ΤΟ Her Grace the Duchess of Marlborough, THIS BOOK, BY MOST KIND PERMISSION, IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HER GRACE'S OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, JOHN A. JENNINGS. PREFACE. HAVING for some years past been engaged in teaching Elocution in this city, during my leisure hours, and in giving so-called “Readings,” I have naturally devoted considerable attention to the selection of fresh pieces from the best authors, for my own recitation and that of my pupils. Lately it has been suggested to me on all sides, by the Principals of Schools, Pupils, and friends in Trinity College, that it would be desirable to compile a new Elocutionist. At first I was unwilling so to do, on account of the number of books of like nature-some of them very capital volumes—already before the public; but at length I determined to undertake the task, with the object in view of bringing together more modern, or less-known, selections, eminently suitable for the desired purpose. This task I have endeavoured to accomplish, avoiding those recitations which, however beautiful many of them undoubtedly are, yet have become so hackneyed as to be wearisome, owing to constant repetition—that repetition not being in all cases pleasing to the ear nor intelligible to the understanding. How I have accomplished my object I leave my readers to decide. |