Testimonials and References. tion, combined with other causes. produced bronch Five classes were formed in the Academical de- tis, from which I have been suffering inore than 18 partment of Yale College, and three in the Theolog. months. By your directions, I can speak and sing ical Department. The following is an extract from freely without irritating my throat. My voice has its natural tone and compass; and I have the deResolved, That we consider his system exceedinglightful prospect of soon resuming my accustomed ly well adapted to develop and train the voice, and labors give expression to the passions; and we believe it "Professor Bronson's Recitations are the best we calculated to promote the health of public speakers. ever heard."-National Intelligencer. the testimonials of the latter: Being persuaded that we have derived essential ad- Pro Bronson's Lectures and Recitations, have vantage from his instructions, we hereby express given universal delight.-Louisville Journal. our thanks for the assiduity and skill with which he "The Recitations of Mr. Bronson, are almost per has directed us in our practice, and most cordially fect"-Baltimore Atheneum and Visitor. recommend him to the patronage of all who would "Mr. Bronson's success has been most complete. cultivate their voices with a view to public speaking.-U. S. Guzette. EXTRACT-From Professors of Princeton College and Theological Seminary, N. J.-We have had good the wonderful capabilities of the human voice, and "Mr. B. exhibits with surprising ease and power opportunities for witnessing the success of Mr Bron-illustrates convincingly the practibility and impor son. His method of using the organs of speech with tance of cultivating its powers-Teachers, public most advantage, is preferable to any we have known Ile is distinguished from other teachers of elocution speakers, and the youth of both sexes, should avail by the fact, that instead of trying to impart his own themselves of this opportunity."-Newark Adv. style of declamation, he aims at cultivating the voice, "His superior as a speaker, we have yet to meet, and then leaves the pupil to nature. either at the bar, in the pulpit, or on the floor of a EXTRACT. From the Rev. Mr. Bingham, Marietta, legislative body."-Ohio State Journal, Columbus. O. to Professor Stuart, Andover, Mass" Will you A lady, (Mrs. G. of Boston,) says-"Having been perinit me to introduce to your acquaintance, Prof much injured by tight lacing when very young and Bronson, a popular and successful Lecturer on Elo- also by keeping in a bent position at school for years, cution. He has been for some time past, lecturing I was bent forward in such a manner as to suppose to the Professors and students in this College. As I was afflicted with permanent distortion of the spine. a Lecturer on Elocution I have never seen his supe- Still I resolved to join the class, and prove the truth rior. Our Professors, who have been under the in- or falsehood of professor B's. predictions, that I struction of Dr Barber, say the same. He has made should become straight by faithfully attending to his subject one of very thorough study-and, what the principles. In a few days I was restored." is best of all, he has studied Nature. His EXTRACT-From the Faculty of Marietta College, EXTRACT-Letter from a distinguished lady in Ohio." Prof. Bronson has just closed a very suc- Boston. "Prof. Bronson; Sir-I wish to express to cessful course of instruction on Elocation in this in- you my grateful acknowledgements for the great stitution. The principles which he teaches appear benefit I have received from your system. I have to be founded on a philosophical view of man. for many years been afflicted with extreme weakness illustrations are copious and pertinent; and in his la- of the lungs, which fatigue, either in exercise, conbors to train the voice and develop and cultivate versation or reading, produced not only hoarseness, I have found, upon trial, my exthe affections and passions he is indefatigable. His but loss of voice whole course of instruction is marked by a rigid pectations more than realized I can now, with per deference to Natnre, and is truly simple and unaffect ease, converse, or read aloud, hour after hour fected. We take pleasure in recommending him to without the least fatigue. an intelligent community. following resolution was unanimously adopted by a At the close of his Lectures in the Apollo, the crowded house of ticket holders: Resolved, That the thanks of the members of this PROF BRONSON is a gentleman of much original ity of thought, extensive reading and remarkable powers. His Lectures, beyond the charm of novel ty, are very interesting.-Albany Evening Journal meeting be presented to PROF. BRONSON for his We warmly recommend Prof. Bronson's reading successful efforts (in connection with Mr. F. H. and recitations to the attention of all those who are Nash, his Assistant,) to interest, amuse and instruct partial to effectual and powerful elocution They them. They conclude, by expressing their high adare an excellent substitute for dramatic exhibitions miration of Prof Bronson's sincerity, zeal and abi -Deily Signal, N. Y We feel anxious that a knowledge of Mr. Bronson's pecular views should be extended, believing them highly important. not only in juvenile education, but to the professional speaker.