Important Rules
Oratory in all its refinement, belongs to no particular people, to the exclusion of others; nor is it the gift of nature alone; but, like other acquirements, it is the reward of arduous efforts, under the guidance of consummate skill. Perfection, in this art, as well as in all others, is the work of time and labor, prompted by true feeling, and guided by correct thought.
Elocution is not, as some erroneously suppose, something artificial in tones, looks, and gestures, that may be learned by imitation. The principles teach us - to exhibit truth and nature dressed to advantage; its objects are, to enable the reader, and speaker to manifest his thoughts, and feelings, in the most pleasing, perspicuous and forcible manner, so as to charm the affections, enlighten the understanding, and leave the deepest, and most permanent impression, on the mind of the attentive hearer.
Elocution is an art that teaches you how to manifest your feelings and thoughts to others, in such a way as to give them a true idea, and expression of how, and what, you feel and think; and, in so doing, to make them feel and think - as you do. Its object is, to enable you to communicate to the hearers, the whole truth, just as it is; in others, to give you the ability to do perfect justice to the subject, to them, and to yourself.
Reading should be a perfect facsimile of correct speaking; and both exact copies of real life; hence, read just as you would naturally speak on the same subject, and under similar circumstances; so that, if any one should hear you, without seeing you, he could not tell whether you were reading or speaking. Remember that nothing is denied to industry and perseverance; and that nothing valuable can be obtained without them.
Curran, a celebrated Irish orator, presents us with a single instance of what can be accomplished by assiduity and perseverance; his enunciation was so precipitate and confused, that he was called ‘Stuttering Jack Curran.’ To overcome his numerous defects, he devoted a portion of every day to reading and reciting aloud, slowly and distinctly, some of the most eloquent extracts in our language; and his success was so complete, that among his excellencies as a speaker, was the clearness of his articulation, and an appropriate intonation, that melodized every sentence.
Let the position be erect, and the body balanced on the foot upon which you stand; banish all care and anxiety from the mind; let the forehead be perfectly smooth, the lungs entirely quiescent, and make every effort from the abdominal region. To expand the thorax and become straight, strike the palms of the hands together before, and the backs of them behind, turning thumbs upward; do all with a united action of the body and mind, be in earnest, but husband your breath and strength; breathe often, and be perfectly free, easy, independent, and nature.
Do not hurry your enunciation of words, precipitating syllable over syllable, and word over word; nor melt them together into a mass of confusion, in pronouncing them; do not abridge or prolong them too much, nor swallow nor force them; but deliver them from your vocal and articulating organs, as golden coins from the mint, accurately impressed, perfectly finished, neatly and elegantly struck, distinct, in due succession, and full of weight.
Speak with your face. You know from observation how persons look when surprised, angered, grieved, terror-stricken, happy, courageous, resolute, etc. Let every emotion be portrayed by your face and features according as the thought and sentiment require it.
Speak with your arms, hands, eyes, and in short, with your whole body. Gesture aids expression; it should be graceful; emphatic when required; preceding slightly the sentiment you are to express; and given only when it will add to the effect.
Cultivate and strengthen your voice by the constant practice of reading aloud, prolonging the vowel sounds, and taking in full breaths, thus expanding the lungs.
by Henry Davenport Northrop, compiler and editor: “New Popular Speaker and Writer: Being a Choice Treasury of New and Popular Recitations, Readings, Dialogues, Original and Adapted Comedies, Tableaux, Etc., Comprising the Best Selections from the Most Celebrated Authors and Composers Including Descriptive, Dramatic, Pathetic, Humorous Recitals and Readings with Music, for Schools, Lodges, Public Entertainments, Anniversaries, Sunday-Schools, Etc, Etc.” (1900)
Henry Davenport Northrop was born on 10 March 1836 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York, United States of America. He was married to Josephine L. Merrick on 25 May 1862. He became a Presbyterian minister, a writer, and a compiler. His works include “Grandest Century in World’s History” (1900) and “Golden Manual or the Royal Road to Success” (1891). Henry Davenport Northrop passed on at about 72 or 73 years of age on in 1909.
