A Course of Lectures on Elocution

Thomas Sheridan 1719-1788

Thomas Sheridan received a classical education from his father, the schoolmas ter Dr. Thomas Sheridan, and in 1743 received an M.A. from Trinity College, Dublin. He began a career as a stage actor and became known as quite a good one, uppearing in 1744 with the popular actor David Garrick, with whom he was favor ably compared, Sheridan's son, Richard Brinslcy Sheridan, became the now-famous playwright. Thomas Sheridan was the godson of Jonathan Swift, to whose innuence he at tributed much of his passion for the English language, as well as his Augustan atti \ I (,..D 1-1"' fw.._, tude toward the ancients. Like Swift, Sheridan endorsed the idea of "ascertaining" e,,t.,'-'o the language by establishing fixed rules for usage. .l� It was Sheridan's consuming interest in correcting the language that led him to 1-\-d-.:, 4f'tCAV\- '1 forgo his acting career and become a proselytizer for elocution, although he contin \:>c.. '��'lr ued to act on occasion and to manage theater companies for many years. His chier f:--u�� activity from 1756 to 1762 was giving his very successful lecture course, an en r---- 'i"..... • deavor repeated intermittently until as late as 1785. The Lectures 011 Elocutio11 (ex A Plan of cerpted here) were published in 1762; inf later years, Sheridan published Education (1769), Lectures 011 the Art o Readi11g ( 1775), and A General Dictionary of1/w £11,:lish La11,:1wge ( I 780). All these works reiterated in some form the argu• ment that Sheridan had first made in 1756, in a work called British Education: Or, The Source of tire Disorders of Great Britain. Being an Es.my towardsproving, that the Immorality, /g,ummce, am/ false Tuste, which so generallypre1•c1il, are the IICII· 11ml and 11eces.1·w}' Co11seque11ces of the present ,lefective System of Educatio11. \Vith a,1 at1e111p1 to shew, tlwt a revil'al of the Art ofSpeaki11g, and the S11tdy ofOur 011111 Language, might crmtrilmte, in a great me,1.mre, to the Cure of those El'ils. The subtitle goes on lo indicate that the revival of oratory and its elevation lo the status it held in ancient Athens and Rome would improve religion, morality, and the line arts and support the British constitution. The connection made here between

"Immorality. Ignorance, and false Taste" is typically Augustan: From a knowledge \k.....�� and proper appreciation of classical culture (beginning, for Sheridan, with oratory), 4w (,,_ ._ o....,(_ °"' it follows as the nighl the day that one's moral values will rise to the corresponding �S�t\ level. Sheridan notes that the British, because or their superior religion and form of government, can rise even higher than the ancients. Oratory is the cornerstone of .,,�k..� this enterprise precisely because it combines the arts with practical political use, o,:.A. l._J� Sheridan thus found an ideal forum for his own talents and interests, and he was encouraged by the contemporary desire for linguistic self-improvement and educa tional reform (see the introduction to Part Four). He argues, Loo, that just as Ian• guage is the medium of reason, so voice and gesture are "the natural language of the passions." John Locke (p. 814) had demonstrated the fonnerconnection, but the lat ter, says Sheridan, needs further philosophical investigation. Sheridan's lectures ap peal to science, reverence for the ancients, linguistic anxiety (the popular passion

·1 HOMAS SHERIDAN for speaking correctly), and morality, bringing to bear every possible argumcnl for the importance of elocution. The very excess of this insistent overvalualion of elo cution Jed to criticism and undervaluation ofSheridan's project. Bul his arguments arc not without substance, and his principles for public speaking arc familiar and reasonable. His pmctical instruction consists primarily of advice Lo be natural, to treat public speaking as a form of conversation, to adhere to correct grammar and usage, and lo practice, for reasons of social expediency, the refined dialccl of the educated English. He cautions against reading-pronunciation (e.g., pronouncing "often" with the "t") and urges speakers to attend to the meaning of sentences to de termine the placement of emphasis and pauses. Gestures should also be natural. But, he notes, the meaning of gestures is conventional; they arc actions attached to ideas: Na11tral therefore means "not mechanical," rather than "springing from human na ture." The short extract included here contains Sheridan's argument about the relation ship between verbal and nonverbal communication. ll is a good example of both the sophistication and the peculiarity of Sheridan's approach. Though Sheridan's own famediminished, his work spawned many imitators, and the substance of his lectures wa" abstmcted into many textbooks, most notably Hugh Blair's popular and Jong Jived lecwres on Rhetoric and Belles lettres. The elocution courses, often required, that appeared in colleges in Britain and the United States from Sheridan's time to ours show the power of the ideas that Thomas Sheridan so decisively formulated.

