New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-27

ELOCUTiON or MENTAL AND Vocal PHLosoPHf :;
involving the principles OF Reading aud Spesh,ns
and designed for the development and cultivation vi
both body and mind IN accordance with INC naruie
uses and destiny of man. Fifth Edition by rtol.
BRONSON A. NJ, NJ d. New-forS- a . baFhe'
& Co.
The great merits Of Prot. Bronson as an Elocu-
,ons. are well established by long course of sue.
cessful public lec,urng and teaching and the united
testimony of many competent, judges His Manual
of instruction in the important but much neglected
study of Elocution, is, perhaps, the most complete
and admirable work on the subject ever before pub
! shed The value of the work is in some degree
attestcd by the extended demand, which in very
short period since its first publication, has called for
five editions, amounting in all 10 sixteen thousand
copies, as We are informed by the title page II is
well adapted 10 seinsructon as 1t proceeds regularly
from the simple elements OF language with copious di-
recons for their practice and the proper exercise Of the
organs OF speech gradually advancing the student step
b. step of easy progress TO the higher branches Of the
art Of Elocution.
But the design OF the confined to the
of speaking well merely this object is of secondary
importance even Others with which /; is Intimately
connected Prof proposes by his method of instruc-
ton TO develop the mind and promote the health OF the
body simultaneously and think his views upon this
subjec, very just
The necessity OF discriminating analysis of language
in order 10 understand fully the OF words and the
meaning of an author scarcely all appreciated and
the mental faculties bunted by careless habit OF
reading almost universal We quite conhden; that
people rarely understand hafthey read at most per
ceive the meaning Of the author but partially when they
do absolutely pervert II, simply from want OF dis
elimination as TO relations of words in and
their respective values How important then is the study
which trains the mind make just distinctions and pro-
per estimates.
IT, however, readers frequently lose and msapprehcnd
the sense OF words from deficient perceptivc powers
hearers still more unfortunate from the wretched utter
ance and gross violations OF rules Of expression by public
speakers generally who this account seldom do JUS
tice 10 their subject and fully comprehcnded
The feeble and mono.onous OF speaking COM
mon with lecturers and others who undertake the
sble task OF addressing and enlightenng public
bes and with clergymen especially, in whom the fault
Of defective enuncaton and delivery is least excusabe
destroys force OF nearly ali they say, besides being
intoerably wearisome audience. And it hardly
be estimated what the of injury the health of
public speakers induced by this vicious habit The study
of Elocuon, directed by Prof Bronson, brings the
muscles CT the body into play strengthens the lungs
pands the chest and gives volume and power to the.
voice We know of no work the subject which atords
so much available information these points the
one before
The author is open 10 criticism upon his analysis Of
sound in this particular he far advanced
most orthoepists who with few exceptions arc sadly
defective.