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application of the principles of Respiration, Inflexion, &c. Next, the principles of Modulation, and the notations of Force, Time, and Expression, should be made familiar, and the marked illustrations read with as much accuracy as possible. After this, there cannot be too much practice in Expressive Reading from the works of our poets and prose-writers, or from books of well-selected extracts. The custom of marking the leading expressions on the principles of notation given, will be found most useful in accustoming the mind, not only to read the words the outward form of language-but to discern the thoughts and feelings which they embody-the spirit and essence of language.

To Stammerers, the Observations and Exercises on the Articulations, (Dictionary of English Sounds, Section second,) will be found of much practical value; though the Author does not assert that they contain his complete system for the eradication of this distressing affection. No two cases of Stammering are precisely alike, and each case requires some peculiar modification in the plan of treatment.

To have fully detailed his own modus operandi, in removing Vocal Impediments, would have been foreign to the proper objects of this Work, as well as professionally impolitic: the Author has, however, unreservedly communicated the principles on which the Cure of Stammering must in all cases be conducted.

Early attention to impediments and defects of speech would, in almost every case, be successful in checking their formation, if Parents, Governesses, Tutors, and Teachers, were competent to direct the articulation aright. The necessary knowledge of the Principles of Speech, with many assistant exercises adapted for the youngest pupils, the following pages supply. A little pains taken to direct the first articulative efforts of children, would secure to them distinctness and fluency of utterance, and would render almost unknown that 66 cruel malady" STAMMERING, which

"Not only preys convulsive on the frame,—
In its harsh struggle for conceived sound-

But agitates the nerves, infects the brain,

And spreads, like guilt, a terror o'er the mind."

This Work has had the advantage of a critical perusal, in proof, from the Author's Father, Mr Alexander Bell, Professor of Elocution, London, and from his Brother, Mr D. C. Bell, Professor of Elocution, Dublin; to both of whom it is indebted for many judicious emendations and suggestions. The Book will, it is hoped, be found as free from errors as could be expected in a work of such various and often difficult typography.

EDINBURGH,

10th November, 1849.

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