UNIFORM PUBLICATIONS: THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND, Vol. I. (Containing "100 Choice Selections," Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.) THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND, Vol. II. (Containing "100 Choice Selections," Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8.) THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND, Vol. III. (Containing "100 Choice Selections," Nos. 9, 10, 11 and 12.) THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND, Vol.IV. (Containing "100 Choice Selections," Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16.) THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND, Vol. V. (Containing "100 Choice Selections," Nos. 17, 18, 19 and 20.) Price, per Volume, Cloth, $1.73. EPR PREFACE. Since the publication of the first volume of "The Speaker's Garland," containing the first Four Numbers of the "100 Choice Selections" Series, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth numbers of the same Series have been successively issued, which we now offer, (being the second Four numbers of the Series,) arranged under a general heading and an alphabetical index,-uniform in every respect with the first, to which it is a companion volume,—making "THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND," VOLUME II. The various selections have been made with great care, and under the guidance of popular Elocutionists and Teachers, with an evident taste and appreciation of the best things for the purpose,→ embracing EVERY VARIETY OF EMOTION, whether Grave or Lively, Serious or Amusing, Sublime or Vehement, Eloquent or Impassioned, Oratorical or Humorous,-comprising eloquent utterances from some of the best poets and authors of the present day, combined with others of an earlier origin, “which the world will not willingly let die;" in addition to which are many excellent specimens, both from new and anonymous sources; a large proportion are drawn from the ludicrous phases of existence, and lead direct to “laughter's happy land,”—the question in their entire compilation not being, From whence did it originate? so much as, Is IT GOOD FOR SPEAKING OR READING? Taken as a whole, this work presents an array of choice Poetry and Prose, so comprehensive and varied in style as to offer a responsive chord to every possible mood or phase of human feeling, and call forth every emotion of the heart; presenting a complete LIBRARY of POPULAR GEMS, heretofore obtained only by long and continued research among many expensive volumes,-being truly a "Literary Bouquet," culled from the highest sources at home and abroad; entwining the choicest articles of acknowledged worth and intrinsic merit, in rich festoons of gayety and mirth, thus combining Amusement with Instruction,—all harmoniously blending in happy contrast to form "THE SPEAKER'S GARLAND." By thus providing intellectual food for all the varying tastes and desires of a reading people, this work must necessarily prove a delightful traveling companion, a welcome visitor at every fireside, and a real household treasure; as no time, occasion, or circumstance, but is here furnished suitable and enjoyable material for either reading or speaking, and the question so often heard, Where shall I get something new to speak? is now fully met by this attractive and beautiful work. We bespeak for the present volume the same generous welcome that has been bestowed upon its predecessor, and most respectfully solicit a continuance of favor and co-operation from our many thousands of patrons, thereby enabling us, (in accordance with our present designs,) to make STILL FURTHER ADDITIONS to the "Series" of which this book is a part. Philadelphia, 1874. THE PUBLISHERS 1 *As each of the four numbers is paged independently of the others, the index must necessarily accord therewith,-hence this explanation. The column of Roman Notation designates the different volumes or numbers of the "Series," (viz., 5, 6, 7, and 8;) and the figures refer to the page of the corresponding volume. Take for instance "Across the River," the characters VIII show that it will be found in No. 8, and the figures following give the page of that |