Oratory in all its refinement, belongs to no particular people, to the exclusion of others; nor is it the gift of nature alone; but, like other acquirements, it is the reward of arduous efforts, under the guidance of consummate skill. Perfection, in this art, as well as in all others, is the work of time and labor, prompted by true feeling, and guided by correct thought.
Elocution is not, as some erroneously suppose, something artificial in tones, looks, and gestures, that may be learned by imitation. The principles teach us - to exhibit truth and nature dressed to advantage; its objects are, to enable the reader, and speaker to manifest his thoughts, and feelings, in the most pleasing, perspicuous and forcible manner, so as to charm the affections, enlighten the understanding, and leave the deepest, and most permanent impression, on the mind of the attentive hearer.
Elocution is an art that teaches you how to manifest your feelings and thoughts to others, in such a way as to give them a true idea, and expression of how, and what, you feel and think; and, in so doing, to make them feel and think - as you do. Its object is, to enable you to communicate to the hearers, the whole truth, just as it is; in others, to give you the ability to do perfect justice to the subject, to them, and to yourself.
Reading should be a perfect facsimile of correct speaking; and both exact copies of real life; hence, read just as you would naturally speak on the same subject, and under similar circumstances; so that, if any one should hear you, without seeing you, he could not tell whether you were reading or speaking. Remember that nothing is denied to industry and perseverance; and that nothing valuable can be obtained without them.
Curran, a celebrated Irish orator, presents us with a single instance of what can be accomplished by assiduity and perseverance; his enunciation was so precipitate and confused, that he was called ‘Stuttering Jack Curran.’ To overcome his numerous defects, he devoted a portion of every day to reading and reciting aloud, slowly and distinctly, some of the most eloquent extracts in our language; and his success was so complete, that among his excellencies as a speaker, was the clearness of his articulation, and an appropriate intonation, that melodized every sentence.
Let the position be erect, and the body balanced on the foot upon which you stand; banish all care and anxiety from the mind; let the forehead be perfectly smooth, the lungs entirely quiescent, and make every effort from the abdominal region. To expand the thorax and become straight, strike the palms of the hands together before, and the backs of them behind, turning thumbs upward; do all with a united action of the body and mind, be in earnest, but husband your breath and strength; breathe often, and be perfectly free, easy, independent, and nature.
Do not hurry your enunciation of words, precipitating syllable over syllable, and word over word; nor melt them together into a mass of confusion, in pronouncing them; do not abridge or prolong them too much, nor swallow nor force them; but deliver them from your vocal and articulating organs, as golden coins from the mint, accurately impressed, perfectly finished, neatly and elegantly struck, distinct, in due succession, and full of weight.
Speak with your face. You know from observation how persons look when surprised, angered, grieved, terror-stricken, happy, courageous, resolute, etc. Let every emotion be portrayed by your face and features according as the thought and sentiment require it.
Speak with your arms, hands, eyes, and in short, with your whole body. Gesture aids expression; it should be graceful; emphatic when required; preceding slightly the sentiment you are to express; and given only when it will add to the effect.
Cultivate and strengthen your voice by the constant practice of reading aloud, prolonging the vowel sounds, and taking in full breaths, thus expanding the lungs.
by Henry Davenport Northrop, compiler and editor: “New Popular Speaker and Writer: Being a Choice Treasury of New and Popular Recitations, Readings, Dialogues, Original and Adapted Comedies, Tableaux, Etc., Comprising the Best Selections from the Most Celebrated Authors and Composers Including Descriptive, Dramatic, Pathetic, Humorous Recitals and Readings with Music, for Schools, Lodges, Public Entertainments, Anniversaries, Sunday-Schools, Etc, Etc.” (1900)
Henry Davenport Northrop was born on 10 March 1836 in Pulteney, Steuben County, New York, United States of America. He was married to Josephine L. Merrick on 25 May 1862. He became a Presbyterian minister, a writer, and a compiler. His works include “Grandest Century in World’s History” (1900) and “Golden Manual or the Royal Road to Success” (1891). Henry Davenport Northrop passed on at about 72 or 73 years of age on in 1909.
