TWO OR 'TÄREZ-NUNDRED CHOICE ANECDOTES;
THREE THOUSAND ORATORICAL AND POETICAL READINGS; FIVE THOUSAND
PROVERBS, MAXIMS AND LACONICS, AND SEVERAL HUNDRED

ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS.

BY PROF. BRONSON, A. M., M. D.

FORTY-TOIRD THOUSAND.
REVISED AND CORRECTED, WITH LARGE ADDITIONS, ORIGINAL AND SELECTED DLALOQUES AND

SPEECHES, WHICH ARE COPT-RIGATED.

LOUISVILLE, KY.
JOHN P. MORTON & CO.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THIS SYSTEM. Some years ago, the Author was extensively engaged as a Public Speaker and, in consequence of the habit of speaking, principally, with the muscles of the throat and breast, he finally broke down,-falling senseless, after speaking about an hour and a half: that was followed by a protracted illness; during which, he providentially discovered the Causes, and also the Remedies, of the dif ficulties under which he had labored; and now, for months in succession, by the aid of these principles, he often speaks from six to ten hours a day, without the least inconvenience: the principal cause of which is, that the effort is made from the dorsal and abdominal region. Few are aware of the comprehensive nature of the principles here partially unfolded ; and probably the Author would now be in a similar state, had it not been for the teachings afforded by children and Indians. To secure a perfectly healthy distribution of the vital fluids throughout the body, and a free and powerful activity of the mind, there must be a full and synchronous action in the brain, the lungs, and the viscera of the abdomen; the soul operating, naturally, on the dorsal and abdominal muscles, and thus setting in motion the whole body.

That he was the first to teach the specific use of those muscles, for a healthy breathing, and the exercise of the vocal organs, as well as blowing on wind instruments for hours together, without injury, he has not the least doubt; and, if any person will produce evidence to the contrary, from any medical writer, or teacher of elocution, previous to 1830, he shall be handsomely rewarded. The time is fast approaching, when this, and its kindred subjects, will be duly ap. preciated ; and it will be seen and felt, that without a practical knowledge of these important principles, og one can become a.successfal speaker, or teacher : and the opinion is advisedly expressed, that they will produce as great a revolution in regard to the promotion of health, the art of reading and speaking with science and effect, and the perfect development and cultivation of mind, voice, and ear,-as the discovery of the mariner's compass, or the invention of the steam engine, in navigation, manufacture, and travel ;-and, to be the medium of introducing such a system, by which so many thousands have been greatly benefited, and hundreds of lives saved, is the occasion of devout gratitude to the INFINITE AUTHOR of all that is Good and TRUE.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by C P. BRONSON,

In the Clerk's office for the District Court of Kentucky.

895 3869

e

1845a

PHYSIOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION.

1. Every ART, and SCIENCE, has its Externals, up the Budy, with the materials, furnished is the and its Iniernals, its Generals and Particulars; external world. The Soul is the architect, and wisich must be understood Analytically, and Syn

the body thetically, if we would practice either successful.

workmanship. 17. The Internals of Elocution, are Thoughts

Here is a good an Feelings, and its Externals comprise all that

representation of is addressed to our five senses : its Generals are

this nervous Mind and Body, with their various Languages,

mass, which is a or modes of manifestation. Comparatively, Lan

kind of brain, guage-is the Tune, Body-the Instrument, and

(or series

of Mind-the Performer : hence, the necessity of

brain,) that prebecoming acquainted, theoretically and practi.

sides over those cally, with their NATURES, RELATIONS and Uses.

glands, or work. %. As the subjects of MIND and LANGUAGE,

shops, that take are partially unfolded in the following work, in

charge of the this part, something must be said of the Body,

food, digestil, the harp of ten thousand strings : particularly in

and watch over regard to structure, pposition, and the organs to be

iis changes, till geed for the production and modification of

it is made into sounds, in Speech and Song: also of Gestures,

blood, and then or Actions ; illustrated by appropriate Engravings,

appropriated to wh ch may be imitated by the Pupil, for the pur

the body. The pose of bringing the Body into subjection to the

nervous centre, Miud; without, however, any reference to spe

called Semilunar eific Recitations,-lest he should become artifi

Ganglion and so cia, instead of natural.

lar Plexus, may 3. The more we contemplate Man, the more

be seen at a, a,@, We see and feel the truth, that he is a MICROO08M

a; it is situated indeed ; & miniature-world,-an abstract of crea

under the diation, -an epitome of the universe,-a finite repre.

phragm and partsentation of the INFINITE DEITY! Well saith the

ly behind the heathen motto,“ KNOW THYSELF!"and the poet

stomach: other " THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND-I8 Man."

subordinate cenAnd it may truly be said, that there is nothing

tres may be seen in the Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms,

al e, e, e, e; also that cannot be found, essentially, in the human

in other places, body; and nothing in the world of Mind, that is

that need not be not shadowed forth in his spiritual nature : bence,

designated, the grandeur, the magnificence-of our subjects,

they are

very and our objects.

numerous: these 4. The three grand essentials of the Body pro

centres are like per, are the Osseus, or bony system, which fixes

miner posts in a its form, and gives it stability: the Muscular, or

state, or kingfleshy system, which is designed to act on the

dom. Ati, ia Oggeus; and Nervous system, acting on the Mus

seen a pair of cular: 'while the Mind, acts on and through the chords, call d trisplanchuc nerves: and at o, o, Nervous; receiving its life and power from Him, are seen other nerves, with their little brains, or who is emphatically "THE LIFE:” thus, we can centres, where they corne logether, forming a line look through Nature, up to Nacure's God. Ob- along the spiz.e, from the bottom of the chesi, X serve, the Analytical course is from outermosts the top of the neck. From this large collection to innermosts, from effects to causes; and the of Organic Nerves, others proceed to every par Synthetical progress from innermosts to outer- of the system, uniting in smaller centres, and mosts ; or from causes to effects,

forming ganglions in the palms of the hands, 5. NERVES OP ODGANIC LIFE. Every thing balls of the fingers, &c. Our Astronomical sysmust have a beginning: and nothing is made per- tem is called the Solar System, because the Sun fect at once. Now in the body, there is a cer- is its centre, watching over our planets; so, of tain portion, called Nerves of Organic Life; be- these nervous centres of the grand and smajer cause they are the first formed, 3.0d eonstitute. departments of our miniature-universe. Owing the grand medium, through which the soul builds 1 to the intimate connection of these nerves with

as