From the U. S. Gazette.

STAMMERING CURED BY DR. COMSTOCK

Mr. EDITOR :-Having experienced, to a very painful extent, the many privations necessarily and peculiarly connected with inveterate stainmer. ing, to which I have been subject from early life, I am anxious thus to acknowledge the restoration that has been effected in my case, under the instruction of Dr. Comstock. Knowing, as I well do, how valuable such a communication would have once been to me, I am induced to pen this for the benefit of others.

My articulation, until very lately, was so embarrassing and difficult, as to have, in a very great degree, shut out from me the pleasure of conversation. I could scarcely articulate a single scntence without considerable effort on my part, and apparent anxiety and pain to others. I therefore seldom spoke from choice, and even avoided, when possible, the necessity of doing so. I am, however, no longer subjected to these severe depriva tions, but so relieved from them, that I can now converse with friends or strangers, and feel confident of my power to do so.

Many years ago, and at some expense and trouble, I sought out Mr Chapman, a teacher then of considerable notoriety, and placed myself immediately under his care. Of him I do not complain, but notice the fact as part of my experience. Those who are aware of his injunctions know how impossible it is here to compare the peculiarities of his plan with the principles of my last tutor's, whose system, however, I should unhesitatingly prefer. A. EVANS.

Philadelphia, June 24, 1836.

A gentleman named Abner Evans called on me a few weeks ago, and desired me to examine him, in his conversation and in his reading with reference to stammering in his speech. He informed me that he was 34 years of age-that he had been an inveterate stammerer from his infancy; but that he had, about two weeks before that time, placed himself under the care of Dr. Andrew Comstock, and that he now believed himself cured of the infirmity under which he had so long laboured. I examined the gentleman with considerable care, and was unable to discover anything like stammering, or embarrassment or impediment in his speech, either in conversation or reading.

July 15th, 1836.

JOHN H. WILLITS

I certify, that I have known Mr. A. Evans for a number of years, that he was an inveterate stammerer, and that he was completely relieved in two weeks, under the instruction of Dr. Comstock. I will further add, that I am intimately acquainted with Dr. C., that he has devoted several years to the study of the subject which he professes to teach, and that I believe he is fully prepared to meet any case of impediment in reading or speaking JOS. P. MUSGRAVE, M. D.

No. 142, Pine Street, Phila., July 16, 1836.

From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, October 29, 1836.

CURE FOR STAMMERING.

A young gentleman named Samuel E. Duffield, of M'Connelsburg, in this state, called upon us the other day, and wished us to state that he has always been subject to a natural impediment of speech, which of late years had been increasing upon him. He visited this city, placed himself under the care of Dr. Comstock, and has been entirely cured. He can speak and read with as much fluency as though he had never been subject to any impediment of speech.

From the United States Gazette, Philadelphia, Oct. 31, 1836.

STAMMERING.

We had on Saturday the pleasure of listening to the reading, recitation and discourse of a pupil of Dr. Comstock, who has been with him less than three weeks, and was from his infancy a stammerer, the evil increasing with the growth of the youth, and with his intercourse with society. He is now able to speak and read without the least sign of hesitancy. Dr. Comstock's system is simple, and, as it appears, efficacious, and he affects no mystery: we trust that those who are subject to the painful inconvenience of stammering, will apply to him; and we really believe that if they will give attention to his rules, they may be entirely cured.

From the Philadelphia Gazette, Nov. 29, 1836.

The following tribute to the skill of a Gentleman whose success in a very difficult profession has been astonishing, is not less grateful to the object of it himself, than it is useful to the public at large. We perform a general benefit by giving it currency through the press.

Letter to Dr. Comstock, of Philadelphia.

M'CONNELSBURG, Nov. 13, 1836. DEAR SIR;-My son has returned from the city, after an absence of about four weeks, and I cannot refrain from acknowledging my unfeigned satisfac. tion in the improvement of his speech. Before he left home it gave me pain to hear him attempt to speak; now I will defy any person to know he had ever been a stammerer. I do cordially recommend all who have an impediment in their speech, if possible to avail themselves of your sys tem for the cure of stammering. I am, with respect, yours, &c. WILLIAM DUFFIELD.

From the United States Gazette.

STAMMERING.

