King's College Lectures on Elocution ...

Introduction. What is Elocution? Definition of the term. Reasons why Elocution in its true sense should be regularly studied by all persons, and form a part of a systematic course of education for both sexes. Advantages that will necessarily result from such cultivation. Opinions of eminent men. Extract from the speech of the Archbishop of York at King's College. Dr. Channing's view of the subject, &c. The various advantages that result from an acquaintance with the principles of Elocution, generally considered in reference to speakers, readers, and hearers. Physical results of bad reading. Clerical sore throat (Dysphonia clericorum), its cause and cure. Opinions of medical authorities-Sir Henry Holland, Dr. Bright, Dr. Goodwin Timms, Combe, Mayo, &c. The recent prizes for good reading offered to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

ENTLEMEN,-We are assembled on this evening for the purpose of opening our usual class for the study and practice of the art of public reading and speaking; and the introductory remarks to which I have invited you to listen I have ventured to call "A Lecture on Elocution, considered in reference to Professional and Public Life."

Before I proceed further, let me at the outset ask why it is that an art like this, which in classical times was so much valued, and on which the highest authorities have set the stamp of their approval, should of late years have been comparatively disregarded as part of our education, and yet music, singing, drawing, and other accomplishments, have all received their due share of attention? and most properly so, for I should be the last person to undervalue the cultivation of any one art that tends to pomote the grace and refinement of life, and advance the civilization of all ranks of society. But why is it that elocution should have fallen from the position it occupied in other days and circumstances? Well! one reason I believe is to be found in the fact, that the very word has been made a bugbear of, and has frightened away many excellent persons of taste and refinement from the pursuit of its study, through a completely erroneous interpretation of its meaning and character. Does not many a man

entertain a sort of secret conviction, even if he does not openly express the opinion, that the study and practice of elocution must eventually lead to a pompous, bombastic, stilted and pedantic style—a style, in short, in which the palpably artificial reigns predominant over every thing that is pure, simple and natural? Now all that I can say is, if elocution either meant, or properly understood and taught, really tended to, anything of the kind, I should be the last to advocate its adoption in colleges, schools, or anywhere else.

If I am asked, then, to explain what it is I mean by elocution, I think I should answer "It is the most effective pronunciation that can be given to words when they are arranged into sentences, and form written or extemporaneous composition. I include under the term all those appropriate inflections and modulations of the voice, that purity of intonation, clearness of articulation, and due poise or weight, which are requisite to render pronunciation most effective in its results on the minds of those whom we address; and I include, moreover, when suitable to the occasion, the accompaniments of the expression of the countenance and gesture-for, remember, nature has a language unspoken as well as spoken, and the contemptuous smile of the lip, the flash of indignation from the eye, or the raising of a hand in supplication, will convey the particular passion or emotion of the man as eloquently often as any words can do, however aptly chosen. This art of elocution, then, I would further define as that system of instruction which enables us to pronounce written or extemporaneous language with proper energy, correctness, variety, and (and this is no slight matter) with personal ease, freedom and self-possession on the part of the speaker or reader. And, lastly, I would say, elocution is that style of delivery which not only expresses fully the sense of all the words employed, so as to be thoroughly heard, felt and comprehended by the hearer, but at the same time gives the whole sentence which such words form, all the power, grace, melody and beauty of which it is capable."

This, then, is my ideal of elocution-a high one certainly! and if we cannot hope very speedily to reach it, let us try our utmost, by care and diligence to advance towards it. How strange it is, when we reflect on the power-the marvellous power-which spoken language has to excite the deepest and strongest feelings of our nature, that the cultivation of the art of its delivery, which once received so much attention, should afterwards, and for so long a time, have been comparatively neglected. We know how highly the art of rhetoric was estimated in ancient Greece and Rome; and we need but point to the undying names of Demosthenes, Cicero, and Quintilian, to show how the great orators of antiquity valued and studied the art of delivery. When the great orator of Greece said that the first, second, and last requisite to ensure success in the art of which he was so illustrious an example was action," it did not mean action in the narrow sense in which we are now accustomed to limit itto "gesture "--but it meant all that we are wont to associate together in the word "delivery," viz., voice, words, pronunciation, expression and gesture. This was what the great orator meant when he uttered his famous dictum-" Action, action, action!"

I have asked, how comes it that the art of delivery, or "elocution," should have fallen in after times into comparative neglect? May not this answer be given among others? The art which has revolutionised the world, the art of printing, was then unknown; and when there was no press to scatter far and wide over the land the winged words of thought, speech was then the only means by which the intellect of a nation could be stirred, or its passions swayed. Consequently the art of speech was studied by all who wished to influence their fellow-men. Time and circumstances were alike favourable to its development, and its power was well understood and sedulously cultivated. But now we have, not only within all reasonable limits a free press, but at the same time what in other ages we had not, and what some other countries near us have not now-freedom of speech to express all our thoughts, views and opinions, socially, politically and morally; and I think the time is at hand when the power of speech may be made an influence in our land, and in all grades of society, second to none in importance.

But it is not alone in crowded senates, churches, courts of justice, or popular assemblies, that I would advocate the study of elocution. Cicero most truly remarks in his first book on oratory that, "address in speaking is highly ornamental and useful in private as well as in public life." And surely what the great Roman said in his day is equally applicable to our own. For let me ask, even supposing a young man has no apparent likelihood of debating in Parliament, of arguing before judges or addressing juries at the bar, or of appealing on the most solemn subjects of all from the pulpit, does it therefore follow that he need bestow no trouble in learning to speak correctly, elegantly, and effectively his native language? Is it certain that he will never have occasion to make a speech or express his opinions at some public meeting? Will he never have occasion to read aloud some report of a religious, a philanthropic or other society; or to read even in the company of friends or in the family circle, some speech or leading article from the newspapers, some chapter from a book or some verses from a poem ? And what a difference will there be in the effect produced upon the audience, and also on the reader or speaker, accordingly as this is done well or ill! Let those answer who have had opportunities of judging. We are most of us in the present day accustomed to cultivate athletic exercises in some form or other, and well for us that we do. Parents send their sons to be taught drilling, dancing, fencing, and other exercises that tend to give strength, flexibility, ease and elegance to the movements of the limbs-and very excellent are such accomplishments in their way. But, after all, the limbs are portions of our frame less noble and characteristic of man than the tongue; and yet, while no gentleman who can afford it hesitates at expending time, and money too, in sending his son to the drilling, dancing or fencing master, how few comparatively send as systematically their children to the elocution master to be taught that which is the crowning glory of mankind, the divine gift of speech.

More than a century ago an eminent writer on the art (Dr. Burgh) remarked that the delivery, manner and address of a speaker are of the utmost importance, and that a just and pleasing style of delivering either

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