ADVERTISEMENT. THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES OF THIS SYSTEM. SOME years ago, the Author was extensively engaged as a Public Speaker; and, in consequence of the habit of speaking, principally, with the muscles of the throat and breast, he finally broke down,-falling senseless, after speaking about an hour and a half: that was followed by a protracted illness; during which, he providentially discovered the Causes, and also the Remedies, of the dif ficulties under which he had labored; and now, for months in succession, by the aid of these principles, he often speaks from six to ten hours a day, without the least inconvenience: the principal cause of which is, that the effort is made from the dorsal and abdominal region. Few are aware of the comprehensive nature of the principles here partially unfolded; and probably the Author would now be in a similar state, had it not been for the teachings afforded by children and Indians. To secure a perfectly healthy distribution of the vital fluids throughout the body, and a free and powerful activity of the mind, there must be a full and synchronous action in the brain, the lungs, and the viscera of the abdomen; the soul operating, naturally, on the dorsal and abdominal muscles, and thus setting in motion the whole body. That he was the first to teach the specific use of those muscles, for a healthy breathing, and the exercise of the vocal organs, as well as blowing on wind instruments for hours together, without injury, he has not the least doubt; and, if any person will produce evidence to the contrary, from any medical writer, or teacher of elocution, previous to 1830, he shall be handsomely rewarded. The time is fast approaching, when this, and its kindred subjects, will be duly ap preciated; and it will be seen and felt, that without a practical knowledge of these important principles, no one can become a successful speaker, or teacher: and the opinion is advisedly expressed, that they will produce as great a revolution in regard to the promotion of health, the art of reading and speaking with science and effect, and the perfect development and cultivation of mind, voice, and ear, as the discovery of the mariner's compass, or the invention of the steam engine, in navigation, manufacture, and travel;-and, to be the medium of introducing such a system, by which so many thousands have been greatly benefited, and hundreds of lives saved, is the occasion of devout gratitude to the INFINITE AUTHOR of all that is GOOD and TRUE. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1845, by C. P. BRONSON, Stereotyped by J. A. James, Cincinnati. See the last Page. 3845 Testimonials and References. Five classes were formed in the Academical de- tis, from which I have been suffering more than 18 partment of Yale College, and three in the Theolog. month. 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 labors ly well adapted to develop and train the voice, and 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. Ition, combined with other causes. produced bronch? the testimonials of the latter: Being persuaded that we have derived essential ad- Pro Bronson's Lectures and Recitations, have "The Recitations of Mr. Bronson. are almost per has directed us in our practice, and most cordially fect-Baltimore Atheneum and Visitor. cultivate their voices with a view to public speaking.-U. S. Guzette. EXTRACT-From the Faculty of Marietta College,, EXTRACT-Letter from a distinguished lady in At the close of his Lectures in the Apollo, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by a PROF BRONSON is a gentleman of much original Philadelphic. Prof. BRONSON's new theory in relation to the sci. At a meeting of the Classes, the Rev. CHARLES From the Philadelphia Daily World. Resolved, That the Ladies and Gentlemen, who 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,ted to promote the health of the BODY, and the im who received only twelve lessons. provement of the MIND. The Classes desire also to PROP BRONSON-Dear Sir-My Physician, Dr. express 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 unBolely 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. M567323 PREFACE TO THE FIFTH EDITION. In this work, the Author has given some of the results of his study and practice, in the department of Mental and Vocal Philosophy, for the last fifteen years. Persons, who are familiar with the subjects discussed, can see how much he is indebted to books, and how much to investigation and experience. Whatever is GOOD and TRUE in it, belongs to ALL; for it is from ABOVE. If there be anything false and evil, the Author holds himself responsible for it. His endeavor has been, to furnish a book, which may be useful to every one. He believes that a greater variety will be found in this, than in any other work on the subject;-a variety, too, which will induce deep and careful thinking, and right feeling; and which tends directly, to the end in view, to wit: the development and application, of those principles of MIND and VOICE, which the Author has been engaged in practicing and teaching, in our principal towns and cities, and Institutions of Learning: notices of which may be seen among the accompanying testimonials. This work is an abridgment of what the Author has written, in three connected, yet separate volumes, as yet unpublished, embracing the subjects of Body and Mind, their natures, relations, and destinies: the work, next in order, is PHYSIOLOGY and PSYCHOLOGY, which, it is expected, will be published the coming year. One reason why no more quotations are made from the Bible is, that the SACRED VOLUME is nearly ready for the press,-prepared with such a notation as will aid the reader, to pronounce and emphasize it, at sight-it being both a Pronouncing and Rhetorical Bible: it was commenced several years ago, at the request of clergymen and others, who have attended the Author's Biblical Readings and Recitations; and would probably have been laid before the public before this, but for the destruction of a portion of it by fire. The following work is now "cast upon the waters," in a stereotyped form, not likely soon to be changed. An affectionate Teacher's kindest regards to his Pupils, and respects to a candid and generous public. NEW YORK, 1845. PHYSIOLOGICAL INTRODUCTION. the body its workmanship. Here is a good representation of 1. Every ART, and SCIENCE, has its Externals, | up the Body, with the materials, furnished by the and its Internals, its Generals and Particulars; external world. The Soul is the architect, and 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 specific Recitations,-lest he should become artificial, 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 creation,-an epitome of the universe,-a finite representation of the INFINITE DEITY! Well saith the heathen 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. this nervous mass, which is a kind of brain, (or series of brain,) that preIsides 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 partly 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 kingdom. At i, is seen a pair of chords, called trisplanchnic nerves: and at 0, 0, 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 part of the system, uniting in smaller centres, and forming ganglions in the palms of the hands, 5. NERVES OF ORGANIC LIFE. Every thing balls of the fingers, &c. Our Astronomical sysmust have a beginning: and nothing is made per- tem is called the Solar System, because the Sun fect at once. Now in the body, there is a cer- is its centre, watching over our planets; so, of tain portion, called Nerves of Organic Life; be- these nervous centres of the grand and smaller cause they are the first formed, and constitute departments of our miniature-universe. Owing the grand medium, through which the soul builds to the intimate connection of these nerves with 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 important relations with the heart and lungs, with feelings and thoughts; while the main body goes to 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 |