We publish a communication from the Rev. O. C. Comstock, Chaplain to Congress, upon the merits of his relative, Dr. A. COMSTOCK, of this city, as a professor of Elocution. From some knowledge of the scientific gentleman alluded to, and the great success which has attended his exertions in the cure of stammering, we cordially endorse the testimony. The Rev. Dr. Comstock, of Washington, being himself an eloquent divine, much credit may be attached to his opinions on a topic so entirely within his sphere.

Letter to the Editor, from the Rev. O. C. Comstock, Chaplain to Congress. WASHINGTON, January 26, 1837. SIR-In this age of arrogant pretension and stupendous humbuggery

the public should receive with becoming caution, every announcement of extraordinary achievements in any of the departments of useful knowledge. The wonderful exploits of ignorant and unprincipled pretenders, are fre quently lauded to the skies, in the newspaper paragraphs of anonymous writers. Disdaining to impose on honest credulity, by making an asser. tion where I cannot establish a fact-indisposed to avoid any responsibility, that may be attached to my character, I will not be induced to do so upon this occasion, by withholding my humble name from this article, in consequence of the delicate collateral relation subsisting between myself and the talented and honourable gentleman to whom it alludes-I mean Dr. A. Comstock, of Philadelphia. The Dr. before and since his graduation at the university of Pennsylvania, has been much employed in the education of youth. The books and diagrams which he has published, illustrating the true principles of elocution, and the methods by which it can be most successfully taught the high state of improvement witnessed and admired, in the voice, reading and speaking of his pupils, render him deservedly celebrated as an elocutionist, wherever his reputation is known.

But I should not have obtruded these remarks upon the consideration of your readers, would they not conduce to a better understanding of the following intelligence, which I hope may subserve the interests of suffering humanity.

My friend has removed, in numbers of unfortunate stammerers, that most embarrassing and painful difficulty of enunciation with which they have been affected. Some of these sufferers had been long schooled by others, with reference to the removal of this calamity, with little or no success.

That a cure, in this case, is an object most ardently to be desired, is deeply felt by every victim of this misfortune-by every fond parent, who, but for stammering, might regard his darling boy a fair candidate for the highest academic honours-the applause of listening Senates. There is now before my mental vision a lovely boy of great promise, on whom his parents design to bestow a finished education; but who, alas! was painfully afflicted with stammering. He is now, however, under the tuition of Dr. Comstock, greatly improving in his elocution; inspiring the confident expectation of perfect victory over the source of so much unhappiness. The sparkling animation of his eye-his cheering smiles-express the rapture of his grateful heart. The thankfulness and joyful anticipation of his parents cannot be described, or even imagined, but by those in similar circumstances.

Having spent some months with my relative, I am well acquainted with his system, and manner of instruction, and its delightful results.

Unlike all sorts of imposture, there is no affectation of superlative wisdom held as a profound secret, in the theory and practice of this valuable artas triumphantly explored and applied by the Doctor. His course of operation is founded in an extensive knowledge of his subject-the fruit of his ample study and practice. His discipline developes, invigorates, and rengers flexible the organs of speech. He teaches his pupils how these organs are to be properly exercised. They are made obedient to the will-capablə of much and various accomplishments. In short, he cures stammerers, by teaching them scientific and practical elocution.

How much reason have we to rejoice in the march of mind-the efforts of philanthropy-the benevolence of God. Yours, with respect, O. C. COMSTOCK

Certificates from Professor Horner and Professor Hare, of the University of Pennsylvania.

Having been present on the 10th inst. at the exercises of the pupils in Dr Andrew Comstock's Gymnasium, for the improvement of the voice and of the articulation in stammerers and others, the impression made upon me was highly favourable to his method of instruction.

The system is founded upon an exact anatomical and physiological inform. ation, in regard to the organs concerned in the production and modification of sound. Its several parts appear to have been evolved and matured upon a degree of thought and an extent of experiment reflecting much credit upon his sagacity and industry, and it inspires a very strong confidence of its applicability to the faults generally of speech or phonation. One of his pupils, who only a week before the occasion alluded to, had been a most unpleasant stammerer, was then heard to recite publicly with great ease and fluency, with a full intonation. W. E. HORNER, M. D. Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, Aug. 11, 1837.

