Mechanics. — Lectures. 1S9 



MECHANICS. 



A mechanic of Copenhagen has made a model of a praam 

 intended to conduct, without danger, ships of the largest di- 

 mensions across the ice. His n)odel has heeu examined by 

 the most celebrated engineer? on the continent, and promises 

 to be of great service to the Danish marine. 



LECTURES. 



Mr. Thelwall has opened a seminary for the cuIti%-ation of 

 the science and practice of elocution, and the cure of impe- 

 diments of speech ; and has just commenced a course of lec- 

 tures, at his house, No. 40, Bedford-place,' Russel-square, 

 on the physiological principles of his art, and the causes, 

 .prevention, and cure of the. several species of impediments, 

 natural and habitual.. The. intention of the lecturer is to 

 treat his subject' as a branch of natural and experimental 

 philosophy ; to investigate the laws of organic action upon 

 which the phtenomenon of speech depend ; to consider at 

 large the theory of the human voice, and of human enuncia- 

 tion ; and to apply the principles of that theory to the prac- 

 tical improvement of the power and tone of the voice, and 

 the facilities of euunciative expression. For this purpose, 

 besides the more popular accompaniments of reading, reci- 

 tations, and oratorical digressions, the lectures are illustrated 

 by graphic and mechanical demonstrations of the essential 

 propositions; and an attempt U made to place whatever re- 

 lates to the fimdamentai requisites, and even to iTiany of the^ 

 higher graces of elocutionary expression, on the broad and 

 sure foundations of anatomical and mathematical science. 

 Even our perceptions of musical proportion, and the conse- 

 quent laws of musical composition, are referred, tor their 

 origin, to ceftain' principles of physii:al necessity, resulting 

 from the structure of the organs of voice : and from the 

 existing harmony between these principles and our percep- 

 tions of such proportion.s, Mr. T. builds his expectations of 

 surmounting all inipediments not resulting either from 

 deafness or imbecility of mind. His plan, of course, in- 

 cludes the structure and application of artificial organs, &c., 

 f.^r the relief of lho5e who have absolute deficiencies or mal- 



conformution?- 



