THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, ΤΟ SIR DANIEL COOPER, KNIGHT, FIRST SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, NEW SOUTH WALES, BY HIS OBLIGED AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. NOTE. The aim of the Author of the present work has been to supply a Reading Book which shall be to the present generation of students what "Enfield's Speaker" was to him in his own school-days. At the same time he has endeavoured to make the introductory Essay on Elocution more reliable and complete than anything of the kind previously presented to the public. THE NEW SPEAKER. INTRODUCTION. THE advantages to be derived from the study and practice of the Art of Elocution have, of late years, become obvious to all who have received, or are desirous of receiving, a polite education; and though the art of Gesture, including the expression of the countenance, may be considered as included in that of Elocution-according to the modern acceptation of the term-yet, with most of our public speakers, or rather with the educated portion of them, the management of the voice in acquiring a correct articulation and pronunciation of words, seems to absorb their principal attention. Something more than this is evidently requisite to form a perfect orator. Elocution, including the management of the voice, countenance, and gesture in speaking, together with a thorough critical VOL. I. B |