PRACTICAL ELOCUTION, Or, A System of Vocal Gymnastics, comprising Diagrams, illustrative of the subject, and Exercises, designed for the Promotion of Health, the Cure of Stammering, and Improvement in Reading and Speaking. By ANDREW COMSTOCK, M. D. Second Edition. Kay & Brother, 122, Chesnut Street.

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RECOMMENDATIONS.

From the Philadelphia Saturday Courier, Dec. 2, 1837.
PRACTICAL ELOCUTION.

Dr. COMSTOCK, a gentleman with whose name our readers are familiar as the scientific curer of Stammering, has issued a second edition of his work on Practical Elocution. It is believed to be the best practical work extant upon this important subject. It is based upon the philosophical developements of the celebrated Dr. Rush; and so far as strengthening the lungs is concerned, the exercises it teaches are of vast importance. Those who do not intend to become orators, may cultivate and improve the conversational and colloquial powers, and secure a grace, ease and power, that will render them polished and sought-for intelligences in the mystic roads of social intercourse. The work is illustrated with engravings, and very beautifully got up both in paper and print.

From the Philadelphia Saturday News, Dec. 2, 1837.

PRACTICAL ELOCUTION, Or, A System of Vocal Gymnasties, &c. By ANDREW COMSTOCK, M. D.

Dr. Comstock is known as a skilful and scientific teacher of elocution. He has devoted much study to the subject, and has had the advantage of very considerable experience in the practical application of his knowledge. His classes are generally filled with pupils, and their success is the best testimonial of the merits of his system.

This volume will be found a valuable aid to those who are engaged either in teaching or acquiring the important art of elocution. Besides a concise, but sufficiently clear, analysis of the subject, and various explanatory details, it furnishes a series of diagrams calculated very much to facilitate the progress of the learners. These diagrams have been prepared with much care and labour, and reflect high praise on the industry and ability of Doctor Comstock.

From the United States Gazette.

PRACTICAL ELOCUTION.

Messrs. Kay & Brother, 122, Chesnut street, have published a second edi. tion of Dr. Andrew Comstock's PRACTICAL ELOCUTION, OR, A SYSTEM OF VOCAL GYMNASTICS. We really believe that the great labour and amount of time which Dr. C. has bestowed upon this volume, will be productive of essential benefits to the learner. The selections are apposite, and the remarks such as show the author master of his subject.

From the Saturday Chronicle, Philadelphia, Dec. 2, 1837.

PRACTICAL ELOCUTION.-Kay & Brother.—Philadelphia.

The volume now before us, comprises a system of "Vocal Gymnastics," by Andrew Comstock, M. D., and consists of diagrams, illustrative of the subject, and exercises. The plan recommended is designed for the promotion of health, cure of stammering, and improvement in reading and speaking. The rapid sale of its first edition seems to be a proof of its popularity; while several men of eminence in literature and science have pronounced Doctor Comstock's system a decided improvement upon the usual routine of teaching in Elocution.

From the Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Dec. 5, 1837.

COMSTOCK'S PRACTICAL ELOCUTION.

We have received from Dr. Andrew Comstock, of this city, a copy of his late work, entitled "Practical Elocution, or, a System of Vocal Gymnastics, comprising Diagrams and Exercises, &c., designed for the promotion of health, the cure of stammering, and improvement in reading and speaking." This work contains rules for pronouncing all the vowels, sub-vowels, and diphthongs in the English language, with plates to illustrate the position of the mouth in pronouncing them. These sounds he denominates elements; and he gives tables exhibiting an analysis of words, consisting of both easy and difficult combinations of these elements. In spelling these words, the pupil is required to pronounce the element or vowel sound, and not the name of the letter or combination of letters which represent it, as is usual in the schools. The book also contains rules for every species of modulation and intonation of the voice, and of time, in reading, speaking, and singing.

It contains remarks on stammering, and rules for curing it; and practical lessons in reading and speaking, consisting of selections in prose and verse, printed with different characters, to denote the proper modulations. It also contains plates, representing every variety of attitude and gesture required in good speaking.

This must be a valuable work to those who would learn to read or speak well, and especially to those afflicted with stammering or other impediments of speech. It is useless to dilate upon the importance of elocution to all who have occasion to read or speak to others. To lawyers, legislators, clergymen, and speakers in public meetings, it is particularly important; for though to intelligent and well informed minds, the graces of manner add nothing to the force of argument, they are exceedingly important in securing an attentive hearing. An indifferent sermon, if well preached, will produce great effect, while one of the highest order, badly delivered, will be lost upon a great portion of the audience. This is entirely because the first secures the attention of its hearers, and thereby enables every argument or illustration to reach their understandings; while the second is not understood, because not heard.

We recommend Dr. Comstock's book to every person who would wish to speak or read well.

