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TWO OR THREE HUNDRED CHOICE ANECDOTES;

THREE THOUSAND ORATORICAL AND POETICAL READINGS; FIVE THOUSAND
PROVERBS, MAXIMS AND LACONICS, AND SEVERAL HUNDRED
ELEGANT ENGRAVINGS.

BY C. P. BRONSON, A. M., M. D.

TWENTIETH EDITION-21st THOUSAND.

LOUISVILLE: MORTON & GRISWOLD.

NEW YORK: A. S. BARNES & CO.—PHILADELPHIA: THOMAS,
COWPERTHWAITE & CO., AND GRIGG & ELLIOTT.
BOSTON: OTIS BROADERS & CO.

THE NEW YORK
PUBLIC LIBRARY
142399

ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
1900.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THIS SYSTEM.

SOME years ago, the Author was extensively engaged as a Public Speaker; and, in consequence of the habit of speaking, principally, with the muscles of the throat and breast, he finally broke down,-falling senseless, after speaking about an hour and a half: that was followed by a protracted illness; during which, he providentially discovered the Causes, and also the Remedies, of the difficulties under which he had labored; and now, for months in succession, by the aid of these principles, he often speaks from six to ten hours a day, without the least inconvenience: the principal cause of which is, that the effort is made from the dorsal and abdominal region. Few are aware of the comprehensive nature of the principles here partially unfolded; and probably the Author would now be in a similar state, had it not been for the teachings afforded by children and Indians. To secure a perfectly healthy distribution of the vital fluids throughout the body, and a free and powerful activity of the mind, there must be a full and synchronous action in the brain, the lungs, and the viscera of the abdomen; the soul operating, naturally, on the dorsal and abdominal muscles, and thus setting in motion the whole body.

That he was the first to teach the specific use of those muscles, for a healthy breathing, and the exercise of the vocal organs, as well as blowing on wind instruments for hours together, without injury, he has not the least doubt; and, if any person will produce evidence to the contrary, from any medical writer, or teacher of elocution, previous to 1830, he shall be handsomely rewarded. The time is fast approaching, when this, and its kindred subjects, will be duly appreciated; and it will be seen and felt, that without a practical knowledge of these important principles, no one can become a successful speaker, or teacher: and the opinion is advisedly expressed, that they will produce as great a revolution in regard to the promotion of health, the art of reading and speaking with science and effect, and the perfect development and cultivation of mind, voice, and ear, as the discovery of the mariner's compass, or the invention of the steam engine, in navigation, manufacture, and travel;—and, to be the medium of introducing such a system, by which so many thousands have been greatly benefited, and hundreds of lives saved, is the occasion of devout gratitude to the INFINITE AUTHOR of all that is GOOD and TRUE.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by C. P. BRONSON,
In the Clerk's office for the District Court of Kentucky.

Stereotyped by J. A. James, Cincinnati.
Printed by Morton & Griswold, Louisville, Ky

the testimonials of the latter:

Testimonials and References. tion, combined with other causes, produced bronch Five classes were formed in the Academical de-tis, from which I have been suffering more than 18 partment of Yale College, and three in the Theolog-months. By your directions, I can speak and sing ical Department. The following is an extract from freely without irritating my throat. My voice has its natural tone and compass; and I have the de Resolved, That we consider his system exceeding lightful prospect of soon resuming my accustomed ly well adapted to develop and train the voice, and labors give expression to the passions; and we believe it calculated to promote the health of public speakers. ever heard."-National Intelligencer. Being persuaded that we have derived essential ad

"Professor Bronson's Recitations are the best we

Prof Bronson's Lectures and Recitations, have

vantage from his instructions, we hereby express given universal delight.--Louisville Journal. our thanks for the assiduity and skill with which he "The Recitations of Mr. Bronson, are almost perhas directed us in our practice, and most cordially fect."-Baltimore Atheneum and Visitor. recommend him to the patronage of all who would "Mr. Bronson's success has been most complete.

cultivate their voices with a view to public speaking.-U. S. Gazette.

son.