-National Gazette. Philadelphia. lity in the cause of truth and humanity, and tende. ring to him their best wishes, that success and prosperity may attend him in his noble and gene rous enterprise. AMOS BELDEN, Chairman. E. PARMLY, Secretary. Prof. BRONSON's new theory in relation to the sci- At a meeting of the Classes, the Rev. CHARLES ence of Elocution, is, in our judgment, founded in G. SOMMERS, Chairman, and Dr AMOS JOHNSON, truth, the author being a practical illustration of the Secretary, the following Resolution was unani soundness of his doctrine.-Oneida Whig, (Utica) mously adopted: N. Y. Resolved, That the Ladies and Gentlemen, who From the Philadelphia Daily World. have attended a series of Lessons and Lectures, by We render no more than justice in pronouncing Prof. BRONSON, on Elocution, Music and Physiolo Prof Bronson's Recitations the best we ever heard gy, feel great pleasure in expressing their high His recitation of "The Maniac," by Lewis, was sense of his urbanity, uncompromising regard for terrific. We never before saw confirmed, hopeless TRUTH, as the basis of Religion and sound Philoso raving insanity so thorougly counterfeited by any phy; as well as their entire belief that his method actor. In the course of his recitations he explains of imparting knowledge is as natural and interest. his discoveries (for such they are,) in Elocution. ing, as it is novel; and that it is admirably calcula From the REV MR. Cook, of Hartford, Conn,jted to promote the health of the BODY, and the im. who received only twelve lessons. provement of the MIND. The Classes desire also to PROF BRONSON-Dear Sir-My Physician, Dr.Jexpress their indebtedness to Mr NASH, Prof. B.'s Sherwood, of N. Y., directed me to you for aid in accomplished Associate, whose critical knowledge recovering the use of my voice. A habit of speaking of VOCAL SCIENCE, So happily connected with unsolely with the muscles of my breast and throat, usual Melody and Power of Voice, eminently qual attributable in part at least to Dr Barber's instruc-fies him for an Instructor in Music. PHYSIOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION. 1. Every ART, and SCIENCE, has its Externals, and its Internals, its Generals and Particulars; which must be understood Analytically, and Synthetically, if we would practice either successfully. The Internals of Elocution, are Thoughts and Feelings, and its Externals comprise all that is addressed to our five senses: its Generals are Mind and Body, with their various Languages, or modes of manifestation. Comparatively, Language-is the Tune, Body-the Instrument, and Mind-the Performer: hence, the necessity of becoming acquainted, theoretically and practically, with their NATURES, RELATIONS and USES. 2. As the subjects of MIND and LANGUAGE, are partially unfolded in the following work, in this part, something must be said of the BODY, the harp of ten thousand strings: particularly in regard to structure, position, and the organs to be used for the production and modification of sounds, in Speech and Song: also of Gestures, or Actions; illustrated by appropriate Engravings, which may be imitated by the Pupil, for the purpose of bringing the Body into subjection to the Mind; without, however, any reference to speeific Recitations,-lest he should become artificia, instead of natural. 3. The more we contemplate MAN, the more we see and feel the truth, that he is a MICROCOSM indeed; a minature-world,-an abstract of crea3011, an epitome of the universe,-a finite representation of the INFINITE DEITY! Well saith the hes then motto," KNOW THYSELF!" and the poet"THE PROPER STUDY OF MANKIND-IS MAN." And it may truly be said, that there is nothing in the Mineral, Vegetable and Animal Kingdoms, that cannot be found, essentially, in the human body; and nothing in the world of Mind, that is not shadowed forth in his spiritual nature: hence, the grandeur, the magnificence of our subjects, and our objects. 4. The three grand essentials of the Body proper, are the Osseus, or bony system, which fixes its form, and gives it stability: the Muscular, or fleshy system, which is designed to act on the Osseus; and Nervous system, acting on the Muscular: while the Mind, acts on and through the Nervous; receiving its life and power from Him, who is emphatically "THE LIFE:" thus, we can look through Nature, up to Nature's God. Observe, the Analytical course is from outermosts to innermosts, from effects to causes; and the Synthetical progress from innermosts to outermosts; or from causes to effects. 