We have found time to look with some care into Dr. Comstock's text book, and have been led to admire the plan and general execution. The author has brought to his subject a willing mind, "and long experience makes him sage."

Numerous pieces of great strength, are illustrated for gesticulation, by engravings that are well executed, and which give a very correct idea to the reader of the motions to be used in an open, free reading of the speech.

The remarks and notation of the compiler are excellent, and give, so far as we could examine, a correct view of the pauses, volume of voice, and accentuation.

We commend Dr. Comstock's volume to the consideration of teachers and of learners. United States Gazette, Philadelphia, Dec. 14, 1841.

We have a distinct recollection of a tall, smiling gentleman, who, when we were a white-pated shaver going to school, used to come triweekly to the academy, and standing up duly before us, make us gesticulate, pronounce, read, and deliver speeches until we thought our arms would be jerked from their sockets, or that our lungs at least would give way. But we are living still, and so is our smiling friend Dr. Comstock. He has turned author too, and our table even now bears witness to that fact, in the presence of an admirable treatise on elocution by our former teacher.

No man, perhaps, in the United States understands so well how to cure stammering as Dr. Comstock. His success in this department has been almost miraculous. Yet he does not seek to hide his secret " under a bushel," but, with true benevolence, has made it public in the work before us. The volume also treats generally of elocution, gesticulation, &c. &c., and should be the study of every one desirous of becoming an orator, or even of reading well. The work is illustrated by numerous figures, displaying every position to be assumed in pronouncing a speech. Indeed, we have never seen a more complete treatise of the kind, and we cordially recommend it to parents, teachers, and others, as a work especially deserving support. Next to the privilege of being a pupil of the doctor the privilege of purchasing his book.

Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, Dec. 18, 1841.

The system of Dr. Comstock is peculiar, and we cannot speak intelligently on it, because it cannot be understood without a study, which we are unable to give to it. We can however say, that it appears to us to be founded on philosophical principles, and to be exceedingly well illustrated in parts which we readily comprehend. Dr. Comstock is not a mere theorist; he is eminently a practical man, and in the application of his principles he has been very successful in developing the powers of elocution, and in the cure of defective exercise of the organs of speech. Presbyterian, Philadelphia, Dec. 18, 1841.

This work contains some new and plausible principles, and it is embellished by numerous diagrams and engraved figures, illustrative of the subject. We have never seen a work of this kind published in a more elegant manner. Philadelphia Gazette, Dec. 21, 1841.

This is one of the most claborate works on Elocution ever published in our country, containing the results of much study and attention to the subject, and a thorough acquaintance with the philosophy of the human voice. Its several parts are systematically arranged-and its rules are illustrated to the eye by numerous diagrams. It is well adapted to meet the wants of schools and colleges as well as to direct private individuals, who would improve themselves in reading and speaking. Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Jan. 7, 1842.

The politeness of the author has placed before us his "SYSTEM OF ELOCUTION," but from a hurried glance at its contents, we are not able to say as much for it as its merits demand; however we have seen suffi. cient to be enabled to recommend it particularly to the heads of families and schools, who cannot fail to find it an invaluable auxiliary in the various subjects of which it treats. Its divisions comprise Elocution, Vocal Gymnastics, Gesture, Practical Elocution, being exercises in articulation, pitch, force, time and gesture, and exercises in reading and declamation. The engravings are exccedingly numerous, and admirably adapted to the purposes for which they are designed.

Catholic Herald, Philadelphia, Jan. 20, 1842.

Dr. Comstock has been long and favourably known in this city, and elsewhere, as a distinguished and successful teacher of Elocution. His system views that important, yet so sadly neglected, branch of education, as both a science and an art. His principles are founded on truth and nature, and in their practical application he is evidently master of his subject. Friends, in whose judgment we place reliance, speak of him as a teacher in terms of high commendation. The work we have just noticed is a new edition, with special reference to gesture, to the treatment of stammering, and defective articulation; comprising numerous diagrams and engraved figures, illustrative of the subject.

Banner of the Cross, Philadelphia, Feb. 5, 1842.

COMSTOCK'S SYSTEM OF ELOCUTION, for sale by S. S. & W. Wood. This is a most excellent book, containing a system of elocution, with special reference to gesture. It has a great number of cuts, descriptive of the plan, and is admirably calculated for the learner. It ought to be made a school-book, and be in the possession of every seminary.

New York Express, March 2, 1842.

From the Rev. Thomas B. Bradford.

