Baynham's Elocution, select readings

SELECT

READINGS AND RECITATIONS

ADAPTED FOR

THE CLASS-ROOM, THE DRAWING-ROOM,
AND THE PLATFORM.

WITH RULES AND EXERCISES ON CORRECT PRONUNCIATION,
GESTURE, TONE, AND EMPHASIS.

GEO. W. BAYNHAM,

TEACHER OF ELOCUTION,

CERTIFIED MASTER TO GLASGOW UNIVERSITY, LECTURER FREE

CHURCH COLLEGE, GLASGOW, ETC. ETC.

BLACKIE & SON, 49 & 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.;
GLASGOW, EDINBURGH, AND DUBLIN.

1883.

260. a
9.237

PREFACE.

THE object of this Book is twofold: in the first place to teach a pupil to read naturally, clearly, and effectively; and secondly, to supply a large and varied choice of extracts from our best authors, suited for recitation in Schools and for being read in private Social Gatherings as well as on the public Platform.

The First Part contains brief instructions on pronunciation, emphasis, and tone, simple rules for correct reading, notes on taste and expression, hints for public reading, and maxims for gesture. This part of the book is the fruit of many years' experience in teaching elocution, and is based on personal observation of the difficulties which most commonly stand in the student's way. The exercises and examples are carefully graduated, beginning with the easiest readings and advancing to those requiring greater vocal and intellectual effort.

The Second Part of the Book contains an extensive collection of extracts intended for recitation and reading. Many of the old favourites will be found here; but the compiler's long acquaintance with the requirements of the platform has enabled him to add a series of pieces possessing the charm of novelty, besides being effective as readings. A series of carefully arranged extracts from the plays of Shakspere, Sheridan Knowles, &c., will supply, it is believed, a want felt and expressed by many Heads of Colleges and Schools for a suitable selection of Dramatic Scenes which could be sustained by a number of students or pupils.

Wherever needed to render the bearing of the extract perfectly clear, an explanatory or key note has been supplied; and to add interest to the extracts, a brief biographical notice of most of the authors has been appended to their names.

In conclusion, the compiler has to express his warmest thanks to the many Authors and Publishers who have kindly placed their books at his disposal, thereby rendering his task easier and the work more complete. Containing so many choice pieces gathered from the writings of accomplished men and women over a wide field of literature, he hopes that the book will prove a welcome friend at the fireside and in the study, as well as in the class-room or on the platform.

GEO. W. BAYNHAM.

GLASGOW, Jan. 1883.

RULES AND EXERCISES,

amples,

THE PAUSE,

Exercises on the Vowels,

Exercises on the Consonants,

Exercises on Vowel Sounds,

Sound of the letter R,.

Pronunciation of Sentences,

TWELVE PRACTICAL RULES FOR LEARNERS, with Exercises and Ex-

Advice to Children