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 14th, 1837. Having been present on the occasion alluded to in the preceding letter of the Professor of Anatomy, I have no hesitation in alleging that my impres sions are consistent with those which my colleague has therein expressed. ROBERT HARE, M. D.

Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania.

From the Select Medical Library and Eclectic Journal of Medicine, edited by John Bell, M. D., Lecturer on the Institutes of Medicine and Medical Jurisprudence, Member of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and of the American Philosophical Society, etc. September, 1837.

COMSTOCK'S VOCAL GYMNASIUM AND LYCEUM FOR

ELOCUTION.

Ir is not necessary that a man should be a stammerer, in order to be aware, from personal experience, of his imperfection in vocal utterance and speech. We are taught to read and to express ourselves grammatically in conversa. tion; but how few learn suitable intonation, and a full and a distinct utterance, by which speech obtains much of its charm and acquires often all its influence. Graceful gestures in walking and dancing, and in presenting one's self in company, are thought by many to be of paramount importance; and hence, as a matter of course, the majority of young persons of both sexes are placed under the direction of a teacher of dancing. And yet, after all, what are the graces of manner compared to the melody of voice; and how imperfect the address of the otherwise accomplished gentleman or lady, with out full and mellifluous speech! Nature here, as in all that concerns either bodily or mental endowment, does, it is true, establish great differences amongst individuals. One person has, naturally, a musical voice, as it is called; another a harsh or somewhat dissonant one. But still, education pos

esses, we also know, a good deal of plastic power; and in no case is the influence of physical education more evident than in the strength which exer. cise gives to the muscles in general, and in the agility and grace which prac tice imparts to the movements of the limbs; as in the evolutions of the dance, and on the tight rope, &c. On the same principle precisely, without any charın, magic or mystification, can the muscles which, by their successive or alternate and combined action, give rise to voice and speech, be educated into strength and measured and harmonious movement, and produce clear and full intonation, distinct articulation, and emphatic utterance.

This particular department of muscular exercise and education, has greater claims on our time and attention than any other. The organs of speech, with few unfortunate exceptions, are possessed by all mankind; they are in constant use by all,-their functions are of the highest moment to all, whether for the display of the charms of song and poetry, the persuasion of oratory, the invocation of prayer, and the numberless exchanges of opinion and expression of the affections and emotions in social intercourse. The most rigid puritan or methodist, who would regard with distaste, perhaps horror, the exercises of the dance, and attach no importance to the graces of bodily move ment, will still be as naturally and properly desirous of cultivating the voice, as the greatest stickler for worldly accomplishments. He does it in learning to sing the praises of his Maker, and when engaged in the solemn exercises of prayer and exhortation.

With the other sex, the charm of voice is a powerful means of persuasion and control. It gives to woman much of her influence-an influence depending on the mildness of her manner, and her soft and musical tones, displayed in the language of sympathy, entreaty, and of kind remonstrance. Her's is the privilege and the duty to be at the side of the suffering invalid, in infancy, in youth, and in mature age; to comfort the mourner, and to aid the poor and distressed. And what makes the potions to the feverish patient less nauseous-what gives balm to the language of resignation, and imparts the glow of pleasure to the wan and weary beggar, when she is, in each case, the ministering angel! Much is in the pitying look, much in the inclining gesture and softened manner; but still more in the tones of her voice, her low and smoothly uttered words of solace and of hope.

Why then should this instrument, which is capable of giving out such exquisite music, be jarred and discordant in its tones, through early neglect and bad habits. It has been said by European travellers of both sexes, that American women would be in all respects charming, but for their want of melody of voice in common speech. Surely this stigma, for such in one sense it is, might be, and ought to be removed, just as the flutter, agitation, and jerking movements of the body and limbs would be corrected, by appropriate exercise and training under tasteful guidance and precept.

Still more necessary is this kind of education where the imperfection amounts to disease, as in hesitancy, stammering, and other imperfect articulation. The cure requires time, patience on the part both of the invalid and of the vocal doctor, and practice in the manner which scientific experience, not impudent and boastful quackery, has shown to be most serviceable, so as to give that confidence which is the result of conscious ability. The timidity and feeling of embarrassment of the stammerer, are both effects and sustain. ing causes of his impediment. So soon as he knows that his vocal organs