The Fifth, Or, Elocutionary Reader, in which the Principles of Elocution are Illustrated by Reading Exercises in Connection with the Rules : Designed for the Use of Schools and Academies

examples, illustrations, and exercises, of sufficient length and number, to insure, if possible, a clear comprehension of all the parts as a 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 author has 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 author has 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, with explanatory notes. It embraces the various styles of the most approved authors, both in this country and Europe. To enable the student to determine the character of the language, the style, the appropriate manner of reading the selections, and to secure a constant observance and application of the principles illustrated in Part First, a reference is occasionally made, at the head of the lessons, to some one or more of the rules; and it is hoped that teachers will faithfully carry out this suggestion of the author, in their daily use of the book.

In preparing this work, the author acknowledges the valuable assistance of his nephew, NELSON M. HOLBROOK, assistant compiler of" The Grammar School Reader," and author of " The Child's First Book in Arithmetic." S. TOWN.

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