whole, as well as the several parts in detail; and, at the same time, so to familiarize the application, as to give the entire subject a permanent lodgment in the memory of the student. How far the authors have succeeded in providing facilities for such a result, experiment alone must decide. Another, though a subordinate object, was to treat of poetry more fully than elocutionists have generally done, by giving the principles of its construction, the number of syllables constituting the different kinds of poetic feet, its various measures and forms, together with rules, and numerous examples and exercises for reading and scanning. And, as the use of figurative language is almost as common as household words among all classes of people, the authors have thought it advisable, also, to give a brief explanation of the change in the use of words from a literal to a figurative sense, illustrating the same by a few examples, and thus showing how much our language abounds in a figurative mode of expressing ideas. Most of the exercises under the elocutionary rules, are designed as regular reading lessons, as well as exemplifications of the rules; and, for convenience, they are referred to in a separate table of contents. Part Second consists of select pieces for reading and declamation, from the most approved authors both in this country and Europe, with EXPLANATORY NOTES. It embraces specimens of the eloquence of the pulpit, the lecture-room, the legislative hall, the bar, the stage, and the battle-field, appropriately interspersed with the narrative, descriptive, humorous, and colloquial styles in prose, and with interesting and instructive selections of various styles and measures in verse. To enable the student to determine the character of the language, the style, the manner of reading all these varied selections, and to secure a constant observance and application of the principles illustrated in the First Part, a reference is occasionally made, at the head of the lessons, to some one or more of the elocutionary rules; and it is hoped that all teachers will faithfully carry out this suggestion of the authors, in their daily use of the book. In conclusion, Mr. Town would hereby improve the present opportunity to acknowledge the valuable assistance of his nephew, NELSON M. HOLBROOK — one of the compilers of "Town's Grammar School Reader," and author of "The Child's First Book in Arithmetic"-in the last revision of his entire Series of books. BOSTON, Oct. 1, 1856. THE AUTHORS. 1. ARTICULATION, or Elementary Sounds. The Pleasures of Learning, Anon. 28 H. Eaton. 89 5. EMPHASIS Absolute. Beauty and Sublimity of Scottish Scenery, Richmond. 57 64 Absolute Emphatic Clause. Miscellany, Absolute Emphatic Clause Repeated. Miscellany, Direct Questions with their Answers. Law of Progress, M. Hopkins. 85 Or, used Disjunctively. Miscellany, 26. 27. 28. 29. 66 Tender Emotion. The Head-Stone, Indirect Questions without their Answers. Miscellany, Indirect Questions with Answers. Northern Laborers, C. C. Naylor. 114 39. MODULATION, and Characters of Style. Narrative. A Narrow Escape, . 40. J. J. Audubon. Historical Narration. An Attempt to take Washington, Didactic Value of the Sabbath to Young Men, . Argumentative. Industry Necessary to Genius, Extract from an Oration. The Dignity of Human Nature, An Argumentative Appeal. You Cannot Conquer America, EMOTIONS AND PASSIONS. Tender Emotion, etc. Miscellany, Language of Earnest Entreaty, Lamentation, etc. Miscellany, 175-178 . Language that is Solemn and Dignified, etc. Miscellany, 183, 184 184, 185 |