Selected Bibliography Our excerpt is from the facsimile. reprinted without notes or introduction in 1968, of the first edition of 1762, entitled A Co11r.rc

Tlumght, Wordsand Actio11.1·: The Problem of Language ini Late Eigl1tee111h,Cc11111ry British RhcJorical Theory (1994), H. Lewis Ulman places Sherdan in the context of eighteenth century rhetoric, relating him especially to Campbell and Blair, and praises his conceptual ization of words as actions and language as pcrfomiancc. W. S. Howell discusses Sheridan's y work sympathetically in Eigl1tcc11th-Ce11111r British logic a11d Rhetoric ( 1971 ). G. P. Mohnnann discusses the clements of science, sentiment, and traditinn:11 rhetoric that went into the elocutionary movement in "Tite Language of Nature and ElocutionaryTheo ry" (Quarterly Jmmwl of Speech 52 [April 1966): 116-24). Marie Hochmuth and Richard Murphy look at elocution in American schools in "Rhetorical and Elocutionary Training in Nineteenth•Ccntury Colleges" and Frederick W. Haberman dis1:usscs "English Sources of American Elocution," both in A Hiswry of Speech Ed11cC11io11 i11 America. ed. Karl Wallace (New York, 1954).

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Lw,..., lecture VI may be manifested to another. And as this is '� � _ chiefly done by an agreement in the use of certain � qN-' TONES signs, it is no mailer what those signs are; there -� � being little or no naturnl connection, beLween any ' _ v Thus far, I have considered the several points, verbal signs and our ideas, which is sufficiently \� that arc fundamentally, and essentially necessary, evinced, by the variety of languages that are spo• \t t, to every public speaker; without which he will be ken, in the differentcountries of the world. "'-' - j: so far from making any impression on his hear lt is true, the facility with which the communi- �·k'' ers, that he will not he able to command their at cation is carried on, by means of the organs of tention, nor, in many cases, even make himself speech, preferably to any other method; together understood. with some other reasons, which need not here be Yet so low is the state of elocution amongst us, enumerated, have made mankind in general that a man who is master even of these rudiments agree, in making articulate sounds or words, the of rhetoric, is comparntivcly considered, as one of symbols of their ideas; but we have ample proof, an excellent delivery. This very circumstance that this did not arise from a principle of neces- therefore, is a suflicient inducement, to apply sity, but conveniency. For they who are born closely, at least to the mastery of these points. deaf, can make themselves understood by visible But when a man has got so far, as I can see no signs; and we have it on the best authority, that reason that he should stop there, or that he should the Mimes of the Ancients, were perfectly intelli- not farther endeavour, to make himself master of gible, without the use of words. But why need I every thing, which c:an add grace, or force to his mention these, when every one who can read delivery; I shall now aucmpt to lay open the prin knows, that our thoughts may be communicated dples, that may serve as guides to him, in the use by visible marks, as well as by articulatesounds? of the two remaining articles, tones, and gesture: I am aware it will be said, that written lan upon whic:h, all that is pleasurable, or affecting in guage is only a copy of that which is spoken, and elocution, chiefly depend. has a constant reference to articulation; the char� Before I enter upon the subject of tones, it will acters upon paper, being only symbols of articu be necc!'isary to fix, the precise meaning, of the late sounds. term language; to know what it c:omprchends, But tho' all who are blest with the gift of imd what are its bounds. i ,..,. speech, by constantly associating the ideas of ar I dare say there arc few, who would not think ticulate sounds, to those characters which they it an affront offered to their understandings, if see on paper, come to imagine that there is a nec they were asked, "what they mean by the term essary connection between them, and that the ! language' " as being a thing, which every rational one, is merely a symbol of the other; yet, that it is creature, is supposed necessarily to know. And I in itself, a manner of communication entirely dif fancy, upon such a question's being proposed, lercnt, and utterly independent of the other, we the first thought that would occur to every one, have ample demonstration from this; that it can who had not properly considered the point, is, be perfectly understood by those, who never had, that language is composed of words. And yet, nor ever could have, the least idea of an articulate this is so far from being an adequate idea of lan sound. This has been fully proved, in the case of guage, that the point in which most men think its many persons born deaf, who yet could read, and very essence to consist, is not even a necessary understand written language perfectly well, and property of language. For language, in its full ex write their thoughts with accuracy. tent, means, any way or method whatsoever, by II may at first view be thought, that I am which all that passes in the mind of one man, labouring a point, of little or no consequence, Got-'1.1e.s c.lwt1.11s • Q (..o!Mt. fl V\\U\r.