Mrs. Caudle Urging the Need of Spring Clothing, Douglas 38 . 116 . 106 . 152 An American Exile, I. H. Brown Kind Words, Kidd's Elocution The Vision of Immortality, Wm. C. Bryant Lay of a Madman, Anon. Apostrophe to the English Language, Geo. Bancroft Paul's Defense before King Agrippa . 273 . 277 . 278 . 280 . 282 . 287 . 291 COMMON SCHOOL ELOCUTION AND ORATORY. INTRODUCTION-GENERAL OUTLINE. 1. ELOCUTION. 1. ELOCUTION (from e, out, and loqui, to speak) is the expression of feeling and thought by means of the voice. 2. As now applied by elocutionists, it includes the science and art of conveying thought by all the organs of the body, in an easy, graceful, and forcible manner. 3. Its study and systematic practice, based upon principles of nature, make the voice clear, strong, flexible, and melodious; and give the body and limbs a pliancy and harmony of motion that render the position and action of the speaker or reader at once graceful and natural. 4. The complete mastery of its principles enables the speaker not only to express his thoughts clearly and easily, but to so vivify and illuminate those thoughts that his hearers see, hear, and feel the unquestioned truth of his argument. 5. The gift of reason to the human race derives its value from the gift of speech; but the speech of nature is so trammeled by habit and corrupted by associations, that the promptings of our God-nature, as revealed in speech, are practically ignored. Nature, in most cases, means habit, and has been very properly designated, "second nature." 6. Elocution calls into action the most vital organs of the body, in a manner, too, that stimulates them to their most exalted capabilities and consequent development; hence, the importance of studying it in youth. 7. A single sentence may be the exponent of years of study and experience, as in the case of Sheridan ; but its utterance with the astounding effect peculiar to that great master of oratory, comes only with the most careful practice. 8. Correct elocutionary training has for its object the complete subordination of the physical being to the service of the mind and spirit, thought being the product of the inner spiritual man, and speech and gesture its natural outlet through the exterior or physical man. 2. Requirements of Good Elocution. 1. A full and free respiration; 2. A correct and distinct articulation ; 3. A thorough knowledge and perfect control of all the elements of vocal expression; 4. Complete control of every muscle of the face, hands, feet, and body; 5. A thorough understanding of the thought to be expressed. 6. Perfect self-possession. 3. Division of the subject. These six requisites divide the subject of elocution naturally into six parts, which are designated as follows: PART I. Respiration. PART II. Articulation. PART III. Elements of Vocal Expression. PART IV. Action. PART V. Grouping. PART VI. Original Discourse. THE READER'S POSITION. Book in the left hand, thumb and little finger in front, first, second and third fingers at the back of the book; the elbow not touching the side. The book should be held in such a manner that a line drawn from the eyes toward the page would intersect the plane of the book at right angles. The full face of the pupil should be seen by the teacher. The weight of the body should be supported, while reading, on both feet, the left heel two or three inches in advance of the hollow of the right foot. The chest should be elevated and expanded, the position erect and easy. |