THE great want, which the author has felt, during a large and varied experience in teaching, of a brief yet comprehensive and practical text-book of elocution-one that could furnish learners, in their earlier school-days, when the organs of speech are most flexible and susceptible of culture, with a comparatively thorough and systematic vocal "drill," has induced the publication of this Practical Elocutionist.

It is the result of much reading and thought, and will be found, it is believed, to contain all the leading principles upon which good reading and speaking depend, as clearly stated and as fully explained as could be expected in a work so elementary in its nature.

Technical terms have been avoided as much as possible; and when found necessary, no new ones have been introduced, but such as seemed the most just and expressive have been selected from Dr. Rush and other approved authorities.

Allusion has been made to the most common of the many errors in reading and speaking, and all of them suitably noticed.

Particular pains has been taken to furnish concise and defimite rules for the right use and application of all the elements of vocal expression. Under the rules there have been aranged numerous illustrations, with a special view to their being used as "drill exercises."

Young scholars, in going through the book for the first ime, may have their progress very much facilitated by the eacher reading or pronouncing, and requiring the learners to epeat after him, in concert or otherwise, at the time of giving out the lesson, such illustration as it may happen to contain. By suitably varying from the order of the book, in practising The exercises, any variety of vocal transition may be secured, nd the most inveterate habit of a monotonous style in reading r speaking be, in a very short time, completely broken up nd effectually remedied.

The rhetorical notation is voru sinal