a is the same as that of the name of the letter, but this is not the case in the word A-LL. In the latter instance, a different element is expressed by the letter A: a different one is again heard in the word A-RM. In the word which none of the sounds of the names of the letters are heard.

Every language, to be perfect for purposes of speech, ought to have a vocal alphabet; so that every elementary sound should have its own appropriate character or letter; and these characters, and none others, should be employed in spelling: no letter being admitted into a word which is not actually sounded.

As one letter is now often employed to indicate entirely different sounds, and several letters sometimes stand for a single sound, we must be careful not to suffer ourselves to be confused by the written letter or letters in the words employed for the illustration of the separate elements. The sound actually heard is the thing to which we are to attend the same sound is the same element though represented (as it often is) by different letters. For example, though we represent the vowel sound heard in Jew and in the French word Dieu, by ew in the former, and ieu in the latter, we shall hear the same sound, or nearly the same, in the word Beauty, represented by the letters eau. Again, if we give a shorter and quicker pronunciation to the element a than it has as heard in a-ge, it will be perceived by the ear to be the sound which we hear in e-dge; and so in other cases. We make these remarks, to render the subject easy to persons to whom such inquiries are new. To many, we are aware, the considerations here presented are perfectly familiar.

QUESTIONS TO BE PUT TO STUDENTS AT THE END OF RECITATION FIRST.

Is a syllable always a simple sound?

Can you give an example of a syllable which is a simple sound?

Can you mention a syllable consisting of three separate simple sounds?

Can you utter each of these three sounds separately? What is meant by the term element?

What are the simple sounds of speech called?

How many vocal elements are there in the English language, including the short vowels?

Pronounce each of the vowel sounds with exactness, mentioning as you pronounce each a word beginning with that vowel.

Pronounce with exactness the consonant sounds, mentioning a word commencing and ending with each, where the language admits of it; in other instances let the word commence or end with the element in question, according to the necessity of the case.

Pronounce the mutes by placing a vowel sound before and after each, so as to show their elementary sounds.

RECITATION SECOND.

PARTICULAR STRUCTURE OF THE VOWEL SOUNDS.

The following Vowel Sounds, are found, on prolonging their pronunciation to be clear dipthongs. They are, nevertheless to be considered as vocal elements because, though two sounds are heard in their utterance, these sounds cannot be disjoined by the voice, in pronouncing them. The unavoidable action of the organs of speech, is such as to present the two sounds in coalescence. A as in a-we, opens with the well known elementary sound, but it ends with a feeble and obscure sound of e, as heard in the word e-rr.

The same is true of a, as heard in the interjection ah. A in a-le changes in the progress of pronunciation to ee, as heard in ee-l, making the sound aeele, the ee being somewhat feebler and more obscure than if it began a word.

The same is true of i, as heard in i-eele, spelt i-sle. O in o-ld, goes into the feeble sound of oo, as heard in oo-ze, as O oold.

The same is true of ou, as ouoor.

The other vowel elements are monothongs as distinguished from dipthongs. This minute attention to the structure of these elements is necessary in prolonging them. In doing this we shall by anticipation of the sounds into which they run, be able so to manage the voice in extending them, as to prolong them to any desirable extent with a preservation of their true pronunciation. Without it, we shall be in danger of either drawling them or abridging the time of their pronunciation.

EXPLOSIVE POWER OF THE VOWEL
SOUNDS.

We are about to describe a very important elementary function of the voice, which can be manifested in the utterance of the vowel sounds. All the vowel sounds can be exploded from the throat with great suddenness and force. The explosion appears to depend on a previous occlusion in the throat, the sound breaking forth from behind the occluded part. It will be effected by attention to the following directions. The explosion is to consist of a short and single act of coughing, forcibly made upon each element. A short cough is generally made upon the element e as heard in the word e-rr. Let the student cough out this element with as much force as possible, and then let him substitute for it each of the other elements one after another, coughing in the same manner upon each of them, or rather coughing out their respective sounds. In doing this, he will exhibit that property of the voice which makes explosive stress. He may not succeed at once in displaying this function to the best advantage, but let him go on it will come by a little time and practice. With a teacher there will be no difficulty, nor will any exist long for those who practice alone, if they belong to the class of resolute spirits, who when they do not find a way ready made, set about to make one for themselves.

This sudden and very forcible utterance of the vowels, is STRESS in its most simple and elementary state, and in its highest degree. It is a function of the voice, which may be acquired by practice upon the elements, so as to

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be at the command of the speaker at any time he may wish to employ it, in the utterance of words or syllables, It is necessary to use it in reading and speaking, in various degrees, according to circumstances. We cannot now shew all the important uses to which it may be applied. The student may however, assure himself that the acquisition of it to a public speaker, is worth all his pains; and that the only mode of obtaining it, is by the method of practice we have enjoined.

We will notice the following important applications of stress. Vowels form the body of most syllables, and the audible and satisfactory distinctness of all short syllables, in public speaking, depends upon the degree of abruptness and force with which they are exploded by the voice. The kind of stress acquired by exploding the vowels constitutes one of the forms of emphasis. This stress is also the natural symbol of great energy of feeling.

But independent of emphasis, or the indication of any particular state of the feelings, if words are not marked by a due proportion of percussive or explosive stress, they will not be audible through an extensive space. Brilliancy, sprightliness, and energy of delivery, without which oratory has no existence, and which are essential to render a public speaker interesting, are dependent on a well marked and sustained stress.

As, then, the power of uttering the vowels in the manner described, is necessary to a distinct articulation of these sounds, (especially in short syllables,) and as it is one in which even practised speakers* are very often de

*I was made sensible, some years ago, by the author of the "Philosophy of the Human Voice," of my own want of sufficient