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COPYRIGHT, 1883 BY VAN ANTWERP, Bragg & Co. COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY ROBERT J. KIDD

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RIDD EL

E-P 28

PREFACE.

OVER twenty-five years ago the first edition of Kidd's Vocal Culture and Elocution was published. In some respects it differed from all other books on the subject. It ignored some principles which were generally regarded as well established, and rejected precepts and rules the reliability of which had seldom been questioned. Notwithstanding the objectione made to it on these grounds, together with all the opposing infuences against which it had to contend, it was favorably received from the first. The number of copies sold, and the number of schools, seminaries, and colleges into which it had been introduced,, year after year, rapidly increased. It still retains its popularity, and continues to be regarded as one of the most practical books on the subject; but I believe that the New Elocution will prove to be, in most, if not in all, respects, better adapted to the needs of both teachers and students of Elocution, than the Vocal Culture and Elocution. The new book contains much new and important matter; fuller information on essential points; a greater number of valuable exercises; and of new and appropriate examples for the illustration and exemplification of the rules and principles presented.

The examples for elementary practice, and the descriptive, senatorial, dramatic, and other pieces have been selected with reference to the value of the information they contain, the purity of the sentiments expressed, and their adaptation to the uses for which they are intended. Taken collectively, they make a large and choice variety well suited to illustrate every form of thought, every kind of sentiment, emotion, or passion, and every style of composition and delivery.

In the exercises on the elementary sounds, the words containing the sounds to which the attention is specially directed—are generally so placed in the examples that they, and the whole passage, can easily be given with proper emphasis and correct expression.

Most persons can remember both the words, meaning, and sentiment of a short, pointed poetic passage better than they can remember a passage of the same length of prose. This fact has led me to place in the Elementary Exercises a great many poetic passages, which contain gems of thought or sentiment expressed in choice and simple words.

It has been my aim, to produce a book which may serve as a guide to the acquirement of almost every thing that can be taught in Elocutionary Art, and that shall contain nothing in the way of instruction but what I know to be true, important, and practical.

An experience of more than thirty years as a teacher of reading and speaking has left me without any faith in pretentious, scientific nomenclature, fanciful theories, and impractical rules as aids to the student of Elocution. I have, therefore, endeavored, in the New Elocution, to avoid all needless explanation, all nice and confusing distinctions all loose and vague directions, and all unnecessary rules.

Cincinnati, Jah* 1, •1885.

ROBERT KIDD.

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