manner, if the time and place are suitable. They suppose such a style of speaking necessarily requires, if not a declamatory, at least an oratorical, or a rhetorical style of composition. This is a very injurious mistake.

Upon the present course of lessons, is placed the sole reliance for the actual merit of the speaking at the Junior Exhibition. The latter is not, indeed, required to be, without exception, in an elevated style; but it is nevertheless expected, that each composition will be spoken in a spirited and interesting man

If this be done, the speaking will be either elevated or familiar. But familiar speaking, if before a large and miscellaneous audience, is far more difficult of execution than that which is elevated. It requires more self-possession and experience, a voice of more real strength, and an uncommon mastery of rapid articulation, as well as of the power of accommodating the voice to rooms. To arrive at it, an elevated style must first be attained. It is in fact the last accomplishment acquired by speakers, being mastered only after considerable practice at least in imagination-in speaking to large audi

ences.

To be successful before large audiences, it is absolutely necessary, therefore, to be master of a high and bold style of delivery. Upon the same resource, also, must be placed the sole dependence for giving interest to such chaste yet plain essays, as, although sensible and judicious, would, when simply read in a large room, sound tame and uninteresting.

It is recommended to the students to endeavor, if possible, to exemplify the ability in speaking required in the following lessons, upon such composition as is not unlike what they themselves would write; to give interest to plain language and valuable thoughts, by means of elevation and skill of delivery; and not to be dependent for animation and enthusiasm, on uncommon qualities of style.

LESSON I.

POWER.

Remarks. It is the object of the present lesson, to give such discipline as to prevent all languor or drawling of the voice, and all awkwardness of gesture. We use the term power, because it describes the nature of the speaker's efforts. If successfully exhibited, it produces what audiences call by a lower term, viz. spirit or animation. Those who have not learned by experience, are singularly ignorant, how vivid and concentrated an effort of mind and body is required, to give to a large audience the impression of spirit and animation.

Directions.-Address an extremely large audience. Give accent and articulation with an intentional and commanding FORCE.

To make this easy and natural, as well as sufficiently powerful, utter the words with an inward feeling of power.

Determine to command the attention of the audience.

Observation. It is a speaker's own fault if his audience are inattentive. In general it is in the best taste, not to make much display of this confidence in one's own skill, when actually addressing an audience. Still if some slight manifestation of it does appear, the effect is not disagreeable. It is pleasant to witness manifestations of power, in this, as in other acts.

LESSON II.

SPLENDOR.

Remarks. It may seem a bold direction, to advise a modest young man to cultivate splendor of delivery. If he succeeds, however, in acquiring it, audiences will apply a much lower epithet. The strongest expression will be such as striking.

In fact we use the term in reference, not so much to what the speaker will actually exhibit, as to what he should aim at. An animated speaker's thoughts and feelings, seem far more vivid and glowing to himself than to others. This lesson—being private-should be carried to a great extreme.

Directions. Let the eyes of the imaginary audience be gratified by attitudes and gestures of the boldest kind. Cultivate bold poetical gestures, which appeal to the imagination.

Arouse activity of imagination in yourself and others, and keep every image vivid and strong.

LESSON III.

SENTIMENT.

Remarks.-A better term than sentiment would be pathos, in the sense in which it was used by the Greeks. In a vivid state of the intellect and imagination, every idea and image has some feeling connected with it. It is chiefly the expression of these, that constitutes eloquence. Remember that this lesson, being practised in private, should be executed in an ex

treme manner.

Directions.-Enlarge and magnify the exhibition of

feeling.

Practise such power in this respect, that when before an audience, you shall not need to make much exertion, and indeed shall be spirited and interesting, while, at the same time, you appear simply calm and graceful.

LESSON IV.

TRIUMPHANT APPEAL.

Remarks. It is an essential requisite of satisfactory delivery, that it be executed with a reasonable degree of ease. If

the audience notice that a speaker is under the necessity of making excessive exertion, they will feel either disgust or commiseration. Practice and experience enable one to make the vigorous efforts which are really necessary, in a graceful and agreeable manner. The delivery will indeed seem to the audience to flow, almost without effort, and from the spontaneous and pleasurable impulses of the speaker. And this is the principal cause of the high enjoyment experienced in hearing really good speaking. It will therefore be best to continue the same powerful exertion as in the previous lessons. By doing this, we shall so strengthen the faculties required in delivery, that the final lesson can successfully be practised in an easy, calm and genial mood of mind.

Directions.-Address in imagination an audience in the room, and apply directly to them all the resources of eloquence that have been practised in the previous lessons.

Let not your manner be that of one asking for the admiration of the audience. Rather appeal triumphantly-first, to the common sympathies of men, and secondly, to their social and friendly feelings.

LESSON V.

CALM POWER.

Remarks. The previous lessons having been practised as gymnastic exercises of the mind, a strength and skill will have been acquired, which will relieve the speaker from the necessity of making more exertion, than just that degree which is most genial for himself, and agreeable to the audience.

Directions.-Yield yourself up to pleasurable impulses of intellect, imagination and feeling.

In general, be calm and graceful.

If an idea, however, requires even a vehement and overpowering force, do not spoil its utterance by an unnatural reserve.

Observation. Modesty is of course essential to a gentleman; yet it does not call for a studious effort to conceal a well founded consciousness of power. Honesty, frankness and openness of disposition, are as essential as modesty.

JUNIOR YEAR, THIRD TERM.

SUBJECT OF STUDY.-Matured Delivery. Such speaking as is required for Oratory. Skill and power for Mass Meetings.

Remarks. It not being the custom of this institution, to make Speaking a regular exercise of the Senior Class, it must be during the Junior year that students are to become qualified for appearing at Commencement. It is therefore a principal object of the following course, to assist in bestowing this quali fication upon all the members of the class alike. The instructors make no attempt to render the delivery of those who actually appear on that occasion, any thing more than a fair exhibition of the average knowledge of this branch possessed by the graduating class. Yet for a young man who has had no experience before audiences except what can be acquired in College, to speak with acceptableness in a very large church crowded to its utmost capacity, is a difficult undertaking.

The highest styles of secular oratory, exhibited in this country at the present day, like the triumphs of ancient eloquence, are brought out by the influence of mass meetings. These not only elevate and expand a speaker's mind, but stimulate it to its utmost efforts. Littleness and narrowness of manner dis