154 
tance; since, by means of these, the: 
stammerer, the faulterer, and the throt~ 
ther; while under the necessary regula-. 
tions for the cure of his impednnent, 
would enjoy all the opportunities, and 
be stimulated ‘by: all the incitements, for 
the cultivation of the most liberal and ims 
portant branches of efficient education; 
and the hope might fairly and rationally 
be entertained, rhat, even from among 
the pupils of this deseription, might start: 
forth soise new Demostiienes, to enlighten 
and to energize the rising generation. 
Tt was with these views, that, even in 
the infancy of my establishment, as soon: 
as I had collected a few pupils around 
me, I constituted, as an essential part’ 
of my academical economy, a weekly so- 
erety, which, if classical names had not 
been so much degraded by ridiculous 
misapplications, I would call the Ly- 
ceum of Oratory; but which, perhaps, 
may be efficiently described by the title 
of the Historical and Oratorical Society, » 
The first proceedings of this society, 
at the end of the year 1406, were not. 
very promising; for my ‘first pupils (as 
was to have been_expected) were almost 
exclusively such whose cases were of the 
most desperatedescription ; impediments 
that had baffled all the customary modes 
of treatment, and, what was worse, had 
occasioned the minds of the parties to re- 
main in uncultivated ignorance, and their» 
tempers (a consequence not unfrequent) 
to be vitiated by the unsociatizing influ- 
ence of their defects. With three’ or 
four lads of this description, assisted by 
two of my own children (and their years 
entitled them to no other denomination) 
commenced the first session of a society, 
which, from its successive growth, and 
the respectable disquisitions already en- 
tered on its journals, 1 have sufficient 
reason to hope, with confidence, may 
contribute, in some degree, towards dil- 
fusing a more successful cultivation of 
English oratory. 
It was obvious, at any rate, that the 
necessity intposed upon these pupils, of 
détivering (with whatever difficulty) once 
in every week a set speech(written, orex- 
temporary, according to the state of the 
case) upon a given subject, must pro- 
duce some effect, both in the way of the 
attainment of knowledge, and the capa- 
"city of utterance. My partial success in 
_ these cases (for the generality of them 
- did not remain long enough for a perfect 
cure) brought others to my institution 
that were not so formidable, and who 
had means and ‘patience’ to persevere, to 
LMistorical and Oratorical Society 
[Sept 1 
the complete accomplishment of their 
object... At the same time, pupils of 
another description, who,had no actual 
impediments, but were emulous of ims 
provement, in conversational eloquence, 
In oratory, and composition, joined the’ 
society. A more particular organization 
became necessary; the precaution of ai 
few simple laws, for the exclusion of vie: 
sitors, and the direction of its members; 
and a regular journal to record its pro- 
ceedings. The followingare, at present, 
the principal regulations of the society : 
—~‘* That its meetings be regularly held, 
in the library of the institution, every! 
Monday evening, at half-past seven, from> 
‘the beginning. of October to the latter: 
end of May ;—That no person be adinite: 
ted to the discussions, but such as are” 
regularly registered as members of the® 
society ;—That every domestic pupil of: 
the institution, and every gentleman en- 
tered as a private pupil for @ course of 
twenty-four lessons, be considered: a 
member of the society for the time being, 
on complying with the established regu- 
lations;——That all pupils entering for a: 
quarter of a year, in any of the classes of: 
instruction, be considered as» members, 
on the same condition, for the entire 
season; and that those who have been 
pupils of the institution (domestic or pri: 
vate) for an entire year, have the privie 
lege of members, so long as the society 
shall continue to exist }—That gentles 
men of ‘respectability, not otherwise pus : 
pils of the institution, may be admitted 
as annual members, on payment of a 
stipulated subscriptions;s—That a few» 
gentlemen of litérary and scientific repus » 
tation, or of eminence in the liberal. pros 
fesstons (and such only), may, upon a pro= 
per application, be admitted as hono- 
rary members ;—That every member of . 
the society apen, in his turn, witha writs 
ten dissertation, the question previously 
proposed for discussion; and every mem- 
ber be prepared to deliver his sentiments, 
in his turn, if called upon, during the 
further discussion of such question; and 
that it be expected, with the exception 
of the opening dissertation, that the: 
members shall deliver their sentiments 
extemporary ; but that such members, as” 
have strong impediments of speech, shall 
be indulged, during the early stages of 
their treatment, previously to write their 
speeches, and have them prepared:and res 
hearsed, according to the plan of exer 
cises prescribed in the institution ;—That. 
every member shall, at his own expense, 
cause his written dissertations to be fairly 
transcribed 