EXTRACT-From Professors of Princeton College "Mr. B. exhibits with surprising ease and power and Theological Seminary, N. J.-We have had good the wonderful capabilities of the human voice, and opportunities for witnessing the success of Mr. Bron-illustrates convincingly the practibility and impor His method of using the organs of speech with tance of cultivating its powers.-Teachers, public most advantage, is preferable to any we have known. He is distinguished from other teachers of elocution speakers, and the youth of both sexes, should avail themselves of this opportunity."-Newark Adv. by the fact, that instead of trying to impart his own style of declamation, he aims at cultivating the voice, "His superior as a speaker, we have yet to meet, and then leaves the pupil to nature. either at the bar, in the pulpit, or on the floor of a EXTRACT. From the Rev. Mr. Bingham, Marietta, legislative body."-Ohio State Journal, Columbus. O. to Professor Stuart, Andover, Mass.-" Will you A lady, (Mrs. G. of Boston,) says "Having been permit me to introduce to your acquaintance, Prof. much injured by tight lacing when very young and Bronson, a popular and successful Lecturer on Elo- also by keeping in a bent position at school for years, cution. He has been for some time past, lecturing I was bent forward in such a manner as to suppose to the Professors and students in this College. As I was afflicted with permanent distortion of the spine. a Lecturer on Elocution I have never seen his supe- Still I resolved to join the class, and prove the truth rior. Our Professors, who have been under the in- or falschood of professor B's. predictions, that I struction of Dr Barber, say the same. He has made should become straight by faithfully attending to his subject one of very thorough study-and, what the principles. In a few days I was restored." is best of all, he has studied Nature.

EXTRACT-From the Faculty of Marietta College, EXTRACT-Letter from a distinguished lady in Ohio." Prof. Bronson has just closed a very suc-Boston. "Prof. Bronson; Sir-I wish to express to cessful course of instruction on Elocation in this in- you my grateful acknowledgements for the great stitution. The principles which he teaches appear benefit] nave received from your system. I have to be founded on a philosophical view of man. His for many years been afflicted with extreme weakness illustrations are copious and pertinent; and in his la- of the lungs, which fatigue, either in exercise, conbors to train the voice and develop and cultivate versation or reading, produced not only hoarseness, I have found, upon trial, my exthe affections and passions he is indefatigable. His but loss of voice with per. whole course of instruction is marked by a rigid pectations more than realized. I can now, deference to Natnre, and is truly simple and unaffect ease, converse, or read aloud, hour after hour fected. We take pleasure in recommending him to without the least fatigue. an intelligent community.

At the close of his Lectures in the Apollo, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by a crowded house of ticket-holders:

PROF BRONSON is a gentleman of much original ity of thought, extensive reading and remarkable powers. His Lectures, beyond the charm of novelResolved, That the thanks of the members of this ty, are very interesting.-Albany Evening Journal meeting be presented to PROF. BRONSON for his We warmly recommend Prof. Bronson's reading successful efforts (in connection with Mr. F. H. and recitations to the attention of all those who are Nash, his Assistant,) to interest, amuse and instruct partial to effectual and powerful elocution. They them. They conclude, by expressing their high adare an excellent substitute for dramatic exhibitions miration of Prof Bronson's sincerity, zeal and abi-Daily Signal, N. Y

We feel anxious that a knowledge of Mr. Bronson's pecular views should be extended, believing them highly important. not only in juvenile education, but to the professional speaker.-National Gazette. Philadelphia.

lity in the cause of truth and humanity, and tendering to him their best wishes, that success and prosperity may attend him in his noble and generous enterprise. AMOS BELDEN, Chairman. E. PARMLY, Secretary.

At a meeting of the Classes, the Rev. CHARLES G. SoMMERS, Chairman, and Dr AMOS JOHNSON, Secretary, the following Resolution was unani

Prof. BRONSON's new theory in relation to the science of Elocution, is, in our judgment, founded in truth, the author being a practical illustration of the soundness of his doctrine.-Oneida Whig, (Utica) mously adopted: N. Y.

Resolved, That the Ladies and Gentlemen, who From the Philadelphia Daily World. have attended a series of Lessons and Lectures, by We render no more than justice in pronouncing Prof. BRONSON, on Elocution, Music and Physiolo Prof Bronson's Recitations the best we ever heard. gy, feel great pleasure in expressing their high His recitation of "The Maniac," by Lewis, was sense of his urbanity, uncompromising regard for terrific. We never before saw confirmed, hopeless TRUTH, as the basis of Religion and sound Philosoraving insanity so thorougly counterfeited by any phy; as well as their entire belief that his method actor. In the course of his recitations he explains of imparting knowledge is as natural and interest. his discoveries (for such they are,) in Elocution. ing, as it is novel; and that it is admirably calcula From the REV. MR. COOK, of Hartford, Conn,ted to promote the health of the BODY, and the imwho received only twelve lessons. provement of the MIND. The Classes desire also to PROF. BRONSON-Dear Sir-My Physician, Dr. express their indebtedness to Mr. NASH, Prof. B.'s Sherwood, of N. Y., directed me to you for aid in accomplished Associate, whose critical knowledge recovering the use of my voice. A habit of speaking of VOCAL SCIENCE, so happily connected with unsolely with the muscles of my breast and throat, usual Melody and Power of Voice, eminently qual attributable in part at least to Dr. Barber's instruc-[fies him for an Instructor in Music.

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