\ SHERIDAN I A COURSl! OF LECTURES ON ELOCUTION 881 I� f\,,.S{ IA�.0,/U.f,v.h farther than speculation; but as I think I shall be hension. And yet it is of all others, that of which able to shew, that this fundamental errour with the most erroneous opinions are entertained, and regard to our general idea of language, in confin• with whose true nature, mankind in general arc ing it to such narrow bounds, has had a remark least acquainted. The reason of this might be able effect upon our practice; and that some of its clearly shewn, were there lime now for such an noblest uses have been lost lo us, thro' the want enquiry; but it ought to make the most knowing of a just notion of its comprehension; it must be and learned of men, doubtful of their judgements granted, that before I proceed, it will be neces in this article, when it is considered with what sary, in the fullest manner, to clear up that point. candour, the clearsightcd and judicious Locke, The allowed utility of any measure, must be the has acknowledged his crrour in that point; and first inducement, to enter on the pursuit of it; and his ignorance of the true state of language, till the the reasonableness of it must be shewn, before its precision, necessary to his subject, compelled utility will be allowed. him to strict scrutiny into its nature: in conse In civilized countries, possessed of the col quence of which, he was divested of the preju lected wisdom of ages in books, the learned think dices, that he had imbibed from custom and edu they know, or have it in their power to know cation. With what ingenuous modesty has he every thing that it is possible for the human mind confessed, that consciousness of errour, first gave to be acquainted with. In vain have several new rise to those new and important discoveries, laid and important discoveries, made in latter ages, as open in the third book of his Essay, in which he well as in our own times, shewn how ill founded treats of words! Where he says, "I must confess this opinion is. Learned vanity, which exceeds that when I first began this discourse of the un that of every other kind, still takes up arms derstanding, and a good while after, I had not the against any thing that is offered as new. And least thought, that any consideration of words, even amongst the most candid, on account of the was at all necessary to it." And yet this great man many pretensions that have been made to new found, that he could not proceed himself with discoveries, which have ended in smoke, the un any certainty, or manifest his thoughts to others derstanding is exceedingly on its guard, on such with any clearness, till he had first written an en occasions; doubts of every thing that is offered to tire book upon that point, which he acknowl it, which does not carry conviction; and will edges he had before thought, utterly unnecessary; scarcely admit of any conclusion, that does not and till he had set himself right, as well as the amount lo demonstration. This is the case even in rest of the world, in the mistaken notions enter subject,; that arc in themselves new, and which tained of language. wl..c�w:...l{. 'it;;,,� �� therefore have no prejudices lo encounter: But What a pity is it, that this penetrating writer, when the subject happens to be of that kind did not carry his enquiries farther into this impor which is open to all the world; which has not tant subject, as he seems in one place to promise. only been an object of enquiry and examination, We might then have had, as accurate a knowl in theory, but is also to be viewed in universal edge, of the whole of language, as we now have, practice; and therefore is of that sort, about of that partof it which he had laid open to us. But which all mankind have fanned certain opinions, he confined himself entirely to that branch of lan or judgements; it is evident, that the preposses guage, which related to his subject, as enquiry sions to be encountered in that case, must be into the human understanding; his only object much stronger; and that nothing is likely to re was, to examine the nature of words, as symbols move them, but necessary conclusions, drawn of our ideas; whilst the nobler branch of lan from sclf&evidcnt premises. guage, which consists of the signs of internal Of this nature, is the subject of language; emotions, was untouched by him as foreign to his which being used by all mankind is of all others, purpose. And however we may be indebted to the subject which mankind in general, think him, for the new lights which he has given us themselves best acquainted with, and that, of into the subject, so far as he has gone; yet it is which they have the clearest and fullest compre- to be feared, that by i.topping there, he has not a

