Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-03-26
Correspondence.
For the Sunbury American
THE CULTIVATION OF THE HUMAN vOICT

system, the voice can only be improved by
proper and constant exercise n speaking and
reading, in manner musica! and entertain
ing, in great degree, are altogether me.
chanical. The art Of which, 10 become pro-
iiclent in either, requires the strctest atten-
ton. In order TO become skillful workman
in any of the branches of labor in the me-
chanical department of knowledge, it re-
qulres years of unwearied toll and perseve-
ing application, which must call into action !
every faculty of the mind, and oftimes TIE !
vigorous powers Of the whole intellect COM !
olned in one eternal effort. 1t is not the |
pompous bars Of language and high sounding |
words employed which characterize the elo.
quent speaker Ii lays no claim to The loud |
ness OF voice, as some persons are inclined |
TO believe, who are betrayed into the iase
idea, that afIectaiion embraces the true Sc. |
cret of the powers Of eloquence, but its lhun-
dernG tones, doubtless, flow from some no.
BILE and more elevated counteuance OF The |
immortal Demoslheues, did no, spring up as
mushroom which comes to perfection in a |
single night, but the acquisition of which
took years of constant toll, TO mould it into
that commanding and clearing shape, which
was requisite to fit him for that heavenly
OBJECT for which il was designed and the
accomplishment of that noble act which has
rendered his name unperishable down to the
latest ages. Generations will pass away and
each, in turn, cannot but admire his dill
gence, when taking into consideration the
lime which he consumed, and the labor
which he bestowed upon the cultivation Of
his voice. Neither has any individual, in
my knowledge, ever yet rose 10 any degree
Of desiHction, in estimation Of the learned,
world, either in reading or speaking wiihou,
the most assiduous labor in commanding the
powers Of his voice. Needless, indeed,
would il be for person 10 attempt TO arrest
the attention Of an audience by speaking in
clustering, believing manner, violating all
the rules of oralory and the overwhelming
powers of elocuton such an orator might
succeed in rousing the lurbnlen, passions of
an ignorant rabbe, who are blind to all rea-
son and guided by their nveterate tempers,
but he would sink into contempt, in The
hearing of an intelligent and enlightened
community. Lord Brougham, the most dis
tinguished orator now living, did not rise 10
so high degree of eminence in estimation of
the learned world without the most unrelent-
ing toll. The time has been when he was
school boy, with no creator abilities for the
art OF composition and the powers OF eo-
qrence than thousands al the present day
possess oitlmes, while attending to his clas-
sical studies, al intervening hours, did he
retire TO the silent wood, and there alone un.
der The canopy Of heaven breathing The puresl
air, did he pour forth strains OF his youthful
eloquence TO the surrounding trees, calling
the large ones, "my. lords" and The smaller,
"fellow citzens.n In these noble exercises,
he was frequently observed by an old lady,
who remarked TO one oi her neighbors, no
wiser perhaps, than herself, in very en-
phatic and sympathising manner, eXclaning,
in language of sorrow. Oh what sad mis-
fortune that so promising young man should
go crazy! But thanks 10 her remarks made
without Investigation, the very thing that in
her estimation had tendency 10 render
crazy his noble spirit, chanced TO make him
one Of the mos, convcting and overwhelming
orators that ever adorned the anals OF history
What pity there are not more such crazy
fellows in the world Some persons are in
clined to believe, that true eloquence is a
gift of nature, but example has convinced
one of The fact, that nature has bestowed this
faculty upon every talented man, and that he
even became eloquent in a greater or less
degree, BY using proper means, according TO
his ability. True, there are individuals,
who, by exposure and The contraction of IL
cenious habits, could sit and hear a sermon
pronounced in the purest strains of eloquence,
which would suspend their souls over the
very flames Of hell, upon slender cord, with
out being moved in the least. But was Broug-
HAMS musical voice the GIFT Of nature' Had
this been the fact, why did it become neces-
sary for him 10 bestow SO mnch labor upon
the cultivation of il? Defamation frs
characterized him as public speaker. Con
sequenlly, am inclined 10 believe, that
without the controlling command of the hu
man voice, in This department of knowledp,
J it is thing impossible for any individual, .,
his abilities what they may, to rise to an,
degree of distinction, as an orator in esima
tion of the learned world. As i, is indis
, pensbly necessary for child, to familiariz
himself with the alphabet, before he ca
learn 10 read, so must an orator familiariz
with the rules of elocuton and defamation
by continual and unweared practice befor
D he is prepared 10 stand in from, of the world
y TO meet The sneers OF the public mind, or h
e will inevitably be classed among The lowe
b order of orators. tree mnst blossom be
fore it bears and its fuit come 10 perfec,io
before il is fit for market.
J. w. p. T.
n Elysburg, 1853.
LARGE FORTUNE TO A CoNvIcT.-A ma
named Robert Sutton, confined in the Aubur