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THE

FIFTH

OR

ELOCUTIONARY READER,

IN WHICH THE

PRINCIPLES OF ELOCUTION

ARE

ILLUSTRATED BY READING EXERCISES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE RULES:

DESIGNED FOR THE USE OF

SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES.

BY SALEM TOWN, LL. D.

BOSTON:

SANBORN, CARTER & BAZIN.

PORTLAND:

BLAKE & CARTER.

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Entered according to act of Congress, in the Year 1854,
BY SALEM TOWN,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern District of New York.

Stereotyped by
ERASTUS F. BEADLE,

BUFFALO.

PREFACE.

Since Elocutionary Readers have been somewhat multiplied, several of which are justly meritorious, it might, by some, be thought unnecessary to add another to the list. The reasons, however, the author would assign in justification of himself, and as an apology to the public for presenting this work, are as follows:

1st. In most of the elocutionary works which the author has seen, it appears to him there is a want of close connection in what should be treated consecutively under the same head.

2d. Notwithstanding the more important elocutionary principles are found in nearly all works prepared with any good degree of ability and designed for instruction in reading and oratory, yet it will be found on examination, that those principles, rules, and notes, are so commingled in their detail, as in many instances rather to perplex the learner, than to give him clear perceptions of each point distinctively.

3d. In a majority of works of this character, even when the rules may be considered good, the examples and exercises for their illustration are so few, so brief, and so disconnectedly arranged, that the student often fails to be permanently benefited by the use of them. He neither gains a clear understanding of the author's views, nor so far perfects himself in the knowledge of elocutionary principles and their proper application, as to enable him, thereafter, readily and understandingly, to make self-application of the same in his miscellaneous readings.

The author of this work believes the best method for the acquisition of knowledge in any branch, is fully to master each point as taken up, before attempting any thing further; otherwise, whatever is attempted, will be but imperfectly understood, and little or no substantial benefit will be gained.

One prominent object, therefore, in bringing out this work, was to treat each elocutionary principle as taken up, in the order of its consecutive parts, so far as the nature of the case would admit, subjoining

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