The Canadian Elocutionist | Page 7

moderate, whispered cough.
0. Draw in the breath, as already directed, and emit it with a sudden and
violent explosion, in a very brief sound of the letter _h_, in the
style of an abrupt and forcible, but whispered cough. The breath
is, in this mode of expiration, thrown out with abrupt violence.
0. Inflate the lungs to their utmost capacity and exhale the breath very
slowly, counting rapidly up to ten, as many times as possible with
one breath.
Each of the above exercises should be repeated often, by the student, in
his room, or while walking; and may be given with the gymnastic
exercises previously introduced.

CHAPTER III.
ARTICULATION.
A good articulation consists in a clear, full, and distinct utterance of
words, in accordance with the best standard of pronunciation, and this
constitutes the basis of every other excellence in reading and oratory.
Care and attention, with diligent practice, will keep young persons from
falling into the bad habit of imperfect articulation, for most voices are
good until domestic or local habits spoil them. Hence the great
importance of careful training in early childhood, for if parents and
instructors would direct their attention to this matter a manifest
improvement would quickly follow; yet, to acquire a good articulation
is not so difficult a task "as to defy the assaults of labour."
"The importance of a correct enunciation in a public speaker is well
known --for if he possesses only a moderate voice, if he articulates
correctly, he will be better understood and heard with greater pleasure,
than one who vociferates without judgment. The voice of the latter may
indeed extend to a considerable distance,--but the sound is dissipated in
confusion; of the former voice, not the smallest vibration is wasted,
every stroke is perceived even at the utmost distance to which it
reaches; and hence it often has the appearance of penetrating even
farther than one which is loud, but badly articulated."
In connection with this subject, a few words are necessary concerning
impediment of speech, for in cases where a slight degree of hesitation
breaks the fluent tenor of discourse much may be accomplished by due
care and attention, and most defects of speech, voice, and manner may
be modified or remedied by cultivation and diligent study and practice.
In seeking for a remedy the first thing to be considered is the care of the
health, for this is the foundation of every hope of cure, and all excesses
should be avoided and all irregularities guarded against.
All the mental powers should be enlisted in the combat with the defect,
and the student should speak with deliberation and with an expiring
breath, and when alone practice frequently the words and letters that he

finds most difficult to pronounce, and should also furnish his mind with
a copious vocabulary of synonyms, so that if he finds himself unable to
utter a particular word, he may substitute some other in its place. But
above all he must maintain a courageous command over himself and
exert the energy of his own mind. By observing these rules, if the
defect is not entirely eradicated, it will at least be palliated in a
considerable degree.
CHAPTER IV.
ELEMENTARY SOUNDS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
The number of elements in the language is thirty-eight.
They are divided into vowels_, _sub-vowels, and
aspirates; or, as
classified by Dr. Rush in his "Philosophy of the Human Voice," into
tonics_, _sub-tonics_, and _atonics.
There are fifteen vowels_, fourteen _sub-vowels, and nine aspirates.
Table of the Elements.
VOWELS
A as heard in a_le, f_a_te, m_ay.
A " " " a_rm, f_a_rm, h_arm.
A "
" " a_ll, f_a_ll, _orb.
A " " " a_n, ide_a_, p_an.
E " " " e_asy,
im_i_tate, m_e.
E " " " e_nd, l_e_t, m_end.
I " " " i_sle, _i_ce, fl_y_,
m_ine.
I " " " i_n, p_i_n, _England.
O " " " o_ld, m_o_re, _oats.
O
" " " oo_se, l_o_se, t_o_, f_ool
O " " " o_n, l_o_ck, n_ot.
U " " "
mew_, f_ew_, t_u_be, p_upil.
U " " " u_p, t_u_b, h_e_r, h_urt.
U " "
" fu_ll, p_u_ll, w_olf.
OU " " " ou_r, fl_ou_r, p_ower.
SUB-VOWELS.
B as heard in b_ow, _b_oat, _b
arb.
D " " " d_ay, bi_d_, _dare.
G " "
" g_ay, fi_g_, _gilt.
L " " " l_ight, _l_iberty, a_ll.
M " " " m_ind,
stor_m_, _mate.
N " " " n_o, o_n_, _n_i_ne.
NG " " " sing_,

fi_ng_er, lo_ng.
R " " " r_oe, _r_a_r_e, o_rb.
TH " " " th_en,
wi_th_, benea_th.
V as heard in v_ice, _v_ile, sal_ve.
W " " " w_oe,
_w_ave, _world.
Y " " " y_oke, _y_e, _yonder.
Z " " " z_one, hi_s_,
_Zenophon.
ZH " " " az_ure, enclo_sure.
ASPIRATES.
F as heard in f_ame, i_f_, li_ft.
H " " " h_e, _hut.
K " " " k_ite,
ca_ke.
P " " " p_it, u_p_, a_pt.
S " " " s_in, _c_ell, ye_s.
SH " " "
sh_ade,