882 ENLIGHT NMENT RHETORIC sl:-,'ll � o.S 'h�-1- t�v..i\A-a.?r'" , d�sh\A.cL r� fkc.. p� Lh,J\...., of �

little contributed, to the confined view which we tinct mark, would sufficiently answer the end. have or language, in con.�idering it, as made up For this we find effected amongst us, in all mat- .u �,r l ! wholly of words. i1 ,i·1 ters where simple reason,and mere speculation is 1 ;: Our pains with respect to language, are at pre concerned, as in the investigations or mathemati- -·.»•, - • sent limited, to the narrow conception which we cal truths. •• • ' have of it; and lherdore are wholly confined to But as there are other things which pass in the i the knowledge and use or words: and I think I mind of man, beside ideas; as he is not wholly ,1 may venture to appeal to my hearers, whether made up of intellect, but on the contr.1ry, thepas- this is not the generally received opinion? and sions, and the fancy, compose great part of his 1 whether he, who perfectly understands the mean� complicated frame;as the operations of tl_tese are ing or the words, and has the right use or them al attended with an infinite variety of emotions in command, is not thought to be a master of lan the mind, bothin kind and degree; it is clear, that guage'! Yet, if it can be shewn that this is only a unless there be some means found, of manifestT part of language; ir it can be shewn that it has ing those emotions, all that passes in the mind of other parts, absolutely necessaryto the communi• one man can not be communicated to another. cation of what passes in our minds, which can Now, as in order to know what another knows, not possibly be done by mere words; and thattoo and in the same manner that he knows it, an exact in order to answer some or the noblest, and most transcript of the ideas which pass in the .mind of important ends, of such :mcial communication; it one man, must be made by sensible marks,in the must be allowed, that our pains ought not to be mind of another; so in order to feel what another confined, to that part only; but should proportion feels, the emotions which are in the mind of one ally be extended to those other parts, which are man, must also be communicated to that of an equally necessary, and in their consequences of other, by sensible marks. more importance. Thal the sensible marks necessary lo answer I have already shewn, that words are in their this purpose, can not possibly be mere words, own nature, no essential part or language, and are might fully be proved by a philosophical disqui only considered so thro' custom. I shall now pro sition into their nature, were it proper at present ceed to shew, that when by custom they are made to enter into such an enquiry: but this point may a necessary part, they are still only a part; that be made sufficiently clear to answer my present they can not possibly effect all the purposes of design, in a shorter way. It is certain that we have 5ocial communication; and that there are other given names to many of these emotions, at least ,.. � .. parts, essentially necessary, to answer its noblest to such as nre of the strongest, and most remark- and best ends. able kind, tho' much the greater partof them,and Words arc, by compact, the marksor symbols the different degrees of all, remain without of our ideas; and this is the utmost extent or their names. But the use or these names, is not to stand power. Did nothing pass in the mind of man, but as types of the emotions themselves, but only as ideas; were he a different kind or being from signs, of the simple or complex ideas, which are 1 what he is; were he like the Houynhms or Swift, formed of those emotions; that we may be en- always directed by a cool, invariable, and as I abled, by the help of those names, to distinguish may say instinctive reason; to make known the them in the understanding, and treat of their sev- ideas of such a mind, and its internal operations, eral natures, in the same cool manner as we do would not be beyond the power of words: and a with regard to other ideas, that have no connec- language composed of words only, provided tion with any emotions of the mind. there were a suflicienl number of them, so that Every one will at once acknowledge that the each idea, and each operation, might have its dis- terms anger, fear, love, hatred, pity, grief, will not excite in him the sensations or those pas 1 The Houyhnhnm�. (as Swiftspelled the name) :ire the cx sions, and make him angry or afraid, compas quis.ilcly rational and passionlc\s ho�c� thut Gulliver meets. sionate or grieved; nor, should a man declare in the fourthpart of G111/frer's Tnwe/.1· ( 1726). (Ed.J himself to be under the influence of any of those