5. NERVES OF ORGANIC LIFE. Every thing must have a beginning: and nothing is made perfect at once. Now in the body, there is a certain portion, called Nerves of Organic Life; because they are the first formed, and constitute the grand medium, through which the soul builds mass, which is a kind of brain, (or series of brain,) that presides over those glands, or workshops, that take charge of the food, digest it, and watch over its changes, till it is made into blood, and then appropriated to the body. The nervous centre, called Semilunar Ganglion and So lar Plexus, may be seen at a, a, a, a; it is situated under the diaphragm and part ly behind the stomach other subordinate centres may be seen at e, e, e, e; also in other places, that need not be designated, as they are very numerous: these centres are like miner posts in a state, or king dom. At i, is seen a pair of chords, called trisplanchnic nerves: and at o o, are seen other nerves, with their little brains, or centres, where they come together, forming a line along the spine, from the bottom of the chest. to the top of the neck. From this large collection of Organic Nerves, others proceed to every par of the system, uniting in smaller centres, and forming ganglions in the palms of the hands, balls of the fingers, &c. Our Astronomical system is called the Solar System, because the Sun is its centre, watching over our planets; so, of these nervous centres of the grand and smaller departments of our miniature-universe. Owing to the intimate connection of these nerves with their numerous centres, and with the nerves of | of organic life, or solar plexus. The roots of these the whole body, they are sometimes called the nerves are in the cerebellum, the seat of motion, Great Sympathetic Nerves, and Nerves of Vege-a receptacle of life. Now, we see why intensity table Life. There are three orders of these of thought, carking cares, &c., impede respiration Nerves: one going to the blood-vessels and other and infringe on the laws of health, for want of the parts of the vascular system; one to the contrac- proper co-operation with the nerves of organic ule tissues or muscles of involuntary motion: life; inducing dyspepsia, and even consumption. and one to the nerves of organic sensation, con- hence, the painful mode of teaching children to read by a book: away with this false system, unveying the impressions made on the organs. less you would inhumanly sacrifice the rising generation on the altar of evil; let the ear, or right feeling predominate: please work out the whole; for you can do it: a hint is sufficient for these who think. 6. In this view of the Nerves of Respiration, (originating in the Medulla Oblongata, which is an extension of the Cerebellum, (b,) or seat of Voluntary Motion, and of the Cerebrum, (a,) or seat of Rationality,) may be seen the nerve (c.) that goes to the Diaphragm (i,) and is concerned in the office of breathing, which generally acts without the aid of the Will; but yet is controllable by the Will, to a certain extent; for we may breathe fast or slow, long or short. Next above this, is the Spinal Accessory Nerve, used in moving the breast, &c., in respiration; one of its fellow roots goes to the tongue (d,) and is concerned in mastication, swallowing, speaking, &c. [Some nerves are thrown back, the better to be seen.] Next in order is the pneumosgastric, or lungs-and-stomach nerve (f, g, h,) which sends a branch to the meat-pipe, larynx and wind-pipe, (e,) also to the cardiac, or heart plexus, just above, and a little at the right of (g); a recurrent branch goes to the larynx, &c.; other branches go to the face to exhibit the feelings. All interweave, and bring the vocal organs into mportant relations with the heart and lungs, with feelings and thoughts; while the main body goes the stomach, and unites with the great centre 7. Here is an excellent representation of the Nerves of Voluntary Motion, and of Sense, which, with the nerves of Organic Life, and the Respiratory Nerves, constitute the inmosts of the body; also, a posterior, or back view, of the two brains, which is the seat of the Mind, the constituents of which, are Will and Understanding. The letter e, indicates the cerebrum, or large brain, where the Understanding, Rationality, or thought is located; and cv, the cerebellum, or little brain, under, and adjoining the cerebrum, where the rizontal black line is: here is the seat of the Will, Affections, Passions or Emotions; also the seat of the Motive power of the body; and from these proceed the spinal marrow, (me,) enveloped in three different membranes, lying in the hollow of the back bone, and branching off by thirty pairs of spinal nerves into a great many ramifications over every part of the body; pb, the brachial plexus, a reunion or assemblage of the different nerves distributed to the arms, or upper extremities; and ps, the plexus, or folds of nerves, that form the great sciatic nerves, descending to the legs, or lower extremities. From the spinal marrow, the nerves arise by two sets, or bundles of roots; the front (anterior,) one serving for motion, and the back (posterior,) are the nerves of feeling, or sensibility. Now, in all voluntary actions of the body, whether reading, speaking, singing, or working, there should be a perfect harmony and co-operation of the Organic Nerves, Respiratory Nerves, and Motary Nerves; hence, the voluntary effort must be made from the abdomen, where is the great centre of Organic Nerves, in connection with those of Respiration. 