From the Herald and Sentinel, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1837.

COMSTOCK'S PRACTICAL ELOCUTION.

Dr. COMSTOCK has been long and favourably known in this city as a teacher of elocution. The art of public speaking is a common attainment; but the art of speaking effectively, powerfully, and well, by a proper discipline of voice, gesture and action, is no easy acquisition. The voice is a great instrument of influence. Some orators who have been "vox et præterea nihil," by means of a good voice alone, have been able to exercise an astonishing sway over their auditors. The full developement of the vocal organs should be a primary exercise with all ambitious for the honours of successful orators, and we know of no better disciplinarian in these matters than Dr. Comstock. The work before us, entitled "Practical Elocution," is an expose of his principles of teaching, and will serve as an instructive manual to those studying his method. It is better calculated, however, as a manual for his pupils, than for students in general. It shows great skill and industry, and is highly creditable to the knowledge and research of the author.

From Atkinson's Saturday Evening Post, Dec. 16, 1837.

Dr. ANDREW COMSTOCK, of this city, has published a second edition of a work entitled "Practical Elocution," of which he is the author. There are few subjects which receive less, while its importance demands a greater share of attention, than this of Elocution. Every organ of the human body is dependent on exercise for its true and proper developement. There are few persons who do not feel the embarrassment which arises from an imper

fect enunciation. The work before us conveys much valuable instruction on this subject. To render the doctrine it communicates more evident, the different movements of the voice are illustrated by original diagrams. Dr. Comstock has for some years been a successful teacher of Elocution, and in his experience has found the exercises in these diagrams happily adapted to render the muscles of speech subject to volition, to extend the compass of the voice and increase its power.

From the American Weekly Messenger, Dec. 20, 1837.

Dr. COMSTOCK is well known in this city as a practical teacher of Elocution. His experience with his classes has given him great advantages in the preparation of this volume, which appears to be complete, so far as diagrams, marks expressive of the pronunciation of words, and minute practical directions, can render it so. To those persons who are so unfortunate as to have contracted a habit of stammering, and to foreigners who wish to acquire a correct pronunciation of our language, this volume will prove an invaluable acquisition. Students in oratory may consult the figures illustrative of gesture with advantage; and teachers of reading and declamation should not consider their libraries complete without this volume.

From the Daily Focus, Philadelphia, April 17, 1838.

COMSTOCK'S PRACTICAL ELOCUTION: Published by Kay & Brother, 122, Chesnut Street.

We have received a very handsome edition of the above work, which we cheerfully recommend to young men, as a valuable assistant in the study of true oratory. The work is illustrated with a number of plates representing the proper position of the mouth in pronouncing, and also the most graceful and natural attitudes and gestures of the limbs and body, in order to give full force and expression to language.

Dr. Comstock has, in the book before us, proved himself abundantly quali fied to teach the oral developement of thought, and we therefore wish he may continue his labours, and have large classes of pupils.

MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMENDATIONS.

From the Public Ledger, Philadelphia, February 27, 1838.

VOCAL GYMNASTICS.

We observe, by a notice among our list of business cards this morning, that the residence of Dr. Comstock, whose success in the cure of impediments in the speech, and improvement in elocution and address of his pupils, we believe is unsurpassed by any instructor in the country, is at 100 Arch Street. Dr. C. possesses a double advantage over most of his profession, in his thorough acquaintance with the physical, as well as mental, capacity of his fellow man. The fourth exhibition of his class of young ladies and gentlemen, will be given this evening, at the Commissioners' Hall, Southwark, where, in addition to their various recitations, a lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Jacob M. Douglass.

From the Saturday Courier, Philadelphia, Dec. 15, 1838.

Mr. John Taylor, of Hinsdale, N. H., was the other morning in our study, and exhibited the wonderful improvement made by eleven weeks' residence with Dr. Comstock. He told us he had been all his life dreadfully troubled with an impediment of speech; but he read to us with the most perfect ease and freedom. We take pleasure in recording such cases for the benefit of others.

From the Daily Buffalo Journal, (N. Y.,) March 27, 1839. PRACTICAL ELOCUTION-A REMEDY FOR STAMMERING. DR. COMSTOCK, of Philadelphia, has acquired great fame, both as a teacher of elocution, and as a successful practitioner in removing all defects in speech. The voice is produced by muscular contraction, and hence depends wholly on the power of the muscles, which propel the air through the vocal organs, and modulate the same, for the strength, compass, distinctness, or confusion of the various sounds emitted in speaking or singing.

Dr. Comstock has investigated this subject in all its bearings, and pointed out, in a clear and scientific manner, the cause of stammering, and other defects of speech, in his work on Practical Elocution, (which has been some years before the public:) and has opened a school in Philadelphia for teaching elocution, and removing defects in speech, upon philosophical principles.