SHERIDAN I A COURSE OF LECTURES ON ELOCUTION 883 'vJ'thr.ut tUt•� 5��-;�

passions, in the most explicit and strong words the passions, carries with it the stamp of its that the language can afford, would he in the almighty Artificer; utterly unlike the poor work least affect us, or gain any credit, if he used no manship of imperfect man, as it is not only un other signs but words. If any one should say in derstood by all the different nations of the world, the same tone of voice that he uses in delivering without pains or study; but excites also similar ,I llc...-,(s • indifferent propositions from a cool understand- emotions, or corresponding effects in all minds ing, "Sure never any mortal was so overwhelmed alike. with grief as I am at this present." Or "My· rage is Thus, the tones expressive of sorrow, lamcnta- rouzedto a pitch of frenzy, I can not command it: lion, mirth, joy, hatred, anger, Jove, pity &c. arc Jf Avoid me, be gone this moment, or I shall tear the same in all nations, and consequently can ex you to pieces:" Sure no one would feel any pity cite emotions in us analogous to those passions, for the distress of the fonner, or any fear from the when accompanying words which we do not un threats of the latter. We should either believe that derstand: nay the very tones themselves, inde� he jested, or if he would be thought serious, we pendent of words, will produce the same effect<;, should be moved to laughter at his absurdity. as has been amply proved by the power of musi, And why is this? But because he makes use of cal imitations. And tho' these tones, arc usually words only, as the signs of emotions, which it is accompanied with words, in order that the under impossible they can represent; and omit<; the use standing may at the same time perceive the cause of the true signs of the passions, which are, tones, of these emotions. by a communication of the looks, and gestures. particular ideas which excite them; yet that the This will serve to shew us that the language, whole energy, or power of exciting analogous or sensible marks, by which the emotions of the emotions in others, lies in the tones themselves, mind are discovered, and communicated from may be known from this; that whenever the force man to man, are entirely different from words. of these passions is extreme, words give place to and independent of them. Nor was this kind of inarticulate sounds: sighs, murmurings, in love; -� language left to the invention of man, or lo the sobs, groans, and cries in grief; half choaked J.,.f--4:..__ chance of such arbitrary marks. as he should sounds in rage; and shrieks in tcrrour, are then � think proper to affix to the passions, in order to the only language heard. And the experience of � characterize them: no, it was necessary to soci mankind may be appealed to, whether these have f:Wc.i,s s ety, and to the state of human nature in general, not more power in exciting sympathy, than any 1MM--4fct.., that the language of the animal passions of man thing that can be done by mere words. (J•� at least, should be fixed, self-evident, and univer Nor has this language of the passions been cl,,yli'.A.� sally intelligible; and it has accordingly been im- confined to man only; for in lhat respect, he � pressed, by the unerring hand of nature, on the seems to be included in the general law, given to human frame. The improvement and exercise of all animals that arc not mute. or wholly incapable the intellectual faculties, to any eminent degree, of uttering any sound: as they also express their could fall to the lot of but a small portion of passions by certain tones, which striking the au mankind; as even the necessaries for the sup ditory nerves of those of the same species, al port of life, can not be acquired by much the ways produce correspondent effects; inasmuch as greater part, but by such constant labour and in their kindred organs, arc invariably tuned by the dustry as will afford no time for contemplative hand of nature, in unison to those sounds. studies. But tho' it be not necessary lo society, But it is to be observed, that each species of that all men should know much; it is necessary animals, seem to have a language of their own, that they should feel much, and have a mutual not at all understood, or felt by the rest. The low- sympathy, in whatc;ocvcr affects their fellow ing of the cow affects not the lamb; nor docs the , creatures. All our affections therefore and emo calf regard the bleating of the sheep. The neigh tions, belonging to man in his animal state, arc so ing of the steed, calls up all the attention of the distinctly characterized, by certain marks, that horsc•kind; they gaze towards the place from they can not be mistaken; and this language of whence the sound comes, and answer it, or run

ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC S6W\,C.,,Ah ..... ,. .. �... i' -tt« dwLh"'o;,o� e,t,.'-::uAwu>\.,,� t.pU,u..$ that way, if the steed be not in view; whilst the plaintive as those of his woe. The organs of hear cows and sheep raise not their heads from the ing therefore in man, are so constructed, as not to ground, but continue to feed, utterly unmoved. be indifferent to any kind of tone, either in his The organs of hearing in each species, are tuned own species, or in the animal world, thatis ex only to the sounds of their own; and whilst the pressive of emotion or passion: fromall theyre roaring of the lioness, makesthe for est tremble, it ceive either pleasure or pain, as they are affected is the sweetest music to the ears of her young. with sympathy or antipathy. It is true that like the This shews us, that the auditory nerves of ani several tribesof animals, man is most affected, or mals, areconstructed .in such a way, as to be af has thestrongest sympathy excited, by such tones fe cted only with such sounds, as immediately re as are uttered by those of his own species; and in gard the two chief ends of their being; the proportion also by those which most nearly re propagation, and preservationof their species: all semble them in others. We are moved most by othersou nds therefore, excepting such as excite the distressful cries of those animals, that have sympathy or antipathy, are indifferent to them. any similitude to the human voice, such as the Sympathy. with those of their own kind; antipa fawn, and the hare, when seized in pursuit by thy, against such as are their natural enemies, or dogs. But still we both fe el and undersrand the destructive of their species. Those which excite natureof all others. Nor can any animal utter any sympathy, may be supposed to be all in concord; sound which we cannot explain, or tell from what those which rouze antipathy, to be discords; emotion, or passion it proceeds. Thisdistingui sh which by creating an uneasy sensation, immedi• ing faculty was necessaryto man as masterof the ately dispose them to flight, to avoid the enemy. animal race, that by understanding their several Thusthe cryof dogs, warns the hare of his dan languages, he might relieve their distresses, and ger: and the howlings of the wolf, alarm the supply their wants. And indeed we find,that the , l,v\.-d, flock. The different species of animals, may_ tones of all domestic animals, expressive of their * l therefore be considered, as so many different na wants or distresses, have a wonderful power over tions speaking different languages, that have no the human heart, and mechanically rouze us to commerce with each other; each of which conse their relief. quently understands none but their own; except Thus extensive as are the powers of the ing only those who are in a state of warfare; by human ear, those of thehum an voice, do not fall whom the language of the enemy is sufficiently short of them; but are exactly suited to them in understood, forthe purposeof self preservation. degree and comprehension; there is no tone As the passions and emotions of the several which the ear can distinguish, that the voice, by kinds of animals, are very different,according to pains and practice, is not capable of u1tering. their different natures, so is there an equal diver Hence it comes to pass, thatas man understands sity of tones, by which theseseveral passions and the language of the different tribesof animals, so emotions are expressed: from the horrible roar he can make himself understood by them. The ings of the lion, to the gentle bleatings of the horse rejoices in the applauding tones of his lamb: from the loud bellowings of the wild bull, rider's voice, and trembles when he changes to the low purring of the domestic cat. But as them to those of anger. What blandishments do there is no passion or emotion whatsoever, in the we see in the dog when his master sooths him in whole animal world. which is not to be found in kind notes; what fear, and even shame, when he man, so equally comprehensive is the language changes them to those of chiding? By those the of his passions, which are all manifested by suit waggoner directs his team, and the herdsman his able tones. The roaring of the lion, is not more flock. Even animals of the most savage nature, terrible than the voice of his anger; nor the coo are not proof against collective powers of the ings of the pigeon, more soft, than the murmurs human voice; and shouts of multitudes will put of his love. The crowing of the morning cock, is wild beaststo flight, who can hear without emo not so clear and sprightly as the notes of hls joy; tion the roaringsof the thunder. nor the melancholy mournings of the turtle, so But that man should be fumis hed with such an

SHERIDAN I A COURSE OF LECTUR£S ON ELOCUTION 885 ')

