COMSTOCK'S

SYSTEM OF ELOCUTION.

RECOMMENDATORY NOTICES.

Certificates from Professor Horner and Professor Hare of the University of Pennsylvania.

HAVING been present on the 10th inst. at the exercises of the pupils in Dr. Andrew Comstock's Gymnasium, for the improvement of the voice and of the articulation in stammerers and others, the impression made upon me was highly favourable to his method of instruction.

The system is founded upon an exact anatomical and physiological information, in regard to the organs concerned in the production and modification of sound. Its several parts appear to have been evolved and matured upon a degree of thought and an extent of experiment reflecting much credit upon his sagacity and industry; and it inspires a very strong confidence of its applicability to the faults generally of speech or phonation. One of his pupils, who only a week before the occasion alluded to, had been a most unpleasant stammerer, was then heard to recite publicly with great ease and fluency, with a full intonation.

W. E. HORNER, M. D. Professor of Anatomy in the University of Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia, Aug. 11, 1837.

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 14th, 1837. Having been present on the occasion alluded to in the preceding letter of the Professor of Anatomy, I have no hesitation in alleging that my impressions are consistent with those which my colleague has therein expressed.

ROBERT HARE, M. D. Professor of Chemistry in the University of Pennsylvania.

From the United States Gazette.

ANDREW COMSTOCK, M. D.

CONGRESS HALL, Philad., Nov. 25, 1837.

Dear Sir,-Before leaving your city, allow me to express to you the perfect satisfaction I feel, in witnessing the progress which my son has made in Elocution under your instruction.

The habit of stammering which commenced with his early efforts to speak, and which thirteen years (his present age) seemed only to confirm, is now, with six weeks instruction, completely eradicated.

Though delighted beyond expression in this result, I am not disappointed. From the moment I became acquainted with your method of instruction, I did not doubt its entire success. Founded on scientific principles, it must succeed in all cases where there is no malformation of the organs of speech.

You have reduced to a system what before was but imperfectly understood, and done most essential service to mankind in elevating a numerous class of unfortunate fellow-beings, and saved them from the impositions of ignorant and unprincipled empirics.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. PIERCE, M. D., of Athens, N. Y.

DR. COMSTOCK has published, in a volume of about 360 pages, his System of Elocution, with special reference to gesture, to the treatment of stammering and defective articulation. This is an excellent work, and is a valuable aid to the schools and colleges for which it was designed, and also for private persons who wish to improve themselves in the art of reading and speaking. The vocal elements of the English language are analyzed in the work, and a description is given of their organic formation, with a variety of engravings showing the postures of the mouth in uttering them. The work also treats of the inflections of the voice, the pitch, articulation and force, as well as the time in the utterance of sounds, and the gestures which make them so expressive. The latter part is accompanied with a number of engravings, illustrative of the subject. The concluding portions of the work are exercises in reading and declamation. The volume is one which persons who have a defective articulation, or those who wish to form a correct one, will find highly valuable, as it contains directions and instructions which may be easily followed, and cannot fail to produce the improvement desired. Public Ledger, Philadelphia, Dec. 7, 1841.

This is an admirable work, the result of many years of study and experience in the art to which the author is devoted, and furnishing in addition to the results of his personal observation, a condensed view of the discoveries of others which are not within popular reach, as tested by himself in the course of instruction. No teacher or student of elocution should be without it. Even the most practised speaker will here find hints which cannot be otherwise than of advantage to him. In fact, the system of vocal training here indicated, should and probably will eventually, form a part of every system of liberal education.

Pennsylvanian, Philadelphia, Dec. 7, 1841.

Dr. Comstock has paid much attention to the topics discussed in this volume-he has been a successful teacher of elocution for several years, and the fruits of his labours as here brought together, doubtless deserve attention from teachers and others. The work appears to us, in the hasty examination we have been able to give it, able, perspicuous and comprehensive. Pennsylvania Inquirer, Philadelphia, Dec. 7, 1841.

We always thought Dr. Comstock's system for the cure of Stammering a sealed book, because it was so certain; he has, however, in the plenitude of his benevolence, and for a small consideration, surrendered his knowledge and experience for the more general benefit of the world. He has here collected and widely diffused all that he has heretofore published upon this subject, and by well-executed plates illustrated what is not, as well as what is correct in gesture, &c., for which we doubt not the heads of our public schools will be duly grateful, as affording them facilities and suggestions in a very important branch of education, which they could not before command.

The eminent success of Dr. C. in his practical teachings, is the only commendation the present work can require, and we understand its merits are fully appreciated, if we are to judge from an extensive demand by several of our most distinguished Professors.

We may also remark, that the work is enriched by numerous selections from the writings of the most celebrated authors, to be spoken in the elocutionary exercises, with marks indicating the proper time of emphasis. Saturday Courier, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1841.

A good system for breaking up the stiff jaws of a speaker, and rounding the sharp angles in his uncouth gestures two embarrassments under which many labour, and which few thoroughly overcome. We may laugh at Dr. Comstock's mouths and gestures as much as we please, but it is only by such mouths and gestures that one becomes a graceful speaker. North American, Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1841.

Dr. Comstock has devoted many years sedulously to the study of Elocution, not merely as a declamatory art, but as a science comprehending all the phenomena of the voice, and the means by which it may be most successfully cultivated for all the purposes of speaking. We have examined, with some attention, the first part of Dr. Comstock's book, and find that in treating of elementary sounds, he advances precepts evincing an intelligent analysis of vocal utterance,-a subject very lightly passed over in ordinary text-books upon Elocution. The whole subject of the book appears to have been digested with equal knowledge and care, and we would commend to teachers the adoption of his system, as based upon a true comprehension of the powers and uses of the organs of speech, and the modes of graceful and appropriate action in oratorical exercises. Various plates illustrate the text, and enable intelligent readers to apprehend the principles of oral delivery and gesture without the aid of a special preceptor.

National Gazette, Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1841.

The experience of Dr. Comstock as a Professor of Elocution, and his eminent success in the cure of stammering and other defects of speech, as well as the warm commendations of gentlemen in whose judgment the utmost reliance may be placed, justify us in recommending this work to all who are desirous of acquiring the art of reading or speaking with ease, grace and power.

American Sentinel, Philadelphia, Dec. 13, 1841.