IN the belief that Elocution should be studied as a science as well as practiced as an art, the following pages are presented to the public. That Elocution is a science, that there are certain established principles observed by all good speakers and violated by all bad ones, none will deny who have carefully investigated the subject. To understand and to practically illustrate these principles should be the prominent object of the student of Elocution. The design of the work is to unfold the principles of Elocution, to show their application to the different forms of thought and emotion, to classify selections under their appropriate styles, and, in connection therewith, to furnish sufficient exercises for the cultivation of the articulation, the tones of the voice, and the graces of manner. Without this all cultivation of the voice and manner will be of little avail. Instances are numerous of students who have carefully and diligently practiced the exercises for the cultivation of the voice and manner, so abundant in the various works on Elocution, and derived therefrom all the advantages they propose, and yet good readers and speakers are rare. A radical defect exists somewhere, or, contrary to all experience and testimony, the ability to read and speak well is not an acquirement. An experience of nearly twenty years as a teacher in this department has convinced the author that the study of Elocution usually ceases where it really should begin, namely, with the adaptation of the tones of the voice and the expression of countenance to the sentiment uttered. To correct in some degree this defect, and to awaken a deeper interest in the subject of Elocution, is the hope of the author in the present publication. When Elocution shall be studied in our colleges and universities as a science, its principles known and practiced, then, and not till then, will good speaking be the rule, and not, as now, the rare exception. S. S. H. 710 WEST MONROE STREET, CHICAGO, ILL. PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. IN revising the Science of Elocution the author desires to express his sincere thanks to the literary and professional men and women, and to the schools and colleges throughout the country for their generous and complimentary indorsement and adoption of the work, and to hope that the revised edition may be no less acceptable. The original design of the work, which was to present the elements and principles of vocal expression in a plain, simple, scientific manner, is still retained. The changes are chiefly in the arrangement of the exercises, the addition of questions and diagrams, and the substitution of new and better selections. The present plan is to present the explanations, exercises, elements, principles, and the selections for their illustration in systematic lessons, and thus better adapt the work to the wants of the class-room. Instead of presenting with each element brief examples to illustrate all the styles of thought and feeling in which the element may be employed, only one illustration will be given, the others being presented when new elements are introduced. By this arrangement frequent repeti 10 PREFACE TO THE REVISED EDITION. tions will be avoided, and yet all the styles of thought and feeling illustrated. No attempt has been made to give instruction in action, further than the exercises in position and movement. Indeed, it is questionable whether grace and propriety of gesture and attitude can be successfully taught by printed instructions either in words or wood-cuts and dotted line. Certain it is that the accomplishments of action can be best acquired from the living teacher and the careful study of works of art and natural illustrations. The suggestions in the lessons on gesture and attitude are on the supposition that the teacher is competent to give such instruction orally and by illustration. GEORGETOWN, COL., Feb. 1, 1886. |