extensive power in these points, even in his ani The first great distinction between the human mal state, will appear reasonable, when we con� and animal species, and which seems to mark sider that his nature, is an abstract of all animal their boundaries, is this: that it is in the power of nature; and that in his tribe arc to be found, all man, by his own pains and industry, to forward the emotions and passions, that belong to all the the perfection of-his nature. And what the nobler several tribes: consequently all the marks expres part of his nature is, is clearly pointed out by that sive of those emotions, or such as arc similar to distinction: because it is that nobler part only, or them, should belong to that tribe. If man is cap such of his animal faculties, as arc necessary to able of being the most social, the most tender and forward the perfection of that nobler part, which affectionate to those of his own species, of any arc capable of improvement by such pains. All animal; he is at the same time, capable of becom+ the organs and faculties of his body necessary to ing a greater enemy, and of having a stronger ha his animal life, arc so fashioned by the hand of tred and detestation of them, than is to be found, nature, that they grow of course to perfection; but even amongst the different tribes of animals, that the organs (if I may be allowed the expression) are born in a natural state of enmity. All the nat and faculties of his mind, necessary to his ratio ural language therefore of sympathy, and antipa� nal life, arc only in embryo; and it depends thy, should be given to him in a higher degree, wholly upon the assistance of others, together for the same reason that it is in a more limited with his own care, to give them birth, and bring state assigned to the several tribes of animals. them to maturity. Thus far we find, that man, in his animal ca+ Hence arises the necessity of a social state to pacity, is furnished, like all other animals, by na, man both for the unfolding, and exerting of his ture herself, with a language which requires nobler faculties. For this purpose, a power of neither study, art, nor imitation; which sponta opening a communication between mind and neously breaks out in the exactest expressions, mind, was furnished in the most easy way, by be nicely proportioned to the degrees of his inward stowing on him the organs of speech. But still we emotions; and which is not only universally un arc to observe, that nature did no more than fur derstood, but felt by those of the same species, as nish the power and means; she did not give the also in certain degrees by the rest of the animal language, as in the case of the passions, but left it world. That animals should come perfect from to the industry of men, to find out, and agree the hand of nature, in this respect, as well as in upon such articulate sounds, as they should chuse every thing else, seems reasonable from this con, lo make the symbols of their ideas. And she sideration; that they arc utterly incapable of im� seems to have laid down the same general law, proving themselves; or of making any alteration with respect lo every thing which regarded the in their frames by their own care or pains; their nobler part of man; to furnish nothing but what several faculties by an invariable law, growing to was absolutely necessary, and leave the rest to perfection, and decaying with their bodies, with his own industry: from the exertion of which, his as little assistance from themselves, as vegetation merit was to arise, and his pretensions to stand a in herbs or trees if performed, in the insensitive candidate for his admission, into a higher, and world. As the first of animals, nature has not been happier order of beings. Accordingly as she did less provident with regard to man; on the con� not furnish the words, which were to be the sym trary this, as well as all his other animal faculties; bols of his ideas; neither did she furnish the is bestowed on him in a degree suitable lo the su tones, which were to manifest, and communicate periority of his rank. But as man is something by their own virtue, the internal exertions and greater than the first of animals; as he is the link emotions, of such of his nobler faculties, as between animal and spiritual beings, and par chieny distinguish him from the brute species; takes of both their natures; other faculties, and but left them also, like words, lo the care and in other principles, belonging lo his nobler, spiritual vention of man; contenting herself with supply part, disclose themselves; of which there arc no ing him with an instrument, of such a compass as traces in the animal world. would furnish a sufficient variety of tones, lo an-

886 ENLIGHTENMENT RH ·TORIC swer all the variety of emotions, exertions, and word shall have sixty different meanings, accord� energies of all his faculties, if sought for, and ing to the different tones in which it is pro� settled by agreement, lo be their marks. Nor has nounced. Here then it is clear, that fifty*nine of art found those which are of her invention 10 be the sixty ideas, are marked by tones; forthe same of less efficacy, or less capable of exciting corre individual word, pronounced exactly in the same spondent emotions, than those even of nature, manner, can not possibly by itself, be a clear and when established by custom; in this case justly distinct mark, for more than one idea. This in called second nature. The only difference be deed has prodigiously increased the difficulty of tween them lying in this, that the lones of the ani their language, so that it is scarcely possible for mal passions, of themselves excite analogous strangers to acquire it; and it is the labour of a emotions, without the intervention of any thing man's life, even among the natives, to make him+ else; they are understood, by being felt. But the self fully master of it. Such a use of the tones tones resulting from the emotions and exertions therefore, in equal extent, has not been adopted of our nobler faculties, tho' they excite feeling, by any other nation. But there are none which as it is in the nature of all tones to do so, yet it is have it not in some degree. It is truethese tones only of a vague and indeterminate nature; not amongst us, are not annexed to words in their corresponding to the energies in the mind of the separate state, but only when they areranged in speaker, unless they are associated with words, sentences; and he must be very ignorant of or the symbols of the ideas, which give rise to speech, who does not know, that the same indi those energies and emotions; their nature and de� vidual words in a sentence, shall have several gree then become fixed, and the hearer both feels very different meanings according to the tones and understands them. When any tones therefore which accompany the emphasis. To the use of are affixed 10 certain modes of expression, and these tones is owing in a great measure concise adopted into general use; those tones, tho' they ness of discourse; and the necessity of multiply have no natural connection with the sentiment, ing words in language, to a degree that might no more than words have with ideas; yet by such make them burthensome to the memory, is re association, become equally intelligible, and moved. Nor are these the only advantages arising equally affecting with those that have, and arc to language from tones; for by thus setting off made part of the language; insomuch, that were words by tones, and makingthem determine their those expressions to be uttered, without those meaning, an agreeable variety may be intro tones, they would not convey their full meaning. duced, into the most abstracted and philosophical Thus far I have considered tones, chiefly in discourses, in which there is no room forthe lan contradistinction to words, as the types and Ian• guage of the passions and emotions; and which uuage of the passions, and all internal emotions, consequently must occasion disgust, and soon in the same way as articulate sounds, are the weary attention, if delivered by the use of mere types and language of ideas, independent of any words, in one dull uniform tone. On the same ac such emotions. But when we come to examine count it is fortunate also that tones have been the powers of each in their fu ll extent, we shall made the marks of the several pauses; and the find, that tho' words are limited to their peculiar links which unite together, the several members office, and never can supply the place of tones; of sentences and periods. yet tones, on the other hand, are not confined to But beside the use of tones, in the exertion of their province, but often supply the place of his animal, and intellectual faculties; there is an words, as marks of ideas. Ami tho' the ease and other part of man's nature which seems to be the distinctness with which our ideas are marked by link that joins that other two, a great part of articulate sounds, has made all mankind agree to whose exertions, have their very essence, so far use them in discourse, yet that tones are capable as they are communicated by the voice, in tones; in a great measure of supplying their place, is I mean the fancy. -To one branch of this partof clear frum this; that the Chinese language is his frame, Nature herself has furnished mauer for chieflymade up of tones, and the same individual a language, different in its kind from all other,