8. Here is a striking view of the Muscular, or fleshy portions, that form the medium of communication between the Nerves and the Bones: there are several hundreds, acting on the bones like ropes on the masts of ships: let them be trained in perfect subjection to the Sou, through th, Mind; so than whatever 18 9. We now descend to the hard parts of the body, which have the least of life in them. This is a very correct representation of the Osseous system, or the bony parts which may be aptly called the basis, or foundation, of the splendid temple we live in; which is three stories high; viz. the cavity below the diaphragm, the one above it, and the skull. Examine, minutely, each part, the situation and attachment of the different bones of the head, the five short ribs, and the seven long ones, the breast-bone, &c. In a complete human frame, there are 250 bones: they afford us the means of locomotion. Do you see any analogy between the body and language? 10. ZOOLOGY-(the doctrine or science of life,) is a necessary element of education. Whose curiosity has not been excited by the innumerable living beings, and things, with which we are surrounded? Is it not desirable to scrutinize their interiors, and see how they are made, and understand their various uses? Look at a man, a fish, a spider, an oyster, a plant, a stone; observe their differences, in many respects, and their similar ties in others: they all have essence, form, use The tendency of the study of the three kingdoms of nature, the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral, is to emancipate the hunian mind from the darkness and slavery of ignorance, into the light and berty of rational humanity. The things of the Animal kingdom live, and move from an interior power; those of the Vegetable kingdom grow; and those of the Mineral kingdom do not live or grow; they simply exist. 11. Three objects are designed by this engraving: first, to show the body, clothed in its own beautiful envelop, the skin, which is the contiwent of our most wonderful piece of Mechanism: second, to call attention to the fact, that it is full of pores, or little holes, through which passes out of our systems more than half of what we eat and drink, in the form of what is called insensible perspiration, which is indicated by the cloudy misi, emanating from every part of the surface; and as our bodies wear out, by degrees, and are renewed every seven years, and the skin being the principal evacuating medium for the worn-out particles of the system; the great importance of keeping it in a clean, and consequent healthy condition, by daily washing in soft cold water, must be evident to every one of reflection, it being the safety-valve of the body: and thirdly, to indicate a higher truth, that of the passing off of a subtle and invisible fluid from the mind, in accordance with its state; which is often perceived when certain persons are present; also when powerful speakers are pouring forth their highly wrought affections, and brilliant thoughts; so as to give the mind a kind of ubiquity, co-extensive with their tones and audible words, ruling immense audiences with absolute sway, and demonstrating the power of truth and eloquence. into the particulars of our subject; whien s lone in the succeeding parts of this introduction: however, let the reader bear in mind, that only the outlines of subjects are given in the book, designed for such as are determined to dig for truth and eternal principles, as for hidden treasures; whose motto is " Press On." Animals and Plants endure for a time, and under specific forms, by making the external world a part of their own being; i. e. they have the power imparted to them of self-nourishment, and when this outward supply ceases they die, having completed their term of duration: hence, death, to material existences, is a necessary co sequence of life. Not so with minerals: they exist so long as external forces do not destroy them. and if they increase, it is simply by the juxtapoAnimals and Plants increase by nutrition: sition of other bodies; and if they diminish, it in Minerals by accretion. In infancy, we weigh by the action of a force, or power, from withbut a few pounds: at adult age, we exceed one out. Has not every thing its circle? How inhundred pounds. Whence, but from foreign sub-teresting must be the history of all things, anistances, are the materials of which our organs are composed? In sickness, extreme emaciation proves that our bedies may lose a portion of their bulk, and give back to the world what was once its own. Thus, composition and decoraposition, mate and inanimate! Oh that we had eyes to see, and ears to hear, every thing that is manifested around us, within us, and above us! 13. If we would have the Mind act on the Body, and the Body react on the Mind, in an or |