in full confidence that those who are not entirely possessed by prejudice on the subject, will perceive that the art of public reading is essentially an Art, that it is based on Nature, and that its aim, which is the expression of Mind by the Voice, claims equal importance with the most valued arts.

RICHARD CULL.

A DISCOURSE ON PUBLIC READING.

ON

PUBLIC READING.

To acquire a good delivery, whether in reading or speaking, we must analytically study the voice of speech during its successful efforts, in order to know its elements. Then we must study the

principles of synthesis to elements into one whole.

recompose the analysed And the best means of

pursuing such a course of practical study is to imitate that which is employed in the Musical Academy. In this Discourse Speech will be considered' as a branch of music, the principles of which may probably suggest the importance of Speech-music becoming a part of English education, as it was part of the Grecian.

It is well known that music consists only of sounds, variously arranged with greater or less pauses of intermission, or silence, between them. The varieties of what we hear in musical sound are classed

under the general terms Pitch, Loudness, Quality, and Duration.

PITCH. The distinctions under this term are familiarly named high and low. The octave is a scale of eight sounds, arranged according to their pitch distinctions in a certain order, and which hold certain mutual relationships. These relationships, and the phenomena which arise from them, are described in musical grammars. The nomenclature of pitch is precise, and its degrees are accurately written on the musical staff.

LOUDNESS. The distinctions under this term are familiarly named loud and soft. The nomenclature of loudness is less precise than that of pitch; it has no tablature on the staff, and the directions for its management in performance are vague and unsatisfactory.

QUALITY. The distinctions under this term are familiar by such names as harsh, soft, flute-like, pure-tone, falsetto, reedy, silvery, &c. The nomenclature of quality is vague, and it has no notation.

DURATION. The distinctions under this term are familiarly named long and short. These distinctions being in a ratio to each other, the nomenclature and notation of duration are precise and accurate.