SHERIDAN I A COURSE OF LECTURES ON ELOCUTION and peculiar to man; l mean, risibility; and this very ideas can not be communicated, nor conse matter, according to the exertions of fancy, is to quently our meaning understood, without the be modified into an infinity of shapes. There is a right use of tones; as many of our ideas arc laugh of joy, and a laugh of ridicule; there is a marked and distinguished from each other by laugh of anger, and a laugh of contempt. Nay tones, and not words: and since it must be al there are few of our passions, to which fancy can lowed that the connection or repugnance of our not adapt, and associate this language. And ideas, their relationship or disagreement, and var should we trace it thro all its several modifica ious dependence on each other in sentences, arc tions and degrees, from the loud burst of joy, to chiefly pointed out by lanes belonging to the sev the tones belonging to the dry sneer of contempt; eral pauses. we should find. that an extensive, and expressive When therefore we rcnect, that not only every language, independent of words, belongs to this thing which is pleasurable, every thing which is faculty alone. Let anyone who has been present forcible and affecting in utterance, but also the at a well-acted comedy, only reflect, how very most material points necessary to a full and dis different the sentiments, characters, and humour tinct comprehension, even of the sense of what is have appeared, in the representation, from what uttered, depends upon tones: it may well astonish was conveyed to him by the mere perusal of the us lo think, that so essential a part of language, words in his closet, and he will need no other should in a civilized country be wholly ne proof to shew him how necessary, and how ex glected. Nay worse, that our youth should not tensive a part, the tones make, of the language of only be uninstructed in the true use of these, but fancy. in the little art that is used, they should be early From what has been said, it will sufficiently perverted by false rules, utterly repugnant to appear, how grossly they arc mistaken, who think those which nature has clearly pointed out to us. that nothing is essentially necessary to language, In consequence of which, all the noble ends but words: and that it is no matter, in what tones which might be an�wercd in a free state, by a their sentiments are uttered, or whether there be clear, lively, and affecting public elocution, arc any used, so that the words are but distinctly pro in a great measure lost to us. And how can it be nounced, and with such force of voice as to be otherwise, when we have given up the vivifying, clearly heard. Since it must be allowed, that the energetic language, stamped by God himself use of language is not merely to communicate upon our natures, for that which is the cold, life ideas, but also all the internal opcmtions, emo less work of art, and invention of man? and tions, and exertions, of the intellectual, sensitive, bartered that which can penetrate the inmost re and imaginative faculties of man: since it must be cesses of the heart, for one which dies in the car, allowed, that from the frame of our language, our or fades on the sight.

888 ENLIGHTENMENT RHETORIC