PHILADELPHIA, April 4, 1842.

I take great pleasure in recommending Dr. Comstock's SYSTEM OF ELOCUTION. A practical acquaintance with the system, and with the instructions of its author, enables me to speak with confidence of the high superiority of this treatise, and of the ample qualifications of its author as an instructor in the art of speaking.

His course of instruction is exactly adapted to the cure of stammerers; and my personal knowledge of the cure of those who have been thus afflicted, warrants me in particularly recommending such individuals to place themselves under the tuition of Dr. Comstock.

T. B. BRADFORD.

From E. C. Wines, A. M., late Professor of Moral, Mental, and Political Science in the Central High School of Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 22d, 1842.

I take pleasure in stating that Dr. A. Comstock taught Elocution in my school during the whole of last year, and that his SYSTEM OF ELOCUTION was used as a text-book. I consider it a work of very great merit, admirably adapted to the end for which it was designed. The principles of the science are laid down with clearness and ability in the First Part; and the selections for practice in the Second Part are made with excellent judgment. It is a work every way worthy of the public patronage.

The progress of the pupils in my school under Dr. Comstock's instruction was altogether satisfactory. He fully sustained his high reputation as a teacher of practical elocution.

E. C. WINES.

From S. W. Crawford, A. M., Principal of the Academy connected with the University of Pennsylvania.

I have examined Dr. Comstock's ELOCUTION, and agree with Mr. Wines in the above recommendation.

S. W. CRAWFORD.

From the Pennsylvania Law Journal, Dec. 10, 1842.

We acknowledge the receipt of a copy of this valuable work; and although a treatise on elocution cannot be regarded as a law-book, the subject of vocal delivery is so nearly connected with the practice of the law, that we willingly accord to this volume a notice in our Journal.

Doctor Comstock has been long known to both the editors as a successful teacher of the subjects treated in his book. He has, perhaps, paid greater and more intelligent attention to defects of articulation, and to the cure of them, than any other person in the United States. And while certificates from Professor W. E. Horner, and other members of

the Faculty, attest that Dr. Comstock's "System is founded upon an exact anatomical and physiological information in regard to the organs concerned in the production and modification of sound," numberless testimonials from pupils residing in every part of the Union, show that he has been equally successful in the more rare, though not less important part of the teacher's office; we mean, imparting his science with practical effect. A long and intimate acquaintance with the Dr. enables the editors to vouch for the truth of what is thus attested, and yet more, to bear a ready testimonial to Dr. Comstock's merits as an amiable, gentlemanly, and conscientious man.

We have, indeed, often lamented the gross, and, to an ear of any susceptibility, the distressing inattention to delivery so generally prevalent in the pulpits and at the bar, in this country. How surprising, in this day of almost universal accomplishment, that in professions whose common object is persuasion through the medium of the voice, the management of " this mighty instrument for touching the heart of man," should be so much disregarded! should be treated in one profession as useless, in the other as almost impious!

How many a DIVINE, whose sermon was replete with learning, with piety, with all the refinements of graceful composition, has sent away a ready (perhaps an anxious) hearer, disgusted with the unimpressive, nay, sometimes the sickening manner in which the preacher's sentiments were delivered! while a Maffet or a Kirk is followed by thousands whose slumbering sensibilities are first awakened to the majesty of the gospel truth, by the commanding power of an impressive voice!

How many a JURY has thought a speaker's argument without force, because his manner was so; and have found a verdict against law and against evidence, because they had been charmed into delusion by the potent fascination of some gifted orator!

Who, indeed, that has listened to the ennobled voice of Kemble, to the chastened recitation of a Wood, to the air-dropt accents of Mrs. Seymour, or the sternly pleasing power of Ellen Tree; who, that seeking a better school, may have hearkened to the unsurpassed discourses of a Wainwright, rising, now, to fervour almost apostolic, sometimes sinking into gentleness unearthly, has not acknowledged the power of educated tone to awaken an eloquent response from the chords of human feeling? Who has not felt, on such occasion, "that when, in connection with a more careful culture of our moral being, the voice shall be trained to a more perfect manifestation of its powers, a charm, hitherto unfelt, will be lent to the graceful pleasures of life, and an influence of almost untried efficacy to its serious occasions!"

Let, then, our preachers leave the towering heights of their divinity, and strive to present its humbler truths in more graceful garb. Let our lawyers, not neglecting the weightier matters of the law, attend to those embellishments of argument which, with half our race, often prove more effective than argument itself.