Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, by THE NATIONAL SCHOOL OF ELOCUTION AND ORATORY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.

PREFACE.

THE rapidly growing interest in the study of Elocu

tion is attended with an increasing demand for new and excellent selections adapted to Elocutionary purposes. This series is designed as a receptacle into which shall fall, year by year, the newest and best readings of the leading Elocutionists of the country, and these selections, after culling and pruning, and giving them suitable arrangement, always intermixing a few of the old standard pieces, are presented in the compact and convenient form of the ELOCUTIONIST'S ANNUal.

While much of the charm of good reading belongs to the reader, something must also be ascribed to the selection. No institution possesses greater facilities, not only for collecting material, but also for testing the virtue of the selections than that from which this series emanates.

70627

The same diligent attention to the needs of the school

room and the home circle, and to the wants of the

amateur reader and the professional elocutionist, have been paid in this as in the preceding numbers of the series.

To students and friends who have kindly contributed to the present volume we tender our thanks.

Hoping that NUMBER NINE will be found to fully sustain the reputation of the previous numbers of the ELOCUTIONIST'S ANNUAL, it is herewith submitted to

the public.

MRS. J. W. SHOEMAKER.

PHILADELPHIA, September 1, 1881.