking the labor and responsibility of this compilation, is the almost constant application to me for pieces for exhibitions, from teachers, not only of this, but, indeed, of other States; and the fact that the publishers have, now, before the work "is through the press," numerous orders from different parts of the country,-assures me that such a work is much needed, and, if well executed, will be well received. My experience satisfies me, that there is no better medium of cultivating a beautiful and captivating style of elocution, or a more graceful, just, and impressive action, than the employment of dialogues. Nor is there any species of recitation that young folks so much delight in. The ardor